November 2005 Newsletter


"Got no check books, got no banks. Still I'd like to express my thanks - I got the sun in the mornin' and the moon at night."

- Irving Berlin

Every once in a while, it's good to reflect on what you have instead of what you need. More often than not, what you "needed" only ends up being what you "thought" you needed. Health, love, good food, good music, caramel macchiatos - these are things I need and am gratefull for . . . ok, I don't need carmel macchiatos, but I'm thankfull for them nonetheless!

The Year in Review

Last November was the first month this website went online, so here's a review of what has happened with Seaside Brass in the last year:

- Website debue'd -
- Online store added -
- Sheet music published online -
- Video clips posted -
- Google advertising (abandoned after 3 months) -
- San Diego Wedding Links advertisement (still active) -
- New ensemble, Maritime Wind Corps founded -
- Peter & the Wolf outreach project premiered -
- Peter & the Wolf video clips posted -
- karlsoukup.com website debue'd

And the newest acheivement for Seaside Brass:

- SoCalBrass.com debues this month -
This is a sort of "mirror image" version of our website, with some notable differences: there are fewer featured ensembles, no projects pages, no store, no educational outreach section, and no contact information. This simplified version of seasidebrass.com is intended for our booking agents; they can link to SoCalBrass.com or send their clients there without fear of having them "jump ship" and book through us directly.

-Peter & the Wolf video completed by December 2005?-
I hope so. The 30 minute video of our debut performance has been a huge editting project, but it is nearing completion. The end product will not be made available for sale, but I do plan on having DVD's made for family and friends (this Christmas maybe?). Eventually, a demo clip including testimonials will be completed for marketing purposes.

Seaside Brass in 2006

Here are some goals of ours for next year:

1) Stronger marketing for Maritime Wind Corps; I think we can become the ensemble of choice for San DIego's change of command ceremonies and military-themed events.

2) 6 to 12 Bookings for Peter & the Wolf in SD schools; I'd like to hook up with some other outreach organizations to get this great program into more schools next year.

3) Develop a separate website for vocal ensembles; we are going to remove the "vocal ensembles" section, creating a new site dedicated to it - we will also get rid of the "mixed ensembles" section of the site altogether. I am officially retireing the ensemble "Gypsea".

4) "Maritime Wind Corp" will officially be added to the "Brass Ensembles" section of the website. The ensemble "Soul Patrol" will officially be retired.

5) Possible project: A new cd may be released in time for Christmas 2006.

Those are the plans for now - of course, things can change, and they always do, so stay tuned for updates!

Happy Thanksgiving!

- Karl Soukup, Proprietor