Halloween

Just Plain Silly

Sam’s Socks

Back Together Again

Yes! Yes! Yes! They said “Yes!” But with restrictions. OK we can live with that. The elders of the church where we rehearse finally agreed to let us meet indoors. They had earlier agreed to let us meet in their parking lot – outdoors – in October – in Indiana! We were willing to give it a try but good ole Mother Nature was uncooperative as usual. The thermometer suddenly dipped into the 30’s which is a little chilly for these old bones not to mention the hazards involved for wind instruments!

The virus is still spreading but not as rapidly as it had been. The elders agreed to let us rehearse indoors as long as we all wore masks while moving about the room, we sanitized their chairs, and we limited our attendance to 35. OK we can deal with that — and deal with that we did.

We got together for the first time in seven very long months. Some had continued practicing religiously each day while others used the extra time for other projects. Needless to say, we were rusty as old door nails. John decided to pick up where we left off and play the music we were preparing for a concert last March. By the end of the rehearsal we had pretty well gotten back into the groove and sounded pretty good. There is a possibility for a concert in December.

Her clarinet shrunk!

What do you do when you have multiple birthdays and a goofy schedule? A birthday cake smorgasbord, of course! Happy Birthday to Patty and Happy Belated Birthday to Kay.

Another 20 winks before rehearsal starts — just what are we going to do with this guy???

What does a teenager do during school fall break? He visits “his old folks” that he’s been missing since school started! It was good to see him again.

Quick 20 Winks

before rehearsal starts

Welcome back shirt! The fellowship in this group is unbelievable!

What was said: .

“I wanna do #2.”.

“Not that #2!!!”

His face turned as red as his shirt!

What was meant:

You have to be very specific about what you mean in this group!

Rumor has it future doughnuts will be high-fiber doughnuts just for Bob!

Only people our age know what these are – no, they aren’t CD’s you young whipper snappers!

This guy was every teenage girl’s heart throb in the 60’s. He was more known for his acting (and good looks) than his singing but on the “flip side” of this recording . . .

was what has been driving me nuts! Knew I knew that song but also knew it wasn’t by Cole Porter!

Happy Birthday John

The crab is a substitute for a lobster – for our northeastern conductor from Maine.

Andrew has gone back to school Here is his First-Day-As-A-Sophomore picture. We will miss him. Such a pleasant boy

Sharing a(n) (almost) common birthday – side by side.

Julie had surgery on her clarinet-supporting thumb and has not been able to play for a while. Ran into her at the campground. Boy! Does she have a lap full!

Our percussionists are pretty special ladies!

We don’t just support our own concerts, Patti and Mary Ann attended the Indianapolis Municipal Band concert in Greenfield.

A “few” years ago I earned the Girl Scout Folk Dance Merit Badge while learning Russian folk dancing to some of this music. I’ll have to admit flashbacks of youthful foot movements are a bit distracting while trying to figure out those crazy spots on the paper. I remember the costume I made and one dance step – arms crossed, squatting on the floor, kicking one foot out, jumping up, then kicking the other foot out. No I won’t, can’t, absolutely will not do it now! That was over 60 years ago – seems almost like yesterday. Oh how I loved Girl Scouting.

Happy Birthday Doodle-Bug

by James Whitcomb Riley, the Hoosier Poet

One might expect “Dueling Banjos” in a band but “dueling canes”? It’s a fight to the death between these two retired teachers! Setting a good example for their students. Uh Huh!

Hoosier corn growing outside the church window as we play “Oklahoma.”

Our beloved Don wearing his Don’s (Donald Duck) Attitude Academy hat (with appropriate attitude face)!

Inside Joke

Ain’t Misbehavin’! Only because i didn’t get caught! But I confessed so does it count or not! Was trying to converse through texting during rehearsal so wasn’t able to respond as quickly as I wanted to. The only way I could think of to explain why I wasn’t responding was to take a recording. We sounded good even if I do say so myself!

SURPRISE PARTY!

Our Founder, Sam, joined the group of 90-year-olds.

