MSC Publications & Articles
Having been on the cutting edge of marching band field show design and the development of band instructional resources for years, MSC has compiled a timeless library of informative articles and publications which are now available to you for your use and enjoyment.
Spring Planning
“People always call it luck when you’ve acted more sensibly than they have.”
Anne Taylor’s quote adequately describes the attitude of many of us when it comes to the preparation and planning of our fall program. It is difficult to even think about the fall marching season while overwhelmed during to our concert bands, jazz bands, solo and ensemble months. There are, however, a number of ways to get a major head start on the fall season without imposing on the other functions of your band program.
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"Get Inside the Box — and Win!"
Get the sought after "WOW Factor" by attending to what's "in" the box
Randy Gilmore approaches the prominent advise of our day to "Get out of the box" with a whole new approach. Learn how to obtain the "WOW Factor" and gain the benefits of innovation and creativity by attending to what is "in" the box first.
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"Take It Indoors!"
How to start an Indoor Percussion Program
Written by the highly acclaimed percussion specialist, Alan Keown, this article will encourage you to begin an indoor program and show you how to do it without hardly trying.
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"Yes, and..."
Published in SBO Magazine, November 2010
How a simple shift in how you look at a situation can completely turn it around
I remember an exercise called, “Yes, and...” Whenever a person spoke the only reply allowed had to begin with “Yes, and…” It wasn’t long before we discovered the power of this imaginative thinking. “It’s raining.” “Yes, and…” “Our new uniforms didn’t arrive in time for our performance.” “Yes, and…” Rather than commiserating and wallowing in the unforeseen situation, possibilities begin to form, bringing unexpected—and wonderful—results. Again, it’s all in the perspective.
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"What Did You Say?"
Published in SBO Magazine, January 2010
The hallmark of effective teaching is based on successful communication. The basis of successful communication is intrinsically bound to our use of words. Words have power. Rudyard Kipling goes so far as to say, “Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.”
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"Social Marketing in the Band Room"
Published in SBO Magazine, March 2010
Your students do it. Your vendors do it. Your boosters do it. Nearly 8,000 people are fans on just two marching band Facebook pages. What about you?
Isn’t it time you joined the masses in communicating your program’s brand and message through social media? No matter what your excuse has been thus far, it’s time to take the blinders off. This is the wave of the future. And it’s not just a wave that has come in, only to go out in time. No, the wave created by Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and the like, has come in with finality. It may mutate into things we know not of as yet, but it’s not going away—of that you can be sure.
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"It All Starts with a Song"
Published in SBO Magazine, March 2010
“We all know the power of music. It is known for its ability to change our mood, determine how long we stay in a restaurant and what deodorant we buy. More than that, it touches us and has the power to revive and bring hope. The “We Are the World 25 for Haiti” hit the number one single spot on iTunes in one day as a small token of support for those who are suffering.
It all starts with a song.”
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"Preparing for your Color Guard Tryout" (Student Handout)
April, 2010
"Note from the Director: For many of us, trying something new can be a scary and intense adventure…Don’t be intimidated. They ALL had to try out for the first time. Think about it. No color guard could survive if it only took returning members. Every year our band program will need new members to replace those that have graduated or left the program. Give it your best and there may be a place for you on next year’s corps."
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Fanfare Publication Spring 2008
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