Hey Everyone!  Just FYI the Sheltered Reality mailing address has been changed...the new address is:

408 E. 8th St.,
West Liberty, IA 52776

Please note that change! Thanks!

Sign Up for Shows and view the SR schedule in the SR Database
***Username & Password for Database entry are the SAME as they have always been. Do not use the Username & Password that Jordan sent out, they will not work there.***
For questions concerning the Database, please contact Anne-Marie Hendrickson at database@sheltered-reality.org

Information and Drum Prices, view this document: Meinl Drum Order Form

To purchase drums, please contact:
Tony Johnson-Forte Drums
5168 Central Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN 55421
Main : 763-572-2424
play@fortedrums.com
www.fortedrums.com

Starting at the beginning of July, Steve and Jordan will no longer be hauling an entire PA system.  They will still have their laptops, mic system, listen system and some cords, but no speakers, stands or amp.  If you are a site leader and are attending a show with Steve or Jordan leading, please make sure your PA is there so that the show can go on. If you ever have any questions as to what PA equipment Steve or Jordan may be bringing, please call Jordan at 319-930-0896.

Sheltered Reality finally has its first In-Between Practice Coordinator...his name is Tom Montgomery (tomm@sheltered-reality.org). Tom is now the person you would go to if you have any questions about your in-between practices. If you’re struggling with something, ask Tom.  If you’re confused about the second fill, during the third beat in the fifth song, ask Tom! Tom is one of the coordinators of the Toledo, OH SR site and has been drumming for most of his life and is more than happy to help you and your site with any needs...please do NOT be afraid to shoot him an email to have him help you...that’s why he took on this position.

For your in-between practices, a great schedule to follow is this:

1.    Set-up (It’s always good to arrive early to do this)
2.    Warm-up with Beat Accelerators (about 20min...don’t just do the slow songs, mix it up and do one slow, two or three medium-fast and always do one super-duper fast to challenge the kids.)
3.    Go through show song line-up
4.    Go over any questions with those songs (30min)
5.    Go over new SR songs, beats and techniques (30min)
6.    Take a short break
7.    Short meeting to discuss goals, mission projects, etc. (15min)
8.    Go over new songs one more time
9.    Tear-down and go home
-Always remember to shuffle your practices around, don’t always keep the same schedule, mix it up by doing old show songs before beat accelerator and etc...
-When going through the new beats/techniques, is it OK to put those to Beat Accelerator songs during that time? YES! When Steve and Jordan come to practice, remember what they do...they teach the beat, then put it to some different beat accelerator songs
-If you have tons of newbies, should you spend the entire practice teaching old show songs? NO! You should always do simple things for the newbies, but don’t do it the entire time. Like the schedule says, do about 30 minutes of old stuff, then remind your newbies that the songs get more challenging and to NEVER GIVE UP. And remind them that they should NOT be able to learn all the hard things the first few times, but just be honest with them, let them try and encourage them as they try.

This Beat to Song Connection document shows each song and which of your basic beats/more difficult techniques (double strokes, accents etc...) is included in them...so when drilling each beat, you can remind the kids that improving each certain beat will help improve each certain song that includes it.

Many members have the ‘spinning cowbell’ issue.  To solve this problem, there is a very simple answer. Simply run to Wal-Mart (or any hardward type of store) and get a package of locking washers and a package of regular washers (don’t get too small of washers!). Simply take the wingnut off of the cowbell (there should already be a regular washer on the cowbell) and simply place on the locking washer and another regular washer and reapply the wingnut.  If you’re not sure how to do this properly, you can get the washers and bring them to your next national practice and Steve & Jordan can take care of it for you.  This will definitely decrease the amount of spinning.

Are you tired of not being able to hear the music during a performance?  Do you wish you could adjust the volume yourself? Well you CAN!  Many sites have the Headphone Listen System (where the music transmits into your headphones) but there are still a lot of members without the beltpacks.  With these beltpacks, you can hear the music through your headphones (then you can always stay on beat) and you can adjust the volume to your own level! Beltpacks cost about $80, but are totally worth it!  If you’d like information to order a beltpack for yourself, please email Brenda at brendap@sheltered-reality.org and she will help you get one ordered.  No special headphones are required for this...any type of headphones will work.

Practice Songs & Videos:
To Download/Save to your computer, Right click on the link and click ‘save link as’.

