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 | BAND BULLETIN . . . | ||||||
| BHS ALUMNI BAND BULLETIN
- January 2009 President's Farewell Ken Lingbloom, President As the new year approaches, it is good to reflect on the year ending and what we have accomplished. There has been frustration and satisfaction, joy and sorrow. Through it all, we have grown individually and as a band. We started the year with the goal of performing a spring concert in addition to the presentation of the Ralph Pauley Scholarship. We were on new ground, but we were successful in our effort. The concert was well received, and will be the basis for future concerts. Another new event for us was a request for the band to perform music for the Memorial Day Festival of Flags at Greenacres Memorial Park. This was a challenge, since so many of our members have family obligations on that weekend. Still we were able to play and we pleased those who attended. A Christmas ensemble started in 2007. This Christmas season, the group performed at some of the venues from last year and added a few new events, as well. The ensemble was appreciated wherever it appeared and was a great ambassador for the band. If you would like to play with the ensemble in the future, you will need to purchase the appropriate music from Piper Music on Meridian St. Check with your section leader or At Large representative for further information. As our concert shirt supply dwindled, a decision was made to find a new way of being able to have a ready supply of shirts for our new members. With the assistance of Deanna Reynolds, daughter of band secretary, Iris Reynolds, we now can refer our new members to the embroidery shop, Bergen and Co., where a new shirt with our concert logo may be purchased. This will save the band money in reduced inventory and take care of storage hassles. A similar plan is under consideration for our sweatshirts and other band apparel. If you have suggestions in this regard, contact your section leader or your At Large representative. The concert band grew with a few new members. There were both alumni and non-alumni that joined. Thank you for sitting in with us. I hope this last year has been rewarding for you. Your efforts have strengthened the band. As always, we encourage alumni, and non-alumni to join in the fun. We can always use new players in every section of the band. There has been loss this year, as well. Most of us that grew up in the public school music program, at one time or another came under the influence of John Warden. When the BHS Alumni Band was formed, John was there from the first rehearsal on, mentoring and encouraging one and all. His passing this year leaves a hole in many hearts. Linda (Burley) Smith also took the final curtain. Her battle with cancer was epic, and she supported the band and its activities until the end. All will miss her French horn and perpetual smile. Others in the band faced sorrow with illness and loss. Know that your pain is shared by your other family, the members of the band. At this time I would like to thank the members of the band's Executive Board. It is these people that have allowed the band to prosper. There is a fair amount of band business that needs tending throughout the year, and your board has handled those responsibilities well. I would like to say a special thank you to Iris Reynolds for her dedication in taking and publishing the minutes for all of our meetings. Without a competent secretary, there would be no record of the band's operation. Iris did a super job in that regard. To our drum Major, Barry Buchanan, thank you for always being there. Year in and year out you continue to lead. The band and the community applaud your commitment. To our concert director, Frank Kuhl, thank you for understanding who and what we are. You face many challenges in dealing with the variety of ability levels within the band, and yet you continue to inspire all and lead us to new levels of accomplishment. In the new year, the band will, again, face new challenges. I am confident that our elected leadership will guide us through the rough spots and 2009 will be another year of growth and goodwill. President's Message Sue Logghe Hi All! Thank you for your vote of confidence in electing me to serve you as BHS Alumni Band president for 2009. It is an honor, and together we will march forward into 2009. I'm looking forward to the challenge of new music, the opportunity to get together with fellow musicians, and the hope that we will welcome some new faces to our Saturday morning rehearsals. I thought to start out, I'd give you a little glimpse into my musical background. I am from the Class of '65. There are a few of us currently in the Alumni Band – I hope more will decide to give it a try. I missed marching in the very first Alumni Band parade, but I was on the sidelines standing and cheering and being oh so very proud. I'm kinda glad I had the experience on the sidelines, because now when I see the response to our band coming down the street, I know how they feel. It is quite an experience to be part of this band…..I feel very lucky. The concert band provides a wonderful opportunity for us to challenge ourselves and feel that great sense of accomplishment (and sometimes amazement) when pieces we've rehearsed and rehearsed end up being performed better than they've ever sounded prior to that time….it just seems to happen that way sometimes. That's the way it is with music. Music is a huge part of my life and always has been. My father was a Trumpeter and had me playing trumpet at 13 months – yup – that's right…and at age 3, I cut my first record. It was red vinyl and played from the inside out. I played Jingle Bells and sang Put On Your Old Grey Bonnet as a Christmas gift for my father (the record has been lost). My brother was older, and when he was in Jr. High, Mr. Trentman was his band teacher – he graciously sent home music for me to play ‘cause I was always asking for music. So, why is a trumpeter playing in the percussion section? Simple – my lip was out of shape, which is why I didn't sign on for the band at the beginning, and one day Pat Jerns said, "Hey, we need a cymbal player." I decided I could do that…Wally came by my office bearing cymbals, music and a tape recording of the marches, and the rest is history. I even enjoyed a short stint in the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra playing cymbals and their amazing bass drum….what fun that was! And now the Timpani – it just doesn't get much better! Mr. Worden, Mr Bussard, Mr. Matsushita, Doc Leedy and Ralph Pauley (and my dad, of course) all