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CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings to Showcase Desoto Central Music Programs Saturday

February 1, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, MS --- The Mississippi RiverKings will feature the sights and sounds of DeSoto Central High School ‚¬â„¢s Winterguard and indoor percussion programs at this Saturday ‚¬â„¢s February 5th game against the Tulsa Oilers, and will be celebrating the group ‚¬â„¢s accomplishment of raising $2,000 through a RiverKings ticket fundraiser.

This will be the first public performance for the indoor percussion program, though Winterguard has performed several times already.

"Winterguard and indoor percussion programs are one of the fastest growing segments among elite band programs, and we felt it was time to take the next step to give our students the opportunity to prove themselves in yet another venue," percussion instructor Mike Doss said. "Our directors and staff members come from very versatile backgrounds and have all been part of ‚¬Ëœwinter ‚¬â„¢ programs in other organizations. We just felt that 2011 was the right time to make it happen for DeSoto Central."

Both the Winterguard and indoor percussion shows are performed as spring activities geared toward marching. As most of the spring music programs revolve around a concert setting, this is an opportunity for those students who are not as actively involved in concert season to improve their skills in visual artistry and marching performance.

"This activity helps to maintain the ‚¬Ëœchops ‚¬â„¢ (a drummer ‚¬â„¢s term for "playing ability") for color guard and the marching drumline during the marching band ‚¬â„¢s off-season," Doss said. "It ‚¬â„¢s both interesting and entertaining. Shows are performed on a gymnasium floor where the members tell a story through visual and musical means.

"Unlike marching band, where the performers are usually further away from the crowd, the indoor activity puts nearly every audience member in a front row seat. These are often times very emotional programs and each performer is more like a cast member of a musical or play."

Because the programs are so up close and personal, they require painstaking attention to detail. Doss feels this helps to instill a diligent work ethic in the participants, in addition to allowing them to be expressive through visual and musical artistry.

Doss says Winterguard and indoor percussion show members work as a tight knit group where each performer relies heavily on the other team members. Families often come together to help with uniforms, props, and other activities associated with the show, such as rehearsals and road trips to competitions.

"Each staff member enjoys working with this activity and the students mostly to provide a positive influence on the lives of these young performers," Doss said. "Seeing them grow from nervous children into mature performers is a great reward."

DeSoto Central ‚¬â„¢s Winterguard has performed at local basketball games and has sponsored a color guard clinic for beginners to introduce new people to the activity. Both groups will compete in local and regional competitions to showcase their talent and use the results as a guide for future direction and improvement.

The group will host a free event at DeSoto Central High School where students, parents, and any interested community members are cordially invited to come and watch the performance. Other local programs will also be invited to perform their shows at the event, as an effort to continue an already-established tradition by local band directors for the marching bands, in which DeSoto County bands get together once a year in a non-competitive environment to cheer for each other.

"Programs such as ours cannot exist without the help of our many volunteers," Doss said. "Anyone interested in helping with any of the DeSoto Central band program activities is encouraged to contact any member of our band booster club through our website at www.dcspride.com ."

The Mississippi RiverKings are supported by their community partners, season ticket holders, fans, and by program-related investments of the Maddox Foundation, an independent private foundation based in Hernando, Miss. To find out more about the RiverKings, call 662.342.1755 or visit www.riverkings.com .

The next action for the Mississippi RiverKings comes this weekend in a Friday-Saturday home series against the Tulsa Oilers at the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven. Saturday is Southland Park Gaming and Racing/Mid-South Greyhound Adoption Option night, with special night jerseys and a jersey auction taking place after the game.

Post-game skates will occur after both games Friday and Saturday night.

For RiverKings ticket information, call 662-342-1755 or go online to www.riverkings.com today!

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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