HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LUCIA HART!

Lucia turns 1 on Sunday, January 14th and, after a scary start, it's nice to see that she continues to experience growth and good health. Obviously, she gets her good looks from her mommy!

Daddy V

CONCERT BAND - PAIN OR PLEASURE? IT'S UP TO YOU!

Imagine going into your geometry class and telling the teacher that you only wanted to study circles but not squares. Or you told your biology teacher that you wanted to study plants but not animals. Or you told the driver's ed teacher that (since you are a staunch conservative) you only make right hand turns! How many of you would expect that teacher to give consideration to your request? Unfortunately, many of you in band feel that we should design the band curriculum around your individual wants and desires. In the words of Mr. Humbert, everyone wants to go to Heaven, but no one wants to die!

Band, believe it or not, is considered an academic subject. Because of this, there are certain guidelines or standards (9 in all) that the band staff must follow. Standards such as these are used to judge the value of each class offered at Jay County High School. If the band staff does not cover these standards, they are directed to do so or the program will be cut. (here are standards for the guard dance class also) Believe it or not, these standards mention nothing about pep band or marching band - they are based solely on music education goals - goals which ultimately should make us better players, musicians, (there is a difference) and, in the long run, better students!

A small reminder for those of you who were around last year. Do you remember Mr. Smeltzer, Ms. Guise and myself standing in front of you on the first day of concert band and stating "this is the first day of getting ready for State Fair" (or words to that affect) Do you remember who won the music caption both morning and evening at last year's State Fair? In was not a coincidence!
So, like it or not, concert band is a mandated program which ultimately will lead to success in marching contests (if that is your goal) or if nothing else, will make you a better musician, student, and a more well-rounded person!
Incidentally, those 9 standards include:

1. Singing alone and with others - Yup! Even in band!
2. Playing an instrument alone and with others - We got this one down!
3. Reading, notating, and interpreting music. Somewhat covered.
4. Improvising melodies and accompaniments.
5. Composing and arranging music within specific guidelines
6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.
7. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.
8. Understanding music in relation to history and culture.
9. Evaluating music and music performances.

So what do you think? Talk to me, I'm......

Daddy V

SUSPECTS IN BRUTAL ATTACK SPOTTED ON NEW JERSEY BEACH!

An amateur photographer from Seaside Heights, NJ, caught this photo of the two seagulls who may be responsible for the unprovoked attack on Emilie Boyes, Patriot Guard caption head. Boyes, who was attacked while walking on a Connecticut beach with her boyfriend Mark Garringer, could not be reached for comment. Due to the appearance of the suspects in New Jersey, the FBI has been called in. Special Agent in Charge, Hoo Phlung Doo, has offered no definate ID on the suspects but believes that they are of Midwestern origin, possibly landfill gulls. It was hoped that Garringer could help with the identification of the gulls but when asked he replied "I was too busy laughing!"

Doo has asked for help from local law enforcement officials in tracking down these suspects so that a positive poo ID can be made. Meanwhile, Boyes, who is recovering in her suburban Connecticut home, is schedule to meet with a police sketch artist tomorrow.

Anyone with information about this crime should call Poo Stoppers at 1-800-WHO-FLUNGDUNG FREE

LOCAL GUARD INSTRUCTOR ATTACKED ON CONNECTICUT BEACH!

Emilie Boyes, color guard design genius and current color guard instructor for the Patriot Band was attacked by a rabid seagull recently as she strolled the otherwise tranquil beaches of Connecticut. With her loyal boyfriend Mark Garringer close by her side, Boyes was dive bombed by the kamakazi gull who seemed to have her squarely in it's sights! Garringer said he thought he heard the gull exclaim "a present from the South", a possible reference to the fear that Boyes has instilled in the Muncie South guard program, but as Garringer added "it could have been the wind." When Garringer asked Boyes if she needed some toilet paper, she reportedly said "ah, don't worry about it - that bird's miles away by now!" Boyes was not hurt in the attack.

THIS ONE'S FOR YOU, SECRETARY!

OK, Secretary! Quit your complaining and enjoy your boys in green! I guess they are good once in a while!

Daddy V

Comments and Complaints

I've received several complaints and comments from guard members regarding the purchasing of personal equipment, shoes, uniforms, etc. First let me say that, you knew this was to be a relatively expensive activity going in. As I recall, we tell guard recruits to expect to spend between $80 and $90 each summer for costumes and accessories. Sometimes we spend that much, sometimes we don't. The big thing to remember is that you got into this organization for free. Basically, for a band kid to be in band, there was some comittment of money for their instrument, reeds, valve oil, book, sticks, etc. When you walked into guard, you were given a pole and you bought a $15 practice flag. A brand new saxophone retails at $1400 and a brand new trumpet currently retails for about $800. Extra guard eq such as rifles and sabres are normally purchased by the student and the a show rifle or sabre is then provided by the band. In the long run, I think that you will agree it all pretty well balances itself out. My biggest concern with this complaint is this: MONEY SHOULD NEVER BE AN ISSUE FOR BAND OR GUARD PARTICIPATION. We are an educational organization which endeavors to allow all who wish to participate to do so regardless of financial need.Resources are available for those with a true need but we are not mind readers. If you have a need or know of someone who does, we need to know so we can help when possible.