played a huge part in feeding my appetite for music, and I'll be forever grateful for all they shared and for the love of music they displayed and nurtured in me. And what fortune to now have Frank as our director – the excellence continues on….it is good for us to be challenged and to push ourselves beyond what we think we can do. Well, enough about me – I suspect your story is probably not so different from mine – the end result is likely the same – we can't help but make music. So, let's do just that. Oh, of course there will be issues that come up – we are human, and that includes differences along with our similarities. We'd be so boring if we were all exactly the same. I may be wearing the "president's hat," but this is YOUR BAND. As your president, I truly want to hear from you – what you'd like to have happen; what's happening that you enjoy; places you'd like to play; music you enjoy – your ideas and dreams for the band. We can't do everything, but there is always room for ideas and energy. I hope you will bring both along with yourselves and other BHS alumni who haven't yet joined in this phenomenon we call the Bellingham High School Alumni Band! Thanks in advance for you partnership - - - stay tuned - - - there are more great moments to come! Sue Logghe Rehearsals Resume January 10th Once again American Legion Post #7 will provide rehearsal space for the concert band on Saturday mornings. The hall is located at 1688 West Bakerview Road near the airport. Participants are encouraged to arrive early and be warmed up and ready to rehearse promptly at 10:00 a.m. Note, the date on the calendar is wrong. The correct date is the 10th! You will want a music stand, a light for your music stand in case the light is poor where you sit, and all your non-Christmas music. If you play a brass instrument, you will need to bring your own personal "spit" cloth. Our director, Frank Kuhl, has sent a list of songs we will work on during our first rehearsal of the year, including some we haven’t tried for a while. Section leaders have been asked to have extra copies for those in their section who may not have those particular pieces. Lunch is sometimes served by the American Legion for those wishing to stay and share a meal. The cost is only $5, and the food is both tasty and ample. Sorry, but no "partial lunches" are available. When we leave, someone must pay for anyone who neglected to pay full fare. Thank you for supporting the Legion. Music Song and Dance Fantasy on a Japanese Folksong Blue Tango Belle of the Ball World Events Vesuvius By Frank Ticheli - this will be distributed at our Jan. 10 rehearsal. Band Apparel As noted elsewhere in this issue, there has been some discussion regarding changes to our uniforms. Most of the discussion has been in the form of how do we keep a supply of sweatshirts, in all sizes, readily available for new members and current members needing replacement shirts? The cost of doing small batches, four or five at a time, of our silk-screened shirts is quite prohibitive. Doing larger batches adds to the front-end costs from the band treasury and a substantial amount of time is required to recoup those expenses. Additionally, the band will run out of some sizes, and the whole process will start all over again. At the present time, the board is thinking of following the same format as we do for our concert shirts; that is, to have the new logo embroidered on sweatshirts. The new members may then order a shirt as needed. As now, our uniform attendant, Neely Noble, will maintain a few shirts that can be loaned to "guest" players as needed. While looking through the catalog of clothing, several things came to mind. One item that might have appeal to our members is the concept of a zippered fleece that could be worn over the polo shirts or other red shirt in cooler weather. There are a number of such items available, and would make appropriate additions to our "uniforms." Hmmm…. If you have thoughts, pro or con, please talk to your At Large representative so the matter may be discussed at a board meeting. Or, feel free to attend a board meeting to make your feelings known. The next board meeting is scheduled for Saturday, January 10th, 8:30 a.m. at Eleni’s Restaurant, 3720 Meridian St. (Across from the Bellingham Country Club.) Exciting Election Results By Rick Sucee, Chief Election Officer The Bellingham High School Alumni Band held its annual election for band officers on Saturday, December 13, 2008. The Chief Election Officer, chosen by the Board of Directors, was Rick Sucee. He along with Jim (Wally) Wallace and Sue Lingbloom formed the Election Committee. The election was a hotly contested fight with a nail biting ending--well not exactly. There was only one position that was contested, that being At Large Brass. The brass sections have two representatives and there were three running. The three were Jim Haynes, Marty Mitchell, and Jennifer Critchett. Marty and Jim were the winners and will represent the brass in 2009. Thanks, Jennifer, for the try--keep it up. Here are all the other results, none were contested: President--Sue Logghe; Vice President--Mike Richardson; Secretary--Patty Hoff; Treasurer--Jenny Roberts; At Large Woodwinds--Neely Noble; At Large Percussion (includes twirlers and flags)--Marcia Smith. Alumni Band Memorabilia and Merchandise BLack T-shirts - $15.00 (Limited quantity. Mostly size small.) Video Tape - $15.00 (First Ski to Sea parade, Christmas concert and dedication of Maritime Park.) DVD - $15.00 (First Ski to Sea parade, Christmas concert and dedication of Maritime Park.) CD Holders - $10.00 (Original band logo.) Band Stickers - $2.00 Band Pins - $4.00 2009 Calendar - $17.00 (Calendars can be mailed for an additional $2 each.) ------------------------------ | |||||||
| BHS ALUMNI BAND BULLETIN
