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7901 Bailey Cove Road
Huntsville, AL 35802
Phone:256.881.1075
Fax: 256.881.1054
Directors:
Bill Connell
Theo Vernon
Website maintained by
Rex Simmons
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Grissom Band Alumni Association
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Name: Debbie Abel / Debbie Brines
Email: dcvmb@juno.com
Years in Band: 1985-1990
Instrument played: Flute
Personal Info: I am happily married for 4 years. We have a 2 year
old son and a 3 year old daughter. I attended San Jose State University studying
voice, flute & piano. I have been a professional musician for the last 12 years.
I'm currently working as a Music Director for the Diocese of San Jose and loving
it!! My husband found a new job up in Kent, Washington (near Seattle) so we will
be moving up there soon. I'm looking forward to being a full time mom again and
keeping my music career going.
Memory: My very first fondest memory with the band is my first
marching competition as a freshman. The part I remember the most is when we did
our "horns up"! What a moment and a thrill to be a part of the Grissom High School
Band!! This band and it's leaders have helped to shape me and guide me to where
I am today! (It's hard to believe I didn't even know how to play my B flat scale
when I auditioned for Mr. Vernon). I have so many memories that I couldn't even
begin to write down here. There's just too many. Thanks for this webpage so that
I can go back and see the piece of Grissom that has been so dear to my heart!!
Updated: 05-09-02
Name: Jason Acosta
Email: acosta@hiwaay.net
Years in Band: 1993-1997
Instrument played: Clarinet
Personal Info: Well I go to UAH. "Uggghhhhh!" The Ice Cream Man
- Tru 2 da game.
Memory: The time when Mr. Connell pulled the "you weren't paying
attention... tell me what I said for all the money in my hand" skit. I said it and
I didn't get the money. Being called by the wrong first name. and seeing my friend
get busted for shoplifting at the Daytona trip. ha ha ha what a moron!
Name: Richard Adair
Email: adairr@mindspring.com
Years in Band: 1974-1978
Instrument played: Bass guitar
Personal Info: Graduated in 1978, left for Samford University in
Birmingham graduated 1982. Returned to Huntsville in 1985 now working for the Army
here at Redstone Arsenel. (love it) System Administrator. I pastor a church in Hampton
Cove called "Hampton Cove Church" as well. I miss all the band members everyone
from flutes to tubas (front to back we used to say) I ever was in band with. I remember
everyone as though it were yesterday. I have a wonderful family, Vanessa my wife
(cool blonde chick!) Dustin 11, Joy 9, and Melody 7 as of 2000. All my kids are
musically inclined. I forced them, ha! ha!... just kidding! or maybe not. Still
play bass guitar, but even more acoustic guitar (Martin D-45)and also accordion,
concertina (you know the squeeze thingy the monkey has), banjo, piano, harmonica,
bag pipes (well, I've started at least, ha!), oh did i mention I've a quest for
violin, but I will. I loved the great help from Mr. Ward and Mr. Sparks. God bless
them tremendously. After having left Grissom, I had a perfect ear for pursuing the
best in whatever music I found myself around. I can now play piano thanks to Mr.
Sparks cramming "music theory" into my head in that impossible course he taught.
To think i almost quit it, but he talked me into it as he seemed to do all of us.
He could talk us into anything, couldn't he? Special thanks to Mr. Ward who gave
his all for us all so we'd know how really good it is to with such excellence. He
made me feel like I'm a team member of his choice even though til this day and I've
not seen him since 1978.
Memory: oh, it's all great. Don't ge me started. Somebody just
tell me where Janine Askins is today and Mary Harkey and Jennifer King. I'm looking
for them. The world ain't that big. Anyone with any clues? ha! ha!
Name: Chris Adams
Email: cadams@ro.com
Years in Band: 1987-1990
Instrument played: Trumpet
Personal Info: I'm still in Huntsville (living closer to GHS now
than when I was a student!), working at Renaissance Internet Services as a system
administrator.
Memory: Moving cars from the senior parking lot for marching practice
and always being on the bus that broke down.
Name: Julie Adams (Hinckley)
Email: julie@thehinckleys.com
Years in Band: 1979-1982
Instrument played: Bassoon
Personal Info: Got a scholarship to Florida State Univ. and played
one semester in a concert band I didn't even have to try out for when I told them
I was a GHS graduate. ;) Hung up the horn and haven't touched a bassoon since. Graduated
with a BS in Chemistry (my worst subject) in 1986, and moved to the DC area to be
near college friends for a couple of years. Then Huntsville pulled me back and I
did a stint as a NASA contractor for Teledyne Brown and the Univ of Alabama at B'ham.
Got involved in Huntsville Little Theatre, where I wound up meeting my future husband
(Scott Hinckley, Trombone, 1986) at a cast party I crashed.
Moved to Memphis for a very LONG year where I got my first contract job as a technical
writer (all those crew procedures for the space shuttle made great practice for
that career!). We left Memphis at a run after just over a year and headed out to
Seattle, where we have now been for 4.5 years. Love it and wouldn't live anywhere
else in the US (but it rains... a LOT). Technical writing at Boeing for 3 years
got me involved in web authoring, then finally web mastering. Left technical writing
to become a full-fledged webmaster for two hospitals in the area for a little over
a year in early 1999. Left them to join a local biotech firm (PathoGenesis) as the
intranet webmaster in March 2000.
Scott and I live in an old house in an "old" neighborhood in the heart of Seattle
with our 80lb golden chow-mix, Castagir. No kids now; no kids later. Just call me
"Auntie Julie" and lemme hand 'em back to you when they're wet or get grumpy.
Hobbies include book collecting, European glass Christmas ornament collecting, traveling
internationally, and SCUBA diving in WARM water only (one dive in Puget Sound cured
me of the cold water approach).
Still adore live music performances and have very fond memories of the GHS band.
Memory: Incredibly hot Alabama summers spent marching on that back
parking lot pavement with Ward and Sparks bellowing from the tower and Sparks periodically
destroying his megaphone beating it in accompaniment to his yelling. But getting
a chill and goosebumps beneath the sweat, heat, and exhaustion every time we finished
a piece and heard it echoing off the hills.
Cramming 300 people into that tiny bandroom on warm days and being amazed at how
everyone always managed to move around and create great music under such conditions.
A band playing "Sleigh Ride" at the Christmas concerts.
Being really annoyed when the 1981 album came out and I was listed as 4th chair
B band instead of 1st on the back cover.
Six Flaggs - all aspects.
Laughing with glee the first time I heard "Rocky Top;" rocking the whole school
when we played "Bud" in the gym (before they banned it).
Ward and Sparks - you guys have your flaws, but you are some of the finest directors
any band student ever had the opportunity to learn under. Thanks for insisting we
give our all and forging us into such a great music machine.
