It's that time of year again - the best part of February...better than Valentine's Day and Groundhog Day combined.  Yup...it's TMEA time!  Now, that I actually live in Texas I can get to San Antonio easier, and look forward to being at the convention for its entirety.

Meetings are already lined up for clients old and new - as well as my first design meeting with the Brazoswood staff and designers -- looking to put together another fantastic show for 2010!

If anyone wants to discuss potential show design, or just get together for a good ol' fashioned hang...hit me up!

Weeks of speculation and rumors have been confirmed.  Martin Montoya is back in Texas!

In a rather surprising turn of events, I've just accepted the job of Assitant Band Director at Brazoswood High School, in Clute, TX.  The circumstances of this hiring were rather sudden (getting a teaching job in January is not a common occurence), but I'm certainly glad things have played out the way they did.  Brazoswood is a program that I've respected for many years - showing great success in all aspects of band.  It's my hope that I can contribute to the continuation of this program's success.

It was not easy leaving my position with L'Anse Creuse - as in the short time I worked with them, I grew very close with both the students and staff.  I had great time at LC, and hope they continue to have a great season.  I'll definitely be checking in regularly with them.

I  arrived in Texas on Sunday the 24th, and started working on the 25th.  Lots going on this time of year, particularly our next concert which happens to be on Saturday, the 29th.  Yikes!

More updates to come!  Looking forward to TMEA...

Perhaps my favorite show to design this season was one that I didn't even conceive... imagine that! I was contacted in January of last year about the possibility of writing for the Lake Highlands band from Richardson, TX. For those who don’t know, Lake Highlands has a very rich history in both concert band and marching band. Most educators who follow the Texas band tradition know about Lake Highlands High School. Needless to say, I was definitely on board for working with this band, particularly since Daniel had already arranged for them the year before.

We arranged for a meeting of the minds at TMEA in February, and once we came together, it was already decided among the staff the type of show they’d be doing. The idea was basic: a modern take on the classic “gangster” show. Drawing inspiration from old-school sources such as The Godfather, we’d try and find a way to create a fresh interpretation of a classic theme. After much discussion of musical ideas, visual concepts, and storyline aspects – we came up with a twist for the show. Our show would evolve as well as alternate between the old school, and the new school. To achieve this, we would use both visual and musical elements of the classic mobster-style gangster, as well as the modern “gangsta”. The title for the show: Original Gangster.

The first piece that the directors wanted to use is the jazz standard “Harlem Nocturne”. This tune would help establish the old-school feel in the show, as well as serve as an opportunity to showcase the saxophones in the band. To set the frantic mood for the opener, Michael Daugherty’s Lex, from the “Metropolis Symphony” would serve as the opener. To transition the band into the modern style of performance, we’d use John Mackey’s latest opus, “Asphalt Cocktail”. Additionally, throughout the show, elements of modern hip-hop and rap would be woven into the musical production. Listen for clips from Usher, Cypress Hill, Ludacris, 50 cent, Dr. Dre, Puff Daddy, and 3-6 Mafia.

Before the show begins, our gangsters are off the field, and the only visual focus is on the front sideline, a 1950’s Brooklyn-style front porch, where our alto sax soloist sets the mood of the show. The band enters the field from opposite sides, ready to rumble, as a siren can be heard in the distance. Each section of the band gets a chance to show off by interrupting the sax soloist, and asserting their own dominance of the neighborhood. As the band is finally announced, the show begins. A loud, opening hit indicates the impending battle as the guard is divided into two groups, each sporting their own color. The drill is entirely symmetrical, separating the two gangs who are ready to go at eachother. As two people get into a fight in the center of the field, a siren announces the approaching police, and the gangs scatter to avoid getting arrested. Thus, begins the opener, using the music of Michael Daugherty. The mood is frantic as the two gangs escape from the law, while merging together to continue their battle. The opening production ends with the two gangs coming into the center of the field for one last rumble.

As the band transitions into the second production, the guard exits the field, and the band forms a block formation, once again leading the focus to the front porch, where a tenor sax soloist wails out a virtuosic cadenza. The “Harlem Nocturne” begins the second production with the sax soloist representing our crime boss, strutting through the streets of town, making sure all is calm in his ‘hood. As the solo fades away, the strains of P. Diddy’s “I’ll Be Missing You” take over – a reminder of the violence and lives lost in the gang activity.

