News

Teal Sound Family & Friends 10th Anniversary Celebration Send Off

Join the Teal Sound on June 21, 2008 at Thomasville High School in Thomasville, GA for the Annual Family and Friends Send Off party. The day kicks off in the morning with a car wash and tag day event and then the corps will hold a 2 hour clinic in the afternoon for the local area schools. We will also have our 2nd Annual Spaghetti Dinner before the corps performs in full uniform at 8:00 PM prior to leaving for the summer tour. The corps will then celebrate it's 10th Anniversary with some special cakes prepared especially for the day!! So come on out, spend the day and help send these great kids off on tour.

Teal sound members...

NEW: Please visit the Members Only section for NEW DRILL!

Visit the Members Only section for the new Director's Corner letter, too. New Spring Training information available. HOT !

Also, parents pre-tour meeting to be held at noon on Sunday at MHS to discuss Tour and give out information regarding the summer. All parents that can make it are pleased asked to be in attendance for this important and informative

April Camp News

The April camp saw much success as the members of the horn line received the brand new Jupiter Quantum Series Brass for the first time. Christmas came to Middleburg in April!! Sam Pilafian and Pat Sheridan joined us on Saturday morning and presented their clinic, “Breathing Gym”, to the members of the horn line and members of the Middleburg High School Bronco Band. Their presentation included many different breathing and relaxation techniques for all to work on in a highly interactive clinic. Sam and Pat also performed a couple of short musical numbers for the members that showed off their abilities on both the tuba and baritone. This was the first chance for both to hear a full horn line perform and play on the new brass and everyone was very excited over the fullness and richness of the sound produced by these new instruments.

Sunday began as normal, but was ramped up when Hannu Lepola of Rajaton, joined the corps for the afternoon. What a surprise it was for all and the looks on the member’s faces were priceless when he walked in the gym. This was the first time anyone from Rajaton had a chance to hear the corps in person. Hannu made the statement, “Wow, what a difference from just watching a DVD! The wall of sound goes right through you.”  Hannu spoke to the members about the history of Rajaton and took time to answer many questions from the corps. He answered a request by one of the members to sing something. He followed that by an excerpt from one of the corps’ favorite songs from last year’s program, “Poison Tree.”  Unbelievable!! Overall the camp weekend was a tremendous success and the corps continued to excel in its efforts towards the summer tour.

The April guard camp also saw many new faces as well as old. The addition of the new guard staff, Caption Head Budd Williams, Techs Amy Metzlar and Shane Cheatle and Movement Tech Sampson Tuliao brought a challenging weekend to all. This year’s guard is already much improved and showed signs that these members are very serious about adding a great deal of visual enhancement to the 2008 program. There are still a few spots available in the guard and we invite anyone who is interested in marching this summer to join us May 9 - 11.

Teal Sound in need of VolunTeals for the 2008 Summer Tour

The Teal Sound is still in need of several folks for the summer tour. Our organization prides itself on having the best VolunTeals around and we want you to help support these great kids this summer. If you can cook, sew, or just in general, help out in any way, your services are needed and will be greatly appreciated. We have several openings available during the summer and now have confirmed fly-in/fly-out points for those to meet us on the road. If you can work 2 weeks, a week or even a few days please contact Debbie Swift at debbie@tealsound.org.

Teal Sound Tuesday

Teal Sound Tuesday is a specifically set aside day when we wear our Teal Sound shirts. We wear them to show our dedication to the myriad amount of members in the Teal Sound Drum & Bugle Corps. We think everyone should participate in the Teal Sound Tuesday so that even though we are apart, we can still be together.

Concept by:
- Robert Moyer
- Jessica Byers
- Britney Cook
- Mikella Black

Sam Pilafian and Patrick Sheridan to appear at April 11 - 13 Teal Camp

The Teal Sound is pleased to announce that international musical artists, Sam Pilafian and Patrick Sheridan, will be in town to present their clinic, "Breathing Gym", to the members of the Teal Sound and area High School musicians on Saturday morning, April 12 at 10:00 a.m. at Middleburg High School. This event is made possible through Jupiter Music Instruments and the new business partnership with Teal. All musicians and band directors from the Jacksonville area are invited to attend and take part in what is truly going to be an exciting presentation given by these two well-known brass virtuosos.

" We are all very excited to have Sam and Pat in for the weekend, thanks to our business partner Jupiter Music Instruments," stated corps director, Randy Blackburn.

Some of the areas that will be covered in this clinic will be that the students will learn to "increase airflow and stamina, improve tone and breath control, reduce body tension and raise their energy level and focus".
The Teal Sound looks forward to seeing all of you out at Middleburg HS on April 12.

Also the Teal Sound will he hosting a special guest at their "Show & Teal" on Sunday, April 13 at 1:30 p.m. All friends and family will want to be around for this special day as well!!! Come out and visit with us as we continue to celebrate this 10th Anniversary season.

Download the flyer for the "Breathing Gym" cliinic.

