The Open Day 2008, organised by Unik Star/Xpression and with the support of European Indoor Arts Alliance (EIAA) held on October 26, 2008 in Hellemmes (France), was a great success. For this first official EIAA demonstration, approximately 300 visitors and 90 trainees visited this exceptional day filled with indoor percussion and color guard.

Like in the last three years, the drumline clinic brought together many musicians on snare and tenor. This section, lead by Benoit Sueur and several members of Unik Star, completed the day by presenting a musical piece with music of Daft Punk.

In the front ensemble section, Pierre Lignée accompanied by Arnaud Taton and Melanie Reynaert informed a group of musicians marimbists and xylophonists on the rudiments of these instruments (2 and 4 rods). Many exercises were done during the 6 hours of the clinic. Pierre Lignée also run a Master Class on all the instruments used in indoor percussion during the lunch which brought together many interested parties.

Unik Star and Xpression had invited 2 Dutch instructors for the color guard clinic. Sylvia Vos and Manon Zuijdervliet worked with equipment used in color guard (rifle, flag, sabre). The clinicians lead the group through several techniques and movements.

The second part of the day consisted of many color guard and percussion performances by Unik Star and Xpression. The juniors also presented a program in front of a very generous public. "It was an exceptional day for the groups and EIAA. (Press release by Unik Star)


(Photo: unikstar.com)

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