Name: Lynn Albritton (Wright)
Email: mdw1958@everestkc.net
Years in Band: 1973-1977
Instrument played: alto and bass clarinet
Personal Info: After graduating from Grissom, I went to Peabody
College/Vanderbilt University and received my BS in Elementary/Early Childhood education.
I then accepted a teaching position in working with inner-city kids in Savannah,
Georgia. I refer to this as my "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil years"!
The events of the book took place during my 8 years of living and teaching in Savannah.
During this time, I met my husband, Mike Wright. His job with Great Dane Trailers
has moved us to the Kansas City area. I am blessed with two wonderful children,
David and Rebecca and work part-time. I still miss the South (especially during
the winters) and recently became a Southern Living at HOME consultant. I consider
myself a prime example of the Southerner with a "Huntsville" accent and a witness
to the midwest of the advantages of being Southern! My website is www.southernlivingathome.com/wrightathome
Memory: Gosh, I have so many wonderful memories, but the most recent
had to be the great reunion of all the Ward/Sparks years. Being in the band taught
me so many lessons about friendship, hard-work and belonging to something bigger.
I am still playing music in a bell-choir. (if you miss your band fix...try bells
they are addictive!)
Updated: 02-10-03
Name: Kerri Allen
Email: onehorsefan@earthlink.net
Years in Band: 1992- 1996
Instrument played: Color Guard/ French Horn
Personal Info: WELL! I am a 1999 grad of Snead State Comm. College
in Boaz, AL ( yes Boaz has more than outlet malls ). I received a degree in Veterinary
Technology. I am now working for a Vet in Madison, AL.
Memory: Where should I start!? I guess the beginning. Well band
started out great for me. I had made rifle team and all was going well till I broke
my arm at rookie band camp. Thanks again Mr. Connell for sitting with me in the
dirt till my mom come to get me. I have to say that every time I was a around guard
or band in general was when I was most happy. Soph. Marching season was wonderful.
We kicked butt in GA. Jr. year Marching season sucked we just could not get our
acted together. Sr. year was the best I loved the show we did and everyone that
made it happen. I will always love the look on Mr. Vernon face when the guard got
off the bus in Homewood, AL with glitter all over our faces and asking him if he
liked it. Thank God he said yes because we would have had a time getting it off.
I remember 6am practices with guard, (I never really woke up completely while I
was at them). Stan, on the tower with his umbrella changing our coordinates for
the 5th time that week. While singing "Hurry, Hurry, Hurry here comes Curry" He
never could get the Cook's pest control song right. I remember when Mr. Connell
would say lets start at the beginning, after he had made us do a run through of
the whole show. I hated those words because that meant I had to find where I had
laid down all my flags and rifle. I loved Soph. year music Timestorm rocked. Thanks
Mr. Vernon for letting us play it. I loved all my band trips. I have to say though
New Orleans was the best my Sr. year. I think that Band was and always will be the
best part of my high school years. Thanks for all the memories everyone. Class of
1996 I miss you all. Write me sometime.
Name: Kristopher "Alamo" Al-Mahasneh
Email: mahasnehal@msn.com
Years in Band: 1994- 1999
Instrument played: Tuba
Personal Info: Still living in Huntsville. Currently working at
Cinram. My life is rather boring. I work about 60 hours a week. So I guess I do
it to myself, but hey, nothing else to do in this city. Like I just said, I do not
do much besides work since I have lost contact with friends so if you remember me,
email me and we can talk about the wonderful days of band!
Memory: What was NOT good memory in the band? My freshman year
have Joel Mason create a dance while saying my last name. Sophomore year I honestly
do not remember too much! Junior year I remember but too many to list. 1st AND 2nd
Senior years were great too. Wish I skipped more classes my 2nd Sr. year like I
did my 1st Sr. year so I could have been in the band ANOTHER year......although
Connell and Vernon probably didn't want me there for another year. BTW Connell,
I am still waiting for my money you owed me from my junior year from that "I will
give you all the money I have in my pocket if you tell me everything I just said"
statement! Just because it looks like I am not paying attention and talking doesn't
mean I don't know! hahahahaha I do miss the band, it was the only reason I even
showed up to school, why else would I have had 3 Band classes my 2nd Sr. year? To
bad I couldn't have had more, it would have been great to live in the bandroom!
Name: Stephen Anfield
Email: stephenanfield@att.net
Years in Band: 1995-1999
Instrument played: Bassoon/Drum Major
Personal Info: I try to update this thing whenever I think about
it, and it looks as if it has been a few years since the last update. Since then,
I've graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in speech communication.
I've relocated to the northern VA / Washington, D.C. area and will begin teaching
in DC area schools through AmeriCorps. If you're ever up this way, be sure to contact
me!
Memory: The trips were by far the best thing about band. I mean,
yeah... band was about music, but the times that I laughed the most were on band
trips. Thanks to all of the friends I have made along the way. Believe it or not,
I haven't forgotten any of you. Please drop me an e-mail and tell me what's up.
If you're ever in northern VA / Washington, D.C. area, look me up and give me a
call.
Name: Patrick Anson
Email: soldierboy75@hotmail.com
Years in Band: 1992-1996
Instrument played: Trumpet
Personal Info: To anyone who made read this....I am currently starting
my third year of a four-year enlistment in the Army. It has not been what I expected
at all. Don't believe any of those commercials that you may come upon...you know,
those "Be ALL You Can Be" ones? All of this came after 1 1/2 yrs at UNA. Wasn't
really ready to continue on with school at that time. Have been deployed to Egypt
for 6 months and will probably go overseas again before I get out. Get out in Jan.
2002. Plan to go back to school and major in sports medicine when my service in
the Army is over.
Memory: Fondest memories? Tough question, but I will always remember
Mr. Connell and the "jump on the hood" incident. The band trips....contests....Chicago
was fun in '94 at Bands of America...those breathing bags....it was fun while it
lasted....to all my friends...keep it real...
Name: Tim Anson
Email: tja2@ra.msstate.edu
Years in Band: 1992-1996
Instrument played: Trombone
Personal Info: I am currently studying architecture at Mississippi
State University. I've worked this past summer at Hobby Lobby, but am hoping to
get an internship next summer, probably here in Huntsville.
Memory: Of course the trips to New Orleans and Chicago were fun,
but I will always remember one day during after-school marching practice when Mr.
Connell jumped on top of a car because it was trying to pull out of the parking
lot and almost hit some band students who were standing at attention. The bus trips
were always fun, too.
Name: Patrick Anson
Email: soldierboy75@hotmail.com
Years in Band: 1992-1996
Instrument played: Trumpet
Personal Info: After high school, I went to college for a year
and a half without once knowing what I wanted to do. And if it hadn't been for all
the friends I made and all the fun we had, I would probably still be there today.
As for my life now, I have since joined the Army and will be getting out January
of 2002. I probably wish that I had done this sooner. I'm having a lot of fun and
am looking forward to going to Egypt in Jan. 1999. As for my status, I have been
engaged for almost 5 months.
