BAND ECHOES
July 2016
University of Montana ALUMNI BAND
New Event! Alumni Band BBQ
Welcome to the First Ever Alumni Band BBQ
Alumni Band BBQ
For years alumni band members have been faced with a difficult decision after the
homecoming parade: “Where do I want to eat and/or tailgate?” Well this year’s
homecoming will make that decision a no-brainer. For the first time we will have
our own tailgate luncheon and it will be only one block from the music building!
525 Connell Ave
My parents, Fred (class of ’63) and Kathy (class of ’62) will be hosting this gathering in their backyard at 525 Connell Avenue. For those of you not familiar where
that is, it is one block directly west of the music building. The street that you turn
East onto and go towards the Music Building is Connell. In fact, once we reach
the end of the parade the Band (will) march directly to their backyard and get the
party started!
October 1, 2016
This event will come with plenty of food, drinks and adult beverages. Everything
will be provided prior to the start of the game and you won’t have to worry about
where to store your instrument. You can bring it with you as their backyard will
have plenty of space. Tickets are only $10 and alumni family members are more
than welcome. Kids 12 and under eat free!
This event will replace the post-game BBQ that has been catered by UM on
campus. Our event will be off campus catered by your illustrious Alumni Band
committee. We hope to have as many people as possible, so please encourage
everyone to sign up.
Saturday
BBQ starts after the

homecoming parade
Alumni Band family

members are welcome
RSVP using registration

form -Newsletter page 7
Tickets - $10
Kids 12 & under eat free!
Brendan McGlynn
UM Alumni Band Committee
In This Issue
New Homecoming Event!

New Event!
Alumni Band BBQ

Welcome
Carl Smart, Chair

2016 Alumni Band
Schedule of Events

Registration Form
Under The Big Sky!
Join UMAA
Greetings to all of you that love our UM Grizzlies and this awesome Big Sky State!
Yes, the theme for our 2016 Homecoming is “Under The Big Sky”, and we plan to
have a great weekend with perfect weather for this 2016 Alumni Band Reunion.
We are indeed expecting over 100 of you to march in the parade and join us on
the football field for the half-time performance. So, get out the horn, start practicing, and get yourself ready to enjoy a great gathering of Alumni Band friends.
If you have not yet
joined the UM ALUMNI
ASSOCIATION you
are encouraged to do
so soon.
We do have a few special things planned, including our first ever ALUMNI BAND
TAILGATE BBQ after the parade. The always well-organized Rob Tapper, UM
Director of Jazz Studies, has offered to help organize this party for us and the
McGynn’s graciously offered to host. But behave, we need to get to the game!
Do try to be here by 10:30 Friday morning as we enjoy a morning of gathering,
coffee & cookies compliments of our awesome UM Alumni Association,
pre-registration/welcome table with packets of music, banquet & BBQ tickets, &
schedule of the two day’s events. We really want you to be here to fill out the
instrumentation and enjoy the great ‘Concert Band Reading’ session conducted by
Dr. James Smart, Director of Bands. If you have a favorite piece of concert band
literature from your time in UM Band please let us know so we will see if Dr. Smart
can have it for us to read. Save some lips for the afternoon Marching Band music
rehearsal, with instructions from our UM GRIZ Marching Band Director, Dr. Kevin
Griggs.
Last year we had many compliments on a great ‘Friday Evening Banquet’, special
recognition, presentations, and entertainment before our annual Alumni Jazz Band
played for your dancing & listening enjoyment. If you have not been to the Holiday
Inn at 9:00pm for the presentation by the GRIZ MARCHING BAND, you will be
amazed at the performance they provide for us with energy and exciting sounds.
AND YES, we do plan to have two sessions of our Alumni Jazz playing,
before and after the GRIZ Band, so plan to make it an evening of fun at the
Holiday Inn Downtown.
