SARV BLOG

19April2009

UDMB and the 56th Presidential Inaugural Parade - A Retrospective

Posted by sarv under: General.

Just when you thought the season had come to a comclusion….the cell phone rings and it is Vice President-elect Joe Biden’s office congratulating the UDMB on being selected to participate in the the 56th Presidential Inaugural Parade!

Between myself and trust digital camera, and UDMB alum and videographer Brent King, the University’s Media Services put together the following podcast of our experience.

UDMB in 56th Presidential Inaugural Parade - podcast

Meanwhile, I promised to write all about the experience so grab a cup of coffee and here we go…..

While sitting in the non-peaceful environment of my home (2 basset hounds and the hour approaching dinner time) my cell phone rang.  This, in and of itself, is nothing out of the ordinary, however the phone screen saying “No Caller ID” was VERY out of the ordinary.  Like most people I rarely answer the phone when I do not recognize the number–far more important things to do in my life compared to being “talked at” by a salesperson or tele-marketer.  But something scratched at the base of my brain that indicated I should answer this particular call.  And it was a very good thing I did.

The gentleman on the phone identified himself as being from Senator Biden’s Office and immediately congratulated me on the acceptance of the University of Delaware Marching Band to the 56th Presidential Inaugural Parade.  Fortunately he was a very patient and understanding individual since my slight scream of delight was joined by the baying of the dogs and he had to endure a couple of “WOW! That’s wonderful, thank you so very much!  Sit down and be quiet! No, it’s not dinner time!”  The poor man probably thought he called the wrong number.

After taking down a couple of phone numbers and beginning an email to the band (we were already finished with the semester and most of the students had departed for the holidays) the cell phone rang a second time, and again the screen showed “No Caller ID.”  This time the caller identified herself as a member of the Presidential Inaugural Committee and did the same thing: congratulated the UDMB on its acceptance to the parade.  This call occurred approximately 45 minutes after the first call from Senator Biden’s office and I have to admit that the adrenalin rush had since waned and was replaced by the “Oh dear!  What have I gotten myself into” panic.  She was going on and on about things while I was far, far way thinking about every that needed to be done. In mid-sentence she stopped and said, “Aren’t you excited?”  I chuckled and came clean with her, telling her about the first call and how I was now in the anxiety stage.  She laughed and said, “There they go, stealing our thunder!”

The next step was filling out more forms than we do when we work with student teachers!  But while forms do not worry me, the one about gathering information on every participating member in order to secure a United States Secret Service Credential…well, that one made me a bit twitchy.  Students were gone from campus, I had 5 days in order to gather all the information, and once gathered there was no adding people to the list.  So if anyone experienced a slow down when surfing the internet between December 15-19 please accept my apologies!  Emails were flying, a secure online form was created, the chasing of non-responsive students began and somehow, someway I uploaded everything to the Inaugural Committee by the deadline.

As of December 19, 2008 everything became very quiet.  No phone calls, no emails, no communication at all.  We struggled to get buses at first but in the end Delaware Express came through.  All plans were set for a “down and back” trip for the UDMB until a lone email from the parent of a current band member hit my inbox.  It was simple–he had secured the use of WT Woodson High School in Fairfax, Virginia and would begin the task of finding hotel rooms for the bus drivers.  All of this simply to make the trip easier for us!  How this man got 7 hotel rooms 2.5 miles down the street from the high school I will never know.  But he did and the schedule changed from a “down and back” to a UDMB Slumber Party in a high school gym.