Memory: I have many fond memories from being in the band. Number
one would have to be Mr. Connell jumping on the hood of the car one afternoon after
school. I know the guy in that car must've crapped in his pants. For all the mornings
we sat outside the band room waiting for Mr. Vernon to open the doors. Instrumental
ensemble: that class was a sleep period. I highly recommend it. Also, the Chicago
trip in 1994 was awesome. Hey Raj, remember that fight we got into? Then there was
the time when we were going to New Orleans and Dan K. game in stoned as hell and
told Mr. Vernon that he didn't feel good. He was always "Cooked." There are too
many memories that I have from those years in the band. All my friends, Raj, Tim,
David, Dave, Jeff, Greg, Mike, Brainfart (wait , he wasn't a friend, just a nuisance),
and so many others. It was fun while it lasted. Oh yeah, I also remember those d*mn
breathing bags!! We looked so stupid. Every other band must've thought that we looked
retarded. Well, that's all I have to say about that!!!!!
Name: Carrie Pierce Archambault
Email: domgoddessga@hotmail.com
Years in Band: 1991-1994
Instrument played: Flute, Piccolo & Drumline
Personal Info: 05/29/04-Needed to update! My husband, Derek, and
I have been married over 8 years now. We have four beautiful children: William 6,
Sara 4, Laura 2 and Michael 1. We have outgrown our first house and are in the process
of moving to a bigger one, still in Metro Atlanta and loving it. I teach lessons
at home, direct the choir at church and work out at the gym in desperation to get
rid of the baby weight! My goals in life are to raise happy, healthy, musical children,
travel the world, grow old with the best husband ever and have my own kelon marimba
and baby grand (not necessarily in that order). I would love to hear how everyone
is doing so drop me a line!
Memory: So many memories...like, Not having to use a breathing
bag during marching season thanks to drumline. Playing in the orchestra for the
musicals. Lugging pounds of percussion equipment through England and France when
up until two weeks before I was going to play piccolo. Getting snowed in the Heart
of Auburn Hotel! But mostly it's the call of the applause. Really great applause,
a standing ovation, it just doesn't get much better than that. Thanks to Mr. Connell,
Mr. Vernon and all the talented people I had the privilege to play with that made
that happen, many times over.
Name: Anne Williams Armantrout
Email: Anne.Armantrout@worldnet.att.net
Years in Band: 1977-1981
Instrument played: Flute
Personal Info: I am now living in South Alabama after spending
6+ years in East Tennessee and 5 years in Southeast Texas. I am a chemical engineer
for DuPont working as a process engineer on a design team for a new production facility.
My husband, Jesse Armantrout, is an electrical engineer doing instrumentation work
for Degussa (a German Chemical company). Our home is in Spanish Fort, AL, (considered
the Eastern Shore of the Mobile Bay and part of Balwin County). Our companies are
located in Mobile County, Degussa to the south of Mobile city and DuPont to the
north. We have no children but are kept on schedule by a dog and a cat.
Memory: My fondest memories are the soaring feelings of pride and
accomplishment experienced as the last note dies away at the end of superiorly executed
marching band show or concert band performance.
Name: Deanna Augsburger
Email: Deanna.Augsburger@msfc.nasa.gov
Years in Band: 1988-1991
Instrument played: Oboe/ English Horn/ Flute
Personal Info: February 2000 - this is an update on a previous
entry; changed to Chemical Engineering at UAH; currently working with UAH in Space
Sciences at Marshall Space Flight Center(2000)
Memory: Playing great music; making good friends
Name: Anne Austin
Email: AStick7910@aol.com
Years in Band: 1969-1971
Instrument played: Clarinet-always 3rd!
Personal Info: I missed my senior year- we moved to New Jersey.
My best memory from that year I was gone was a band member coming back from a competition,
saying "we got beat out of first by a band from Alabama- Grissom!" I now teach special
Ed., graduated from U of A Tuscaloosa, and seem to have stuck here in T-town. Married
, 2 kids. Married name - Stickney.
Memory: -the time we went to state and three people got left behind.
The state troopers pulled us over north of Birmingham, and we had to wait while
a CAB brought these kids all the way from Tuscaloosa. Can't remember who it was-
Jeanne Denoon, Charles Wood, and one other, maybe?
-throwing Mr. Ward into the pool after Six Flags, Karan Smith screaming "No, I'll
lose my contact lens, don't throw me in"
-the drum majors telling us not to lock our knees during those hot, hot, hot practice
days, so we wouldn't pass out on the field.
-Bill Witherow marching through a game with a hot dog stuck inside the top of those
cheap shag rug looking shako helmets.
-Mr.Ward breaking/throwing his baton on an almost daily basis.
-Playing for the student body in the gym. It was hot, Mr. Ward had beads of sweat
rolling down his face. He was nervous, and started us at about TWICE normal tempo
for the William Tell overture- but we got through it, somehow.
Name: Michael Aycock
Email: m.l.aycock@mindspring.com
Years in Band: 1980-84
Instrument played: Trombone
Personal Info: I am currently a high school band director in the
Birmingham area and teach applied trombone at Samford. I have also helped them with
a music ed course, played in the faculty brass quintet and directed the trombone
choir.
When I graduated from GHS, I went to the University of Alabama for a year. Then
I transferred to Tennessee and worked with Mr. Sparks for 3 more years. He was the
assistant while I was there. During my time at UT, I married Lynell McMahan(piano
player for the GHS band in 1983). I received a BS in Music Ed. Lynell graduated
with a piano performance degree from Alabama. She still plays at church and occasionally
accompanies. She won't say it, but I think she is a great player. I know I married
up and am grateful. With Lynell in tow, I went to University of Illinois and got
an MS in Music Ed. That led me to a job in Huntsville for a few years. I was the
band director at Westlawn Middle School. Dr. Pinckley was my principal. She was
great to work for--really. Then we moved to Birmingham where we still live. We have
3 great kids, Rebecca(10), William(6) and David(4).
I see Mr. Spraks every now and then. He sold me 2 cars. He is doing well. On rare
occasions I run into Steve West. He is pastoring a new church in the Birmingham
area.
I hope this catches you up. I would love to hear form old friends. Drop me an E-mail.
Memory: I have so many memories that I can not decide. I would
like to say that I now know from being in the profession that what we did in band
is still talked about today. Our recordings are available at national conventions.
Our accomplishments are still respected. It was so cool to go to Illinois and have
them curious to know "what was it like to go to a school like Grissom and play in
a band like that." I count many of my high school band experiences as equal to or
greater than many things I participated in in college. I hope I can pass on great
experiences like these to the kids I teach.
You'll be glad to know that Grissom is still a unique and great band. The tradition
is not dead. The current band and directors are doing a great job.
