paralegalnc Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 I made a mistake and started sequencing in June. Thought that was a good idea. In theory it was. I started with one controller and quickly found it wasn't enough. So...I was lucky to aquire two more at a fraction of the price from someone who was downsizing. So I have 48 channels and did like 5 songs. I was setting pretty good. Started making my props... trying to figure out how to make them. Reviewed forums, watched other peoples shows.... ideas started swirling in my head...oh yeah, swirls lets add swirls, and arches and spots lights and strobe lights.... and trees, and snowflakes and this and that! <sigh> now last night we made executive decisions and had to cut elements of the show that I already did so I can have stuff in the show that I want which I haven't done....so now I have to go back and redo the sequencing. I need more channels!!!! Hello my name is Patty and I am an addict! lolwell out to the work shop. But good news...Hobby Lobby, Garden Ridge, Walmart... they are all putting out LIGHTS!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Boyd Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 Its amazing how fast you get hooked isn't it. Hope everything works out and good luck.One fellow addict to another addictRon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paralegalnc Posted September 22, 2012 Author Share Posted September 22, 2012 i guess it could be worse. At least I get to be creative which I LOVE...I am trying to use this display as a fundraising opportunity for a high school band so I want it to be good so people will donate money... but mostly...I like Christmas lights. I had the Mr. Christmas the last two years and I liked just sitting and watching the lights. I also like watching the cars stop. Last year there was one car...little boy with his nose pressed against the window. came every night...I remember that. This summer my son went to his internship and a guy offered to pick him up for something and my son gave him directions. The guy said "I know that street. There's this house...... took my son there every day to see their Christmas lights...he loved them"....... Tell ya what....my heart swelled.... THATS why I do it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Boyd Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 Absolutely. My 2 immediate neighbors did the same thing. One had a son a year older than mine. Every two days of his visitation, they would sit in their driveway for about 30 minutes. The other would sit and watch every night when they came home from work. Its neat to see the same people come out multiple times during the year. Last year was my first and it was amazing. I'm really looking forward to this one. Happy lighting.Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubado Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 (edited) Here's a crazy idea for you, since this is a fund raiser for the band, why not have live music with the lights. There have been a few that had choirs jion their lights as well.I wouldn't do it this year, first get familiar with your system this year, but start thinking about next year. Edited September 22, 2012 by scubado Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paralegalnc Posted September 23, 2012 Author Share Posted September 23, 2012 Jim I did think about it. I have music from the band....but its from a concert and there are people coughing and clapping and stuff. I don't have software to cut that out. This band is awesome and the music they put out is incredible! This year their show is called "Praise and Thanks" and it's all gospel music and it's phenominal! BUT...they are still tweaking for competitions...and well... to use that music there just isn't enough time...but believe me.... my mind already went there.... it's scary in my head.... must put a warning up if anyone wants to play in there....LOL 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubado Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 The music track is for your listening pleasure as you sequence the song. During the show, you would have the music turned off and let the band be the music. You would probably need to supply a visual que for the band to start at the right time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paralegalnc Posted September 23, 2012 Author Share Posted September 23, 2012 now see I had thought about like having some members do that... but then I thought I was just being stupid..lol. However, to get the real effect of this band you need all members and there are 144 members this year. (there were only 109 last year...big class of freshman) I don't think that would happen. The thing about this band... they are 40 miles away from me. My best friend's daughter is a trumpet player and we kept hearing him yap about them.... so we went to one competition and we were soooo hooked. They do the WHOLE music program on about $2,000 per year. You don't get turned away from this band. If you are in 11th grade, never played an instrument before and want to be in the band...they will find a place for you. They have tutors that will teach you and if you can afford an instrument..they will find you one. (So if you happen to have any extra musical instruments laying around..... especially a tuba they need a tuba bad..hence my fundraiser) The program is so incredibile and they do it all on a shoestring budget... thats why I got involved. So it would be hard to have them here every night. However, the band director is trying to get a group of students to come help us set up as my husband had 2 shoulder surgeries and cant do overhead work. Anyway... here is a link to them last year. I was at that competition... Heartbreaker - the story of Sampson and Delilah was their show last year. I just hope my efforts are productive. Davidson has been with unemployment really bad (furniture industry) and this director has so much passion for music and teaching these kids. he needs a little help (so feel free to send your tubas, bassoons, trumpets, flutes, checks...LOL) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubado Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 Impressive band! I can see why you're hooked, I live near the local high school and get to hear them practice and go to the local competion.Do you have the logistics to do one or two live concerts? The band wouldn't need to march so you could fit them in a smaller area, but you would need room for a crowd, band staging area, etc... Advertise for the band fundraiser. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paralegalnc Posted September 23, 2012 Author Share Posted September 23, 2012 well by the time I put all my props in the yard.... no room for 144 people...lol. Though I'd love to. plus with their competition schedule I am not sure they would be able to. They have comps. all the way through Thanksgiving and then they have been invited to play at the NC music educators association convention... and the ensemble band and concert bands and jazz bands start their stuff. This poor director...he doesn't sleep I don't think. That video was LAST year...they only had 109 members...I can't wait to see them this year (this coming Saturday is their first competition) They have been getting standing ovations at all the football games. It is refreshing that a public HS band will play praise and worship music.... but it's GOOD music. Most directors wouldn't go out on that limb. Last year their show was subtle with sampson and delilah... this year...not so subtle...lol. But he said he isn't going to pass up good music because it isn't "politically correct" and I applaud him for that. I would LOVE to do a live show...just don't see how that would work. However, Cailin has a couple more years in HS and then his other daughter will be in HS school in the band...so I have a few years to plan..LOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paralegalnc Posted September 23, 2012 Author Share Posted September 23, 2012 found this years on youtube (what did we ever do before the internet) this was the half time show on Friday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubado Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 My first year I was dreamin to go big. There's a company near us called Epic. Everything they do, lives up to that name. They have a huge campus in the countryside with gorgeous buildings, landscaping and artwork and would be a perfect place to do an Epic show. They are a customer of my employer, but I haven't been able to meet someone that I could pitch the idea to them. It's very rare that I get to go there. Then once you start thinking about, you realize what a huge undertaking it would be to pull off something like that. For Epic, it would have to be a year round career for a team.http://careers.epic.com/epic.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paralegalnc Posted September 23, 2012 Author Share Posted September 23, 2012 well...telephone lines go there...... call them. Whats the worst they can say? No? or...would it be yes? not sure which would be worse...LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chipwdw Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 (edited) as one of the ones who had a live chior singing to the lights, it was a lot the first year to figure out. the biggest problem was having the music so the choir director could do their thing. final solutions were this. 1. had the director with an mp3 radio player tuned into the music, i already had fm transmitter. 2. ended up placing several small portable radios behind the chior, so they could hear. 3. rigged up 'sound booth' on the driveway next to the choir director, i was able to control the outside speaker volume to match the choir (one night they were missing several members and i was able to compensate for that) and also ran the show each song individually- there 80-100+ people watching and wanted to be able allow for applause (and ovations as it turned out). it was a blast and huge success in my opinion. lots of logistic to work out though, if you or anyone is thinking about this.... pm and we can talk. Edited September 23, 2012 by chipwdw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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