Rain!

That's right. Pretty much anytime it rains around here, a new and separate blog entry is warranted.














Q. Why did I take pictures of the rain?

A. Because you forget what it looks like when you live in West Texas.







Whoever made up that song, "Rain, Rain, Go Away," obviously did not live in a semi-arrid climate...

New music!

My brother knows what to get me for my birthday and for Christmas: gift cards! Yes, he thinks that they are really impersonal (and I guess that they are to a degree), but when I get a gift card it's as if the person is saying to me, "I know that you'll pick something out that you really want, and I probably wouldn't get you exactly what you were hoping for."

What's impersonal about that? So, you didn't get me a shirt that I'd probably just take back anyways? How many CD's have been given to me in very well-meaning attitude to collect dust on my shelf after one listen through? To be honest, my family doesn't blow it when they give me CD's -- probably because they have good musical taste and because I like a wide variety of things.

So, my brother Bill got me a gift card to Best Buy and that can only mean one thing: to try to catch up on all of the CD's I should own but never budget money towards. Here's what I got and what I think of them (like you really care...):

Coldplay "X&Y": This is a CD that's been out for a while but I've had a *ahem* special copy of it that I've been listening to. Why should I go on for paragraphs about how incredible this album is? It's Coldplay and I haven't heard a Coldplay song that I haven't liked yet! I do appreciate that each of their three studio albums are unique and different, but have common threads. I'd have to say that I still favor "A Rush of Blood to the Head" to "X&Y" but that doesn't mean that I haven't been playing "X&Y" constantly. It's brilliant, but in a way that "Rush" wasn't.

By the way, I can't find my copy of their first album, "Parachutes." It's a really good disc and if you've seemed to borrow it or can remember who I lent it to, would you please bring it back to me? Thanks!

The other CD I picked up was Trey Anastasio's solo album "Shine." All things being equal, I wish I had bought something else. First let me discuss why I'm wrong to say that: Trey is an accomplished guitarist and songwriter and that definitely is present on "Shine." But, it starts to feel like these were the ideas that might not have worked with his previous band, Phish. There are probably two or three songs that I could listen to over and over, but they are unfortunately scattered throughout the disc and I get an awful guily feeling when I skip songs on a CD.

It some ways the album is charming in that it is simplistic and the arrangements aren't very thick. But, I think this may be why I've already tired of it: there's nothing new to capture my interest on repeat listens. "X&Y?" Yes! This thing has been out a year (at least) and I'm still hearing new things in it! Sufjan Stevens is notoriously thickly orchestrated, but not to a point of distraction (not to me anyhow) and I can listen to his stuff for months on end (and have done so!).

"Shine" has some glimpses of Phish in it -- afterall, Trey was the tour de force of the group -- but when he might have been able to create some nice moments, he resorts to weird progressions and sounds and non-sensical lyrics that are really off-putting. Those sorts of directions would have worked better with Phish because the strength of the band was the individual musicianship. Each member could take an idea and expand on it within their personality creating a possibly endless set of options, while "Shine" is Trey's baby and the studio band doesn't get in the way or try to take over. That's right. It's a solo album -- they did the right thing. But, maybe some of the musical ideas don't flourish in this setting...

Does Trey have massive guitar chops? Heck yes. Are they demonstrated here? Absolutely. Is that worth a listen? Definitely. A purchase? you decide.

Instead of buying "Shine" maybe I should have gone ahead replaced my copy of "Parachutes..."


Note: this post was written while listening to "X&Y." It's not gotten old yet. And I have a feeling that it won't.

Summer Band Starts...

Well, we've been hitting it pretty hard over the course of the last two weeks. First, we had a weekend of student leadership, then a day of freshmen, and then the whole crew. I have to say that I'm very encouraged by how things are progressing!

The staff was discussing the other day that we cannot think of a single student that we get cross-ways with. It just seems like any of the students who might have potentially been problems have either graduated or simply "moved-on."

This leads me to a belief that is once again proven by the above: "music is for everyone, but band is not." I'd like to see more students interested in band and joining early on and staying through graduation, but a lot of students lack the discipline it takes to function in the band.

What sort of discipline does it take? Well, I don't think it's all that bad. You're not in the army when you join band and we certainly don't dictate to you what your hairstyle will be. We require you to be on time, to prioritize that time and to have a good attitude. We expect that you'll work hard and be personally responsible for your actions.