Name: Mark L. Azar (Seary)
Email: mseary@juno.com
- mseary@hsv.k12.al.us
Years in Band: 1979-1982
Instrument played: Tenor and Baritone Sax
Personal Info: After graduation, I worked for my parents in their
business for 8 years. My parents retired and I moved on. I finally attended college
and began teaching school in 1995. I teach at Davis Hills Middle School here in
Huntsville, and at the Seldon Educational Progress Center. I am also adult ed. director
at the Pathfinder, a halfway house sponsored by United Way. I Married Ellen Little
in 1988, and have two beautiful daughters, Morgan, 8, and Katie, 4. Pets are the
kid's life, having a three legged Jack Russel Terrier, a Persian Cat, a rabbit,
two hamsters and a Chilean Rose Hair Tarrantula. Teaching school has kind of been
some sort of payback I suppose, for all the hell I gave my teachers, Ward and Sparks
included.
Memory: Memories are hard, there are just so many! Poker chips,
flashcubes, standing in the sun for hours it seemed, horns UP!! Band trips, concerts
and of course half-time shows. Jeff Lindner, Lloyd Lowe and others loading mobile
sound equipment on the bus for OUR use. Guys, remember grandpa? Tapping into the
bus electrical system when the power on the gel-cells was dropping (ZZZOOOOOOSH!)
My first hangover. Bus sheets, chaperones, room checks, Mr. Jordan. There is just
too much to mention! See you all in 2000! Call me H-533-4016 W-851-4110
B
Name: Michael Baek
Email: thirdchild@juno.com
Years in Band: 1993-1996
Instrument played: Trumpet/Jazz band/PHS/HFLD
Personal Info: Marketing Major at UAH (University at Home) . "Fast
living got me trapped in this street gang...before I die hope I have the chance
to make a change" -Master P (The Ice Cream Man) Peace to all my No limit soldiers!
Name: Laura Baker
Email: iggie100@aol.com
Years in Band: 1995-1996
Instrument played: Clarinet
Personal Info: Hey!!! l'll bet none of you remembers me...Probably
because l was in the "D" band...and pretty quiet...oh well...I'm at HHS now...c/o
'99....still playin in the band...l'll let you know if l ever graduate...
Memory: Uhhhh...there was that one time when Mr. Connell though
it would be fun to throw toilet paper around like a football....and the several
times we compared height to see just who was taller ( l think he always won though)....
Name: Kristin Bakkegard
Email: bakkeka@mail.auburn.edu
Years in Band: 1980-1984
Instrument played: Trumpet
Name: Patricia (Patty) Stevenson Baldwin
Email: nannys@hiwaay.net
Years in Band: 1974-1978
Instrument played: Clarinet
Personal Info: I still live here in Huntsville. I married Curtiss
Baldwin, also of Huntsville, 17 years ago. We have two girls, Christen (16 yrs.)
and Courtney (14 yrs.). They both attend Westminster Christian Academy. Courtney
took up playing my old clarinet and was involved in the band for 3 years at Westminster
then started playing volleyball. Christen was never in the band but was in all the
other school activities including volleyball also. I worked on Redstone Arsenal
for almost 12 years as a Secretary/Office Manager before resigning 7 years ago to
work my husband in his business. He started Nanny's Old Fashion Lemonade 14 years
ago, but up until that time worked for the Government as a contractor. My mom and
dad, Fred and Chris Stevenson, still on Jones Valley Dr. Dad retired in 1978, just
before we graduated, and they both have been traveling and enjoying life.
Memory: Hot summer practices and that back parking lot. Band competitions,
football games, those dreaded hot uniforms and hats, Six Flags, road trips, getting
out of school early, and the concerts. Never knowing if we were going to take the
Gadsden Buses. Oh, I almost forgot...the megaphone with Dave and Jim on the other
end. But most of all....friends and good times!!!!!!!!
Name: Clay Bandy
Email: bandyc@mscd.edu
Years in Band: 1976-1979
Instrument played: Trombone
Personal Info: I work for a 4th Gl computer language company and
am finishing up my Master's degree in Computer Science. I will be getting married
in May of 2000 and plan a honeymoon to Paris France.
Memory: My fondest memories are of the road trips. And the football
and basketball games.
Name: William (Billy) Bargetzi
Email: wbargetzi@knology.net
Years in Band: 1983-1987
Instrument played: Trombone
Personal Info: I'm back in Huntsville- after years out on the road,
playing in nightclubs, living on buses and cruise ships, it's good to be back. Check
out my website at www.knology.net/~wbargetzi/hi.htm
Memory: The kid on the motorcycle was fun, the Dogwood Arts Jazz
Festival, and the time Mr. Rich kicked me out of band rehearsal for doing what he
asked me to do, after which Robert Watkins stood up and asked "How come HE gets
to go home early??
Name: Mark Barnett
Email: mbarnett34@mindspring.com
Years in Band: 1980 - 1984
Instrument played: Baritone
Personal Info: Am currently (3/18/99) having a great time managing
trade show/museum exhibit construction and services with a little firm here in Salt
Lake City Utah. Shortly I'll be leaving this place and seek my fortune in Austin
Texas and start a life with my girl-friend of (7) years, Elizabeth Colvin. (As you
can tell, it's a long story) Anybody know of businesses in Texas's capitol in need
of someone with design and project mgmt skills? Anyhow, I'm still making joyful
(low-brass like) noises with what-ever community/church ensembles I can turn up.
Just finished up a turn with the Wasatch Symphony Orchestra. (Great strings, the
bassoons need a little work tho.) Drop me a line, I'd like to see if I'm the only
one who hasn't quite grown out of that "(fill-in-the-blank)" time of their life
Memory: Let's see; there are so many of them.
Marching/stomping in the mud at the marching band competition down at Emma Sampson
in the fall of '80.
Performing that Holst's Suite in E-flat (?) solo at the Grand Ol' Opry (in 82?)when
the "A" band came in 2nd and we (in "B" band) were all traumatized because of it.
Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington DC, Smithsonian, diesel fumes, all-night bus
ride, beautiful performance hall, bad acoustics, diesel fumes....
Still having to recognize that I'll never be as good Bill Stonecypher with a euphonium.
Name: Russell T. Barr
Email: rbarr@net-master.net
Years in Band: 1971-1974
Instrument played: Trombone
Personal Info: Anyone in the Decatur. AL area interested in forming
a brass group (quintet?) please email me.
Name: Joe Barton
Email: joegretchen@mindspring.com
Years in Band: 1974-1978
Instrument played: Tuba
Personal Info: I married Gretchen last year. I have 3 children
from my first marriage Jennifer,15 Ashley, 6 and Crystal, 4. I also have a stepdaughter
Danielle, 13, who plays Flute in her middle school Band. I am a supervisor in Jet
Aircraft Maintenance at Stevens Aviation in Greenville, SC. Gretchen is employed
with BlueCross-BlueShield of South Carolina.
