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Sibelius “Rip-A-Lick” Screenshot Preview

Chris Leone — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:04:52 +0000

drumFunny.com has managed to obtain a screenshot of the upcoming Sibelius plugin “Rip-A-Lick,” a free, downloadable extension of Sibelius that let’s you rip off your favorite ensembles with only a few clicks.

Plugin creator and Sibelius programmer Art Vandelay had this to say about the upcoming plugin: “As an arranger, writer, and drummer myself, I’ve always felt we’ve been doing a disservice to all those percussion arrangers out there who spend painstaking hours watching Youtube trying to MANUALLY transcribe these high quality, copyrighted parts. We hope Rip-A-Lick will help fill a much needed gap in the percussion arranging ripping market.”

(click image to enlarge)

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Casella Saying ‘Farewell’ To The Cavaliers

Chris Leone — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:59:47 +0000

Quoted directly from JimCasella.com:

“The Drum Corps International world championships took place in a very boomy (dare I say awful sounding?) Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis this past weekend where The Cavaliers earned a fourth place finish with their 2009 production “The Great Divide.” Top honors were awarded to the Blue Devils from Concord, CA. After a determined start to the season, the Cavaliers percussion section were giving the Blue Devils a run for their money by the end of the season, and I was very proud to see these guys go from pretty scrappy, to a damn fine percussion section. Big props to the entire staff, and all the dedicated guys in the line who worked their tails off through adversity to create something that was truly unique. I’ll never forget you guys.

As I move forward to focus on some non-work and other professional projects, I’ve made the decision not to return to The Cavaliers in 2010. It’s a unique place, and it’s been an honor to have worked with them for the past four years. I’ve witnessed some outstanding performances, been a part of some amazingly creative design teams, and forged friendships with colleagues and students that will last a lifetime. Thanks for a great ride guys. I’ll be be rooting for you!”

Thank you Jim for all your contributions you made to the program. I made the decision to audition for the Cavaliers in the winter of 2005 upon hearing you joined the design team. It was an honor playing your beats in the green uniform. Here’s hoping we get to hear them some more down the road. . .

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Dennis Dodd Marching Band Response

Chris Leone — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:08:32 +0000

As a follow up to last week’s post about Dennis Dodd publicly shitting on marching bands across the country in a CBS Sports article, we found a response left by Dennis himself on the CBS sports message boards. (click image to enlarge)

Granted, his pun does work. But it’s clear he’s incapable of dishing out a thoughtful response. To read the rest of the posts flaming him, check out the CBS Sports Board.

Way to go CBS Sports. Real class act…

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Douchebag Dennis Dodd

Douchebag Dennis Dodd

Chris Leone — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:29:54 +0000

Wear your bando pride on your sleeve by joining this Facebook group to boycott Dennis Dodd and his douche-baggeyness. I probably won’t technically boycott him or CBS sports because, well, what the hell will that really do? But at least it’s a way for us to give this guy the bird since we can’t throw sticks at him (unless anyone knows where he lives???)

Here’s the article from June 11th:

“The band might be a good place to start because, well, they’re the band. In general, band geeks are self-important and frequently out of tune. It’s obvious to the rest of us, why not them? Led Zeppelin does not translate well to the trombone. (Not arguing with this sentence. He’s right about that)

Quick band story: A reporter was running across the Rose Bowl turf a few years ago after a game trying to get back up to the press box. There was virtually no one in the stadium at that point except the reporter and the USC band. He tried to politely cut through their ranks to make it the shortest distance between two points. Instead, he was physically blocked by the band like this was some sort of big boy game of Red Rover.

They weren’t budging and actually getting a bit pushy. Fortunately, some assistant band director came by and yelled, “Let him through,” as if the tuba goons had pulled this type of macho crap previously. That’s just what the world needs, a brass section with attitude.

Remember when being in the band merely meant you couldn’t get a date? Then the likes of the Stanford band tried to make itself matter. Their antics were worth a chuckle now and then when they weren’t getting run over by Cal players. Then they really got, uh, creative.
Some advice: If you think it’s cool to urinate on the field then you’ve got issues that go waaaay beyond self-esteem band dork.

