Dobson Concert Bands Begin

This evening, Mike was on location at Dobson High School recording their first program of the season featureing, Persussion, Jazz and Concert Band ensembles.

Dobson Orchestras

This evening, Dan was on-location at Dobson High School with the Dobson Orchestras as they performed their last concert of the season.

Dobsons Sounds of Spring

This evening Dan was back at Dobson High School with their Jazz Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra and Full Symphony Orchestra capturing Sounds of Spring II. The ensembles performed amazingly as expected and we were able to capture some amazing audio.

First of two evenings with Dobson High School

This evening Dan was on-location at Dobson High School recording performances by the Percussion Ensemble, Concert orchestra, Concert Band and Wind Ensemble.

ASU and DHS share a stage

This evening Dan was on location at ASU’s Gammage Auditorium for a recording with The Dobson High School Symphonic Band and the ASU Wind Ensemble.

This was a memorable event from many perspectives. While we have made many recordings in the various facilities at ASU, this was the first time we have made a recording in Gammage. The room truly has a unique and desirable sound to it. At first we noticed the subtle sounds coming from the ensemble, the small details do not get lost as they do in most High School auditoriums. Also thanks to the acoustics, the room sounds very large and the ensemble can play at very high levels without driving the room too hard. It is a very nice balance.

Aside from our own experience, this made for a great experience for the Dobson Students to see what they have ahead of them at ASU, and for ASU students to see what a truly top notch High School Program is like. In fact Wayne Bailey was heard commenting on how he felt his ASU Wind Ensemble should open for Dobson……..

DHS - A Fall Preview

This evening Dan was on-location at Dobson High School capturing the first performances of their concert band season. This season marks our 5th year working with the Dobson performing arts and as always we have come to expect great things.

This event is particularly exciting as Dobson introduces a Jazz program to their already acclaimed programs. Under the direction of Jon Gomez, the Jazz band gave an impressive opening show. Stay on the lookout; you will certainly hear more about this program in the future.

This evening’s performances also featured the Dobson Concert Band, Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Concert Bands.

Yet another exciting year awaits, if you have the opportunity, check them out:

http://www.dobsonmusic.com/

DHS Final Concert...part 1

This evening Dan was on-location at Dobson High School capturing the first part of their final concerts for the year.

This evening featured Dobsons Concert Band and Percussion Ensemble.

The evening was as any would come to expect from Dobson, simply wonderful. ASU professor J.B. Smith even stoped in as a guest performer

Dobson Percussion, Chamber Orchestra and Wind Ensembles

This evening Dan was on location at Dobson High School for a life recording of three of their ensembles. Percussion Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra and Wind Ensemble were featured as a prelude to the Band of America send off concert this coming Thursday.

This evening is also the first opportunity that Mouse recording has had to use our new Apogee analog to digital converters.

This evening’s setup uses our Royer SF-24 Stereo Ribbon Microphone and our True Systems P2 analog Microphone Pre-Amplifier. From there one set of analog out puts is taken to a Tascam CD-RW2000 CD Recorder. The Second analog output from the Pre-Amp was taken to our new Apogee AD-16x, and then the signal was sent digitally to another Tascam CD-RW2000.

The differences are simply amazing. The Tascam recorders do a wonderful job on their own, with the addition of the new converters; the sound they are recording is much more open and lively.

Once our new site is up, we will post some examples of the music recorded.

Craig Johnson Audition Material

Today Mike spent the morning recording with Dobson High School Tuba player Craig Johnson as he performed materail for his ASU audition.

Along with the video, Mike also edited and prepared a DVD video that demonstrated Craig teaching to younger Junior High Students.

Dobson Welcomes Jr High Schools

This evening Michael Markowski was on-location at Dobson High School to provide production support and recording services for the Annual Dobson High School Step-up concert.

The evening featured performances from the Rhodes Jr. High and Hendrix Jr. High Concert Bands as well as an ending performance by Dobson’s own Symphonic Concert Band.

