Sketchbook with Daniel Montoya Jr.

In 2019, the Ronald Reagan High School Marching Band from San Antonio, TX won the Bands of America San Antonio Super Regional for the third time with a record score of 97.30 winning outstanding visual performance and outstanding general effect with their show, ‘Secret World.’ After bursting onto the scene in 2000, the Reagan Rattler Band has won countless contests & Bands of America Regionals and placed in finals 5 times at the BOA Grand Nationals Championships in Indianapolis, IN., including two second-place finishes and one class AAA championship. The Reagan marching band has also been a consistent UIL State Marching Band finalist since 2004 and was selected to march in the 2018 rose parade in Pasadena, CA, and the 2019 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. In 2005 the Reagan Band was the recipient of the prestigious International Sudler Shield. The wind ensemble has also been a consistent TMEA state honor band finalist and was invited to perform at the 2018 Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, IL. In 1999 Ronald Reagan High School opened, splitting from the nationally-known Winston Churchill High School in the North East Independent School District, and the Ronald Reagan marching band began competing in the year 2000. Their 2000 production featured Smetana Fanfare by Karel Husa, Molto Ritmico & Lento for Brass, from Dance Movements by Philip Sparke, & original music by Mark Higginbotham. On October 7th in San Antonio’s Alamodome, the band placed 3rd in prelims and 3rd in finals at their very first BOA regional. And on November 4th at Alief Stadium in Houston, TX, the Reagan band placed 2nd in prelims winning their first caption in school history, outstanding general effect, and finished in 5th place in finals. Joining me today is Mark Chambers who was the director of bands for Ronald Reagan HS from 1999-2006, where he and his team became arguably the single largest driving force in spearheading a change in sound, visual, aesthetic, flow, design, and theatrics within TX marching band. On this episode of Storybook, we discuss The Ronald Reagan High School's 2000 production, “Perpetual Motion.”

William Pitts (b. 1986) is a composer, conductor, and arranger from Atlanta. Growing up in Carrollton, Georgia, Pitts graduated summa cum laude from Emory University, where he studied saxophone, conducting, and composition. He has completed graduate study in Music at North Georgia University and the University of Michigan. Pitts most recently served as the Brass Arranger for the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps of Rockford, Illinois. As a member of the corps, Pitts served as a Conductor for three years (2005, 2007-2008). He was a finalist for DCI's Jim Jones Leadership Award all three years. In 2008, the Regiment took first place honors as World Champions at the Drum Corps International Finals. Will was also honored as Regiment's 2008 Mark Glasscoe Member of the Year. In addition to his role as arranger, he has also served on Regiment's management staff, and as the Brass Arranger and Composer for the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps. Pitts is active as a music designer, adjudicator, and instructor for high school band programs throughout the country. Marching ensembles performing his arrangements have been recognized as State Marching Band Finalists and Champions, along with Bands of America Regional Finalists, Regional Champions, and Grand National Finalists. His concert compositions and arrangements have been commissioned and performed across the world. He has written works for and been commissioned by the Boston Pops, the University of North Texas, the Canadian Staff Band of the Salvation Army, Wake Forest University, the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, the Atlanta Trumpet Ensemble, the Vega String Quartet, the Atlanta Saxophone Quartet, the Northwinds Symphonic Band, french hornist J.D. Shaw, tubist Christian Carichner, and numerous other high school and collegiate wind and chamber ensembles. He has also served as a production consultant and talent for Tom Blair, Inc., Drum Corps International, and MTV. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony Foundation. As a music educator, Pitts has served on the faculties of Duncanville High School in Duncanville, Texas, and Pace Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, specializing in instrumental music, conducting, and music theory.

