BASS DRUM JOURNAL

July 2002 Illegitimum Non Carborundum Vol. 83 No. 1

Alisha, John, Jenn and Nate with HUB percussionists

Ten minutes into the conversation, I to the band room at any time of day 74 MT. AWESOME! was deaf- and find someone to go have ice For the last few months, I’ve ened by the cream, watch a movie, or help me spent my time thinking about what I sound of a count 1650 brochures. could say about The Band. As I sit marching This past year, I’ve had many down to write this piece, I return again band march- great opportunities with the Band. The and again to all that has been said, and ing through end of our undefeated football season what that means. It’s impossible to my dorm. marked the beginning of our new answer, but I ask, what is the Band? We laughed senior staff – myself, along with First, we are a marching band: at the Courtney, Chris, Natalie, and Erin. the product of over 80 years of seeming Drawing on the excitement of that development; school spirit; an asset to ridiculous- season, we managed to gather a huge the athletic department, and to the ness until the student staff. The staff is so dedicated University; a completely student run band had and enthusiastic – it’s been such a group; two entirely dedicated faculty passed pleasure to work with each one. Our members; a product of our dedicated, through. Within a few hours, there winter season saw many new arrange- caring, and enthusiastic alumni; an would be a knock on my door. Two ments, by entirely new arrangers esoteric humor group, priding itself on Bandies were standing there, asking within the HUB, and Chris ran efficient years of tradition; a corporation; me to audition. rehearsals for these new songs. We support of football, hockey, basket- Three years later, I’m still here, played at the women’s basketball ball, and parades. Still, while I take and I’ve found a group of people who NCAA tournament down in North great pride in all that we do, there is rival my crowd from home. The Band Carolina. The men’s hockey NCAA something more to the Harvard has become my family in Cambridge. playoffs created a small emergency – University Band, the something that For the fall semester, I always know it was spring break, and there was has endeared the group to me, and to what my Saturday plans will be, and I little hope of assembling a band. so many others. The HUB is a home. always know that despite the rain, Organized in part by Kris Gauksheim When I came to Harvard, I had early hour, and long field rehearsal, I’ll ‘01 and Brad Barnhorst ’00, we no idea what I would do. Coming laugh like crazy. I know that week- managed to create a group of alumni from an extremely tight group of ends during the winter will always and current bandies to send to the friends, I only knew that my heart was have a great hockey or basketball back in New York, and I wasn’t sure game. I know Commencement can be how I would find another group so one of the most emotional, but also dear to my heart. During freshman most rewarding and beautiful days of week, I called a friend from home. the entire year. And I know I can go SEE AWESOME, PAGE 8 THE CONDUCTOR’S CORNER 2001, I returned to 74 Dear Bandies, Mt. Auburn St. to join a Can you believe it? An unde- Senior Staff feated football season…and the team that had won too! It was exciting to be part of admirably a “perfect” season and to see life taken on extra come back to Soldiers Field. Please duties during permit me to share some special the spring and personal highlights. This season summer, as marked a special occasion for me, my my absence thirtieth with the Harvard Band (and I had been still don’t have a Harvard degree!!). unexpected. Two events took place that were I’m delighted complete surprises. At the all-impor- to announce tant, home Penn Game, Stud Con that as of Jenn Doxtader handed me the baton September 1, during the pregame show as the Band 2002, was completing its entrance to “Our Harvard Director.” Traditionally, the Band University “bangs” to an “H,” the Stud Con hired the first conducts a Harvard Song, and I full-time conduct the “Banner.” I asked Jenn, Assistant “Why aren’t you conducting?” She Director of smiled and said, “I think you Bands at should…just get up on the ladder.” As Harvard, in Tom sings in the rain at Commencement 2002 I looked at the Band, I saw one of the the person of strangest looking H’s it has ever Nat Dickey. formed! (and you know how extreme Although not a “Harvard Man” as 1. Recruitment – evaluation and that can be!). The cross bar was too such, Nat did spend six years at 9 extension of contact with prospective, high and the right side of the H looked Prescott St., taking private trombone new, and returning students. like it was meditating! lessons with me from 6th grade John Morris, Drill Master and through high school. A Lexington 2. Retention – research on the announcer, boomed throughout the resident at the time, Nat remembers 9 reasons for attrition and strategies for stadium “Mentoring Harvard students Prescott as a dark basement, always better retention. for 30 years…Tom, this one’s for full of student activity. Now with an 3. Performance quality – you.” I climbed the ladder (you know office upstairs in the “cozy” Crow’s continued focus in rehearsal on it gets taller and takes longer every Nest at 74 Mt. Auburn, Nat has developing sound, sonority, execution, year) and finally saw the formation… settled in to the Assistant Director and projection. “TOM.” It was a wonderful moment position and has been an invaluable that I greatly appreciated. colleague: sharing Band responsibili- 4. Perception/reputation – The following week at “The ties, leading the Sunday Jazz Band, evaluation of the Band’s role in the Game,” the Harvard and yale Bands co-conducting the Wind Ensemble, Harvard community, expectations of combined during pregame to form a and helping with the ever-increasing various