Daddy V WANTS TO KNOW...... WHATCHA GET FOR CHRISTMAS?

OK Girls and Boys! The big day is almost over and we've cashed in on the yearly "greatest spectacle of spending". So Daddy V wants to know what did you get? To break the ice (no pun intended) let me tell you what I got:

1. To show that I have diverse interests, my book gifts this year included:

Walter the Farting Dog (with farting dog included!) - Hilarious!
Ballet for Dummies - watch out guard!
Yoga over Fifty - Ouch!
The Gold Coast - Neslon DeMille - murder and mystery
Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid - Bill Bryson - one of my favorite authors
2. New reading lamp for my new home office - refer to #1
3. Strength and Conditioning Program for Marching Musicians - Yeah, there really is such a thing! Designed by a Chicago physical fitness company for the Cavaliers - way cool!

4. Gift card and t-shirt for Scotty's Brewhouse - fast becoming the #1 Patriot Band staff hangout!

5. Gift card to Books-a-Million - from Laura

6. Colts calendar - from Rachel

7. Carry bag for a laptop - I don't yet own a laptop, but our tech geeks Jason and Mark will help
me with this (I hope)!

Well, there's my list, girls and boys. Now it's your turn - talk to your Daddy V!

Tomorrow morning - headin' East for a visit with my mom in Toms River, NJ. R & R, real pizza, walks on the beach, WaWa coffee, boardwalk games at LuckyLeo's, crumb cake from Mueller's, antique shopping, Sunday morning visit to Cadets camp, and maybe a trip to Atlantic City (cha-ching$).

Love, peace, joy, hope and success at State Fair in the New Year! Cut me and I bleed Patriot Band!

You guys are the best and make me proud to be your...

Daddy V

Quote of the Day-We don't stop playing because we get older, we get older when we stop playing!
George Bernard Shaw

SANTA VOGIE WANTS TO KNOW.............................

Come on, admit it! We all have secret wishes and hopes when it comes to the BIG DAY! Heck, we've been watching the ads on TV since July, so let's lighten things up a bit and ask JC band members - WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS?
Now try to leave out some of the obvious answers. World peace? never happen! State Fair title - rrrrrr - it's a done deal! Or maybe you want to "blog" a present to someone special or a gag gift to that annoying person in your section! Just remember - be nice , not naughty! Santa Vogie has his finger on the delete key!

So send me one or send me two,
Maybe a gift that's not for you!
Send it in the day, send it in the night,
But please make sure your spelling is right!
Try to use humor as your key,
And talk to me, I'm your Santa V

Two Quotes.....

People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can't find them, make them!

George Bernard Shaw


Time is a created thing. To say "I don't have time", is like saying "I don't want to."

Lao-Tzu

CONSIDER THIS................................................................

WOLF WISDOM

One evening, an old Chreokee chief told his grandson a story about a battle that goes on inside people.

He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, superiority and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith"

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather:

"Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied "The one you feed."

No one's perfect - not even band directors. I find myself feeding my Evil wolf way too often. Lets face it - it's easier! Throw yourself a pity party and blame everyone else for your problems. Joy, peace, love, hope, etc., take work (ask any married couple) but are ultimately more fulfilling!
Hey JCHS band members - WHICH WOLF ARE YOU FEEDING?

Daddy V

SO YOU WANT TO MAJOR IN MUSIC................................

There has been much interest expressed by Patriot band members in the last couple of years about majoring in music in college. I won't pretend to speak for Mr. Smeltzer or Miss Guise, by I will say that if I had to do it all over again I would still major in music education. I would, however, make sure that I was better prepared before I went to college and understood more about what I was getting into! Its a tough major with no time for a minor! I was fortunate - I went to a small college where there was a lot of individualized attention. In the larger state schools its sometimes either sink or swim! We don't have a great track record for music majors at JCHS. I think that in the last 25 years we've had 3 or 4 kids major in music and actually get through all 4 years! My reason for posting this entry is to let you know that the band staff is anxious to see you succeed in whatever you choose to do, but we are particularly interested in talking with any of you considering a music major. Remember, music does not mean either performance or teaching. There are many career opportunities in music such as church music, music therapy, music business, and the list goes on! We've made great strides in the area of music theory training with the new theory class and computer lab at JCHS. Arts Place will be offering a follow-up class this Spring entitled "Music Major Boot Camp". This course will introduce students to music history and continue working on ear training, as well as discussions concerning auditions, applications, scholarships, and other things which need to be considered. (Incidentally, the course will be taught by Emilie Boyes - who better than someone fresh out of the music major arena)

Again, please consider your band staff to be a source of information concerning music major preparation. We really want you to succeed!