Everything became very quiet for the next couple of weeks.  We organized our rehearsal and travel schedule, along with doing our best to plan for all the “unknowns:” travel time from Fairfax to D.C.; the parade day itself; travel time back to D.C. to get personal items (we had to store everything non-parade related at the school due to a Homeland Security directive); travel time from Fairfax back to Newark, DE.  Approximately one week prior to the event placards for the buses were received and I took a personal trip to D.C. to “scope out” the parade route.  It’s amazing how different one’s perspective is when viewing a city you’ve visited numerous times before through a different filter.  The goal for this trip was quite specific: figure out the timing of “Stars and Stripes Forever” so that the last time through with the big low brass counter-melody line would hit right in front of the Presidential Reviewing Stand.  I suspect I appeared a bit odd marching back and forth along that stretch of parade route wearing headphones and making notes about landmarks but no one arrested me for acting suspicious.

4:00 PM:  Buses arrived; directions were reviewed; sleeping bags, suitcases, instruments, uniforms–we depart for WT Woodson High School right on time!  Traffic was light.  That in and of itself was surprising.  We had alloted 3 hours for the 2 hour trip and we arrived early!  Normally this is not a problem but with 300 incredibly hungry college students waiting for pizza to arrive it was a wonder we did not have a riot on our hands.  Fortunately the UD Alumni Club from D.C. was there to greet the band and provided TONS of snacks!  Not a crumb was left on the tables when all the band members departed from the gym area and headed to the cafeteria for a meeting and pizza.  (Thank you alumni!!!)

January 20, 2009  3:00 AM:  There’s nothing like getting up off an auxiliary gym floor after an incredibly restful night of sleep in your sleeping bag–really, there’s NOTHING like it!  It was time to wake the UDMB and all I had to do was switch on the circuit breakers.  It is not my fault that the breakers weren’t labeled.  I just clicked them on one after the other.  If I had known that the last one was for the scoreboard buzzer I NEVER would have switched it on!

5:00 AM:  Everyone was dressed and getting their travel breakfasts.  We loaded up the buses and headed for the Pentagon.  There was zero traffic since the roads were only open for buses displaying the official placards.  We were quickly through security and back on the buses with our SECOND breakfast as well as a box lunch (courtesy of the Inaugural Committee).  And there we sat for the next 3 hours…fortunately the buses had to idle to keep the heat on for us which meant we could watch movies!  Nothing like sitting with a bunch of college students watching Wall-E.

Finally we were underway to the staging area on the Ellipse in front of the White House.  The crowds were monstrous–the photos and video the nation saw does not even begin to touch upon what it looked like in person.  The sheer number of people that surrounded the Washington Monument was beyond imagination.  If ever there was a phrase to describe the site it is “a sea of humanity.”  Literally!

Watching the Inauguration on televisions in the warming tents was an incredible experience, but it still did not feel real. After the speeches it was time to move out onto the street and prepared to move down Constitution Avenue to the parade start point.  It was cold but it was not horrible.  We moved along Constitution Avenue at a drum tap.  The streets were deserted as we passed all the historic buildings and museums we have all visited at some point in our lives.  The lack of humanity on that street and around the buildings was eerie.  And THAT was when it started to sink into everyone’s mind that we were really going to be in the Inaugural Parade.

Yes the parade was delayed and yes the temperatures were reaching a critical level.  Suddenly there was a roar–and I mean a roar!–from behind us.  President Obama had stepped out of his car and was walking down Pennsylvania Avenue.  The parade was underway and we started to creep towards the start point again.  And just like that we stepped off down Pennsylvania Avenue to the first strains of “Stars and Stripes Forever.”  Yes the crowds had dissipated but those that remained were cheering wildly.  We made the turn onto 15th street where the whole band saw the lights.  The sun had set long ago and the streets were in semi-darkness but just up ahead was the most brilliantly lit section of the city–the Presidential Reviewing Stand.  We turned onto the final stretch and I turned around to give Jim Ancona the signal to go from cadence into the “Stars and Stripes” loop.  As I looked at the band I saw eyes as wide as saucers but I also saw the tallest standing group I’ve ever seen.  As we passed in review it was a thrill to see President Obama and his family.  And there was Vice President Biden and his wife Jill clapping along with the music–his smile stretched from ear to ear.

