MSU Alumni Band 2021 Fall Reunion

229 Dem Hall Road,East Lansing MI 48824

01 October, 2021

Description

MSU Alumni Band Reunion - Events October 1st & 2nd, including the MSU vs. Western Kentucky game. Join Us! Please use this site to: Pay annual membership duesRegister and pay for the October 1 & 2 Fall reunionRegister for the golf outingSign up for the October 1st Homecoming ParadePurchase a shirt for the reunionPurchase a lunch at the reunionMake a donation to the SMB jacket fundMake a donation to the Bloomquist, Whitwell, or Falcone scholarshipsThis reunion is always a very special event - please read through the details carefully below before you register, and then select the correct ticket(s). Answers to common questions are below. When submitting information, please use proper capitalization! MSU ALUMNI BAND – STATEMENT OF CONDUCT AND ESPRIT DE CORPSJust like the Spartan Marching Band and all other Spartan Bands, members of the MSU Alumni Band are representative of the MSU College of Music and Michigan State University. Members shall conduct themselves in a mature and professional manner toward all athletes, officials, and venue staff whenever we attend or play at an event, wear our uniform, or in any way represent the Alumni Band. Tradition, positive attitudes, and esprit de corps are characteristics of the Spartan Community that the MSU Alumni Band wishes to project at its performances - whether on campus or off. Remember that all physical and verbal actions reflect on the band, the College of Music, and the University, with much of our activity visible on camera - and therefore exposed to a large audience. Our esprit de corps is enhanced by the positive support of fellow band members, the University, and wearing our colors with pride. COVID19 ProtocolsThe MSU Alumni Band considers your health and safety to be paramount for this event and we hope that you will do everything to protect yourself. Attendees are expected to strictly adhere to all MSU, CDC, and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for gatherings in force at the time of the Reunion. If we need to cancel or change plans due to COVID-19 circumstances, we will let you know as soon as we become aware of the situation. You can monitor the aforementioned guidelines using these links: TOGETHER WE WILL | Michigan State University (msu.edu) https://msu.edu/together-we-will/ Michigan.gov - Coronavirus Public Guidance https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-100467_100913---,00.html CDC.gov - Guidance for COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) | CDC Current MSU policy states that masks must be worn indoors in all campus buildings. This includes the concourse level and bathrooms of Spartan Stadium. Information on exceptions for the use of musical instruments and eating/drinking are forthcoming. Please plan on bringing a mask to the reunion! For the safety of all attendees, the MSU Alumni Band Board is strongly encouraging all attendees to receive the appropriate dose(s) of the COVID-19 vaccine in sufficient time to be in effect prior to the reunion. Additionally, as you make travel plans, please be aware of the cancellation policies for your tickets and reservations. Travel insurance is an option, however, be sure to read the fine print as not all travel insurance policies include COVID-19 coverage. Events ScheduleFriday (October 1): 9:00am Golf outing 6:00pm Homecoming ParadeSaturday (October 2): 9:30 - 10:30am Check-in and social hour (Dem Hall)10:30am Music rehearsal, Business meeting, guest speakers12:30pm Marching rehearsal2:00-4:00pm Tailgate with Spartan Marching Band5:45pm Call time - Adams Field - March to the stadium7:30pm KickoffHalftime performance Golf OutingOur annual golf scramble, which began in 1999, will be on Friday, October 1st at Oak Lane Golf Course. It will be a scramble format and begin at 9:00am. Put together your own foursome, or we can pair you with other golfers. Please use the appropriate ticket to register for the golf outing. You can see information on the past outings here: http://msuabgo.tripod.com/. You may also contact coordinator Tim Draeger at 810-936-0329, or use the golf outing email : [email protected]. Homecoming ParadeThe Michigan State 2021 Homecoming festivities are October 1-2, with the theme of Spartans Journey Together. The Alumni Band will again be participating in the Homecoming Parade on Friday evening, October 1st, and all Alumni Band members are welcome to participate. The parade will begin at 6:00pm from the Hannah Community Center on Abbot Road in East Lansing, and wind its way through the city and on to campus. You do not have to march! A flatbed trailer will be used with seats provided for the Alumni Band - sit while you play! You may also walk alongside the trailer while playing. Select the Homecoming Parade ticket to participate in this always fun event. Free and open to all members. Participants will be provided additional information as the date approaches. For more information, contact Special Events Coordinator Jack Nelson at [email protected]. NOTE: If you need an instrument to participate in the parade, you must let us know when you register (or by separate email)! We'll make arrangements for you ahead of time. Saturday check-in/social timeThe required check-in will be Saturday from 9:30-10:30am. You must check in and pick up the necessary items that will allow you to enter the stadium, receive a lunch (if ordered), etc. Make sure to join us for the Saturday morning refreshments! Please note - if you are not pre-registered on time you will not be charted for the halftime show. Registrants after September 22nd will stand and play on the field only. Music and Marching Rehearsal Saturday will be busy! We'll begin with a music rehearsal in