Jason's Graduation...

First off, I am still alive. Also, Hart (Jason, Jay, Jake, however you know him) graduated from Ball State this last weekend and I wanted to give him a public congrats for his achievements. He had two weddings, a band contest, and his graduation all this last weekend so he didn't actually walk across the stage but he's an official graduate. He threw a little hoopla at his house on Sunday afternoon and I posted some pictures of it. So if you see him tell him congrats!!

-Mark "Melon" Garringer

Hmmm…

This weekend was the DCI contest in Indy, go Blue Devils!! They beat the cavies by .5 points for the victory. I could tell that this year the show was 2 weeks earlier. It just wasn't quite as crisp as it normally is. It was still a great show and I hope to watch the semifinals at a simulcast someplace.

Band has been going good this week and we're making headway. Yesterday was a music day as it rained most of the afternoon. The pit is getting better and better and I'm pumped to hear them with the actual band. They still play a bit quite but they've got the show memorized (most of them) and it sounds pretty good. The judges' jaws are gonna drop when they see the complete change from last year.

Back to Work...

Summer band started. The awesome part is that we have a HUGE pit this year.

News and such...

Daddy V hit the news! Read on here at YEA.org

Would you like to learn more about drum corp life? Visit www.dci.org to learn more!

Check out the latest ramblings and discussions of the Jay County Marching Patriots... a forum hosted by our very own, Mr. Vogler (otherwise known as Daddy V).

2nd Place Champions at the 2006 Indiana State Fair!

Solid second (08/10/06) - By MARY ANN LEWIS article from the Commercial Review

2007 Band Trip: National Cherry Blossom Parade and New York City! Check back for more details.

Congratulations to the Band Camp 2K6 Olympics Winning team: the Trombubatones!

A Salute to New York City

On Wednesday, August 10, 2005, the Marching Patriot band earned 4th place at the Indiana State Fair. Despite not placing as many band members had hoped, dreamed, or thought, the performances at both the day and night shows is to be commended! The Marching Patriots left their best performance "on the track." Thank you students, staff, parents, and the greater Jay County Community, for all of your hard work, love, and support to make this summer "Salute to New York City" a summer to be remembered for many years to come.

another season done...

 The Jay County Marching Patriots placed 4th yesterday at the State Fair Band Day Competition. The kids performed two awesome shows and I'm very glad that I was a part of it. This finish, although finishing our 16 year series of 3rd or better, extended our 5th or better years to 17. This gives us the record for must top 5 finishes in a row which was previously held by Ben Davis at 16. We hold the record for for both most consecutive 3rd and better and 5th and better finishes. It is sad to see my 9th season with the Patriots come to a close. Who knows what next year holds?

Summer 2005 on Film

Another production by Jason and Mark! Thanks for another great summer!

the weeks at an end

Aren't we so cute?

My 9th week of band camp is officially over. After about a 3 hour nap I feel almost recuperated:-). The was fruitful for the kids and I think we've cleaned the show up alot, as well as added some new neat things. You'll have to come out Sunday if you want to see it or attend the State Fair Band Day. It was also announced last night that Dr. Cheryl Guise, this summers drum instructor, has been selected as the new assistant band director to fill the position that Mr. Smeltzer vacated. It appears to be a good fit as she's came in this summer and blended into the current system very well. So, congrats to "Doc" Guise for the new job!!

Between the head and the hair it looks humongo!!

I also want to announce that I've continued my reign as the winner of the "Watermelon Head" award this year. This morning at the awards gathering I was given (i think) my 5th such award. I just want to thank all of my supporters. Without you this could have never of happened :-). This picture is actually a self portrait, I took it myself! I'm looking quite slick with my "I Rock" Adidas shirt, Nike shorts, and my 'thongs':-D. I was feeling pretty tired this morning and didn't feel like getting properly dressed.

ahhh

So band camp is almost over...it's currently movie night. We're watching Hitch. Only one more morning of practice then back to Jay. We've came along this week and I have high hopes for this coming Wednesday. We'll just have to see if we've made up the point gap we were facing. If you're in the Jay County area you should stop in this Sunday to watch the Ice Cream Social. Check out the JC Marching Patriots website for times.

we'll see about the rest of me..

wednesday @ band camp

 Kids made it through the day without totally crashing and burning. The staffers pulled off another pizza/olympics night without anybody getting injured and everything getting done. Overall a good wednesday as they go. I, on the other hand, feel like crashing and burning. I've got issues!

It could be because (as shown) I'm not the smartest fell'r :-) My head is large and think (not that the hat helps with that any)