The detail of the trombone was amazing.

Paul’s Flowers and Gifts did a beautiful arrangement as usual.

This “Little Sam” moves his arms just like the real Sam. He even has a baton in his hand.

The wall’s closing in on him again!

The weather was ugly and there were concerns about having the concert. We had tornado warnings in Marion County but like Bob said, we’re not going to be in Marion County. So what happens? We get into Johnson County and they are included in the warning area! This one did touch down somewhere.

A little bad weather isn’t enough to break the mischievous spirits of this silly group. Judy found these odd creatures with our conductors! I didn’t see them but cameras don’t lie! Or do they? Maybe it was this critter that got John all tongue tied. He saw “foots” tapping!

Al is usually pretty quiet spoken without much to say but today? Nope! Don had the microphone but Al still has his marching band voice and was not about to take any sarcasm!

Bob has a history of throwing his baton at the flute section; but, tonight, somehow he managed to throw his baton — at — the audience! Now that takes real talent! It’s hard to play a wind instrument when your giggling!

Happy Birthday, Bob!

It was a busy busy busy day today. We started out with a full (dress) rehearsal for tonight’s concert. When playing at retirement centers we usually start out playing “Happy Birthday” for their residents. Today we rehearsed “Happy Birthday” for Bob while John sang solo. There wasn’t much time for horseplay but I think Bob did the things he enjoyed most – music music music! After the rehearsal we loaded the equipment into the van then headed home for a couple hours to eat, rest, and change before we drove clear across to the other side of the world for the concert. At the exit there was even a sign pointing to Frankfort (Germany?). His day was full of playing, directing, and driving – the things he enjoys most — and we didn’t have much time to pick on him! Better luck next year, Bob!

We started the day on a serious note (for us) by honoring Don’s 91st birthday

Things didn’t stay too serious too long – Clarence gave John an A+ for his penmanship on the board!

The timing of Jaws approaching isn’t as easy as it sounds. Last week Don was jumping with each thump of the bass drum. This week John was telling us stories about the shark chasing us. It was getting closer and closer and closer. Oops! Didn’t make it to the boat! Almost! He got one foot! Good stuff! We made it! Made me think of a shark a friend had carved.

Memories of a grade school report card!

The printing tends to get smaller towards the bottom of the board but this time it was so close Clarence had to measure the letters!

Even at a pitch-in luncheon doughnuts appear!

Fall Inside and Out

Boy was it windy today!

Our Birthday Girl!

Happy Birthday, Kay

Mary’s making Santa hats already! It’ll be here before we know it!

First it was musical socks — now it’s musical shoes!

Al felt like the walls were closing in on him today!

King?

N O T !

The new short-sleeved uniform for the percussion section.

A bassoon wasn’t exactly what was expected from “The Dark Side.”

These bars are going to be used for Vacation Bible School but they sure look like jail bars!

He wore his new socks!

Happy 80th Birthday, Al

Marianne had a surprise for him.

Now Al can be a member of the “sock club.”

Happy Birthday!

We were shorthanded in the percussion section so our Founder, Sam, offered to help. However, it was just after break and he hadn’t finished his doughnut yet.

And he wasn’t going to put that doughnut down, either! A new challenge for the conductor-score-reading-expert was to read over the doughnut. It was difficult but possible.

OK. Let’s get this show on the road.

Count – 2 -3 -4

Bite 2 – 3 – 4

Count 2 – 3 = 4

Only our beloved Sam can make a doughnut go thickety thickety thump.

And the musical socks continue. These fit LeyAnn’s personality to a tee – very quiet.

St. Patrick’s Day goodies came with very strict instructions: the homemade creme-puffs had to be eaten in one bite!

This gentleman can really play four wind instruments at once – sounded like a freight train whistle but he can do it.

Michelle is an outstanding musician but I doubt that even she could play both oboes at once!

Eradicate Your Problems

. . . Cleaner Specially Formulated to Eradicate . . . problem . . . husbands . . . conductors . . .et al

Breaktime

Instruments deserve a break, too.

