MSU ALUMNI BAND
Alumni Band Executive Board Meeting
Minutes
January 7, 2007

 

REMINDER:  The next Board meeting will be Sunday, March 25th, 2007.

 

 

The meeting was called to order at 2:05 p.m. by President Terry Person.

 

Present:  Dale Bartlett, Wesley Broadnax, Lynn Brown, Betty Elliott, Beryl Falcone, Tim Fox, Lynn Kelsey, Joe Levine, John Madden, Jack Nelson, Henry Nelson, Terry Person, Bob Rice, Bill Sachs, Kevin Sedatole, Gordon Spink, Gerry Spry, Christy Stehouwer

 

2.  Secretary’s Report – Betty Elliott

           

  1. Minutes from the November 5, 2006 meeting were approved as presented. 

 

  1. Contact data for all Board members was updated.  Joe will post current membership with their e-mail addresses on the web site.

 

3.  Treasurer’s Report – No report available

 

a.       Terry reported that Dick Lodge submitted his resignation as treasurer, due to a job change.

b.      Current By-Laws (section 3.6) allow this organization to appoint a new treasurer, to remain in the office until the next election in 2008.  It was moved, seconded and approved that we appoint Greg Pell as new treasurer.  Past treasurer, John Kostoff, has agreed to act as interim treasurer until such time as all materials can be transferred and new signature cards placed on file at the bank.

c.       Both the president and treasurer will be signers on the account.

 

4.  Band Directors’ Reports

 

a.       John Madden

·        John and Kevin Sedatole recently met with Kevin Forger about Demonstration Hall becoming the official home of the SMB.  While this has been discussed for a number of years, this is the first that actual acousticians were also in the meeting, writing up their recommendations, as well as individuals from Engineering.  It is now very apparent there are no State of Michigan monies at this point in time to devote to a new School of Music, but there are smaller amounts that could be used for the Dem Hall project.  President Simon fully supports the effort.

·        The five student staff members that helped with football Saturdays are due their $50 stipends.  Beryl will get the names to John Kostoff, so that checks can be disbursed via John Madden.

b.   Isaiah Odajima – not present

c.   Wesley Broadnax – no report

d.   Kevin Sedatole

·        Kevin reported that the first semester went extremely well, with three spectacular concerts in December.  He is very proud of all the participating musicians.

·        www.banddirector.com broadcast the performances on a live webcast which went very well.  They do all the work and at this point in time, at no cost to the School of Music.  They plan on doing this again for the 2/6 concert.

 

5.  Old Business

 

a.       Spring Concert – scheduled for April 15, 2007 at the Wharton Center Great Hall.  The commissioned piece is almost finished.  There will be a reception for the Whitwell’s following the concert.  There will also be a smaller reception the evening prior, at the Forger home, primarily for friends and special guests of the Whitwell’s.

b.      Printing Costs – Bill Sachs reported that he has four bids for the Encore newsletter, but no information on the previous printer’s costs.  He will forward all information to Kim Hopkins.  He will also inquire as to the need to continue using the current top quality of paper, as going down a step would reduce costs anywhere from $300 to $500.  An order for more envelopes will also be placed.  Bill also addressed again the issue of mailing hard copies when today’s technology would allow for PDF viewing.  The group needs to look at ways to allow members to opt out of a postal mailing, thereby reducing costs, but still making sure the newsletter gets to all alumni members.

c.       Holiday Bands – Jack Nelson reported that a little more than 100 alums participated in one or more of the six holiday basketball game pep bands.  The smallest band was 45, with the largest being 70; 5 members came from out of state, and one-half of the members traveled 100 miles or more.  This activity is the second most popular alumni event and seems to be a good tradition, is extremely well received by the athletic department and the public, and one that we keep going.  Henry Nelson made formal mention of  Jim McCaffrey’s excellence as a conductor for this group.  We also have other members capable of taking on this responsibility if needed.  Jack also reported that Gary Baron continues to have problems with sending out notices via e-mail because of the huge numbers.  Gary will address this at the next meeting, most likely needing to purchase a software program that will allow him to successfully continue e-mailing the complete membership.

d.      MSU Alumni Band Trip  - Dale Bartlett reported that this is the year of the trip – June 19, 2007.  Final payments are due mid-February.  88 people will be going with 50 musicians.

e.       Commissioning Funds  - Kevin Sedatole reported that the MSU portion has already been paid.  Beryl will request a check from John Kostoff and forward to Kevin.

f.        Mid-West Reception – Kevin reported that this was one of the best receptions ever, held jointly between MSU and the University of Illinois.  There was plenty of Green and he would describe it as terrific.  Beryl will request a check from John Kostoff for this group’s $750 contribution and forward to Kevin.

 

6.  New Business

 

a.       Spring Concert – (in addition to information discussed under Old Business) The alumni band will rehearse from 9:00 to 11:30.  Morning refreshments will be handled by the music fraternity, as a part of their fund-raiser and a reduction in costs for this group.  John Madden will work out details with the group.  Terry will send a formal invitation to Bloomquist, Catron and Whitwell, inviting them to participate and telling them to expect to hear from Kevin Sedatole.  The current band directors will decide which conductors to use, and advise this group if there is need for any additional conductors (past board presidents).  Because of the busy schedule at this concert, a guest Alumni conductor will probably not be needed.

b.      Encore Newsletter – deadline for all articles is Monday, January 8th, in order for Kim to meet the printing deadline of January 22nd.   

c.       Fundraising for New Big Tens Equipment – Christy Stehouwer and Tim Fox, “Big Tens” Alums, presented the campaign to raise money for new Big Tens equipment.  It was determined that the lack of equipment has resulted in a lack of alums returning to participate each fall.  Also, the newer flags are lighter weight than the older ones available to the alums for fall usage.  Via fundraising already in progress (mailings to past Big Tens alums, etc.) approximately $2600 of the $5000 goal has been raised, with the first phase of new purchases (new poles; now have three sets) having been completed.  The second phase will be to purchase new harnesses, with the final phase being the new flags.  It was moved, seconded and approved that it is the intent of the Alumni Board to make a donation to this campaign, with specifics to be determined after a current treasurer’s report is available.  Details will be further discussed at the next board meeting.  This project not only benefits the alums, but also the current students

d.      Alumni Band/Alumni Association Relations – Gordon Spink has met with Bill Beekman, the current Acting Executive Director of the MSU Alumni Association.  He is supportive of our organization, and sent a letter formalizing the good relationship he wants to maintain and further foster.  Gordon will get this letter to Kim for publication in the Encore. 

e.       Other - 

·        Beryl reported early in the meeting that John Kostoff’s wife died recently while they were in Las Vegas.  She provided a sympathy card for all members to sign and will mail it to John. 

·        Beryl read a thank you letter from William Staub, the Whitwell Scholarship recipient. 

·        Breakfast Club – the next meeting will be held January 22 at the Flap Jack Restaurant in Frandor.

 

The meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Betty Elliott

 

 

A Reminder –

 

NEXT BOARD MEETING – Sunday, March 25, 2007 at 2:00 p.m.

 

BUDDIE’s in Okemos