Teal Sound in need of Drivers for Summer Tour

Teal Sound is looking for CDL Class A licensed Owner/Operators or semi-drivers for the 2008 summer season. We have 2, 48' trailers, one equipment and one food truck, that you will be pulling. IStart date is June 25th and end date will be August 11 after finals in Indianapolis, IN. Owner/Operators will be compensated on a per mile basis at the going OTR rate. If you are interested in spending the summer on the road with a great group of kids and staff, please contact Randy Blackburn at randy@tealsound.org for more information.

Competitive pay commensurate with experience.

Board of Directors Meeting

The Teal Sound, Inc. will be holding a Board of Directors Meeting on Sunday, March 16, 2008 at Middleburg High School. All those interested in serving on the Board need to be present this day. The meeting will begin at 10:00 am in the Chorus Room. Please email Brian Fisher at brian@tealsound.org for more information.

Teal Sound on display at TMEA

Teal Sound was recently featured during the Texas Music Educators Association conference at the Jupiter Band Instrument display along with the Academy Drum & Bugle Corps from Arizona. The jackets of the 2 corps were used to represent their partnership with Jupiter and the Quantum Music Project.

"We are very excited and anxious for the new brass and percussion instruments to arrive in Jacksonville", stated corps director Randy Blackburn. "The new snares and basses arrived for the February camp and look great!"

New Member Drill Charts Available

Please visit the Drill Chart Download page and download your copy. Go to the Members Only section of this website, and click the Drill Charts link to download the charts. All members should check the Members Only section and the Drill Charts page periodically for new drill downloads.

THE TEAL JAM PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE

The Teal Sound Drum & Bugle Corps would like to officially announce the start up of the first performance arm of the corps to be known as The Teal Jam! This program will be made up of members that do not make the drum corps percussion line. It will be a select group of 15 individuals that will be performing at local and regional events, as well as with the corps at various times throughout the season.

The purpose of Teal Jam is to continue to educate, offer instruction, and bring those particular members along through technique and skill development that are close to making the main corps percussion line but have not quite gained or mastered the skills to attain that level yet. This is in no means an inferior group to the Teal Sound Drum & Bugle Corps, but rather will be used to help promote the corps through performances in the Greater Jacksonville and surrounding areas. The cool thing about this group is that that it will be fun, entertaining, and different.

Music from Classical to Rock will be utilized and performed. The Teal Jam will take place during the camp weekends and will develop their musical programming along with the Teal Sound. The Teal Jam will also perform at the Show and Teal sessions on Sundays at the end of camps. If you want to come, play, and perform then The Teal Jam is the right group for you!

Join us Saturday morning, March 15, 2008 at Middleburg High School. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the first rehearsal kicks off at 9:00 a.m.

For more information regarding The Teal Jam, please contact Randy Blackburn or Terrell Smith .

Download The Teal Jam Membership Application

2008 DCI Show Planning Meeting

Teal Sound would like to extend an open invitation to all parents, alumni and anyone who has previous band show experience or has ever been interested in helping to run a DCI show to attend a special pre-show planning meeting. This year the Teal Sound will be hosting a Drum Corps International show in Valdosta, GA on July 11, 2008 along with Valdosta State University and others. Since this is the first year a drum corps show of any kind has been held in this area in several years, we want to make it an evening that all who attend will not soon forget. There are many areas that need assistance and we need all of you to come out and help make this a spectacular event. Don't worry if you have never worked a show or even planned an event like this before. All we ask is that you come to the planning meeting which will be held on Saturday morning, February 9th, at 10:00 am in the Media Center at Middleburg HS to find out more information and how you can help. We look forward to seeing you there!! For more information regarding this event, please contact Debbie Swift at debbie@tealsound.org.

Teal Sound Partners with Quantum

January 21, 2008 – In conjunction with their 10th Anniversary season, Teal Sound is pleased to announce an exciting new partnership with Jupiter Band Instruments, Inc. to perform on the new Quantum series of brass, drums and percussion instruments.

The Quantum project is a collaborative effort between Jupiter, Mapex and Majestic brands to develop a complete line of high-performance marching brass, drums and field percussion. Ron Ellis and Terrell Smith, Teal Sound Arrangers and Caption Heads, feel that the Quantum series products will give the program an excellent quality of sound and enhance the overall musical experience for the members. “The fact that Jupiter, Mapex and Majestic have developed the instruments with the entire ensemble in mind adds to the overall balance and blend of the program,” stated Mr. Ellis.

Teal made the announcement to its members, staff and parents during the January 18th camp weekend. “All of us at the Teal Sound are truly pleased and excited with the efforts made by the Jupiter Product Development Team along with Jupiter President Keith Gard and Vice President of Business Development Tabor Stamper to establish this partnership,” said Corps Director Randy W. Blackburn. “We are looking forward to a great business relationship and playing on the Quantum instruments this season and into the future.”

Teal Sound announces Field Conductor for 2008 season!

This past weekend Teal Sound annouced to the corps that Justin Held wil be the  2008 Field Conductor. Justin comes to the corps from south Florida where he was the Drum Major at West Boca HS. "He will be a very strong complement to the returning Drum Majors", Bobby Duncan and Kayla Swift, "both in his conducting style and leadership role" stated Ron Ellis, Program Coordinator. Congratulations to Justin and we wish him well for this season.

