The three movements are named after 3-d geometric figures, the most unusual of which is the Helicoid; it's shaped like a DNA spiral. Based upon this recording, the entire arrangement is a good 9 minutes long and surprisingly, our top speed in the show is in the second movement. The show is in 4/4 time, except for several bars that could possibly be written in 3/4 in the sheet music. Overall, the show is based strongly on intense percussion, layers of repeting woodwinds rhythms, and brass fanfare.
Contrary to recent myths, the show was not written especially for Poway High and has a little more brass prescence than expected. I am a little skeptical about calling our third movement a word that most people have never heard of. (Then again, we were all a little skeptical about "The Beating Heart Beneath the Wooden Planks" and "Bicycle Race"!) It will be interesting to see how the theme of this show changes and develops. But it still sounds like very exciting music! Can you believe that we will have every note of this show memorized within four months?
Here were the results from Friday's awards ceremony:
Senior Shirt Quote: "i'm more amazazing than you....Why? Because I'm a Senior!"
Nickname: Guitar hero
Advice: "Always do your best and have fun doing the best you can do."
Future Plans: "Community college for who knows what........"
What We Think: Elizabeth is a fairly recent acquaintance of mine, but I am certainly glad that I got to meet this funny, smiling person on the Italy trip in April! She always talks in a way that is nearly a laugh, but still very genuine. Elizabeth also plays guitar and recorded some songs for her Senior Project. Finally, Elizabeth is a great symbol of what we are all about here at macgyversfriend.com: Making new friends.
And that's our very last Senior of the Week for the Class of 2008! All of the 14 seniors featured can be viewed on our complete Seniors of the Week page under "Band." I hope that you have enjoyed this feature of emerald07 just as much as I have enjoyed giving something back to these cool kids. Although I am not sure if Leadership and Senior of the Week will return for next year's website, if I get enough response from viewers at school or email, I will consider picking it up again!
Saturday, June 7, 2008 ~ Tell-Tale Heart Video
5 Days to Graduation & Summer
Wow! What a crazy three nights the band and orchestra have had! It sure has been another great end-of-the-year for the Poway High musicians, but to follow up last night's marching band slideshow, I would now like to present the ultimate video of: The Tell-Tale Heart! It is the official Arcadia recording and I have been saving this video as my last gift to the Class of 2008. You saw the fight song and the parade march at awards night...now's it's time to relive the Beating of the Old Man's Heart!!! Ah ha hae!
We'll get to the award recipients next week, but now I would like to share a personal message from yours truly regarding the Leadership for next year.
Last night was a joyous evening for some and a melancholy dissapointment for others. And it has taken me three years to realize that section leaders and leadership are merely titles. In the past, I have always viewed section leaders as the best members of the band, but this common misconception is not entirely true. While section leaders are respected positions, anyone who has ever desired to unite a community and work for the whole instead of for personal gain, is a successful and commendable person. The only real failures are those who only look out for themselves alone OR those who let society convince them that they are failures. While the world tells us that success is based upon achievements, fame, and recognition, I believe that success is being content with who you are and what you have done. If others see you differently, you cannot let that become your problem.
Now, I would like to congratulate the new Leadership for 2008-2009, as well as positively encourage all of my faithful viewers to stay strong and believe in the musical spirit. There will always be things in life that are unfair and misinterpreted, but it makes you a better person when you accept and deal with setbacks in life, whether deserved or undeserved. And in the end, the true value of success is measured in friendship. Why do you suppose that I named the website "macgyversFRIEND?" Music has taught me that enthusiasm is the one quality and talent that anyone can possess; you just have to want it. Thank you, Class of 2008 and everyone who has supported my band website over the last three years, for YOUR band spirit. Be sure to check back for even more sentimental stuff and surprises next week!
