November/December 2014

In This Issue

Arena Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Take A Stand/Walk With Me

Staff Spotlight

Leadership Spotlight

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Give to the Band

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Upcoming Performances:

Friday 12/19

WBB vs Lafayette

7:00 p.m.

IFCU Arena

Sunday 12/21

MBB vs. Loyola Maryland

2:00 p.m.

IFCU Arena

Tuesday 12/23

MBB vs. American

7:00 p.m.

IFCU Arena

Sunday 12/28

WBB vs. Western Michigan

2:30 p.m.

IFCU Arena

Monday 12/29
WBB vs. Norfolk State

2:30 p.m.

IFCU Arena

Saturday 1/3

WBB vs. UNH at 12:00 p.m.

MBB vs. UNH at 2:00 p.m.

IFCU Arena

Wednesday 1/7

WBB vs. Vermont

11:00 a.m.

IFCU Arena

Wednesday 1/14

MBB vs. UMBC

7:00 p.m.

IFCU Arena

Saturday 1/17

WBB vs. Maine

2:00 p.m.

IFCU Arena

Monday 1/19

*PEP BAND DAY*

MBB vs. Albany

7:00 p.m.

IFCU Arena

Sunday 1/25

WBB vs. Binghamton

2:00 p.m.

IFCU Arena

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Baton Twirlers Massey and Ahrenstein Join the Band

This season, the band incorporated featured baton twirlers into its pregame and halftime shows for the first time. On Saturday, October 11th, Victoria Massey joined the band on the field during halftime and performed a solo routine to Fall Out Boy's My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark. Kaylyn Ahrenstein joined Massey for the last two football games where they parade marched with the band as well as performed in the pregame and halftime shows. Both are very talented and the band is excited to have them. Massey won the bronze medal at the 2014 World Baton Twirling Championship and Ahrenstein is a national gold medalist and world silver medalist in two baton.

Successful Fall Semester Recap

This semester, the band accomplished more than it has ever done. For the first time ever, the program performed three completely different halftime shows in one season. It traveled to UConn to support the football team and performed its own halftime show on the field at Rentschler Stadium. The band marched in the NYC Columbus Day parade for the 4th consecutive year and performed for Nick Graham, the founder and CEO of Joe Boxer. It also performed at many volleyball games and various on-campus events. Mrs. Stahl is very proud of what every member of the band accomplished this fall and is looking forward to another successful semester in the spring.

Veterans Day Tribute

On Wednesday, November 5th, the band performed at a ceremony in the SAC Auditorium in honor of all United States Veterans. The band performed "Anchors Aweigh" (Navy), "The Caissons Go Rolling Away" (Army), "The Marine's Hymn" (Marines), "The U.S. Air Force" (Air Force), and "Semper Paratus" (Coast Guard). The band also performed these songs on November 8th during the halftime show of the football game. Director Emeritus John Leddy made a guest appearance and conducted America the Beautiful.

Congratulations Winter Class of 2014!

We are so proud of Sal Ferrugia (information technology systems) and Linda Milano (business), two of our seniors who are graduating this month. Sal played the trumpet in the band and was section leader from Fall 2012 to Spring 2014 when he started working as the band's Assistant Facilities Coordinator. He then became Facilities Coordinator in the summer and has been in that position since. Linda played the clarinet and was section leader since Fall 2013. We would like to thank both of them for all of their time and service that they have committed to the Stony Brook Athletic Bands program. We also officially welcome them into the Spirit of Stony Brook Alumni and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.

Thank You and Congrats to E-Board!

Congratulations to the newly elected 2015 E-Board! President: Chris Valentino; Vice President: Chris Blount; Secretary: Shannon Conley; Historian: John Sagliocca; Color Guard Liaison: Christina Penna. The band is excited to have them in their new roles! New Member Representative Jenna Morlock and Past President Jaclyn Lattanza will also join them on the board. To the 2014 E-Board, thank you very much for all of your hard work and dedication to the administrative tasks of the band this past year! View the Fall 2014 recap video here.

Senior Day

The Spirit of Stony Brook celebrated Senior Day at the last football game on Saturday, November 15th. The band performed Birdland, What is Hip? and 25 or 6 to 4 for its third and last halftime show of the season. Following the performance, the band played the Fight Song as the seniors joined together at the sideline and sang the lyrics. Once the song was finished, the seniors jumped over the line and took their last step off the field.

MBB & WBB Home Openers

The Pep Band helped the men's and women's basketball teams kick off their seasons with victories in the new Island Federal Credit Union Arena. The men defeated Columbia in an exciting game 57-56 on Friday, November 14th and the women defeated Saint Peter's 56-40 on Saturday, November 15th. The record of each team heading into the winter session is, men: 5-6 and women: 4-5. The band is looking forward to cheering on both teams during intercession. Let's Go Seawolves!

Staff Spotlight: The Voice of the Band - Chris D'Orso

Chris D'Orso

Position: The Voice of the Spirit of Stony Brook Marching Band

When Jeff Barnett asked me several years ago to be the "voice" of the band, I said "yes" without hesitation, because of the passion and drive that I have for this place. (And because I wanted a drawer full of red shirts.) And whether in my former role, visiting high schools in Connecticut, or my current role managing social media for the university, I know that the SOSB is a boundless reservoir of energy and excitement that Stony Brook has always had, but was just waiting to be showcased the right way. It's been fun to be anonymous, actually; I may have a microphone in my hand, but it's not about me, but about the students behind me who bring it every time they step on the field. It's been a thrill to be a small part of the incredible success this group has seen, and I look forward to many more years of collaboration.

Leadership Spotlight: Jaclyn Lattanza

Jaclyn Lattanza ('15)

Positions: President & Flute Section Leader

Hometown: Port Jefferson Station, NY

Instrument: Flute

Becoming a member of the Spirit of Stony Brook Marching Band and joining the Stony Brook Athletic Bands family was without a doubt the best decision I made at Stony Brook.

The personal and professional opportunities that have been offered to me during my time as a band member have allowed me to develop into a more focused and independent individual. Holding several positions such as Marketing Coordinator, Section Leader, Vice President, President and now Past President have allowed me to give back to the program, work with the leadership team and mentor others. I have also become a better musician and have made lifelong friendships and professional connections.

The Stony Brook Athletic Bands Program is so special because it is made up of students, faculty and staff members who genuinely care about spreading school spirit around campus and at athletic events through music and cheers. A lot of hard work and discipline go into perfecting musical sequences and marching sets but our field performances show that every rehearsal in the heat and the cold is worth it. After finishing a season with three halftime shows, the bar is set high for next year.

I am so excited to see what this program will accomplish in the future and I am proud to say that I was a part of its growth.