Dem Hall at 10:30am, going to approximately 12:15pm. Within that time we'll have our annual General Business meeting (notes from our Board members, a Treasurers report, and the election of officers). We'll also have a few guest speakers at this time - make sure you're in the room if you want to hear their entertaining remarks! At 12:30pm we'll begin our marching rehearsal, and will be joined by the Spartan Marching Band at 1:15pm. We'll finish marching by 2:00pm so we can break for a late lunch - a tailgate with the SMB. (Note: you must be part of the marching rehearsal if you plan to march in the stadium) LunchThe Alumni Band will have a tailgate luncheon with the members of the Spartan Marching Band. This is a great time to meet the SMB, trade stories, and enjoy everyone's company. The luncheon will begin at 2:00pm,and the Alumni Band can provide a box lunch (sub sandwich, chips, cookie, drink). Make sure you select the correct ticket(s) above for the lunch type and quantity for the Alumni Band lunch. March to the StadiumAssemble at Adams Field at 5:45pm for the march to the stadium. Everyone who is registered for the reunion (pre-registered or late) is welcome to march the Series to the stadium. Kickoff Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30pm. Please watch local news reports and other informational sources to confirm the time. If this changes, we will alter our schedule as needed and get information out as quickly as possible. We can't control game time (or the weather), but we will adapt and adjust! Halftime - Music and DrillsThe Spartan Marching Band will join us for the halftime performance. Drills are still in progress, and everyone who registers will be notified as soon as that information is available. The music this year includes: Dynamite (BTS) - SMB Only Black Magic Woman (Carlos Santana) - Combined bands Old Days (Chicago) - Combined bands - Tribute to Ken Bloomquist Proud Mary (Tina Turner) - Combined bands A link to the music will be provided to everyone who registers, as soon as it is available. PostgameWe will assemble on the field with the Spartan Marching Band for a post-game concert. March to Dem HallWe will set up in parade block formation outside of the stadium for our march back to Dem Hall. Registration:At the top of this page is a button for "tickets" that you can select. Fill out each ticket as completely as possible - depending on your involvement at the reunion. Each ticket is for a specific function or payment. Please make sure you look at each ticket for the item you wish to receive and/or participate in. Everyone must select the ticket for the Alumni dues. If you are coming to the reunion, both annual dues and registration are required (two separate tickets). The only exception is if you've graduated from MSU within the past year - your dues are waived (select the ticket for "recent graduate"). New graduates - you must supply your graduation year later in the process. All registration and selected tickets must be completed by September 29, 2021 (September 22nd if you wish to march). You must be pre-registered through this site to be able to march the halftime drill at the game! Registering after September 22nd you will be able to enter the field to stand and play for the last number only. There are a number of questions with required responses. This is to make sure you are charted correctly for the game, and to make sure we have the proper contact information. Please make sure your email is current, and that you can receive attachments! We do not share your information or post it anywhere! We prefer that you pay by credit card, but you also have the option to send in a check (see "other payment options" below the credit card choices). EventBrite will generate an electronic ticket for you. There is no need to bring this with you to the reunion. UniformThe Department of Athletics and the College of Music have asked us to maintain the uniformity of our dress for all performances (games, parades, etc.). THIS WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED! We are making available the dark green Alumni Band T-shirt which will be worn for the parade and game. It can be either short sleeve or long sleeve, and can be purchased as part of registration (select the appropriate ticket when you register), and picked up when you check in. If the weather is cooler, you're welcome to wear other clothes (similar color) under the Alumni Band shirt and your marching band jacket. Everyone also should wear black pants or black shorts for the performance. Some common questions (and answers):Do I have to be a member to participate? Yes - everyone who is participating in any of the Alumni Band events (October 1 & 2), must be a dues-paying member of the Alumni Band (note: graduates within the past year are free). Dues run from September 1 - August 31 each year.Is the shirt required? Yes - everyone marching the Series to the stadium, sitting in the stands, and/or marching at halftime or the Homecoming parade must have the "official" shirt. You can use a shirt purchased previously, as long as it is the same shirt. There are tickets to purchase the shirt (short or long sleeve), and you may pick it up when you check in on game day. Everyone should also be wearing black pants or black shorts. THIS WILL BE ENFORCED!Do I have to bring a mask? Yes - and we will strictly enforce COVID protocol that the University, Michigan Department of Heath, and the CDC have in place. Your safety, and everyone around you, is a top priority.Where do I find the music? Music will be available soon. We'll send that information to everyone who is registered.Where is Saturday check-in and rehearsal? Demonstration Hall, Saturday 9:30am-10:30am.Where are we sitting in the stands? At this time, that has not