WICKED !!

(Photo courtesy Wicked Website)

Today (Wednesday) I spent all day in Chicago with my two cousins Melissa & Angela. I had invited them to go and see the usical WICKED, which was absolutely awesome.

We got seats way up in the beautiful Ford Center for the Performing Arts Theatre, but I still thought they were excellent seats. We couldn't see much of the expression of the face though, but the music, the acting, the singing, the staging, the props and effects more than made up for that. What a fine performance!!!

Here's a short video-trailer of the musical.

The rest of the day we spent cruising Michigan Avenue, having lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, just below the Hancock Tower and strolling through Millenium Park after the matinee show.

Enjoy,

HK

9-HOLE

Every year when I go the States and visit my relatives in Michigan, I end up doing something I should possibly pick up in the Netherlands.

My uncle always invites me to come along a play a game of GOLF.

I love it!

Just being out in the open, quiet golf course itself is a great thing, let alone driving that ball towards the green (which usually takes me a few extra hits than necessary).

I have thought about joining the Goilof club back home, but unfortunately there's only 24 hours in a day, and 7 days a week.

I honestly wouldn't know where I''d find the tome to do it.

So I just stick to looking forward to this once a year friendly match. (Yes we cheat every now and then...)

In fact we have played two games already since I am here.

Will be even more fun when my dad is going to be here with us next summer! He can hit a few good & fast balls too, even though he never plays!

Enjoy,

HK

INDIANAPOLIS 500

Went to the Indianapolis speedway during DCI Champiosnhips week. That was pretty impressive! The 2,5 mile long track hosts the Indy 500 and Allstate 400 races. The track is better known as the brickyard.

The race track is the world's oldest (1909!!) continuously operated race course and the site of the largest one-day sports event anywhere.

We got a tour actually ON the track!! In a van though. We didn’t get to drive ourselves. Normally the race cars take the turns at a speed somewhere between 170 and 240 miles an hour (depending on the type of cars of course).

The museum has a lot of original cars that used to race there. Some of them go all the way back to 1932! Lots of old trophies and memorabilia too! Bought a few T-shirts and a history booklet.
This excursion made me think of my dad taking me to the Zandvoort Formula 1 race way back in the late 70s. Mario Andretti and Niki Lauda were among my favourites back then.

This Indianapolis track is unusually long! It hasn’t been used for Formula 1 races too often. The main thing here is the Indy 500 and the Allstate 400.

Next time here - DCI is going to be in Indianapolis for the next 10 years so I am sure there will be plenty of chances – I will take the full hour and a half $25 tour, in which you actually get to go out of the van, walk on the track, go into the executive suites, press room, control center, the pits area and a few other places the general public never gets to go to into. That should be fun. You even get to stand on the winner’s podium and have your picture taken.

For now,… a picture outside the museum will have to do… Oh,.. and one in a racecar in the museum!

Enjoy,

HK

TAILGATING WITH JIM

This has become a tradition,… at Quarterfinals and Semifinals there’s a tailgating party at my friend Jim’s car. He always manages to park VERY close to the stadium in someone’s driveway (whom he pays for that). During intermission there’s always some friends of his out there. In 2006 he invited a dozen Jubal members to stop by, hang out, and have a beer and some pizza. Jim is one of the greatest guys I have ever met!

He must have an incredible collection of CDs and DVDs of the best trumpet players in the world. Every year I see him he has got some new “shit” for me. “Here you go buddy,.. this will make you shit bricks!!” he always says.
He is known for sharing his collection with friends and musicians. Blue Devils members are always treated to some of his stuff too. Bobby Curnow, older DCA screamers (Jimmy Centorino, Ritchee Price, David Martin…), he always has the best of the best.
Whenever he sees me at the frontsideline he stands up and shouts “JUBALLLLLLLLLS!”.
Has an incredibly interesting vocabulary too!

Jim,… here’s to you and your wife Jo-Ann! CHEERS!

HK

IF I WERE A WOMAN

I would have been a DAMN GOOD one (if only nothing had come in between at birth...)

