Greetings, Bandos!
Sorry for the late post, been a busy week for DM John
Here's the pregame for last week's roadtrip to Yale. I highly recommend watching these in high quality
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CyKe6uchTQ
The Yale Bowl is sweet! Save for the intense wind, it felt good to play in a Little-Big House
Entrance= always good to see that this is always awesome
UP
Called an audible on this one early in the morning. Looks good. Took it a little fast, sorry guys. I was uh...still recovering from all the fun last night.
Highball
Glad that joke got some cheers. Formation was a little weird and took a while to put together. This continued due to the strange fact that Yale's numbers are closer to the Hash than ALL OTHER FIELDS (as far as I know) so the forms may seem a little compressed. Looks more like a Holy Grail, which is fine.
Not enough time to due Alma Mater due to the complications during Highball
on to Half Time!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrSuW26yHRc
A little light on the voice there, Tom.
$ - Big Spender
Surprisingly only the 2nd time we've played this chart. Dollar sign looks okay. People seem happy to hear this. O'Callahan always surprises me with how loud he is. Oh, and I'm wearing a sweet cape.
Flying Saucer - Imperial March
Passable. Playing Star Wars in anything other than a London Philharmonic setting is always a little risky. It's a good thing this was a metashow.
Block - Intergalactic Battle Anthem
It was really hard not to lose it. This is my favorite part of the show. Good hustle guys! Salutes always hilarious. Trumpets, still a little shaky on the transition back into the chorus the last time through, will work on that.
R+B
Actually looks like P-A, which isn't the worst thing in the world, but still isn't R+B.
Considering how early we had to wake up after having so much fun, I really couldn't ask for anything more for this show.
On to homecoming...
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Damn good Ipod...
This past weekend was the Penn v Columbia Football Game. As usual, the band was out in full swing along with some extras who tagged along for the ride. Since Penn was wise enough to put Parents' Weekend over an away game, the band hosted its own Parents' Weekend so the progenitors of the band could get a first hand glimpse of why their kids aren't doing their homework.
To start off was pregame. Something that we rehearsed many times before, even an extra time at field rehearse to much chagrin. Well, let's see what happened...
Entrance
BEAUTIFUL! God I love doing this. A really good contrast to Columbia's "Take the Field then take a musical dump" entrance. Though, they did have some sweet herald trumpets.
PENN
To start off with, the P was half a yardline too in-field. The E was dead on, thanks drummers.
The big problem was the two N's; quite the interesting evolution. It's a good thing we sounded good, cause we looked kinda funny doing this formation. There needs to be more than 10 people who actually know where to go. In fact, it needs to be EVERYONE. We will work on this on Monday and Wednesday
Highball
Great! Good symmetry drummers, but try to get both ends on a yardline. The phasing wasn't even too bad.
Big P
Once again great. Drummers, 10 yard lines please. Look at that, we have flags! Some nice flavor, though could use a little more coordination.
Banner
Looks great. Can't hear the flutes/clarinets at all, not even on their part in the trio. Rip that part out guys!
Halftime
Our show was a perfect response to Columbia's "Philly's the ugliest/suckiest city in the nation" show. The crowd especially caught on to this as heard in their cheers after our jokes. Don't quite know why the Columbia Band stays on the field after they play.
Bagel
Props to Noah for making his family run to the sideline, too bad there wasn't enough time for Pushups. This looked more like a football than a bagel, but that's not our fault. Also, I had to yell Halt way too many times. Drummers need to be listening for that. Yeah horns!
Ipod
Probably one of our more complicated formations and it turned out great! Hey, and people actually figured out it was an Ipod. Slow Ride was....slow i guess. It got better though. Awesome job on the guitar solo guys, if anything that was the one thing to get right no matter what.
PBR
P was 5 yards too far out-field and this proved bad for the proceeding R that was built off of it. Eeeeeeh, chops! need some more tunage! I know it was a long day of playing, but still. Woodwinds, good to hear you! Bones, do NOT gliss those last 4 measures; very cheesey. I hate cutting this song, it's just not meant to be.
R+B
There's that stray R with the interesting extension thanks to our auxillary; should've played Viva las Vegas instead. Went a little fast, but fine. Nice touch bells, what a hilarious part.
SUBG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc0POzeuLvw
(Note, I recommend watching this one in high quality. To do so, visit the link under the vid and click "Watch in High Quality')
As requested, we played Since U've Been Gone for the student section. One of the best responses we've ever gotten from a crowd. Keep an eye on 80s guy, he's fun to watch. We sounded great on this even though we were extremely tired. Well done! Endurance props!
