The Issue Seven August - December 2015 EXPLOSION A Publicaon of the Virginia State University Trojan Explosion Booster Associaon Since our last issue in the spring of 2015, the Trojan Explosion Booster Association (TEBA) has been busy preparing for this marching season and beyond. This 7th edition of The Explosion is the first for the 2015-16 school year. Articles in this issue cover events from Band Camp in August, through the band’s performances in local Christmas Parades. A huge focus for this year is the branding of the organization and being recognized as an active support organization on campus. For that reason, booster executive committee, booster donors and several new parents have purchased polo shirts and jackets bearing our logo. Wearing these items with our beanies and scarves makes us visible to our students, faculty, staff, alumni and our band members and staff. We are reaching out to band parents to welcome them, to include them in VSU events other than those of the band and to provide them information on travel to away games. We want them to feel a part of the Trojan family and to share in their children’s college experiences. Our fundraising efforts continue and funds raised this year are targeted for instrument repair, travel assistance and scholarships. It is our hope that operational expenses, some of which we provided this year, will be covered by the band’s budget next year allowing us to provide more scholarship funding. Recruitment is competitive and the programs that can offer scholarships have an edge in attracting the best musicians. In an effort to grow the band, we want to provide as much funding as possible to attract the needed instrumentalists. Our goal is a 150-piece band, which we want to grow into a 200-piece band. Marching bands are popular in southern universities and we want to be known as one of the biggest and best. Performances Trojan Explosion Booster Association • Beginning of Year Freshman Orientation Officers & Committee Chairs • Battle of the NC/VA Bands (VUU) – 10/11/15 • Home Game Performances President California PA University – 9/5/15 Barbara R. Steverson Kentucky State University – 9/19/15 Fayetteville State University – 9/26/15 Vice President of Finance St. Augustine’s University – 10/3/15 H. Ray Davis Bowie State University – 10/17/15 Vice President of Membership Virginia Union University – 11/7/17 Bill McGee • Homecoming Pep Rally • Away Game Performances Treasurer - Elizabeth City State University – 10/10/15 Harold Allen - NC/VA Battle of the Bands –VUU - 10/11/15 Recording Secretary – Lincoln University-PA – 10/24/15 Robin Brown • Exhibition Performance at Huguenot High School’s Homecoming Game 11/6/15 Partnership Chair • Intramural Football Championship 11/17/15 Stephanie Smith • Colonial Heights Christmas Parade 12/1/15 Parent Involvement • Dominion Christmas Parade –Richmond- 12/5/15 Nellie Spann • Petersburg Holiday Parade 12/5/15 1 Band Staff A Mississippi native, Mr. Holden received undergraduate and graduate degrees in Music Education from Jackson State University. He participated in post-graduate studies at North Texas State University and Berklee School of Music. He has performed with B.B. King, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Michael Bolton, Solomon Burke and for Pope Benedict’s Christmas Concert. Arguably one of the top arrangers in the country, Professor Holden is known throughout the musical world as an exquisite saxophonist. Interim Director of Bands Professor James Holden, Jr., M.M.E. Assistant Director Assistant Director Operations Director Rev. Sylvester Bullock, M.Div. Mr. Taylor Whitehead, M.M.E. Mr. Maurice B. Jones, M.S. Support Staff from left to right above: Ms. Salena Scott (Coach, Essence of Troy Dancers), Mr. Jairamie King (Choreographer, Essence of Troy Dancers) and Mr. E Elisha Powell (Percussion Coordinator). Not pictured: Mr. Franklin Johnson, Jr. (Recruitment), Mr. Alan Morton (Drum Major Coordinator), Mr. Perry Evans (Satin Divas Flag Coach), Mr. L. Darnell Spicely and Mr. Parris Bowles (Double-Time Entertainment - Media Production), Ms. Aliyah Hoye, Ms. Sidney Freeman and Mr. Dahkel Darling (Equipment Managers), and Mr. Avery Jacobs, former Drum Major (Announcers). 2 Mr. Holden meets with parents and students on the first day of band camp. After students move into the temporary dorm where all band members stay during camp, parents leave and the hard work of camp begins. The days consist of early morning PT, marching, learning drills, learning new music and practice, practice, practice. A workshop on Time Management is important as students often have a hard time managing academic Building stamina is important. Band members march work and band practice. pass Lindsay-Montague, the old music building, toward front campus. Drum Majors Sam Jones and Deonte Terry eat well and rest whenever they get the opportunity. They are leaders and expected to lead by example. 