Three minutes later it was over.  Blink and you missed it.  It happened that fast.  We got back to the buses, started thawing out and within moments people were asleep.  The cold plus lack of sleep and at this point, lack of food for lunch was 7 hours ago, had taken its toll on the UDMB.  We got back to the high school, loaded up all our personal belongings and headed for Newark.

1969 marked the first appearance of the band in a Presidential Inaugural Parade.  It took 40 years but the University of Delaware Marching Band finally returned to Washington, D.C.  As crazy as it was it was worth the wait!

Student Comments:
“I just wanted to thank you for the amazing opprotunity you gave us yesterday!  It was an incredible experience that I won’t soon forget. Obviously the day had it’s ups and downs, but the fact that we practically marched through the Arctic tundra makes the memories that much more meaningful and vivid.  The hours of cold paid off when we passed the president’s box and saw not only how proud Joe Biden was of us, but also Obama smiling too!!  Being in DC for such a historical and exciting day brings me so much pride for my country, as well as myself.  I was literally moved to tears as our buses drove through the crowds of waving and cheering people surrounding the Washington Monument,all celebrating and electrifyingly excited!”  –Alex Jamison

“It was really an awesome, unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”  — Sarah Mainardi

“It really didn’t hit me until we saw all those people.  It was amazing to see millions of people.  It was a little overwhelming but it was an amazing experience.” — Ashley Santana

“For us to be there and be a part of it is something I’ll never forget.  I’m sure a lot of people will be telling their children and grandchildren they were there when Obama was inaugurated and they actually played for him.  It was exciting.  We were tired.  We were cold.  We were hungry.  But it’s my personal opinion that it was worth it.”  — Jason Angelo

29November2008

A Season in Review

Posted by sarv under: General.

As I sit in my chair at my desk with what is perhaps the most wonderful gift a band director could ever receive from their band between me and the chair (a Shiatsu Massaging Chair Topper!) going full steam ahead I realize that it is long since time for me to post something, ANYTHING about the second half of the season.  So, unless I fall into a deeply relaxing sleep, which is highly possible, here we go:

UMASS: how many band directors get to not only bring their “children” “home,” but are welcomed with open arms by the other band?  The answer is simple:  none.  Over 700 college students from two different bands joined together in rehearsal, dinner, breakfast, photography and performance–and LOVED it!!  The UMASS band BROUGHT breakfast to us at Amherst Junior High — for the ENTIRE band!  The two pits went out for breakfast TOGETHER at a local joint; combined photos were taken of sections not only after the game but on and off throughout the whole weekend.  And the list goes on.  Yes, I got to drag out the horn and hack my way through a solo with Parks on the podium and for a brief moment we were both 20 years younger….but watching our student honestly support each other in separate performances and then come together as if they were always one HUGE band was a glimpse at the perfect world.

I echo Mr. Parks comments when he said that no where else in the country were two other college bands having the experience that ours were.  A football rivalry that goes back decades and there were the two bands cheering on their respective teams while also joining forces to do what we do best:  giving the audience members a moment in their lives when they could leave all their worries behind and simply enjoy  the performance!

For me, yes, I got to bring them home.  And it was perfect.

=======================================

BAND DAY:

• Rehearsal on the new football practice fields–outstanding!
• Watching college students take care of middle school students literally half their size–wonderful!
• Vice-President Elect Joe Biden in the stands behind the podium during the halftime performance, looking at me and saying “IMPRESSIVE!”—priceless

Band Day was one of the best ones yet.  Not because of Senator Biden’s attendence–that made it unique, yes.  But the bands were all wound up from the moment they arrived and there was not a moment of the day that wasn’t filled with excitement.  Could there be more cowbells in the pit? Probably!  But this year’s extended cowbell pit was having more fun than perhaps any other section on the field!!