constituencies (including Band red, white, and blue American flag administrative duties. He also oversees members themselves), and while performing “God Bless America” most of the new percussion equipment development/revision of public in a symbol of national unity following the University has recently purchased. relations strategies. the events of 9/11. Tom Duffy (who Please give Nat a warm welcome th this year celebrates his 20 as yale when you meet him. 5. Group spirit – evaluation of Band Director) then stepped down As anticipated, Harvard is internal pride and camaraderie and the from the ladder and motioned me over changing rapidly in the new millennium: Band’s ability to affect campus-wide to the 50-yard line. Once again, the a new University President; a new spirit. announcer, this time a yalie, echoed Dean of the Faculty; a new Athletic “for 30 years of collegial rivalry, the Director; a new Director of the Office yale Band would like to acknowledge for the Arts; a new Assistant Director Thank you for your communica- Professor Tom Everett…and invite of Bands; and much discussion about tions this past year. It’s an exciting him to conduct the combined bands in a new campus being developed. With time for the Band as we are taking our National Anthem.” I was quite an eye (and ear) to the past as well as time for consideration of our future. moved, not only because of the rare the future, members, Band staff, and moment, but to yale students’ credit, the Band Foundation have met several INC, they were respectful and cooperated times in “Strategic Meetings.” The Tom Everett with our band. following list indicates the priorities Following a leave of absence and concerns of the “Strategic Com- between mid-April and September mittee:” Spotlight on Marlowe Sigal has lived In addition to the Band’s trans- an impressive life by anyone’s formation into its present state, Marlowe Sigal, ‘52 standards. Graduating with a Marlowe has also witnessed the Fifty Years in the HUB B.A. in chemistry in 1952, establishment and growing importance Marlowe went on to earn a of the Band Foundation. Begun two degree from the Harvard decades ago as a small group with a Business School before modest endowment, the Foundation entering the field of industrial has grown by leaps and bounds. chemistry, where he is still While not a source of funding for active as President of Solutek regular operations, the Foundation has Corporation in Boston. designed itself as a “safety net” to fund However, what separates instrument purchases, tours, or other Marlowe from the crowd is big projects that the band could not his unmatched longevity as a conceivably fund independently member of the Harvard Band. through its annual budget. Marlowe Since entering the Band as a himself has been a member of the freshman in 1948, he has band foundation for over ten years, maintained an unbroken and is proud to have seen its member- streak of marching in at least ship and endowment swell over the one football game each and last few years. Hopefully the Founda- every year. I had the pleasure tion will be able to assist the Band in of speaking with Marlowe on new and exciting ways, allowing the April 17 to get his unique Band to expand into new venues. perspective on a half century Marlowe spoke fondly of his first of HUB. band director, Malcolm Holmes, a When Marlowe first self-described “200% Harvard man.” donned a Harvard band A fondly remembered teacher and jacket, the organization bore conductor, Mal was beloved by Harvard Band Staff little resemblance to its current state. students both before and after his 2001-2002 All male and twice the current size, tragic death in 1954. Though several even the uniforms were different. At other conductors directed the band Courtenay Kessler ’03 Manager the time, white trousers, lighter crim- during the next 20 years or so, none Courtney Roberts ’03 Drill Master son jackets, and red ties were the managed to quite embody the spirit of Chris Lamie ’04 Student apparel of choice. During those years, Mal that Marlowe remembered. And Conductor George Vana IV ’03-04 Drum Major football games were a grand social then there was Tom Everett. “At first Erin Morgan ’03 Schneider affair, as band members secured dates I think he tried a bit too hard to from Radcliffe or Wellesley to join pattern himself after Mal, who was by Julian Goodman ’03 Percussion them in the stands. The student body then a Harvard icon…It took him a David Krych ’03 Clarinets regularly filled the stadium each while to realize that he was the new Laura Manion ’05 Saxophones Jack Miller ’04 Trumpets Saturday, well dressed for the occa- Mal Holmes…Within five years, it Meg Winikates ‘04 Flutes sion, and imbibing alcohol in modera- really was Tom’s band, as it has been tion. Though the band scrambled ever since,” Marlowe declared. Keith Berkoben ’04 Engineer between formations then as now, Over the years, however, the Anjali Bose-Kolanu ’03 Alumni marching to and from the field was important things never change. Relations Matthew DeWitz ’05 Music Manager much more uniform, due in part to the Harvard undergraduates continue to James Dollinger- Weisse influence of returning war veterans be extremely bright, fine people that McElligott ’05 bringing military marching experience are a pleasure to talk with each year. David Forrest ’03 External to Harvard. For Marlowe, the opportunity to Diana Fridberg ’05 Special Projects From his undergrad years, continue playing is treasured, and one Walter Gardner ’05 Special Projects Andrew Goulet ’04 Weisse Marlowe has many fond memories of intimately tied to the Harvard sporting Talya Havice ’05 Mailing band trips to Columbia, Princeton, experience. “I don’t think I’ve ever Jennifer Imamura ’04 WE Manager Cornell and yale. Midnight concerts been to a football game in my life Matthew Katcher ‘05 WE Manager for sleeping students at Princeton and when I didn’t