Overall, an interesting gameday. We clearly need some refreshers in the pregame department. Nothing a little wrote memorization can't fix. We had some snafus in the stands: some my fault, some not. I'll chalk it up to parents for now. It seems we're at a point that most of us are very comfortable doing our shows, which is fantastic! However, we can't just be on autopilot and expect someone to tell us where to go all the time, especially on the field or even worse from me on the podium. Freshmen, don't let this become a habit like it is for some upper classmen. Veteran Bandos, don't expect anything less from your peers or the freshmen. In a band of our size, everyone is accountable and even one clueless person can scar a formation.
Don't take this as too negative. It's good to be at this point so early on in the season so we have time to fix it quickly. I'm still having an awesome time leading you guys so don't change too much. Looking forward to actually doing the Lord Glozion show on Saturday. Let's make Yale bend to his will.
To start off was pregame. Something that we rehearsed many times before, even an extra time at field rehearse to much chagrin. Well, let's see what happened...
Entrance
BEAUTIFUL! God I love doing this. A really good contrast to Columbia's "Take the Field then take a musical dump" entrance. Though, they did have some sweet herald trumpets.
PENN
To start off with, the P was half a yardline too in-field. The E was dead on, thanks drummers.
The big problem was the two N's; quite the interesting evolution. It's a good thing we sounded good, cause we looked kinda funny doing this formation. There needs to be more than 10 people who actually know where to go. In fact, it needs to be EVERYONE. We will work on this on Monday and Wednesday
Highball
Great! Good symmetry drummers, but try to get both ends on a yardline. The phasing wasn't even too bad.
Big P
Once again great. Drummers, 10 yard lines please. Look at that, we have flags! Some nice flavor, though could use a little more coordination.
Banner
Looks great. Can't hear the flutes/clarinets at all, not even on their part in the trio. Rip that part out guys!
Halftime
Our show was a perfect response to Columbia's "Philly's the ugliest/suckiest city in the nation" show. The crowd especially caught on to this as heard in their cheers after our jokes. Don't quite know why the Columbia Band stays on the field after they play.
Bagel
Props to Noah for making his family run to the sideline, too bad there wasn't enough time for Pushups. This looked more like a football than a bagel, but that's not our fault. Also, I had to yell Halt way too many times. Drummers need to be listening for that. Yeah horns!
Ipod
Probably one of our more complicated formations and it turned out great! Hey, and people actually figured out it was an Ipod. Slow Ride was....slow i guess. It got better though. Awesome job on the guitar solo guys, if anything that was the one thing to get right no matter what.
PBR
P was 5 yards too far out-field and this proved bad for the proceeding R that was built off of it. Eeeeeeh, chops! need some more tunage! I know it was a long day of playing, but still. Woodwinds, good to hear you! Bones, do NOT gliss those last 4 measures; very cheesey. I hate cutting this song, it's just not meant to be.
R+B
There's that stray R with the interesting extension thanks to our auxillary; should've played Viva las Vegas instead. Went a little fast, but fine. Nice touch bells, what a hilarious part.
SUBG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc0POzeuLvw
(Note, I recommend watching this one in high quality. To do so, visit the link under the vid and click "Watch in High Quality')
As requested, we played Since U've Been Gone for the student section. One of the best responses we've ever gotten from a crowd. Keep an eye on 80s guy, he's fun to watch. We sounded great on this even though we were extremely tired. Well done! Endurance props!
Overall, an interesting gameday. We clearly need some refreshers in the pregame department. Nothing a little wrote memorization can't fix. We had some snafus in the stands: some my fault, some not. I'll chalk it up to parents for now. It seems we're at a point that most of us are very comfortable doing our shows, which is fantastic! However, we can't just be on autopilot and expect someone to tell us where to go all the time, especially on the field or even worse from me on the podium. Freshmen, don't let this become a habit like it is for some upper classmen. Veteran Bandos, don't expect anything less from your peers or the freshmen. In a band of our size, everyone is accountable and even one clueless person can scar a formation.
Don't take this as too negative. It's good to be at this point so early on in the season so we have time to fix it quickly. I'm still having an awesome time leading you guys so don't change too much. Looking forward to actually doing the Lord Glozion show on Saturday. Let's make Yale bend to his will.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Quality finally meets quantity
My Dad, continuing the tradition of videotaping anything musical I do he can attend of course taped the Penn Band's performance at last Saturday's Penn vs. Villabrova game. I posted pregame and halftime on the YouTube so bandos could actually see what we look like.
I've heard from multiple sources that we sound way better live than on tape. I very much agree with this. Since I think we sound pretty decent on tape as well, you should have a good idea of what being in the stands and listening to the Penn Band is really like.
