For everyone going to Ireland next December there is an informational meeting on Friday, February 13th @ 5:30 PM in Loudis Recital Hall.  Mr. John Cox, owner of Atlantic Group Tours, will be on hand to answer questions and give an overview of our planned trip, plus more!

If you can attend–great!  If not, no worries.  Everything you need to know will be sent to you via email within the next couple of weeks.

Oh, and we’re at 467 participants right now….and we still have the incoming “rookie” class to add!

Dear UDMB Alumni,

Just a quick note to let you know that the online commitment form and 1st deposit of $300 is due by February 5, 2009.

Everything available for download, review, etc., on:

http://www.music.udel.edu/udband/ireland

HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE EMERALD ISLE!!!

Oh how proud we all are of the “baby band”!!!!!

As I sit in the kitchen of UDMB alum Lauren Heller I’ve had a bit of time to reflect upon the last few days.  I am overwhelmed by the number of texts, facebook postings, and emails I have received with regard to Inaugural Parade.  Not only by the volume, but by the content:  so many people so incredibly proud of the “baby band.”  But no one is as proud of them as I am.

I know many of you were following my twitter updates–they barely touched the surface of all that was going on.

• Rehearsing for no more than 9 hours over the span of 2 two days before departing.
• Most of those hours were outside in a parade block around UD stadium parking lots.
• The band simply taking a deep breath and enduring EVERYTHING with minor complaints–they seemed to know that “it was what it was!”
• Waking up in a high school gym to the sound of a scoreboard buzzer at 3 AM (yes, it’s true–and it was TOTALLY accidental!!  I was just throwing all the circuit breakers that were off into the “on” position….oops!)
• Being put through security measures in monstrous tents in a Pentagon parking lot and then standing in line outside with all their gear waiting for the buses to be released from a separate security screening area.
• Sitting on the buses for the next 3 hours just waiting for the entire Division 2 to be finished with security….and using the bus bathrooms instead of venturing outside to use a port-a-potty.
• Eating a UDMB breakfast of 2 bagels, cream cheese and OJ; a 2nd breakfast supplied by the Inaugural Committee of a blueberry muffin (HUGE ONES!) and more OJ; and a lunch supplied by the Inaugural Committee of a chocolate chip cookie, apple, water and yes, a turkey/cheese sandwich!  (we simply cannot escape turkey box lunches!!!)
• Driving around the Washington Monument and seeing thousands upon thousands of people all shoulder to shoulder/front to back waving flags and cheering–it was humbling and exhilarating all at the same time.
• Watching the Inauguration on 6 flat screen televisions inside giant warming tents on the groups of the Ellipse in front of the White House.
• Warming up in front of the White House before forming up on the street to begin moving toward the parade start point (we played for about 5 minutes, did a tape-delayed broadcast for FOX-National News, and then hit the street….warming up in 27 degree weather, who’s kidding who here?!)
• The 1.5 mile stop and go trek down Constitution Avenue to the parade start point:  an astonishing hush fell over all the groups as we marched to drum taps along the street with the National Mall on one side and the National Museum of American History, the IRS building (gulp), the Department of Justice, the National Museum of Natural History, and the National Archives on the other side.  Awe is the only word to describe the moment.
• Then the wait:  slightly over 2 hours in the freezing cold; sun slowly setting; hopes of finishing the parade BEFORE sunset–gone; and at that moment the wind picked up…and it picked up significantly!
• Finally we moved and made the turn to the merge point; Fire trucks from Clayton, DE and Elsmere, DE moved into place between us and the DE Volunteer Firemen.  One of the drivers of a fire truck had one hand on the wheel and another on his camera taking a photo of the UDMB as we waited for them to pass…and he was still moving forward!
• As we turned onto Pennsylvania Avenue and began the first real cadence of the day, I looked up the street in anticipation of seeing droves of people…only to realize that the temperatures had decimated the crowds.  Grandstands were empty and the only people along the parade route were the diehards.  But they were screaming and cheering and the band cranked it up for ANYONE who braved the elements.
• As we made the final left turn onto the street that passed before the Presidential Reviewing stand I turned to see what was a frozen and tired band (perhaps bordering on hypothermia for some) stand taller, dress ranks and files and lift instruments to perfect attention positions.  Eyes were focused ahead–albeit wider than saucers!  Concentration was as sharp as razor blade—they were waiting for that simple musical moment from the battery: a roll-off.