Did you miss it??? We had our first ever Alumni Pep Band play for two exciting
basketball games this January! Both the Lady Griz and Men’s Basketball teams
won the games we were at, and it was wildly exciting to be there in Dahlberg
Arena playing the Star Spangled Banner, all the great new Pep Band tunes with
all the energy of college basketball at its best! What fun, and we even learned a
few of the new cheers the Griz Pep Band use at the games. We had 35 Alumni
Band members play over the two games, even though most only could make it for
one or the other game. This coming season we hope you can join the fun!
The UM Alumni Association does a great job
of keeping all of us UM
graduates informed of
campus happenings,
organizing special
events, and being
strong advocates for
supporting all of our
University Studies and
Programs!
For more information
on benefits and pricing
go to:
UM Alumni Association
A special note! Thanks to your extra donations along with registration last
Homecoming, we have enough money for the first time to reach out to the current
GRIZ BAND students and get them into our fold as young Alumni as they graduate. We’re planning an Ice Cream Social in August for the students attending the
GRIZ Marching Band Camp before school starts. Thanks again to each of you for
your generosity allowing us to take some great steps as an Alumni Band. Who
knows, we may grow enough to endow a full scholarship through the UM
Foundation in the future!
We’re already excited to see you on September 30 - October 1, 2016! You will find
the registration form in this newsletter, run off a copy to COMPLETE and send it in
while it’s on your mind!
Sincerely,
Carl Smart
2016 Committee Chairman
UM Alumni Band Committee
Betty & Carl Smart
Musings from Inside the Beltway
Greetings from our Nation’s Capital! Having lived far from Montana for nearly 28 years, I always look forward to catching
up on UM Band Alumni news, whether by newsletters, alumni magazines or personal communications. I have lots of
great memories of those days: games at Dornblaser, the freaky swaying of the bridge when marching with great
precision on Higgins, later experiences in Washington-Grizzly Stadium, and performances in the University Theater. But what I remember most are the people. The staff, faculty and fellow students – both graduate and undergrads
alike, who helped to create an environment that was rich, relevant, and fun. It quickly became evident that the hard work
was a “price of admission,” and that the life’s lessons learned meant as much to me as did the technical skills. As I walk
my current path, I openly acknowledge that I don’t really have an original thought in my body – I’m just parroting what
I’ve gathered from people like Tom Cook, Lance Boyd, Don Simmons, Roger McDonald and John Ellis over the years.
Today I have the great pleasure of working with the 252 Officers, Soldiers and Civilians of The U.S. Army Band
“Pershing’s Own.” As my military career approaches its end, I often think about my fortuitous career path, and the
succession of opportunities that led me to this point: my first years of teaching in Superior (that ultimately led me to
grad school at UM), teaching in Great Falls with amazing colleagues, a leap of faith into military music, and a variety
of military assignments with great people who were also incredible musicians.
I have had the good fortune to work in a variety of great concert venues: the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Avery
Fisher Hall, Wolf Trap, DAR Constitution Hall, and the Meyerson and Meyerhoff Symphony Halls; and be a part of
productions like the Kennedy Center Honors, the National Memorial Day and A Capitol Fourth broadcasts, joint concerts
with the New York Philharmonic, a concert with Norwegian military musicians in Oslo, commemorating the
70th Anniversary of Norway’s liberation, and an Emmy-nominated PBS Broadcast and recording from the U.S. Military
Academy at West Point. But the more poignant experiences were performances in the smaller towns across this great
Nation. I was a daily witness to the patriotism our country still feels, and the support of our military that it unabashedly
displays. There is nothing quite like observing a wheelchair-bound veteran struggling to stand for the playing of his/her
service song, and the smile on their faces when displaying their pride in having served their Nation. I am humbled to be
a visible representative of the many who are deployed around the world in defense of our people, and to lead Soldiers
who serve as examples of the excellence found across our Army. Little did I know that my music career would lead to a
life of service to our Nation.