I thought this would be a good place for general comments on how I, and you guys, feel this went/looks. Enjoy.
Pregame
Pregame Entrace=AWESOME!! (Note, since this was my dad taping, there will obviously be some visual emphasis on me, but I edited out all the pure John moments). However, you can really see how well this worked. Worlds better than our original attempt to march in two straight lines from the sidelines (The Sand People travel single file to hide their numbers).
PENN: The E looked a little sparse in this formation. Need to fill out the top and bottom lines. Sounds great.
Highball: Except for the asymmetry in the drumline in front, looks great. Forgot to explain to the drummers the importance of this, my bad. Just a minor point. I guess our little drummer girls don't like being too close together.
Big P: same issue drummers. Will fix for Dartmouth. Maybe face the sideline for this one.
Banner: Whoa, front line! Looks like we were missing someone. You can hear the woodwinds! Sweet!
Except for these few minor things, a very commendable job. Pregame is usually the most complicated drill we do and we looked and sounded great. Hope we don't lose it waiting for Dartmouth.
Halftime
I look really....interesting cuing in the flying v...
1+1= : Wow, looks really clear except for the = sign. Listen to my parents try to figure it out... Yeah mellophones and saxes! It's great finally to hear those counter melodies.
Jay Wright's Hair: good hustle to this formation. Not much to say. Sounded great and I think the Nova fans eventually liked it.
NJ: again, wow! Having this many bandos on the field really makes these letter formations clear! Some nice singing by my dad and the crowd.
R+B: this formation took a little long to form, but ended up great. The B looks a little blobbish, but I adjusted the drill so this should look fantastic for Lafayette.
Again, awesome job for our first show! Keep it up!
I also decided to post our performance of SUBG, since the crowd really seemed to like it. Also, physical evidence of the crowd enjoying the Penn Band is good to have around. I hope we can do more playing for the student section in the future.
All HAIL LORD GLOZION!
I've heard from multiple sources that we sound way better live than on tape. I very much agree with this. Since I think we sound pretty decent on tape as well, you should have a good idea of what being in the stands and listening to the Penn Band is really like.
I thought this would be a good place for general comments on how I, and you guys, feel this went/looks. Enjoy.
Pregame
Pregame Entrace=AWESOME!! (Note, since this was my dad taping, there will obviously be some visual emphasis on me, but I edited out all the pure John moments). However, you can really see how well this worked. Worlds better than our original attempt to march in two straight lines from the sidelines (The Sand People travel single file to hide their numbers).
PENN: The E looked a little sparse in this formation. Need to fill out the top and bottom lines. Sounds great.
Highball: Except for the asymmetry in the drumline in front, looks great. Forgot to explain to the drummers the importance of this, my bad. Just a minor point. I guess our little drummer girls don't like being too close together.
Big P: same issue drummers. Will fix for Dartmouth. Maybe face the sideline for this one.
Banner: Whoa, front line! Looks like we were missing someone. You can hear the woodwinds! Sweet!
Except for these few minor things, a very commendable job. Pregame is usually the most complicated drill we do and we looked and sounded great. Hope we don't lose it waiting for Dartmouth.
Halftime
I look really....interesting cuing in the flying v...
1+1= : Wow, looks really clear except for the = sign. Listen to my parents try to figure it out... Yeah mellophones and saxes! It's great finally to hear those counter melodies.
Jay Wright's Hair: good hustle to this formation. Not much to say. Sounded great and I think the Nova fans eventually liked it.
NJ: again, wow! Having this many bandos on the field really makes these letter formations clear! Some nice singing by my dad and the crowd.
R+B: this formation took a little long to form, but ended up great. The B looks a little blobbish, but I adjusted the drill so this should look fantastic for Lafayette.
Again, awesome job for our first show! Keep it up!
I also decided to post our performance of SUBG, since the crowd really seemed to like it. Also, physical evidence of the crowd enjoying the Penn Band is good to have around. I hope we can do more playing for the student section in the future.
All HAIL LORD GLOZION!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
A quiz on scramble band shennanigans
Clearly the biggest story in the last week in Ivy Band-related news was Princeton's melee with the Citadel. Noah's done a beautiful job describing this, so I'm not going to add anything specific about this. Instead, I thought I'd post a team round from a quizo I did last year for one of the band roadtrips that focuses on 10 different scramble bands, and their antics through the years.
What Scramble band:
1. Calls itself the “Cleverest Band in the World.” Antics: Against Fordham, one joke about an altar-boy joke (tuition going down faster than...) drew the ire of Catholics.
2. Insists that there’s a “pause” in its name. Antics: they’ve been disciplined for a polygamy show at BYU and a Catholic nun show at Notre Dame.