In 2019, the Vandegrift High School Marching Band from Austin, TX won the Bands of America Grand National Class 4A Championship sweeping all captions and was named Grand National Champion with a score of 97.18 winning the award for Outstanding General Effect with their show, ‘Aria: Queen of the Night.’ After bursting onto the scene in 2010, the Vandegrift Viper Band has won countless contests & Bands of America Regionals and has also been a consistent UIL State Marching Band finalist winning bronze in 2018, silver in 2015, and gold in 2013. In 2019 the Vandegrift Band was the recipient of the prestigious International Sudler Shield. The wind ensemble has also been a consistent TMEA state honor band finalist culminating in being named the 2018 TMEA 6A Honor Band. The Vandegrift wind ensemble was also invited to perform at the 2020 Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, IL. In 2009 Vandegrift High School opened, splitting from the nationally-known Cedar Park High School in the Leander Independent School District, and the Vandegrift marching band began competing in their first year as a school. Their 2009 production featured "Finale, The Promise of Living from The Tender Land," and "Third Symphony" by Aaron Copland. On October 24th at Hays High School, the band placed 5th in prelims and 5th in finals, earning State Alternate, at their very first Area D Marching Contest. Joining me today is Jeremy Spicer who was the director of bands for Vandegrift HS from 2009-2014 and prior to his appointment at Vandegrift, he spent eight years as a member of the staff at Cedar Park High School. On this episode of Storybook, we discuss the Vandegrift High School's 2009 production, “Remembered.”

After winning their 2nd DCI world championship in 1995 with their show ‘The Planets,’ The Cavaliers drum & bugle corps fell to 4th in 1996 and dropped to 7th place with their 1997 production, “The Firebird.” The lowest the corps had finished since finishing 8th in 1984. The Cavies then moved back up to 4th place in 1998 and then received the bronze medal in 1999 with their show, “Classical Innovations.” That 1999 show also saw The Chicago Cavaliers taking home their fourth High Percussion Award in the history of the corps, all in the 1990s. In the year 2000… a design team came together that would come to dominate DCI for the better part of the next decade. Led by program coordinator Scott Koter, Michael Gaines designed the drill, Richard Saucedo composed & arranged the brass book, and Bret Kuhn & Erik Johnson composed & arranged the battery & front-ensemble books. The 2000 production, “Niagara Falls,” featured music from and inspired by Niagara Falls by Michael Daugherty, and Waves, from Soundings by Cindy McTee as well as original music by Saucedo, Kuhn, & Johnson. The 2000 season ended with The Cavaliers of Rosemount, IL winning their 3rd DCI world championship, in a tie with The Cadets, as well as winning the John Brazale Best Visual Performance Award, the George Zingali Best Color Guard Performance Award, and the Fred Sanford Best Percussion Performance Award. Joining me today are future DCI Hall of Famers Bret Kuhn and Erik Johnson. Bret served as Caption Head and Percussion Arranger for the Cavaliers who won 6 World Championships and 5 High Percussion Awards during his tenure. From 1995 to 2005 and 2008 to 2010, Erik Johnson was on the instructional staff serving on the design team as the front ensemble arranger and coordinator. On this episode of Musicbook, we discuss The Cavaliers’ 2000 production, “Niagara Falls.”

“Proud, Loud, and Pleasing the Crowd.” This is the mantra of the Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle corps. And it’s safe to say that since 1938, the Scouts have consistently brought audiences to their feet with their entertainment-focused programs. And while the corps had won two DCI world championships, in 1975 & 1988, for some, it was the shows of the 1990s that really solidified the Madison Explorer Scouts as one of, if not the favorite corps in all of DCI. Whether you were an alum of the corps, had a friend or family member that marched the corps, or just a normal fan with or without ties to other drum corps, the Scouts of Madison, Wisconsin was the corps you were always excited to see. Fans didn’t leave their seats to get a hot dog or go to the restroom when the Green & White took the field. After winning their 2nd DCI world championship in 1988 with Latin music by Paul Hart & Ernesto Lecuona, the corps spent the next few years exploring music from musicals, big band, jazz, & jazz fusion before finding their way back to Latin and Latin jazz music in 1994. This untitled production featured Santos by Louie Bellson, Cuban Overture by George Gershwin, & Malaga by Bill Holman. The corps had slowly been creeping up the finalist rankings since their 9th place finish in 1990 and finished the 1994 season in 6th place. For the 1995 season, the Scouts once again turned to Latin music by Joaquín Rodrigo, Bill Holman, and original music by Scott Boerma, brass composer & arranger, Jeff Moore, battery composer & arranger, and Taras Nihirniak, front ensemble composer & arranger. The Madison Scouts have had many crowd-pleasing shows throughout their history; we could fill an entire season of episodes focusing on each and every one of these shows. But perhaps no Scouts’ production is more loved than the 1995 production. This show has widely been considered one of the most entertaining drum corps shows of all time and for some, is the hands-down favorite. This opinion was in fact proven scientifically accurate with fans and alums voting the 1995 show as the winner of the 2020 Virtual Drums Along the Parade, with the 1988 championship show coming in 2nd. The 1995 DCI season ended with the Madison Scouts finishing in 4th place with a score of 95.40, and winning High Brass in a three-way tie. Joining me today is composer and arranger Scott Boerma, who was the brass composer & arranger for 20+ shows over a span of 4 decades! And who without a doubt I consider to be one of the "Four Horseman of DCI Arrangers.” If there was a Mount Rushmore for DCI Music Arrangers, his face would be one of the first 3 carved. On this episode of Musicbook, we discuss the Madison Scouts’ 1995 production, “A Drum Corps Fan’s Dream: A Day in the Life of a Bullfighter.”