We bring this up because bands are part of the game’s culture the same way as jock itch and concussions. For the most part, bandies are neither funny nor, unfortunately, dieting. If the Marshall crew had anything to do with Edwards’ injury then Steve Barnett has some explaining to do. Barnett is in his sixth year as director of the “Marching Thunder.” He told CBSSports.com he had been questioned “by a couple of lawyers” but couldn’t comment any further.

“Any type of accident is unfortunate,” Barnett said.

A band director’s head on a platter, would that be enough for Edwards?

Let’s think about the common good here. The NCAA has a student-athlete welfare committee. Just a thought, but it might be worthwhile at their next meeting to insert language somewhere about schools not allowing equipment carts anywhere near where elite athletes are sprinting at full speed.

In a way the injury almost draws the line between BCS and non-BCS schools. Can you imagine carts being left in the back of the end zone at Michigan? USC? Florida? This could have happened anywhere — anywhere where they don’t have enough room. Or enough money to build more room. This particular tragedy occurred in a 38,000-seat Joan C. Edwards Stadium, the 81st largest venue in I-A.

In the BCS, you’re either big time or you’re not. In the land of dorkness, there’s another distinction to be noted. If you’re parading around at halftime don’t get too full of yourself. You’re in the band, chief, not a band. Act appropriately and stow that French horn in a safe place.

Led Zeppelin thanks you.

“I’m not a mean person,” Edwards said. “I’m a forgiving person. I don’t hold any grudges [but] it was a band cart.”

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Dennis Dodd Marching Band Response

Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner

Chris Leone — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 05:06:06 +0000

We’ve all heard of the Looney Tunes cartoons. Many of us watched them growing up. They were fun enough and short enough to keep us entertained. Watching a couple clips for the first time in a long time today made me see and hear things I never noticed before.

First, call me thick headed, but I always associated the “Tunes” part of Looney Tunes with carTOON, not the musical term “tune.” Turns out Looney Tunes is a variation of Silly Symphonies, the name of Walt Disney’s concurrent music based cartoon shorts, was a precursor to Merrie Melodies, and (d’uh) was in reference to music.

Reading comprehension skills aside, I have a new found appreciation for the role the music played in these cartoons – especially in the Looney Tune Cartoons without any dialogue, i.e. Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner. The music isn’t there just to compliment the story – it’s actually telling the story (I know, deep, huh?)

Listen to how the scoring can accentuate a sudden impact, abruptly change mood from one character to character, and build up a moment of suspense. The marriage of visual and music tells the story in a way words couldn’t come close.

Pretty cool stuff for a kids cartoon.

Leave some comments w/ time stamps about the moments that stick out to you.

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Thanks to everyone for followi…

Chris Leone — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 15:53:48 +0000

Thanks to everyone for following drumFunny’s coverage of WGI 2009. We have some GREAT footage coming soon. Keep checking back!

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Chris Leone — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 03:58:05 +0000

drumFunny is live streaming. Check it out:
http://qik.com/video/1498179

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Chris Leone — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 03:55:25 +0000

WGI Ind world Gold Medalist RHYTHM X!!!

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Chris Leone — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 03:54:41 +0000

Sch gold dartmouth

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Ind silver RCC

Chris Leone — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 03:53:44 +0000

Ind silver RCC

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Chris Leone — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 03:52:28 +0000

Sch silver center grove

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Chris Leone — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 03:51:27 +0000

Retreat!! http://twitpic.com/3ksri

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Chris Leone — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 03:47:45 +0000

Sch bronze chino hills, aimachi medal (3rd place) mcm

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Chris Leone — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 03:46:31 +0000

11th infinity, 10th matrix, 9th blue knights, 8th gateway, 7th north coast, 6th united, 5th redline, 4th pulse

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Chris Leone — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 03:43:09 +0000

15th ody, 14th tomb crk, 13 surround sound, 12th east side,

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Chris Leone — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 22:44:19 +0000

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Chris Leone — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 22:43:37 +0000

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Chris Leone — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 21:42:27 +0000

Just had an AWESOME drum battle between Banished Beyond and Mike McIntosh! Huge crowd. Who was there?

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Chris Leone — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 17:05:48 +0000

Father Ryan was hysterical. Brava! Brava!

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Chris Leone — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 16:57:04 +0000

Father Ryan up now. A drumFunny favorite!!!