Best Quality: "My ability to be compatible with others. I try to treat everyone the same way, make people feel that they are important to the program, and encourage them to have fun, even with the heat and long rehearsals."
Advice: "Even if they [marching students] feel like they never got the hang of marching by the end of the season or if they were a double, that they can definitely come out of that state and become great for the year(s) to come if they put in the effort. Also, people need to memorize and be able to play all of the music. It will only make each section better, which will make the entire band better and more impressive. And even when the rehearsals seem endless or you're just not in the mood to march or something else, try to keep a positive attitude about it: that could motivate other people to be positive and accomplish more. I know the Emerald Brigade will keep the tradition going, but I think that this could help them become just that much better."
Leadership Advice: "Be fair and kind to all of your section. People are going to have different personalities and/or be less cooperative, but that's the way people are and leaders should be the ones to overcome those differences and bring people together. We're in marching band: this is another family to many people, so people shouldn't feel excluded from their peers. And, with the new restrictions to what is allowed now, section leaders should do all that they can within Sybilski and Cook's boundaries. Try to set the best example by following their rules word by word. Have fun with your section and get to know them: they will appreciate eventually if they haven't already."
What We Think: For the last Leadership VIP of 2007, we are proud to recognize Allison for her amazing flute skills. For anyone outside of band or who has been living under a rock, Allison was our second movement soloist and played a pretty long, sustained line at that. Like many of the leadership, she is in Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, and the orchestra for "The Music Man" in February. Allison's witty and sharp personality makes her very fun to be with and her intelligence and experience allows her to give excellent advice. Good job Allison!
We have now featured a grand total of 20 Leadership members, so I have updated the Leadership Contacts page with links to each of their featured weeks. But there are four Leadership who have still not verified or given information to me; thus they have not been featured yet. Nevertheless, their weeks are coming up so that all of the Leadership VIPS will be done by the end of January. And what is to replace the LOTW? You will just have to stay tuned to macgyversfriend.com!
Friday, December 28, 2007 ~ Christmas/Holiday Gifts 2
Here is round two of our holiday surprises this year beginning with the first part of the Arcadia Tournament photo album! It contains pictures from the morning events as well as a majority taken by Marissa P. (Trombone ~ Class '11) during the Parade competition. Secondly, I have put up an extensive list of Winter Concert Recordings to remain in the archives of time forever! Please, be sure to tell your friends from Twin Peaks about this page!
In past years about this time, I would be getting ready to make some final statements about this year's website before discontinuing updates to the website for a few months...however, our goal this year, is to be available all year-long with the lastest news on the band program. Please make sure to check back on January 1st to see what we have in store for the new year!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone! Now I would like to present you with some special gifts of my own, but first we are going to finally reveal the identity of "Mareina," the mystery Staff member listed in the right hand column from the very beginning. Let's give a big cheer for our wonderful and talented photo editor:
Jessica J. ~ Bass Clarinet/Bassoon '09
(left)
Her job has been to place the URL stamp on and upload every single photo this year. It is a tedious job but Mareina has surpassed with flying colors! She has been the reason that I have been able to work on so many extra projects this year. Plus, she has stuck with the job unlike so many volunteers before her which shows her dedication. Thank you Jessica!
And now for the presents! First off, here is a gift that I have been working on for several months for the Class of 2008: Circuitry Videos! These are the first online recording of the Emerald Brigade's 2004 field show and I am very proud to present them to all of the wonderful band Seniors this year. Second, I have saved the best song for last to add to our Holiday Music page! It's got an instrumental twist that you are sure to enjoy. Finally, below are the Media of the Week video and pictures. That's all for now, but please check back on Friday for the second list of holiday gifts!
Video of the Week (12/21/07)
Notes: Here is an exiting ending to the Titan Times holiday music assembly, the last band event of the year. In contrast to past years, the band played Russian Christmas Music three times that day to blow the top off of the gym!
