Up Front

Book excerpt: Through the past twenty years or so, the "pit," or "front ensemble," has grown to be an integral part of the modern drum corps and marching band activities. This evolution has brought us into a new realm in the world of percussion education and performance, merging outdoor playing styles with indoor playing styles. "Up Front" explores the numerous details of a successful front ensemble. Topics included are: equipment, instrument ranges, transporting, instrument care, technique, exercises, teaching techniques, arranging, and much, much more. At a whopping 225 pages thick, this resource is sure to provide years of insight. It is meant to be an all-encompassing guide for pit members and educators of all experience levels. Jim Casella and Jim Ancona have instructed and arranged for some of drum corps' most musical and innovative percussion ensembles. Now they have combined their "pit knowledge" into one complete resource. "Up Front" explores every unique aspect of today's front ensemble, from technique and musicianship to arranging and instructing.