Newsletter of the MSU Alumni Band, founded in 1970. an Interest Group of the MSU Alumni Office. Summer / Fall 2020 en re RECENT EVENTS 2017 MSU ALUMNI BAND FALL REUNION A Message from the President 2020 MSU ALUMNI BAND VIRTUAL FALL REUNION

September 18, 2020 at 8:00 p.m.

The MSU Alumni Band Fall Reunion is always a special event, eagerly anticipated by hundreds of band alumni. Even though we couldn’t be together in person this year, we found a way! The first-ever MSU Alumni Band Virtual Reunion was free and open to all members of the alumni band. A Zoom link was emailed to all registered members, and with a few clicks or taps, they were welcomed in. The meeting opened with the virtual “Victory for MSU” played by alumni band members from around the country. Find it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Yivca1icR_s. Top photo by Mark Hansen. Bottom photo by Jim Barry. The reunion featured special guests from the College of Music and MSU Athletics; It is said that “the only thing that is constant is change.” Who could know when we began to prizes; videos; a SMB update; and a brief plan for our 50th fall reunion, so much of life would be altered, and so many things would annual business meeting. Many also selected grind to a stop? Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our 50th annual MSU Alumni Band Fall one of a number of breakout rooms to re- Reunion was cancelled. This decision was made in conjunction with the MSU Bands and connect with others from their era or MSU Athletics and applies only to the fall reunion. section. It was great to see everyone! We look forward to the time when we will meet again on our beautiful campus, make music, We all look forward to when we can rekindle special friendships, and be together as Spartan alumni. We are aiming toward our resume our reunions in person, but when it “50+1 in ’21” reunion! comes to finding a way: Spartans Will! Nevertheless, we didn’t give up! Our 2020 Virtual Fall Reunion gave us all an opportunity to say hi, share thoughts, and exchange information. Over 200 alums got their devices fired up, found a place appropriately Spartan, and joined us on Friday, September 18 at 8:00 PM for our first-ever MSU Alumni Band Zoom Reunion! Stay well, be safe, and stay Spartan Strong.

Greg Pell, President, MSU Alumni Band

FOR THE LATEST NEWS ANNUAL DUES ARE WAIVED THIS YEAR. AND INFORMATION, VISIT: IF YOU WERE A MEMBER FOR 2019–2020 WWW.MSUALUMNIBAND.ORG. THEN YOU’RE STILL IN GOOD STANDING FOR 2020–2021. 2 : | | MSU Alumni Band 1850 Snyder East Lansing, MI 48823 MSU Bands Still Need Our Support (517) 351-4582 [email protected] It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the limitations and cancellations caused by the COVID-19 www.msualumniband.org pandemic. MSU Bands has pivoted to alternate plans, but must be nimble. Through this difficult and different time, MSU Bands need our support. Many of our cherished traditions will have to wait, but they will be back! Dr. Sedatole, Dr. Thornton, and Dr. Golden are President working diligently to plan for a number of different possibilities. Inevitably, restrictions will Greg Pell diminish, and the MSU Bands will be ready. Consider supporting them by contributing to: Vice President Steve Boughton •  https://givingto.msu.edu/crowdpower/spartan-marching-band-jacket-2020 Secretary SMB Jacket Campaign 2020 on Crowdpower Whitney Lorenz Treasurer •  To give, go to: https://givingto.msu.edu Abby Zarimba Kenneth Bloomquist Band Scholarship Fund: AE069 Past President Dave Catron Endowed Scholarship in Music: AE0674 Stacie Detgen Leonard Falcone Endowed Music Scholarship: AE0603 Member At Large John Whitwell Band Scholarship Fund: AE06072 Susan Gould MSU Bands: AE0601 Director of Bands Kevin Sedatole •  Or for a complete list of funds, go to: Associate Director of Bands and https://www.music.msu.edu/alumni-and-friends/giving-to-music/giving- Director, MSU Spartan opportunities#Bands. David Thornton Associate Director, MSU Spartan Marching Band and Assistant Director of Bands Arris Golden Director of Bands, Emeriti Betty Elliott, Alumni Band Secretary, Retires Ken Bloomquist, John Whitwell Director of Spartan Marching Band, Emeriti In 1967, high school graduate Betty Elliott arrived Dave Catron, John Madden on campus and auditioned with Assistant Director MSU College of Music Bill Moffit. She played her high school fight song James Forger, Dean from memory, the MSU Fight Song with music, and Member Relations Coordinator sight-read. She made it! That’s turned out to be good Tim Fox, [email protected] luck for the MSU Alumni Band. Beginning her Encore Newsletter record-breaking stint as secretary in 2006, she’s been Jim Barry, Editor taking and transcribing meeting notes, contacting Kimberly Hopkins, Graphic Artist and communicating with university staff, sending Historian correspondence, helping with reunion registration, Bob Rice and serving as a much-appreciated resource for the Special Events Coordinator alumni band board for 14 years! Jack Nelson From 2000–2015, Betty was the academic Listserve Manager secretary for the pediatric physicians and specialists Nancy Nelson in a growing MSU Department of Human Medicine. Betty Elliott assists with the 2009 reunion. Golf Outing Coordinator Betty managed all of their clinic calendars, travels, Photo by Nancy Nelson Lynn Brown publications, and CME requirements. Emeritus Advisor Betty will continue to travel, enjoy some Florida time in the winter, read, cross-stitch, and Dale Bartlett enjoy her grandogs, but most importantly, she’ll spend time with her 5-year old granddaughter. Betty says that she plans to continue helping out the alumni band where and whenever she Touring Band Representative Jack Nelson can. In her words, “I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many good people via this group and Stacie Detgen want to continue as many of those friendships as possible.” Thank you Social Media Director So do we, Betty. for your many years of devoted service and good luck in your Melissa Mackey “retirement!” 3 : | |

