Monday, October 27, 2008

Follow-up on Cal Band stuff...

There was another Daily Cal article posted on Friday:

"March On"

http://www.dailycal.org/article/103237/march_on

"Cal Band great! While that statement isn't up for contention, the university's decision to not do anything else while funding for the University of California Marching Band runs low is questionable."

Click the link for more!

Friday, October 24, 2008

Cal Band Stuff...

Cal vs. UCLA Half-time Show

We just watched the noon concert and I have to say... the show sounds GREAT.

It's a TV sports theme which includes: Monday Night Football Theme, MLB on Fox Theme, NBA on NBC Theme, NFL on CBS Theme, and NFL on Fox Theme.

All of the "songs" are really recognizable, very brass heavy, and therefore very loud. The show will be facing both sides I am told.

Lack of Funding Causes Cal Band to Miss Away Games

http://www.dailycal.org/article/103229/lack_of_funding_causes_cal_band_to_miss_away_games

Very interesting article and surprisingly, for the Daily Cal, I think most of the facts are straight!

Bob Briggs

If you are a member of the California Alumni Association, you should be receiving your California magazine soon. I wanted to let you know that in this issue, there is only a small blurb on the passing of Bob Briggs. There will be a bigger write-up, including a picture, in the Jan/Feb edition.The North Tunnel Echo, the Cal Band's newsletter, will have a fantastic spread on Bob in the upcoming issue coming out in a few weeks.

Cal vs. UCLA

Just some tidbits for you...

Live Coverage
TV: ABC Broadcast team: Terry Gannon, David Norrie.
Radio: KGO Radio (810 AM) in San Francisco (Joe Starkey, Troy Taylor, Todd McKim) - and affiliate stations KGIL Radio (1260 AM Los Angeles), XSURF Radio (540 AM San Diego), KNTK Radio (102.3 Weed), KCBL Radio (1340 AM Fresno), KESP Radio (970 AM Modesto), KVBL Radio (1400 AM Visalia) and KTKZ Radio (1380 AM Sacramento). The pre-game show begins 30 minutes prior to kickoff.

SERIES FACTS
Games Played: 77
Series Record: Cal trails, 27-49-1
First Meeting: 11/4/33, tie 0-0
Last Meeting: 10/20/07, UCLA, 30-21
Current Streak: Tied 4-4, last 8 meetings
Tedford vs. UCLA: 3-3

Opening Kickoff California returns home to Berkeley for a two-game homestand, starting with a matchup against UCLA Saturday at 12:30 p.m. in the annual Joe Roth Memorial Game. The contest will be televised on a regional basis by ABC (locally on KGO TV 7). The Golden Bears are coming off a 42-27 setback at Arizona that left their record at 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the Pac-10....... 1959 Rose Bowl Reunion Members of the Cal team that played in the 1959 Rose Bowl will hold a reunion Saturday, and they will be introduced on the field during the UCLA game. Coming off a 1-9 campaign in 1957, the Bears -- coached by Pete Elliott and led by QB Joe Kapp -- rebounded from an 0-2 start to capture the 1958 Pacific Coast Conference championship, finishing the regular season with a 7-3 record 50 years ago this fall. Cal, though, lost, 38-12, to Iowa in its Jan. 1 trip to Pasadena. Kapp earned first-team All-America honors after throwing for 775 yards and rushing for 616 more, while HB Jack Hart was voted first-team all-conference.
More:
http://calbears.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102008aae.html

Our schedule...
Aug. 30 - WIN -- CAL 38 Michigan State 31
Sept. 6 - WIN – CAL 66 WSU 3
Sept. 13 – loss – Maryland 35 CAL 27
Sept. 27 - WIN -- CAL 42 Colorado State 7
Oct. 4 - WIN -- CAL 24 ASU 14
Oct. 18 - loss -- Arizona 42 CAL 27
Oct. 25 - UCLA at 12:30pm on ABC
Nov. 1 - Oregon at 12:30pm on ABC
Nov. 8 - at USC at 5pm on ABC/ESPN
Nov. 15 - at Oregon State at TBA
Nov. 22 - Stanford at 12:30pm
Dec. 6 - Washington at noon or 5pm on Fox Sports or ESPN/ESPN2

Join us at away football games!

