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 Wow, I can't believe what a year it's been already! This week, here are the great successes that have happened at my school:
The football team beat Leander (first ever in school history) at their homecoming game (again, a school first) is tied for FIRST PLACE in our District with Pflugerville & Leander (yeah, that has never happened either).
The Mascot came in 2nd place and won $2500 for her cheer team in the Capital One Mascot Challenge. Thanks to everyone who voted for her!!
The Tiger Band and Tiger Dancers received another 1st Division rating (top possible rating) at UIL Region Marching Contest. This is now our 3rd year in a row. This is also the first time in school history that we received ONES from EACH JUDGE at this contest! I was joking that now, I can go to grad school. LOL
It's a great time to be a Tiger!!
~C |
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*CLICK THE PICTURE FOR THE LINK*
Vote For TC--TOP CAT So Natalie Can Wil Capitol One's High School Mascot Challenge!
It's Really Easy To Vote.
Just Register & Then Vote One Time A Day!
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE To You |
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I got this email today. As a person who has lost at least one friend to suicice, I can attest that any help you can contribute is well appreciated.
Dear SPHS Band Directors,
Last October I lost a family member to suicide. My mother and I have decided to create a team in memory of my great-aunt Marilyn.
I would like permission to post a flyer in the band hall to educate and recruit walkers for our team and to raise donations. Below is the standard donation letter with more info on the community walk.
I will be joining with thousand of people nationwide this fall walking in AFSP's Out of the Darkness Community Walk to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
My personal fundraising goal is $150.00. I would appreciate any support that you give me for this worthwhile cause.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is at the forefront of research, education and prevention initiatives designed to reduce loss of life from suicide. With more than 30,000 lives lost each year in the U.S. and over one million worldwide, the importance of AFSP's mission has never been greater, nor our work more urgent.
I hope you will consider supporting my participation in this event. Any contribution will help the work of AFSP. Checks should be made payable to AFSP and are 100% tax deductible.
Thank you for considering this request for your support. If you have any questions about the Out of the Darkness Community Walks or AFSP do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Tyler R.
Please visit my Community Walk fundraising page if you would like to donate online or see how close I am to reaching my personal goal:
http://www.outofthedarkness.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=communityWalks.participant∂icipantID=123822 |
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I have this video I show to my students every year - the original VHS tape I have is called Jazz in America, Dizzy Gillespie's All Star Band at the Lincoln Center. It was filmed in 1982 and recently, they made it into a DVD called "Dizzy's Dream Band" . There isn't one part of that video that I ever get sick of and whenever I show it to kids, they're just as drawn in as I am. I've actually met two trumpet players that were on that video, Marvin Stamm and Jon Faddis. When I met Jon Faddis a few years ago and had him autograph the cover of the DVD, he looked at all the names listed, shook his head and said that a lot of those cats had since passed away.
 And now, we have lost another. Max Roach passed away this week at the age of 83. I hadn't ever heard his name before this video but once I associated the name with the sound of his drumming, I could never separate the two. He was absolutely amazing at making the drumset sing. He knew exactly what part of each drum and cymbal sounded like and used it impeccably to play back the tune during a solo. His drum solos didn't sound like racket. You could always find the beat and even the tune or horn played lick in them. Every drumset player I have, I want them to sound like Max Roach. There are a few recordings of his playing in sidebars to the NPR article about his passing. Take a listen. You won't be disappointed. |
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Relax. This is a NO SPOILERS post.
I just finished my copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and it was an amazing book. I can't believe that the series is now over...it's kind of a sad moment, actually. And to think that J.K. Rowling has managed to write this whole series without even one paragraph feeling "phoned in". It all came from her heart and brains...amazing.
If you haven't read the series, I highly recommend it. It's more than just a children's book because it reminds us what it means to use our powers for good and not evil. Yeah, I know not all of us can have magic wands (I have three four wands...batons...in my desk and none have performed any magic yet) and are able to cast spells but these books are about so much more than that. It's about friendship, loyatly and faith in others. Good stuff. If you have read the final book and want to talk, let me know. There are parts I need to go back and read again 'cause it got so chaotic, ya know?
