Trumbull High School Band

It has been great getting to know many of the new parents over this past week at band camp. One of the first questions band parents typically ask each other is what does your child play in the band? My answer is “my son plays the mellophone.” The next question I get is “What is a mellphone?” or “is that a pit instrument?” I of course had the same question when my son came home last year and told me he was going to be playing the Mellophone. I know we never had a Mellophone in my high school band. So up until now my best response “is a Mellophone is a brass instrument that is a little larger than a trumpet”.

It got me thinking that I need a better response and to probably know what a mellophone really is so I decided to do a little research. According to “ASK.com” the definition of a Mellophone:
The mellophone is a brass instrument that is typically used in place of the horn (sometimes called a French horn) in marching bands or drum and bugle corps. The mellophone has three valves, operated with the right hand. Mellophone fingering is identical to that of a trumpet, not the horn as is commonly assumed. Mellophones are typically pitched in the key of F. The direction of the bell, as well as the much-reduced amount of tubing (as compared to a concert horn) makes the mellophone look like a large trumpet. In fact, many mellophones use trumpet-style parabolic (“cup”) mouthpieces rather than the smaller, lighter, conical (“funnel”) mouthpieces used on concert horns. The marching mellophone is used in place of the horn for marching as it is a bell-front instrument, so that the sound goes in the direction that the player is facing. This is especially important in drum corps and marching bands, since the audience is typically standing or sitting on only one side of the band.

So next time someone asks you what a mellophone is or you happen to be on Jeopardy, you now have an answer!

B.W, mom a mellophonist

This past week was our first week of band camp for the 2009 season. We’ve had days that were so hot kids dropped like flies because they were tired, sick, or dehydrated, and others looked like lobsters. As tiring and hot as it was, there is a lot of excitement for the upcoming season and show, from where I stand in the color guard. As a band, we are making great progress!

In the guard, we’ve learned some work and choreography for the show. Some of it is different and harder than what we are used to, but very fun, and we can’t wait to learn the rest of the show. As fun and exciting as it is, this year’s show has us working harder than last year. In the guard, the difficulty of our exercises increases each day, which aides to the strength we need to get through the show. Everyday we’ve been told “There is no going back to the day before” or “We strive for more each day” which is completely true. It may be exhausting, and hard to get through, but in the long run, all our hard work will pay off in the best way possible.

This best part of this new week of band camp will be putting the finishing touches on our show and finally practicing as a full band. It’s really exciting to see and hear what show is like by the end of the week when we are all together. And we will have our first exhibition this weekend.

Now if we can just hope that some of the high school construction will be out of the way for our fall classic on Oct 3rd, we will do great!

Stephanie
Color Guard

Here it is already and the first week of band camp almost done. This first week has been killer because the weather was so hot! I’d like to thank all the chaperones that do almost anything to keep us cool. If we’re lucky enough the sprinkler will go on just as we’re exiting the field for lunch or dinner breaks. We are all working so hard and I’m so proud of what we all have accomplished so far. Although it’s grueling at times, we’re having so much fun learning all the work and drills for our fall classic. Come to Trumbull High on Oct. 3rd. and see for yourself. Our show is going to be so awesome!

Samantha (Guard)
Sophomore

Today was the first day of band camp. We found out over the weekend that camp was moved to Hillcrest Middle School due to the construction at Trumbull High School (THS). Today was a scorcher, temps over 90 and humid. The morning went pretty well. After lunch the students went to practice under the trees at THS to get out of the sun. Around 2:00 I noticed the sky getting grey. A few minutes later, I noticed a huge bolt of lightning in the distance, no thunder yet. Another one of the parents drove off in the golf cart to locate all the students to get them into the middle school. The students were pretty quick about working their way across the field and getting safely into the middle school.

Once inside the school they broke off into their groups and went right back to work in various sections of the school. Four of us chaperones sat in the HOT cafeteria sorting paperwork. We noticed through one of the windows that is was hailing which was followed by unbelievable downpours. We could hear the pounding rain on the roof. There was a tremendous clap of thunder that made us all jump out of our chairs. A little into the storm I went to the back door to peak outside. It was cooling down and still raining. They two tents that were had set up for band camp were blown across the back parking lot. One was on top of a car and the other blew across the lot into a fence. We ran out into the storm to try and salvage them but couldn’t. We were soaked, but I have to admit after sitting in the cafeteria it felt good. After the storm five parents went outside to clean up. One tent was totally damaged. The other was salvageable. Streams of water were flowing through the parking lot. By the time the students came outside at 4:30 to get their dinners it was sunny, hot and humid again. I am chaperoning again tomorrow. I think I am going to wear my bathing suit with my beach cover!

BW

In less than one week we will be starting band camp – two weeks, Monday through Friday from 9am to 9pm, of a lot of hard work. I am going to be a junior this year so I have some experience with this. If we work together and efficiently like we have in years past, then all will go well. The weather is usually hot, which is why it is vital to drink a lot of water to stay hydrated so we that we are all performing at our full potential. It is also important to get a good night’s rest during the week, so that we are attentive and better able to perform the tasks that will be assigned to us by the instructors. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen for protection from the sun as well as sunglasses and a hat.

At times it might seem like Band Camp is an impossible task, but as long as you have the energy and the desire, then band camp will go smoothly and efficiently. There will be a lot of ground to cover and a lot of music and drill to memorize, so be alert and try to keep a positive attitude. It is always fun to look forward to the first parent’s show, as well as the band camp dance.

Another fun thing is in the weekend between Band Camp weeks, the band hosts a Fire and Ice fundraiser at the SportsCenter of Connecticut in Shelton.  This year it will be on Saturday, August 22nd from 7 to 9:30 pm.  For $20 you get two and a half hours of unlimited Lazer Tag and Ice Skating.  It’s a great time for bandos to blow off some steam and for anyone who wants to come its a great deal!  Go to the bands website for more information www.thsgembcorp.com. 

Miles
Alto Sax

Last night I went to my first full band practice. I was on vacation and at camp so I missed some of the preliminary things. It was great to be back with almost everyone – some kids are still on vacation and away. It was also little sad not seeing the seniors who just graduated, they were really helpful and nice to me last season. But the good news is that I was going to be considered a “real” freshmen this year and not an 8th grade freshmen. I officially start high school in a few weeks. There will be a lot more kids in my age group this year, many of them I haven’t seen in three years as they went to our towns other middle school. It will be good to reconnect with them and see how they handle being in band.

When I got my music I was unsure of how it would all work but I think it will come together great even though haven’t heard all of it. Believe it or not I can’t wait for band camp – all 12 hours a day of it for two straight weeks and the season to start!

(Tuba) Tyler M