Thursday, June 5, 2008 ~ Band Concert & Awards
7 Days to Graduation & Summer
Wow, can you believe it! Our spring band concert and awards night are finally here after another great marching and concert season! For our last performance of the year, here is tonight's musical line-up:
Symphonic Band @ 7:00 PM
1. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon ~ Arranged By: Michael Brown
2. The Music of Jerry Goldsmith ~ Arranged By: John Moss
Concert Band
1. The Lion Kind Soundtrack Highlights ~ Arr. By: Calvin Custer
2. Chillers and Thrillers (Themes of Suspense by John Williams) ~ Arranged By: John Moss
Wind Ensemble
1. Opening Night on Broadway ~ Arranged By: Michael Brown
2. Symphonic Dances from "Fiddler on the Roof" ~ By: Jerry Bock, Arranged By: Ira Hearshen
Concert Percussion Ensemble
Heat of the Day ~ By: Pat Metheny, Arranged By: Andrew Beall
Wind Symphony
1. Suite For Tuba ~ By: Don Haddad, Arr. by: Robt. E. Clemons
(Cassandra W.'s Senior Solo)
2. Soaring with John Williams ~ Arranged by: Robert W. Smith
The festivities continue on Friday evening with the following:
Dinner @ 5:00 PM
Class of 2009 Group Photo @ 5:45 PM*
End-of-the-Year Slideshow @ 6:20 PM
Awards Night @ 7:00 PM
Band Awards Night will include Senior Standouts Awards, student certificates & plaques, specialty awards, and the revelation of the Leadership team for next year! In anticipation for Friday, why not check out last year's Band Awards Night?
*If you are a Junior, the Class of 2009 will be taking a group photo on the lawn in from of the PAC at 5:45 sharp. All Juniors are welcomed to be in the picture, but please be patience and flexible while the photo is set up. This will be the third Class of 2009 picture taken over the last three years so don't miss it!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008 ~ Orchestra Concert
9 Days to Graduation & Summer
Please come to the orchestra concert and awards night on Wednesday, June 4th! Dinner will be held at 5:00 PM and the concert will begin at 7:00 PM with the following senior solos:
Allison L. ~ Flute
Niki T. ~ Oboe
Colleen M. ~ Piano
Kevin L. ~ Cello
Trevor M. ~ Clarinet
Suite From Video Games Live ~ Arranged By: Ralph Ford
(Halo, Civilization IV, Bounty Hunter, and Kingdom Hearts)
The concert will end with the highly anticipated medley of video game music! I have heard very good things about the arrangement so you won't want to miss "Video Games Suite Live," well, live! Finally, the evening will conclude with the orchestra's award ceremony. Many of the awards are similar to those given out at the band awards night. So come out and support your fellow musicians and enjoy a free concert at the same time!
Sunday, June 1, 2008 ~ Senior of the Week XIII
11 Days to Graduation
In honor of the Class of 2008, I have created a very cool set of headbanners for June! It took me a long time to decide what our last set of headbanners of emerald07 should look like, but I finally decided on a tribute to Poway High School AND America! Please check back every day as we countdown the days to the graduation ceremony of the Class of 2008!
Best Quality: "I'm a really good listener. I love talking to people and I love knowing what makes them tick."
Advice: "I loved marching band mostly through high school. The last two years were a little drama filled but if you don't let that get to you, then you'll be fine. I told myself I wasn't going to march in college but the atmosphere, the people, and everything about it is intoxicating."
Future Plans: "I got into LSU five days ago with a $16,400 scholarship so I'm going to go to school there and march in THE GOLDEN BAND FROM TIGERLAND. As for career, I have no idea yet."
What We Think: Jessica is an awesome senior because she possesses a true band spirit. I have known Jessica longer than any other senior and have seen her dedication and love of band grow. In the past five years she has become a confident individual an important member of the Class of 2008. In fact, Jessica was the one who inspired me to start an Emerald Brigade website in the first place! Here's the story:
In June 2005, I recieved a Konica Minolta digital camera as an 8th grade promotion present and used it to create some middle school picture pages. When I joined the Emerald Brigade in the fall, Jessica came up with her own project to create a page full of personal profiles for the clarinet section. Jessica's idea made me realize that I could start a website too, except that it would be for the whole Emerald Brigade! So really, Jessica is the reason why my band website came to be and I owe her a debt of sincere gratitude for that. Thanks for four great years! (3 at PHS, 1 at TPMS)
Wow! What a crazy three nights the band and orchestra have had! It sure has been another great end-of-the-year for the Poway High musicians, but to follow up last night's marching band slideshow, I would now like to present the ultimate video of: 
Wow, can you believe it! Our spring band concert and awards night are finally here after another great marching and concert season! For our last performance of the year, here is tonight's musical line-up:
Band Awards Night will include 
*If you are a Junior, the Class of 2009 will be taking a group photo on the lawn in from of the PAC at 5:45 sharp. All Juniors are welcomed to be in the picture, but please be patience and flexible while the photo is set up. This will be the third Class of 2009 picture taken over the last three years so don't miss it!