Memory: Too many to list. Six Flags contest, Freezing in the stands
at Walker County High School then being served ice-cold cokes by their band parents
after halftime, marching band contests, and of course Ward And Sparks!
Name: Heather (Trent ) Beers
Email: GoodBeers4@kc.rr.com
Years in Band: 1979-1982
Instrument played: flute
Personal Info: Married 19 years to Dennis. We have 2 kids, a dog
and 2 cats. We've lived in Alabama, Louisville, KY, Deputy, IN, Summerville, SC
(Charleston area), Bowling Green, KY (home of the corvette!) and now live in the
Kansas City area. Don't play the flute anymore (didn't play it much when I was in
the band!) but still have great memories of being in band. :)
Name: Carl F. Behr
Email: cfbehr21@netscape.net
Years in Band: 1981-1983
Instrument played: Tenor Saxophone
Personal Info: I am working at Boeing as a Software Engineer but
would like to start working as an NT Administrator again. Anyone have any leads
for a job?
Memory: "Carl, bring me my paddle..." Mr. Sparks. Hefty Trash Bag
Uniforms. Famous running orange colored uniforms. "Are you Guys coming to jazz band
today?" Mr. Rich.
Name: Pam Bell (Crum)
Email: pambell@cableone.net
Years in Band: 1970-1972
Instrument played: Flag Corp
Personal Info: Howdy ya'll, I hope everything is going alright
with everyone. Sorry I couldn't make the reunion. I now live in Prescott, Arizona.
We've been here just a little over a year. My dad died my 2nd year in college; therefore,
I had to return home and start working. I worked at W.V.O.V. radio station for 4
years and fell into being the Music Director. It was a great experience. The trade
magazines gave me a nickname of "Golden Ears", due to the fact I had an ability
to pick songs that ended up going gold. From that experience I got a job as a Record
Promoter working in Beverly Hills, Ca. My area was the secondary markets from N.Y.
and all of the south. (Secondary markets are smaller cities, which is where all
music has to be proven before it's ever to a play list in major markets; due to
the fact that commercial air time is so expensive there.) Anyhow, I did that for
a while traveled and loved. Then I got into computers and started working for engineers!
and the last job I had was working for Boeing on the International Space Station.
The job I had was fascinating and I traveled even more. There is no blueprint for
the station so I traveled to various sites making sure that each part would accurately
fit to the next segment. The first time any of these pieces will be connected will
be in space. Kinda of a bad time to find out if the connections don't work. I'm
married to a wonderful man, Jerry, he played the trumpet in his high school. I have
one son, Nick, he's 14, 6'2", brown hair and is absolutely the best thing I have
ever been a part of. Even if he is mine he is awesome. I also have 2 extremely spoiled
dogs. A beagle and an Australian Shepard/lab mix; sneakers and jasmine. I love them
dearly. My husband complains that I pay to much attention on them, but if he wagged
his tail as much as they do, he just might get a little more attention.
Memory: Just being part of the greatest playing band. Tiger Rag
without a doubt is a classic and the way Mr. Ward has his band play it will send
chills down your spine. The people were really the best, and no one can compare
to Mr. Ward.
Name: Andrew Bennett
Email: abmckean@advicom.net
Years in Band: 4
Instrument played: Tuba
Memory: Getting thrown out.
Name: Chad Bennefield
Email: chad@interconnectsys.net
Years in Band: 1990-1990
Instrument played: Trumpet
Personal Info: I have absolutely nothing to do with music, other
than watching my brother at football games in Tuscaloosa. I married Kelly Blackwell,
from Louisiana, in October, 1997. We live in Madison and are expecting a baby boy
in December of 2000. He will add to our family of 2 dogs, Annie & Hornet, and 3
cats, Scarlett, Tigger and Mishka. Kelly stays at home and is a Domestic Engineer,
and after a stint in the Army, I am the Manager of Server Technology for Interconnect
Systems Corporation, a telecommunications company in Huntsville, Alabama.
Memory: "One time at BandCamp........"
Name: Troy Bennefield
Email: TBenny@aol.com
Years in Band: 1993-1997
Instrument played: Percussion (Marching, Concert, Jazz)
Personal Info: I'm a Music Ed. major at the University of Alabama,
marching snare in the Million Dollar Band, Principal percussionist in the Alabama
Wind Ensemble, drum set player for the men's basketball pep band, and loving every
minute of it!!!
Memory: The Austria trip before my senior year, and the Chicago
trip my freshman year.
Name: Emily Bishop
Email: Bishoej@auburn.edu
Years in Band: 1996-2000
Instrument played: Flute/piccolo and 1999-2000 band captain
Personal Info: I am at Auburn University and loving every minute
of it! I play in the marching band here as well and have a great time. After a huge
debate about what to do with the rest of my life, I have decided to major in Psychology
with a minor in Social Work and go on to work work with children (but we'll just
have to see) I miss you all. :-)
Memory: Aside from that dumb fence accident I had my freshman year...(lol,
you remember that don't you???)
My happiest memories are chillin' with my flute girlies at Taco Bell, joking with
Dave Brown about being the 'band gophers' (go for this and go for that), and having
fun with everyone in the stands and during half time. :-) The GHS band will always
be in my heart. It has made me a stronger individual and shown me the results of
hard work and dedication. I thank this organization for teaching me those little
things that are so important. I will never forget it.
Name: Joel Blackstock
Email: joel@wba-architects.com
Years in Band: 1970 - 1973
Instrument played: Trumpet
Personal Info: I graduated from Auburn with an Architecture degree
in 1980. I moved to Birmingham where I apprenticed for an architect and now have
my own architectural firm. I married Laura in 1983, and have two children Grace
8 and Joel Jr. 13.
Memory: I have fond memories of marching in hot sun in band parking
lot. Taking the bus to Atlanta for marching band competition. Fooling around during
band practice with Jim Jernigan and Marty Johnson.
Name: Don Blakeney
Email: donald.blakeney@hotmail.com
Years in Band: 1996-1999
Instrument played: Trombone
Personal Info: -Bachelor of Music in Church Music (University of Mobile 2004)
-Master of Arts in Church Music (Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary 2008)
-Engaged to be married on Oct. 6 in Chattanooga, TN
-Minister of Worship (Bunn Baptist Church/Bunn, NC)
Name: Kim Friddle Blasingame
Email: kim@eclecticgroup.com
Years in Band: 1976-1980
Instrument played: French Horn/Flag Corps
Memory: Flag Corps - making up our own songs. Mr. Ward and Sparks
on the stand that sat in the field, screaming on their megaphones. HAHA
Name: Amanda Kindred Bolin
Email: amanda.bolin@adtran.com
Years in Band: 1997-2001
Instrument played: Flute/Piccolo
Personal Info: I got married to Anthony Bolin in August 2004 and then I graduated from Mississippi State in December 2004 with a degree in Accounting. GO DAWGS!!! Then in March 2005 we had a little girl named Summer Marie and now she is walking and talking and telling everyone how it is. We have now moved back to Huntsville, Anthony and I have both found jobs here. I am working at Adtran in the accounting department and Anthony is working at International Paper.