I live for the magical musical moments, but it is the human moments - the reminders of our fallibility and need to keep
our sense of humor that keeps me humble and grateful. I remember traveling with our Herald Trumpets about 20 years
ago during my first assignment with “Pershing’s Own” – we were supporting the 100th anniversary festivities in celebration of Utah’s statehood. As we stood in the hotel lobby, waiting to be called forward to pick up keys at the front desk, I
heard my name called. Once I arrived, the desk clerk asked where my roommate was. This surprised me, as officers
and Sergeants Major have the good fortune of getting single rooms. The clerk was very insistent, replying that he
couldn’t check me in until my roommate came forward. When I stated again that I had no roommate, he loudly asserted
that it was right on his paperwork – HERALD TRUMPET! Needless to say, the rest of our musicians and I had a good
laugh, even though it took more explanation before the clerk fully understood.
As my February change of command and retirement ceremony approach,
I find that unlike the great venues, the interesting travels, and the inspirational
musical moments, true fulfillment comes from the people you shared those
experiences with. It has always been difficult for me to leave one organization for
another, but building new connections and friendships always soothed the sense
of loss. In this last transition, there is no new unit and no new ensembles. Interestingly, I’m not bothered and will depart with a lifetime of memories and no
regrets. As our daughters are settled in the area, Laurie and I plan to remain
in the area. In the midst of planning for this transition, I look forward to taking a
break, and coming to conduct the Montana All-State Band in October. Do stop
by and say hello if you’re nearby.
Tim Holtan
COL, US Army
10th Leader and Commander
The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own"
Colonel Timothy J. Holtan
UM Band
Alumni
Marilyn
Cole
Marilyn Cole began her study
of the oboe at age eleven in
Billings Montana. Her first
taste of a professional orchestra came when she
performed with the Billings
Symphony Orchestra at the
age of 18. While in Montana,
she performed regularly with
the Missoula Symphony
Orchestra, Glacier Symphony Orchestra and various
chamber ensembles. Ms.
Cole also had the privilege of
studying with Eric Ohlsson,
Paige Morgan and John
Mack during her summers at
Brevard Music Center.
After receiving a bachelor’s degree in oboe performance from the University of
Montana where she studied with Roger McDonald, Marilyn went on to make use
of her second degree in music education by teaching primary music at the Frankfurt International School in Frankfurt, Germany as well as middle school and high
school band in Seattle, Washington. Marilyn continued her education under Richard Killmer at the Eastman School of Music where she earned a master’s degree
in oboe performance and literature. While in school she also performed with the
Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, the Tri-Cities Opera Company, the Binghamton
Philharmonic and Erie Philharmonic.
Marilyn Cole
Marilyn is on the
faculty of the Rudolf
Steiner School in
Manhattan, the first
Waldorf school in
North America. There
she teaches group
oboe lessons, private
oboe lessons, recorder
classes and woodwind
classes.
Marilyn is also currently a musical consultant
and oboe coach on the
Amazon Prime show,
Mozart in the Jungle.
Her recordings can be
heard during the
episodes as well.
Since moving to New York, Marilyn has performed with numerous groups including One World Symphony, Greenwich Symphony Orchestra, Empire Chamber
Orchestra, Garden State Philharmonic, Richmond County Orchestra, Willow
Ensemble, Metro Chamber Orchestra, New York Kammermusicker, Chelsea
Symphony and the Ambitious Orchestra. From time to time Marilyn can be heard
performing with Wicked and Les Miserables on Broadway. Most recently Marilyn
is involved with the coaching and creative process of the series, Mozart in the
Jungle. She works closely with the actors, directors and writers and her recordings
can also be heard on selected episodes.
Follow Marilyn on her website and wish her well at marilyncole.com .