3. Has as its full name: The Award-Winning ________________ Indoor/Outdoor Precision(?) Marching Pep Band, & Chowder Society Review, Unlimited!!! Antic: Currently not recognized by its school’s athletic department, and is banned from all official sporting events.
4. Uses “Louie, Louie” as its signature song. Antic: trapped inside a stadium by an angry mob of Texas A&M fans in 1973?
5. For the last game of its season, builds an “enormous three-dimensional prop” called an “Überprop.” Antic: banned from West Point after a halftime show in which band members formed "
6. Antic: Claims to be the oldest Ivy League marching band. Antic: banned from Holy Cross for a show that involved a Ted Kennedy Triathlon which included the "Ted Kennedy drive and swim," while Kennedy family members were in attendance?
7. Gives out a yearly award for “the most outrageous antic during a public band performance” that has the inscription "The Pen is Mightier than the Sword" but with no space between the second and third word? Antic: During the 1967 Harvard game, nationally televised on ABC, this band intentionally spelled out the letters NBC.
8. Claims to have started the scrambling tradition, as it was scrambling as early as 1941? Antic: At the 75th
9. Claims to be “the world’s best and only ice skating band.” Antic: Every year they play for the people waiting in line for Ben and Jerry's Free Cone Day.
10. Played for William McKinley twice in one year. Antic: “suggested that [they] not come back” to the New Jersey Turnpike Vince Lombardi rest stop by a police officer for bowing to a model of the Superbowl trophy.
1.
2. Stanford
3. UVA
4. Rice
5. Yale
6. Dartmouth
7. Princeton
8. Harvard
9. Brown
10. Penn
Monday, September 22, 2008
The Monday Evening Linkocracy
Now is the time when I would normally be posting the Monday evening linkocracy, complete with stories of Great Moments in Fandom, a full Penn Game Report and a series of links. However, my favorite story of the weekend is not yet over so posting will wait till post-band and post-TGL, here's what to expect:
-Random Linkocracy (Ivy football from about the internet, or just stuff about bands)
-Cadets versus Clarinets (found poetry from the comments section of the Daily Princetonian's article on the fight)
-Last First Road Trip Ruminations (in bullet form)
That'll be it for tonight. I'll probably update in this post so never divert your attention from this blog or this blog post. Ever.
UPDATE:
This Citadel v. Princeton thing is just too much fun, I could not divert my thoughts elsewhere tonight. Some choice comments from the Daily Princetonian (http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2008/09/22/21470/), a poem then the final analysis from me.
It's a tie for my two favorite comments:
Number 1 (this guy is brave, I'll probably give him a call tomorrow and maybe shoot out a quick update):
Number 1A (maybe turn it into a campus security training facility? Not that Princeton is ever in any clear and present danger on campus):
Love all the violent trash talking from the Citadel supporters. Don't piss of the Princeton crowd. Our endowment ($15.7 Billion) is big enough to simply buy your school (endowment $.135 Billion) and turn it into the community college for dance. Then where will you be?
Cadets Versus Clarinets
a commenter found poem by Noah
"Spare us the history lesson old man...this is war!!!"
"Save your Hate for more tolerant imbeciles!!"
"Accept the BLAME for your existences!"
"Tell us all again what actual crimes were committed by the PUB?"
"Take your XXX freak show to the red light district where it belongs."
"Good Lord, did they really?"
"Dry humping each other in front of monuments built to commemorate the deaths of America's fallen heroes," "simulating anal intercourse"
"We are here to flame and namecall."
"WE ARE CURRENTLY THE ONLY ONES TALKING!!"
Final Analysis: The internet flame war was won by the no one, it's an internet flame war. However, the cadets (or Princetonians posing as cadets) made themselves appear to be a totally imbalanced group of people without the foresight to think of one of the most famous and, for many of them, powerful Princeton alums: General David Petraeus.
-Random Linkocracy (Ivy football from about the internet, or just stuff about bands)
-Cadets versus Clarinets (found poetry from the comments section of the Daily Princetonian's article on the fight)
-Last First Road Trip Ruminations (in bullet form)
That'll be it for tonight. I'll probably update in this post so never divert your attention from this blog or this blog post. Ever.
UPDATE:
This Citadel v. Princeton thing is just too much fun, I could not divert my thoughts elsewhere tonight. Some choice comments from the Daily Princetonian (http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2008/09/22/21470/), a poem then the final analysis from me.