Official Cal Tailgates!

Cal @ USC, Nov 8, 2008
Date of Game: Saturday, November 8, 2008
Game Time: 5 p.m. PST on ABC
Tailgate Time: 2:30 p.m. PST
Tailgate Location: California Science Center, Los Angeles

One tailgate ticket includes admission to the party, lunch buffet, beer & wine, entertainment including the California Marching Band, Dance Team, Mic Men, and Oski, Golden Bear souvenir giveaway, and special guest appearances.

Details and RSVP: http://alumni.berkeley.edu/CAA_Events/Athletics/USC_Tailgate.asp

****************

Cal @ Oregon State, Nov 15, 2008
Date of Game: Saturday, November 15, 2008
Game Time: TBA
Tailgate Time: 2.5 hours before kickoff
Tailgate Location: LaSells Stewart Center, Corvallis, OR

One tailgate ticket includes admission to the party, BBQ buffet, beer & wine, entertainment including the California Marching Band, Dance Team, Mic Men, and Oski, Golden Bear souvenir giveaway, and a special guest appearance by Cal Athletic Director Sandy Barbour.

Details and RSVP: http://alumni.berkeley.edu/CAA_Events/Athletics/OSU_Tailgate.asp

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Cool Cal Band pics and video

Some good pics, although obviously the guy who wrote it wasn't in band, as he talks about the "traditions", but has no idea why they happen. :)

http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/2008/10/6/628452/cal-v-asu-photo-essay-i-ma

Most interesting comment: "the yell at the corner by the campinile (sic) came from the waaaaaay olden days when the stanford band and the cal band would meet up at that corner both marching up to the game…..hasn’t been that way for 60 yrs at least….and yet….the strange yell."

I learned something today! :)

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Bob Briggs Memorial Celebration

Dear Cal Friends,

Our dear Cal Band director emeritus Bob Briggs passed away on Sept. 17th at the age of 81. We will celebrate his extraordinary life this coming Saturday, October 18, at 2:00pm in Pauley Ballroom, inside of the MLK Student Union, on the Cal campus. We will gather at 2:00 with the program starting at 2:30 with the Cal Band marching in to "Fight." A traditional jazz band made up of Cal Band alumni will play from 1:30-2:30pm to welcome you.

Everyone, including children of all ages, is warmly invited to attend this celebration. To ensure we will have enough food and drink, please RSVP through the Socializr link below. (Socializr is similar to E-vite.) There is a map and parking information on the Socializr link:

More info and RSVP: www.socializr.com/event/evpfoot/briggs

This will be an upbeat celebration of Bob's life, so wear your best blue and gold, and be ready to sing! Casual dress is acceptable.

Donations: If you can provide any goods including food, drink, or decorations (such as flowers and balloons), please email bandalumni@calband.berkeley.edu. Our wish is for this event to be fully supported by Bob's friends and family. Thank you to Lawrence Lohr, who will be donating some of the wine for the day from J. Lohr Vineyards.

For those of you who would like to watch the Cal vs. Arizona football game at 7PM that evening, downstairs Kip's has a good sized room in back, with flat screen TVs! Walk through the Chinese restaurant, and you'll see Kip's is still there. Any and all are welcome to congregate there informally for the game - but consider arriving early to secure a seat.

More and more photos are being uploaded every day. Take a look and upload yours:

http://www.northtunnelecho.org/bobphotos/

Questions? E-mail bandalumni@calband.berkeley.edu and send us a message or visit the CBAA page at www.calband.berkeley.edu/cbaa.

Go Bears and Go Bob!

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Around Cal...

Sather Gate to be restored:

http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2008/10/06_sathergate.shtml

"Starting this month, Sather Gate, the University of California, Berkeley's famous Beaux Arts south portal will be gently dismantled, seismically fortified and restored to its former might and majesty. There are no plans to close down the nearly century-old gateway during the $1.5 million restoration project, and pedestrians and authorized vehicles will continue to pass through the area that separates Sproul Plaza from the central campus."