For the final production, “Asphalt Cocktail” sets the mood for a violent, aggressive finale, as the band takes on the role of the modern gangster, and life on the streets today. The show reaches its climax as the band arcs it up in the center of the field, and jams out to “Hard out here for a Pimp” from the movie Hustle and Flow. A quick reprisal of the opening gang battle brings the show to its conclusion with no clear cut winner or loser in the gang war – only the certainty that it’s not over yet.

A video of “Original Gangster” can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSmnUtMSrbA

=====

I had the working with the Lake Highlands band in October. Over two days, Daniel and I got to meet with the directors and make adjustments to the show to better sell the concept and storyline. Everyone was great to work with, the staff was always open to our ideas and the students were quick to adapt to any changes we wanted to put into the show.

As I got to tell the students on my last day at LH – it’s not always the case that I get to see the show live, and it looks the way I envisioned it. With this particular group, however, I got what I wanted and more! Their commitment to the design, and selling it to their audience is what truly made this a successful production. I am VERY excited to work with this program again, and see what we can come up with for next year!

Since the summer of 2006, I've written drill for the Dakota H.S. band from Macomb, MI.  This has been a fun working relationship, as this particular program isn't highly competitive.  As a result, their shows usually feature much more accessible music and concepts.  (See past shows including music of Queen, Styx, and super hero themes!)

This spring, I'll be working with their winter guard "Storm".  This is my first time designing a winter guard show, and I'm very excited about the possibilities with this program.  Storm's director, Andrea Cobello, and I sat down in November to brainstorm ideas, and finally decided on a musical selection.  The show will be based on the song "Stairway to Heaven" as performed by the guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela.  In the same way this version is performed, the show will progress (or ascend, perhaps?!?!) from a very simple, lyrical mood to a more complex, aggressive style as more performers are added into the show.  Visually, the drill and floor will play up the idea of the stairway, and ascension.

A few days before Christmas, I got to work with the group, setting the drill and getting accustomed to the music.  It was a very productive rehearsal, as we got through the majority of the show in a single day.  I'll be working with the group again in the coming weeks, getting them prepared for their first show, as well as overseeing the design of the floor and props.

For those interested, a video of Rodrigo y Gabriela performing "Stairway to Heaven" can be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNc5o9TU0t0

Enjoy!  It's going to be a great season for Dakota!

For the third year in a row, I'll be working with a drum and bugle corps on a design basis.  In 2008, I wrote the drill for Revolution (San Antonio, TX).  Last year, I was a consultant for the Mystikal Drum and Bugle Corps from California.  This coming summer, I'm excited to be working with the Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps as their drill writer.  The corps is based out of the Rio Grande Valley, and is directed by Chris Magonigal, who I've worked with in both of my previous drum corps gigs.

As would be expected, Genesis will start small and local, with the hopes of eventually joining the DCI circuit, and doing a full nationwide tour.  I've long hoped that Texas could, itself become a hotbed of drum corps talent, in the way that California has.  There is clearly so much potential in the state, and I'm particularly glad to see a drum corps based out of the Valley, as there is limitless talent and opportunity in that specific area.  I that that with the right direction, this group could go far.

Things are still very new for this corps, but the groundwork is being laid for a very succesful first season, and more importantly - getting set for a succesful future for this corps.  I'm excited to begin working with this team!

For more information on Genesis, check out their website:  http://www.genesisdbc.org/

A huge congratulations goes out to the L'Anse Creuse H.S. Band for their 4th place finish in Flight 2 at the MCBA State Championships held on Saturday, November 7.

L.C. had fantastic show, and was competitive in all areas and actually place first in the subcaption of Music Ensemble.

It's been such a joy working with this program.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, I had no clue what to expect when I first came on board, but I'm so glad that I'm involved with the wonderful students and staff at L'Anse Creuse.

We're now on to concert season, and our upcoming Holiday Concert on December 12.  Come on out, if you're in the area!