Beryl’s Beat summer/fall 2020

Barry, Linda (’74, Flute) and Jim (’73, Trumpet) Fanfaren Corps, the brass and drum ensemble of Nash, Gary (’86, Tenor Sax) started his 18th year share that like most others, the pandemic has the oldest German club in North America. as music professor at Fisk Univ. in Nashville, TN. cancelled numerous travel plans. They have Ginther (Vincent), Jennifer (’91, Mellophone) will Outman, Richard (’60, Trumpet) just sold his stock stayed near home and zoomed, met friends & perform (virtually) the Symphony #7 for the in the company and retired at 81. family at area parks, sat outside in the shade with 250th Beethoven Birthday Celebration on Peel, Donna (’86, Trombone) COVID spurred her neighbors, and eaten lots of ice cream. Linda October 17, 2020 at the Steinway Gallery in to dust off her horn and play for the neighborhood has sewn over 300 masks (many MSU ones!) Commerce Township as part of a piano duo. She every night. When neighbors working for justice for family and friends, baked more bread and is a board trustee for the Huron Valley Council were brutally murdered, their nightly singing got baked goods than usual, and has been walking. for the Arts (Highland, MI) an arts and them through. And, on a happier note, when the Jim is playing trumpet, guitar, senior softball, humanities advocacy and education nonprofit kids had no graduation, she played each kid’s pickleball, and biking a lot. They’re ready for a serving local communities; performs throughout fight song for a memorable block ceremony. She COVID-19 vaccine! Metro Detroit on french horn, piano; and sings is grateful to you early bandos because, when she Bergren, Richard (’72, Baritone) is a director of alto with several local college and church choirs. saw you march by, her goal was to join you. the (recently formed) Naval Air Training Guza, Elisha (’00, Trombone) is a former zookeeper, Now, playing her horn has gotten her current Command Choir Alumni Organization. He and now a stay-at-home mom since 2009. She circle through some difficult times. Grateful. directed that Navy choir from 1978 to 1981, has four kids (13, 12, 10, and 9). The oldest Platt, Mary (’79 & ’86, Trombone) is in her third and is currently a member of the Maryland two play trumpet, the younger two are up and year as director of the Hilbert Museum of Choral Society choir. coming. Her 13-yr-old can play the MSU Fight California Art at Chapman University in Orange, Coltrane, Chuck (’62, Flute) “Hunkering Down” Song and looks forward to learning more. CA., after serving 13 years as the university’s in Greensboro...with and flute choir Haering, Rich (’84, Trumpet) was given the all director of communications and media relations. activities in hiatus....though doing some “virtual” clear on his cancer and told he is in remission. The art museum focuses on California artists as recital events. Hutting, Lori (’92, Saxophone) is teaching online! well as movie and animation art, exceeded 30,000 Dale, Les (’70, Percussion) moved to Macomb, visitors last year, and is undergoing an expansion MI to be closer to youngest daughter’s family. Lorenz, Whitney (’17, Big Tens) is working on a that will triple its exhibition space. “Anyone who’s Enjoying it very much. Masters of Public Administration degree at visiting Southern California is welcome to drop Western University. The dream goal is by for a visit once museums are able to re-open Deppe (Hamilton), Stephanie (’14, Alto Sax) got to end up