Even missing most of seniors and a lot of underclassmen, the Patriot Band performed well at the Redkey parade on Saturday. Every year the staff worries about the loss of the senior class and every year underclassmen seem to be waiting in the wings to step into empty leadership positions. This was proven on Saturday by a hornline that sounded in mid-season shape on "Emperata". Great job today and the promise of great things to come!
Daddy "30 Days Until Summer Band" V
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FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE - SHOW UPDATES
THE COLORS OF RUSSIA: THE POWER, THE PEOPLE, THE CELEBRATION
MUSIC
The Patriot band staff continues to musically tweek this year's show. By preparing the music earlier, the staff has had the opportunity to try different voicings and re-arrangements. IN the past, we have had to do this in mid-season. This early prep should pay dividends. During the past two weeks, veteran band members have met in small group sectionals along with the rookie members from the middle schools. Brass and woodwinds met in large group sectionals this past week. Though musically, still very rough, this should be a powerful hornline. The key to a two-peat in the music caption is going to be, as always, our ability to really sell the softer sections of the show. We proved that we can do it last year - can we do it again?MARCHING
Although we had a good showing last year, considering our size, it will take some work to capture the marching caption. In large group sectionals, members have started working on the basics. In addition, we will be putting a lot more emphasis oin physical fitness and flexibility this summer. The "Hindu" along with other stretches and our daily walk will become part of our warm-up routine each night. To our veterans - your staff has done a lot of reading and observing to help teach you a more contemporary style of movement. Expect new challenges, terminology, and higher expectations as the season progresses. From a drill stand point, expect a lot more guard integration in the drill, role playing, choreography, backfield playing (which we don't do much of) and some surprise drill moves!BYE, BYE, CLASS OF 2007! :(
Every year, around graduation time, ol' Daddy V gets a little melancholy when he contemplates losing another group of senior band kids. This year, probably more so then for many years. Daddy V probably holds the class of 2007 more dear to his heart than most! Why? I don't really know but there are so many memorable kids that will be missed next year not only for their musical abilities but also for their shining faces and personalities.
Maria Miller- 6 years of Maria was not enough and never anything but a happy face anytime Daddy V sees her! Come back to see us, please?
Samantha Freeman- Poor Samantha - Samma has had me for music in one way, shape, or form since the second grade. Charter member of Eastern Breeze. Just like a third daughter in the Vogler family. Luv ya, Samma!
Kelsey Bone- "Wonder Woman" - What can't Kelsey do? Kelsey and Laura went to the same baby sitter. Homecoming Queen! Another happy face that I'll miss and another flute talent that Eastern Breeze will sorely miss.
Allison Fullenkamp- "Bowling" started taking recorder from me when she was 5! Another great leader, gourgeous drum major and part of the Patriot Band "Queen Sweep" (prom)(Mom was in guard) Eastern Breeze and Daddy V will miss you.
Caitlin Dunn - another 6 year Daddy V veteran and a second generation band kid (dad played tuba and mom was in guard) What leader and a welcome addition to this summer's staff. Thanks KatieLiz!
Dustine Hilfiker - who am I gonna do the "gut butt" with? What happened to the mirror on my van?
Amanda Barnett - youngest coroner and another second generation band kid (her dad was a drummer in the 70s) Thanks for helping get Eastern Breeze off the ground.
Lauren Whitesell Talented trumpet, actress (who can forget "Matress") and excellent drum major. Another of Daddy V's adopted daughters. Ditch the baby-sitiing and work with us this summer!
Nick Stephens and Randy Wolford - Two of our unsung heroes. Solid performers all 4 years. Group I state soloist for Nick - our first in a while! Nick, I still have that safety pin on my jacket. Randy - what an artist!
Amber Kelly - One of my East Jay favorites. Thanks for 2 years of great drum major leadership. Is your brother adopted? (mom played clarinet years ago aunt was a drum major)
Lacey VanSkyock - Another East Jay favorite flute. Thanks for all you work over the last 4 years. You look so sad these days. Please smile!
James Heare - "Heare" today, gone tomorrow. I need someone else with a last name that I can use in my puns. Thanks James and good luck!
Josh Cole - You were the smallest kid playing the largest instrument I've ever had in band. Thanks for keepin' Laura in line!
Molly Sutton - Good Golly Miss Molly! My favorite kid to greet every day! Another East Jay legend and great 4 year band supporter. You will be missed!
Austin Flynn - What an actor! Watching you in the plays has been fun. Never get to know the West Jay kids as well as I'd like. Good luck next year!
Sarah Garringer - Another West Jay wiz kid that will be missed especially in the low brass! Sarah is actually related to me! Her mom and my mother-in-law are cousins, which makes my wife and Sarah second cousins..... Family trees in Jay County have very few branches.
Amanda Alberson - The last of the awesome Albersons. Amanda's mom was in guard years ago and Amanda as well as each of her sisters has switched from some worthless instrument (flute, clarinet, etc.) to baritone. Thnaks Amanda - don't be a stranger!