Practice Beat Accel Songs for RLL Beat (the following are NOT on your Beat Accel CD)
‘Keep Holding On’ (Slow RLL) (by Avril Lavigne)
‘Winter Passing’ (Slow-Medium RLL) (by The Academy Is...)
‘It’s Alright, It’s Ok’ (Medium RLL) (by Ashley Tisdale)
‘For Your Entertainment’ (Medium RLL) (by Adam Lambert)
‘Nice Guys Finish Last’ (Medium-Fast RLL) (by Cobra Starship)
‘Call Me’ (Fast RLL) (by In This Moment)

Practice Songs for the Swing Beat (aka, D-Up Beat!):
‘Welcome Back Kotter’ (Slow Swing Beat)
‘The Pink Panther’ (Slow-Medium Swing Beat)
‘The Facts of Life’ (Medium Swing Beat)
‘Reach’ (Medium-Fast Swing Beat) (by S Club 7)
‘The Jeffersons’ (Fast Swing Beat)
We have had many Beat Accelerator CDs throughout the past years, and on those CDs are some amazing tracks, and unfortunately we can’t keep all of those favorites on every single year. We can always tell which songs on the Beat Accelerator CD are your favorites, and listed below are some favorites from years past available for your enjoyment!
‘My Number One’ (by Helena Paparizou)
‘Chrone’ (by Despina Vandi)
‘OK’ (by Helena Paparizou)
‘OK Remix’ (by Helena Paparizou)
‘Paradise on Mars’ (by BWO)
‘Desenchantee’ (by Kate Ryan)
‘Mamma Mia!’ (performed by Abbacadabra)
‘Sunshine in the Rain’ (by BWO)
‘Mambo’ (by Helena Paparizou)
‘Bring It All Back’ (by S Club 7)
‘Speaking Louder Than Before’ (by Jeremy Camp)
‘Gigolo’ (by Helena Paparizou)
‘99 Red Balloons’ (by Nena)

Track listing and Artist listing for your 2011 Show Songs Practice CD is:
Artist listing is provided so that if you enjoy a song, you can find other music by that artist.

1. Cuba Libre (by Gloria Estefan)
2. Dancing Without Music (by Helena Paparizou)
3. We Got the Beat (by The Go-Go’s)
4. Everdream (by Nightwish)
5. Youth of the Nation (by P.O.D.)
6. According To You (by Orianthi)
7. Everytime We Touch (by Cascada...pronounced Cas-Cah-Duh :)
8. Surrender (by Laura Pausini)
9. Breakdown (by Group 1 Crew)
10. Run It Back Again (by Corbin Bleu)
11. If I Had You (by Adam Lambert)
12. Conga (by Kalomoira)
13. Cotton Eyed Joe (by Crazy Frog)
14. Footloose (by Kenny Loggins)
15. Greased Lightning (by Grease Group)
16. YMCA (by The Village People)
17. Music Again (by Adam Lambert)
18. Mickey (by Toni Basil)
19. Spin Me Round (by Dead Or Alive)
20. Call Me (by In This Moment)
21. I’m So Excited (by Young Divas)
22. Fabulous (by Anna Vissi)

Track listing and Artist listing for your 2011 Beat Accelerator Practice CD is:
Artist listing is provided so that if you enjoy a song, you can find other music by that artist. Many artists on the Beat Accel are not from the U.S.A, so you may not be able to find much of their music on iTunes.

1. Aftermath (by Adam Lambert)
2. Can’t Breathe (by Fefe Dobson ft. Orianthi)
3. Stuttering (by Fefe Dobson)
4. Sure Fire Winners (by Adam Lambert)
5. Don’t Waste The Pretty (by Allison Iraheta ft. Orianthi)
6. The Safety Dance (by Glee Cast)
7. Who’s Got Your Money (by Tina Parol)
8. One Shot (by The Saturdays)
9. OK Dangerous Game (by Darin Zanyar)
10. Party Girl (by McFly)
11. Pyromania (by Cascada)
12. Hang On (Pete Hammond Radio Edit) (by Plumb)
13. Koritsi Prama Pt. 1 (by Despina Vandi)
14. Ano Makpia Kai Aranhmenoi (by Anna Vissi...yes, it’s Greek)
15. Live Percussion Jam (by The E Family)
16. Freak the Freak Out (by Victorious Cast)
17. Thanks for Nothing (by Fefe Dobson)
18. Friday I’ll Be Over You (by Allison Iraheta)
19. Shut Up and Kiss Me (by Orianthi)
20. So Obvious (by Runner Runner)
21. Pray For Me (by Plumb)
22. If I Had You (Fast Version) (by Adam Lambert)