Scott McKenzie
UM Alumni Band Committee
UM Alum Marilyn Cole
University of Montana Symphonic Wind Ensemble - 2015
UM Concert Band News
The UM Concert Bands had another banner year full of guest artists, collaborative concerts and top shelf
repertoire. We opened the year with a themed concert titled “Toccata and Feud” featuring a President’s Own Marine
Band transcription of J.S. Bach’s monumental Toccata and Fugue in dm and a new complete arrangement of Leonard
Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story. Sandwiched between those two pillars we welcomed Missoula
based soprano, Caitlin Cisler to the stage for James Mobberley’s Words of Love.
In November we hosted another successful High School All-Star Festival with participants from fifty-seven high schools
from four states. Over three days the high school students were treated to performances by the UM Symphonic Wind
Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, guest flutist, Donna Shin, and University of British Columbia conductor, Dr. Robert
Taylor. This event has become a model for university outreach and the primary means for UM faculty to connect
with high school students.
Throughout the year the University of Montana Symphonic Wind Ensemble was fortunate enough to collaborate with
various ensembles including the UM Choirs, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Hellgate High School Wind
Ensemble. The UM Symphonic Wind Ensemble also performed with former President’s Own United States Marine
Band tubist, Mr. Paul Mergen.
Next year is going to have several premiere performances including a work for chamber winds and electronics by New
Haven composer, Simon Hutchinson; a trumpet concerto by University of Washington composer, Huck Hodge; and an
overture by Juilliard School masters student and UM alum, Tom Morrison.
We want to thank you again for the wonderfully generous donations from members of the UM Alumni Band last
year. With your support we are starting to be able to purchase some much needed instruments and subsidize
enrichment projects for the students in the UM Bands. We are saving to purchase a contra bass clarinet. The UM
Symphonic Wind Ensemble hopes to perform for the 2018 Western/ Northwestern College Band Directors National
Association Conference on the beautiful Bay Area campus of Sonoma State University. Donations received this
year will be earmarked for that performance provided that UM is selected by the committee as one of the performing
groups.
Dr. Jim Smart
Director of Bands, Director of UM Symphony Ensemble; Trumpet
2016 UM Alumni Band and Flag Corp
28th Annual Reunion SCHEDULE
A Warm Welcome, receive Music Folios, Info Packets, Band Clothing - 10:30 am Friday in Rm #105
Friday, September 30th
Information Table Opens, Music Folios, etc.
10:30 am
UM Music Building Rm #105
3rd Annual ALUMNI Concert Band Rehearsal
11:00 am
UM Music Building RM #1
Alumni Band Reception - cookies, coffee, & visit
12:15 pm
UM Music Building Rm #105
1:10-1:50 pm
UM Music Building Rm #1
UM Alumni Band & Flag Corp Rehearsals
2:00-3:40 pm
UM Music Bldg Rm #1
Alumni Band & Flags on field with Dr Griggs
3:45-4:15 pm
Practice Field f/ our NEW entrance
Alumni Band & Flags with UM GRIZ Band
4:15-4:45 pm
Practice Field
No Host Happy Hour & Gathering
5:30 pm
Holiday Inn “Main Ballroom”
UM ALUMNI BAND “ANNUAL BANQUET”
6:00-7:40 pm
HOLIDAY INN BALLROOM
UM Alumni Jazz Band 1st set - Dance Music
7:45-9:00 pm
HOLIDAY INN BALLROOM
UM Marching GRIZ Band performance
9:00-9:30 pm
Holiday Inn “Atrium” & “Stairs”
UM Alumni Jazz Band 2nd set
9:45-11:00 pm
HOLIDAY INN BALLROOM
8:30 am
UM Music Building Rm #105
(Compliments of UM ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, Bill Johnston, Dir.)
JAZZY BOX LUNCH 12:45 pm w/ UM Jazz I
(Eat and listen to Jazz Rehearsal/Concert for us!)
(John Combs, MC - entertainment & awards)
Saturday, October 1st
Information/Late Reg/Welcome Table Opens
(Coffee Compliments of Liquid Planet and Donuts of Ed & Robyn Smart/New York Life!)
