Full Band Starts at Spat Camp

Posted July 28

Spat camp got underway in full on Monday, July 28 as over 280 musicians and color guard convened at Patrick Henry Middle School. The muggy Monday started with the annual kick-off meeting, where directors Dan and Bob Carlson laid down the rules and routines of Spat Camp. New for '08: keep your phones in your pockets at all times. The Carlson's passed on their goals for the week, including having the entire show blocked out by the end of Spat Camp on Friday.

The attendance block was the first order of the day on the field, a form that the students will use every day they practice. By mid afternoon, the band had formed their first horn arc to learn their breathing exercises, and had played their first notes as a group, practicing their warm up scales.

The Patriot Marching Band had their first taste Spat Camp in true July fashion: the dew point hovered at 70 as the air temp topped 85 at mid afternoon. But the directors were pleased to have everyone there: two holes created by student that had moved were plugged by hole-fillers ready and waiting. "It was a good start today" director Bob Carlson said after the lunch break.

Spat camp continues all week at Patrick Henry, with parents and friends invited Saturday morning for the annual "Breakfast with the band".

Click here for pictures from Spat Camp.

Rookies Open Spat Camp

Posted July 26th

It has begun. Under partly cloudy skies with temps hovering around 70 degrees the 2008 Lincoln High School Marching Band season officially on the morning of Friday, July 25^th. Section leaders and new marchers spent the day on the lawn south of Patrick Henry Middle school, working on the basics. By mid-day all were familiar with the traditional “Detail, Ten HUT!” command of Director Dan Carlson, known to all as Mr. C.

When lunch was done the skies had cleared and as the thermometer passed 84, the block drilled on stepping off, rolling their heels, and practicing 8 steps forward, and 8 steps back. By the end of the afternoon they were familiar with reading their drill chart – papers they’ll become all too familiar with in the coming weeks.

“We’re excited” when director Bob Carlson talked of the show “Spellbound”. With 285 students the Carlson’s have no small task shaping the band into their traditional top-notch band.

Spat Camp continues on Monday, July 28, when the rest of the band joins in, and the work begins on the 2008 show Spellbound.