June 2014

In This Issue

Commencement Fanfare

Dean Stein Tribute

Founder Wedding

New Athletic Director

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

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Give to the Band

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Band Camp Dates:

Wednesday 8/13

Drum Major Check-In

Friday 8/15

Leadership Check-In

ALL Drumline Check-In

Monday 8/18

New Member Check-In

New Member Family Reception

TBD

Tuesday 8/19

Returning Member Check-In

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Congratulations Class of 2014!

We are so proud of all of our seniors! We officially welcome you to the Spirit of Stony Brook Alumni and wish you all the best in all of your future endeavors! Congratulations to Gennaro Aliperti, Carolyn Ash, Lauren Badalucco, Brittany Beaumont, Laurence Bordowitz, Timothy Chiraz, Michelle Doyle, Salvatore Ferrguia, Vichelle Filoteo, Amanda Forgit, Zachary Gursky, Samantha Harwood, Taryn Hayes, Sean Hoffman, James Jr. Iannotto, Laura Lehmkuhl, Cristopher Lombardo, Michelle Martinez, Morgan McGuire, Richard Moylan, Brian Mulder, Michael Pirraglia, Jared Reed, Martin Rizzo, Angelica Rosado, Jenna Schwerzmann, Michael Skovan, Melissa Spolar, Katie Stockton and Joshua Villanueva.

Commencement Fanfare

This year, the band was invited to perform at the main Stony Brook commencement

ceremony. Before all of the 2014 graduates filed onto the field, drum major Andre Leon led the drumline down the aisle. The drumline performed the Code Red cadence as the crowd cheered. Once they reached the stage, trumpet players Domenico DeLisi, Patrick McManus and a graduate student, who is not in the band, Tom Manuel, performed Peter Winkler's fanfare.

A Tribute to Dean Stein

After 38 years of serving the Stony Brook community, the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Dr. Jerrold L. Stein, has announced his retirement. Dean Stein played an integral part in forming the band and never failed to support it. He embodies what it means to be a true Seawolf and even came up with the saying, "What's A Seawolf?" with the obvious response, "I'm a Seawolf! This year at the Band Banquet, current and founding members of the band honored him by singing the "Hey Song!" (his favorite) and presenting him with a band track jacket and a drum major mace. He was also honored at the Student Life Awards which were renamed in his honor, and where he was official inducted into the Red (Trail(Blazer)) Club. Band members joined him on stage and sang the Stony Brook Alma Mater with him. To watch Stony Brook News' feature on Dean Stein, click here and skip to 7:31.

Two Athletic Bands Founders Get Married

On Saturday, April 19, founding members of the Spirit of Stony Brook, Jeff Cook and Chrissy Simpson, wed at Chateau at Coindre Hall in Huntington, NY. Both Jeff and Chrissy held leadership roles during their time in the band. Jeff was trombone section leader and Chrissy was the president and alto saxophone section leader. An elegant outdoor ceremony was followed by blissful celebration enjoyed by all, including many band alumni, founders, faculty and staff. In lieu of favors, Jeff and Chrissy made a donation to the Office of Athletic Bands. This is not the first time two Stony Brook alumni found love in each other through, in part, their shared love of music. Former Band Members John Havlicek and Jessica Carde just recently celebrated their first wedding anniversary. Cheers to all!

New Athletic Director - Shawn Heilbron

On May 9, the band was invited by President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., MD, to a special event in the Stony Brook Arena. The event was a press conference that was held to announce the new Stony Brook Athletic Director, Shawn Heilbron. At the end of the press conference, the band stood up and played the Fight Song as Wolfie greeted the new AD and his family with Stony Brook baseball caps.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

After several years of requesting more field space, Stony Brook sports clubs finally got their wish. On Friday, April 11, the band performed at the official ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of the new Campus Recreation Fields at the South P parking area on campus. President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., MD and New York State Senator John Flanagan were among the speakers at the event. To see pictures, click here.

Community Outreach: I Love My Park Day

On Saturday, May 3, the Spirit of Stony Brook's Community Outreach Committee spent the day at Sunken Meadow State Park and participated in a beach clean up. There they picked up garbage and recyclables, and helped paint lifeguard stands. Co-chairs of the committee, Katie Stockton and Courtney Ladowski organized the trip and Vicki Lambert and Tim Chiraz joined them. To see pictures, click here. To see a video that Katie created, click here.

Educational Initiative: Leddy Clinic

On April 28, Director Emeritus John Leddy came back to rehearsal, but this time to run a clinic called Jazz Improvisation for the Marching Band Student. The clinic was organized by James Iannotto Jr. and Bryan Szeglin, the co-chairs of the Spirit of Stony Brook's Educational Initiative Committee. During the clinic, Mr. Leddy led different exercises such as singing, playing, and feeling the beat. One popular tune he used, was one of the band's favorites, the "Hey Song!". He also played audio recordings, showed videos, and invited band members on stage to do some improvisation.