Talk to Me! As always, I'm your...

Daddy V

BAND DIRECTORS vs. SWIMMING POOL

OK, Patriot band members, you had your fun. Now its time to answer the age old question:

When band directors are thrown in a pool, do they:

A. Sink
B. Float
C. Get wet
D. All of the Above
E. None of the Above

I'm Daddy V (squish, squish) Talk to Me!

DRUM CORPS INFO......(and a quote)

For those of you interested in learning more about drum and bugle corps, you can go to DCI.org. Drum Corps International is the governing body of drum and bugle corps and their web site has a wealth of information about the activity.

Also, Laura and I were interviewed last week-end by a web reporter for Youth Education in the Arts (YEA). If you would like to see that interview go to YEA.org and look for the news article about "nurturing and supportive parents" - ahhh, that would be me!

Daddy V

"Without leaps of imagination or dreaming we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning!"

THE ADVENTURE ENDS............................

Laura and I arrived back in Jay County at 2:30 A.M. Although totally exhausted from the experience, Laura also said it was the most fun she's ever had. Lots of good rehearsal and playing tips from the boys who know. There was a "show and tell" on Sunday afternoon. The guard did about a 4 minute routine, the battery played LOUD (36 snares and 19 quads), the pit played a Scott Joplin rag, and finally the hornline played through "Simple Gifts", "Salvation is Created", "Shenandoah" and "Back to the Future" - interesting juxtaposition of songs. The sound was amazing - 75 horns including 19 tubas. After the program, the kids were given their ratings. As with most drum corps the Cadets don't "cut" people, but rate them and allow them to decide, according to thier rating, if they should continue. A 1 means "we want you", a 2means "we think we want you so please work hard over the next month and come back in December", a 3 means "we like what you do, but you might be too young or have too little experience". Laura got a 3 based on the age factor and her lack of corps experience. Win, lose, or draw, the camp was great and certainly cemented Laura's desire to march with a corps. Fortunately, there are many corps within driving distance (3-5 hours) from Portland and she'll try again next year.

How about some discussion? How many of you have seen a drum corps or would like to try to march with a corps?

I'm Daddy V - talk to me!

AND CONTINUES.............................

Laura called tonight (I'm visiting my mom who lives in NJ) and continues to be very excited about her experience. The instructors have had them playing and marching since 9:00 A.M. She says its much like our basics program, both playing and marching but X 100. Her shoulders, lips and arms ache but she's picking up a lot of good information from the guys who know! I'll return to camp tomorrow morning for "show and tell". All sections will perform for the parents at 1:00 P.M. and we should be on the road for IN by 3:00 P.M. which will make our Jay County ETA about 4:00 A.M. Probably won't even go to sleep before school! Daddy V will be stoked on caffeine. Remember me in your prayers tomorrow boys and girls!

Daddy V

THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES...................

Cadet Camp 2007 started at 9:00 P.M. Friday night. Meeting with George Hopkins (corps director) talks and sounds like a band director, has a good sense of humor and many funny stories. As he talked a bout the summer tour and the requirements on the kids, I was amazed at how many time he mentioned Rule #9 without calling it that! He said that they expected a certain level of maturity from the members that allowed each of them to take care of themselves and their problems during the tour. Went to parent meeting. Marching a summer with the Cadets will run about $2500 (yikes!) excluding travel to and from camps and spending money. Took a tour of equipment truck and food truck. WOW! Saw Laura warming up with the horn line being led by Gino Cipriani! 70+ horns and no woodwinds! She gave me the thumbs up! Going back to help prepare lunch!

Daddy V