Memory: I would have to say that my fondest memory in band was the 1999 Macy's Thanksgiving Parade that we got to go to my junior year.
Updated: 04/10/07
Name: Preston Bonner
Email: prestonandjenniferb@netzero.net
Years in Band: 1991-1995
Instrument played: Trombone
Personal Info: married to wife, Jennifer, October 6, 2001, one
son, Logan, born November 13, 2002
Memory: Too many to list. Thanks for everything Mr. Vernon and
Mr. Connell.
Name: Lisa Landwehr Bowen
Email: MdeBlue@aol.com
Years in Band: 1977-1980
Instrument played: Clarinet/Flags
Personal Info: Hmmm. Ok - I married Roy Bowen (trumpet '78) and
we have 2 BEAUTIFUL kids (IMHO), Trey (8) and Jennifer (3). I'm currently working
as an instructor at UAH in the CS department which allows me to work on my PhD.
Memory: Road trips. Winning competitions. Well, I could go on and
on.....
Name: Mindy Bradford
Email: mhanan@alabamabankers.org
Years in Band: 1980-1982
Instrument played: French Horn
Personal Info: I left Grissom after the death of my father in 1982.
I graduated from Arab High School. I went to Auburn and got a degree in finance.
I then went on to finish law school. Currently, I am Counsel/Director of Governmental
Relations for the Alabama Bankers Association in Montgomery. I am married to Ellis
Hanan, an attorney from Montgomery. We have a daughter Amelia who is three years
old.
Memory: Lots of time spent practicing and lots of good friends.
Name: Lisa Brantley
Email: Appleton@aol.com
Years in Band: 1989-1993
Instrument played: Trombone/Flag Corps
Personal Info: I married Chris Appleton December 16, 1995 and have
finally landed back close to home in Birmingham after living in Memphis, TN and
Mobile. We have one beautiful and immensely talented daughter named Sadie.
Memory: ***I AM AN ENOS!!!!!!!!
***Sharing time with my Buds, who I miss terribly.
Name: Brett Brewster
Email: jbb9269@comcast.net
Years in Band: 1992-1996
Instrument played: Trombone/Drum Major
Personal Info: Living here in Huntsvegas. Went to UNA and graduated
with a degree in Business Management. Now I'm a Financial Services Rep at MetLife.
Married to Elizabeth Dean (Brewster) for 5 years, with a son, Wheeler Brewster.
Think of all these memories often. This band was like no other. Mr. Connell and
Mr. Vernon were definitely the two biggest teaching influences in my school career.
Memory: One of the fondest is Mr. Connell yelling at me down from
the tower when I was a Drum Major... "How many counts in this measure Drum Major?!?!
I forgot Mr. Connell. That's just great he replied. A dumb as* up here directing
the band." That is GREAT stuff!! LOL Some of you will remember this... 'The band
is good it can do no wrong" Man, those were the days
Name: Ed Briscoe
Email: zed@briscoe.org
Years in Band: 1986-1990
Instrument played: T-bone
Personal Info: I am in my first year in the MBA program at Vanderbilt
University in lovely Nashville, Tennessee. I was a banker for awhile in
Birmingham after graduating from Samford, but I got terribly bored and decided that
the student life would be grand. So far, I have been right. I hope
to do work in economic development - micro-lending or venture philanthropy - something
nifty like that.
Memory: My fondest memories primarily center around the wit of
Robert Simpson Brown, III. Things like -"two hands and a road map", "dorkapedic
shoes", and "I guess were not going are we?". The other good memories mostly happened
while getting out of things for truck crew.
Name: Sarah M. Britt
Email: sbritt112@hotmail.com
Years in Band: 1992-1996
Instrument played: Flute, A Band (Symphonic I Band)
Personal Info: Wow...it took me this long to find this?? Crazy!
I will soon be changing my name to Sarah Crass as I am getting married in September!
I am living in Seattle, Washington, and I am doing clinical research at the Veterans
Administration on Beacon Hill. All is well and life is keeping me pretty busy...my
latest passion in life is participating in triathlons. I have done a few sprints
and I am training for my first Olympic distance triathlon.
I still manage to pick up my flute from time to time although my friends and family
tell me I play too seldom still! I should work on that! I look forward to seeing
who is on this as soon as I am done setting up my form!
Memory: Too many to count! I am so proud to be a band nerd...I
still laugh at how arrogant we really were and I am not apologetic because the Grissom
band is unmatched!
I have to say I loved being flute captain during hell week...we stayed up for hours
trying to think of silly ways to keep our 35 flute girls entertained and still kept
in line! The band trips were the best...Chicago, New Orleans, Disney World...good
times! I know I took the skills we unknowingly learned during these times through
college and I use them today in everyday life. Hey...if we learned anything, we
learned how to "Win Friends and Influence People" without getting "Hit by a 'SMACK'
truck".
See...Good times!
Name: David Brown
Email: dcbrown@alumni.gwu.edu
Years in Band: 1997-2000
Instrument played: Bassoon/Tenor Sax
Personal Info: Graduated from the George Washington University
in 2003 with a degree in International Affairs. Currently working and living in
Washington, DC.
Name: Don Brown
Email: Dbrown7042@aol.com
Years in Band: 1994-1998
Instrument played: Percussion
Personal Info: I'm at LSU on a music scholarship even though ironically
I'm not majoring in music. I'm a junior (as of Nov. 2000) majoring in International
Trade and Finance. Katherine and I will be married in a year (finally) and Sarah
is already three years old.
Memory: Sneaking off to Bourbon Street in New Orleans...ditching
the chaperones and sneaking around the ghetto of Chicago talking to bums and buying
cigars...sneaking into the pool at night in Orlando.....getting kicked out...getting
back in....getting kicked out...well you get the point. Being drum captain was fun
and educational. Many thanks to Lee for getting this alumni thing started.
Name: Lee C. (Bishop) Brown
Email: rlblcb@aol.com
Years in Band: 1978-1981
Instrument played: Trombone
Personal Info: Married, one child, age 5 (Caleb Lee), BA English
Literature (MTSU). I live on a semi-working farm out in the "sticks" as my mother
calls it, where I raise show dogs (Boston Terriers). After a 5 year stint in the
Christian publishing industry I now do freelance work from my home. I occasionally
sell real estate, do a little dowsing, work on yet another book.
Name: Andrea Brunty
Email: acb1451@aol.com
Years in Band: 1996-2000
Instrument played: Color guard/Trombone
Personal Info: I'm majoring in Journalism at the University of
Alabama. Roll
Tide!! I'm on guard in the Million Dollar Band. I also marched guard with
Spirit Drum and Bugle Corps (2001) and I'm planning to march with Centerstage
Winter Guard next year.