Sadly, this is beyond the scope of a lot of students. Whether it is the upbringing they go through (be it home, church, school, community...) or the simple self-centeredness we all inherently have, some students cannot commit to these principles. I think that's a terrible thing too, because as near as I can tell -- from history and from my own personal experience -- this is how the world functions. Sure you can be self-centered all you want, but if you can't be on time or if you have a lackluster work ethic you probably won't be able to hold down a job.

Along with self-centeredness is a sour attitude toward submission. Let's face it: all of us are simultaneously in a place of submission and in a place of leadership. When I teach the drumline, those students are in submission to me to run rehearsal and to guide them. But I am also very much in submission to my superiors. Now, if I wasn't able to cope with my dual-role as leader and follower, I'd make for an ineffective leader and a miserable subordinate. Neither sound very appealing, and again, appear to not work very either.

So, why have things been going well in summer band? Because most of our students (with a few occasional exceptions that we can chalk up to "having a bad day," -- still inexcusable in my book) are compliant and are willing to work. And 8:20 a.m. comes early for students who have been sleeping past noon all summer, but we haven't had any terrible tardiness issues.

It's going to be a good year. I'm already physically very tired, but my spirit is willing. I'm optimistic for the future. And since the future is in all of our hands, I know that I will be doing everything in my power and ability to make this year the best one we've had.

Band Camp BBQ!

Since Band Camp is two weeks long, there is a little bit of a lag between the weeks over the weekend. Sure, there are concerts all day on Saturday, and a rehearsal on Sunday, but otherwise there's a void of social activities. Never fear, the Rath's are to the rescue!

We invited some of our closest friends -- and especially the ones we only see when they are in town for Band Camp -- and hosted a dinner of hamburgers, hot dogs, hash brown caserole, chips, cookies and ice cream cake (and "family friendly swill").

Here's a picture of (from L to R) Kelly Montgomery, her son, Jack, Baby Regan and John Carroll.


Brandon Haynes and Tamarie Sayger discuss the finer point of elementary general music counting systems. Yes, we did talk about band stuff. But, hey, that's what we all know and do and that's how all of us know each other, so it seems fitting... Well, Kelly and Kayla talked about motherhood. So, one token non-band conversation.



Jack looks intently while his picture is taken.

While cooking a hot dog for Jack, I managed to knock one off of the grill itself and onto the (less clean) grill lid. So, being that that one was runined, I tossed it into the alley for a stray dog to enjoy later. About ten minutes later, I loaded up a plate with five more and picked it up in an imbalanced way dumping that load. All five went straight to the alley. Fortunately, we had back-ups! But later, when Jack dropped his chip on the ground, having witnessed my earlier hot dog cooking abilities, he decided to throw his chip into the alley also!


L to R: Greg and Kelly Montgomery, Brandon Haynes










L to R: John Carroll, Tamarie and BJ Sayger.







We had a great time and are considering making this an annual get-together!

This one time... at Band Camp...

Sorry! There's just no other way to title this post!

WT (West Texas A&M University) Band Camp started this week. Here are some pictures of the drumline class I am assisting with:

The Latest on Regan

Regan is really starting to get more active and nowhere is this evidenced more than when she lays in her "under the sea" play-thing.

She can't quite reach the toys hanging abover her, but when Kayla or I moves them for her or especially plays one of the little music toys, she gets very excited!

Sleepy Time...

Saturday morning of the Pampa Camp came no earlier than any of the other days. But I think Friday night probably lasted longer... Here's what the drumline did when given their ten minute break:

Pampa Drum Camp

I was fortunate enough to get asked to lead a drum camp in Pampa. Pampa has a special place in my heart: that's where my Dad grew up and where my grandmother and aunt lived until they passed away. Pampa also has a very rich band tradition and it was very cool to be a very small part of that.

The snares rehearse a roll exercise. They are already locking some rolls!

Garrett concentrates on playing his split part correctly.

Andrew works on some tenor licks. His lips aren't really black. I'm not sure why it looks like that! Andrew is definitely not GOTH!



The cymbals hard at work.








Dustin and Jesse. Jesse has "plugs." They're kind of like earrings, but bigger (and scarier).






The keyboards in the front of full ensemble rehearsal. Robin and Courtney (and Andrea, not pictured) really came a long way!








Tenor Madness!







