Perfect Practice Makes Perfect
Mar 7, 2009
All performers are familiar with the routine of rehearsals, but for those groups at the top of their game, practice doesn’t stop when everyone one leaves the gym. The details of music, choreography, and performances are thought of on a daily basis to ensure that perfection will be in reach by the end of the season.
Setting up for success even before the group gets together is key. Joey Dwyer from Walled Lake HS Percussion says, “We have a very relaxed atmosphere at every rehearsal. This is because everyone comes to practice prepared with a solid attitude. Our director, Nick Pourcho, teaches us values that allow this to happen easily. One book that almost all the members have read is ‘The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens” by Sean Covey. By applying those seven habits to every rehearsal, we are capable of having the most effective rehearsals possible. A quote used very frequently this year is ‘Be the example.’”
Katie Gallagher is in her seventh season marching with Black Watch. Typical rehearsals are known for starting with stretching and basics, and this group doesn’t forget the fundamentals. “We have a choreographed dance warm up to get our bodies moving, a written flag warm up with drop spins, thumb flips, pole hits and carvings. Weapons will do spins, a starts and stops exercise, and flourishes. I spin rifle, and even though we are world class, we do our fair share of singles in technique block.”
The 2008 PSW Champions, Dartmouth HS, has a reputation for greatness. Jeremy Ventura, the drumline section leader, credits consistency to much of their success. “We have scheduled rehearsal every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. On Saturday we are at shows and every other day off in the week, the section leaders will take their sections and work on the show. So, we are rehearsing almost every day.” Ventura made note that advice from Darcie Aungst to the ensemble puts a spin on the familiar phrase ‘practice makes perfect’. Aungst instills in the students that, “perfect practice makes perfect.”
With counts and corrections all around, it’s important to keep the mind and body in balance. Stephanie DiMartino, a six-year member of Northeast Independent, takes her own approach to practicing on her own. “I try and make some time to go outside and spin on my own, especially if I don’t think my rehearsal from the past weekend was to my standard or if something new was taught at rehearsal. I listen to our show music a lot and do mental run-throughs. I also go to the gym twice a week to stay in shape and build stamina to get through my show. I’ll run on the treadmill while listening to our show music until it’s over then take a break and walk for a few minutes, and I’ll repeat the process again. I figure that if I can run during the entire song then I can get through my show.”
Meghan Hunter from Carmel HS in Indiana explains how important it is to have everyone on the same page. In order to prepare for rehearsal on their own, “A lot of the time some of the girls get together and review parts that have changed, or just to spin in a section.” As each individual is aware of how precise each movement is, the closer to perfection they are. Hunter adds, “I prefer cleaning the show because when you clean parts you get really good at them which is a great feeling.”
Center Grove HS percussionist, Matt Gentzkow believes that before meeting the rest of the ensemble for rehearsal, “It’s all mental. All you can do is be mentally prepared to do what you need to do.” The body will be ready to do what it needs to do as long as the mind has made the proper preparations. Section mascots also provide a hype for this group to keep their energy up. “The tenors have a huge bug zapper, the basses drink Snapple and have a little rubber duck called Jamal, and the snares have a Lego Darth Vader.”
Amanda Minnich is now in her ninth season marching with Lake Erie Regiment. Simply put, she says, “I have certain songs I like to listen to on the way to practice that get me relaxed and ready. Some of them are songs from the World Championships DVD montages that remind me of why I love this activity so much.” Ultimately, the bumps, bruises, missed parties, and other miscellaneous injuries and sacrifices from thousands of performers while they are at rehearsals each night are worth it. Not only is the end product amazing, but the memories and lessons one takes with them after the season are priceless.
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