working right back at Michigan State! safely,” Mary says. Her world travels continued married and moved to Pasadena, CA. Lott, Paul (’78, Percussion) is semi-retired. this year with a trip to Australia in February-March Draeger, Tim (’86, Trumpet) shares three MSU 2020, visiting art museums in Sydney, Cairns daughters are home due to COVID-19. So much Lutz, Merritt (’65, Percussion) is retired from and Tasmania, and arriving back home in L.A. for the empty nest. Middle daughter Libby is Morgan Stanley after 25 years. Founder and just as the global COVID-19 shutdown occurred. taking a one-year hiatus from the SMB and CEO of FinRisk Advisors LLC June 2020. Mary is also completing a book on the Hilbert hopes to return for her senior season in 2021. Markwick, Jack (’70, Trumpet) and Janet continue Museum’s Disney animation collection, due to Fisk, Al (’78, Trombone) is happily retired (eight to enjoy racing their Flying Scot sailboat at the be published in spring 2021. years) from Hazel Park schools (HS/JHS choirs). Delavan Lake Yacht Club and spend as much Rice, Bob (’72, ) helped his grandkids with Still involved in barbershop harmony (singer, time as possible with daughters, sons-in-law, and their first week of online classes from Livonia director, coach, former judge). Volunteers for grandkids (5). Public Schools. He and daughters Colleen and Meals on Wheels and Focus Hope food deliveries Martin, Mark (’83, Saxophone) after 37 years Amy just returned from a Labor Day weekend in Rochester, MI at their amazing Older Persons’ of teaching French, Spanish, and English in together in Marshall, MI. His wife, Marilyn, is Commission. Was involved in jail ministry Southern California, retired. Happily married an advanced master gardener and loves garden (Oakland County Jail) and feeding the homeless and enjoying every second of retirement. design. He’s reconnecting with friends and (Baldwin Center – Pontiac). Just celebrated 35th enjoying retirement. anniversary with his angel - Bonnie who still McCormick, Jacob (’17 Baritone) is pursuing a Robertson, Al (’67, Mellophone) is a french horn works as a physical therapist. Master of Library and Information Science degree from Wayne State University. Happily member of Central Arizona College Community Forbes, Krystle (’10, Color Guard) continues to staying involved in local history and pleased to Band. He is an avid autoharp, old timey, support the current band’s virtual experience. write all new history pages for SpartanBand.net! bluegrass, and country musician. Garlock, Gary (’86, Trumpet) and Ann moved to McDaniel, John (’81, Baritone) works remotely Sachs, William (’67, Alto Sax) shares oldest the west side of Kalamazoo, and love to spend and does lots of yard work to get unZoomed. granddaughter is now a freshmen at North Texas time in their summer happy place, South Haven. Still practices in case the opportunity to safely be State, clarinet performance. Oldest grandson is Look them up when in the area, they would in a room of other heavy breathers arises. He was a sophomore at MSU, majoring in engineering enjoy catching up!! honored to assist in delivering the 2020 Leonard and trying out for the drum line. They are Geyer, Hans (’89, Baritone) continues to play the Falcone International and Tuba now permanent residents of The Villages, FL, baritone in the Chicago-based Rheinischer Verein Festival online. but return to MI in the summer to visit family and friends. Their two grandkids in Ohio are