Jeez...... I went to Michigan City's LIGHTHOUSE PLACE PREMIUM OUTLET MALL today. And that's definitely bad news for a guy who is a shopaholic!


What a shopping paradise! All major brand names have their own store at the complex, and often offer ridiculous discounts: NIKE, Hollister, GAP, ADIDAS, BURBERRY, RALPH LAUREN, TIMBERLAND, GYMBOREE, CALVIN KLEIN, AEROPOSTALE, BANANA REPUBLIC, GUESS, PUMA, NINE WEST, REEBOK, HANNA ANDERSSON,...

You can imagine what kind of afternoon I have had! Am eager to find out if I can get my suitcases closed next week. Don't even want to think about the weight...

Enjoy,

HK

MY PHOTO USED FOR PRO-MARK PRODUCT

Pro-Mark product manager Don Click contacted me at the Allentown show for a current action shot of the Blue Devils’ drumline to be used on a drumpad. They have found a new technique so they can actually print anything right underneath the surface of the head on the pad.

It was an urgent order, for the company that produces their pads needed the photo the next day. I made a selection during the night (on our busride to Ohio), sent that out to him first thing in the morning for them to choose the shot they liked best.

Then after his reply I ran the shot through Photoshop and sent it out. The pads were produced that same afternoon and were available in the Pro-Mark booth at DCI Championships on Tuesday already.
It turned very nice! Forgot to take a picture of the final result. Will get pads in the mail soon.

Enjoy,

HK

CHICAGO, MY KIND OF TOWN !

My Kind Of Town

Now this could only happen to a guy like me
And only happen in a town like this
And so I say to each of you most gratefully
As I throw each one of you a kiss

This is my kind of town, Chicago is
My kind of town, Chicago is
My kind of people too
People who, smile at you

And each time I roam, Chicago is
Calling me home, Chicago is
One town that won't let you down
It's my kind of town

My kind of town, Chicago is
My kind of town, Chicago is
My kind of razzmatazz
And it has, all that jazz

And each time I leave, Chicago is
Tuggin' my sleeve, Chicago is
The Wrigley Building, Chicago is
The Chicago Cubbies, Chicago is
One town that won't let you down
It's my kind of town

That's how the song - once written by Sammy Cahn/James van Heusen and performed by Frank Sinatra - goes...

And I couldn't agree more! It's a great town. Have been there quite a few times already, and will most definitely go back many more times... I like a lot of the big cities in the States, but Chicago is high on the priority list.
Spent a fun (half) day there with my relatives today. My cousin came along, and brought her three young kids (5, 3 and 17 months). They are just adorable!!!!!!!

Navy Pier is a "must-see", so is Millenium Park!
We walked quite a bit, took a ride in the Ferris Wheel, and enjoyed every minute of being in this great town.

Can you believe I actually went to MacDonalds today? Four and a half weeks here in the States, and this was my first visit to this fast food joint.

Enjoy,

HK

GREYHOUND TO MICHIGAN

As if I hadn't taken enough busrides yet this summer, after having been on tour with Blue Devils for four weeks... Today I took another bustrip, but this time for pleasure... That is, I am spending the next two weeks with my relatives in Michigan. Yes,.. I know.. my life sucks!

Spent yesterday with my Jubal friends in Indianpolis, and took the 9:10 AM bus from Indy to Detroit, where I had to change buses to get to Grand Rapids. I almost didn't make that last connection for the trip didn't start all that smoothly.

When everyone was on the bus ready to leave Indianapolis, the driver noticed the airconditioning wasn't working properly, and neither were his brakes.

We were all asked to get off the bus again, a new bus was brought in, loaded and off we went.... about 45 minutes late.

Instead of having 40 minutes to change buses in Detroit I only had about 5 minutes, but I made it in time... Fortunately.

Right now I am at my uncle and aunt's house in Grand Rapids. Always good seeing these long-distance relatives!!! I try to catch up with them every year, which unfortunately isn't always possible.

