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DaDirtyHarry
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Name: DaDirtyHarry
Gender: Male
Interests: Getting serenaded (flying flags/sabres/rifles & all) by the 76th Cavalry Marching Band and Colorguard! How RomanticaLoveyDovey!
Expertise: I don't know that much, even though I look like I do. You can say that I'm an experTEASE.
Occupation: Band's Sound Tech + unofficial
Industry: When the Cavalry has a parade,
Message: message me
Website: visit my website
AIM:  MrRious21
Member Since:
11/6/2006
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| (I decided to re-post this on my page... it's a comment in response to Black Taylor's Blog "Proactive vs. Reactive". You should read it. Much admiration to him... I hope his strength and passion will help feed that desire for the greatness you are all so capable of this season! I am providing this in hopes that you can understand the situation from this staff person's perspective.)
An instructor's view:
Although I did not apply it, I did not realize the "do not talk" rule
would get everyone so worked up. However, I do understand how people
can get upset at it. You guys need to know why the staff felt an
instruction like this was in order. Bottom line, removing unneeded
talking on the field will help in improving the key elemental object in
this band... THE INDIVIDUAL. Take the rule as a way to focus on your
own gig - music, marching technique, drill formations, and the reasons
you are devoting all this time to this organization. Here's the deal:
A. The instructors give a command, an order, a tip, an instruction, a request.
B. The individual takes it, executes it, and retains it
C. Results and progress.
That's it. It's an approach that's proven. I'm sure it's what all the
section leaders expect when their running their sectionals, right? So
please do not feel the instructors are shutting you guys up and cutting
you off from anything. Communication is KEY and it is something that
CANNOT be lost. But, the process of communication involves someone
conveying a message on one end WHILE another is listening to that
message, interpreting it correctly, and applying it. Communication
(and time) is lost when everyone is telling everyone else that they are
doing something wrong. Have faith in the capabilities of the staff.
Our expertise collectively extends to over 60 years of marching
experience. The staff feels the same about you, and we know that our
eyes can't see it all. When any member has a question, be considerate
and proper during rehearsals by raising a hand and/or getting the
attention of any staff so things can get clarified. If things are
crystal clear, being silent is an excellent way to show you have no
qualms. You cannot say that we'll "breathe down your necks" and won't
consider your thoughts or concerns. Nearly every command we give is
followed with "Any questions?" The "no talking" policy is only a means
to create structure to our rehearsals so we may streamline the learning
process as we have SO much going on with this awesome show.
I know there are a lot of rebuttals that can be made to what I have
just typed (and what I will be typing), but at this point it would
simply a complaint and we don't have the luxury of time to delve in
that (plus Black made it quite clear how much progress is made with
complaining). Instructor OR student - all the advice will not help
unless the receiving party is willing to accept it AND apply it... that
all come from within ourselves. How about we all do what I talked
about in the beginning of this comment: FOCUS ON THE INDIVIDUAL. For
example, when I'm striving for excellence in a group, I look to myself
first and foremost! I ask myself this:
- Am I doing as I am asked?
- Am I doing as I am asked so close to perfect that my confidence in doing it well almost sounds cocky?
- Am I doing as I am asked so close to perfect that my confidence in
doing it well almost sounds cocky AND am I retaining it so I can
reproduce it on command?
This, I believe is our biggest concern as a staff... RETAINMENT. Some
instructors are tremendously frustrated and are really getting down on
people because of this. I do not blame them. Why? Because I have
seen the band perform with technique that is nothing short of
SPECTACULAR. I, personally, looooove encouraging you and letting you
know when you are showing me what Independence is all about... but I
don't think it's necessary for me to yell "square your shoulders" on
nearly EVERY SINGLE SET when I know you already know how to do it! So
why am I repeating it? That's where LISTENING and RETAINING is
CRUCIAL. Those things tend to come a lot easier when everyone isn't
talking all at once on the field, that's all.
If EVERYBODY were to ask those 3 questions to themselves, would it even
be possible to tell someone they're doing something wrong if they
answered "YES" to all of them? [Tip: question yourself 1st before
questioning others.] Now let me try that tip... What am I here for?
I was hired to instruct the Championship 76th Cavalry Marching Band.
- Am I doing as I was hired?
- Am I doing as I was hired so close to perfect that my confidence in doing it well almost sounds cocky?
- Am I doing as I was hired so close to perfect that my confidence in
doing it well almost sounds cocky AND am I retaining it so I can
reproduce it on command?
I know my answers. Plus, I know that they are best shown through my
actions and not with necessarily saying my answers aloud. Also, I know what I
need to do to own up to them.
Are you doing what what is asked as a member of the Championship 76th Cavalry Marching Band? | | |
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Okay, i promised I'd post these for them...
Top pic: Back-to-back-to-back IHS Drum Majors of the past, whom I have had the honor mentor after I left!
To my right (your left): Wildon Lacro - now a nationally-renowned chef and former IHS MB drum major/trumpet who cooked for the spaghetti dinner. Instructs at Evergreen HS and is re-vamping the DM program to (and this is his quote) "instill the knowledge that was past down by his mentor whom everyone refers to as THE LEGEND." (crazy kid)
To my left (your right): Willard Lacro - Wildon's younger brother and (also) former IHS MB drum major/saxophone. Full-time instructor for the Lynbrook HS MB (who will now join us in the WBA circuit - yay!) who also decided to take on the rebuilding of the DM program and suggested a San Jose DM program where the DM instructors rotate between schools so (his quote as well) "we can breed students that are of CAVALRY CALIBUR."