Keep learning through the Discover Cal lecture series:

http://discovercal.berkeley.edu/

Topics: "Energy, Finance, and our Future", "Global Poverty", "Health Crisis".
Locations: California and New York

Campus Campaign

http://campaign.berkeley.edu/

Info: The theme is "Thanks to Berkeley". You can donate to a variety of areas that "count" for the campaign, including 3 options within the Cal Band: Cal Band Fund, Cal Band Endowment, or the Briggs Family Scholarship.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Cal vs. ASU Gameday!!!

Tedford's Blog:
http://calbears.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/tedford-talk.html

"The number one thing I want to get out via my blog this week is that we need ALL of our fans this Saturday for Arizona State. Our fans have been great all season, and we really need you to step up again this week against a very good Sun Devil team. When we went to Tempe last year, they had a great environment - a very hostile and tough place for us to play. We NEED to repay that favor to them. Let's have everyone put on their blue and gold and get out to the stadium early and ready to scream. We need noise; we need to do everything we can to make it tough for them to focus and communicate and to pump up our players. It was great to be back home last Saturday; having the home crowd was definitely an asset against Colorado State and that support helps our guys make plays like the blocked punt, the interception return and Syd'Quan's punt return touchdown. It's Pac-10 play now so we need to leave everything on the field and we want you, our fans, to leave everything you have at the stadium. See you all Saturday at 12:30 and don't forget, we need you loud, very loud!"

Cal / ASU Facts:
http://calbears.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/092908aae.html

Updated schedule:

Aug. 30 - WIN -- CAL 38 Michigan State 31 S
ept. 6 - WIN – CAL 66 WSU 3
Sept. 13 – loss – Maryland 35 CAL 27
Sept. 27 - WIN -- CAL 42 Colorado State 7
Oct. 4 - Arizona State (Homecoming & Alumni Band Day) at 12:30pm on ABC
Oct. 18 - at Arizona at 7pm on Fox Sports Arizona and Comcast Sports Net West
Oct. 25 - UCLA at TBA
Nov. 1 - Oregon at TBA
Nov. 8 - at USC at 5pm on ABC/ESPN
Nov. 15 - at Oregon State at TBA
Nov. 22 - Stanford at 12:30pm
Dec. 6 - Washington at noon or 5pm on Fox Sports or ESPN/ESPN2

More...

California senior center Alex Mack (51) is one of an elite group of thirty NCAA Division I student-athletes that has been chosen as candidates for the inaugural Lowe's Senior CLASS Award in football. To be eligible for the football award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior (in the Football Bowl Subdivision only) and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: Classroom, Character, Community, and Competition.

From Steven Harris:

Hello and Go Bears! It’s Arizona State Week! And it’s HOMECOMING!

Game 5: Cal (3-1, 1-0 Pac-10) v. Arizona State Sun Devils (2-2, 1-0 Pac-10)
Date/Time: Saturday, October 4, 12:30 pm PST
Location: Memorial Stadium (71,799 capacity (no tarps anymore?), Momentum Turf)
TV/Radio: ABC (regional coverage)/KGO 810 AM/XM Satellite Radio (Chs. 193-95)
History: Cal trails 14-13; Cal lost 31-20 in ’07; Cal is 4-1 vs. ASU in the Tedford Era
Rankings: Cal received more votes in the polls but isn’t ranked yet; ASU is unranked too
Point Spread: Cal by 9
Opponent’s colors: Maroon and Gold

Cal’s standing amongst Pac-10 (#5 rated conference) and various opponents (from Sagarin ratings, which is one of five computer rankings that contribute to the BCS rankings):
National rank Team
3 $C (lost to Oregon State 27-21; hosts Oregon and ASU next 2 wks)
13 Cal
47 stanfurd (won at 0-4 Washington 35-27; at Notre Dame next)
65 Arizona State (lost to UNLV and to Georgia at home; bye week 9/27)