Should be 21 fun weeks coming up. Tomorrow night we'll have a family dinner, together with their husband/boyfriend and the three kids. Steaks on the grill. Can't wait. Neither to see my two beautiful cousins again too!

Enjoy,

HK

"MUSTARD AFTER THE MEAL"

I know... the expression doesn't make sense in English,.. but that's how we would put it in Dutch...
You have probably all by now read the scores on DCI.ORG or somewhere... but here they are.
Yes,.. Phantom Regiment took the title by a mere quarter of a tenth of a point (0,025 that is...)
Best crowd pleaser of the night! Or perhaps the season...

World Class
1
Phantom Regiment - 98.125
GE - 39.400 - 2
Visual - 29.100 - 3
Music - 29.625 - 1

2
Blue Devils - 98.100
GE - 39.450 - 1
Visual - 29.750 - 1
Music - 28.900 - 4

3
The Cavaliers - 97.325
GE - 38.800 - 3
Visual 29.550 - 2
Music 28.975 - 3

4
Carolina Crown - 96.800
GE - 38.700 - 4
Visual - 29.100 - 3
Music - 29.000 - 2

5
The Cadets - 94.750
GE - 37.700 - 5
Visual - 28.750 - 5
Music - 28.300 - 5

6
Bluecoats - 93.175
GE - 37.200 - 6
Visual - 27.700 - 7
Music - 28.275 - 6

7
Santa Clara Vanguard - 93.025
GE - 37.200 - 6
Visual - 28.250 - 6
Music - 27.575 - 7

8
Blue Stars - 90.425
GE - 36.450 - 8
Visual - 27.450 - 8
Music - 26.525 - 8

9
Blue Knights - 88.250
GE - 35.450 - 9
Visual - 26.500 - 10
Music - 26.300 - 9

10
Boston Crusaders - 87.275
GE - 35.450 - 9
Visual - 25.650 - 12
Music - 26.175 - 10

11
Glassmen - 87.200
GE - 35.0501 - 1
Visual - 26.700 - 9
Music - 25.450 - 11

12
Madison Scouts - 85.225
GE - 34.250 - 12
Visual - 25.700 - 11
Music - 25.275 - 12

BLUE DEVILS

Ik weet het,.. ik ben bevooroordeeld... maar ook al heeft Phantom een fantastisch muzikaal boek, een geweldige hornline (met snoeiharde mellophones!) een retestrakke drumline en een hoog applausgehalte in de show, (altijd al wel een van mijn favotrieten geweest, al is het alleen al vanwege het klassieke repertoire...), maar toch heeft de show van Blue Devils mijn voorkeur!

Constantly Risking Absurdity... en dat gebeurt ook de hele show door. Je weet hier echt niet waar je moet kijken. Ook moeilijk op de voorlijn te fotograferen. Als je denkt dat je een tenor of snare mooi in beeld hebt, dan schuift er gegarandeerd een guardlid voor je lens langs.
Genieten geblazen!!! Met hoofdletters!

PHANTOM NET KLAAR

Ik kan het niet laten,.. ze lopen nu het veld af,... maar dat gaat ECHT HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEL spannend worden. allemachtig wat waren die goed!!!!

I AM SPARTACUS

Well,... I'm NOT! But they are!!
and they is Phantom Regiment. One of the best received show programmes of this DCI season.

CAVIES

Sorry,...
alleen foto's van de laatste 3 corps.
Morgen misschien meer....

Enjoy,

HK

CAROLINA CROWN

Erg leuke show. Veel bekende klassiek muziek. Is allemaal al wel eens gespeeld, maar Crown maakt er een grote medley van. Allemaal eindstukken van grote klassieke meesterwerken. Het is mijn avondje wel... alweer Bernstein. En ditmaal zelfs CANDIDE!!!
Als er een corps de laatste jaren muzikaal erg gegroeid is, dan is het Crown wel. Goeie god! Echt geweldig! Ik weet nu al dat ik bij deze laatste vier corps niet zoveel meer zal schrijven. Ga er nu echt effe voor zitten. Ik kan redelijk goed typen zonder al teveel op het toetsenbord te kijken, maar concentreren op een show wordt dan lastig.

