Present: Andrew B., John P., Elizabeth Anne R., Dave O., Gary S.
Absent: Bryan P., Monica J., Ward S., Lee O.

Proposal for Alumni Band at U of A Home football games: Discussed John’s written proposal that was sent to everyone. John also went a step further and prepared a proposed operating procedure for these bands and a format for collecting information and selection process. This included proposed instrumentation for each band. We decided to go ahead as proposed, with some modifications. We will have a director for the stadium band, but will have one of the instrumentalists serve as leader for the skybox band. This will be an individual experienced in conducting, probably one of our music educators. We added one flute to the skybox band. We also decided we need to emphasize uniformity and everyone who plays will be expected to have a current Alumni Band red shirt. Dave Olson will follow through to get approval and purchase a supply of new shirts which will be available by the time we start the first rehearsal. We also need to emphasize that seats will be available for performers only. Other things discussed - the need to place a priority on contributing membership for selection, ask if people already have stadium seats which would allow us to expend either band, and solicit interest in directing. We will rehearse on game day at a place to be determined from 10:30 to 11:30 AM. Elizabeth Anne will contact Dave Ball and Shannon Casey to develop appropriate music and insure its availability. We discussed charging a deposit fee for music to insure getting it back, but no real decision made.

There are still some problems to be worked out regarding availability of large instruments. We will continue to work with the School of Music as our main source, but eventually we still want to have our own instruments. Right away, we’ll need a second bass drum, and two parade snare drums. We would also like to have a set of crash cymbals. We decided to go ahead and procure 4 sousaphone bell covers. Dave Olson will do this.

Andrew will mention this new Alumni Band opportunity at the Alumni Band night at the Band Camp on Aug 18. The current students should be a good conduit for getting information to recent grads about these opportunities. We hope to have good representation of these people in the new stadium bands. We do not yet know the location of the seats but are assuming they will be near the POA. We will try to be included in their refreshments. John will prepare a writeup on this for the next newsletter to go out in the next two weeks and he will post information on the School of Music bulletin boards. We will use the band office phone number for information and to collect information from interested individuals. Andrew will discuss with the Band Office secretary.

Shannon Casey will be asked to help us with our instrument questions, finding a rehearsal location for home gameday rehearsals, and assistance with our music. Elizabeth Anne will be discussing music with her. We will also ask Shannon to help us get early resolution of the ticket question for the October 30th UCLA trip. We only have a week before deadline to get information in our next formal newsletter.

UCLA Trip: Need to make additional contact with SOCAL U of A Alumni group to square away possibility of our playing at their pregame activities. John will try to do this before August 22. John checked on availability of hotels and found several in vicinity that looked good with reasonable prices. He will go ahead and book a block of rooms for the travelers to the game that need rooms in Pasadena. Right now the most realistic plan is to assemble at our main hotel, have a brief rehearsal there, travel to Q’s Billiard Club, where the SOCAL Alums are having their pregame party, and then on to the stadium where we will perform at tailgate activities, and be joining the UCLA Alumni Band at some point. We expect to do some playing in the stadium, as well. John will contact the SOCAL Alums to see if we can use their shuttles from Q’s to the game.

August 22 Picnic: Andrew will talk to Dave Ball about his grille. Other details were worked out and we expect things to go off well. Picnic at Himmel Park starts at 11:00 AM and will run as late as 5:00 PM.

Wednesday, Aug. 18 Band Night: We will have our break with the POA from 8:15 to 8:45 PM. Andrew has ordered 400 Egees for only $100. Andrew will bring two tables. It will take place at the North Practice field between the library and the stadium. On maps this is called the Beardown Field.

Dave Olson discussed the next newsletter which will be the main homecoming issue. He needs all written material from us by the picnic.