have that tenor sax in Alan Lenarcic ’03 Arrangements yale, playing on the steps of the my hand,” he said. But most impor- Coordinator Andrew Miller ’04 Music Manager statehouse in Albany on the way to tantly, the Band past and present David Nirenberg ’04 Treasurer Cornell, and bonding with upperclass- remains a social organization. John Rodriguez ’03 Tours Manager men are just a few of the memories Marlowe emphasized that “the Band Clark Rosensweig ’05 ADM formed during those early years. then had great spirit; the Band today Sam Sanker ’05 Tours Manager Certainly, the football wasn’t very has great spirit. The Band was Elizabeth Schemm ‘04 Instruments Laura Settlemyer ‘05 External memorable. As Marlowe put it, characterized by great friendships, and Kristin Waller ‘05 Webmaster “Over the years Harvard has always still is today. Great camaraderie then; Jeffrey Winer ‘04 Prop Crew been awful. I remember once against great camaraderie today. Those are Manager yale, a defender picked up our constants throughout 50 years of the quarterback and ran him and the ball Band.” Erin Morgan ‘03 BDJ Editor back five yards!” SEE MARLOWE, PAGE 9 THE HARVARD BAND, 2001: time. Their arrival transformed the inside view on this first game in my IMPRESSIONS OF A NEW Band Room from its sleepy summer new position: a spot in the rank and state to a bustling hive of activity – file playing trombone. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR staff members feverishly organizing Saturdays in the fall are, for the So there I was, flat on my back music, instruments, and uniforms; Band, entirely devoted to support of in the mud, staring up at the Septem- others sharing summer adventure athletics. All rise early (or brave the ber sky, asking myself: “what is this stories while putting the finishing wrath of their colleagues!) to march Harvard Band about anyway?” through Harvard Square How, you may ask, does a performing Harvard songs en new staff member, an Officer of route to the practice field the University for goodness’ behind Dillon Field House. sake, end up in such a position? There, the Drill Master Well, it pertains to the unique ascends to the “crow’s nest” organization that is the Harvard position from which s/he University Band. verbally wrestles, taunts, Ask each of the Band’s cajols, and teases the Band Senior (student) Staff what the into its formations for the Band is all about and you will day’s performance. (Keep in hear some variation among mind that in order to allow responses…but one message members time for their comes through loud and studies, the Band rehearses clear: “We are here to serve Nat conducts during the installation of only twice per week, learn- the University with music, President Summers ing an entirely new show for spirit, and entertainment.” each game. Friday And serve they do. The Band is one touches on the new Band handbook; afternoon’s music rehearsal is but a of the most active organizations on still others trading jokes as they prelude to the Saturday morning campus, in terms of commitment of prepared for the Freshman Activities excitement when the music is en- time and energy, performing at most Fair. hanced by the humor and wit created (this year, all) football games, both The events of September 11 earlier in the week by the Drill Master, home and away, as well as hockey sobered us all and proved a difficult in consultation with a team of Band and basketball games; supporting time as the Band struggled to come to wags.) University and alumni functions (such terms with the implications. For me, a as the recent President’s Installation glimmer of hope was that the Band SEE IMPRESSIONS, PAGE 8 and every Commencement) with drew together to console each other – ceremonial music; participating in this group is not just a musical group, it Contact the Band! parades and other events throughout is a close-knit family. Not knowing ADDRESS: the greater Boston area; not to whether the first game of the season mention performing on campus for against Holy Cross would occur, Staff 74 Mt. Auburn St. student enjoyment. But what about and Directors alike thought hard about Cambridge MA 02138 the “inside scoop”? What motivates what contribution the Band could these energetic, passionate, commit- make to the recovery and healing PHONE: 617-496-BAND (2263) ted musician/entertainers? How do process. Members created new the zany half-time shows come into arrangements of patriotic songs; staff FAX: 617-496-DRUM (3786) being, and what is life like inside the decided to forego the usual half-time Harvard Band? show style in favor of a unifying EMAIL: [email protected] My first impressions this fall of concert in cooperation with the Holy the Harvard Band occurred during Cross Band; and all of us asked WEBSITES Frosh Week, when a dedicated troop ourselves and each other what we of veteran “Bandies” returned to could do within our sphere to help and Band: http://www.harvardband.org campus Labor Day weekend to make a difference. In the end, appro- prepare to welcome the new students. priately, the game was canceled, and Alumni They arrived in an array of conditions the plans went unrealized, but it was (To update your mailng information): by every means of transportation the process that impressed me – http://www.hubalums.org imaginable – some bright-eyed and looking for ways to make a difference. alert in broad daylight by car, others A week’s distance from the Wind Ensemble: wearily by T from the airport in the events saw a new optimism and http://hcs.harvard.edu/~hwe late afternoon, and a few blowing in energy within the Band, and prepara- late at night, wild-eyed, by some tions for the Brown game were more Jazz Bands: unknown means of transportation festive, thought still a bit subdued. It http://digitas.harvard.edu/~jazzband possibly out of a Harry Potter novel. was decided to proceed with a What unified them all was a palpable