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Frank Miles, Tattler Editor
frank@sinfoniantattler.com
Scott Erb, Tattler Staff
scott@sinfoniantattler.com
Phil Wilson, Tattler Staff
phil@sinfoniantattler.com
Tommy House, Tattler Webmaster
tommy@sinfoniantattler.com
Not Pictured:
Travis Bryant, Tattler Staff
travis@sinfoniantattler.com
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The Downbeat
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Frank
Miles, Tattler
Editor
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The Tat is back from summer vacation and ready to start
the school year, even if it is five days longer. We’ll talk about the new
school calendar and what it might mean for you educators out there.
But first – this just in from Cleveland: the fraternity has wrapped up
its triennial convention and the National Assembly has made some changes.
We’ll clue you in on a new look for the fraternity and what our order hopes
to accomplish with it.
Plus: Doc Kirby is globetrotting (again), Scott Erb is concert hopping (and chapter
hopping, too) and this month features the shortest Q&A in “Tat-story.”
Grab a cold one and beat the heat with the Sinfonian
Tattler!
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Sinfonia’s New
“Visual Identity”
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Frank Miles,
Tattler Editor
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Phi Mu Alpha’s got a new
logo.
Unveiled at the 2006 National Convention in Cleveland, the logo
and incorporated theme is a clear and consistent way to represent the
fraternity’s name and imagery, according to Executive Director Ryan Ripperton.
“This visual identity will be the standard usage for
the fraternity’s name and printed documents where a definitive visual
brand is appropriately used,” Ripperton said
after the logo was revealed to the 450 Sinfonians
in attendance.
The visual identity was developed by an
Indianapolis-based marketing firm after extensive research was done on
the fraternity starting with interviews of brothers in a
randomly-selected focus group at the 2005 Leadership Conclave. Ripperton said the firm, known as RHB, was brought in
to help the fraternity understand how best to communicate with the
average Sinfonian.
RHB considered many factors in developing the logo,
including font (chosen for its classic look, artistic stroke and
historical overtone), graphical symbol (the lyre) and theme. For the latter, the marketing firm dug
deep into the writings of Ossian E. Mills and Percy Jewett Burrell and
found one fundamental characteristic that kept repeating itself, both in the
writings and in the answers of the focus group – harmony.
“A consistent message encapsulating the fraternal
mission of our fraternity and, in a brilliant double-meaning, alluding to
the fundamental musical nature of our brotherhood,” Ripperton
said. “In just three words, they (RHB) have put together perhaps the most
accurate and striking description of our fraternity’s character.”
Ripperton said the purpose
of the theme – among men, harmony – is to “convey a deep meaning and
shape the reader’s impression of our organization, its mission and its
direction.”
He also said the visual identity would not only mean
much to Sinfonians, but also to those
unfamiliar with the organization by making clearer, through inferences
and connotations, what Phi Mu Alpha is about.
RHB has created a visual standards manual that will be
available soon at Sinfonia.org to aid in the implementation of the new
logo. The manual will provide instructions on how to use the image as
well as suggestions for properly continuing use of current and past
images representing the fraternity, such as the Greek letters and the
coat of arms.
But wait – there’s more.
“This visual identity, though truly excellent, is
certainly not going to solve all the fraternity’s communications
challenges,” said Ripperton. “It alone will not
enrich our collegiate recruitment efforts nor aid us in reconnecting with
lost alumni.”
To help with those tasks, RHB developed a three-year
marketing/communications plan.
“Not just a visual identity, but an overall strategy
that would aid us in addressing issues vital to our future success as a
fraternity such as collegiate recruitment and alumni communications,” Ripperton said.
The plan includes strategies for Internet
communications, print publications, new member outreach and alumni and
public relations. Ripperton said the national
staff and the National Executive Committee are currently examining the
plan and determining how to implement it.
“In the coming year, you will continue to see new and
innovative communications from the fraternity that will continue to add
to the value of our lifelong, fraternal bond of harmony.”
To see the unveiling in Cleveland and hear Bro. Ripperton’s remarks, click on this link:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1411795034318357215
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Five Extra Days
Phil Wilson,
Tattler Staff
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If you step outside and take a big whiff, you will
most likely smell that all too familiar time of year – time to return
back to school.
If you live near a high school, you have probably
heard the bands outside practicing for their upcoming halftime shows
these last couple weeks. You have probably also seen flashes of color as
the color guard practice to perfect their routines. When you visit the
mall or other shopping areas, you have seen children accompanying their
parents into stores and coming out with tons of stuff to wear to school.
