UCI Band: Commentary - 9/4/98
The Duties of Leadership

Robert C. Carden IV

Another year has passed and a new one is upon us.   Last year, despite our rather small core nucleus of about 15 members, the UCI band made strong showings wherever it performed.  Many people were amazed at how much noise such a small group could make.  Even more amazing is that we made it to every home women's basketball game as well as all but one men's basketball game.  The one men's game we missed was the Chico State Game, and the only reason we missed it was because the Music Department scheduled its Wind Ensemble concert on the same day and 70% of the core members could not make it.
As a result, the UCI Band attended more games last year than it ever had previously in its 23 year history.  The most significant game, ironically, was the women's game against the University of Nevada.  This was the weekend that the Bren Center got flooded, and the women's game was moved to Irvine Valley College.  The UCI Band had about 12 members there that day; the cheerleaders showed up with about four members.  For whatever reason, the cheerleaders chose not to cheer and in the middle of the game, about three UCI Band members got up and led a cheer.  The Athletic Department, as well as the Women's Basketball team took notice, and they have been talking about it numerous times at staff meetings. UCI Band performing for UCI women's game at IVC

Eric Sanchez
Eric Sanchez
Band Manager

 Anyway, we have done good despite the adversity that we faced.  Last year, though, was not a perfect one.  First, we failed to recruit many new band members.   At the end of the previous year, Eric Sanchez got a list of band members who were willing to help over the summer, but none of us were ever called.  Also, apparently, there was very little advertising for the Band.

Denise Glud
Denise Glud
Librarian

 Secondly, we never got shirts.  In the past few years, they were paid for by some outside group.  We could not get funding so we did not get shirts.  In the 1980's, we use to buy our shirts.  We need to take more responsibility and make sure that we first, get shirts, and second worry about who is to pay for it.  If we have to pay for them ourselves, then so be it.

mike-odello.jpg (11665 bytes)
Mike Odello
Director

 Hopefully, this year we will have a successful recruiting of new members.   Generally, after a successful basketball season, we improve.  Last year, by just about any account, we had a successful season, and this season should prove to be even better.

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Robert C. Carden IV.
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