Then they go on talking about remarching our old shows and rotating turns on the podium, and other reliving-the-moments type of stuff, yadda yadda... LOL
Those quotes, while accurate, may have been skewed since they were, how do I put this, not so much themselves, as they were out celebrating (glug glug glug) Wildon's farewell to Seattle for 2 months to work/study there for some chef/culinary-type thing. But nonetheless, they could not stop mentioning the fact that they would do ANYTHING for the Cavalry, because the Cavalry has done SO much for them. I thought that was the coolest thing to hear, especially from instructors from 2 different high schools. These two aren't just ANY former IHS band members. Look at the plaques - they are plastered all over the place with the Lacro family name...
Just figured I'd mention that to all of you. They made me swear to put it all on the web somehow, even the pictures. But believe me, those 2 pics are the ONLY appropriate pictures of them I have (yup, ex-band members in the other photo too - just not all DMs)! The other shots I have? Not so appropriate.
Perhaps, i should thank the 2006 band. Why? Well I came across being your sound tech COMPLETELY by chance. Prior to the MB season, I haven't seen "Tiny", the Lacro's, or any other MB members for YEARS. I know, it seems like me and Tiny have always kicked it... no, we didn't. I just happen to be walking home from my parents' house because they were too exhausted to drive me home after a long airplane ride. So I lug my luggage (lug my luggage - haha) through IHS and hear the band playing in the stadium. I see big ass Tiny in the stands looking all important like he was an instructor (lol) and the rest is history. Goes to show how the bonds you make in marching band will always remain tight...
What do I want you to get out of this little sharing? I don't know. Just be proud to be part of the great organization that is the 76th Cavalry Marching Band and Color Guard. All your predecessors certainly are. And, I can firmly stand by my statement of saying that they, or WE rather, are happier than probably even YOU that you returned our pride and joy to the fine form it has always been known to be. How? With that untouchable win this past marching season (just in case you forgot)! Just remember all of those faces, since you'll be seeing them a lot at next year's competitions/rehearsals/fundraisers...
(yeah, I know all the mushy band talk shoulda been done and over with long ago. What can we say? Your ex-drum majors are band geeks FOR LIFE! XP)
Cool, I think this is my FIRST entry where I actually put some real stuff on my mind that I wouldn't normally share. Yeah, the previous stuff is actually the mumbo-jumbo that clutters my mind! ;-P
Next thing you know, I'll be starting all my blog entries with "Dear Diary,..."
AWHECKNAW!
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| The inaugural spaghetti dinner and silent auction, I felt, was a great success! I'm sure the funds raised will help the winter perc/guard tremendously!
I was very proud of the fact that many alumni came to the event! 4 of them former drum majors, nonetheless! See how we love you all so? They also provided the delicious spaghetti for those that showed up in time to experience nationally-renowned cooking from chef Wildon Lacro, one of those very described people I mentioned above! Being in the Cavalry can get you places, eh? XD
Just thought I'd post some pics from the wonderful night. Congrats BTW to the guard's very own ANTONIO for being the highest bidder for the "Night Out with Harry and Tiny"! Be careful, Antonio... you must choose your 3 guests wisely, especially since now the number of them will probably triple once news spreads of your winning! lol jk...
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v221/hjc21/cavalryband/winterperc/?action=view&slideshow=true
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| (taken from my MySpace bulletin...) Independence High School's Music Program is hosting its... FIRST EVER SPAGHETTI DINNER AND SILENT AUCTION!!! WHERE: Independence High School
San Jose, CA
D-Commons Recreation Center WHEN: Thursday, FEBRUARY 8, 2007 TIME: doors open at 6:30PM PRICE: $5.00 at the door FOR: IHS Winter Percussion program
You DO NOT want to miss this extravaganza! All the proceeds will help the Winter Percussion with much needed funds so they have a shot to reclaim their championship status! They earned a 2nd place finish in 2006, and took the chmpionships in 2005.
"Why," you're probably asking, "should I reserve my precious time to go to this event?" I'M GLAD YOU ASKED! Here's what your nominal fee of 5 bucks will get you:
*SPAGHETTI DINNER
The best spaghetti to ever touch your palate! Dinner will be provided by a marching band alumnus AND nationally renowned chef, Wildon Lacro. To enhance your dining experience, it will be gladly served with courtesy by our great students... tipping is ENCOURAGED!
*SILENT AUCTION
Companies from the area have generously donated their products and services so we can allow the participants to not only help a great organization, but have an exciting, fun way to win a bunch of cool items. Some items include...
-high tech gear, like Motorola KRZR multimedia mobile phone from Sprint
[value $400] -gift certificates, from places like Zachary's Pizza
[value $25] -an all-expenses paid fun-filled day (details to follow) for the highest bidder and 3 of their friends with perhaps the 2 most infamous band members to ever grace the Cavalry, HARRY CEREZO and DAVE "Tiny" LUCIANI. (Thank Rob, the percussion instructor, for volunteering us).
[value $PRICELESS!]
*MUSICAL PERFORMANCES
You will also be entertained by the Western Band Association's 2006 AA-class State Champions, the 76th CAVALRY MARCHING BAND AND COLORGUARD! Other groups from the music department will also delight you with music that's, well, music to your ears! XD
WHAT A BARGAIN, eh?
So be there, or be... A FREAKIN' CHUMP, you loser! (that's kinda funny coming from a band geek, huh!)
Feel free to contact me wirth any questions! Oh, and copy/paste/repost... in other words, spread the word PLEASE!
Harry J. Cerezo
IHS 76th Cavalry Band & Colorguard Alumnus
1st year: 1st Clarinet
2nd year: Section Leader
3rd year: Drum Major
4th Year: LEGEND. (No, not really.) | | |
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