Wal-Mart, Target and other such stores will be impossible to get in and
out of as parents look for items on school supply lists needed for their
student to be successful.
All in all, entire cities come together to ensure that
the students of their area are ready to return to school. However, this
school year will require a little more preparation as five extra days of
school have been added to the calendar.
Schools in Alabama
had only been required to be in session, with students, for 175 days.
This meant that Alabama
had the lowest number of days of attendance among most of the
southeastern states. The states surrounding Alabama have been in attendance five
extra days bringing them to a total of 180 days. These states include Florida, Mississippi,
Tennessee and Georgia.
The discussion of adding the five extra days came with
many pros and cons, but eventually passed in the state legislature last
school term to be implemented in the 2006-2007 school year. Because of
the staggered times individual school systems begin and end their school
terms, the legislature did not require a certain time to add the extra
days, but instead left it up to the systems. These five days are
essentially time for schools to improve test scores and offer more
instruction time.
With the implementation of the extra days, of course,
comes the extra pay for employees for those days. Not only that, but the
legislature voted to increase all teacher pay an extra 5 percent. This
could not have come at a better time now that gas prices are beginning to
reach $3 per gallon, and stores are beginning to raise their prices to
keep up with the fuel hike.
Students are probably a little less enthusiastic about
shortening their summer vacation.
So, if you feel that your student is starting school
earlier than normal, you are correct. Or, if you feel that they will be
finishing up later than normal, you are also correct. Five days doesn’t
seem like a lot of time to accomplish much, but it is a great beginning.
As an elementary music teacher, I have witnessed personally what a few
minutes can do for the education of a child; I can only imagine what five
days will yield. If you are the parent or guardian of a school-aged
child, encourage their classroom teacher, as this will be a hard journey
for them as well. Support the school by volunteering your time, monies
and efforts. Remember, education is not only the job of the teachers; it
is a joint effort to be shared by you.
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Q
& A: Randy Blocker, IN ‘91
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Frank Miles, Tattler Editor
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There was a time in my early college career that I
liked to have a little fun. Okay,
that was most of my college career.
But early on it was a higher level of partying. Shooting pool all night in the
dorm. Dealing seven card stud all night in the dorm. Drinking Face Erasers all night in the
dorm. For three years I lived in
the dorm and as much as I hated living there, those were some of the best
times ever.
I had the honor and pleasure of spending many of those
times with Bro. Randy Blocker. He
was one of those guys that somehow always managed to be there when you
needed him. Day or night, for any
reason. I was proud to stand by
him on his wedding day as he had always stood by me through the good and
bad times of college life. Today
he’s saving lives, but back then, on many occasions, he saved my sanity.
 Always
one to be to the point, we now bring you Randy
Blocker and the shortest Q&A in Tattler history.
Tattler: What year were you initiated?
Randy: 1991
Tattler: What
have you been doing since you left Troy?
Randy: Paramedic
Tattler: How do you apply the
ideals of Sinfonia in your everyday life?
Randy: Listening to everything and everyone
Tattler: What's the music scene
like in your neck of the woods?
Randy: Outstanding! New music groups all over
the area
Tattler: How about music
education?
Randy: Lackluster due to school cut backs
Tattler: Who was the last Sinfonian from Iota Nu that you spoke to?
Randy: Edward Lawrence
Tattler: What was he doing at the
time?
Randy: Visiting little brother in Mobile
Tattler: Anyone you would like to
say hi to?
Randy: All my brothers! OASAASLLS!!!!
And Bro. Blocker leaves us with this final thought…
Some days lights
and sirens aren't enough... PUNCH IT!
(editors note –
Randy lives in Mobile,
AL)
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New DGP Has Gameplan
Travis Bryant, Tattler Staff
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Since leaving the
hallowed halls of dear old Troy,
one brother has made it a habit to stay involved. Whether he's forming
alumni groups in Atlanta, presiding over
meetings of the Troy Alumni Chapter in Birmingham or working on the Tat, Scott Erb works hard to stay
involved and keep things moving. This is
something he hopes to instill in brothers around the state.
Last February, Erb found out with one
phone call from Dr. Richard Crosby, national president, that he would be
the new deputy province governor.
"My job is to help
(Province Governor) Tony (Cowan) with the province," said Erb.
"Being that Tony is stationed in Mobile,
its makes it easier on him that I am in Birmingham. We are able to visit
more chapters during the year. Our job is to make sure that each chapter
meets national and province standards each year; help the chapter to
grow as brothers and as Sinfonians."