Gather for Parade & Visit time
8:30-9:15 am
UM Music Building
Photo Session
9:15-9:30 am
Outside Music Building
Load Buses & Travel to Parade Start
9:45-10:15 am
Outside Music Building
March in Parade! (Parade begins 10:00 am)
10:30-11:40
Downtown Missoula
*NEW Event! ALUMNI BAND “Tailgate BBQ”
Address: 525 Connell Ave
11:45-1:30
Go from Parade to McGlynns house
UM GRIZ Band Pre-game Show (2:00 GAME)
1:45 pm
Be in your seats in Stadium &
SUPPORT OUR GRIZ BAND!
Griz Football Game Start Time
2:30pm
.
2016 REGISTRATION FORM - UM ALUMNI BAND & FLAGS 28th REUNION
Please complete & return with Payment by Friday, September 16, 2016
Address: Carl Smart - 5635 Kristin Lane, Missoula, MT 59803
2016 Homecoming Dates: Friday & Saturday, September 30th & October 1st
Our 3rd Annual Friday Morning Rehearsal of CONCERT BAND MUSIC,
using arrangements we “played thru the decades”, directed by Dr. James Smart
NAME__________________________________EMAIL______________________________________
Phone Numbers: Home_________________Work______________Cell_________________________
Address____________________________________________________________________________
What years were you in the UM Bands? (e.g. 1965-70) ____________________________________
How many years have you participated in the UM Alumni Band?_____________________________
______I am a first time Alumni Band Participant / $12.00 Reg. Fee Waived
_____ I wish to be an ACTIVE MEMBER and will be there for the 2016 Reunion!
Please complete the participation information requested below ***
Or ____ I wish to remain ACTIVE, but I am unable to attend this 2016 reunion.
Enclosed is my $12.00 registration/donation for Alumni mail & reunion costs!
PLEASE return this Form & Check by SEPTEMBER 16th for confirming meal numbers & instrumentation!
YES, your spouse/friend is invited to participate in all events & play in the band! Percussion and large brass
instruments provided ONLY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE REQUESTED IN ADVANCE!! - YES, we’re planning
on 10 Sousaphones & 0ver 100 Alumni Band & Flag Corp marching this year.
***PLACE A CHECK MARK in front of each event in which you plan to participate:
____ “3rd Annual” Friday Morning 11:00am - 12:15 Concert Band Rehearsal with Dr. James Smart
____ “3rd Annual” Jazz Box Lunch as Jazz I has live Rehearsal/Performance for us before our rehearsal
____ Alumni Band Music and Marching Rehearsal 2:00 - 4:35pm! “NEW FIELD ENTRANCE TO LEARN!”
____ 5:30 HAPPY HOUR; 6:15 ANNUAL BANQUET & ENTERTAINMENT! (HOLIDAY INN DOWNTOWN)
____ Plan to Play set 1 - 7:45 - 9:00 Alumni Jazz Band!! I Will Play _____________Jazz Instrument(s)
____ Plan to Play set 2 - 9:45 - 11:00 Alumni Jazz Band!!!
“ _____________ “
“
____ Saturday Morning Parade - Meet at 8:30am in Music Bldg.; Coffee, Pictures, Line-up & bus downtown
____ **NEW - 1st ever ALUMNI BAND “ Tailgate BBQ” at 11:45 - BEFORE the game at McGlynns house
____ Saturday 2:30 GRIZ GAME, be in the stadium by 1:45 & support the 2:00 UM GRIZ band pregame show!
CONCERT BAND INSTRUMENT__________________ MARCHING INSTRUMENT______________________
- PLEASE HAVE THE FOLLOWING BAND INSTRUMENT AVAILABLE FOR ME:
______Sousaphone _______Baritone Horn _______Percussion __________Preferred percussion
MAKE YOUR CHECK TO “UM ALUMNI BAND” and enclose it with this form:
ITEM/EVENT
PER PERSON
NUMBER PERSONS
=
JAZZ BOX LUNCH
$10.00 ea
X
__________________ =
BANQUET
$26.00 ea
X
__________________ =
NEW TAILGATE BBQ
$10.00 ea
X
__________________ =
Kids 12 & under eat free!