A QUOTE AND A CORPS!

YOU WON'T GET ANYWHERE WITHOUT A GOAL

A life without purpose is like a ship without a rudder.
The purpose of a goal is to focus your attention.
Your mind will reach toward achievement only when it has a goal.
There is no achievement without goals.
Establish a goal worth working for.
Your goal will keep you going in tough times.
Always have something ahead of you.
Continuously visualize your next step.
Keep moving after you achieve your goal and set another.
Momentum is maintained by always having something to look forward to.
Constantly give yourself something to work for.
Do what you can do well,
and do well whatever you can do.
You can plant your dream with a goal.

New Jersey State Map

R & R in New Jersey... Daddy V Takes A Break!

Yes sir, boys and girls, Daddy V is enjoying a much needed break from Hoosier life and am currently firmly ensconced once again in the East Coast life style which I miss so much! New York Times (liberal drivel but great arts and entertainment section) WaWa coffee, bagels and cream cheese, hard rolls with butter (WaWa is Algonquoin for geese but its a kind of Village Pantry with East Coast style and a great coffee bar) Mueller's crumb cake (from a bakery in Bayhead NJ -defies description) Sawmill Pizza (served on the Seaside Heights NJ boardwalk - pizza is 36'' in diameter - I'm in heaven), roast beef paninis, biscotti, chocolate fondue, pisellas, (mama mia!)

New Toy

On Wednesday of this week I purchased a Nintendo DS. Why Nintendo DS? Along with seemingly 10 gazillion other middle-aged men, I need the DS to run BRAIN AGE the new "brain gymnasium" developed by Dr. Ryuta Kawashima. The general idea is to exercise your brain the way you exercise your body (yes, I need help in both areas) and, hopefully, avoid having your prefontal cortex turn into a gray mass of gelatinous material. The software measures your current "brain age" (I weighed in with a 70 yr old brain!) and then through different activities you attempt to exercise your brain and lower your brain age. After 4 days, I managed to get my brain age to 50, so I'm making progress! No "brain-like-Jello" for Daddy V.

Beach Time

Took a walk through Jenkinson's Aquarium in Point Pleasant, NJ (last time we went here, Rachel was in a stroller!) and then a nice stroll on the beach. Lots of flotsam and jetsam to sift through, beachcomber-style, with surf sounds acting as a catharsis. Wind from the ocean was a bit chilly so we didn't last very long.

A Bit of History

Today we drove to just north of Trenton, NJ where, 231 years ago, George Washington accomplished his famous crossing of the Delaware River. (I still have trouble watching Jeff Daniels portray Washington in The Crossing after having seen him in Dumb and Dumber

To be honest, the Delaware is not that formidable a river at the crossing almost to the point of a soldier being able to toss his musket across the river - nothing like we are led to believe in US History 101. Every year, the crossing is renacted on Christmas Day by the locals. I talked with one of them today at the visitors center and he reminded me that the boats used were Durham boats (literally about the size of a school bus) which were meant for up and down river sailing and were very difficult to handle across stream. In addition, that particular winter was rather severe and the boats battled ice flows as well as wind and sleet. OK - point for Washington! After our visit we ate at the Washington Crossing Inn where, tradition has it, Washington ate dinner before the crossing. I enjoyed a regional favorite - Philly Cheese Steak!

Cadets Camp

Laura and I are heading to Penns Grove , NJ in the AM to catch some Cadet camp. Cadets reportedly have 4 minutes of the opener done and we hope to hear it and pick up at-shirt or two!

Boardwalk

Tomorrow night will include a trip to the Seaside Heights boardwalk where we will spend much time and money in the pursuit of prizes while playing skeeball, pop ball, coin falls, video poker and blackjack, and slot machines. This is a Vogler tradition that goes back to the days of my youth and lives on into the 21st Century! If we are lucky, we will each spend about $20 for a $1 prize - probably one of those Chinese finger tortures! But sometimes it's the journey not the destination! (that was deep!)

Monday

Travel day to Hoosierland where I will once again present the good news of music education with missionary-like zeal to the uneducated masses of Jay County!

Peace, love, joy and hope for the New Year!

Daddy V

A Quote - There is no greater satisfaction for a just and well-meaning person than the knowledge that they have devoted their best energies to the service of a good cause!

-Albert Einstein

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