January Camp Report

The January camp was definitely a big step forward towards the 2010 season. For one of the few times ever, attendance showed a substantial increase from the December camp. The January camp allowed for consolidation of Northern California and Southern California audition sessions. We also had attendees from our Hawaii workshop, and a number of returning and new members from Japan.

The weekend started with a conditioning session with Chris DaPrato. Chris is a former marching member and staff member; he is currently working with NCAA Div. 1 athletes at Cal Berkeley in their Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy departments. You can read Chris’ bio, as well as bios of the rest of the Mandarins staff through links provided on the info page here:
http://tinyurl.com/yf4azmo

The brass line continued technique work and learned this year's opener, Meetings Along the Edge, a collaborative work between Ravi Shankar and Philip Glass.

The percussion line also worked on refining technique and continued with the audition process. There were many difficult decisions to make, and the Mandarins would like to thank everyone who took the time and effort to audition with the corps, as there was an abundance of talented, highly motivated individuals.

In addition to the brass and percussion sections, the Mandarins Guard Academy was also in attendance. A good deal of work was completed on the 2010 exhibition show, which will be performed at local color guard circuits in the Northern California area. The Mandarins summer guard will be off until the April camp to allow staff and members to participate in winter guard activities.

The weekend included auditions and interviews for the 2010 drum major positions. Leadership and conducting sessions were included as part of the process. Saturday evening had all the candidates conducting the brass line during ensemble rehearsal; Sunday morning consisted of interviews with the caption heads, Mr. Mar and Jim Tabuchi. There was an excellent pool of candidates; the two drum majors for the 2010 season are Chris Honda, third year member and senior at Ponderosa High School and Boyce Jefferies, first year member who is completing his first year as a Music Education major at Sacramento State University.

The Mandarins next camp will be February 13/14. Auditions for pit and brass will continue at that time. Further information can be found on the audition page at mandarins.org