TO VIEW UPCOMING MSU BANDS CONCERTS VISIT: SELECTED CONCERTS ARE ARCHIVED AT: http://music.msu.edu/event-listing/by-category/tag/bands https://www.youtube.com/user/MusicMSU 4 : | |

MSU CAMPUS THROUGH THE Beryl’s Beat summer/fall 2020 DECADES all good athletes. Grandson made the golf Taylor, Norman (’76, Trumpet) retired this past team in middle school and plays baseball and June after 44 years in education, the last ten as basketball too. Granddaughter plays basketball superintendent at Wayland Union Schools. He and baseball. Youngest two grandsons are in MI still announces for their marching band with and doing very well in their studies and musical two granddaughters participating last year. instruments. All the kids swim like fish. We’ll Thelen, Cassie (’97, Mellophone) shares their miss having face to face time with all our MSU daughter is a new member of the SMB. Second friends from the ’60s. generation Mello! Go Mellos!!! Schira, Matthew (’20, Tenor Sax) graduated from Thoma, August (’75, ’76 Alto Sax) was appointed MSU and works in Chicago! He moved to the music director and conductor for the Sanibel windy city and works as an actuary at Aon! (FL) Big Arts . He continues MSU Alumni Band 1977 Sironen, Gary (’74, Trombone) is retired, now work as a tour director for Brightspark Travel, active as a playwright, lyricist, composer, and a student tour company, and is an adjudicator song writer. and clinician in both Michigan and Florida. Stevens, Julie (’84, Tenor Sax) celebrated 20th Toenniges, Lisa (’84, Alto Sax) and husband Jeff year in her second career as a family doc in (‘85, Trumpet) are still going strong as a bando Central Michigan. couple, more than 30 years! Swanson, Dana (’87, Alto Sax) has been active Walsh, Brian (’86, Baritone) retired from MDOT in animal rescue for many years, and delivered after 31 years and turned 60 all in the same three kittens to the East Lansing area this year, week. He enjoys golfing, gardening and family all the way from Oklahoma. She loves having time, especially babysitting grandson Jack. her foster kittens become Spartan kitties!

MSU Alumni Band 1987 MSU Alumni Band joins NAoAB

Alumni organizations from college bands across the nation have formed a National Association of Alumni Bands to share best practices and provide leadership and coordination for such programs. The association’s goal is to develop and enhance peer connections to solve issues, develop strategies, and provide a conduit for alumni band leaders to learn how to better serve their constituency and members. During the past year the organizational committee followed a rigorous process of writing the governing documents and bylaws that formally created NAoAB. Geof Sloan, representing the Texas Longhorn Alumni Band, is the newly elected president Courtesy MSU 1960 and chair of the organizing committee. MSU Alumni Band Secretary Whitney Lorenz has taken the initiative on this project, and is our representative in the NAoAB. Whitney encourages alumni band members to check out the NAoAB website at www.alumnibands.org TheAlumni Band gets Social

You can find us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Follow us for the latest College of Music Student Emergency Fund news and information on alumni band happenings and events, as well as live During these unprecedented and uneasy times caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the College coverage of performances at the reunions, of Music’s faculty, staff, and students have rapidly adjusted how they teach, learn, work, and Pentwater, holiday bands, and more! collaborate to ensure the health and safety of all. For some College of Music students, financial challenges may add to the already uncertain and  Twitter: twitter.com/msualumniband tumultuous time of this global pandemic including expenses. Others cannot pay bills or living  Instagram: instagram.com/ expenses because they lost gigs or other part-time jobs. msualumniband Gifts to the College of Music Student Emergency Fund will provide financial support to the students who need it most. If you would like to contribute to help them continue to live and  Facebook: facebook.com/ https://givingto.msu.edu/crowdpower/college-of-music-emergency-fund msualumniband learn, please go to for further information and to donate. 5 : | |