My friends, we’ve all be outside in cold temperatures before, we’ve all been at football games in November when we cringed at the intonation of the winds against the pit percussion, and for those of us at Grand Nats in 2002 we were frozen beyond belief outside in the parking lot of Lawrence North High School on the morning before the show killing time before lunch.  This was worse!  **BUT**—where the sound came from on January 20, 2009 I will never know.  The first strain of “Stars and Stripes” was exactly what Jim and I asked for: mezzo-forte and fluid.  The second strain kicked it up to double forte and the low brass NAILED those magical counter-melody lines at the end!

Yes, Vice President Biden was pointing to the new banner and smiling his million dollar smile; yes he tapped President Obama on the shoulder and was pointing to the band and talking about what I can only hope was the UDMB; and yes both Bidens were clapping along to “Stars and Stripes” when we cranked it up a 2nd time because the band was TOO LONG for just one time through the tune!!

There are so many memories racing through my head from the past 14 years: Boston in ‘95; the first Allentown show; “Teakbois;” the first UMASS trip and our indoctrination to sleeping on gym floors; “E.T.;” “Lost In Space,” “Evita” @ JMU; “kitty litter” on the back 1/3 of the old practice field; boxes, boxes, boxes and ramps; our 2nd trip to UMASS; BOA Grand Nats in Indianapolis; BOA Regionals in Bridgeport, CT; Frawley Stadium exhibitions; NCC Festivals; our first Newark Halloween Parade; fireworks @ Towson; Chattanooga 2003; Chattanooga 2007….and on and on and on.

The foundation YOU built over the decades was truly realized on the afternoon of January 20, 2009.  The astonishment at the commitment and dedication of every UDMB continues to grow and exceed expectations with every passing season and event.  I may very well be the luckiest person in the world to have shared in some many life-changing events in so many people’s lives.

Thank YOU for all YOU have done and continue to do for the UDMB!  On to the next adventure……

~~his

• All forms are entered.
• T-Shirts are sorted (great…no smalls or mediums….who messed that one up??)
• Alumni Band instruments needed will be organized this afternoon.
• Music is online.
• Name Tags—-gotta run out and get name tags!

I think that’s it!  Oh wait!!  Stories–gotta remember all the stories from the last 14 years!  And then I have to remember that there are even funnier stories from the 40 years BEFORE that!!!!

Alumni Band is a crazy, insane event.  Getting ready is stressful because it takes time away from the “baby band.”  And we’re learning 2nd show stuff already so that makes it even harder.  **BUT–there’s nothing like catching up with everyone on Saturday morning; nothing like walking down memory lane with old friends; nothing like taking just a little bit of time from the NOW and spending it with the THEN!  Because the THEN is the reason there is a NOW!

Can’t wait to see everyone tomorrow morning!

~his

Pulling away from the drill writing table can be difficult if not impossible for me.  But lately I’ve been of the mind that it is far too easy to make excuses and not get out in the world and do things.  And today’s UDMB Alumni event at the Blue Rocks game was a perfect example of just that:  getting away from “responsibility” and visiting with old friends!

There were a total of 26 of us (we missed you Gene Paulus–thanks for putting it all together.  And thank you Laura (Sirianni) Doughty for all your help in making it a success! ) and plenty of food, soda, and yes, beer.  The sun was blazing, the Blue Rocks were losing….not like I was even watching the game, but it’s the principle of the thing….and the stories of “when I was in the band” were being swapped back and forth.

It was great to catch up with people and their lives. And it was great to see representation from virtually all eras:  JR King, Streckfuss and Hamant bands were all accounted for, as well as little old me and my “children.”

There is no question in my mind that we have to make this an annual event.  If it’s on the calendar for an August game each year that folks will have something to look forward to and it will be easier to promote.

26 this year.  Let’s aim for 50+ next year!

…and alumni are welcome to join us and even play!

Room 207 was filled beyond capacity this evening and yes, I apologize for being so cryptic and down right evil with regard to my lack of forthcoming information–but I wanted as many people there as possible!

I have spent the last year trying to think of something new for the UDMB to do and finally the opportunity presented itself: a good old fashioned band trip. That means that each person will need to fund their own trip (about $2,000.00 on average but that includes airfare, hotels, most meals and more) but what the heck–let’s go to Ireland for New Year’s 2010!

The extra “kick” is to invite UDMB Alumni back for the trip as well, and not just to go, but to play in the band again!

There is still an enormous amount of work to do and in order to keep everyone up to date I’ve started a website: Ireland 2009

Oh, and one more thing: we’re going with another university marching band and their alumni, parents and families….UMASS!