Okay, no spoilers. Just go read it. |
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 So, being elected to Secretary of IAJE, Texas is proving to be quite a positive for me and my school. Thursday's Williamson County edition of the Austin American Statesman is going to run an article about my jazz program at SPHS. Some of the details are incorrect (Tiger Tunes Tuesdays have nothing to do with jazz band) but still, it's a positive plug for what we're doing at SPHS and that's what matters. So, you can read the article here. You may have to sign up to read it but you don't have to subscribe to any newsletters or pay for anything. Cool, huh? |
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Dear "Mom" & "Dad",
Camp has been so much fun! I'm seeing old friends, meeting a lot of great new people and everyone is working so hard to do their best. I can't believe it's already Thursday, we've had so much fun this week. We have our concert tomorrow afternoon and I think that it's going to be alright. I can't wait for you to hear us play! I almost don't want the concert to be tomorrow because there's so much more we could do and so much more fun to be had.
For being at camp and in the dorms, the food has been great. Of course, I haven't had to eat in Commons cafeteria if I didn't want to. After the first breakfast there, I decided that it would be better that I ate on my own terms! The band camp has lunch brought in from places all around San Marcos and I eat dinner in the places I miss. Oh, thank goodness Alvin Ords is a successful place. It can never close down!
The weather has been great, too. Today's a bit humid but it's summer in Texas, isn't it? I've not taken any opportunity to work out this week. I don't have access to the rec center and running is still really not an option (especially with these hills here) yet so I've got a lot to catch up on when I get home.
I miss you all and can't wait to see you again.
Love you, mean it!
~C
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Last fall, our Band Booster President was caught, enjoying the band at a football game. He's awesome enough to give me permission to share this with everyone! Dance Fred, dance!!
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It's Monday, also Memorial Day, and graduation weekend is about over. It has been another whirlwind of a year and it seems that although it's easy to want the year to be over, it's hard to let go of the last class that has graduated. These 48 or so seniors (graduates) have really kept the band hall lively and...shall I say, "interesting"? There certainly hasn't been a dull moment!
Good luck to you all as you continue on the journey of life. Take care of yourselves and your loved ones the best that you can and please know the red chair is always open! ;) |
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This was way too beautiful not to share!
CHOCOLATE SINGS
One day I had a date for lunch with friends. Mae, a little old "blue hair" about 80 years old, came along with them---All in all, a pleasant bunch. When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups, except for Mae who said, "Ice Cream, please. Two scoops, chocolate."
I wasn't sure my ears heard right, and the others were aghast "Along with heated apple pie," Mae added, completely unabashed We tried to act quite nonchalant, as if people did this all the time. But when our orders were brought out, I didn't enjoy mine.. I couldn't take my eyes off Mae as her pie a-la-mode went down. The other ladies showed dismay. They ate their lunches silently and frowned.
The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Mae. I lunched on white meat tuna. She ordered a parfait. I smiled. She asked if she amused me. I answered, "Yes, you do, but also you confuse me. How come you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible?
She laughed and said, with wanton mirth, "I'm tasting all that's possible. I try to eat the food I need, and do the things I should.
But life's so short, my friend, I hate missing out on something good. This year I realized how old I was. (She grinned) I haven't been this old before."
"So, before I die, I've got to try those things that for years I had ignored. I haven't smelled all the flowers yet. There are too many books I haven't read. There's more fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to be flown overhead. There are many malls I haven't shopped. I've not laughed at all the jokes. I've missed a lot of Broadway hits and potato chips and cokes.
I want to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face. I want to sit in a country church once more and thank God for His grace. I want peanut butter every day spread on my morning toast. I want UN-timed long distance calls to the folks I love the most. I haven't cried at all the movies yet, or walked in the morning rain.
I need to feel wind in my hair. I want to fall in love again. So, if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner, then should I die before night fall, I'd say I died a winner, because I missed out on nothing. I filled my heart's desire. I had that final chocolate mousse before my life expired."
With that, I called the waitress over.. "I've changed my mind," I said. "I want what she is having, only add some more whipped cream!"
This is my gift to you - We need an annual Friends Day! If you get this twice, then you have more than one friend. Live well, love much & laugh often - Be happy.
Be mindful that happiness isn't based on possessions, power, or prestige, but on relationships with people we love and respect.
Remember that while money talks, CHOCOLATE SINGS |
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bigbenford's journal