Erb says that unity and communication are
major ideas that he wants to drive home with chapters in Province 34. He
said he has many ideas and strategies to pass along. He thinks that it's
these ideas and his willingness to get involved that have paid off.
"I really think the Tattler had a big
part in me getting recognized," said Erb. "People on the
national level were reading our newsletter, so that helped
tremendously. I have talked with Tony before about different
province-level activities and asked him about the deputy
position. We had a couple of phone interviews discussing how we each
saw the province and how we could move forward."
Erb says that it's not all fun and games.
The hardest part is constantly being at the top of his game so he can
help make each chapter better, thereby improving the whole.
"It has been a while since I’ve been
truly involved in all the inner workings of the fraternity," he
said. "I have to brush up on my rules and regulations. Also,
learning all the actives names from each chapter. But it is
something that I look forward to doing. I look forward to getting to
know as many brothers as I can."
Erb says that alumni involvement is going
to be his mantra this fall.
"This is something that ills
nationally as well," he said. "There is a big push for alumni
to become more active in the fraternity. We need the past to help us
move forward as a whole. Talk to your pledge brothers, big brothers,
little brothers. Get them involved. Make sure they are updated
with the national headquarters. It's a simple process actually. Talk
about meeting for an activity. Discuss the old days while you are
there. Talk about that flame of Sinfonia
and how to keep it burning."
In true DPG fashion, Erb wanted to end the
interview with making sure that you know who to talk to if you want to
get involved.
If you are alumni, contact Frank
Miles. He is the Province 34 alumni coordinator. And alumni don't
forget that you are always welcomed (and encouraged) to attend meetings,
events, workshops, rituals. The actives would love it and it will be
a good way to become part of the brotherhood again.
If you are an active brother, contact your
president or CPR. You should be ahead of the game.
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Trojan Summer Music Games a
Success
Phil Wilson,
Tattler Staff
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 The recent Trojan Summer Music Games that
showcased the spectacle that is Drum Corps International brought much
excitement to Troy.
“The show was great,” said Ginger Zingara,
coordinator of the games. “All the corps put on fantastic shows and our
staff did an outstanding job again this year.”
Here’s how the seven competing corps finished:
DIVISION
I
1.
Blue Devils 92.750
2.
Santa Clara
Vanguard 86.900
3.
Spirit from JSU 81.900
4.
Crossmen 79.000
5.
Seattle
Cascades 72.100
6.
The Magic 72.000
DIVISION
II
1.
Teal Sound 71.500
You may be wondering to yourself if there’s any
fun to be had or any lessons to be learned through drum corps
participation. I pondered this questioned and turned to Zingara for an
answer.
“Drum corps are a little of both, educational
and entertaining,” said Zingara. “Their training is similar to preparing
for the Olympics for athletes. They spend more than 800 hours rehearsing
for an 11-and-a-half minute show, so their focus is very concentrated on
the small details of ONE show, as opposed to the typical high school band
whose objective is to expose each student to MANY different musical
experiences within a short time period. The corps' ability to spend many
hours rehearsing in great detail leads to a high level of performance and
entertainment.”
After hearing this explanation, I have a new
respect for corps.
Troy University has been host of the Trojan Summer Music Games
for the last few years. By hosting these games, several entities benefit.
“Area restaurants, hotels and stores enjoy an
economic boom of approximately $250,000 with so many out of town
attendees and corps staff members purchasing while in Troy,” Zingara said.
The University also benefits.
“Troy
University uses the
TSMG as a recruiting tool for students considering becoming a part of the
band program,” Zingara said. “Thousands of students and their parents
visit the campus and meet band members and staff while attending the
games. The TSMG brings thousands of dollars to the Sound of the South
band program, so I imagine that the Trojan Summer Music Games will be a
long-standing tradition.”
As graduates and attendees of Troy, we know that tradition is an
important aspect of everything we do. Brothers,
be sure to keep a vigilant eye glued to the SOTS Web site next summer for
information about the 2007 Trojan Summer Music Games. Loads of fun and
excitement await you there.
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Indiana Kirby
and the Scales of Brazil
Scott Erb, Tattler Staff
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Doc’s doing it again. We all know how Doc [Dave] Kirby
loves to travel, especially to visit his friend Castro. Well this time he
is still vacationing south; but a little farther. Doc decided to go where
no Kirby has gone before; south of the equator to visit Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Read what Doc has to say about his upcoming trip. And be sure to read
next month’s article about this trip and the difference between Brazil and Cuba.