- September 2008 President's Message Ken Lingbloom, President It was good to see everyone who turned out for the Ferndale events. Those that missed the Friday evening picnic missed another great evening. We were in a different part of Hovander Park, but it was very nice. Fortunately, the only problem we had was that several people were blinded by the setting sun and had more difficulty than usual following Frank's direction. You need to mark your calendar now for next year's Friday night picnic before the Ferndale parade. You won't be disappointed. Once the misplaced banners and flag materials were retrieved, there were smiles everywhere on parade morning. Perhaps it is just me, but the parade route seems to be getting shorter. Maybe it is just that I am getting older and can't remember from year-to-year. At any rate, everyone made it through amid much cheering and clapping. The concert in the park was also very well received. The crowd was enthusiastic and the band played well. Again, there were lots of smiles by the end of the performance. Thank you Mike Richardson, driver, and Rick Sucee, escort, for your time in transporting the float to and from Ferndale. That must be a difficult task. Once again, it is time to strike up the band. September 6th marks the beginning of our fall/winter rehearsals. As before, we will meet at the American Legion Hall, 1688 West Bakerview Rd. We would like the rehearsals to begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. Please plan to arrive early enough to find a chair and have your instrument warmed up. Rumor has it that our director, Frank Kuhl, has been working overtime to procure new music for the concert band. And last. I am saddened to report that members of the band have experienced great loss recently. Sue Logghe's son, Craig, passed away in August. Jim Haynes's wife, Twyla, died in July just prior to our Ferndale appearance. John Warden, a mentor to many of us in the band and a musical institution in the community, died in July. All great losses, and the band sends condolences to the families. General Membership Meeting in September Our vice-president, Ron Brown, has announced his resignation from that position. While he will remain active in the band, he will be unable to continue as vice-president at this time. The band will need to replace Ron as soon as possible. With that in mind, there will be general membership meetings at the September 6th and 13th rehearsals. At those times, nominations for the office of vice-president will be open. The job is crucial to the operation of the band. It will require a commitment to the band through 2010 since the vice-president will become next year's president and then fill the office of the past president on the Executive Board. Voting will take place at our September 20th rehearsal. If you are interested in being our new vice-president, or know someone who is, please plan to attend the meeting on September 6th. Calendar Fund Raiser A Message from Sue Logghe We are producing a 2009 Alumni Band Calendar. It is a great opportunity to get some of our photos out for everyone to see, to advertise our band, and make some money for the band. We need your help. Please bring your favorite Alumni Band photos to rehearsal on September 6 or 13. (no larger than 8x10). Mark them with your name, and we will make sure you get them back. Or if you are able, e-mail them to suezq65@aol.com instead. We will select photos for the calendar and get them ready to sell. Be thinking of all the people you know who will want one. The great thing is we can turn around and do it again in 2010. Included in the calendar will be:
Director's Message Frank Kuhl It's a real pleasure to address the members this year as we approach our next season. We've made music together in concerts and on parade. For that I want to thank each and every one of you – for being there, for your continued support, and for your dedication to our musical mission. I know with certainty that, when Saturday morning rolls around, most of you have more to do than you can fit on a list, yet we persevere doing what we do. It's my belief that we have grown musically and my hope that we challenge ourselves to continue that growth. This year, we will add more new music to our repertoire and work to improve existing numbers. There are new numbers in our rehearsal pads as yet unperformed. We should add them to our concert programs. I also believe it's about time we invited some guest conductors to work with us at rehearsals. This would give us a fresh look at ourselves and be a benchmark as to how well we're communicating. Sectionals will be needed occasionally to correct problems, and I'm ready to help section leaders coordinate these. In addition, section leaders would really help the cause if they could restrict doubling to 3rd, then 2nd parts. 1st parts can be rotated but not doubled. The idea of an ensemble program came up last year and has sparked some interest. I'd love to hear from anyone who's interested and wants to participate. Different Venue for September 27th Rehearsal We will be unable to hold our rehearsal September 27th at the American Legion Hall. If you know of a suitable location for that date, please contact your section leader. Free would be nice, but a donation to the site is also acceptable. Thank you. Elections in December This fall we will hold elections for the offices of Vice President, Treasurer and all of the At Large positions. As in the past, there will be a series of general membership meetings for this purpose. The first will be in October and the second will be in November. The purpose of these meetings will be to open the floor for nominations. The December meeting will be for voting. At present, there are four At Large representatives on the Executive Board; one woodwind, two brass and one for percussion and flag team. The duties for the At Large positions are as follows:
Please be thinking about this very important process as we move through the fall. Without your involvement and support, the band cannot operate. Current Band Personnel Executive Board Director: Frank Kuhl President: Ken Lingbloom Vice-President: (vacant) Secretary: Iris Reynolds Treasurer: Jenny Roberts Past President: Rick Sucee At Large Representatives Brass: Marty Mitchell and Mike Richardson Percussion, etc.: Sue Logghe Woodwinds: Patty Hoff Miscellaneous Volunteers Fund Raising: Sue Logghe (Grants, Projects, Solicitations) Music Library: Ken Lingbloom Recruitment: Ron Brown Newsletter Editor: Sue Lingbloom Publicity: Mike Richardson Assisted by Gwen Lockhart Registrar: Sue Lingbloom Uniforms: Neely Noble Section Leaders Clarinet: Neely Noble Flute/Piccolo: Patty Hoff Saxophone: Cathy Nelson assisted by Louise Kolstad Baritone: Ken Lingbloom French Horn: Sue Lingbloom Trombone: Marty Mitchell Trumpet: Jim Haynes Tuba: Rick Sucee Percussion: Sue Logghe assisted by Jim Wallace Majorettes: (Vacant) Flags: (Vacant) Band Regallia Manager At present, there is a stock of videos, CDs, shirts, stickers, etc. that should be made available to band members and the general public. The band is seeking a person to be in charge of maintaining this inventory. The responsibilities and duties of this job are as follows: 1. Provide storage of inventory. 2. Maintain a current listing of items in inventory. 3. Provide a current listing of items to the newsletter editor for inclusion in newsletter publication. 