And then it finally happened….I always knew it would but I kept thinking it was still a few years off. But no, it was today, Band Day 2008 when my world shifted.  At the conclusion of the massed band rehearsal this young woman comes up to the podium and says, “Heidi?”  I looked down, wasn’t completely sure if I knew her or not–she looked familiar but I couldn’t be sure so not wanting to embarrass either of us I simply said, “Yes?” And she said, “I KNEW it was you! The moment I heard your voice over the loud speaker I said to myself, “I know that voice!”   She was in my band at Temple University and her SON was in one of the high school bands participating in Band Day!

Oh how life can race past you, and if you’re not paying attention you will miss out on the best parts.

================================

Homecoming:

Take 50 people of ages ranging from 23 to 86, give them musical instruments, put them on a football field playing “New York, New York” and what do you have?  ALUMNI BAND!!  And then invite everyone who has ever been in the UDMB onto the field for “In My Life” after the game and you have not only 800 people in front of you, but you also have FUTURE members of the UDMB there with them.  When each rookie class arrives for band camp I tell them many things, but two of those things are 1) the next 4 years are going to go by faster than the blink of your eye; and 2) many of you will meet the person you are going to spend the rest of your life with right here in the UDMB.  And every year the rookie class laughs at both statements.

Meanwhile, each winter I receive anywhere from 2-5 wedding announcements/invitations to “BANDO” weddings as well as birth announcements of “baby bandos.”  Laugh all you want rookies….but many of you will be joining the masses whom I look at and say “I told you so.”

**And for all of you who hang out in the stands because you love to watch the “baby” band perform and also want to tailgate and not perform with alumni band….GET OUT ON THE FIELD!  The more of you who join in the day the more reason we have to pursue coffee and danish at the morning rehearsal as well as a tailgate UDMB Alumni Band TENT!  Come on gang–give me a reason to work harder next year!!!**

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…enough for now….Senior Day and Banquet posts coming in a bit.

17October2008

Allentown….damp…but fun!

Posted by sarv under: General.

After a drenching during halftime the night before we loaded up and headed north for the annual College Festival in Allentown, PA.  When we left Newark, DE @ 10 AM the sky was a bit overcast but the sun was breaking through in places.  Maybe, just maybe the weather would clear–after all, the forecast for Allentown was only for a 30-40% chance of an isolated shower for the whole afternoon.

Sanity Question:  When did I start believing in weather forecasts???

Traditionally I have driven my car to the Allentown show for one reason only–the one year we did NOT have a separate vehicle on site was the one year we had a band member end up in the local hospital.  So new UDMB Rule: There is ALWAYS a separate vehicle or two available on all trips so that the entire band isn’t delayed.

As I traveled north on the PA Turnpike the skies turned grayer and grayer, and just past the Lansdale exit I said a very bad word.  And it just got funnier from there.

The band arrived and stayed on the buses while I stood at the field entrance gate and watched Dr. John Villella (WCU/Vivace Productions) pace back and forth saying even badder words.  A few others joined us and we talked about delaying the start of the show in the hopes that the weather folks were right and it would clear up…and while we were all talking Bloomsburg University took the field for the National Anthem.  Um, guess we’re putting on a show.  (BTW–there were about 3000 diehard fans in the stands with umbrellas having the time of their life!)

The weather DID clear out mid-way through the show….for about 45 minutes….. The UDMB had a very nice dry warmup….but as we entered the field, not so much.  And yet, it was a FANTASTIC SHOW!  The usual bands were there, and as always the day ended with more tubas than ever racing onto the field for Bozo, Hey Baby, Tuba Cheers and while I’m not sure what it is really called, the culminating Elephant Snort.

A wet and nasty weekend but this year’s UDMB took it in stride and seemed to enjoy every moment.

15October2008

September 2008–The Rainy Season

Posted by sarv under: General.

I suppose Mother Nature does not take the marching band season into consideration when she schedules her rain delivery….’cause September was downright stupid!