It's a tie for my two favorite comments:
Number 1 (this guy is brave, I'll probably give him a call tomorrow and maybe shoot out a quick update):
It seems that no one who is posting has the guts to use their real name. I was at the game. I was not on campus earlier. I do not believe the PUB was given permission to disrupt a cadet activity. My grandson told me the PUB was initially disruptive. I believe him. I'm embarrassed that there was any apology from the Citadel.
Hey Clemson tiger from Charleston, why don't you move?
Again I say: Your band is lucky they didn't get their asses kicked. They deserved it.
Tony von Kolnitz
843-884-9014
Number 1A (maybe turn it into a campus security training facility? Not that Princeton is ever in any clear and present danger on campus):
Love all the violent trash talking from the Citadel supporters. Don't piss of the Princeton crowd. Our endowment ($15.7 Billion) is big enough to simply buy your school (endowment $.135 Billion) and turn it into the community college for dance. Then where will you be?
Cadets Versus Clarinets
a commenter found poem by Noah
"Spare us the history lesson old man...this is war!!!"
"Save your Hate for more tolerant imbeciles!!"
"Accept the BLAME for your existences!"
"Tell us all again what actual crimes were committed by the PUB?"
"Take your XXX freak show to the red light district where it belongs."
"Good Lord, did they really?"
"Dry humping each other in front of monuments built to commemorate the deaths of America's fallen heroes," "simulating anal intercourse"
"We are here to flame and namecall."
"WE ARE CURRENTLY THE ONLY ONES TALKING!!"
Final Analysis: The internet flame war was won by the no one, it's an internet flame war. However, the cadets (or Princetonians posing as cadets) made themselves appear to be a totally imbalanced group of people without the foresight to think of one of the most famous and, for many of them, powerful Princeton alums: General David Petraeus.
The Princeton Band vs. The Citadel: A Linktrospective
So this weekend, the Princeton Band went to the Citadel and caused this:
http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/sep/21/shame_on_princeton_band55311/
Seeing that column, I was shocked, nay, rocked to my very corps. The Princeton Band disrespecting others? Preposterous, it didn't sound possible.
Let's look at a different source, this one the official "TigerFan," almost certainly an unbiased source, from the New York Times of Ivy League Message boards: "Ivy League Sports Board"
http://voy.com/152805/56021.html
Also, let's go to the video to see if there's more to glean:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lSkyuyhrqQ&eurl
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56WOp_0JEqU&eurl=
There appear to be 2 immutable facts:?
1. The Citadel fans booed Princeton's half time performance and chanted "Go Home, Princeton" and "You Suck" (twice, briefly) also "Fa****s" (briefly and quietly)
2. The Princeton band scrambled, probably formed a penis and had someone reading a show. They also, at times, blew a whistle and played some songs.
As a Philadelphian and someone who hates Princeton's teams, I was impressed by The Citadel's fans commitment to booing. It's long and loud.
There also appear to be 2 important perceived slights or altercations:
1. Students/Cadets/Supporters of the Citadel appear peeved the Princeton dishonored their "Avenue of Remembrance." They may have, at some point charged some cadets doing some kind of exercise.
2. Princeton's Band was, at some point surrounded by cadets from the Citadel.
Number 1 seems likely, the Princeton Band charges. I've seen it with my own two eyes. It's stupid, but they do it. This time they did it to the wrong group of people. But they probably did not intentionally disrespect the "Avenue of Remebrance."
Number 2 also is apparently true which should be slightly embarrassing for everyone involved.
Take away message: Don't piss off people who are potentially going into the army, they're generally stronger than the strongest member of the band, unless Bruce Wayne still attends Princeton, in which case, all bets are off.
Addendum: ALWAYS READ THE COMMENTS, THEY ARE ALWAYS HILARIOUS, ESPECIALLY YOUTUBE COMMENTS! READ THEM! I AM YELLING AT YOU!
http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/sep/21/shame_on_princeton_band55311/
Seeing that column, I was shocked, nay, rocked to my very corps. The Princeton Band disrespecting others? Preposterous, it didn't sound possible.
Let's look at a different source, this one the official "TigerFan," almost certainly an unbiased source, from the New York Times of Ivy League Message boards: "Ivy League Sports Board"
http://voy.com/152805/56021.html
Also, let's go to the video to see if there's more to glean:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lSkyuyhrqQ&eurl
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56WOp_0JEqU&eurl=
There appear to be 2 immutable facts:?
1. The Citadel fans booed Princeton's half time performance and chanted "Go Home, Princeton" and "You Suck" (twice, briefly) also "Fa****s" (briefly and quietly)
2. The Princeton band scrambled, probably formed a penis and had someone reading a show. They also, at times, blew a whistle and played some songs.
As a Philadelphian and someone who hates Princeton's teams, I was impressed by The Citadel's fans commitment to booing. It's long and loud.