The snares, getting the hang of playing at 3 inches.

Independence Day!

So, we went to Elkhart for the Fourth of July and had a really good time:

It wasn't very hot there at all, but our nieces Kylie and Aubrey insisted that they get in the pool. They wanted Regan to join them, so we had to explain that she doesn't like having here bath, let alone getting in a swimming pool! Besides, do they make bathing suits for 6 week olds? Ummm, unfortunately, I know the answer to that...

Kayla's aunt and uncle Betty and Gary were there. If you ever have to play a board game with Betty, make sure you are on HER team! She's a pretty smart cookie (well, she married Gary, right?). On the few occasions I've had to be on her team or side on a board game, I've never regretted it, because we always dominate!





Monday afternoon, Rick and Sarah and I got into a very competitive game of "Dogopoly." Of course, that's just a stylized version of Monopoly. Who won? Sarah. Who went bankrupt first? Me. I'm just glad I don't really handle my own money like I did on that game...










Here's Kayla's dad, Brad with the helmet to his new motorcycle. I think he should get a side car for it, but he doesn't seem to agree with me on that...







And Grandma Peggy with Regan.









Kayla had the good idea of getting Old Navy flag shirts for all three of us. Here's a picture of the three of us in our matching shirts.








Kylie and Aubrey with Regan.








Aubrey poses next to a napping Regan.







Then on the night of the fourth, we went to watch the city's firework display.















Regan, at her first fireworks display, with her Mom. Regan did well and didn't even get upset with the loud firing!

Independence Day Concert!

It's been a busy couple of weeks. Last week, the Amarillo Symphony had a special summer concert in Palo Duro Canyon with country swing band "Asleep at the Wheel." We rehearsed on Saturday at WT and had a sound check and concert on Sunday night.

I fully intended to take my camera to the canyon with me, but didn't realize that I didn't have it until we were already in the park. I really wanted to take pictures of the canyon and document the experience. That evening would yield several "photo-worthy" events that would cause me to continually kick myself for forgetting that camera!

First, it would have been fun to take a picture of the four of us who commuted: myself, Brandon, Kristen and David. Then, it would have been great to get some pictures of the interior of the canyon and some pictures of the stage area. But, did I mention that I forgot my camera?

Then, the band that we played with, "Asleep at the Wheel," was very entertaining and are seasoned performers. I don't really care for the type of music that they play, but I really enjoyed hearing them because they are so good at what they do. It reminds me of the famous Duke Ellington quote: "There are only two kinds of music: good music and bad music." Having a picture of some of the band's rehearsal would have been cool.

But the most interesting thing to have had a picture of would have been the sporadic fires caused by the fireworks at the end of the show. We performed "Stars and Stripes Forever" to close the concert while fireworks shot behind us. When we were done, we looked behind us to see what was probably a dozen different small brush fires that had ignited. The drummer from "Asleep" would then comment to me that it's hard to remember every show that he's ever played, but he would for sure remember one where they had set the place on fire! Luckily, the Canyon Fire Dept. was on hand and put the fires out in no time.

It sure would have been cool to have had pictures of all of that...

Bill, Karen and the Twins come for a visit!

When Regan heard the news that my brother Bill, his wife Karen and their twin girls, Lindsey and Leah were coming to visit, she was VERY excited!

Bill called last Monday to see what our weekend looked like and I told him that we were pretty much open, so he and Karen devised a way to come out from Tulsa for a visit.

They arrived Friday evening around 7:30, and from the get go, both Lindsey and Leah asked, "I hold Baby Regan?" With a little supervision, we were able to grant their wish!







Here's Leah!




with Regan, after their trip to the Amarillo Zoo to see "a lot of monkeys!"










On Saturday, Granddad stopped by for a few hours. With young and not-so-young assembled, there was a span of four generations!





Here's Karen with Regan.








Supervised popsicle eating!








And here's what their tongues looked like afterwards.








Granddad went to pick Dolly up from her Bridge Game and she spent some time with us, too. From the stories about her game of Bridge, it sounds like she had a much better time with us!






Then on Sunday, the whole group went to church and the girls did a great job in Sunday School. After a nice lunch at Rosa's Mexican Cafe, Bill and Karen loaded up the twins and headed back to Tulsa.





Regan, did you have a good time with everyone?

"I sure did!" she exclaimed. "And, I can't wait to see them again!"