SHUT UP & PLAY

Daar ga ik een shirt mee maken. Maroon kleur shirt met gouden print! " The Pursuit of Happiness" beeldt het pad dat de vrouw bewandelt naar echt geluk uit. het verhaal is in de loop van het seizoen wel veranderd, maar er wordt echt teveel over de microfoons "geluld". Allemachtig! Het leidt heel erg af van de klasse muziek , de uitvoering en de superieure drillmoves! Eerst ging de gesproken tekst er nog over dat Sarah Jones hoorde dat ze kanker had,.. maar dat is toch veranderd in het feit dat ze vandaag oma is geworden. In het midden van het veld is een heuse radiostudio nagebouwd. Naar het einde toe neemt het tempo in de drill zoals gewoonlijk toe. Gaaf! Alleen dat geouwehoer staat me tegen. Maar ook daar ben ik niet de enige in. Ben benieuwd waar ze volgend jaar mee aankomen. Heb wel gehoord dat ze muziek spelen van mijn favoeriete componist : Leonard Bernstein. Dus dat zit wel goed!

SCV: 3HREE

" Mind - Body - Soul" , daar draait het bij Santa Clara Vanguard om. Muziek van o.a. Philip Glass en John Adams. Vanguard heeft zijn zaken weer behoorlijk terug op de rit. Visueel weer erg mooi geschreven boek. Traditiegetrouw steelt de cymballine weer de show. Veel visuals! Gisteren zesde,.. en dat zal vanavond ook wel weer het geval zijn. Naar beide kanten toe was het verschil in semi finals redelijk groot. Masters in het roteren en kantelen van blokken!!!

BOKSEN MET BLUECOATS

Over toffe shows gesproken!! Die van Bluecoats is de eerste vanavond waar het publiek echt wakker van wordt. De show "KNOCKOUT" doet zijn naam eer aan. Wat een gaaf programma. Heerlijke hornline! Strak slagwerk. Mijn favoriet (en ik denk die van velen met mij) is het brassblok rechts vooraan. Veel vierkante (boksring) figuren in de show, en twee "acteurs" die toen ze auditie deden dachten dat ze met een vlag of rifle op het veld zouden lopen, vervullen nu de rol van bokser in de show. En met muziek van o.a. Leonard Bernstein kan een corps bij mij sowieso al niet kapot.

TOUR DE FRANCE

"LE TOUR" is het thema van de Blue Stars show. Erg leuk programma. Creatieve vondsten in guardmateriaal. Zo is er een fietsstuur aan het uiteinde van een pole gemaakt. Muziek is vooral klassiek, met stukken van o.a. Debussy, Saint Saens en Ravel.
alles draait om fietsen, en dat is ook vooral goed in het guard uniform te zien. Zelfs de shirt reclame klopt. Gave drill figuren!
Zo mogen er ieder jaar wel een paar shows tussen itten bij DCI!

B for BORING

Sorry,.. ik kan er weinig aan doen, maar echt zo'n beetje het enige dat ik leuk vind aan Blue Knights is de color guard,.. en dan nog vooral de ieder jaar zelf gemaakte, geverfde vlaggen. Het is dat ik net gegeten heb, anders had het nu echt burgertime geweest!
ik kan niet wachten tot dit voorbij is. Halverwege de show wordt er maar weinig gemusiceerd, maar danst zo ongeveer het hele corps.
kom maar op met de volgende!!

BOSTON CRUSADERS

Op een na alle corps met een B op een rijtje nu... 4 stuks.
Programma van Boston Crusadersheet NEOCOSMOS, een beetje gebasseerd op de visie op SPACE zoals die in de jaren '20 en '30 was. Bekende tunes zoals ALSO SPRACH ZARATHUSTRA en 2001 A SPACE ODYSSEY. Van Morrison's MOONDANCE heeft een wel heel leuk arrangement meegekregen.
Ook hier een Hollander in de baritone line, van Sas van Gent.