The evening also included a 10 minute video we assembled showcasing moments from Dobson’s 2004 Bands of America performance and last years 25th Anniversary performances.

Dobson High Prepares to welcome new Students

Over the past few years we have had the pleasure of helping the Dobson High School band with their Annual Step up concert.

This year we assembled a 7 minute video that showcases just a few of the events that Dobson has participated in the past few years.

This year’s videos include:

The Dobson Symphonic Band at the Bands of America National Concert Band Festival

The Dobson Marching Band at a Phoenix Suns Game

The Dobson Percussion Ensemble

This is a great event that gives incoming students an idea of what the Dobson Performing arts is all about. It is also a great way to see how the Dobson program will develop by hearing the talents of these young musicians.

Dobson Chamber Orchestra

While recording the Dobson High School orchestras concert last Thursday, I kept thinking how great it would be to capture a great ensemble without the…..audience.

Don’t get me wrong, the audience is great and they provide an important element to the performance. But a cough here and a paper ruffle there doesn’t add to the work being recorded.

I spoke with the orchestra director Rob Nichols and he thought it would be a great experience for the students to be part of a more formal recording process as well as make a recording after they have had the chance to be adjudicated at the local festival.

So….This morning, early morning Dan and Mike were at Dobson High School with their 20 member chamber ensemble. Their performance is exactly what we have come to expect from Dobson, nothing short of first rate. I have worked with many professional organizations and I can say with confidence that Dobson is on par with all of them.

This recording, pending copyright permission will become part of our demo package that we send out to showcase the work we have, and are capable of doing.

Thanks Dobson Chamber Orchestra for a wonderful performance.

Dobson Orchestras take the stage

This evening, Dan was on-location at Dobson High School to capture the sounds of their Orchestras first performances of the season. Under the direction of Rob Nichols the ensembles are already demonstrating competence not seen my most ensembles until later in the performance season.

As posted earlier, the Dobson Symphonic Orchestra had accepted an invitation to perform at Music for All, also known as Orchestras of America. For this prestigious honor, the ensemble will travel in tandem with the Dobson Symphonic Band to perform in February 2007 at the National Concert Band Festival.

Great things are always happening….. in the words of Rob Nichols "I tuned them......"

www.dobsonmusic.com

Dobsons Concert Bands are off to a great start

This evening, Dan was at Dobson High School recording a live performance of the three concert bands.

Under the direction of Jon Gomez and Rob Lubbers, the ensembles performed many works that most ensembles do not attempt this early in the school year. Being that this is also the first performance of the year, it gives us a great preview of what is to come for the rest of the performance season.

While in some respects we feel like proud parents watching a child grow, they really do keep getting better with each new year, and they have the accomplishments and accolades to prove it.

Dobson Bands Recieved Second invitation to Bands of America

The Dobson Symphonic Band has received an invitation to perform at the 2007 National Concert Band Festival and National Percussion Festival presented by YAMAHA March 15-17, 2007 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

This is the second time the Dobson Symphonic Band have applied, and received this prestigious invitation. The first time the Symphonic Band performed at the National Concert Band Festival was in 2004. At that time, as well as today, they remain the only Arizona School to receive this invitation.

This year, also marks another first for Dobson and Arizona. Dobsons Full Symphonic Orchestra has also been invited to perform for the Orchestras of America performance.

We are looking forward to a great performance.

Dobson 25th Release

Yea, It's finnished!!!!!

Congradulations on 25 years of music making.

Dobson Bands Celebrates 25 years of great music

On May 10th and 11th, Dobson Bands celebrated 25 years of historic music making.

For this event Dan and Mike brought a new level of production to the events. Not only did we capture the event in 5.1 surround, but we also captured it with 4 cameras and live video switching.