There also appear to be 2 important perceived slights or altercations:
1. Students/Cadets/Supporters of the Citadel appear peeved the Princeton dishonored their "Avenue of Remembrance." They may have, at some point charged some cadets doing some kind of exercise.
2. Princeton's Band was, at some point surrounded by cadets from the Citadel.
Number 1 seems likely, the Princeton Band charges. I've seen it with my own two eyes. It's stupid, but they do it. This time they did it to the wrong group of people. But they probably did not intentionally disrespect the "Avenue of Remebrance."
Number 2 also is apparently true which should be slightly embarrassing for everyone involved.
Take away message: Don't piss off people who are potentially going into the army, they're generally stronger than the strongest member of the band, unless Bruce Wayne still attends Princeton, in which case, all bets are off.
Addendum: ALWAYS READ THE COMMENTS, THEY ARE ALWAYS HILARIOUS, ESPECIALLY YOUTUBE COMMENTS! READ THEM! I AM YELLING AT YOU!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
A Night to Remember (an alum's perspective)
As one of two alumni who attended the Peter & Carolyn Lynch anniversary event, I present a similar (but different) perspective on the evening...
4:00pm: Steve Walsh (the other alumnus who attended) and I arrive at the Westin Hotel. We ran into some bandos in the parking lot who told us the party was for Peter & Carolyn Lynch. It was then we realized that we were among the minority of people who knew who he was. Suffice to say, the man knows how to invest money. Sadly, we played the entire event without getting a single stock tip.
4:05pm: Since we were early, we went to Greer's hotel room, where Greer was sorting music, and Angie was raving to us about the decorations at the ICA (they had been there for rehearsal).
4:30pm: Meet the band in the lobby. Erik and A-Tone have agreed to exchange pants (not as good a story as it sounds). Sondra is late, but proves to be able to change clothes faster than anyone I've ever seen. Ben Gaines proves that "blue sweater" does not mean "same color sweater as everyone else."
~5:00pm: Arrive at the ICA. Lesson learned: event planners are never in a good mood. Also, after a conference, they've decided that they're not comfortable with the message that "Just a Gigolo" sends, even after Greer reminds them that we don't sing. Koosh suggests "Touch Me." That also goes nowhere. (Side note: we were asked to do several things that we just don't do, like wear costumes, play "swanky" music like Mack the Knife, etc., and sing. But more on that later). Anyway, Greer & Koosh go inside to work out the playlist (eventual decision: Carry On, My Wayward Son). Greer lives Angie in charge. She supervises us as we stand around by the bus & wait for Greer & Koosh to return. She's a natural...
5:30pm: We are ushered to our "Green Room." The event planner orders someone to bring us water, soda, and chips. The water is sparkling and Norwegian (don't ask). She also goes in search of a copy machine, so everyone has music to Carry On, since some didn't bring anything other than the (ahem...) previously agreed upon music. The band pretends to tune. Then, it's time to perform.
6:00pm: We are ushered onto a terrace over-looking the water. There is a stage, but we asked to stay among the crowd, with Greer on the stage. There is a jazz trio playing "swanky" music, and another event planner (slightly less upset than the previous one) tries to rehearse "Surprise!" with the crowd. I wouldn't say they were weak - let's just say the band helped save that particular part of the party. While waiting for Peter & Carolyn to arrive, we learned a few things. First, they were married on the Penn Campus. I asked if the Band was at the wedding, but one of his guests reminded me that he wasn't famous at the time - in fact, he was broke! Others seemed thrilled that we came all the way from Philadelphia for the party.
6:30pm: Peter and Carolyn arrive. They were told the party was for a Harvard professor celebrating his 5th anniversary for something-or-other (as an indication of how much money was spent on this party, the ICA had signs on display at the front of the building for the fake event, so the couple wouldn't suspect). Peter & Carolyn walk in & the band yells, "Surprise!" The crowd half-heartedly does the same. We play "Fight On" and "Highball" from within the crowd. Some of the older guests jump into the harbor because of how loud we are (just kidding). The event planner says to Greer, "have the band sing 'Happy Anniversary.'" Greer temporarily loses his mind, turns to us and asks us to sing. Our stunned reaction snaps him back into reality, and we graciously decline the request.
6:35: Mr. Lynch comes over to us and says, "University of Pennsylvania Band! Wonderful, wonderful..." or something like that. I think the surprise worked. After greeting the band, he greeted his family (?!?). His grandkids seemed a little concerned that the band may play again, but eventually came over & gave grandpa a hug.