Pictures of the Week (12/21/07)
Notes: The orchestra and jazz band also performed during the Titan Times Assembly. I was able to get these great shots by jumping around the gym to get the best seats in the house for all three assemblies.
Sunday, December 23, 2007 ~ Week XIX Leadership VIP
Before our VIP this week, here are some overdue new features starting with Rehearsals ~ Page 4! Last year we featured three pages of rehearsals, but this year there will be a total of five pages. As we get super close to Chirstmas Day, I have added a new song on the Holiday Music for you to enjoy! Finally, I would like to personally wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Sometimes when we get wrapped up in society, the world, or even ourselves, we lost sight of what is truly important so use this time to rekindle your love for friends, family, and music. Please remember to check back here on Tuesday for some special Chirstmas/holiday gifts from us!
Shirt Quote: "There is nothing wrong with Cassandra; she is a perfect human being." - Sybilski
Birthday: December 28
Best Quality: "My sense of humor...or at least i like to think so"
Advice: "don't procrastinate"
Leadership Advice: "don't procrastinate, and try to keep everyone happy while making sure everyone gets everything done"
What We Think: Cassandra is one of the most dedicated musicians at PHS. Along with tuba, she plays string bass in the orchestra and nearly every single brass instrument. She played the eighth-note tuba solo for Russian Christmas music this year and will be playing again in the spring musical, "The Music Man." She is also a very funny, caring, and strong-willed leader. Finally, this Friday is Cassandra's birthday so we would like to wish her an early, "Happy Birthday!"
Wednesday, December 19, 2007 ~ Winter Concerts
Our annual winter concert with Twin Peaks Middle School is tomorrow night, so I have put up another song on the Holiday Music page! Make sure to watch the video that follows to find out what really happens to the IRS man...And if you missed last week's announcement, here is a Russian Christmas Music MP3 to help you practice or just to listen to! Finally, why not check out last year's Winter Concert pictures to refresh your memory? Also, make sure to bring your field show and parade music to the concert if you forgot them.
Have fun at the orchestra concert, the winter band concert, and at the Titan Times assemblies on Friday! Please check back here over the break because we have many wonderful surprises planned...Don't forget to take your instrument home over the break!
Picture of the Week (12/14/06)
Notes: Here is a picture of the Twin Peaks students from one year ago! Recognize the people that stayed in band? Since many of us attended this concert as middle schoolers, we should all know how important it is to make the younger musicians feel welcomed. The number of 8th graders at the concert that will turn into next year's freshman band class depends upon the impression we make upon them. I encourage you to show these kids what the music program is all about!
Monday, December 17, 2007 ~ Week XVIII Leadership VIP
Shirt Quote: "Take three lefts and a right and all you have done is turn around."
Birthday: June 14
Best Quality: "Patience"
Advice: "Keep pushing through, all this practicing will be worth it in the end."
Leadership Advice: "It's harder then it looks."
What We Think: Jena is one of the quieter and more elusive leadership to meet, but this proves to be a very effective form of leadership. She is always very calm and is there to help and understand people. Both patience and the French Horn take time to master, and Jena has accomplished both. Her skills paid off with our exceptionally large 9-person Horn section. We would like to personally thank Jena for being a great Senior and friend!
Saturday, December 15, 2007 ~ New Features
For our new features this week, I have added "festive" graphics to the headbanners just in time for the "holiday" season! They are scheduled to be up until the new year. Next, here is a small photo album from the Vista Tournament! Finally, I have created a page for Holiday Music that I will be adding to over the next few weeks to get you into the "spirit of the season"! I decided to start the collection off with a Christmas classic...
Thursday, December 13, 2007 ~ Media of the Week
Video of the Week (12/7/07)
Notes: As the last marching season event, the EB plays the fight song after Poway's first-ever CIF Championship at Qualcomm Stadium!