traditionally (for the Harvard Band) Flute Ensemble: eagerness, an enthusiasm for the fall humorous show for Brown, in hopes http://hcs.harvard.edu/~flutes season, and an affinity for the Band’s of giving the audience a break, an Percussion Ensemble: arcane mission…which was still escape from the tensions of world somewhat of a mystery to me at the news. I was asked and accepted an http://hcs.harvard.edu/hpe SAYING THE MAGIC WORDS sides. In an attempt to please the traveled to Ithaca, New York. There fans as much as we did, the Crimson we suggested some new recruiting The first day of my first official year in the Harvard University Band pulled off a second half victory. techniques to drum up excitement on began just as the first day of my final Cornell’s rather predictable campus. With a little help from two jauntily official year. Nervously, I waited for Lafayette dressed freshmen, one cow, and a the magic words that would launch the Crimson 38 – Lafayette 14 very persistent shark, applying to six-minute entertainment whirlwind I We followed up our tribute to was about to embark on the for the first Cornell would never be the same Bertha with a tribute to summer again. of what would seem like countless blockbuster films. Showing a little times—“Ladies and Gentlemen, the Hollywood insight, the band re- Harvard University “insert wildly funny vealed what three sequels might Princeton tag—line here” Band! As a freshman, I grace the silver screen come next Crimson 28 - Princeton 26 awaited the words just behind the home year, including my personal favorite: Princeton students have been at a loss end zone in Soldier’s Field swathed in Sly Stallone’s new star vehicle aimed for entertainment ever since their nude my crisp new jacket, brandishing a at the older crowd Rocky VII: Olympics were shut down. This trumpet, and absolutely sure that I was Depends on the Opponent. In week, we told the tale of Princeton going to mess something up. what would become a pleasant students who tried their luck, not to Four years later I found myself trend, the football team followed up mention their meager intellect, on in the same jacket, albeit slightly worn, with their own sequel to their win game shows to fill the void created by waiting for those magic words and still from the week before. the loss of their “au-natural” games. absolutely sure that I was going to mess something up. Things were just a little different though, I was behind a micro- Northeastern Dartmouth phone about sixty feet up and to the Crimson 35 – Northeastern 20 Crimson 31 – Dartmouth 21 right of where I stood that first Saturday Harvard played Northeastern for the When Dartmouth rolled into Cam- in September 1999, responsible for first time in eight years this week; the bridge we had prepared a very special starting everything off and making sure Band decided to try something new surprise 232nd birthday party for them. everything went right. I flipped on the as well. Using the entire field as a We celebrated Eleazor “Fluffy” public address system, and to my game board, we paid tribute to three Wheelock’s choice to found surprise it was my voice that set the video games that are legendary for Dartmouth in a pastoral land perfect Band’s first field show of the year into helping to waste time. Former vice- for students and their wooly friends, motion. president Al Gore was heard to and the great leaps that have been As Drill Master, for nine wild remark of our agile renditions of made in Hanover student housing over consecutive weeks it was my job to try Pong, Tetris, and Snood (coinciden- the years, from overcrowded shacks to tap the unique creative abilities of tally invented by band alum Dave to overcrowded trailer homes. We some 70 bandies, sculpt together some topped off the unforgettable birthday 70 different ideas, and choreograph our celebration with a cake for the Big collective vision to please thousands of Green and a special appearance by people of all different ages. In a year Natalie Ignacio ‘03. that saw so much tragedy the mission to produce shows that both entertained our varied audience while retaining the Columbia tremendous spirit that makes every Crimson 45 – Columbia 33 HUB show unique was more difficult After the Crimson came back from a than ever. With great creativity and 21 point first half deficit against hard work though, I believe the band Dartmouth to remain unbeaten, the fulfilled the challenge; it is now my band followed our Gridiron Kings to honor to recap our season of halftime Columbia where we revealed the hilarity. relationship between Columbia’s Football team and the famous psychic Holy Cross -- Cancelled Miss Cleo. We found that Columbia students’ futures look as bright and shiny as their future employer’s Brown Golden Arches. The Crimson pre- Crimson 27 – Brown 20 vailed on the field and we “officially” Our first show of the year honored our Dobson ’89), “in a word—stun- welcomed our freshman to the band in omnipresent “Bulbous Behemoth of ning.” the stands. On the bus ride home we Bass,” Bertha the Drum. With the help began preparing for the following of the arranging prowess of our Student Cornell week’s battle of the unbeaten Ivy Conductor, the band weaved our Crimson 26 – Cornell 6 League squads. “Subsonic Sister’s” musical After playing for new President bildungsroman from her mischief at Larry Summer’s Installation (we’ll Woodstock to her present position as Pennsylvania get back to him later) the band Crimson 28 – Pennsylvania 21 HUB drum matriarch and even revealed hopped on a couple busses and the origin of the huge H’s that adorn her SEE MAGIC WORDS, PAGE 8 FULL UNIFORM John’s column should have everything on the About twenty minutes after shows (although I feel the getting a bottle of champagne dumped need to mention here that on my head, I had a distinct “now Larry Summers dropped what?” feeling. I stood on the path his pants in front