In preparation for the conference, Melissa Skaggs, Associate Director of the Kentucky MEA, contacted their local dealer Miles Ahead to provide the percussion stage models.  John Richardson, Sales Manager, quickly outlined a plan to get the best instruments and value that included field models and concert models from Majestic and Mapex.  The new series of Majestic and Mapex instruments provided the performers with premium features and a desirable sound. 

The array of Majestic models included Quantum field model mallet instruments, M1543P marimba, X1535P xylophone, V1530X vibraphone and C7620K chimes. Concert models included a set of four fiberglass timpani MPF04AP, the Mapex concert bass drum CB3618, and the B3525S bells.  These not only suited the needs for the stage performances but filled a need for a new school in Shelbyille.

Following their use at the KMEA conference, the Shelbyville School District will add them to music programs at the new Martha Layne Collins High School and other schools in the district.  Quickly becoming a suburb of Louisville, the Shelbyville area has experienced tremendous growth.  Future Principal of the new high school Anthony Hatchell trusted the recommendation of John Richardson about the quality and value the items will bring to the new music program and the students who will attend the new school. 

KHS Musical Instruments manufactures Jupiter wind instruments, Mapex concert and marching drums, Majestic concert and field percussion, and Altus handmade flutes.   For more information, please contact KHS America, Inc., P.O. BOX 90249, Austin, TX 78709, or visit jupitermusic.com.

“It was like Christmas, since it was the debut of our full show, the new uniforms and the new battery,” said Matt Verburg co-Director of TCI.  “The response to the new drums was great.  We were told multiple times how nice it all sounded together indoors, and that's a big credit to our battery staff and the adaptability of the drums to the indoor arena.”

TCI’s presentation of “Censored” explores different ways to black out and obscure what the audience expects to see and hear.  Using music from French composer Erik Satie, and contemporary hip hop from the Beastie Boys they hope the performance allows the audience to draw a conclusion about the necessity or hindrance of censorship.  They also intend to support their production through an internet based community project.  

“I couldn't be prouder of the members and staff this season,” reported Verburg. “We had positive feedback about our performance, the program and the instruments in our critique.  One longtime judge commented that it was the best snare sound he had ever heard indoors.  I’m excited to see what the show will look like when the final show is performed.” 

Congratulations to Timber Creek Independent on their first WGI Regional win.  Mapex and Majestic share in their success since their performance is also the first Independent World Regional win for a Mapex and Majestic performing group.   For more information about Timber Creek Independent visit www.timbercreekindependent.com. 

Jupiter Band Instruments, Inc. is the US distributor of Jupiter woodwinds and brass, Mapex concert and marching drums, Majestic concert and field percussion, and Altus handmade flutes.   For more information, please contact Jupiter Band Instruments Inc., P.O. BOX 90249, Austin, TX 78709, or visit jupitermusic.com.

Designed by the entire Genesis staff, “Capture the Moment,”  presents a historical overview of major moments of the 20th century that illustrate progress, struggle, defiance and triumph.  Amid the drumming and marching, a stationary prop is set at the back where images depicting the penultimate achievements like production of the Model T Ford, a Martin Luther King speech, the Moon landing, and the 9/11 flag raising are shown in swift progression like a slideshow.

 
 “In preparation for the upcoming month and into finals, our goal is to clean and polish the program,” said Director Will Gordillo. “The members have been excellent in stepping up to the challenge and every run-through and performance has been better than the last.  The Mapex drums give us so much confidence. This will be my third indoor season using Mapex drums and I have yet to be dissatisfied!” 

Leading up to the WGI Finals in Dayton, Genesis will compete at the WGI Regional in Indianapolis March 6th and 7th.  They will also present a community performance at Jenison High School on April 10th.   For more information visit www.genesispercussion.org or visit the Mapex/Majestic Marching Percussion group on Facebook for video of the Troy performance.

Jupiter Band Instruments, Inc. is the US distributor of Jupiter woodwinds and brass, Mapex concert and marching drums, Majestic concert and field percussion, and Altus handmade flutes.   For more information, please contact Jupiter Band Instruments Inc., P.O. BOX 90249, Austin, TX 78709, or visit jupitermusic.com.

####

AUSTIN, TX – February 24, 2010 – The Freedom Percussion group of St. Louis, Missouri is off to a strong start performing exclusively on Mapex and Majestic instruments.  Since In their inaugural season, this Independent World WGI competitor has flourished under the direction of Mike Davis, who has been active with Drum Corps International and Winter Guard International for over two decades. 