ALUMNI REGISTRATION
$12.00 ea
X
__________________ =
EXTRA Alumni Band Donation to help with costs for awards, future plans, etc. =
YOUR GRAND TOTAL of AMOUNT ENCLOSED
Cost
__________
__________
__________
__________
__________
$__________
ALSO, please consider making a donation in support of the current UM Bands!! To contribute to one of the finest
University Band Programs in the USA, please write a SEPARATE CHECK made payable to “UNIVERSITY of
MONTANA BANDS” and mail in with this form! We’ll present these donations from our members to UM Band
Dir. at the banquet!
*** YES, I am enclosing an additional donation check to the UM Bands in the amount of
$_________________
See you in September!
Carl Smart, 2016 Organizing Chairman
Home - (406) 251-6831
Cell - (406) 240-7220
UM Marching Band News
Perform with
the UM
Marching
Band
The University of
Montana Alumni Band
is invited to perform as
guests with the UM
Grizzly Marching Band
in the 2016 UM homecoming halftime show.
UM Alumni Band joins forces with the UM Pep Band to rock the house!
Greetings Alumni! Things have been getting better and better with the UM Alumni
Band and the UM Grizzly Marching Band and Pep Band. Carl Smart has done an
amazing job of adding new and exciting elements to our schedule of events. Not
only has the Homecoming game become more enjoyable and attractive to participants, the addition of the Alumni Pep Band was a big hit with the players, UM
students and the crowd at basketball games. The Alumni Pep Band played at 2
games this past season in January and both were very successful! This was
especially helpful to the Pep Band because many of our students were home for
the semester break and the band tends to be quite small, during this time. The
addition of the Alumni Pep Band was so successful that the Marketing Director of
UM Athletics asked if we could schedule the band again in February for the Griz
vs. Cats basketball game. What a great start for this new addition!
New this fall, the stadium is getting an upgrade to the video and audio system. The new video board should be amazing and it could actually help with the
halftime shows. Also I ask that they put the high camera on the pressbox , center
field to show our halftime show on the screen. This helps to see the formations
better.
We are looking forward to the 2016 season and hope that many of you will join us
at Homecoming on October 1st. Also, we are working on a collaboration to host
the Mercer Island High School band on October 15th and plan to share a halftime
show with them. Of course there is also the infamous Griz vs. Cats game in
November and I assume we will be hosting the MSU band that day. From the
press I’ve been hearing about the team we should also be treated to some great
football on either side of the halftime show!
Once again, I hope that you will come and perform with the UM Grizzly Marching
Band as our guests in the 2016 UM Alumni Band. Your support is incredible and I
look forward to the plans for Alumni Band members to interact with the UM
students more as part of the Homecoming event. Carl and the Alumni Band board
have been working on several ideas that I think will make a big difference. Now,
on to another great fall with the Grizzly Marching Band! GO GRIZ!!
Dr. Kevin Griggs
Associate Director of Bands, Director of Athletic Bands
The UM Marching
Band appreciates your
support!
University of Montana Jazz Program News
What an amazing year the UM Jazz Program had! We had performances all over the Northwest with numerous
different guest artists & clinicians on campus with more wonderful artists scheduled for the future.
JAZZ OFFERINGS AND TEACHING ASSISTANTS
The jazz program has four big bands and seven small groups (combos). One of the aspects of our program that we
are expanding is the composition and arranging element. We held our 4th Annual Jazz Arranging concert in April with
six (6) pieces arranged by our students! We have two Teaching Assistants helping out with some of the jazz offerings
including Will Roesch (tuba/bass trombone) and Lukas Selfridge (trombone) as well as welcoming back
Sam McKenzie (percussion) to help with the Jazz and Percussion areas.