of outside of Soldiers’ Field with a 10,000 people during the hundred bandies formed up behind Penn show). We re- me, and I had absolutely no idea what cruited a great crop of to do. For thirty seconds, I just stared freshmen, and they took at the band and waited to for some- to the band and em- thing to happen. They just stared braced it more than any back waiting for me. Fortunately, the other class I have seen cold snapped me back to clarity, and I (no offense meant to ’03 whistled the band off to O.D. We and ’04). As the season played our way back to the Yard, and progressed, they went I made it through my first day without from new kids to a real causing any disasters. part of the band, in every After yale, I started to get a sense. It might just be handle on being a senior staffie, the perspective from leading a trip to Québec, cheering on senior staff, but the first the hockey and basketball teams, and years seemed to grow crusading against white socks at full into the Band at the same uniform gigs. I even got to meet time as they grew into Jackie Chan. And of course there Harvard. of them on senior staff (good luck, were a few parades where I actually This season was one of Chris). Though some of them were got to be lead for a little while. And as triumphs; the football team had its first still a little unclear on what full uniform I got comfortable with being Drum undefeated season since 1916, and meant, by the end of the season they Major, I got to know the band, and as the band continued its 82-year streak. were becoming the heart of the band, a part of the organization, I was able We made Nat Dickey play red rover ready to take over in the coming to see the other bandies become, in and submit to Freshman Cuts. The season. turn, more comfortable and at ease sophomores entered their second year And fall meant road trips. We with the Harvard University Band. as enthusiastically as their first, and traveled to Cornell, Columbia (what?), After commencement came new ones joined the staff after turn- SEE FULL UNIFORM, PAGE 9 fall, freshmen, and football games. over in November. We even put one Quartet, and one of the most identifiable pianists in the history of jazz. Imagine: he SUMMER BAND IS HOT STUFF served as accompanist for Dizzy Gillespie, 2002 Football Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Billie The Harvard Summer Pops Band, Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Illinois Jacquet, open to all instrumentalists in the area, Schedule and wrote such standards as “Django.” will begin rehearsals on Wednesday, Ben Waltzer ’93, who is now performing June 26, 2002 at 7:15 PM in Lowell Hall, at Sept. 21 Holy Cross piano in NYC and writing for the NY the corner of Kirkland and Oxford Sept. 28 @Brown Times, was our guest pianist. Streets. A Hatch Shell concert is Oct. 12 Cornell scheduled for 7:00 PM on Saturday, Culminating in a gala concert on August 3, and a Harvard Yard concert Oct. 19 Northeastern Saturday, April 6, the first week in April the afternoon of Wednesday, July 31. Oct. 26 @Princeton 2002 was a celebration of the 30th This year’s theme is “The Olympics,” the Nov. 2 @Dartmouth Anniversary of the Harvard Jazz Bands. conductors will be Tom Everett and Nat Nov. 9 Columbia Jazz alums Don Braden ’85, Anton Dickey, and as always, a few surprises Nov. 16 @Pennsylvania Schwartz ’89, and Sara Lazarus ’84 were are in store! Come on out and join us! invited back as guest artists to serve on a For more information, please call the Nov. 23 yale panel discussion, conduct master classes, Harvard University Band at 617-496-2263. and perform as soloists with the Bands. Recapping some of the highlights and OFA commissions over the last 30 years, HARVARD JAZZ BANDS our brass section for a decade and advising repertoire for the concert included Buck The Harvard Jazz Bands, and jazz in Drill Masters and Stud Cons when Clayton’s “Harvard Swingster,” Benny general at Harvard, had quite a healthy and requested, continues to freelance in the Carter’s “Myra” (arranged by Band active year. The Sunday Band, last year led Boston area but is teaching full-time in the alumnus Allen Feinstein ’86), Wayne by trumpet coach Lee Beatty and Manager Burlington Public Schools. We will miss Shorter’s “Black Nile,” Carla Bley’s “Ups Danny Rhodes ’01, is now under the those subtle octaves with which he topped and Downs,” and Charles Mingus’ “Sue’s direction of Assistant Director of Bands off many a trumpet cheer and Harvard Changes.” Basie’s “Every Tub” served as Nat Dickey. The Sunday Band played the song, as well as his devotion to the Band the jam tune to wind up the program. Dr. Adams Formal in December and two off on and off the field. We thank Lee Beatty Jeff Wu ’82 served as chairman of the jazz campus performances at Wellesley and for the contributions he has made to the alum groups, who had two terrific jam Lexington High Schools, in addition to Band tradition. sessions before and after the concert. joining the Monday Band for both major on-campus jazz concerts this year. The December jazz concert served as a Please join us on December 14, 2002, tribute to the late John Lewis, founder, when the Jazz Bands will perform with Lee Beatty, who has been warming up leader, and composer for the Modern Jazz guest pianist/composer Joanne Brackeen. PROUD OF A 9-0 SEASON? I think the band is WE’VE BEEN DOING IT undergoing a major revolu- FOR 83 YEARS. tion in our musical pro- gram—a ground-up effort to I sometimes find myself bring our sound to another examining the unique history of the level. With a significant Harvard Band and trying to get a donation from the Band grasp on what it means to be such an Foundation we were able to old organization and campus pres- purchase state of the art ence. I know it’s difficult to have a software for music arrang- long institutional memory when ing. Between this new membership is renewed every year