CHERYL SHINES - GUISE IN HER GLORY!
HER DOCTORATE-NESS, CHERYL GUISE
Assistant band director Cheryl Guise amazed a small, but appreciative audience on Saturday when she performed her doctoral recital at Sursa Hall at Ball State University. Daddy V was very impressed by Cheryl's virtuosity on marimba, xylophone, vibraphone and timpani. A special favorite was "John Brown's Body", but the final number, "Prism Rhapsody" was also interesting and kept "Doc" on the run changing mallets 3 or 4 times and holding as many as 6 mallets at once. Daddy V can't remember when Cheryl has ever been that serious for that long except maybe the day the percussionists ran the marimba into the bandroom door frame - but that's annother story! Good job "Doc" Guise!
I "DUNN" WRONG!
My heartfelt apologies to Caitlin Dunn for leaving her off my list of summer staff. Considering I've known Caitlin since she was born (almost) and her extended family for 30 years, her name should have been the first on my list! Major league cerebral flatulence! Even the "King" makes mistakes sometimes! Sorry again, Caitlin!
WELCOME ABOARD, EMILIE!
EMILY BOYES, SEEN HERE IN A RECENT PHOTO, HAS JOINED THE PATRIOT BAND STAFF FOR THE 2007 - 2008 SCHOOL YEAR.
For those of you who may be out of the loop, the school board hired Emilie Boyes (our illustrious student teacher from last fall, genious!) to take Miss Guise' place next year. Daddy V applauds the hiring (one of the few intelligent things the board has done recently) and looks forward to great things from Miss Boyes. For those of you who don't know, Miss Boyes was an integral part of the success of our guard program last summer, has been instrumental in the continued development of dance and guard at the high school, worked hard for us during the new guard clinic, is currently running dance/weapons/flag sessions every Tuesday night and was the creative force behind this summer's "Colors of Russia" show concept, including flag and uniform designs which are already in the works! Miss Boyes also teaches private lessons at Arts Place 2 days a week and is the instructor in our new "Music Major Boot Camp" class. All this while still trying to be a college student, preparing for a senior recital and making time for her understanding boyfriend. And you thought your life was complicated!
Again, welcome aboard Emilie! Jay County hasn't seen such a combination of brains, beauty and talent since................well, since they hired Daddy V in 1977 - a mere 30 years ago! Holy Hannah! I'm gettin' old!
Daddy "Feelin' the Years" V
PITY PARTY 101
It’s been a disappointing week. When people disappoint me, I take it a little to personally sometimes. I’m constantly searching for perfection in an imperfect world. Occasionally, I even throw myself a “pity party”. You know, one of those “no one cares, why should I” attitudes that do absolutely no good but, hey, even the “King” is human!
I’m a big believer in the mission of the Patriot Band and MusicWorks. I have seen great things come from our students and you know what I am most grateful for – the fact that I have grown as a person due to my association with these organizations. Organization isn’t even the right word – “organization” sounds cold and lifeless. Let me say the people in these organizations – the students and staff that I work, eat, travel, and above all, make music with every year.
On the other hand, I’ve seen people give in to the “dark side” – the endless “pity party”. I think to be successful in what we do, you have to have a work ethic, you need to care, you need to have passion, you need to want to save the world! You need to believe that all of this is real and not hogwash! You need to believe that a few people can change the world or at least your small part of it. You need to laugh at a good joke and cry at a great performance and be sad when a great group of kids moves on! You need to get up in the morning vowing to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. You need to know that we do great things and because of each one of us involved, both students and staff, we will do greater things!
This is not a dream and this is not a dress rehearsal!
We change lives – teacher to student and student to teacher!
It is hard work. It requires sacrifice, but I say, the payment back, if you open yourself to the possibility, is incredible!
THANKS!
I’m a big believer in the mission of the Patriot Band and MusicWorks. I have seen great things come from our students and you know what I am most grateful for – the fact that I have grown as a person due to my association with these organizations. Organization isn’t even the right word – “organization” sounds cold and lifeless. Let me say the people in these organizations – the students and staff that I work, eat, travel, and above all, make music with every year.
On the other hand, I’ve seen people give in to the “dark side” – the endless “pity party”. I think to be successful in what we do, you have to have a work ethic, you need to care, you need to have passion, you need to want to save the world! You need to believe that all of this is real and not hogwash! You need to believe that a few people can change the world or at least your small part of it. You need to laugh at a good joke and cry at a great performance and be sad when a great group of kids moves on! You need to get up in the morning vowing to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. You need to know that we do great things and because of each one of us involved, both students and staff, we will do greater things!
This is not a dream and this is not a dress rehearsal!
We change lives – teacher to student and student to teacher!
It is hard work. It requires sacrifice, but I say, the payment back, if you open yourself to the possibility, is incredible!
THANKS!
RECITAL "HOMERUN" FOR EMILIE!
WOW! I'M GLAD THAT'S OVER!