Picture of the Week (12/7/07)
Notes: So really, the POTWs are meant to give you a glimpse of a recent event even though the photo album for that event will not appear for awhile. I also wanted to find a way to comment on special pictures that had a story behind them. On this occasion, I requested that these three pose with their bells pointed at the camera, and it turned out to be quite unique.
Monday, December 10, 2007 ~ Week XVII Leadership VIP
Before we get to the VIP, two of my pictures from the Mission Hills MBOS were recently printed in Poway High School's student-run newspaper, The Illiad! In addition, a link to this website was printed at the bottom of the articles which hopefully provided some publicity for us! If you found us through the Illiad, thank you for visiting and please check back here all year for the latest news and media about the band program!
Following are scans of the band and orchestra articles as well as a colored version that I created. Also, I would like to thank Meriel M. (Class '08) of the Illiad staff for making this all possible!
Best Quality: "easy going and always loving to laugh"
Advice: "always focus on the goal, not the work it takes to get there."
Leadership Advice: "Being a leader is being positive. Without it you can't expect to gain respect."
What We Think: Katrina has undoubtedly proved herself to be the star trombonist at Poway High School. Last year, she was our sophomore soloist for our "Queen" field show, made All-State Band, and even won the 2006 PIFT shirt-drawing contest! As a section leader, Katrina knows what she is doing and can be tough. But Katrina is also very funny and seems to enjoy to dress up for special band rehearsal themes.
Saturday, December 8, 2007 ~ New Features
The results of last night's football CIF Championships? Poway takes the win from Rancho Buena Vista 21-7! It was a huge victory for the Titan football team, making this the first ever CIF Championship in Poway High's 40-year history! There was extreme hype is the stands when our undefeated football team finished with a perfect season of 12-0. December 7, 2007 will become a famous night in Poway sports history. Congratulations Titan football players!
As for the band, it was decided at the VERY LAST minute that we would not perform the halftime show or be in uniform for the trip, but it was still a fun and exiting return to Qualcomm. The band was seated on the right side of the Poway side of the stadium and the drumline lead the football team onto the field with their candence as always. Throught the night, we played pep band music, the fight song, and at halftime, the third movement to the halftime show. In the end, our trip to Qualcomm was very similar to last year...except that this time, we marched out of the stadium victorious!
The pit members were not required to come last night, but Kudos to Shunto I. (Class '11) for coming anyway and supporting the band!
In honor of Poway's recent triumph, here is Rehearsals ~ Page 3. These pictures were taken in early October and have been quite a long time coming. But our big surprise today is that we now have a professional recording of Russian Christmas Music! The page will pop up in a second window so that way you can listen to RCM and view the new pictures all at the same time! A link to the Russian Christmas Music MP3 page can also be found in "Music." Finally, Live Recordings of the third movement are available from Wednesday, even though we did not end up performing again last night.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007 ~ Qualcomm & Media of the Week
It's official, we are going to perform the third movement of our halftime show at Qualcomm! Our performance will follow Rancho Buena Vista's band at halftime. However, it's not going to be a simple "walk in the astroturf" this time because the field is made of real grass. Plus, there is a 50% of rain and the field will probably be completely torn up from being used all day on Friday. It will definately be challenging. Make sure to wear warm clothes!
So here's some quick info: Call Time is 5:30 PM. We will dress to uniform and carry our shakos and assembled instruments on the bus (except for instruments larger than trombones). The game will start at 8:00 PM and we will play as a pep band music in the stands for the entire game. At halftime after RBV, we will go straight from the stands to the field so make sure you can find set #63 on demand! Finally, after the game we will return home on the buses and dress out of uniform at PHS.
Although our visit to Qualcomm was very different last year, why not check out some pictures from 2006 to get yourself psyched up! Have fun at Qualcomm (hopefully with minimal mud)!
Video of the Week (11/30/07)
Notes: This video from last Friday's football game is a wet one, as the band plays the fight song in a light drizzle which quickly turned to buckets of rain. This semifinal game was one cold but thrilling evening!
