bagpipe band, Scottish, bagpipers, pipers

GREY SNOTES
Newsletter of the Boise Highlanders
June 2010 (email version)

UPCOMING EVENTS: This is only a PARTIAL list. Be sure to check the gig
book for latest info and changes!!

Jun ?: Next Board Meeting

Jun 3: practice moves to VA grounds

Jun 5: Global Village, Ontario

Jun 12: Welcome Home Veterans

Jul 3: possible memoriam, New Plymouth

Jul 4?: Fourth of July Parade???

Jul 10: Athena Caledonian Festival

Sep 11: memorial piping

Oct 8-10: Trailing of the Sheep, Hailey/Ketchum

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From P/M RON:

The first Thursday in June we will be back to the parking lot behind the
Veterans Hospital Grounds off of Mountain Cove Road. Be careful of the
joggers and bike riders, they have the right of way and will jump or ride in such
a way as to assert that right. Practice will not be cancelled because of
weather. Weather in June is very unpredictable and often times clears up and
is beautiful by 7 pm.
I have been told that the Boise Highlanders have a reputation of having a
great repertoire of tunes but don't play any of them well. While this is
hurtful in some cases it is true. We need to tighten this up. In order to do
this individuals need to either work on our tunes and improve their
abilities to play them OR NOT play them during a performance. That means practicing
at home!! I know several people who do this and they are getting better. I
do not plan to introduce any new tunes at this time. We talked about
Horsburg Castle and the Breton Tune and adding to At Long Last, and I still want
to do that but will wait until we go back to the Church in October. I
would also like to add a tune called Balmoral to the Green Hills set. It is
very easy and would be a nice addition to the 3/4 set but will wait until fall
to do that as well. We are in the process of rearranging the tunes in the
Medley. At this time we will keep all the tunes. I was going to drop Nona
but a surprising number of people told me they like it so we will keep it.
Carolyn will have new copies as soon as we work out some transitions. Keep
working on the tunes in the Pikemans March medley, and we will only have to
focus on the transitions. Athena Caledonian Waltz and City of Boise Police
came out well on the CD except a couple of mistakes in the City of Boise.
We will use these tunes for our performances this summer so please work on
them.
In lieu of learning new tunes as a band, I would like to see small groups
select some short medleys of tunes of their own choosing. Tallis Canon and
Harmonic Coalition are great examples. This would add a nice variety to our
shows and a chance for people to choose tunes they like. I want for these
selections to be short and pleasing to our audiences. This could also give
us trios for the TV games in September. John McDade's goal is for the City
of Trees to beat the Boise Highlanders in that competition. Lets make a
mountain of trios for John to climb. **

MARCHING
We have several new pipers and drummers coming up. We will be working on
our marching this summer. Sara as a Drum Major, Evan DCI experienced,
Martin, Justin and Don will be in charge of this. I have not spoken to them as a
group and only now am mentioning it but I want them to work with the band as
a group. Organize the session so the band’s time is utilized efficiently,
what time and when will be up to them. Plan to practice until 9 pm. Even if
you think you are marching well I expect all of you to participate in
these drills. In the past, when George was working with us, there was an
attitude among some members that they knew how to march didn't
need to work on marching. Experienced people need to be there to provide
an example for those who are learning. We are having more and more new
pipers joining us and I expect band members to be mentors to them.

UNIFORMITY AND PERFORMANCES
I am too soft as a P/M. I get tired of Harping all the time and do not
take care of little problems. I have passed out some information about what
other P/Ms expect from their bands. I agree with all of it but have not been
consistent in my expectations. From now on if you show up in the wrong
uniform, mixed parts of uniforms, i.e. white hose and spats, you will be asked
to step down and not perform. The uniforms of the Boise Highlanders is now
on our website should you have any questions. There are a few times which
we may deviate from our uniformity. At this time the exceptions are St.
Patrick's Day and Halloween if we have a performance that has that day as a
theme. All other times I don't want to see pieces of attire that are not part
of the uniform. If you show up late and just minutes before we are to go on,
and if you have a good excuse for doing so you can perform, BUT you had
better well be in tune and dressed properly and pipes in excellent condition.
I want cooperation from all people in the band to carry this out
especially the Pipe Sgts.

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GLOBAL VILLAGE PEOPLE, Ontario, Oregon:
June 5, yes, that’s THIS SATURDAY! I want pipes there for tuning at 9:15
and drummers and dancers there by 9:45.
Parade starts at 10:00am. Our performance is at 11:30am.
Summer uniform, but also bring sweaters and Inverness capes.   But it’s not
going to rain. No, it’s not.
Volunteers to play and/or dance about 2:30pm? The Chamber of Commerce
fellow I talked to said the Boise Highlanders are the prime attraction at this
event, and when we leave, the crowd leaves! He may have been
exaggerating, but perhaps not. If anyone will volunteer to play about 2:30, I know we
can make extra “points” with our friends across the river. Thanks! ~Don

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From the BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Although I did not receive anything from a Board Member for this issue,
the following is what Ron and Carolyn confirm for BAND MEMBER prices for our
CD:
Band member discounts: 1st one $5. 2nd, 3rd, and 4th $10 each. After
that NO discount, full price of $15.
Joyce will be handling the sales to band members, and the CD will only be
sold to band members on Thursday nights!   Not only will this eliminate
people calling at all hours of the day and night, but it will get you to band
practice, too!
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OTHER STUFF: PLEASE keep your e-mail address updated with Joyce.
Important or late-breaking news is sent via e-mail.
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BOISE HIGHLANDERS LOGO STUFF! T-shirts, sweaters, jackets, anything and
everything
– contact Brandi Janssen. She will also have the catalog at band
practices.
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** Speaking of TRIOS, the Athena Games will have a trio event this year in
addition to quartet MSR. Start planning now!! See Don for more details.
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NEXT GREY SNOTES: The July 2010 issue will be out on Thursday, July 1.
Please get your material to me as soon as possible. Thanks! ~Don