MADISON GLASSMEN

Het eerste kwart van de finals zit er al op.
Madison Scouts openden het programma. Gisteren in Semi Finals op ruime afstand 12e geworden. Programma is erg leuk, maar niet meer het Madison zoals we het kennen. Maarten Deschacht is de Europese bijdrage in het corps. Hij speelt marimba in de pit.
De show heet La Noche de la lguana. Op en top LATIN!

Glassmen heeft onze eigen Joury en Erik in de baritone line. KARNEVAL is de titel van hun programma. In een paar posts lager op deze pagina leggen ze zelf uit waar de show zo'n beetje over gaat. het Visual boek komt het beste uit de verf van alle captions. Gisteren nog 11e. Ben benieuwd of zij hun 0,85 punt verschil ten opzichte van Boston in kunnen halen vanavond. Lijkt me goed mogelijk.

LIVE FROM DCI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS FINALS

Net als vorig jaar LIVE vanuit de persbox. De show is al even aan de gang. We hebben het jaarlijkse exhibition optreden van het US MARINE DRUM & BUGLE CORPS achter de rug. Altijd een genot. Jammergenoeg geen color guard.
Ik zit op verdieping 5 van de persbox,.. en geloof me... dat is behoorlijk hoog.
Ik ben uit het midden gaan zitten, want daar gaan de ramen wel open. Dan heb je tenminste een beetje goed geluid.

Eigenlijk hebben we al 3 shows gehad. Het programma werd na het Amerikaanse volkslied geopend door de Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets, die 's middags tot ieders verrassing Blue Devils B naar de 2e plaats hebben verdreven in Open Class.


Beatrix werd vanmiddag overigens 11e. Toffe prestatie!!!

In de loop van de avond zal ik ookw at fotootjes uploaden.

Enjoy (als je nog niet op bed ligt!)

HK

WHAT A NIGHT !!!

Tonight’s DCI Quarterfinals were a night to remember! Jeeeez!!! These corps are rocking!!
Unfortunately I only got to the stadium when Glassmen had just marched off the field after their performance. That’s too bad because I had really hoped seeing them perform today. Oh well… Hope to see them tomorrow then. Got to at least take a couple of pictures of them!
Walked in when Blue Stars were doing their show. It’s all about the Tour de France. Some very cool gimmicks!
And it was about time I finally got to see my good buddy Jim “ballstothewall” Wagner and his wife Jo-Ann. Always a pleasure to run into them, and especially tailgating with them during intermission. He is such a fun guy, straightforward,.. says it as it is. If e likes it he’s going to tell you, if he doesn’t you are sure to find out too. He always invites me for a good Canadian beer from the cooler in the trunk of his car, while Jo-Ann convinces me into having one of the sandwiches she prepared. They always manage to find a parking spot fairly close to the stadium. This year it was VERY close! Only one block from the stadium, There’s always a couple other people hanging out there with them. One of the best moments of DCI week!!... Hanging out with Jim.
He was wearing his favourite blue Jubal shirt we got him in 2006. On our way to the car we ran into a mutual friend. David Martin, talented trumpet player, that I know from my time with the Empire Statesmen back in 1992. Another fun guy. Hadn’t seen him for years! Maybe just once since Statesmen. He plays with the Hitmen now, and arranges quite a bit too.
Some stories and anecdotes from the (good) old days were shared. Jim told David he really missed a lot not having seen Jubal in 2002 and 2006. Jim is our BIGGEST Jubal fan in the states! Especially because we had some trumpet/soprano screamers back then!
He brought up the story that when we did the concert at Madison Capitol Square, we completely blew away Madison Scouts that afternoon in 2002.
Missed Blue Knights (well,.. don’t know if I really missed all that much…)
Bluecoats were great! That brass only a-cappella segment is goose bumps-city ! WOW!
Very nice concept, excellent arranging, powerful and clean drumline. All in all,.. a show not to be missed.
Santa Clara Vanguard… don’t really care for their musical book this year. Clean cut performance. Crowd seemed to enjoy the m. And there’s that VANGUARD!”, “yell from them again mid-show.
Cadets had made some dramatic changes to their programme. Last week the storyline over the microphones had been changed,.. now the complete opening segment is new. Both misic and visual! I still hate the narration! (AN ALWAYS WILL!) It is far too distracting and takes away much of the attention from the talented musicians and guard. The corps members are amazing marchers! It’s hard to figure out how they do it so well.
Phantom Regiment is doing a revival of their 92’s Spartacus show,.. same concept,.. different format! Quite some “violence” in their show this year. That put off a lot of fans, but the majority of the crowd is cheering loudly for them and are giving them standing ovations at every show. So this killing in the show must be good for something. Tonight even the drum major was stabbed. Loved the opening with the Herald trumpets!
Carolina Crown brings together a bunch of popular (classical) tunes and are among the crowd’s favourites. Best corps they have ever had!
Cavaliers are very strong with their Samurai production. The visual tricks they do are the same we are used to seeing from them. Highly entertaining and exciting.
Blue Devils rocked the house with a sublime performance. It was all there. A flabbergasting color guard performance gained them a score of 19.9 (out of 20) in their caption. Also a perfect 20 points in the visual (marching) caption! The corps is back where they want to be: in first place, though the lead is a mere 0,325 points.