software and a promise to and (most) members are only there for try out at least one new four. But even without that kind of arrangement for each fall turnover it takes quite a bit of imagina- rehearsal, we have suddenly tion to reconcile the pictures of the rejuvenated the band’s love band, formed from the remnants of a of arranging. Many band banjo club in 1919, to the gallivanting members—from freshmen group we have today. So, I like to put to crusties—have learned the band’s history into a more general how to use the new soft- musical context to get a grasp of what ware, and many of use are delving into musical growth and maturation takes the band has gone through. music theory for the first time in an place in rehearsals, this means we are In the wake of the First World effort to make the most of each getting people to rehearsals and War, the Harvard Band was around to arrangement. We’ve created, in this playing on their horns more than if we witness the birth of jazz—a genre to one season alone, 32 new arrange- had not been expanding our music which two very strong and active ments and even more cheers for collection. By grabbing the interest Harvard musical groups are dedi- individual sections. I think this is an and curiosity of the musically inclined, cated. Soon after the rise of jazz, the astonishing accomplishment, especially we can expand our program and grow pop tunes of Leroy Anderson were all for a group that for years had put the not only in numbers, but also in the style and one of our directors art of arranging aside in favor of less musical ability. Even when I think topped the charts. The band managed challenging pursuits. I think this is the about how much has changed over the to survive even with smaller numbers key to making a swift return to our past 8 decades, I know that there is during the years of the Second World vastly superior musicality of years much more improvement and progress War. Rock ‘n’ roll hit the scene and past. I will never say another Ivy to come for this band. everyone was mortified by the kids’ band holds a candle to our sound on Finally, I need to say a few music. The band even survived the the field, not even at our worst games, thanks. First, I would like to thank the years of disco, if you can believe that, but there were times in the past when Foundation for their unending support without too much permanent damage. there was an even bigger difference. I of the band—they have done a lot to The eighties? Still going strong. We want to see the band blow the others encourage the undergrads to think even integrated the music of the away each and every time we go out outside of their short time in the band. nineties into our repertoire. But today on the field or meet in a hockey rink. Thank you to each of our alumni who we find ourselves in a time of medio- How can we take a new piece have contributed to the success of the cre pop music and mediocre rival of software, a few new arrangements, band, through your financial and moral college bands, desperately seeking and a bit of enthusiasm and rejuvenate support over the years. Thanks to my new musical direction. the sound of the Harvard Band? We parents for still being impressed with can grab the attention of more of my music—it means a lot to me. I the musically talented by show- would like to thank Tom for his casing the fact that we are the undying love of this organization—it only group on campus were you means a lot to each of us in the band, can arrange a song and have it and your support has meant a lot to performed in front of as many as me personally. Thanks, Tom, for 50,000 spectators at a time. these 30 years! And, to my senior Not only that, but there’s no limit staff, Alisha, Nate, John, and Matt— to how many times you can do it, you have been great friends and it was if you’ve got the energy and a lot of fun. Good luck, Chris—I enthusiasm. Also, when we play think you have a lot to give the group new music, we get a chance to this year and it should be fun. I am experiment with different instru- glad to be leaving the band in the mentations, try different types of hands of some very capable and music, and expand our musical wonderful people. Best of luck to the horizons. I like to think people new staff! are more interested in going to rehearsals and sectionals when INC, there is new music week after Jenn Doxtader week. And since most of our Student Conductor, 2000-2001 MAGIC W ORDS, FROM PAGE 5 AWESOME, FROM PAGE 1 season will be my last, has been difficult. We saved our best show for our last home Worcester playoffs. Watching all the Still, I am excited to be working with such a game of the year. Knowing the crowd alumni assemble that morning, I relearned wonderful group of people – Courtney, would be huge to see if Harvard could everything I love about the Band. Chris, Bud, and Erin are some of the most keep its unbeaten streak going, we pulled We played at both the men’s and fabulous people I have the pleasure of out all the stops and had 9 notable women’s Ivy Swim Meets, gigged the knowing – and I can’t wait to see what we Harvard Professors on the field to poke Princeton Lacrosse game, and marched in a make of the rest of our time on staff. fun at Harvard’s foibles. We investigated celebration for Cambridge Little League. what happens to all those first-year pre Courtney prepared a strong show for a gig INC, meds who change their minds and then for the YPO (Young Professionals Organi- Courtenay Kessler welcomed Government Professor Harvey zation.) We took a needed vacation as Manager, 2001-2002 C. Mansfield and Professor of Chemistry Natalie planned our ski trip to Montreal. Of Jim Davis to demonstrate a technique to course, we Christmas caroled, marched in IMPRESSIONS, FROM PAGE 4 stop teaching fellows from inflating the Duckling Day Parade, and led the MS The Saturday morning practice can grades. The coup de grace was the