In 2002, The Cavaliers went undefeated for the season and won their third DCI title in a row, a feat that had only been accomplished by the Garfield Cadets in 1983, 1984, & 1985, with a record-high score of 99.15 From 2000 to 2002, the Green Machine took home caption awards for Best Color Guard in 2000 & 2002, Best General Effect in 2001 and 2002, Best Visual Performance in 2000 and 2002, Best Brass Performance in 2002, and Best Percussion in 2000. When it came time to design their 2003 production, The Chicago Cavaliers once again turned to original music. The 2000 production, 'Niagara Falls,' had existing source material to build and work from, and 'Four Corners,' the 2001 production, seemed to have some subtle and not-so-subtle musical influences. The 2002 production, 'Frameworks,' seemed to be all from the mind of Richard Saucedo.  The 2003 DCI season ended with The Cavies placing 2nd with a score of 97.250 Joining me today is DCI Hall of Famer Michael Gaines who was the drill designer and visual coordinator for The Cavaliers from 1998-2011, and served on the design team for all 7 of their Drum Corps International World Championship titles. On this, the first episode of Dotbook, we discuss the Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps 2003 production, 'Spin Cycle.'

From 2000 to 2009, no drum corps was more dominant than The Cavaliers from Rosemount, IL. During that span, they won 2 bronze medals, 2 silver medals, and 5 world championships. They also took home awards for Best Color Guard Performance in 2000, 2002, 2004, & 2007, Best General Effect in 2001, 2002, 2004, & 2006, Best Visual Performance in 2000, 2002, 2004, & 2006, Best Brass Performance in 2002 & 2006, and the Best Percussion Award in 2000. After winning three straight championships in 2000, 2001, & 2002, a feat that had only been accomplished by the Garfield Cadets in 1983, 1984, & 1985, The Cavies placed 2nd in 2003 with their show ’Spin Cycle,’ featuring original music once again by Richard Saucedo, Erik Johnson, & Bret Kuhn. For their 2004 production, The Chicago Cavaliers were inspired by the cool demeanor of Ian Fleming’s fictional MI6 special agent, the suave and debonair James Bond. The music marked a departure of three years of all-original music by Saucedo, Johnson, and Kuhn. The 2004 DCI season ended with The Green Machine winning their 6th DCI title, edging the Blue Devils by just .175 points and winning Best Color Guard, Best General Effect, and Best Visual Performance. Joining me today is DCI Hall of Famer Scott Koter who was the program coordinator of The Cavaliers from 1999-2015, where he spearheaded the visual and musical design process among staff members and provided the leadership and direction for how the corps’ productions were put together and taught to young corps members every year. On this, the first episode of Storybook, we discuss The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps 2004 production, “007."