REVIEW OF COLORADO STATE
Cal’s defense was great, special teams were uneven, sophomore running back Jahvid Best (4) got
hurt, the passing game was terrible, but Cal beat Colorado State 42-7. What happened? This:
Ø DEFENSE! Cal got four sacks, 3 interceptions, 9 tackles for loss, and 6 passes broken up! Junior free safety Brett Johnson (25) intercepted a pass and returned it for a TD!
Ø Special Teams good news: averaging 1 blocked field goal or punt return for a touchdown per week. A first in Cal history! Cal returned a blocked punt 56 yards for a TD and returned a punt for a TD! Bad news: kickoffs out of bounds and short kickoffs has Coach Tedford considering whether to invite soccer players to try out!
Ø Quarterback Controversy? Coach Tedford said that he replaced sophomore quarterback Kevin Riley (13) with senior quarterback Nate Longshore (6) in the 2nd half because “Kevin was missing too many open receivers.” Riley completed 6 of 13 passes for 59 yards and a TD while Longshore completed 9 of 13 for 100 yards and two scores.
Ø INJURIES: Jahvid Best suffered a dislocated left elbow and at best, he’ll miss only this week’s game. BAD NEWS on the offensive line: two starters are out until Nov./Dec. BAD NEWS on the defensive line: freshman defensive end Kendrick Payne (96) is out for the year and senior defensive end Rulon Davis (94) (leg injury) is out for six weeks.
Ø In other words… the 42-7 score betrays a weak passing game and significant injuries. Cal can’t expect the defense and special teams to produce like this every week.

PREVIEW OF ARIZONA STATE (it’s Homecoming too!)
Cal overall concerns: both teams desperately need this game… the winner gets the inside track to exploit the “hope $c loses one more time” sweepstakes. ASU knows it has little chance at $C next week. If ASU loses this game, the Sun Devils careen from top-10 hopeful to a devastated season. If Cal can’t generate a decent passing attack, everyone will plug the line of scrimmage to stop the run and Cal has no chance against the top half of the conference. Welcome back last year’s mediocrity, Axe struggles and low-level bowl game!
Cal’s Offense: no passing game, no victory!
Ø Losing Jahvid Best this week won’t matter because ASU will do what Maryland did: stack the line of scrimmage with 8 defensive players and force Cal to throw to beat them.
Ø Coach Tedford has an interesting dilemma. Riley and the receivers (who still drop catchable balls!) aren’t clicking well. The last time Longshore played when the outcome was in doubt, he threw two interceptions in a matter of minutes. Who do ya trust?

Cal’s Defense: pressure the quarterback!
Ø Arizona State’s running game is ranked last in the Pac-10 and 110th nationally! If Cal can get a pass rush against ASU like it did against Colorado State, things will break down for the Pac-10’s top passing offense. Watch the tape of the Georgia-ASU game!
Ø Cal needs the sacks, the interceptions, and the pressure to make a difference this week! Defensive end Rulon Davis’ availability will be critical as a result!

TURNOVERS AND SPECIAL TEAMS
Ø Cal has the Pac-10’s #1 turnover margin (20th nationally)… and Arizona State is #8 in the conference (89th nationally). ASU’s kickoff coverage team is ranked 103rd nationally… the Sun Devils gave up a punt block and a fumble against Georgia, which led to a big loss at home. These items are HUGE in an important game Saturday!

Other news:
Ø Athletic Director Sandy Barbour was beaming at Saturday’s ground-breaking for the Student-Athlete High Performance Center. Thanks for all you do, Sandy!
Ø And yes, plea-bargaining, ever-ready-to-compromise-with-police RunningWolf was there… furiously dialing on his non-environmentally friendly cell phone trying to get supporters to show up to the ground-breaking… and sadly nobody showed up. Face it, dude: you’re irrelevant. Go back to your dumpster.

So what’s going to happen: Why Cal could lose the game: ASU stacks the line of scrimmage to stop the run and forces Cal to pass to beat them, the defensive line fails to pressure the Pac-10’s top quarterback, Rudy Carpenter, and he exploits Cal’s pass defense. Why Cal could win the game: Cal’s defense blitzes effectively and records 3-4 sacks, forces at least one turnover, and the special teams delivers another blocked kick or punt for a touchdown. Cal’s quarterback (whoever it’s going to be) gets on track with the receivers, who catch the ball when it’s thrown to them. That opens room for the run, and Cal makes a mediocre run defense pay. A 24-4 record in the last 28 home games, a more aggressive defense, and a (hopefully!) improved passing game make the difference. A must-win to challenge for the Pac-10 title. Cal 31, Arizona State 30.

Next week: a review of Homecoming v. Arizona State and a preview of Bye Week II.