On average the UDMB had 2 rehearsals out of the weekly 3 that were dry.  The 1 wet one each week were catagorized as follows:

• “Suck It Up–It’s Just Mist”
• “Uh…No Way:  Inside”
• “You’ve Got To Be Kidding Me:  INSIDE!”
• “STOP IT ALREADY!–INSIDE AAHH-GGAAAIINN!!!”

And some how, some way this band continued to gain ground, learn music, apply music to motion, and every performance was BETTER than the previous one.  How they did this….I have absolutely no idea!

And of course, the rain did not target just weekdays–it had to expand its horizons and take a stab and the weekends.  The first home game versus West Chester was a dodged bullet.  The forecast was for a 30% chance of a shower and all we got was a little bit of spittle just following halftime.  Phew!

The next home game–not so lucky.  Again only a 30% chance of a shower for the evening and sure enough all 30% hit DURING HALFTIME!  It was perfectly fine before halftime and perfectly fine after halftime…we were soaked and so were all the instruments.  (Don’t mention this to Jim Ancona–a dangerous topic!)

Next day:  Allentown.  Well it was lucky year 13; there was only one year when it rained right up to the start of the show and as soon as the show started the sun came out; so just when does one’s luck run out?  2008.  Talk about a wash out!  …uh, no, it wasn’t canceled….we’re all still drying out!!!

And then, about 20 miles south of UMASS on the trip up to Amherst: it starts raining.  I think I’m still laughing hysterically.  Fortunatetly it stopped just in time for us to get a good warm up prior to the combined rehearsal.

This weekend is Homecoming, and guess what?   Well….I’ve only had 3 dry Homecomings in 14 years….so the odds aren’t too good but we’ll have to just wait and see.

28September2008

Season is Flying By–Gearing Up For UMASS!

Posted by sarv under: General.

WOW! WHAT A BAND!!  ..and I could probably leave it at that for all of you out there who have seen the UDMB this fall.  But many haven’t and while I urge you to MAKE the time to experience this year’s edition I’ll make my usual attempt at trying to sum it up on a blog post.

9/13:  WEST CHESTER GAME–home opener and rain threatened all evening.  Fortunately only a couple of sprinkles here and there and nothing of significance.  As expected, the Golden Rams were packed quite a punch and was enjoyed by all.  The UDMB came out and did what they do best: “thank you for coming…but please don’t take offense if we take control of our house.” And the UDMB did just that:

During rehearsal I threw the proverbial gauntlet at the band and said that I didn’t want to hear the sound plates at the end of “Pictures At An Exhibition.”  The UDMB did not take lightly to this and threw the gauntlet right back at me at post game….I could barely here ANYONE in the pit!  GO HENS!

9/27:  ALBANY GAME–rainy Friday rehearsal, rainy Saturday afternoon rehearsal; no rain at game time until…HALFTIME!  And right after halftime it stopped of course.  But the UDMB pulled off 2 more great performances and post game was not one notch up from the WCU game, but 10!  The whole show is on the field–we still have things to add to “Spinning Wheel” and the end of “God Bless The Child.” but all in all 95% of the show is complete.  Tons to watch and listen for–there really isn’t a moment in the show where this isn’t SOMETHING sparking conversation among audience members.  This is perhaps the MOST enjoyable part of the band’s performances lately: listening to the audience say, “Look over there!”  “Did you hear that?!”  “No wait!  Look at the left side of the field–no, the right side now!”  Very fun times.

9/28:   ALLENTOWN: left Delaware with cloudy skies overhead but nothing much to worry about.  Got to the Quakertown exit and the Heavens opened up.  And for all by a brief 45 minutes at the mid-point of the festival it rained ALL DAY LONG!  Every single band was soaked to the skin.  But the amazing part is that there was an audience that NEVER left and just kept growing as the day went on.  How cool is that?!  the UDMB put on a show that was even better than the previous evening’s post game show and once again, the sound plates were tough to hear over the winds–I LOVE IT!

Next stop:  UMASS!!!