4. Arrange for the display and sale of items at band performance venues. 5. Replenish stock as authorized by the band board. 6. Report to the board on a routine basis. Band Venue Liaison The band needs a person to act as liaison between the band and potential performance venues. The responsibilities and duties of this job are as follows: 1. Work with the band board to determine schedules. 2. Act as coordinator between the band and entities requesting the band's performance. 3. Assure entry into all marching events. 4. Procure necessary parade permits that will allow the band to conduct marching practice. 5. Determine availability and cost of rehearsal and concert venues for proposed concert dates. 6. Keep a roster of contact people at those venues. 7. This person would maintain close contact with the board and advise the board on all activities. Band Float Maintenance Chairperson This person would be responsible for gathering a float committee. to repair and decorate the band's float for all parades. The committee would also be responsible for securing an appropriate tow vehicle and driver. The responsibilities and duties of this job are as follows: 1. Repair and decorate the float for all parades. 2. Secure an appropriate tow vehicle and driver. ------------------------------ | |||||||
| BHS ALUMNI BAND BULLETIN
- July 2008 President's Message Ken Lingbloom, President We survived the Ski-To-Sea parade. Thank you to all who came out to support this event. The band sounded pretty good and the observations by those in the back rank were that we looked pretty good, as well. Rick Sucee wanted to share some of the Judges' comments. "Thank you for your spirit and enthusiasm." "Great sound as always!" "Great percussion and cadence." "Best support group in the parade." "What a tribute to our community." Guess we done good, huh? Now, it is on to Ferndale for another parade. Hopefully, we will also have a large group for that event. Sue Logghe suggested earlier this year that it would be fun to "play some tunes" on the steps of the high school prior to gathering at Whatcom Middle School before the parade. For a first time effort, it went quite well. Look for this to become a regular part of parade day in the future. While most of the players were from the concert group, I did see several marchers looking over others' shoulders to see the music and play along. Well done!! A special thank you to Marcia and Jimmy Smith, Rick Sucee, Ron Renard and anyone else who worked on the float this year - Sue Sucee, Tom Cline, Clauson... It is now ready for riders and looks pretty darn sharp. It seems like there is always some kind of redecorating that needs to happen, and without a willing crew, we would have no float. In the past several years, Rick Sucee has headed up the float work party. He is now stepping down from that role, and as noted elsewhere in this issue, a new leader is needed. Hopefully, someone from the marching ranks will step up to fill Rick's shoes. In another spot in this newsletter you will find a note about the band potluck at Hovander Park in Ferndale July 25th. This has always been a fun event, and if you have never attended, you should consider doing so. Of note: All of the band's performances are alcohol free. There will be plenty of time after the event to celebrate with an adult beverage. Also, we have been reminded that all Bellingham schools are smoke free. If we violate that rule, we stand to lose some of our practice/performance options. Your cooperation is appreciated. Ken Small Music? What's That? by Ken Lingbloom Several years ago, the band played for the dedication of the Village Green in Fairhaven. It was a bit of a struggle since we had no chairs and still had to pack our stands to hold our music. What if? What if we had music that could fit in our lyres and not have to use our stands. I talked a bit with Ralph about what pieces might work best. He suggested that we start with Brazil and Hogan's Heroes. Since many of our marches were readily available in lyreable size, copying was straightforward. The more Ralph and I talked, the more we thought about the concept of a ready-to-go concert that we could do with a minimum of fuss. Once a sufficient number of pieces were assembled, everyone could keep them handy and somewhat rehearsed. While we never really developed the "concert-in-a-lyre" concept, that is where the "small music" came from. We tried to march with Hogan's Heroes at one time, and we now have several small sheets in our library. Ferndale's Pioneer Days July 25th, Friday 6:00 PM Band Potluck Party at Hovander Park 7:00 PM Concert Practice on the Lawn July 26th 10:00 AM Call Time for Parade in Ferndale - meet at Ferndale High School 12:00 PM Call Time for Concert in Ferndale - meet at Pioneer Park 2:00 PM Post-Parade Potluck Leftover Party at Lingbloom's Music for the Concert in Pioneer Park Music will be chosen from the following list of songs:
Veterans of Foreign Wars on July 12th Betty Ballard, the first Drum Major of the Bellingham High School Band, has asked the Alumni Band to help the Bellingham VFW celebrate its 80 years of service. The event will happen on Saturday, July 12th at 1:00 PM. The date coincides with our first marching practice for the Ferndale parade. The Alumni Band will be the opening event of their celebration. We will need to meet and park at, or near, the old armory (remember the skating rink?) by 12:45 p.m. (Parking may be tight. Plan accordingly.) The plan is to march down the hill to the VFW and turn left into their parking lot. We will play our marching tunes, Storm King, and Swing March. Once in the parking lot, we will play some of the following tunes:
After our performance, the VFW will provide us with a hot dog and a beverage. Don't forget your marching uniform: White shoes and socks, black pants, red shirts and hats. Ensembles to be Assembled Once again, the concept of doing some ensemble work is being discussed. Part of the reasoning behind forming an ensemble is that, during the year, the band is asked to perform at a variety of venues, but gathering the full band, concert or marching, is an extremely difficult challenge. By having an ensemble, the band could fulfill some of these requests and expand community awareness of the band. In recent conversations, Frank Kuhl has stated that if enough people are interested in pursuing this effort, he will find appropriate music. At present, some members have been purchasing a copy of "Play A Song Of America," a collection of over 35 songs. These arrangements are quite simple and adaptable to whatever instruments arrive at performance time. The books are available from Piper Music at 2512 Meridian. They have several parts in stock. If yours is not on hand, it can be ordered. Last year, at Christmas time, the ensemble raised some money for the band and had a lot of fun performing. The band has a few of those Christmas arrangements available. The two books presently being used are: "Christmas Favorites" by Hal Leonard and "Christmas Time" by Forrest L. Buchtel. If the band does not have a part for you, they are available for order through Piper Music on Meridian. These ensembles are open to anyone in the band and all are encouraged to participate. If you would like to join in the fun, contact Frank Kuhl or Ron Brown for further information. Rehearsals will be scheduled as needed. Odd Jobs Need Leaders The following areas each need someone willing to step up and lead a committee to accomplish these tasks. Band Regallia Manager At present, there is a stock of videos, CDs, shirts, stickers, etc. A person is needed who would be responsible for maintaining the band's inventory and sales of band memorabilia to both the general public and band members. Float Maintenance Chairperson This person would be responsible for gathering a committee to repair and decorate the band's float for all parades. The committee would also be responsible for securing an appropriate tow vehicle and driver. Band Venue Liaison The band needs a person to act as liaison between the band and potential performance venues. This would include maintaining a list of venue contacts for our various performances. Parades: entry and permits for marching practices. Concerts: facility availability and cost, provide liaison for permits, insurance, etc. This would include the following:
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| BHS ALUMNI BAND BULLETIN
- April 2008 Concerts and Parade on the Horizon Ken Lingbloom, President It is early April, and the band has been in rehearsal mode for two months already. We are preparing for three performances – one this month and two on May 3rd. April 19th will find us at good old BHS doing our part in the Spring concert. We will once again be awarding the Ralph Pauley Scholarship to a deserving senior. Please plan to join us at 7:30 for the festivities. Our treasurer, Jenny Roberts, has cleared the way for the band to perform at the Bellingham Yacht Club for the Opening of Boating Season on Saturday, May 3rd. Hopefully, there will be sunny skies and light breezes so we can perform outside. If the weather is uncooperative, we will have to play inside to a much smaller audience. A first for us will be the concert on the evening of May 3rd. We will be asking for a "suggested donation" at this concert. Details are in this newsletter. Our first marching practice will be at 10:00 a.m. on May 10th. As mentioned in the last newsletter, this year's parade will mark our 10th anniversary. Can we put together another 200+ marching band? What a wonderful goal. For those who "wouldn't miss it", please contact your marching buddies and bring them along. Our songs this year will be "Swing March" and "Storm King." Our Drum Major will be Barry Buchanan. Also in the last newsletter, we noted that we would be asking for non-alumni to join us. As a result, there are several new faces in the band. Welcome to all. Patty Hoff has found a potential source for fundraising. It is a web search engine called goodsearch.com. The band is now officially registered with goodsearch and goodsearch will donate to the band every time someone uses it as a search engine in the name of the Bellingham High School Alumni Band. There is further information in this issue. Please consider using it and recommend it you your friends, as well. The funding will help us continue making music. Don't forget to mark you calendars for July 12th, our first practice for the parade and concert in Ferndale. This year marks new concert shirts, new faces and new events. Don't miss out. I hope to see all of you at a concert or parade, soon. Until the next issue, be happy and be well. Ken Board Meetings Board Meetings are open to all members. They are held monthly, usually on the first Saturday, at: Eleni's Restaurant 3720 Meridian (across from the Country Club) Bellingham 2008 Dues are Due Checks may be mailed to: BHS Alumni Band Attn. Registrar P.O. Box 52 Bellingham, WA 98227 You can also pay the registrar at any rehearsal: Sue Lingbloom, French Horn * Please make checks payable to: BHS Alumni Band. Marching Practice Scheduled This year marks the tenth anniversary of our band. My, where did the time go? You are invited to come and be a part of this grand adventure. The marching practices will be held at Birchwood Elementary School May 10 and 17 at 10:00 a.m. and May 23rd at 6:00 PM. Please plan to attend. And, bring a friend. Let's make this another 200 plus member extravaganza. If you have contact information regarding the "long lost," please send it to our Registrar, Sue Lingbloom, at 926 Samish Way, Bellingham, WA 98229 or email her at kslingbloom@comcast.net. Scholarship Concert April 19th at 7:30 BHS Auditorium The Alumni Band will again award its $1,000 scholarship to a deserving recipient at the BHS Spring Concert on April 19h. As part of the evening's festivities, a special award will be presented to John Warden in recognition of more than fifty years of dedication to music in the Bellingham area. You are all encouraged to come out, support your band, and see just what is new and exciting in the BHS music program. New Concert Shirts Coming The Board has elected to update our concert polo shirts. There are several reasons behind the move. Some of our current shirts are not in good repair, faded, soiled, etc. and in need of replacement. In the past, the band has tried to anticipate the quantity of shirts and the various sizes needed. Over time, this supply has dwindled and there is an insufficient quantity of some sizes to meet projected needs. The cost to the band to maintain this supply is significant. Also, it had been suggested that the logo could use a little "freshening." With that in mind, it was decided to move to an embroidered logo. We have been working with Iris Reynolds's daughter, Deana, at Bergen and Company Embroidery Shop. The plan is that each player will be responsible to purchase his or her own shirt through Bergen. The address for Bergen and Company is: 4003 Irongate Road and the phone number is: (360) 676-7503. It is anticipated that the new shirts will be available in early April. Band Sets Concert Date May 3rd 11:00 AM Bellingham Yacht Club 7:00 PM First Congregational church This year, the band has scheduled two performances on May 