Memory: I'm so thankful to have met my best friend in band. I don't
know
where I would be without her. She made me try out for guard and because of
that I had the greatest times with some of my best friends. Without the
Grissom band, I would have never found my passion and experienced the things
that I have. For that I am truly grateful.
Name: Angela Buckner
Email: anbucks@gmail.com
Years in Band: 1998 - 2002
Instrument played: Saxophone
Name: Jeff Budge
Email: jbudge@tds.net
Years in Band: 1982 - 1986
Instrument played: Euphonium
Personal Info: Went to UT and played with Bo Rist, Mike Aycock,
Sara Smith, the Lechners, etc, etc at UT with Sparks. Graduated in 1991 in Electrical
Engineering. Moved around a few times following jobs in the computer programming
and consulting field. Now back in Knoxville, TN with my wife and two kids, managing
a consulting practice. Our son (13) is carrying on the Euphonium tradition, and
our daughter (10) is a professional dancer (modern, jazz, ballet and tap). Still
see Bo Rist every now and then. He lives in Knoxville also.
Memory: 2nd half tunes like Pink Panther, Oscar Meyer Weiner, Peter
Gunn Theme, Paper Drives, Competing with Billy and Julie Jones for solos (Malaguena),
Playing Dixie for the Ole Miss crowd in the marching finals
Name: Douglas E. "Bug" Burdette
Email: burdetted@smdc.army.mil
Years in Band: 1969-1973
Instrument played: DRUMS!
Personal Info: Address- 103 Moonglow Tr, HSV, 35806 PH- Home-830-2537,
Work-955-1896
Occupation- Engineer, US Army Space and Missile Defense Command, HSV
Wife- Delana Smith Burdette
Activities over the years- 74-79, Paramedic, Advanced Cardiac Life Support Instructor,
Huntsville EMSI
79-81, Police Officer, Instructor Huntsville Police Academy, Huntsville Police Department
81-85, University Of AL-HSV, School of Engineering
85-Present, Engineer, Army SMDC, HSV
Band activities since GHS- Member of the Huntsville Concert Band 90-95
Back-up drummer for the Huntsville based "Old Town Brass", 96 to present
Memory: Fondest Memories-
- The very first Grissom football game in 69 when we performed without uniforms
- The very first time we put on our new uniforms in 69 and marched out on the field
- The first time we played in the new band room
- The first time we won Six Flaggs
- Very Fuzzy memories of the the first 12 hours after we won our first Six Flaggs
- The long Drum Section practices during the summer
- The miles of white tape we wrapped on our drum sticks
- Spending 4 years with the best drummers of that period
- The endless, hot summer band practices on the back lot
- The endless night concert practices getting ready for District, State, and Six
Flaggs
- The huge sound or the GHS Band recorded on the judges tape from the 1970 Rossville
Ga. Marching Contest
- Harriet Behr
- The 1,364 times Dave Ward slammed his baton of his music stand and screamed "What
are you thinking about?!!!!!!!"
- The outstanding musicians and exceptional fine friends I was privileged to know
and work with during my four years as a member of one of the greatest bands to ever
exist.
Name: Karen Burgess
Email: burgekm@mindspring.com
Years in Band: 1990-1994
Instrument played: Trombone
Personal Info: I am still at Auburn University. I plan to graduate
June 2000 in Chemical Engineering. I spent 5 quarters co-oping with Georgia-Pacific
(a wonderful smelling paper mill).
Memory: Unforgettable times with wonderful people I am still close
to. -I will never forget when Cherry Dean and I discovered that we were locked out
of our hotel room and it just so happened to be about 1:00 in the morning. The master
key from the front desk would not work, so we had to wake the chaperones (thank
goodness that my mother was one of the chaperones for that trip).
-There was also the time when Keri Richardson, Cherry, and myself were hanging out
on one of the trips wearing baseball hats and entirely too much makeup.
-A 24 hour bus trip to Va. Beach.
-The football games where we were not allowed to stand up because we had been cheering
for the other teams.
-All of the Band romances...That's enough to keep anyone entertained.
Name: Amanda Burkett
Email: aburkett@simplenet.com
Years in Band: 1994-1998
Instrument played: Flute and Piccolo
Memory: Mr. Connell jumping on the hood of a car in the back parking
lot!
Name: Jackie Domaracki Busby
Email: jdomaracki@hotmail.com
Years in Band: 1990-1994
Instrument played: clarinet/flag corps
Personal Info: Where did 10 years go? After graduation, I went
to the University of Alabama and ended up with a master's degree in speech-language
pathology. I am married to Mark Busby (who apparently had a brief encounter with
the Grissom band when he transferred in from Maryland, but I didn't know him in
high school. We met at UA). We live in Augusta, GA, and so far our only kids are
the four legged kind. I am a speech pathologist working for a private practice,
hoping to start my own soon. Mark was a substance abuse counselor at a methadone
clinic for 3 years, but got tired of telling people who wanted to use drugs to stop
using drugs, so now he's a restaurant manager.
Memory: As my sister Rachel (flute/guard) so eloquently put it
to me, "It's all kind of a big blur now, but I think I had a good time." Definitely
one of the best learning experiences I've had so far. Too many good memories to
name.
By the way, congratulations on the excellent website.
C
Name: Jon Cabra
Email: Cabman5726@aol.com
Years in Band: 1993-1997
Instrument played: Euphonium, Band Captain
Personal Info: Currently in college Business Major
Memory: All of my summer trips...The band was an Incredible Experience.
I agree with Brad More " When it is gone you will really miss it." So all of you
there enjoy it but, NEVER STOP giving Connell and Vernon a hard time.
Name: Kim Campbell
Email: GraphicVis@aol.com
Years in Band: 1981-1984
Instrument played: Flute
Personal Info: I graduate from FSU in 1988 and have lived in Tallahassee
since 1984. I have had my own Graphic Design business for 5 years and still going
strong. Still looking for Mr. Right, but having fun!
Memory: Having to sell garbage bags, pizzas and ANYTHING to make
money to go on our trips. Cramming 340+ musicians into our old band room to take
photos to show the school board how badly we needed a NEW band room. Well, it worked!
Sweating profusely during the summer marching band practice in those snake-like
lines. Cool as a cucumber! Don't lock those knees! FALL IN!
Name: Deborah (Carroll) Sienkiewicz
Email: Sienktwins@aol.com
Years in Band: 1982-1985
Instrument played: Flute, Flag Corps
Personal Info: Graduated from Auburn with a degree in Marketing.
Married Michael and lived in Atlanta for 2 years then moved to Memphis. Blessed
with twins, Anna and Adam, June 9, 1998! Now a very happy stay-at-home mom and Mary
Kay Consultant after working for Maybelline for 9 years. Michael works for Federal
Express in Management.
