GEMB Revolution!

Fall is just around the corner, and that mean’s only one thing….no, not raking….no, not back to school, either. It’s time to get out and enjoy the Clarion University Golden Eagle Marching Band, of course!

I recently had the chance to sit down with our Director of Bands, Dr. Hubert Toney, Jr., to discuss the 2009 Golden Eagle Marching Band season. You can listen to a podcast of our conversation here.

It sounds like the upcoming season will be really exciting and entertaining for audiences and participants alike. This year will bring a BIG surprise for some of you long-time GEMB followers! You’ll have to listen to the podcast to find out the big news, though. I can’t break the news here.

Dr. Toney has been working this summer to create a new Golden Eagle Marching Band website – http://sites.google.com/site/cupmarching/. It will function as an an information repository for current GEMB members and for those interested in the band. Take some time to visit the site and look around a bit. While it is still undergoing development, you already will find it to be rich in information and media.

So, invite your friends, your neighbors, alumni, and family out to enjoy the Golden Eagle Marching Band this season. With 5 Home games, 3 away games (California, Slippery Rock, and Edinboro), marching band festivals, and the Autumn Leaf Festival, you will find plenty of opportunities to get out and see the band.

For more information about the Golden Eagle Marching Band, visit the new Golden Eagle Marching Band website – http://sites.google.com/site/cupmarching/, email Dr. Toney (htoney@clarion.edu), or telephone the Band Office at 814-393-BAND (2263).

Music Alumni Website

clarionmusicalumni.ning.com

I’ve never been to a high school reunion. Not out of fear, mind you – I can’t change much about myself now. Too old! – but more because it wasn’t a time in my life during which I formed strong bonds with the people I encountered. Once I went to college, though, I met many amazing individuals whom I often wonder where they are and what they are doing now. I’ve been fortunate to stay in touch with some, but I’ve lost touch with most. I suspect that many feel similarly about their college experiences. Many great people came into your lives, but you slowly drifted apart over the years.

The Department of Music recently launched a new website to help our music alumni and friends reconnect with friends from the past whom they met at the Boyd during their time at Clarion. Clarion Music Alumni (http://clarionmusicalumni.ning.com) is a social networking site that allows each member to create their own space on the site to share information about themselves, share photos and music, and have discussions on topics that interest them. Members also can establish groups centered around a topic or theme. For example, we have already a Golden Eagle Marching Band group. Anyone want to start a Vahe Berberian or Stan Michalski Fan Club?

Most importantly, old friends can reconnect with friends from the past by visiting other members’ pages on the site and sharing comments. But you also can meet many new friends. Alumni from various generations already have joined, along with several current Music Faculty members. It’s always great to hear (and see through photos) all of the great things our graduates and friends have been doing.

This isn’t for just alumni, though. If you know of someone who was a die-hard Marching Band “geek,” invite them to join. Do you have fond memories of participating in the choir or orchestra but weren’t a music major? We want you to join and share your stories, too.

So, we invite you to login, connect, and share your thoughts and ideas. Become an active part of our new online CUP Music community. 

PLEASE don’t make me host an music alumni reunion to find out what you all have been up to…I’ll have to go on a diet.