3rd. The first will be a concert in conjunction with the opening of Boating Season at the Bellingham Yacht Club. We will play at 11:00 AM for an hour or so. If the weather is good, the concert will be outdoors and open to the general public. Rain would force an indoor performance limited to Bellingham Yacht Club members and their guests. That evening, we are going to put on a concert at the First Congregational Church, 2401 Cornwall Ave. The performance will begin at 7:00 PM. This will be something new for the band, and should be a wonderful evening. Your support is encouraged. Float Refurbishing This year the float will return to its roots and allow seating for passengers. However, this doesn't happen by wishing alone. It will take a group of people to make it happen. Rick Sucee will schedule times for all interested in gathering to redecorate. You can contact Rick directly at (360)739-8880. Happy Birthday John and Helen Warden May 10th 2:30-4:30 PM First Presbyterian Church 1031 N. Garden St. Bellingham Please, no gifts. Photos brought that day will be used to make a special scrapbook. VFW Celebrates 80 Years Alumni Band is Invited This year the VFW is celebrating its 80th anniversary. Betty Ballard, the first Drum Major of the BHS band, has asked that the band perform for this celebration. The date is July 12th at 1:00 PM. The date also coincides with our first practice date for the Ferndale parade. At present, the thought is that we could do a program similar to what we do for Veteran's Day. Betty has also said that, no matter what else we play, we MUST play "Swing March." We need people to make a commitment as soon as possible so we can let Betty know for sure just how big a group we'll have. If you would like to play, please contact Ron Brown. His phone number is: (360) 856-2762 Or e-mail him at: rbrown@ncia.com Ensemble for "Off" Season During the holiday season, an ensemble of the willing was formed to play Christmas songs at various locations around town. As a follow-up to that effort, work is under way to find suitable material to continue an ensemble. So far, a book of Americana-type pieces has been found as a starting point for an ensemble to continue playing during the band's "off" time. The songbooks, "Play a Song of America," are available through Piper Music in the Fountain District at 2512 Meridian St. The books cost $5.95 plus tax and shipping. Each player will be responsible for buying his or her own copies. A schedule for ensemble rehearsals and performances has not been established. However, if you are interested in playing with this group, and it is open to all band members, please contact your section leader or at-large representative. Membership Responsibilities and Etiquette From the 2008 BHS Alumni Band Board 2008 Band Member Requirements: Welcome to the band. Please read the guidelines below in order to understand the responsibilities and expectations of members. Dues $20 per year Uniforms
Your instrument, heavy-duty music stand, folding chair available as needed for outdoor concerts. It is highly suggested you purchase a stand light for dark indoor concerts. Music is copied and passed out during rehearsals. You are responsible to keep your copy of music in an orderly fashion for marching, seasonal concerts, and Christmas concerts. It is helpful to keep multiple binders for the different classifications of music. Rehearsal Etiquette
Many of us eat lunch at the Legion after rehearsal. The Legion ladies are gracious enough to prepare a nice meal each Saturday. The cost is only $5.00. You can drop your $5.00 in the donation bowl in the lunchroom and enjoy a very nice home-made hot meal. Raise Funds With GoodSearch & GoodShop Hello, We're excited to welcome the Bellingham High School Alumni Band to GoodSearch and GoodShop. More than 57,000 nonprofits and schools are now participating in our program and 100 new organizations are joining daily! Starting tomorrow your organization will be up and running on our two sites: GoodSearch.com - The search engine with a unique social mission. It's powered by Yahoo!, so you get great search results, but each time you search, GoodSearch makes a donation to your cause. GoodShop.com - The new online marketplace that donates a percentage of your purchase to the nonprofit or school of your choice. You can choose from hundreds of popular merchants and the experience of shopping through GoodShop is exactly the same as going to the retailer's Web site directly. GoodSearch can be as successful as you choose to make it. So before you start, please check out our Spread the Word http://www.goodsearch.com/GetInvolved.aspx. Some things to do right away to get the word out to your supporters include: Sending out an e-mail http://www.goodsearch.com/GetInvolved.aspx#email asking them to start using GoodSearch and GoodShop. Putting a GoodSearch logo http://www.goodsearch.com/GetInvolved.aspx#logo and Search Box http://www.goodsearch.com/SearchBoxApp.aspx on your site. Setting a goal. For example, "We are trying to earn (insert amount) dollars this year from GoodSearch which will pay for (insert project goal)." Update your supporters in newsletters and on your Web site. Other great tips include teaming up with a local school or company and asking them to search and shop on your behalf and contacting your local tv or radio station to pitch them a story on how people can support your cause every time they search the Internet or shop online. Here's some of the press coverage thus far. ------------------------------ | |||||||
| BHS ALUMNI BAND BULLETIN
- January 2008 President's Message: A Year of Possibilities Ken Lingbloom, President Happy New Year! I find the coming year full of promise for the band. It will be our 10th Anniversary year. How cool is that! The potential for a grand reunion at this year's Ski To Sea parade is tremendous. For those of us who marched in that first parade, the memory will last a lifetime. And while it cannot be duplicated, there remains the possibility of recreating it. It will mean all of us taking a few minutes to contact some of our friends and encouraging them to be a part of this year's celebration. If any of you have current contact information for past members, you are asked to send it to Sue Lingbloom, Band Registrar and disseminator of information. You will find her contact information elsewhere in this newsletter. There will be several other opportunities for the band to make its presence known in the community. There will be the usual performance at the Scholarship Concert at BHS. A Spring Concert has been discussed in the past, and his year I hope to see the band