Steven Harris ’93 (sphesq00@sbcglobal.net; www.calweasel.com) is SO HAPPY: shovels met dirt! Three-year-old football genius Jeremy Harris emphatically demonstrated that he prefers sitting on the west side of the stadium because he can see the cannon and hear the band better that way. Great job by the cannoneers and the Cal Band! Rest in Peace, Bob Briggs… hope you and some Cal fans up there had a nice toast during Saturday’s game. Finally, my 15th reunion is this weekend. DUDE! Where did that time go?

Bob's memorial service in Fairfield this Sunday, Oct. 5th

Everyone is welcome at Bob's service on Sunday, October 5 (details below). This will be a formal religious service, whereas the campus gathering will be a much more festive celebration of Bob’s life. You may choose to attend either or both depending on your preference. The church holds approximately 400 people.

The campus celebration for Bob will take place on Saturday, October 18 at 2pm, most likely in Pauley Ballroom on the UC Berkeley campus. If you are interested in this, make sure you are on the cbaa-bob email list (instructions on calband.berkeley.edu/cbaa).

Fairfield Memorial information:
Sunday, Oct 5th, 2pm
Community United Methodist Church
1875 Fairfield Avenue
Fairfield, CA 94533

It's Alumni Band Day tomorrow!

Join us for Alumni Band Day! We hope for this to be our biggest Alumni Band ever.

SCHEDULE: (finalized!)
6:15-6:45am: BRH (if you need an instrument)
7:00am: Check-in, donuts, coffee, juice, music pick-up at at Maxwell Field (just north of Memorial Stadium)
7:15am: DOWNBEAT at Maxwell! (Pleeeez be on time! Don't forget you have to pick up your music first!)
~8:00am: We move into Memorial Stadium to practice with the Cal Band and then continue on our own
10am: Leave Memorial Stadium for BRH
10:20: DOWNBEAT in BRH for music rehearsal (Shortest music rehearsal ever!)
11:00am: Cal Band Sproul Steps concert
11:15am: Sather Gate parade form-up behind Cal Band, follow through campus
12:00pm: Enter Memorial Stadium
~12:25pm: Perform Star Spangled Banner with Cal Band
12:30pm: Kickoff!
First Quarter: Lunch in the stands

UNIFORM: Alumni Band polo shirt & hat (old or new design), jeans or dark pants/shorts. Shirts & hats will be available for purchase. CBAA Member prices: $19/shirt, $11/hat; non-member prices add $5 each. A new shirt & hat are included with a first-time 2-year membership ($30) or any new lifetime membership ($325 or $80 per year for 5 years). Credit cards accepted. Sign up for CBAA membership at Alumni Band Day (not required).

ALUMNI SHOW: We will be honoring the 50th reunion of the Brussels Worlds Fair Tour by playing Colonel Bogey. A special tribute will be performed for Bob Briggs including playing "Bob's Sons", the chorale version of Sons of California which Bob arranged and was one of his favorites. We will also play Hail to California.

MUSIC:
www.calband.berkeley.edu/calband/cbaa/abd/pdfs/

login: alumni
password: gobearson3

INSTRUMENTS: Available on a first come first serve basis in BRH from 6:15-6:45am. No guarantees!

RECEPTION: Immediately following the game, there is a reception in Alumni House (free snacks, soda, beer) for ALL former Cal Band members & families. You need not have marched or played with us to participate in the reception. Current Cal Band members are definitely invited!

TICKETS: Band members with instruments & kids holding the banner (see below) receive free entry. ALL non-marchers enter thru another gate & need tickets (there is usually room near the Alumni Band to sit at the front of sections HH and I). Marchers with season tickets, PLEASE bring your tickets to GIVE to Alumni Band family members to minimize any extra ticket costs for family members. Tickets can be purchased from calbears.com or 1-800-GO-BEARS.

BANNER KIDS: To carry the banner onfield at halftime, kids MUST be at least 53 inches tall & attend morning marching rehearsal. Limited spots-first come first served. Uniform: white Cal shirt & blue Cal hat.

All kids of all sizes are encouraged to march behind the Alumni Band banner to march from Sather Gate to the stadium at 11:15am.

Go Bears!
erin :)