The corps also announced that Erick Guzman and Thomas Baker will be Horn Sargent and Asst. Horn Sargent. Donny Dorhn and Melissa Hyde were announced as Drum Captain and Pit Captain.

February Camp Help

We need mom's  to help with uniform fittings and dad's to help with finishing up on Equipment trailer build out. Please contact Debbie Swift at debbie@tealsound.orgor Brandon Clemons at debbie@tealsound.org.

We also will begin our home show preparation and planning and will need several folks that have been involved in helping out or running a band show or guard show to come out and take part in the planning of this show. Our show is scheduled for July 11, 2008 in Valdosta, GA. We have a great line-up of corps coming to this show and need help in all areas. We are scheduling  a meeting on Saturday morning at 10:00 am of the Februay camp. We need your help in order to make this show a success. Come and be a part of the return of championship drum corps to the south and help Teal Sound to make this the best show in the South. RSVP to debbie@tealsound.org.

New Member Music Available

New music for Teal Sound Percussion & Brass members is now available. Go to the Members Only section of this website, and click the Music Files link to download music files for your instrument. All members should check the Members Only section and their Music File page periodically for new music downloads.

Teal Sound launches new website!

Teal Sound is proud to announce the launch of it's new website designed by Harrison Morgan Design out of Atlanta, GA. The new look and ease of movement throughout the website will help to locate all the information regarding the Teal Sound.

As we enter our 10th Anniversary we are also proud to introduce the new logo for the corps too. The new logo was designed by Jeff Grant, Professor of Art at Valdosta State University. (click the logo to enlarge)

Watch for more areas of the website to open over the next few weeks as we begin the 2008 season.

Teal to Helsinki, Finland in January

At the end of January 2008, Ron Ellis, Terrell Smith and Randy Blackburn will be traveling to Helsinki, Finland to once again meet with the members of Rajaton to collaborate on this year's show, Voices of the Seasons. It will be a busy week as the trio begins it's journey in Orlando at the DCI Winter meetings and then travels to Finland on Saturday morning arriving Sunday afternoon. Jussi Chydenius, bass vocalist with the group and others, will meet with the team as they lay out this year's program. "This is an exciting venture that began last year with our first visit overseas", said corps director Blackburn. "We are once again looking forward to visiting with our friends and colleagues as we put together our 10th Anniversary program. All of us can't wait to once again bring this incredible music of Rajaton to the drum corps community".

On another note, Rajaton is also celebrating their 10th Anniversary this year and has just come off tour. They will be performing in Charleston, SC on April 12th with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra later this coming year.

Look for photos and a daily log on their trip towards the end of January.

Teal Sound Musical Christmas Card Glitch

We apologize for not getting the Musical Christmas Card up this year as we experienced some technical difficulties with the recording device used at the camp. Unfortunately, technology does not always work and while we are sorry this did not come out, we promise to have future recordings from the camps placed on the website in the coming months.

From all of us here at the Teal Sound, we hope you had a very Merry Christmas and Joyous Holiday and wish you all a Safe and Happy New Year!

Teal Sound Auditiion Weekend a Great Success

The audition weekend was a great success begining on Friday evening with the culmination of the 2007 season at the Awards Banquet. The dinner was excellent and the best part of it all was watching the year in pictures and remembering the time we all had together.

Top awards to note:

David "Shaggy" Polkowski Director's Award	Thomas Baker Trevor Jones Scholarship Award	Erick Guzman Recognition Award

The auditions that began on Saturday morning were attended by more than 170 potential candidates for the 2008 corps. This was by far the highest level of talent that the corps has ever seen and the decisions that had to be made at the end of the weekend to let some go were very tough for sure.

The hornline learned the first part of this year's opener and also a very cool Stevie Wonder medley.	The percussion section was jamming by Saturday evening and had learned the new version of this year's street beat and also parts to the Stevie Wonder tune.	The color guard spent the better part of the weekend working through movement and equipment technique and all were impressed with their new guard caption head, Budd Williams and the staff.
For more photos of Teal Sound's Audition Weekend, click here.

The corps wrapped up the weekend with it's version of "Show and Teal" by presenting US Marine Corps Staff Sargent, David Moore, 6 large boxes of toys that were collected by the attending members for the "Toys for Teal" drive.

Following the presentation each section of the corps showed what they had been working on over the weekend. Even though the weather was a little on the chilly side outside, Teal warmed up the crowd inside by playing the first minute and a half of this year's opener, "Frost" and then moved into a great arrangement of 3 of Stevie Wonder's top charts. As an added bonus, the horns learned the Musical Christmas Card that will be shared with all on the Teal Sound website within the next week.*

(*See related story above "Teal Sound Christmas Card Glitch" )

Teal is off to it's best start ever and all are excited on entering the corps 10th Anniversary season.

Teal Sound announces is 2008 Program: "Voices of the Seasons" featuring the music of Rajaton

This year's production will highlight the seasons of Fall, Winter & Spring. For more information, click here.