Clarence's Song

This song is dedicated to our own beloved Clarence. Maybe if he had been practicing more (as indicated in this song) he may not have needed to be tied to his chair!

St. Pius X Concert

The Song That Never Ends

Even the guy that “used to be Don Hine” cant hide behind this giant spittoon.

Four appendages going four different directions at the same time takes real talent.

Percussion trio.

The Whole Thing is Off

Poor, poor John. After 30-some years successfully coping with high school students, he has taken on the challenge of Senior Citizens. Feliz Navidad has a strange beat. He describes it as “On on off off off . . . on on off off off . . . on on off off off . . . on on off off off.” Todd Hayden is usually a quiet gentleman with few words but today he cut loose: “The whole thing’s off!”

Bound and Determined

This gentleman was “bound and determined” to set up the entire rehearsal room even though he had already exceeded his energy level for the morning. He found himself “bound’ to the chair!

Piano Socks

It seems as though Sam’s crazy socks have created a trend – take a look at these piano socks worn by one of our flute players!

The Great Doughnut Rush

Who?

He says he “used to be Don Hines” but we’re not sure just who he is these days!

Bad Boys Sit In Corners

Reed Man

Who doesn't love Mickey Mouse

Air! I need air!

All eyes on the conductor?

March Madness begins at home with these two Purdue alumni – Boiler Up!

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Halloween 2019

The Grim Reaper strikes again!

What a crew.

Poodle Lady and original Scecina lettersweater

Minnie Mouse

Dem Bones

Fly Butterfly

Get that smile off your face, soldier!

Carpenter Cindy

Dr. Mary Lou

Indescribable

Bewitching Bonnie

Snow

But the scariest thing of all was Mother Nature and the SNOW!

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October 2018

Oh What a Beautiful Morning!

Oh What a Wonderful Day!

I’ve got a wonderful feeling . . .

Everything’s going my way!

Maybe . . . Maybe Not!

Mr. and Mrs. Frank N. Stein

Spider Woman

Our own Peyton Manning

Pacer Fan

Kitty

Jokers Wild

Green . . . with . . . envy

Memories of “Grease”

Flower Child

Costume

Under A Rest

Alice in Wonderland

New Horizon Band Majorettes

The whole haunting group

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Halloweens of Ages Past

Click here if you dare!

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YIKES! Double Take! Triple Take! What in the world is that??? It’s holding the tuner so it must be a conductor. And I’ve only had one cup of coffee this morning. Not a nice way to wake up. I don’t know about the other members of the band, but I had trouble following this thing! And being cue’ed, well, that was just terrifying!

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This group is the craziest and “most fun-est” group I’ve ever been associated with! Everyone was invited to wear a costume – after all it was Halloween – but . . . We had everything from innocent cheerleaders, sailors, puppies, unknown animals, creepy faces, Fathom of the Opera, pumpkins, space aliens, and visions of death Hmmmm, vision of death, actually, that’s a good one for a conductor – the death look! We’ve all seen that one!

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Halloween 2015

Everyone knew something was a muck when Bob stepped up to the podium that morning. He literally took “Counting” just a little bit too far. But you had better believe we all counted! Nobody wanted to cross Count Dracula even though it was daylight.

Count Conductor

The clarinet section is usually pretty quiet – don’t really know they’re there between songs. But this year everyone was encouraged to dress for the occasion – it was Halloween and the clarinet section got a little carried away. All clarinetists were wrapped in cob webs by a little clarinet being chased by non other than Count Dracula!

Crazy Clarinet Halloween Capers from Pete Zinkan on Vimeo.

Halloween 2015

Halloween 2015

Halloween 2015

Halloween 2015

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Cool Cat

His daughter was innocent this year but I can’t help but think she may have influenced his grandson’s girlfriend.

Getting a bit complex here

Baby It's Cold Outside

It’s so cold outside the Treble Clef has turned blue!

He put his horn together! He played! He stayed! So glad to see him come back! Welcome back, Sam. We didn’t totally wreck the band room while you were gone!