been determined. Chances are good that we'll be in the same location as the previous years - behind the SMB, in the southeast corner of the stadium.Can I register on game day, or just show up and play? Everyone must be preregistered through this site if you expect to march the game (by September 22nd), so that charting the show is completed on time and fewer problems are encountered on game day. If you just show up on game day (without preregistering), you are limited to standing on the field for one number, and playing in the stands.I'm just going to show up and walk in with the band. Sorry - everyone who marches the Series and/or enters the stadium must have identification that will be issued when they check in. The only way to obtain the identification is by properly registering. Stadium officials check everyone entering the game.I'm going to arrive late - what arrangements do I need to make? Sorry - charting is not going to be adjusted to accommodate late-arriving participants. If you're marching the game, please register on time so that you are charted.Do I need to bring proof that I registered? No - we'll have all of that information. When you check in on game day, you'll receive a name tag that is confirmation of your registration.Do I need a game ticket? Can family and friends sit with me? No - on both accounts. Only you have access to the stadium and a seat by registering with us. Seating is limited in our area, and we are unable to accommodate additional individuals. Can I purchase additional game tickets through the Alumni Band? No, the Alumni Band can not offer or control any game tickets - that is all through the Department of Athletics. Please contact the MSU Ticket Office at 517-355-1610, or see MSU Tickets for additional game tickets.I can't bring an instrument, can I borrow one? We strongly encourage individuals to make every effort possible to bring their own instrument, or make arrangements ahead of time to borrow one (check local schools, music stores, etc.). The SMB and MSU typically have some instruments available, such as tubas, percussion, and flags. However, the smaller the instrument, the less likely there will be one available. Please let us know ahead of time if you must borrow an instrument; however, we can not guarantee that one will be available. We also do not know ahead of time what is available. If an instrument is loaned, a non-refundable fee will be assessed. You must provide a valid, current photo ID to check out any instrument or flag.What do I do with my instrument case during the game? It can be left in Dem Hall, which will be locked until after the game. Note that if you leave the game early you cannot get back in to Dem Hall until the entire band returns.Is my registration/ticket transferrable? No - it is only for the person who registered.Can I update my registration information? Yes - go back in to the EventBrite site and make the necessary adjustments. If that does not work, send us an email at [email protected], and we'll take care of it for you.What is the refund policy? The reunion registration is refundable, if you notify us before the event. The registration is not refundable if you simply fail to show up at the event.Where do I park? Parking is still being determined - details are coming! On Saturday, the University lots open five hours before kickoff, which can make it tight for Alumni Band members. Please plan accordingly! See this link for more information: Game Day Parking. If you don't wish to park on campus, the City of East Lansing (across Grand River) also has options available.I'm not attending, can I just skip all of this? We would rather you didn't! However, you can still pay your dues on this site, without signing up for any of the events. Please take the time to do that and provide your contact information to keep our records up to date. This will help us to keep you informed throughout the year.I have more questions - who do I contact? Send an email to [email protected], or call us at 517-351-4582. DonationsThe Alumni Band encourages your support of scholarships and projects. Please consider donating to one or more of the following (use the tickets while registering): The John Whitwell Band Scholarship Fund - awarded annually each spring to a student in honor of director emeritus John Whitwell.The Ken Bloomquist Scholarship Fund - awarded annually each spring to a student in honor of director emeritus Ken Bloomquist.The SMB Jackets Sponsorship Fund - in support of all freshman in the Spartan Marching Band - to award the coveted jacket to each freshman at minimal to them.The Leonard Falcone Endowed Music Scholarship - provides a scholarship for full time undergraduate and graduate music majors. Awardees are selected by the Director of Bands.To contribute to the scholarships and projects listed above, you may use the tickets at the beginning of the page. Note that this method is not tax-deductible! To receive the official acknowledgement from MSU (and tax deduction), donations must be made directly through University Advancement (on-line donation). To do that, visit the following link: https://www.givingto.msu.edu/gift/, and on that page, under "Search for Fund", type in: AE069 for the Bloomquist ScholarshipAE06072 for the Whitwell ScholarshipAE060704 for the SMB band jacketsAE0603 for the Falcone Endowed Music Scholarship Thank you! The MSU Alumni Band Association was formed by Ken Bloomquist (Director of Bands Emeritus) in 1970. Since then we have been meeting regularly in the Fall to march a home football game, a Spring concert, and numerous special events throughout the year.  This provides an opportunity for band alumni - young and old - to join together in musical performances and camaraderie reflective of the wonderful spirit of MSU Bands.