Dear Alums,

I realize this is very short notice but if you’re in the area tomorrow (Thursday, March 27th) evening, please stop by AED Room 207 at 5:45 PM for an announcement about our future.  The meeting will be very brief–approximately 20 minutes in length.

If you cannot be there (as I’m sure most of you cannot) I promise to post here as well as via eGroups later that evening.

Over the years we have taken trip after trip with the UDMB. You all remember trips to Boston, Villanova, JMU, UMASS, BOA, and Chattanooga the first time. Everyone has tons and tons of memories from them–those trips are what makes being part of the UDMB something you can never truly explain to people. Well this past weekend on our 2nd visit to the town of the Choo-Choo was perhaps the most positive, most fulfilling and proudest moment of my career!

After approval by President Harker I had 5 days of preparation time with the help of the gang in Athletics to organize charter flights, a hotel, buses to and from both airports, meal money, 2 equipment trucks, and of course, help with any students who had to juggle final exams! (Oh yes, and I have been sick since Banquet on the 18th so it was even more fun!!)

For those of you who remember the trip in 2003—this one was the complete opposite!!!! (including the outcome of the game unfortunately.)

• 4:30 AM—entire band (the ENTIRE BAND!!) was sitting in Loudis.
• 4:45 AM —all meal money issued
• 6:00 AM—buses loaded for NCC Airport
• 8:00 AM—flights delayed due to fog….this was the ONLY snag!
• 11:00 AM—first flight departs
• 12:00 PM—2nd flight departs
• 3:00 PM—all band members checked into hotel and looking for food
• 3:30 PM—tubas go to early portion of pep rally
• 5:45 PM—full band marches down sidewalk with police escort to pep rally
• 6:15 PM—UD Pep Rally in stadium Pavilion surrounded by over 10,000 people!!! (this was simply outrageous!!!)
  
• 12:30 AM—game over; band at hotel (and no problems AT ALL!!!)

NEXT DAY…..so to speak…

• 6:00 AM—first buses depart for airport
• 11:00 AM—2nd set of buses depart for airport/first flight enroute for home
• 2:00 PM—2nd flight enroute for home (both flights on perfect schedule)
• 4:30 PM—all students and staff home for the holidays!

A flawless trip!! Oh and the best part: compliment after compliment from the bus company, airport people, the hotel manager gave ME a thank you note!!!, random folks in Chattanooga and UD administration regarding the behavior of the band and how it exuded class and dignity from start to finish.

My dear friends, you laid the groundwork and you can stand tall and know that the 2007 UDMB made you proud from start to finish this year!

Now that is what I call the perfect holiday gift!!

~~sarv

Hey all!

First let me say how excited I am to be working with you all in the Alumni Band group. The Alumni Band is an official satellite group of the UD Alumni Association. The UDAA is a group dedicated to building and maintaining a strong relationship between the school and the alumni. UDAA does many wonderful things, and amongst them is the funding for satellite groups (such as ours) to foster alumni relationships. This means that we can request funding for our group from the Alumni Association.

As Sarv mentioned in her previous posts, we have a lot of ideas for the Band Alumni, and I want to hear yours as well. I’d like to see many more social events, group outings, and all around merrymaking not just during football season, but year round as well. Maybe we could even get together and do some good things for “the baby band.” So send me your ideas (Epaulus@udel.edu)! (Just put “UDMB” in the title so I don’t delete them)

Also, if you’d like to help plan events/sort out ideas/assist with the newsletter/generally contribute time/anything in general, let me know by sending me an e-mail (see above). The more people willing to help, the more things we can do

We also want to get updated contact information from you all so that we can send out Homecoming stuff, as well as invitations to social events, and even the new e-newsletter that we’re working on putting together for you all, so keep an eye out for instructions on how to update your info.

-Gene Paulus

It was time…time for a new look and a new way to communicate with all the alumni of the UDMB. It was also time for flexibility! By creating a website/blog for the UDMBAA the Board can get involved in posting and updating, and take more control of the direction of our group.

Over time this site will grow. Gene Paulus, our new UDAA Representative has some incredible ideas and a wonderful view of purpose and goals for us! I am incredibly excited about having him at the helm of the UDMBAA.

One of our biggest endeavors is to create a current and updated directory. Discussions on the most efficient way of doing this are currently ongoing and hopefully you will see something on this site about it in the near future. In the meantime, join our eGroups that is hosted on Yahoo. It is a great way to share stories, life events, and just stay in touch with old friends. (The link is on the right column.)

Much to do and, as usual, not enough time to get it all done. Once again it was great to see so many of you at Homecoming on the 13th!

–his