6:40: The event planner gets on the microphone and says, "everyone gather around the marching band for a group picture." We try to make ourselves small, as wealthy guests in impossibly expensive clothing & jewelry fill in around us. The photographer asks us to move closer to her as a group. I assure one of the guests that as a marching band, moving around as a group is something we do all the time. She seems relieved...
6:45: Picture taken (hopefully, we get a copy), and we make a graceful exit so the guests can enjoy their cocktail hour. We go back into the green room, where some waiter brings us still more soda, water and chips. We use my blackberry to get on Google and answer the following questions: 1) Peter Lynch went to Wharton grad, not undergrad; 2) He's worth about $350M; 3) He's not the Lynch from Merrill Lynch; 4) The Lynch from Merrill Lynch is Edmund C. Lynch, who died in the 1930's; 5) We don't know much about Carolyn, because all the Google responses about her are actually about him, or about the building(s) at Penn named after her.
~7:15: We go back out to the terrace, and rudely interrupt the jazz trio with "Final Countdown," in a not-so-subtle attempt to tell the guests to leave the cocktail hour and proceed to the dinner. When we finish, the drums line up outside the dining room to cadence, and the rest of the band moves into the dining room, where the real band (guitar, trumpet, sax, trombone) prepare to jam with us on "Carry On..."
~7:30: The event planner (the more upset of the two) comes in and says, "I'd start playing the song if I were you." Koosh points out to her that perhaps *SHE* would start playing the song, but *WE* don't have our director (Greer was still outside) or our drummers (who are cadencing the guests into the dining room). Perplexed by the logic in Koosh's retort, she disappears, and reappears with Greer, who kicks off Carry On (drums? we don't need no stinkin' drums!). The house band *KICKS ASS* behind us, especially the guitar player - who seems to be playing the actual Kansas part, and really fills in the song. (Note to Noah: recruit an electric guitar section for next year). The effect works, as the room is filled with music when Peter & Carolyn enter. He smiles & waves graciously and tells us all to buy Google stock (again, kidding...). The drums arrive just as we finish, and then we all proceed out the side door, through a hallway, and out onto the loading dock, where we re-board the bus.
~7:45: One would think this would be the end of the story, but alas, more shenanigans await. Someone on the bus calls the event the "strangest thing he's ever done with the band," to which Steve replies, "didn't you guys play a funeral earlier this year?" Anyway, the bus proceeds to leave the parking lot and then BLAMMO!!! The horizontal support on a street light banner had apparently been dragging along the side of the bus, and eventually built up enough pressure to "pop" the safety glass. There is a small explosion as what was once glass instantly becomes dust, followed by a couple of screams (flutes...), followed by several cell phone cameras snapping pictures, followed by someone yelling "has Koosh posted this to Oxy yet?" and someone else yelling, "Blog! Blog! Blog!"
~7:50: Out of respect for the (rather shaken up driver), I waited until we got back to the hotel to take my pictures. By the time I had taken three pictures, Sondra had already changed back to street clothes. Amazing...
4:00pm: Steve Walsh (the other alumnus who attended) and I arrive at the Westin Hotel. We ran into some bandos in the parking lot who told us the party was for Peter & Carolyn Lynch. It was then we realized that we were among the minority of people who knew who he was. Suffice to say, the man knows how to invest money. Sadly, we played the entire event without getting a single stock tip.
4:05pm: Since we were early, we went to Greer's hotel room, where Greer was sorting music, and Angie was raving to us about the decorations at the ICA (they had been there for rehearsal).
4:30pm: Meet the band in the lobby. Erik and A-Tone have agreed to exchange pants (not as good a story as it sounds). Sondra is late, but proves to be able to change clothes faster than anyone I've ever seen. Ben Gaines proves that "blue sweater" does not mean "same color sweater as everyone else."
~5:00pm: Arrive at the ICA. Lesson learned: event planners are never in a good mood. Also, after a conference, they've decided that they're not comfortable with the message that "Just a Gigolo" sends, even after Greer reminds them that we don't sing. Koosh suggests "Touch Me." That also goes nowhere. (Side note: we were asked to do several things that we just don't do, like wear costumes, play "swanky" music like Mack the Knife, etc., and sing. But more on that later). Anyway, Greer & Koosh go inside to work out the playlist (eventual decision: Carry On, My Wayward Son). Greer lives Angie in charge. She supervises us as we stand around by the bus & wait for Greer & Koosh to return. She's a natural...
5:30pm: We are ushered to our "Green Room." The event planner orders someone to bring us water, soda, and chips. The water is sparkling and Norwegian (don't ask). She also goes in search of a copy machine, so everyone has music to Carry On, since some didn't bring anything other than the (ahem...) previously agreed upon music. The band pretends to tune. Then, it's time to perform.
