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To be selected for the IMMORTALS a candidate must...
1. Be enrolled as a student at Loudoun Music Instruction.
2. Consistently complete assignments as directed at his/her lessons. Show ability and passion to "take it past the lesson" and incorporate material into his/her personal playing and/or vocal style.
3. Have a firm grip on chord and scale theory and the ability to put it to use.
4. Demonstrate excellent rhythm and rhythmic ability.
5. Show respect, humilty and ability to work with others in band workshops.
6. Make it impossible for me NOT to choose him/her, by always being ready for every opportunity.
7. Drummers must excel at their rudiments; master rock, blues, jazz, and big band styles. Must also be able to incoporate skills and styles from key drumming innovators.
8. All candidates must show a strong desire to confront their weaknesses head on and focus on what they do not know. Consistent growth is expected.
**selections are made between Sept and Oct each year.
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CONGRATULATIONS to our newest Immortals Erin Taylor, Ryan McCall and Abbe Scheerschmidt. They have been selected for 2012.
IMMORTAL AWARDS 2010 - the kids have voted and selected the following individuals for honors.
2nd Annual "Kyle Lee Award" for consistent leadership, musical excellence and performance ability goes to.....ZACH DeHART. Zach has been in the Immortals for 3 years and is an unbelievable musician. Zach's singing has added GREATLY to the group in the last 12 months. His renditions of John Mayer, Pink Floyd, Marc Anthony and Eminem are incredible. Zach is a big fan of Stevie Ray Vaughan and it shows in his playing. I'm proud of your growth Zach andI hope to see more in 2011.
Most Improved Immortal goes to JOSEPH KEIM. Joseph's drumming has grown by leaps and bounds in 2010. His ability to play rock, blues, jazz, gospel and R&B have elevated the Immortals to a whole new level. Joseph specializes in establishing layered grooves that allow the band and audience to feel the music on many levels. He admires Bernard Purdie, Gerald Heyward, and Aaron Spears. Thanks Joseph for all your hard work...it shows.
The 2012 Immortals Lineup
Julia Hiser - Sophomore - Woodgrove HS - Piano, Synth, Vocals
Julia has talent and the drive to use it. She has taken lesson here since 2006, starting with singing and guitar. Julia began taking piano lessons here in 2008 and was invited to be an Immortal in 2009. Julia's vocal performances are electrifying. She has taken on much more responsibility and leadership within the Immortals in this last year. She has made the most of her opportunity in the Immortals to grow as a performer, singer and pianist. As of January 20th, 2012 she is the primary voice of the Immortals and sang 11 tough numbers in the first Immortals show of the year.
Joseph Keim - Sophomore - Woodgrove HS - Drums, Piano, Synth, Vocals
Joseph is inspiring to all who seem him perform. He plays his shows the way he practices...relentlessly. Joseph has been taking lessons here since 2002, and has taken responsibility for his own improvement. Whether he knows it or not, he is developing a personal style unlike any I have heard. He combines strong rock technique, a slick left HH foot, Gospel and R&B undertones, and soul snare technique. Joseph looks at every possiblity for creating an additional layer or element to his beat. He never settles. On Jan 14th, 2012 Joseph won 2nd Place in the Washington DC Drumfest that took place in Centreville, VA. The competition was tough and his prize was a scholarship to the Trombley Jazz Program in the Summer 2012.
Ryan McCall - Freshman - Woodgrove HS
Ryan has taken lesson here since 2008. He is an extremely capable bassist with a solid foundation in music theory. Ryan earned his Immortals opportunity and is making the most of it. The group calls him "House." You should too.
Travis Guyton - Junior - Woodgrove HS
Travis has taken guitar and vocal instruction here since 2006!! He has brought down the house for years with his great vocals. He has spent years refining his guitar knowledge and technique, and is ready for this opportunity in the Immortals. Watch out for Travis in 2012.
Tyler Scheerschmidt - Freshman - Woodgrove HS
Tyler is a talented hard working young man. He has taken drum lessons here since 2007. Anyone who has ever seen him play knows why he's in the Immortals. The kid's out of his mind. He entered into the Immortals as an 8th grader in 2011, and has brought serious fire to the group. He has started learning piano as well to add to his ability. His friends call him "T," but you can't.
Erin Taylor - Freshman - Woodgrove HS
I met Erin Taylor when she was something like 3 years old! She began lesson here in 2005. She made her Immortals debut on January 20th, 2012 was simply fabulous. The Immortals welcome her. She will take the group to a whoel new level I am sure. I for one cannot wait to push her to see just how good she can be!
Abbe Scheerschmidt - Junior -Woodgrove HS
Abbe Scheerschmidt is just flat out awesome. She is a super singer and songwriter. She is also a powerful performer with a voice the commands you to listen. She began with guitar and voice lessons here in January 2005! I am not surprised by any amazing thing she accomplishes. Abbe is EXACTLY the type of humble, talented person who could make it very big in this world.
Past Immortals
John Rodeffer - 2006
Kelly Hausfeld - 2006
Ashleigh Hendrick Van Briggle - 2006
David Baxter - 2006/2007
JT Davis - 2006 to 2008
Victoria Protic - 2007-2008
Jamie Dahlman - 2006 to 2008
Erik Driscoll - 2006 to 2010
Kyle Lee - 2006 to 2009
Lily Cousland - 2007 to 2009
Felicia Filicetti - 2010
Patrick Ryan - 2006 to 2011
Zach DeHart - 2007 to 2012
David Kennedy - 2011 to 2012
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THE STORY OF THE IMMORTALS
In August 2006 I began calling parents of quite a few extremely gifted students to tell them I had an idea. The call basically informed the parents that they had an extremely gifted child on their hands who wasn't getting fed enough in a 30 minute lesson each week. Seeing their passion for music motivated me to propose a solution.
The plan was a three hour intensive weekly session with a group of extremely smart, driven, passionate peers. We would meet each Saturday from 9am to noon. This group of 6 young men and 3 young women would be pushed hard with college level material each week. They would have to maintain certain grade levels at school to stay in the program. They would be tested like undergrads on advanced music theory and be given the opportunity to write music, jam with and exchange ideas with others as talented as themselves.
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