New Leadership Announcement

Congratulations to all of the new leadership for the 2014-2015 season! Drum Majors:
Head:
Andre Leon, Associate: Katie Lankowicz, and Assistant: Lakin Williamson. Captains: Woodwind: Courtney Ladowski, Brass: Emma Lowery, Drumline: Keenan Buzyniski, and Color Guard: Lea Potteiger. Section Leaders: Flute: Jaclyn Lattanza & Kathleen LoVerde, Clarinet: Linda Milano & Bryan Szeglin, Alto Sax: Dina Cottone & Andy LaBella, Tenor Sax: Chris Valentino, Trumpet: Joe Salvatore & Joe Unsworth, Mellophone: Andrew Timmons, Trombone: Lisa Chong & Grant Richmond, Baritone: Kyle Carpenter, Sousaphone: Shane Peterson, Drumline: Mike Vandenberg & Rebecca Werner, and Color Guard: Caitlyn Forrester-Johnson.

5th Annual Color Guard & Drumline Showcase

On Friday, April 25, the Spirit of Stony Brook celebrated its 5th Annual Color Guard & Drumline Showcase. Many Stony Brook students, including band members, gathered on the Staller Steps to support the performers. Members of the Color Guard and Drumline worked hard all semester to choreograph their own routines which included flag work, dancing and cadences. To watch the final performance, click here. To see pictures, click here.

S.S. Waka Waka Waka - Roth Regatta

A team of band members built a boat named S.S. Waka Waka Waka to compete in the 25th Anniversary of Roth Regatta. Ian Greenberg (alto sax), Cristopher Lombardo (drumline), Krista Pullen (tuba) and Emily Scott (color guard) rowed the boat to victory in its first two races. But in the final race, the boat competed against four others and fell short of first place to the boat Dirty Girl IV.

Eighth Annual Bandquet

On Sunday, May 5th the band celebrated its eighth annual spring banquet at the West Lake Inn with over 255 guests including band members and staff, family, university friends and partners. Many students were recognized for their contribution to the band, musicianship, leadership, spirit and academic excellence. Section of the Year was awarded to the Color Guard and Best Flair was awarded to the Tenor Saxophones. Click here to watch the end of the year highlight video.

Educational Initiative: Leadership Panel

On April 18, the Spirit of Stony Brook's Educational Initiative Committee co-chairs, James Iannotto Jr. and Bryan Szeglin, organized a leadership panel for all band members to attend. Speakers on the panel were band members who held, and still hold several leadership positions on campus. The speakers gave great advice to all band members and even answered questions.

Spring Picnic

After cheering on the football team during the Spring Football Game, members of the band gathered on the field behind the scoreboard to celebrate the band's annual spring picnic. With classes winding down and finals approaching, it was a great way for everyone to be together before the end of the semester. There were heroes and salads to eat, and the weather made it a perfect day for outdoor activities such as Frisbee and Wiffle ball. The group was even joined by Wolfie! The event was coordinated by Vice President Jenny Nussbaum and President Jaclyn Lattanza with help from Samara Kravitz (piccolo) and staff.

Spring Football Game

On April 26, the band played at the football team's annual spring game in LaValle Stadium. The Seawolves split their team up into offense (red) and defense (black) to play against each other. In the end, offense came out on top, winning 17-13 with a modified scoring system. The weather made it a nice day to watch football, and the game was a great preview of the fall season. To watch a highlight video of the game, click here.

Pack the Park

The band played the National Anthem before the softball team took on Temple University, to kick off Athletics' second Annual Pack the Park. The Student Athlete Advisory Committee organized the event. The Seawolves defeated Temple in both games of the double header. Free Pack the Park tank tops were handed out as well as hot dogs, pretzels, chips and drinks, to celebrate the nice day.

Drum Major Auditions

At the end of the spring semester, nine band members auditioned for the three open drum major positions of the band. The audition, which was done in front of all band members and staff, included conducting various band songs, marching commands and skills, and mace technique and choreography. It also included an interview and chair stepping in front of staff. All band members worked very hard and did a great job!

Alumni Spotlight

Geoff Bansen ('10)

Instrument: Mellophone

Position: Drum Major

Employer: CBS Philadelphia

Being a member of the Stony Brook Marching Band was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Starting off the way that I did really helped to set the tone for what would become an amazing 4 years. I had been in a band before; but walking onto this large and unfamiliar campus, and meeting 19 fellow strangers who along with me were STARTING a band? That was a large task, and I think something that helped me and the others grow together quickly. Being the band's second ever drum major taught me so many things, including aspects of teamwork, leadership, respect, community, and responsibility. Not only was I meeting some amazing people and having a great time supporting my school, I was also growing in the classroom and beyond, becoming a more well-rounded person. These are only a few of the many positives that have come from being a part of the Athletic Bands, and all traits that I've carried with me ever since. I was recently named the new morning weather production coordinator at CBS Philadelphia, and I attribute this latest achievement largely in part to my experiences as a member of this extraordinary group!