JAZZ EVENTS
This past year was very exciting as we the Jazz Ensemble performed at the MMEA conference. We had a tribute to
Woody Herman (Oct.) as well as Count Basie (Nov.) and the Jazz Ensemble backed up Eden Atwood for our 4th
annual Holiday swing rounding out the Fall semester. We initiated a UM Jazz Artist Series kicking off with a solo
piano concert by legendary pianist Benny Green in October and the incredible The Jeff Hamilton Trio interacting
with our students and giving a stellar performance for the public. The Jazz Series will continue in the fall with the
great saxophone/clarinet artist Victor Goines in September! We also had the pleasure of hosting bassist/founder
Michael League (Snarky Puppy)!
This past December we hosted the 4th Annual Holiday Swing performance at the Missoula Winery with special
guests Craig Hall (guitar) and Eden Atwood (vocals). The evening was a great success with the help of Master
Auctioneer Mayor Engen.
The Jazz Ensemble was a guest performing group at the Mead (Spokane) Jazz Festival in March and once again we
had four of the UM Small Groups perform at Jazzoula in April. All of the groups received very positive feedback as we
are grateful for this wonderful experience.
The community will welcome back Allen Vizzutti in February and the university will honor Lance Boyd through the UM
CVPA Odyssey event in March. UM Jazz Ensemble has been invited to perform at the Sunburst Art Series in
February as well as the Kootenai Performing Series (Libby) to name just a few events in the works.
RECORDING
The Jazz Ensemble I and one of the small groups spent a day in May recording our 2nd CD in the last three years.
This recording will feature the music composed and arranged by UM student musicians along with a few big band
favorites from the performances this year. More information on how to get a copy of this CD to come soon.
UM/BUDDY DeFRANCO JAZZ FESTIVAL
This year saw the 2016 edition of our festival as an incredible success with over 50 groups participating along with
some of the finest educators and jazz musicians in the business. We closed out the festivities with an exciting Jam
Session at Plonk on Friday evening with the artists sharing the performing stage with our students and faculty.
We hope you will be a part of the continuing tradition
this year on March 16th & 17th, 2017. Our Featured
guest artists will be once again some of the best
performers, educators and people in the business
including Ashley Summer (bass), Chris Smith (dr),
Dana Landry (piano) and Brad Leali (sax)!
If you haven’t been to the festival in a while, this will
surely be a great year to attend! Have a great rest of
the summer. It will be fantastic to see you all at
Homecoming!
Looking forward,
Rob Tapper
Director of Jazz; Trombone
University of Montana Jazz Program
Mary Moe leading the UM Alumni Marching Band
The Golden Guard
You may have heard them called “Flags” or “Flag Corp” or even “Color Guard” but
as I interviewed several unique members of our UM Alumni Marching Band I was
informed that the flag team is named The Golden Guard. End of story. This group
of gals seem to have a special camaraderie and love to get together!
“Everyone loves the
Alumni Band. People
just light up as we
come into view. And
nothing can compare
to turning that corner
off Higgins onto
University Avenue on
a sun-drenched fall
day, with the golden
branches arching
above you, friends
from several
generations lining the
streets, Main Hall
ahead, and that great
music bringing us all
home. It is pure joy.”
Mary Moe
During their special “seminars” each year, they love to reminisce special memories from their time at the University. Many of these girls remember the first football game in the brand new Washington-Grizzly stadium, the shows that featured
the musicians who played at the '84 Olympics, the Statue of Liberty Centennial
ceremonies, and, of course, making the best friends you'll ever make. The Golden
Guard was only active from 1983 – 2004, but their time on the field was noticed.
Tom Cook noted, “The intent was to add visual impact to the band's appearances
on the field and on the street, and for many years it did just that! We had some
very talented, intelligent young women as members over the years, and they did a
lot to raise the spirits and enhance the image!”