Memory: Performing in all of the marching and concert competitions
and winning most of them! After a marching band trip when we did not perform as
well as expected, Jim Sparks came out of his office holding someone's retainer (which
had been left on a bus) on the end of a letter opener, yelling, "RETAIN, RETAIN!!!"
Name: Leslie D. Carroll
Email: ldcarroll@angelfire.com
Years in Band: 1978-1981
Instrument played: TUBA
Personal Info: I moved to Memphis in 1985 with my (now ex-) husband
so that he could attend seminary here. It's not Huntsville, but still a pretty nice
town. I squeezed four years of college in to five, and received a degree in Social
Work from the University of Memphis in 1994. After being out of High School for
eight years, I became a member of "The Mighty Sound of the South" marching band.
Boy, marching band was rough as an "older student". Having come from Grissom, the
band experience here was somewhat disappointing, (I'm sure most of you out there
know what I mean) but still rewarding. (At least it paid for college.) Now I am
putting that Social work degree to good use as the secretary for University Bands
here at the U of M. I guess I'm just a band geek at heart. I've found that band
kids are consistently very high quality folks, whatever their past band experience.
No kids, just cats. I still play tuba with a community band here. I would love to
help put together a Sparks/Ward era alumni band during reunion time.
Memory: Trittico, Jupiter, Pines of Rome. Shepherd's Hey - do you
remember the way we almost took off in flight at the end of Shepherd's Hey?! I can
still hear Dave Ward's watch (over the music) rattling on his arm as he shook his
fist directing Pines of Rome. At Halloween Ward threatened to "tuck it under (his)
arm and go as a fireman." I also remember Pam Brockway, as we listened to out performance
immediately after winning our 1981 Six Flags contest saying (with tears in her eyes)
"We sound like the movies!"
Name: Pam Wickett Caruso
Email: pwchunt@aol.com
Years in Band: 1972-1975
Instrument played: Clarinet
Name: Chris Case
Email: kahotep@gmail.com
Years in Band: 1996-2000
Instrument played: Tuba
Personal Info: Graduated from the University of Alabama at Huntsville with a Major in Computer Science and a Minor in Mathematics. Currently working as an Oracle database system programmer.
Memory: Performing the Pines of Rome during the trip to Indianapolis.
Name: Jennifer Heaven Casey
Email: jbheaven27@yahoo.com
Years in Band: 1991-1995
Instrument played: Flute/piccolo
Personal Info: Went to Birmingham-Southern College 1995-99; Univ.
of Alabama Law School 2000-2003; married 2003; George Washington Univ. Law School
2003-2004. Played flute through college; majored in English & biology. Will be in
Birmingham starting August 2005.
Name: Vera Casteel (Childs)
Email: vera@dc-vc.net
Years in Band: 1991-1995
Instrument played: Trombone/Section Leader
Personal Info: I graduated from UAH with a BS in Electrical Engineering
in 1999, and started working at Dynetics in May of that year, doing software development
(slowly working on MS in Computer Science at UAH now). In the fall of 1998, I joined
the Madison Community Band, and soon met Doug Childs, a tuba player. We got married
in April 2000, and are enjoying life with our two cats Warlock and Aerial, and our
German Shepherd Dog Bosco. I played mellophone in the Corps Vets Senior Drum and
Bugle Corps in 1999 (Doug plays contra), am still participating in the MCB, and
I also play in the North Alabama Trombone Ensemble.
Memory: So many... Well, there's the trip to D.C. where we memorized
every inch of the Fairfax Mall. Then there's surviving jazz trombone sectionals
with 'the guys'. And the fond memories of passing the Wavaho station when Joel Schendel
was on the bus shouting the "Wavaho Cheer". And I really can't forget getting in
a pretend cat fight on a bus with Kristin Etbauer over Mr. Bag, of which Mr. Bag
did not survive.
Name: Melody Hooper Cathey
Email: eagle@rocketmail.com
Years in Band: 4
Instrument played: Clarinet, alternate majorette
Memory: Going to the first State Playoff Game. Doing a half-time
show while it was sleeting. FAMOUS CIRCLE DRILL Eating at the Rebel in Gadsden after
marching competition. Going to Six Flags and WINNING and Winning and winning.
Name: Geoffrey Chew
Email: ghchew@bsc.edu
Years in Band: 4
Instrument played: Clarinet/bass clarinet
Personal Info: Well I'm at Birmingham-Southern College where the
band here is, how do I say, not quite the status of Grissom. Anyway, I'm a Biology
major and am perusing a medical career. During the summers, you may find my wondering
about the Space and Rocket Center in my security uniform, so watch out.
Memory: My Fondest memory...hmmm. Well basically all the trips
were great, especially Nebraska. West Side!! Oh and being section leader was fun
too.
Name: Jessica Chew
Email: chewj@hiwaay.net
Years in Band: 1990-1994
Instrument played: flute, oboe
Personal Info: Graduated from Kenyon College with an honors B.A.
in Molecular Biology in 1998. Following graduation, I moved to Cleveland, OH and
worked in a genetics lab at Case Western University. Currently I'm in Huntsville...for
the time being.
Memory: One of my first memorable moments in the GHS band was band
camp summer of 1990. Man was it a scorcher! I remember the lines to get water out
of those snow cone like cups...we even made it into the newspaper--even they thought
we were crazy to be out there with temps above 100 for most of the week. The trip
to Cincinnati I will never forget how long we had to stay at that boring train station/museum.
Only to find out that Pres. Bush spoke there this past year. Is he that boring too?
Perhaps one of the strangest things for me was that somehow for senior year, my
baby bro was assigned to march next to me. I still remember Mr. Vernon yelling,
"Geoffrey... you're lost son....take a look at your sister!" --revenge or sibling
rivalry? perhaps sisters can be right at least some of the time.
Name: Henry Choi
Email: henry.choi@gs.com
Years in Band: 1990-1994
Instrument played: French Horn
Personal Info: Graduated from Boston University School of Management
in 1998 with a dual concentration in Finance and Information Systems with a minor
in Economics. I'm currently in San Francisco, California, working as an investment
banker for Goldman Sachs focusing on technology companies.
Memory: Random thoughts...
"This isn't the Chris Baker Band!!!!" What a classic...
The drummers whacking their sticks away at Michael Tripp's poor car.
The toilet placed on the conductor's tower...and then watching it break into pieces
after Connell kicked it off in disgust. Good one Joel..
Davis: Seinfeld, very scary...how close the resemblance
"Dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb"
Brian Dunham standing up to Connell after being reprimanded for his horn angle -
Where the heck did that come from?! Dunham, to this day I give you props!
CHUCK MOORE!!!! - For those fortunate enough to enjoy the Chuck Moore experience
. . . it was like no other. Does anyone know where he is?!
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