Mr. Mo’s Blog

Fife & Drum Corps

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 20:07:38 -0500

This summer, right after school got out in May, my family traveled to Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. Now if you don’t know, Colonial Williamsburg played a very important role during the founding of our country.

Watch the movie of the Fife & Drum Corps that performed while we were there. It was a highlight for me. Pay close attention to how they move their feet, they are MARCHING not walking. Watch their body carriage also. Notice how sharp that looks. Watch how they bring their instruments together. That is what we want to look like when we march.

Also notice the drums. Those are how the drums were back around 1776. The ropes have been replaced with drum lugs, screws, to tighten the drum heads. The drummers left leg moves the drum with every step. That is why they used the traditional grip. That grip matches the natural angle that the drum head. The drum is only held by a single strap at a single point, thus the movement and the angle.

Click here to see more of the Fife & Drum Corp

Gene Stiman

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 08:34:48 -0500

Gene Stiman was my college tuba teacher in 1975-1976, my junior year in college at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Illinois. He left my senior year to return to teaching at the Salem Grade School where he finished it teaching career.
Mr. Stiman is 86 when I recorded him play Colorama with the John A. Logan College Band on April 18, 2010. The director of that band is Michael Hanes, a former student of Mr. Stiman at the Salem Grade School and also former director of bands at SIUC.

I hope all of you are still playing at age 86! He is an amazing musician. He toured with the Benny Goodman Orchestra in 1950.

No “L” in Swing

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:44:48 -0600

The Middle School Jazz Band performs at the 2009 Christmas Concert.

Beginning Band @ Christmas

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:24:19 -0600

This might be the BEST beginning band performance at a Christmas Concert that I have ever had in 32 years of my career.

Enjoy!

God Bless America

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 16:13:57 -0600

I am continually blown away by what kids can do with a little encouragement...or maybe even not much encouragement.

Today, after a not so great attempt at recording Mr. James’ 5th grade class singing “God Bless America,” we decided to try it again. Now mind you we only meet ONCE a week and it has been a few weeks since we last tried to record it, but the kids really came through.

WOW! Much better than I ever imagined. Listen to them and you will agree!

Click here to download God Bless America 2009.mp3

Click here to download the iPod video GBA 2009 - Mobile.m4v

Click here to download the Computer/iPhone version GBA 2009 - Medium.m4v