For the first time, the Dobson audience was able to watch the performances from a point of view not seen before. They were able to see the “behind the stage” laughter as the MC was making jokes. They were able to see the expressions on the director’s faces as they were conducting. This level of production created a much deeper experience for the audience and as the director of Orchestras, Rob Nichols put it, the audience was captivated. Even the younger audience that is normally….noisy was intrigued by the visual presentation.

The performance was mixed and edited and released on both CD and DVD.

Dobson High School Celebrates their Silver Anniversary

This year has marked Dobson High Schools 25th year as an educational staple in Mesa, Arizona.

On May 10th and May 11th, Mouse Recording will be on-location not only capturing audio, but video as well. The students and partons will have the opertunity to purchace CD's and DVD's of this historic event. The DVD is scheduled to include the performance as well as additional features such as interviews with the directors, pictures from through out the years and more.

This is a must attend event. Few ensembles in the valley are able to bring the music alive as well as Dobson.

Dobson Orchestra's Holiday Concert

This evening, Dan was on-location at Dobson High Schools Auditorium capturing the sounds of the Dobson High School Orchestras. Under the direction of Rob Nichols and Rob Lubbers, the 3 ensembles played a great selection of music, including some holiday medleys. Most of their selections are not considered standard works for a High School, but rather college level ensembles. As a result, it is very common for Dobson students to receive scholarships to prestigious universities and conservatories to continue their musical studies. Without a doubt, the contributions the school makes to their students, last their entire lives.

Dobson Goes Pops?

In a rare change from tradition, Dobson's Bands put on an evening of Pops music to celebrate the wonderful music that has been created during the schools 25 years.
During the performance, Director of Bands, Jon Gomez, gave Mouse Recording a great salute in recognizing the services we do for their program and the community.
Also, Dan was very pleased to be greeted at the end of the concert by Andrea Snyder. Her daughter Lisa, who we met through the Phoenix Youth Symphony, is the reason we have such a good relationship with Dobson High School. Then Lisa was easily one of the best clarinet players in the state. During her high school days she earned numerous awards and opportunities including being selected as a soloist for the Presidents Marine Band in Virginia. Recently Lisa has just finished up a semester studying politics in Paris, France. She will be returning to Arizona for the holiday break and to make some recordings in preparation to continue her musical studies at North West where she is a sophomore.

Dobson band steps it up

Tonight Dan was on location at Dobson High School.

This evening The Dobson Symphonic Band hosted a concert designed to show appreciation for the feeder programs that have helped Dobson gain their successes. Rhodes Jr High and Hendrix Jr High School shared the stage with Dobson allowing each ensemble a showcase for their programs.

For the members of the Jr. High Schools, they are able to see where they are heading once they enter high school. Better yet, for the members of Dobson’s Band’s it gives them a great perspective on how far they have progressed.

Dobson Orchestras Concert Season Begins

Dobson High School Orchestras have begun their season with their Debut concert in the Dobson high School Auditorium.

Under the direction of conductor Robert Nichols, the 3 ensembles performed some great works. If this evenings performance is any indication for the rest of the year (and it usually is) we are in for a real treat.

Dobson High School Concert's Begin

dobson percussion, lookin.....good?


This evening marked the first concert for Dobson High School's 2005/2006 concert season. If first concerts are any indication of what we can expect for the year to come, we are in for some amazing performances.

This year also marks the Schools Silver Anniversary. Looking back on the past 25 years, there have been many memorable performances as well as many who have taken their musical talents beyond their high school years. Through out the year, the school will be celebrating their past, while defining their future and paving the way for the next 25 years.

www.dobsonbands.net

Dobson Marching Band Project

Today the finishing touches were put on a CD for the Dobson High School Marching Band. As the years have gone on, someone in the office misplaced the schools only audio copy of the school fight song.

Problem solved. Last week we met the marching band at in the Dobson Auditorium at 6:30 in the morning and not only captured several takes of the schools fight song, but may of this years stand tunes as well.

If you live close to Dobson you are sure to hear these tracks being played between class breaks.

www.dobsonbands.net