Picture of the Week
Notes: As we head towards our revival performance on Friday, here is the official Key Poulan logo for "The Tell-Tale Heart!" I have used this logo to redecorate the headbanner. Don't worry, like the other seasonal headbanners, this is only temporary! Also, here are the new Locomotion and Circuitry designs from our past Key Poulan shows!
Monday, December 3, 2007 ~ Week XVI Leadership VIPs
We decided to feature two section leaders this week because both of their birthdays are today! Happy Birthday Tim and Noelle!
Shirt Quote: "Rule Number 5: No Excuses, Play Like a Champion"
Birthday: December 3
Best Quality: "Optimistic attitude"
Advice: "Stay focused during practices and remain positive throughout the marching season."
Leadership Advice: "Have fun!"
What We Think: Tim is a very determined Junior musician and student. He is very confident about the trumpets and has a sharp sense of wit and sarcasm. Not only is it Tim's birthday today, but it his twin brother Jon's as well. We are sure to see some great things from both of them in the future.
What We Think: As a Sophomore, Noelle is the youngest section leader this year! It is impossible for me to understand what it takes to be a good guard captain, but Noelle definately has it. She has accepted awards for the auxiliary at tournaments and recently made one of the lead roles in the spring musical, "The Music Man." Plus, Noelle is the perfect name for one who is so spirited and cheerful, just in time for the holidays!
Saturday, December 1, 2007 ~ Photo Album
Before we get to our new photo album, I forgot to announce our final winner for Mystery Song #15:
Roblen G. ~ Clarinet Junior '09
Sorry about that Roblen! But the really big news is that the Emerald Brigade is going to Qualcomm! Last night, our undefeated Poway football team beat Mira Mesa 16 to 0, earning the Titans their 11th consecutive win this season! The extreme, massive rainstorm made the game even more exiting, but the pep band was forced to disperse: the woodwinds before halftime and the brass and drumline before the end of the third quarter. I stayed for the entire game and it literally was pouring to the very end.
Although we didn't perform our halftime show last night as previously announced, we are almost sure to do it at Qualcomm stadium considering how many times that the directors have been promising it! Either way, we will still have a pep band in the stands in full uniform! I am extremely for this revival of the Tell-Tale Heart and you should be too. It is saddening to hear that many band students do not want to perform again. Our show this year is awesome and now is the time to fulfill our duties as a Marching Band to Poway High. Please check back for more info on Qualcomm soon!
Our photo album this week is page 2 of the Mission Hills MBOS! Also, I have recently "hidden" the video clips on the past news pages to make them load faster: November, October, September, and August. All you have to do is click on the "Launch Video" buttons to make the videos appear! Isn't that convenient? Also, if you've never seen the links to the past news pages before, they have been at the bottom of this page...
Here is round two of our holiday surprises this year beginning with the first part of the 
Before our VIP this week, here are some overdue new features starting with 
Our annual winter concert with Twin Peaks Middle School is tomorrow night, so I have put up another song on the 
In honor of Poway's recent triumph, here is 
It's official, we are going to perform the third movement of our halftime show at Qualcomm! Our performance will follow Rancho Buena Vista's band at halftime. However, it's not going to be a simple "walk in the astroturf" this time because the field is made of real grass. Plus, there is a 50% of rain and the field will probably be completely torn up from being used all day on Friday. It will definately be challenging. Make sure to wear warm clothes!
So here's some quick info: Call Time is 5:30 PM. We will dress to uniform and carry our shakos and assembled instruments on the bus (except for instruments larger than trombones). The game will start at 8:00 PM and we will play as a pep band music in the stands for the entire game. At halftime after RBV, we will go straight from the stands to the field so make sure you can find set #63 on demand! Finally, after the game we will return home on the buses and dress out of uniform at PHS.
Our photo album this week is page 2 of the