“We are very proud to have Freedom Percussion playing exclusively Mapex and Majestic instruments.  Mike Davis and has assembled a talented staff with the experience and ability to be successful. Their educational objectives match very well with our own goals,” said Chris Hankes, Percussion Product Manager for Mapex and Majestic marching percussion.  “I am very excited to establish a relationship with such a strong organization in the early phases of their existence, and feel very confident that we can grow together with Freedom Percussion.”

During March Freedom Percussion will alternate weekend performances between WGI and Mid-Continent Color Guard competitions.  They will perform in WGI Regional competitions in Indianapolis on the 6th and Nashville on the 20th.   They’ll also be active in the percussion exhibitions for the Mid-Continent Color Guard Association at O’Fallon Township High School on the 13th and the Circuit Championships on the 27th.

Freedom Percussion will also compete in the WGI Percussion World Championships in April. 

AUSTIN, TX – February 24, 2010 –  KHS America, the provider and distributor of Jupiter wind instruments, Mapex drums, Majestic concert percussion and Altus flutes, announces that a new corporate headquarters will be built near Nashville, Tennessee.  The new custom-designed building will house all corporate functions, warehouse and shipping facilities and new instrument testing, quality assurance and visitor center areas.  The new facility is the answer to the continued growth of each brand and the need for a single warehouse point in closer proximity to the majority of customers.  Enhanced climate control capabilities will be an important feature for more sensitive instruments such as Altus professional level flutes.

“We are excited to begin construction on the new facility,” said Tabor Stamper, president of KHS America.  “We currently have several warehouse locations, making it more difficult to respond rapidly to our growing demand.  The new facility will enable us to better process large instruments like the popular Jupiter low brass as well as our high volume school rental instruments and growing professional lines.  Jupiter Quantum marching brass, Mapex Quantum marching percussion and Majestic mallet instruments will all be shipped to our customers from one location.  Along with our warehouse in Corona, CA, the new, larger facility will also allow for more efficient distribution of Mapex drums.

“Nashville is centrally located to many more of our customers.  Its live music activity works well for our Mapex drum set business and the active music education efforts in the area provide a wonderful base from which we can continue to grow.”

The new building is slated for completion in the early summer, with all facilities fully functional by mid-year.

Background:

The four individual brands in the KHS family provide a wide variety of options for the music community.  Over the past thirty years, Jupiter has grown from a reliable student instrument supplier into a full line supplier of standard, intermediate, professional and background wind instruments.  At the professional level, the XO line from Jupiter is winning high acclaim for its design and performance, such as this comment on trumpetherald.com.  “I can tell you that this is one fine horn. If you're looking for an even blow, terrific intonation, a full sound up and down without going ‘light’ on the weight or heavy on the price, this is for anyone.”  Leading performers, including Roger Ingram, lead trumpet for Harry Connick, Jr., trombonists Harry Watters and Michael Davis, Boston Brass, and others are choosing XO by Jupiter as their professional instruments of choice.

The award-winning Mapex drums are played by artists of every genre, including Chris Adler (Lamb of God), John Boecklin (DevilDriver), Will Calhoun (Living Colour), Dom Famularo (international teacher & clinican), Brian Barnett (Hank Williams,Jr.), and Chris Pennie (Coheed & Cambria). Voted by music dealers as “A Company to Watch,” Mapex drums is one of today’s fastest growing drum manufacturers.   

Majestic timpani have been appreciated and preferred by symphonic percussionists for nearly a century.  Majestic has expanded this commitment to the percussive arts by introducing exquisite mallet instruments, concert drums and field percussion. The performance opportunities provided by these innovative designs have won accolades on some of the world’s most demanding stages.

For almost thirty years, Altus has crafted flutes that embody the ideal marriage of artistic tradition and creative inspiration.  Created and crafted by Shuichi Tanaka of Japan, each Altus flute reflects the passion to produce the finest flutes available, utilizing premium materials, handwork and artistry.

KHS America is a wholly owned subsidiary of KHS Musical Instruments, the makers of Jupiter wind instruments, Mapex drum kits, Majestic concert percussion and professional level Altus flutes, crafted in Japan.  For more information, contact info@jupitermusic.com or visit these websites: www.jupitermusic.com, www.majesticpercussion.com, www.altusflutes.com, and usa.mapexdrums.com.