Enjoy,

HK

GREAT INDIVIDUALS & ENSEMBLES RESULTS FOR BLUE DEVILS

This afternoon the I&E competition took place in the Indianapolis Convention Center.
The Blue Devils participants were pretty successful.

Matt Bowers won the Tenor caption, while his two buddies took second and third.
Montana topped the timpani caption.
The pit percussion placed second behind SCV's tenorline (but I felt they shouldn't have been in the same caption!)
Then two snares took second and third.

Photos will follow tonight.

Enjoy,

HK

JOURY & ERIK ABOUT THEMSELVES IN GLASSMEN

Here is what Joury Noordermeer and Erik van Doorn (both Jubal baritone players) have to say about themselves, their summer with Glassmen, their show, and other stuff.

Enjoy (if you understand Dutch),

HK

A DAY OFF

Yesterday was nice too. Got a visit from Luigi, Trinet and their son Mike (all Jubal!) and Willi Schouten, who lives in Ephrata (just down the road from where we were staying). Her late husband Wim is the one who got Jubal to adopt the drumcorps style back in the early 1960s, and purchased a the very first set of G-bugles to be used outside of the USA.

Unfortunately I didn't have that much time for them, but it was sure great to see Willi again! Will see the others at the show tonight. There's more people from Jubal showing up tonight! And then... the Beatrix corps is performing tonight as well. They're doing pretty good actually in Open Class.

I took (or rather GOT) the day off from Blue Devils today, so I could spend it with my best friend in the States: Lisa.

She picked me up after the West Chester show last night, after her concert with the Wind Symphony Orchestra.

I had not seen her new house, that she moved to a few years ago, yet. Very nice!! And the yard is huge! Lots of work to get it ready for the new season!

I am glad the food order at BD came in yesterday, so I could help stack everything away in the food truck. Even for this last week they ordered an incredible amount of food and stuff. Oh well. Some products don't go bad. I am sure they can use them at the next audition camps.

Last night we stayed up pretty late and talked, and talked. Always great fun! Spent a week in Paris with Lisa last October. Great company. Same interests. Especially enjoyed the visit to Dehillerin (a store for culinary needs)

Today we'll probably do some shopping. The good news about the state of Delaware is that there are no taxes here!!! I'm sure products will be a lot cheaper than in most other states.

I think I will go to Best Buy. Might buy an I-touch. They're way cheaper than back home. Might pick up a few CDs too.

Last night I saw Erik & Joury with Glassmen again too. They're having a great time. I will see them again tonight at the show in Allentown. I made them a cake (just like last year). Turned out pretty neat! Will post some more photos of Erik and Joury here later today.

Enjoy,

HK

ERIK & JOURY

Another series of photos of my Jubal-buddies Joury Noordermeer and Erik van Doorn, who are marching with Glassmen's baritone section this summer.

Enjoy,

HK