Teal Sound Theft - Update (THANK YOU!)
Because of the donations made between last night and today, we have reached the total amount of money stolen from the corps and are overwhelmed by the tremendous support shown from our large drum corps family.
Please accept our sincere thank you to all the parents, family, fans, Drum Corps Planet, and friends of Teal Sound for your awesome generosity. We are so very grateful.
To All Families, Friends and Fans....
I have just returned from a long and grueling 2 day journey to Lafayette and back to Georgia. Let me first say how gracious I am, as all of us are at Teal, over the outpouring of care, concern and donations to the corps. Let me state a few things about what has happened just to clarify to those that have been curious as to why or how this could occur.
First of all, we had and do take every precautionary measure to assure that our funds are and were kept safe and secure at all times. Secondly, a debit card as some have suggested, only allows for up to so much cash that can be withdrawn against it on a daily basis, therefore, we did not go this route. After moving some 10,000 miles last year and almost 5,000 miles already this year, we had not experienced any problems with our methods. This does not mean that we will continue to move in the same direction after this learning lesson. AS many of you know, Teal Sound is in the midst of a growth period and that means just not at a membership level, but at ALL levels of the corps. Mistakes will be made once, but not repeated, as we all learn from those mistakes and make better choices the next go round. Finally, the police in Rayne, LA have the case under investigation and at this time we are not allowed to go into great detail about the facts. They have taken evidence and are processing it through the crime lab in Lafayette and when and if any results are found, the person or persons responsible for this will be handled by the police. Please do not make any conclusions about the folks in the state of Louisiana and especially about areas that were hit hard by Katrina a few years back. I can assure you that speculations in that manner are not true nor are they called for. Once again, I can not go into all of the details as this is an ongoing investigation and could possibly jeopardize any possible links or findings in this matter.
Now, for the good of the order. My sincerest thanks go out to all of you, our members families, friends, fans and whoever started the post on Drum Corps Planet. Our intention was to only post this on our website and someone must have seen it and posted it on there too. Beginning last night and continuing through today, the response has been majorly overwhelming!! I told my wife today in the car, that even though Drum Corps is only a small group of people in this world, it became larger than life this past day and a half. I am so taken back by all of your support and well wishes and want you to know that all of us are so very appreciative of what you have done.
Now for my last request, please folks, we have reached our recovery point and do not need you to donate any more funds.
As I told our kids last night, "you all belong to a very large family and to never forget that"!!
Thanks again from all of our family to yours,
Randy W Blackburn
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teal sound theft in louisiana
– Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Teal Sound has just experienced a theft while on tour in Louisana.Approximately 2 weeks of food and fuel money was stolen from the corps. A police report has been filed and an investigation is underway.
Marching through the Magic Kingdom
Three corps to perform at Walt Disney World Sunday, July 13
Fans can join three top drum corps for a change of venue and a whole lot of fun on Sunday, July 13, when the Cadets, Glassmen and Teal Sound take to the streets of Disney World's Magic Kingdom for a very special day of performances! Drum corps fans will find an abundance of spectacle and excitement as these corps march through the "Happiest Place on Earth," the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla.
The Magic Kingdom corps performances will take place following the DCI Orlando Premier Event scheduled for Saturday, July 12 at 7 p.m. The Orlando Citrus Bowl, four-time home to the DCI World Championships, will play host that night to the performances of 10 top corps.
Disney has a long tradition of recognizing the great performances of drum corps, bringing corps members' talents to the thousands who walk through the Walt Disney World Resort each day. The Cadets, Glassmen and Teal Sound will celebrate the joy of marching music and show their stuff when they march in front of Cinderella Castle at 2:30 p.m., prior to the park's "Dreams Come True Parade."
Make this unique showcase of Marching Music's Major League in Disney World the perfect finish to a weekend, with the DCI Orlando event on Saturday the 12th, and Disney's special drum corps feature on the 13th! Fans can get tickets to Walt Disney World parks, including the Magic Kingdom, at DisneyWorld.com.
Teal Sound News Stories in local Media
Teal Drum Corps Kicks Off in Georgia
By Sarah Baldwin
WALB-TV, Albany, GA
June 20, 2008
THOMASVILLE, GA (WALB) - More than a hundred teens and young adults from all over the southeastern U.S. and a even a few from Japan, are in Thomasville this week. They're the Teal Sound Drum and Bugle Corps of Jacksonville, Florida.
Read more and watch related video »
Marching Music: Drum & Bugle Corps Visits Thomasville
Teresa Williams
Thomasville, Times-Enterprise, Thomasville, GA
June 19, 2008
THOMASVILLE — A group of teal-clad youth musicians has stopped in Thomasville - The Teal Sound Drum & Bugle Corps, celebrating its 10th anniversary season, is in the City of Roses for the week.
Read more and watch related video »
Upcoming Teal Sound Performances
On Friday, June 20 the corps will perform at The Plaza Restaurant in Thomasville located at 217 S Broad St. at 2:00 PM. This special performance was made possible by the members of the Thomasville Kiwanis Club and we would like to thank them for their support.
The corps will then perform on Saturday night, June 21 at 8:00 PM for the annual Family and Friends Day at Thomasville High School. Jolesch Photography will be on hand to take section and full corps photos that will be available for purchase as well. Remember to come early and arrive for the 2nd Annual Spaghetti Dinner being served at 6:30 pm at the Food Truck. Once again the cost for the evening is $8.00 per Adult and $5.00 for children 12 and under.
Finally, on Sunday, June 22, the Batterie Percussion section will be traveling down to Tallahassee, FL to perform at the North Florida Fairgrounds located at 441 Paul Russell Rd., Tallahassee, FL at 12:00 PM for the Greatest Car Sale on Earth event. The corps was invited to perform by WTXL-TV ABC27, our media sponsor for the Sounds of the South Drum Corps show in Valdosta, GA on July 11th.
Come on out this weekend and check out the Teal Sound!!
The VolunTeal Crew needs help
The VolunTeal Crew still needs help anywhere between Monday, June 23 through Saturday, July 5... especially on the 3rd and 4th. Also, anytime between Saturday, July 19 through Thursday, July 31. If you have any available time during these two weeks, please contact Debbie Swift ASAP at debbie@tealsound.org.
We would also like to take a moment to thank all of you who have assisted with the season so far.
Teal Sound needs You to Help!!
A short while ago, we began our 2008 Fuel Fund Drive with the hope that we would see a return like last year. However, with the growing prices at the fuel pumps that is having an effect on all us economically, we soon realized that we would not be able to reach the goal that we met last year. All of the activity is looking at ways to meet the rising costs of food and fuel and now is the time for us to come together and help these kids down the road. We are asking that you take an active part in the success of the Teal Sound this season by donating whatever you can. Pre-paid Gas cards, Wal-Mart Gift Cards, or a cash donation can be made directly to The Teal Sound, Inc. and these donations are fully deductible to the fullest extent of the law. All of us at The Teal Sound want to thank you for your generosity and support in advance!!
Thanks,
Randy W Blackburn - Director
Teal SounD percussionists
Part 4 parts now available for download. Visit the persuccion music section of the Members Only page to download parts.
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:
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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.
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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. |