ON THE "MELON" SCALE FROM 1 TO 10, I GIVE IT AN 11!
Our former student teacher, current color guard caption head, and future assistant band director Emilie Boyes completed a milestone today when she performed her senior recital in the recital hall at Taylor University. Daddy V and Mr. Smeltzer were fortunate enough to be able to attend today's recital and were certainly impressed by the Emilie's french horn "chops". Not that we ever doubted her ability, but today was Emilie's chance to really shine and shine she did! The music was almost as gourgeous as the musician! Incidentally, Emilie was accompanied on piano by the Patriot Band's own Jason Hart. Good job, Secretary!
YEAH, DATS RIGHT! MY DADDY PLAYS PIANO AND HE PLAYS IT GOOD! IF YOU SAY OTHERWISE, YOU BE TALKIN' TO MY COUSIN GUIDO FROM NEWARK, SEE?
Daddy V congratulates Emilie on this accomplishment (remembering his own feelings of relief following his senior recital) and wishes her the best as she finishes up her last week at Taylor. Today, a beautiful black dress - next Saturday, cap and gown - June 25th, shorts and a t-shirt! Summer band starts in 42 days!!!!!!!
ON THE "MELON" SCALE FROM 1 TO 10, I GIVE IT AN 11!
Our former student teacher, current color guard caption head, and future assistant band director Emilie Boyes completed a milestone today when she performed her senior recital in the recital hall at Taylor University. Daddy V and Mr. Smeltzer were fortunate enough to be able to attend today's recital and were certainly impressed by the Emilie's french horn "chops". Not that we ever doubted her ability, but today was Emilie's chance to really shine and shine she did! The music was almost as gourgeous as the musician! Incidentally, Emilie was accompanied on piano by the Patriot Band's own Jason Hart. Good job, Secretary!
YEAH, DATS RIGHT! MY DADDY PLAYS PIANO AND HE PLAYS IT GOOD! IF YOU SAY OTHERWISE, YOU BE TALKIN' TO MY COUSIN GUIDO FROM NEWARK, SEE?
Daddy V congratulates Emilie on this accomplishment (remembering his own feelings of relief following his senior recital) and wishes her the best as she finishes up her last week at Taylor. Today, a beautiful black dress - next Saturday, cap and gown - June 25th, shorts and a t-shirt! Summer band starts in 42 days!!!!!!!
BAND BANQUET WRAP-UP
Another Patriot Band banquet has come and gone and with it bittersweet feelings as we celebrate our successes of the past year and say good-bye to our seniors who have meant so much to the band program and so much to the staff. Congratulations to our award winners: Outstanding Senior - Sara Garringer (actually related to Daddy V) Outstanding Underclassman - Lee Haggenjos (lead vocal and guitar player for Faere Wyndes, Daddy V's celtic folk group) Outstanding guard member - Alisha DeWitt (gotta love those red heads).
After some discussion among attendees, the following was decided:
On a scale from 1 to 10:
Speeches:
Miss Guise - 7
Mr. Smeltzer - 8
Daddy V - -2
Band Camp DVD - 10 (Thanks Jason and Mark)
NY/DC Power-Point Presentation - 11 (Thanks Devon)
Next year, fewer speeches - more video!!!
After some discussion among attendees, the following was decided:
On a scale from 1 to 10:
Speeches:
Miss Guise - 7
Mr. Smeltzer - 8
Daddy V - -2
Band Camp DVD - 10 (Thanks Jason and Mark)
NY/DC Power-Point Presentation - 11 (Thanks Devon)
Next year, fewer speeches - more video!!!
KICKING AGAINST THE PRICKS....DON'T BACK UP!
In the book of Acts (that's in the New Testament genius) there is the story of Saul (later re-named Paul) and his Damascus Road conversion. One of the quotes from the voice of God referred to the fact that Saul was "kicking against the pricks". The origins of this phrase go back to ancient agricultural practices when farmers used oxen to plow their fields. Behind each ox was mounted a sharp pointed stick called a "prick". If the ox tried to back up or kick at the farmer he would receive a less than gentle reminder to keep moving straight ahead. Hence the derogatory use of the word "prick". I've heard this story many times and it always reminds me of the way some of you try to "kick" against those trying to keep you in line. More often than not you "kick against the pricks" (no pun intended) and through no fault of the "pricks" you have to get the "point". Two examples that come to mind are the continued problems with gum chewing and going the wrong way in and out of the instrument room door - two rather innocuos examples that continue to give you and the staff fits. You, (the "oxen") kick at the staff (the "pricks") with your gum chewing and wrong "way-ing" and since it's up to the "pricks" to maintain order, we have to hurt you. And not just the band staff - how about your parents! Again, parents are given the responsibility of maintaining your personal order and sometimes they must be the "pricks" to keep you moving in the right direction. So do yourself a favor and realize that the "pricks" behind you that are put there for your own good and someday you'll probably be a "prick" too!
Daddy "The Prick" V
Daddy "The Prick" V