stage such an event. An adjunct to that concert will be a return to play for the opening of boating season at the Bellingham Yacht Club in May. Discussions are developing with members of the Board for the Festival of Music, scheduled for this July. I am hoping that several of our members will offer their services as volunteers for the festival. Help will be needed in various areas, and a "show of the colors" at this event would help raise community awareness of our band. You will notice in this issue a "recruitment" flyer. The concert band is in need of more players; now is the time to step forward if you have ever thought about becoming more involved. Or, if you know of someone outside the band that might like to play, please contact me, or Frank Kuhl, with that information. As an encouragement to former players, we are contemplating a series of "return to band" rehearsals on one Saturday each month following our regular rehearsal. The intent is to encourage former band members who haven't played in quite a while to ease into the band at their own comfort level. The band Executive Board typically meets on the first Saturday of every month at Eleni's Restaurant, 3720 Meridian, at 8:00 a.m. All band members are welcome to attend these meetings and bring forward ideas or desires to the board. About the newsletter. It is hoped that a quarterly newsletter will be sent to all members of the band, marching and concert. The intent is to keep the membership apprised of the band's activities throughout the year. Regular features will include rehearsal and performance schedules and special event notices. The newsletter will be in addition to the bulletins that are sent out from time to time. The biggest difference between the two is that the bulletins are most frequently aimed at the concert group because of short-notice situations, and are generally sent via e-mail. Both the newsletter and bulletins should appear on the band's website, as well. The newsletter should appear in January, April, July and October. If you have information for the band, an article, or photographs to share, you can submit them to Sue Lingbloom. The deadline for such submissions will be the 15th of the month prior to publication. A "WORD" document attached to an email is preferred for text as straight e-mail may cause delays due to reformatting your article. Earlier than the 15th is better in this case. So, there you have it. I hope to see you all this year, whether at a parade or a concert performance. Be well and be happy. Ken 10th-Year Anniversary of BHS Alumni Band Do you remember marching down Cornwall Av- enue on May 23, 1998, playing "Swing March" to the cheers and clapping from the crowded sidewalk? Do you remember that fi rst Christmas Concert at the Ferry Terminal on December 12, 1998? A special celebration is planned for 2008 in honor of all who have helped make the BHS Alumni Band a blessing to the community. Please plan to join us all marching past Bellingham High School on May 24th. If you want a refresher course, plans are already being made; if you have no instrument, march anyway and fi ll in an otherwise empty spot. The fl oat is expected to have seating room for a few who want to be part of the excitement even though they no longer can walk the distance. Let us know so a place can be saved for you. Let's make this the biggest and best since 1998! The Festival of Music The Festival of Music returns to Bellingham in July. The BHS Alumni Band has the opportunity to make itself better known in the community by helping as we are needed. The tasks will probably vary with enough variety to appeal to many of us. Information on how to volunteer will be available in the April newsletter. Spring Concerts A Spring Concert is being planned for the 2008 season, and songs played at the Scholarship Concert may come from that larger body of music. One venue for the Spring Concert will be the Opening Day of Boating Season. We expect to learn soon if it will be inside for Bellingham Yacht Club members and their guests or outside under cover where the general public can be invited. More information will be available in the April edition of The Quarter Note. Board Meetings Open Alumni Band Board meetings are open to all members of the band. It usually meets on the fi rst Saturday of each month, 8:00 a.m., at Eleni's Restaurant across Meridian from the Bellingham Golf Club. Come for breakfast or a cup of coffee and learn fi rst-hand the workings of your elected board. The waitress provides individual checks and the private room is a quiet space for a meeting. 2008 Executive Board Ken Lingbloom, president (baritone) Ron Brown, vice president (tenor sax) Jenny (Roberts) Smith, treasurer (trumpet) Iris Reynolds, secretary (flute / piccolo) Sue Logghe, At-Large: Percussion, twirlers, etc. Patty Hoff, At-Large: Woodwinds Marty Mitchell, At-Large: Brass Mike Richardson, At-Large: Brass 2008 Dues are Due Checks may be mailed to: BHS Alumni Band Attn. Registrar P.O. Box 52 Bellingham, WA 98227 * Please make checks payable to: BHS Alumni Band. Scholarship Committee Needs Volunteers A group of about fi ve band members is needed to evaluate the scholarship applicants and choose the winner. The Ralph Pauley Scholarship is awarded each spring to a Bellingham High School graduating senior with a strong desire to remain involved with music as an adult. If you are interested in assisting with the process, please contact Sue Lingbloom. Phone 360-733-8897 or e-mail Sue at kslingbloom@comcast.net. Strike Up the Band with Bellingham High School Alumni Like to play music and have fun? The Bellingham High School Alumni Band is accepting new members. You do not need to be an alumni of Bellingham High School to join. We do concerts, special events and parades. Need an instrument? We may be able to help. Contact Us Ken & Sue: 360-733-8897 or kslingbloom@comcast.net Frank Kuhl: 360-224-8315 ------------------------------ | |||||||
| BHS ALUMNI BAND BULLETIN
- November 2007 Election of Officers: Secretary and Vice President NOMINATIONS will be accepted at the General Meeting this Saturday, October 13th, after band rehearsal as well as November 17th. Voting will take place in December at a Bellis Fair Con-cert. 1. Executive Of.cers of the Corporation and their Duties
1.5 Secretary—shall take and maintain minutes at all Corporation meetings, keep a .le of all past and present minutes, and maintain a .le of all of.cial corporate documents, grants, contracts, and insurance documents. The Secretary shall maintain a safety deposit box for the purpose of storing ALL of.cial corporate documents except for minutes.
