Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes:  

This year is the year we get down to business and I can officially say we are no longer "dabbling" in drum line formats.  We have raised the bar to two 2-hour rehearsals a week with the added 2-hour pad-out session every month or so (where we work the hands specifically).  We have a full-9 member BATTERY and here is the lineup:

Evan Hoyo................BATTERY LEADER, Snare

Daniela Soto............Snare

Jeremy Karpa..........Tenor 

Mason Lauer...........Tenor 

Logan Hoyo..............BD 1

Karla Soto.................BD 2

Bailey White.............BD 4

John Rice.................Cymbals

I am also extremely happy to announce Eric Yahrmarkt as an additional part-time drum line staff.  Eric works with Liberty and Canby High School Drum Lines. He has also been the tenor tech for OCI.org(Oregon Crusaders Indoor).  If you haven't heard of them, you should.  Just go to the site and check them out.  Basically, they are currently the best drum line for open class in the NATION.  With field shows, color guard and some of the nation's highest skilled instructors, they recently won the national open class in Dayton, OH a few months ago.  OK, I'm sure you get the idea.  I am pleased as punch to have Eric's expertise added to Putnam's program.  Look for the line to actually start moving in some formations this year as we start to add visuals to our program. 

 

OTHER NEWS:  The Bald-Faced Truth Foundation, a wonderful music/athletics support to under-served kids, has been very generous to drum line members in the past.  Recently, they put together a story with  Ch. Two TV Anchor Anna Canzano and founder John Canzano (95.5 Bald Faced Truth radio host and Oregonian sports writer).  The video featured past battery leader Cody Hogan and myself.  The focus was about opportunities the foundation was able to give to programs like drum line and the benefits that individuals and the greater society and community would see because of helping kids participate in programs like KINGSMEN THUNDER Drum Line.  If you are reading this, go to the websitewww.baldfacedtruth.org and donate.  Chances are it will go right back to kids in your community and indeed even RPHS students.  NOTE:  To donate more directly to help the drumline buy:

 

Sticks

Music

Hardware

Replacement Heads for drums

T-Shirts

Contest fees

Travel Expenses

New Cymbals to replace older and heavier sets

A once-in-a-blue-moon pizza rehearsal to feed hungry percussionists (about $100 from flying pie)

 

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DIRECTLY DONATE TO THE NEW  RPHS Booster Club:

 

RPHS Music Boosters (501c)

4950 SE Roethe Rd.

Milwaukie, OR 97267

 

Your donation couldn't be more appreciated by this compact powerful elite percussion group that performs in your school district, your community and represents you at parades and events.  The KINGSMEN THUNDER is available to perform at your event as well if you need a little loud attention drawn to your business or cause!  Contact me at:  rene@herecomeseverybody.com to schedule.   

 

Rene' at ALDER CREEK MS:   Sooooo, the excitement of the drum line has grown to the middle school.  In order to help facilitate the skills needed for future KINGSMEN THUNDER battery members, I have decided to volunteer at Alder Creek Middle School with about 10 drummers over there.  The enthusiasm and "fire" is there folks!  An eager set of bright young drummers are getting a boost from learning serious rhythm training.  I will insert one sentence here, however, bemoaning the fact that the cuts in our school music programs have left future musicians without skills they should have at this level (no fault of the teacher mind you, but the SYSTEM) which has systematically reduced or eliminated basic musical skills from the lower grades.  Soooo, to take matters in my own hands and pre-train the future drum line members, the weekly sessions include:  stick control, counting, sub-dividing, professional musicianship, rudiments, typical drum patterns and etc....  All that said, we simply have a great time learning all this stuff and the kids love it!  

 

Here's one obstacle however:  THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE OR SUITABLE FOR THESE DRUMMERS.  Very sad and a bit shocking.  The broken cast-offs from over 30 years ago stuff in a room (dents and all!) are heavy and inappropriate for the smaller physical bodies of these young drummers.  Feel free to donate here.  Contact me for more details.