6:00pm: We are ushered onto a terrace over-looking the water. There is a stage, but we asked to stay among the crowd, with Greer on the stage. There is a jazz trio playing "swanky" music, and another event planner (slightly less upset than the previous one) tries to rehearse "Surprise!" with the crowd. I wouldn't say they were weak - let's just say the band helped save that particular part of the party. While waiting for Peter & Carolyn to arrive, we learned a few things. First, they were married on the Penn Campus. I asked if the Band was at the wedding, but one of his guests reminded me that he wasn't famous at the time - in fact, he was broke! Others seemed thrilled that we came all the way from Philadelphia for the party.
6:30pm: Peter and Carolyn arrive. They were told the party was for a Harvard professor celebrating his 5th anniversary for something-or-other (as an indication of how much money was spent on this party, the ICA had signs on display at the front of the building for the fake event, so the couple wouldn't suspect). Peter & Carolyn walk in & the band yells, "Surprise!" The crowd half-heartedly does the same. We play "Fight On" and "Highball" from within the crowd. Some of the older guests jump into the harbor because of how loud we are (just kidding). The event planner says to Greer, "have the band sing 'Happy Anniversary.'" Greer temporarily loses his mind, turns to us and asks us to sing. Our stunned reaction snaps him back into reality, and we graciously decline the request.
6:35: Mr. Lynch comes over to us and says, "University of Pennsylvania Band! Wonderful, wonderful..." or something like that. I think the surprise worked. After greeting the band, he greeted his family (?!?). His grandkids seemed a little concerned that the band may play again, but eventually came over & gave grandpa a hug.
6:40: The event planner gets on the microphone and says, "everyone gather around the marching band for a group picture." We try to make ourselves small, as wealthy guests in impossibly expensive clothing & jewelry fill in around us. The photographer asks us to move closer to her as a group. I assure one of the guests that as a marching band, moving around as a group is something we do all the time. She seems relieved...
6:45: Picture taken (hopefully, we get a copy), and we make a graceful exit so the guests can enjoy their cocktail hour. We go back into the green room, where some waiter brings us still more soda, water and chips. We use my blackberry to get on Google and answer the following questions: 1) Peter Lynch went to Wharton grad, not undergrad; 2) He's worth about $350M; 3) He's not the Lynch from Merrill Lynch; 4) The Lynch from Merrill Lynch is Edmund C. Lynch, who died in the 1930's; 5) We don't know much about Carolyn, because all the Google responses about her are actually about him, or about the building(s) at Penn named after her.
~7:15: We go back out to the terrace, and rudely interrupt the jazz trio with "Final Countdown," in a not-so-subtle attempt to tell the guests to leave the cocktail hour and proceed to the dinner. When we finish, the drums line up outside the dining room to cadence, and the rest of the band moves into the dining room, where the real band (guitar, trumpet, sax, trombone) prepare to jam with us on "Carry On..."
~7:30: The event planner (the more upset of the two) comes in and says, "I'd start playing the song if I were you." Koosh points out to her that perhaps *SHE* would start playing the song, but *WE* don't have our director (Greer was still outside) or our drummers (who are cadencing the guests into the dining room). Perplexed by the logic in Koosh's retort, she disappears, and reappears with Greer, who kicks off Carry On (drums? we don't need no stinkin' drums!). The house band *KICKS ASS* behind us, especially the guitar player - who seems to be playing the actual Kansas part, and really fills in the song. (Note to Noah: recruit an electric guitar section for next year). The effect works, as the room is filled with music when Peter & Carolyn enter. He smiles & waves graciously and tells us all to buy Google stock (again, kidding...). The drums arrive just as we finish, and then we all proceed out the side door, through a hallway, and out onto the loading dock, where we re-board the bus.
~7:45: One would think this would be the end of the story, but alas, more shenanigans await. Someone on the bus calls the event the "strangest thing he's ever done with the band," to which Steve replies, "didn't you guys play a funeral earlier this year?" Anyway, the bus proceeds to leave the parking lot and then BLAMMO!!! The horizontal support on a street light banner had apparently been dragging along the side of the bus, and eventually built up enough pressure to "pop" the safety glass. There is a small explosion as what was once glass instantly becomes dust, followed by a couple of screams (flutes...), followed by several cell phone cameras snapping pictures, followed by someone yelling "has Koosh posted this to Oxy yet?" and someone else yelling, "Blog! Blog! Blog!"
~7:50: Out of respect for the (rather shaken up driver), I waited until we got back to the hotel to take my pictures. By the time I had taken three pictures, Sondra had already changed back to street clothes. Amazing...
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