final Walk this past April. And Erin began be grueling, especially when, as on that joke in which, after literally much fanfare planning a project to preserve and promote Brown Saturday in September, the recent provided by our trumpet section, President the history of the Band within the current rain had made a swamp of the field. Lawrence Summers played a game of Red group. Resourceful as always, the Band turned a Rover with our other guests. Although One of my greatest joys as manager potentially dreary morning into a fun-filled unplanned, President Summers showed has been watching the Band develop as a romp in the mud. Altering formations to that his support for the Crimson is so unique family throughout the year. Hearing form words never intended by the unsus- strong that it even affects his choice of alumni speak of the Band as a family has pecting Drill Master, interrupting rehearsal undergarment colors, which the Washing- reminded me how important the group is, for quick forays onto the intramural field to ton Post and Boston Globe found particu- not because of all that it does, but because egg on their Housemates, and stopping to larly interesting. of the people it allows you to meet. I’ve eat a welcome breakfast provided by done so many things with the Band, and University Hall are but a few of the ways yale I’ve had so much support through my time Band members keep each other’s spirits up Crimson 35 – yale 23 here. It can be a hard place to be, yes, but it while working hard. My true initiation into Band membership came when I was drafted into the traditional game of “Red Rover,” whereby I was summarily dumped on my back in the mud. It was all in fun – and I thoroughly enjoyed my initiation! Through marching on that Brown Saturday, taking the Director’s role (conducting the National Anthem) the following week versus Lafayette, and watching from the stands during the Northeastern game, I was able to see the Band’s football performances from many angles. Being in the Band Room regularly during the intervening days between shows, I also took part in conversations, discussions, and debates about the Band’s role, historically and The Band performs at the Duckling Day Parade today. About the Harvard Band, I have heard high praise, mild compliments, unfair With hopes for their first undefeated can be a safe space, somewhere you can complaints, and constructive criticisms season since 1913 on the line, the Crimson always trust. from within the Band, other members of the traveled to the frightening confines of New Wherever the Band goes from here, it Harvard community, and the greater Haven. The Band followed; after a concert will always be a home. Realizing how new community at large. As a “freshman” at the Harvard Club of New York the night so many of our “traditions” are has Assistant Director, I must say I am first and before the Game, we looked to mythology reminded me that there are reasons for why foremost impressed with the commitment for halftime inspiration. After some we must switch things. The problems this and caring of the Staff and the membership pairwise comparisons to put yale in their band faces are different than those that of the Band with regard to its purpose, place, we presented them with a Trojan have faced the Band from so many decades traditions, and future. There are certainly Bulldog complete with a new mascot that past. We are seeing a need to reorganize areas in which the Band can improve, as fit the “chicken-little” spirit of their football how we run staff, how we run gigs, and well as areas in which it is a model for the team perfectly. The second half saw the which gigs we play. Our relationships with Ivy League, and I am confident that the Crimson rise to the occasion and remain the other bands have evolved, as have our Harvard University Band will meet the undefeated, as well as the end of my reign ties to the Athletic Department, the challenges it faces in the coming years. as Drill Master. After soaking my succes- University, and other university groups. sor in champagne, I returned to the For example, this fall, we will be leading a INC, trumpet section that spawned me. teach-in with the Crimson Key for the Nat Dickey Amazingly, my fears of messing freshman to learn fight songs. With the Assistant Director of Bands things up were mostly unfounded, and the new season, and with Bud as our new drum Band had a great creative year. Working major, our staff is excited to work for all the Originally published in the Penn Game with Alicia, Jenn, and Nate was a wonder- change and all the tradition. We know that football program, November 10, 2001. ful experience, and I know that the new our family will change in the next few senior staff will keep the creative spirit of months. It’s so hard to look back and say the Band alive and thriving. goodbye to this year’s graduates. To me, they were the Band, and I will miss them. A INC, special thanks and goodbye to Alisha, John P. Morris IV John, Jenn, and Nate, who have taught me Drill Master, 2000-2001 more than they could imagine. Watching them graduate, and realizing this football 2001 Awards Harvard. This year’s recipients are French also performed in acknowledgement of Horn player Kristin Waller and flautist Elliott Schwartz’s research on the music of STEPHEN D. MACDIARMID A WARD Talya Havice. Vaughan Williams. Kristin Waller is from Mustang, March brought spring to Harvard a Each year the Harvard Band presents this Oklahoma, where she was mellophone bit early (the actual weather outside award to two of the most versatile first section leader, Band Historian, and Public notwithstanding) with a concert entitled year musicians to join the Band program. Relations Officer for the Marching Band, as “Rites of Spring: Music of the Russian The Award is given in the name of well as Co-Captain of the Academic Team Masters.” The program included Stephen D. MacDiarmid ‘77, an active and Editor of the Creative Writing Anthol- Shostakovich’s Festive Overture, Band member who died shortly after his ogy. Currently the Harvard Band’s Miaskowsky’s Symphony #19, Rimsky- graduation from Harvard. This year’s Webmaster and a member of the Korsakov’s Clarinet Concerto (soloist: Matt recipients are Diana Fridberg and Matthew mellophone section, she will be a resident Hartzell ’05), and Stravinsky’s Circus Katcher. of Pforzheimer House in the fall. Polka and Ebony Concerto (soloist: Alec Diana Fridberg is a 2001 graduate Talya Havice is from Warren, Ohio, Spiegelman ’03). The evening concluded from Havre de Grace High School in Havre where she graduated from Champion High with a salute to cellist/conductor Mstislav de Grace, Maryland. In high school, her School. There she played flute in the Rosropovich in Leonard Bernstein’s diverse achievements varied from being a Marching Band, oboe in the Concert Band, Slava!. member of the National Honor Society, and served as section leader and Band ARTS FIRST weekend (May 2-5), Nat playing trumpet in the Jazz Ensemble and President. She was also Captain of the Dickey conducted “Music of the Circus” Wind Ensemble, to doing community Cross Country Team and Academic Team, joined by jugglers and clowns. The music service work. The president of her high as well as President of the Environmental of Robert Russell Bennett, along with the school band, she was also the featured Club. She plays flute in the Harvard Band circus marches Thunder & Blazes and vocalist with the jazz band; she presently and serves as Mailing Coordinator. Talya Rolling Thunder, were played at lightning performs with the Harvard University will move to Leverett House this fall. speed! Band. Diana will become a resident of Pforzheimer House this fall, and she is considering a concentration in biology or Following the unique “spatial MARLOWE, FROM PAGE 3 anthropology in preparation for a career in concert” of the music of American com- research. poser Henry Brant (Pulitzer Prize winner, Marlowe returns year after year Matthew Katcher is a graduate of 2002) in April 2001, Larry Isaacson of the because of what he describes as “the Eastern High School in Vorhees, New Boston Conservatory served as guest wonderful social, academic, and sports Jersey, where he was a member of the wind conductor of the Wind Ensemble for its experience…And at this point, one just ensemble and the marching band. Active in ARTS FIRST program of “Music of New doesn’t want to break a streak!” When the National Honor Society, he was a England Composers.” asked for parting words, he replied simply, frequent volunteer in community service In the fall, the conducting responsi- “Illegitimum non carborundum.” After 53 organizations. He was selected to partici- bilities of the WE were shared by Tom years, I don’t think we have to worry about pate in the All South New Jersey Orchestra Everett and newly appointed Assistant anything keeping this guy down! and All-State Symphonic Band. Matt plays Director, Nathaniel Dickey. The Dartmouth clarinet in the Harvard University Band Concert in October was dedicated to the Interview taken and transcribed by and the Harvard Wind Ensemble, and is a memory of those lost in the tragic events of Courtney Roberts ‘03. new member of the Eliot house community. September 11th, particularly Band alumnus He tutors middle school students through Ted Hennessy ’88, who was on flight #11. FULL UNIFORM, FROM PAGE 6 City Step and anticipates concentrating in In Ted’s memory, the ensemble performed and yale. Bus trips bring out the Chemistry to pursue a career in chemical Richard Wagner’s Trauersinfonie (the same best in the band, and the long drives research. work the ensemble once played at Robert F. across New York were part of what made Kennedy’s funeral). The rest of the me stick with the band in the first place. MALCOLM HOLMES SCHOLARSHIP program included the delightful Third Suite This year they had a more serious effect by Robert Jager, and Allen Feinstein’s as well. Our first trip, to Holy Cross, was Each year, two first year students in Fanfare for Tom (composed in commemora- cancelled after September 11, and many the Harvard Band are awarded the Malcolm tion of Tom Everett’s 30th year as Director). of us visited Ground Zero, which was still Holmes Scholarship in acknowledgement The December program honored burning at the time. Nonetheless, hitting of their outstanding level of involvement in Maine composer Elliott Schwartz. The the road was a great experience for all of the Band. The Scholarship is intended to ensemble premiered, under the composer’s us, and no football season would be honor the life and contributions of supervision, no less than four new works, complete without it. Malcolm Holmes ‘28, Director of the including the major atmospheric “sound Football season was also a time Harvard Band during the 1940’s and early environment” entitled Rain Forest with of transition. The juniors moved up to 50’s. The Scholarship is given to each Birds. The music of Ralph Vaughan take over the band, and my class stepped recipient for all four of his/her years at Williams (Scherzo alla Marcia from down. This is my fourth and last season Symphony #8 and Toccata Marziale) was as a full-fledged bandie, and leaving will be one of the hardest parts of gradua- tion. But part of the nature of the band is that it is constantly changing. By the end of the season, I felt that I knew what being Drum Major was all about. I knew the routes, the uniform, the minutaie that make up my job, and being a senior staffie had become natural. But at the same time, I was ready to hand off the mace and move on to other things. I wish the best of luck to the new staff in leading the band for the coming season, and I hope that all of you enjoy senior staff and the band as much as I have.

INC, Nate Meyer Morning Marchdown Drum Major, 2000-2001