The Golden Guard have only been marching again since 2008. Our friend
Michelle Willits approached Scott McKenzie and Kevin Griggs with the idea of
adding flags to the alumni band for Homecoming. “I asked if there were any flags
left over from ‘back in the day.’” Those old flags were borrowed from Hellgate High
School and were used for the first couple of years. In 2011, the UM Alumni Marching Band purchased new flags for the group.
Since then others have reconnected with their marching roots. Julie Walker, a
1986 marching band alumni shared, “I saw the Alumni Marching Band in the
Homecoming parade (in 2007) and they were flagless. They were clearly having a
great time, and they sounded fabulous, but they needed some flags! I thought I
should step up and get some flags to join, but the following year there were 3
flags. So somebody else had the same great idea. Those 3 pioneer flags gave me
the courage to join the group. Marching band in my college years was one of the
most enjoyable groups I was a part of. I knew Alumni Band would be the same,
and it did not disappoint. In prior years when I attended Homecoming I didn't feel
the same connection. Alumni Band gave me a "home" at Homecoming.” A total of
eleven girls have returned over the last 8 years.
Julie Walker—“Golden Guard”
sweater from college days!
UM Alumni
Marching
Band Color
Guard
University of Montana
First Alumni Marching
Band Color Guard:
Darla Fitzpatrick
Penney Hook
Michelle Willits
Color Guard continued from page 10
In 2008 we added another very talented person to our Alumni Band family, Mary
Moe our Lead Twirler. “Twirling with the Alumni Band at the Homecoming Parade
is the event I look forward to most each year.” I asked Mary Moe what drew her
to join the UM Alumni Marching Band as our twirler; “Sometime in my 50’s, my
kids gave me a baton as a joke because my first job as a kid was teaching kids to
twirl. I continued the joke by twirling at unusual occasions, like regents’ meetings
and my daughters’ weddings. It makes people laugh, and I’m all about the laughter. So when Scott (McKenzie) invited me to twirl, I was all in. At first I didn’t know
where to be or what to do, but like everything else in life, ‘When in doubt, brazen it
out.’”
Consequently why have flags been absent from our UM Grizzly Marching Band?
“The problem is the lack of experience throughout the state of Montana in colorguard.” stated Kevin Griggs. It is believed that many of the students who choose
to twirl were there to fulfill a class obligation. Many had no experience and they
just went through the motions. It was decided in 2005 to instead put efforts into
building the sound of the band to match the energy of the stadium. Dr. Griggs
continued, “Personally, I love the visual impact that flags can add to the
show. However, I have to agree that having flags that are not together is more of
a distraction than a benefit.” Hopefully interest in the Golden Guard will return
someday by experienced and/or excited members who will add that visual ‘punch’
back to the band.
So join us Alumni members! Did you twirl with the band during your glory years?
Do you know someone who did? Or do you have a secret passion for twirling that
you are wanting to release? Come join The UM Alumni Marching Band and The
Golden Guard this year for Homecoming!
Kimberly Minckler
UM Alumni Band Committee
Photo credit John Kutzman
New Event Reminder!
Alumni Band BBQ– Saturday, Oct. 1
Meet After The Parade! Location: 525 Connell Ave
All Alumni Band & family members are welcome!
Tickets = $10
Kids 12 & under eat free!
st
2016 Alumni
Band Committee
Members:
John Combs
Erin Ensley
Kevin Griggs
Brendon McGlynn
Peter McKenzie
Scott McKenzie
Kimberly Minckler
Carl Smart
James Smart
Robert Tapper
Thanks to the dedicated and hard working ALUMNI BAND organizing committee members for their creative ideas and willingness to put them into action! And a very SPECIAL THANKS to Scott & Patti McKenzie who have spent hundreds of hours
the past few years nurturing the Alumni Band and developing an extraordinary looking newsletter! Patti, we can’t thank you
enough for your willing dedication!!
UM BAND ECHOES
Carl Smart
2016 Organizing Chairman
Home - (406) 251-6831
Cell - (406) 240-7220