BEX Clinic Series Complete, Auditions Upcoming
As 2016 comes to a close, The Battalion puts a bow on its recently completed 2017 season series of Battalion Experience Clinics. The clinic series included stops in Idaho, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah, where nearly 300 students in total attended the four events, a new record for the corps.
Program Director Mark Hartman believes this early interest will set the tone for the 2017 season. “The level of interest and talent we’re seeing this year is already well ahead of last season,” said Hartman. “But the most telling part is how quickly these students pick up new concepts in just one day. We can’t wait to see how they improve between events.”
2016 guard veteran Phoebe Tanner said the Utah clinic felt like coming home again. “I walked into the guard gym and got flooded with people I hadn't seen in months … it felt like I was coming to a ridiculously happy family reunion,” said Tanner. “Getting to know the guard staff and learning some new choreography, I could feel that the bar had been raised for us. I honestly can't wait for this season to start.”
Tajay Spain, a Las Vegas-based battery veteran said he's excited to get to work on the 2017 season. "I'm extremely excited for this upcoming season," said Spain. "It's yet another chance for me to continue doing what I love while at the same time playing some funky beats and making new friends/seeing current ones! I'm also excited about taking a piece of music and turning it into something beautiful."
The students and staff aren’t the only ones feeling the excitement of the new season. Corps volunteer and parent Shell Mercer loves observing the education team at work.
“There’s something about the calm, relaxed manner the staff uses when interacting with the kids,” said Mercer. “The staff treats them with dignity and respect, and focuses on developing the kids’ character, skills, and experience. As a parent, I love that.”
The Battalion would like to recognize and give special thanks the directors and administrations at Kuna High School (Kuna, ID), Air Academy High School (Colorado Springs, CO), Maple Mountain High School (Spanish Fork, UT), and Valley High School (Las Vegas, Nevada) for opening their schools and serving as hosts for the corps during this clinic series.
UP NEXT: BEX Audition Events in Utah – January 6-7 at Juan Diego HS in Draper, UT – and Colorado – January 13-14 at Loveland High School in Loveland, CO. Registration is open to anyone who is of an eligible age, even if they didn’t attend one of our clinics this season. Interested students can register here – battalioncorps.org/enlist
SPECIAL NOTE: The Battalion has two assistant conductor openings for the 2017 season. Auditions for assistant conductor will occur in tandem with our Utah BEX Audition event on January 6-7. Interested students can register to attend here - battalioncorps.org/bexdm