Yep, I'm headed for my fourth international music
mission trip with Global Missions Project. My first two were to Cuba, primarily in and around Havana, and my third was to Cuba, where we spent half the time in Havana and the rest in Santiago.
This time we are headed with a slightly bigger group
(about 35 instrumentalists and singers) to Sao Paulo, Brazil,
the second largest city in the world with 17 million residents. Sao Paulo has a
growing church orchestra movement, so we are going to support their
efforts, to hold an Instrumental Exposition for musicians all over the
country, to perform at local churches, and to perform two benefit
concerts. One is for an orphanage, and the other is for the music
program with the GURI Project, which is a government-sponsored and
funded outreach for the children of extreme poverty. These schools give
them a chance to escape a life on the streets.
The team will be in Brazil July 28 thru
August 4. We hit the ground running yet will even tour an
instrument factory one of our days. The point is to interact with
musicians and establish friendships which we can continue when we return
to the States, and to support the long-term missionaries in their
evangelistic outreach to the poor and disenfranchised.
Global Missions Project is the vision of Brad
Matheson (who holds a Masters in trumpet performance) and his dedicated
staff and Board of Directors, which includes Camp Kirkland, the Father of
the Church Orchestra movement in America and one of its most prolific
composers, arrangers and orchestrators. Camp is
our musical leader on each GMP trip, as well (he's a Florida State
grad in music).
I will not be the only Sinfonian
on this mission trip, however. Johnny Vanhook
from Dallas, Tex.
(where he is a middle school band director and church orchestra
director) joined the Brotherhood of Phi Mu
Alpha while a student at Arkansas
State. We
became friends on my third trip to Cuba as members of the
trumpet section.
(There could be others, and if so, I'll gladly report
back to you when we return.)
Don't forget to send those worn-out horns to GMP in Kennesaw, Ga.
Even if your kids won't play them, the poor people of other countries
would be glad to have them.
Dave (Doc) Kirby, IN 1974
OASAASLLS
Will Doc change the world?
Will he hit that high C that he hasn’t been able to hit before? Will he let me know if the toilets
really do flush the other direction below the equator? Stay tuned…Same Tat Time, Same Tat
Channel…
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The Journey to See Journey
Scott Erb, Tattler Staff
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July was my time for road trips. But this time I was
going to make it a musical road trip. This was my week for concerts.
My journey you might say.
I was going to see two concerts, three acts in one week. It was going to
be great. I was all pumped.
The first concert: Michael Buble at the BJCC.
AWESOME! If you like big band music, jazz music with a twist of Frank
Sinatra, you will LOVE Buble. It was a great
show. He really gets the crowd
involved and makes you feel like the money you spent on the show was
worth it. He had a really rockin’ phat big band. Especially the trombone players, but I
am biased.
That concert was on a Tuesday. I was on a (natural) high and ready for my
next concert on Thursday: Journey & Def Leopard at Chastain Park
in north Atlanta. What a concert it would be. I mean you can't rock
harder than those two bands. (EDITOR’S NOTE: I believe Metallica rocks harder, but that’s just me. Also,
note how Erb misspelled Def Leppard. C’mon, Erb, your editor grew up in the
Eighties! J
FM)
The trip consisted of me, John Mitcham (IN),
and his girlfriend Nicole. She was going to drive us home if we got out
of hand.
We had to leave later than we wanted due to work situations, etc. They
got to my house around 3:30, and then we left. Well, we got caught up by
the train in Leeds. So that postponed us
for a while. Then we were on our way. But if you have ever been on I-20,
you know that there is always some kind of construction going on. Once we
hit the Georgia
line that is what we got. So that delayed us for a bit more.
After that we were on our way. We had our Mapquest
directions and were following them to a T. But they landed us in the
middle of downtown Atlanta
(next to Turner Field, not by Chastain). By then the concert had already
started, so we weren't too happy about that.
Luckily I used to live in the ATL so I knew my way around, but we did have
to call a friend to find out
exactly where the park was. I called my friend Huck and he was like it’s
off of Roswell Road,
off of Highway 400, which is about 15 to 20 miles from where we were.
So we get on I-85 and drive to Highway 400. Let me just say I was glad it
was already 7 p.m. because you know how Atlanta traffic gets.
At 7:30 we finally make it to the concert. When I say make it, I mean we
finally get to where the caravan of cars are. We drive (actually stop and
go) for about another 30 minutes. So it’s an hour into the concert and we
still haven't parked yet. We did get to hear Journey for about a minute
while we were stopped behind the amphitheater.