Media Fanfares MSU COLLEGE OF MUSIC “MUSIC FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE” VIDEO SERIES Sparked by the movement that began following the murder of George Floyd, the MSU College of Music Announced a new video series, Music for Social Justice. Faculty members in the MSU College of Music speak out on issues of inequality, blending performance with commentary about the impact artists and Photo by Jim Barry music can have on today’s social issues. Nine episodes will begin the series, which premiered on the College of Music YouTube  “David Thornton Proudly Carries on the Traditions of the Spartan Marching Band.” channel on August 12, and continues Bill Beekman, VP and Director of MSU’s Intercollegiate Athletics interviews SMB through December 2, 2020. Videos Director David Thornton for MSU Today to discuss some behind-the-scenes information are approximately 10 minutes long and and perspective on the band. Listen at: https://www.wkar.org/post/david- premiere on Wednesdays at 11:00 AM. thornton-proudly-carries-traditions-spartan-marching-band?fbclid=IwAR1RrOhz1-  Watch episodes here nGEvz6sgqUUPZIEYx62CYcb3OJnce-ah-DZzOkY2Hfa0VXrVk#stream/0 8/12, Rodney Whitaker, bass  Take a 360° virtual tour of the MSU College of Music’s new Billman Music Pavilion. 8/26, Gwendolyn Dease, percussion Includes a narrated 360º camera walk-through of the mostly-completed pavilion, plus 9/9, Diego Rivera, saxophone the renovations to the original building. See it at: https://youtu.be/trN-IBeX96Q 9/23, Richard Fracker, tenor 10/7, Michael Dease, trombone  A new history section researched and written by SMB alum Jacob McCormick has 10/21, Yvonne Lam, violin been added to the SMB spartanband.net website: http://spartanband.net/history/ 11/4, Randy Napoleon, jazz guitar 11/18, Melanie Helton, soprano, with  All SMB videos: https://youtube.com/user/SpartanMarchingBand/videos Rodney Whitaker 12/2, Xavier Davis, piano  MSU College of Music performances at: https://www.youtube.com/user/MusicMSU Watch the video trailer about the series at:  MSU Wind Symphony, 9/26/19 conducted by Kevin L. Sedatole performing Omar  https://youtu.be/RPxVlo9X86Q Thomas’ moving “Come Sunday:” https://youtu.be/vZDB8OhQP4Y

Together or Apart, #SpartansWillAs1

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the MSU Alumni Band turned disappointment into celebration. More than 75 Spartans came together virtually to create a special video version of “Victory For MSU,” debuting on April 6, 2020 at 9:00 p.m. The date and time coincided with what would have been the start of the NCAA men’s basketball championship game. The video has over 18,000 views: https://youtu.be/Yivca1icR_s. Three Spartan tuba alums were leaders on the project. In “The Making of Together or Apart, Spartans Will As 1,” Tim Draeger interviews Chip (Soloko) Grover, on coming up with the idea, and Andy Bobrow explains how he constructed the group performance in Los Angeles from the individual performances sent in from around the country. See it at: https://youtu.be/XHQwWDD9nXU. 6 : | |

Since our Last Issue

NEW MSU Alumni Band Website Up & Running

The alumni band has migrated to a new website at http://www.msualumniband.org! After many years with alumni percussionist Brad Halls as our web master, we’ve aligned ourselves with the MSU Alumni Office and their web format. We want to thank Brad for his many years of dedicated work, and look forward to all he continues to do for the SMB website at http://spartanband.net/. The MSU Alumni Office provides us with additional resources to stay in touch with members, and will also make it easier for us to maintain our member database. We’ll also be able to more easily register new members and provide members’ reunion music right on the Brad Halls and son Cam. Photo: Mark Hansen website. Update your browser links and visit!

MSU CAMPUS THROUGH THE DECADES

MSU Alumni Band 1971 MSU Alumni Band 1982 MSU Alumni Band 2006

MSU Alumni Band 2019 MSU Alumni Band 2019 MSU Alumni Band 2019 Brad Poreda, Performing Arts Photography Mark Hansen Brad Poreda, Performing Arts Photography

Follow Us Online! Change of Home or Email Address Stop by the MSU Alumni Band’s web site. You’ll find To keep you informed, please let us know when you move information about upcoming events, a digital copy of the or have a change of email address by calling (517) 351-4582, newsletter, email addresses of members, and lots of pictures! mailing a note to MSU Alumni Band, c/o Tim Fox, 1850 www.msualumniband.org. Check out “MSU Alumni Band” Snyder, East Lansing, MI 48823, or emailing us at: on Facebook.com! [email protected].