2.2 The Treasurer and Secretary shall serve 2-year terms and be elected on alternating years so there will be a continuance of experience within the group.
Are you available on Monday? How do you sign up to participate? Stand and be counted this Saturday at rehearsal (Oct. 13). Reply to this email or contact your At-Large Representative. What happens if we don.t have enough band members and appropriate instrumentation? The Alumni Band will only perform if we have enough people on the instruments needed. Your committment is crucial! WHEN will the decision be made? By October 17th, so make your voice heard today! Performance Schedule
Dues are due in January, but early payment will be accepted. Send to: BHS Alumni Band C/o Sue Lingbloom, Registrar 926 S. Samish Way Bellingham, WA 98229-3106 Lunch at the Legion Lunch is available at the American Legion after rehearsal for about $5. It usually consists of soup, salad and a sandwich. It is set up in the bar area where tables are arranged for visiting and enjoying our meal. Nonmembers of the American Legion must sign in. ------------------------------ | |||||||
| BHS ALUMNI BAND BULLETIN
- SEPTEMBER 2007 WELCOME BACK! The fall concert rehearsals will begin at the American Legion Hall Saturday, September 15th, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Upcoming performances will include, but are not be limited to, the following:
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| BHS ALUMNI BAND T-SHIRTS We will be placing an order for BHS Alumni Band T-shirts in early 2007. The cost is $20 and orders must be prepaid. If you wish to purchase a T-shirt, please make payment and provide your size to Jim (Wally) Wallace by Saturday, February 17, 2007. ------------------------------ | |||||||
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BHS ALUMNI BAND BULLETIN
- JANUARY 2007 New Rehearsal Time: 9:45-11:45 a.m. REHEARSALS for the Concert Band resume January 27th at Shuksan. Note the new time. One of the band's most faithful supporters, John Burley, will celebrate his 80th birthday on February 24th at the Elk's Club on Samish Way. The band has been asked to perform a short concert, and then enjoy refreshments with the other guests. Please let your At-Large Representative know whether or not you will be attending. Reeds: Patty Hoff phoff@bham.wednet.edu (360) 733-4634 Brass: Marty Mitchell pamarmit@msn.com (360) 384-1710 Brass: Mike Richardson merlinspitfire2001@yahoo.com (360) 380-7375 Percussion: Sue Logghe suezq65@aol.com (360) 733-4070 2007 dues are also being collected now and remain at $20 per person. Make out your check to BHS ALUMNI BAND and include "Dues" on the MEMO line. Dues can be mailed to: BHS Alumni Band C/o Sue Lingbloom 926 S. Samish Way Bellingham, WA 98229-3106 Additional funds may be donated and are tax deductible and a receipt is available. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and our TIN is 91-1943476. Four new band officers were elected in December. The Board members for 2007 are:
Vice President – Ken Lingbloom (baritone) Past President – Jim Wallace (percussion) Secretary – Susan McFarland (French horn) Treasurer – Jan Humphrey (flute)
Patty Hoff – Reeds Sue Logghe – Percussion, Majorettes, Flag Team Marty Mitchel – Brass Mike Richardson – Brass T-shirts for those wanting a cooler marching uniform will be ordered in February. They will be the same as our current sweatshirt uniform and cost $15. They must be purchased in advance; the deadline is February 17th. Jim Wallace (percussion) is collecting the orders, so give your order to him soon or mail it to the band post office box. BHS Alumni Band PO Box 52 Bellingham, WA 98227 ------------------------------ BHS ALUMNI BAND BULLETIN - OCTOBER 2006 A General Membership Meeting will be held at 11:30 a.m. on October 21st at Shuksan Middle School for the purpose of nominating officers and Section Leaders. Elections will be held the first weekend in December. Up for election will be Vice-President, Treasurer, and Section Leaders. The office of Vice-President is a 3-year commitment, as that person serves a year in each of the positions of vice-president, president, and past-president. The Treasurer is a 2-year position with elections alternating between treasurer and secretary. The goal is to maintain continuity of leadership. Under the new Bylaws, the Executive Committee was dissolved and four new positions added to the Executive Board. These new At Large representatives will be our voting voice on the Board, and each band member will have the opportunity to vote for all four positions. The Bylaws read: 2. At Large Positions 2.1 At Large positions shall be elected for 2-year terms. 2.2 At Large position duties are to participate in both concert and marching band, represent their sections on the Executive Board, communicate Band information to their sections, monitor payment of dues, and maintain an accurate member roster of their sections. 2.3 At Large positions shall not be held by an Executive Officer. Perhaps you would be interested in filling one of these four positions. Please make your voice heard and volunteer your time. Tell someone – a current section leader or officer – and help our Executive Board be representative of the whole band. Marching uniforms (T-shirts & sweatshirts) may be ordered during the winter months in preparation for the 2007 marching season. Jim (Wally) Wallace will be placing the order after the first of the year. All orders must be prepaid to be included. The prices have not yet been determined, so keep your eyes and ears open for updated information. REMINDER: According to the Bylaws, "Members are to wear a band uniform only when representing the band at an official band function or as directed by the Executive Board." The band is operating on a very limited budget. We are forced to limit the mailing of bulletins, etc. to only paid members. If you have an e-mail address, you may continue to receive the Band Bulletin by sending your current e-mail address to: Sue Lingbloom, Editor kslingbloom@comcast.net 926 South Samish Way Bellingham, WA 98229 (360) 733-8897 If you are unsure about your membership status, feel free to contact Sue for an update. | |||||||
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