We could have paid $40 to park nearby, but we wouldn't have it. All the
colored (blue, green, red, yellow) parking lots needed a permit (how were
we supposed to know we needed a permit?!). So another 20 minutes of
driving and we were like screw it; we’re leaving. We missed Journey and
were raging mad.
We ate dinner outside of Atlanta
at Olive Garden before heading back.
So a 7-hour journey for one minute of Journey… and some pasta. Was it
worth it? You tell me.
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Notes in the Key of Troy
Lance Holman,
Iota Nu Alumni Relations Officer*
Troy University Holds the Trojan Summer Games
Once again the annual DCI Summer Games made their way
to Troy.
Bands from all over came to perform, watch, and participate in musical
clinics. Many of the Iota Nu brothers volunteered to help with the event.
I’m glad to see so many brothers willing to help the university out,
especially during their summer vacations. I hope we all continue to show
this level of commitment through out our Fall semester. Thanks again
brothers, and keep up the good work.
Another Summer
in Troy
(Continued)
Well the summer continues and I’m beginning to lose my
mind. There are very few people in town and even less brothers. It’s
pretty much just me and Martin holding down the fort. Not very many
exalted experiences to be had if you know what I mean. It grows hotter by
the day and Band Camp is just around the corner. But I have faith that
everything will be fine in the end.
* The office of
alumni secretary was formally changed to alumni relations officer by
action of the 2006 National Assembly.
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Travis Bryant ,
Tattler Staff
Welcome to da’dump! Each month Tattler
staffers scour the web and lurk in dark corners to find cool and fun
stuff. From here you’ll get a glimpse into what is going on and who is
doing it. And anything and everything is fair game. So if you know of
something cool and neat that folks should check out send it to us and
we’ll see if it fits the program! Email Travis
Bryant with your cool link.
This month, we at the
Link Dump are standing tall. We're not just trolling the depths of the
web looking for music related sites. We're looking out for the small guy.
All of you aspiring and "lucky as hell" musicians getting to
play for a living. A lot has happened this summer for musicians and their
trade. Here are the highlights:
MySpace has caved! The social networking behemoth got its
start by providing a new venue for small and indie
music artists to showcase their tunes. But if you ever read the small
print on the user agreement you saw that if you posted your tunes to MySpace you were giving them free reign to do with it
as they wanted. They could play your song in a commercial and not credit
you or, heck, they could even sell their copy of your song for someone
else to use. It was an ugly deal that 90% of the posting bands didn't
know. But thanks to some smart folks who know the right $12 legal words
to throw around,
MySpace has changed their tune.
You can get the full scoop on this guy's MySpace blog:
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=
34570397&blogID=137856388&MyToken=626131d4-c695-42ba-867b-754b9e2bfeaa
Speaking of indie music, check out this guy's commentary on the
state of tunage here in the good old U.S.
He's coined a phrase “The Garden State Effect.” It's an idea and a
reference that we think you'll be reading/hearing about again and again
soon. So read this and be in-the-know now:
http://www.goodhodgkins.com/2006/07/06/opinion-the-garden-state-effect/
And if you have some time on
your hands (roughly 2 hours!) check out this documentary on music piracy.
This is a "pre-release" version, so you'll see some bad
cuts/edits. But it's chock full of interesting
talk and folks. They interview industry execs, copyright lawyers,
pirates, consumers, artists,
etc. Of course, the big new media conglomerates have covered all the
angles when it comes to how people download and the side of their parent
company-owned music companies. But this is the first, we're aware of,
that covers the culture and tries to answer why folks will go to such
lengths to pirate tunes.
http://www.piracydocumentary.com/
See y'all next month!
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Andrew Ryan Lutz Born 6-11-06,
weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces
and was 20.5 inches long.
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Requiem
 Our
heartfelt condolences to the family of Bro. Jason Gray and his wife Regan
whose son Cameron has passed. Four-and-a-half-month-old Cameron was born
with a disorder that caused, among other problems, daily seizures. He
died in his mother’s arms where he had spent his entire life.
The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, memorial
contributions be made to:
Carter Centers for Brain Research
Texas Scottish Rite
Hospital for
Children
Department of
Neurology
2222 Welborn
Street
Dallas, TX
75219-3993
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Scott Erb, Tattler Staff
SOTS Band Camp
Auxiliary & Percussion –
August 6 – 11
Full Band – August 11 – 17
First day of school – August 21
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