3 The band practices marching from the band room to the stadium. They practice entering the stadium and where and how to sit in the stadium. Practice does not end when the sun goes down. Of course there is always a little time to have fun. Thank you to Mr. John Griffin, Director of Food Services at VSU, for honoring Mr. Holden’s request to open the Chick-fil-A a day before the grand opening just for the band. Mr. Griffin treated the band to free meals. 4 Mr. Holden and drill assistant, Mr. James “Butch” Students reluctantly send Mr. Jones (second Robbins, discuss formations with Holden’s long time from left) off to a consulting job in partner and now retired Director of Bands, Mr. Washington, DC for several weeks. He Harold J. Haughton. Drills are learned and practiced promised to return at the end of the project. on the band practice field beside the gym. As the only full-time band staff member, Mr. Holden was responsible for transporting tubas and other instruments to the vendor for repair. Having a full-time assistant would provide much needed help in planning for the upcoming year and in accomplishing all of the tasks needed to keep the band running smoothly during marching and recruitment season. The band boosters will continue to advocate for a full-time assistant band director and for having Mr. Holden’s title changed from Interim Director of bands to Director of Bands for Virginia State University. 5 Boosters Begin Planning With The Band During the Summer Band Booster President, Mrs. Steverson, meets with Mr Holden to discuss funding and support for the 2015-16 marching season. One essential item discussed was instrument repair, which involves cleaning, part replacement, dent repairs, acid dipping and soldering. As of this newsletter, instruments taken for repair have been returned and are in good condition and ready for use. The band boosters paid the cost of repairs. Getting Ready For Academics Class scheduling, financial validation and all other academic matters must be finalized to begin classes. Ms. Zelda Tucker-Dugger (right) assists the band students with financial issues wearing her Trojan Explosion jacket. Try the Band for a Day A suggestion from Mr. Dijon Knight, Cymbal Player from Brooklyn, New York This event was held to allow those who are not familiar with the skills and work ethic needed to participate in the band the opportunity to give band a try. Even current band members decided to try other instruments and other positions. They learned that everyone’s job looks easier until you have to do it. Woo-Woo Cheerleader Ms. Tierra Evere tries the cymbals. 6 How Hard Can It Be? Dancers tried to play the cymbals, drum majors tried the tuba, instrumentalist tried to be drum majors, saxophone players tried to play the drums and others thought they could twirl a baton. The activity gave everyone a new appreciation for other band positions and provided a lot of fun. 7 Alumni Chapters Who Donated To The Band Boosters Are Represented At The Brunch Mr. Tim Thompson, President Tidewater Chapter Mr. Darryl Sharp (right), Vice President Northern Virginia Chapter, with VSUAA President Mr. Franklin Johnson, Jr. 12 Students Receive Scholarship Awards Mr. Barry Harris (seated), Richmond Chapter President, with booster Dr. Conrad Gilliam. Booster Treasurer, Mr. Harold Allen, talks with recipients before the presentation of awards. Mr. Jeremiah Dent Mr. Samuel Jones Ms. Aliyah Hoye Mr. Herbert Pollard Trombone Head Drum Major Equipment Manager Quints (Percussion) 8 Ms. Cornesha Elliott Ms. Crystal Sivells Mr. Leonard Prescod Mr. Jonathan Reese Twirler Satin Divas Flags Tuba Tuba Section Leader Mr. Deontre Wilks Ms. Natalie Anderson Mr. Fisher Reaves, II Mr. Deonte Terry Baritone Saxophone/Band Pres. Baritone Drum Major Boosters Mr. & Mrs. Powell and Mr. James Clark, Sr. Mr. Holden provided two solos before brunch. Dr. and Mr. Haughton and Mrs. Anne Taylor are Rev. Michele Armstrong, Band Parent and Booster Band Boosters. 9 Mr. & Mrs. Linares, Band Parents and Boosters Mr. & Mrs. Kylor Reed, Band Boosters Ms. Barbara DeBerry and Ms. Frances Owens are guests interested in learning more about the Band Boosters. Director Holden and Mr. Bill McGee, Booster VP Mr. Steven Banks, Band Booster, and Ms. Gena of Membership & Recording Artist (Trumpet) Jones Band Booster and Board of Visitors Member Mrs. Daphne Maxwell Reid joined us for the brunch and agreed to help draw for the door prizes. 10 This slide from the presentation shows the Band Booster Treasurer, total direct funding provided by TEBA to Mr. Harold Allen, enjoys a the band for 2015. mimosa and takes care of the money. Ms. Anita Wynn, Band Booster and Director of Planned Gifts, agreed to model the latest fundraising item – The Spiritrap. Trojan Explosion Boosters September 2015 11 Band Boosters Purchase Bright New Canopy Selling fundraising items, sharing the goals of the organization and recruiting donors is a lot easier when protected by our bright orange canopy from the scorching sun of early September or the rain in October and November.