MEMBERS' AREA
Marching members: Please review the rules and procedures that go with the new uniforms.
CORPSDATA
All music and contact information is now being saved on corpsdata.net. All current members can download their music on this site. All members should log in and update their contact information.
Members: Please login to CorpsData at least once a week to check for news items.
To log into CorpsData the first time:
- go to http://corpsdata.net.
- In the Log In area, you will see a link that says "Forgot your password?" (above the box for the password). Click on this link.
- Enter the e-mail address you gave the Muchachos and then click on "Submit". Make sure that your e-mail client is not blocking messages from the trigonroad.com domain (the company that makes CorpsData).
- You will shortly receive an e-mail with your password in it. Go back to the main CorpsData page (http://corpsdata.net) now and log in with your e-mail address and the password you received.
- Once you are logged in, you can change your password by clicking on the left side link that says "password/security".
2013 DUES
Returning members: The first half of tuition, $100.00, is now due and payable no later than November 17, 2012. You may also pay dues in monthly installments. Please contact Corps Director Al Gagne to make arrangements to pay by installments or if you have any questions or concerns.
Note: There is a $1.00 processing fee when paying online.
Returning member 1/2 tuition: $100
New members: Tuition is due in full at the time of registration and prior to signing out Corps equipment and/or uniforms. Please contact Corps Director Al Gagne if you have any questions or concerns.
Members less than 18 years of age in the brass, percussion and A-line sections pay $240. This includes the $200 tuition, the sombrero and member T-shirt, which is considered personal property. Color guard members pay the $200 tuition and $15 for member T-shirt as they do not wear sombreros.
Members 18 years of age and older in the brass, percussion and A-line sections pay $265. This includes the $200 tuition, the sombrero and member T-shirt, which is considered personal property, and the cost of a background check. Color guard members pay the $200 tuition and $15 for member T-shirt as they do not wear sombreros.
Please contact us if you have any questions or would like more information.
HORN LINE FAQS
Below are a few FAQ's regarding the Muchachos Hornline.
Q - What kind of music do you play?
A - We typically play music with a Latin/Spanish style or flair. We try to appeal to all generations and the public so we have a mix of music from popular to standard brass band to jazz. We will also play some patriotic music. We are always considering new musical choices.
Q - What's the difference between a bugle and a trumpet? I play a trumpet/French horn/Trombone/Tuba. Is playing a bugle any different?
A - The bugles the Muchachos use are all three valve instruments, and basically are related and play just like their concert/marching band cousins except they are all pitched in the key of G. Most brass players will adapt pretty quickly. The biggest difference most people find is adjusting to the key of the instrument. If you've only played a slide trombone you'll need to adjust to using valves, but that's not a very difficult transition.
Here's a list of our bugles and who their concert instrument cousins are:
- Soprano Bugle - Soprano voice of the brass choir. Most closely related to the trumpet/cornet and uses the same mouthpiece as a trumpet.
- Alto/Flugelhorn Bugle - This is part of the Alto voice of the brass choir. It's most related to the flugelhorn and/or the alto or peck horn. These horns typically play like a soprano but have a darker, richer sound.
- Mellophone Bugle - This is also part of the Alto voice of the brass choir. It's very closely related to the mellophones used in many marching bands. Typically it's a substitute for the French horn as it uses a mouthpiece similar to a trumpet but with a deeper V-style cup/bowl. It, too, has a darker sound than the soprano, and the large bell gives it a big sound.
- French Horn Bugle - This is also part of the Alto voice of the brass choir. It's very closely related to a concert French horn and uses a French horn mouthpiece, and sounds very similar to a concert French horn. These are not used too much as the thin rim can make it difficult to march and play at the same time. Over time, these have been replaced by Mellophones in many Drum and Bugle Corps
- Baritone Bugle - This is the tenor voice of the brass choir. Its closest relative would be a concert baritone horn. It uses the same mouthpiece as most baritone horns or trombones.
- Euphonium Bugle - This is also part of the tenor voice of the brass choir. It's different from a baritone bugle in that it has a larger conical bore and larger bell. It produces a nice dark, rich, deep sound.
- Contrabass Bugle - This instrument provides the Bass or Baritone voice in the brass choir. It's closely related to the concert Tuba but is placed on the players shoulder with the bell facing front while being played.
All of the bugles use the same fingerings as a trumpet or treble clef baritone horn. Music is usually all written in treble clef; however, our arrangements are created in software that could easily transpose for musicians who have learned to read in bass clef.
Q - What's a typical rehearsal day like?
A - We typically have 5-hour rehearsals and will spend about 2 hours of it practicing in sections. For the horn line, we spend the first 30-60 minutes warming up as a group and working on basic techniques of playing a brass instrument. We'll work on the same types of exercises most other Drum and Bugle Corps do. These are not specific to Drum and Bugle Corps, and you are very likely to play the same or similar exercises with your private teacher (if you have one). We'll spend the rest of sectional time learning new music or perfecting the music we've already learned. During the winter, we spend about an hour on marching basics. In the spring and summer, when we're learning and perfecting our field show, a good portion of rehearsal is spent on marching and playing while marching. In the winter, the last 45 minutes of rehearsal is spent putting everything together with all the sections of the Drum and Bugle Corps and adding movement if we have any.
Q - Will playing a bugle improve or ruin my indoor sound?
A - It is unlikely participating in Drum and Bugle Corps will hurt your concert playing. You should be able to use the same mouthpiece as your concert instrument. Although we focus on techniques to play outdoors, this should still translate into becoming a better player indoors. You should find that you will end up with more endurance and play with a stronger, more supported and darker sound. Also because we have to play outdoors musical interpretations need to be exaggerated so you should be able to play louder with quality, softer with quality and have more precise articulations.
Q - What if I don't play a brass instrument?
A - We'll teach you. If you can read music the transition is relatively easy from another instrument. Woodwind players typically do pretty well switching to a bugle. If you've never played an instrument before, don't fret. You may be the next undiscovered Wynton Marsalis.
Q - What other benefits can I get from participating in Drum and Bugle Corps?
A - If you are still in school band, you'll have another program to learn and will become a better musician. Since Drum and Bugle Corps originated from the military, you'll learn to become a better leader and hopefully become more disciplined as well. If you've played an instrument when you were younger, you'll get to experience what it's like to play wonderful music with others and hopefully learn to play as well (or better) as you did when you were younger. Of course you'll get the opportunity to perform in front of some of the greatest fans available.
Q - What kind of commitment is necessary?
A - Generally, you should be able to make 75% of scheduled rehearsals and parades and 100% of field show exhibitions. You should also be able to practice at home so you are prepared for rehearsal. Depending upon your experience level, you may require more or less than others. Generally, we suggest at least 30 minutes of practice, 3 days a week.
Q - If I want to join, what do I need?
A - You can visit our Membership page and fill out the interest form; contact us through our Contact Us page; or attend one of our open rehearsals (see schedule for time and location). Bring yourself, a good attitude, your mouthpiece if you're a brass player, your sticks if you're a percussionist, a folding music stand, and a three ring binder to hold your music. Brass players may also want to bring cotton practice gloves (if you have any), valve oil and water to quench your thirst.