In the fall of 2001, The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps had just won their second consecutive world championship and 4th to date with their show, ‘Four Corners.’ After winning in 2000 with their show “Niagara Falls” which included music from and inspired by the piece of the same name by composer Michael Daugherty, the Cavies turned to original music from their composer & arranger, Richard Saucedo for their 2001 championship show. When it came time to design their 2002 show and chase after the hallowed “three-peat,’ a feat that had only been accomplished by the Garfield Cadets in 1983, 1984, & 1985, The Cavaliers of Rosemount, IL once again turned to original music. While "Niagara Falls" had existing source material to build and work with, and "Four Corners" seemed to have some subtle and not-so-subtle musical influences, "Frameworks," the 2002 production, seemed to be all from the mind of Richard Saucedo. Well… except for two very obvious rhythmic influences! The 2002 DCI season ended with a record high score of 99.15 with The Cavaliers going undefeated for the season and winning their third DCI title in a row, and fifth overall. Joining me today is world-renowned and award-winning composer & arranger Richard Saucedo. Who not only won 5 DCI world championships with The Cavaliers, but won three straight titles out of the gate, and never placed lower than 3rd during his tenure with the Cavies. On the first episode of Musicbook we discuss The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps 2002 production, “Frameworks: The Elements of Music & Design"

RYAN GEORGE currently resides in Austin, Texas where he is active as an arranger and composer. His work, ranging from music for the concert stage to music for marching ensembles is performed regularly throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Ryan completed his first work for concert band in 2007 and since then his works have received performances at the American Bandmasters Association Convention, the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, W.A.S.B.E., the Music For All (Bands of America) Concert Band Festival, PASIC, Carnegie Hall, the National CBDNA Conference, the CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference, and the MidEurope Festival in Schladming Austria. Many of his works, which are aimed at developing performers, have frequented the repertoires of All-State, Region, Inter-Collegiate, and Honor's ensembles throughout the U.S. and Canada. Recent notable performances of Ryan's music have included The "Presidents Own" United States Marine Band (National Tour), the Hiroshima Wind Orchestra (Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic), The Texas Christian University Percussion Orchestra (PASIC National Convention), The United States Air Force Band (A.B.A. Convention), The Lone Star Wind Orchestra (WASBE), and the Finnish Navy Band. He has received commissions for various ensembles including works for the T.C.U. Percussion Orchestra, The Consortium for the Advancement of Wind Band Literature, The Lone Star Wind Orchestra, and the Wan Quan School in Beijing China. As a specialist in music design for marching ensembles, Ryan's work has been performed by some of the nation's elite programs at the state, region, and national venues. His roster of clients includes perennial Bands of America (Music for All) regional champions, regional finalist, and Grand National finalist. Some of his clients include Leander HS (Leander TX), Cedar Ridge HS (Round Rock TX), and the 2018 UIL 6A State Champion Vista Ridge HS (Cedar Park TX).  Within the realm of drum corps, Ryan is returning for his 8th year as the brass arranger/composer of the Boston Crusaders from Boston MA. He also was for the Academy Drum & Bugle Corps from Tempe AZ. Ryan is a graduate of the University of Kentucky. He is an ASCAP artist, a member of TMEA, and the American Composer's Forum.  His wife Sarah is a producer and talent buyer for internationally recognized music festivals and they are the proud parents of Sophia, Nyla, and Teller. (b. 1978)

http://www.mikebishopmusic.com/ Do you remember Sledgehammer, by Peter Gabriel, Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins, or Nasty (Nasty Boy) by Janet Jackson? What about three of my favorite movies of all time; The Transformers: The Movie, One Crazy Summer, or Flight of the Navigator? Can you recall who won the 73rd Tour de France that year? It was Greg LeMond. The most popular male name of 1986 was Michael and it just so happens on a beautiful 74-degree day in San Diego, California, Michael Edward Bishop came screaming into the world like an eagle attacking its prey. Go Birds! You might know Mike from his work with The Blue Stars… Rhythm X… Carolina Crown… The Crossmen…Cedar Park HS, just to name a few. Mike also creates soundtracks for podcasts, commercials, dance teams, color guards, as well as sound design for the marching arts, or “Pageantry.” And stay tuned because Mike will be appearing with United Percussion and The Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps! He is a big fan of Yamaha, Vic Firth, Zildjian, & Remo. And he is a brother of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America.