Memorial Stadium - Construction on Student Athlete Performance Center

Today I visited Memorial Stadium, chatted with a football buddy of mine, and took some pics!

Entering the construction zone...

Big holes are being made.

From the top of the stadium, pretty cool.

Inside fact - Cal was planning on keeping that tall tree Dumpster Muffin had taken habitat in, but had to cut it down because of the damage the tree-sitters inflicted. Isn't it ironic?

A pretty good look. They are going to install 4 huge exhaust fans on the west side of Memorial (on the insistence of the UC Regents) in case of a fire the air can quickly get out.

Also, they will build huge metal bars the vertical length of the stadium to "hold" Memorial from completely falling over / crumbling to the ground in case of an earthquake.

The first floor (bottom floor) plans including a picture of the presentation room (top left - although possibly with wider seats), weight room (top center), and weight room with the dining room overlooking it.

The second (top) floor plan including a picture of a hallway (top left), the dining area (top center), and the view from the plaza looking down the stairs going into the performance center (top right).

The locker room. They will go with the dark finish of the lockers.

And for those band folks out there, they are installing some arch metal beams in North Tunnel so that doesn't crumble onto poor band members. They will be able to storm out of North Tunnel as per usual, but they won't be able to hang out there while waiting to do so. Where will they wait? TBD... (my guess - inside the stadium in the endzone.)

Here is a link to a short video I took:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ1mQ9KLO6w

Go Bears!

New Ex-Comm, Basketball games, Briggs Concert, Emerald Bowl events

Hello everyone!

We have a few announcements for you - and I hope everyone is having a Happy Holidays so far.

* New Cal Band Ex-Comm - featuring 3 clarinet players! :)
* Bob Briggs Memorial Concert - we would love a bunch more players
* North Tunnel Echo - did you get yours?
* Alumni needed for basketball games - especially 12/27 at 1pm (Emerald Bowl game day)
* Emerald Bowl info & events - Saturday, 12/27, 5pm gametime

*** NEW CAL BAND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ***

Congratulations to our new Ex-Comm!

Senior Manager--Cindy Wu, piccolo '06
Drum Major--David Nagle, trombone '06S
tudent Director--Andrew Person, clarinet '06
Public Relations Director--Malia McPherson, clarinet '06
Executive Secretary--Beth Rotolo, clarinet '06

Congratulations to the Award Winners!

Sprague Award--Jeff Wayland, tenor drums '08 (most spirited newman)
Bear Award--Trent Severson, clarinet '08 (best musical newman)
"Tut" Gerdes Award--Griffin Hosseinzadeh, trombone '08 (lower brass)
Briggs Award (upper brass)--Grace Butler, trumpet '08
Briggs Family (upper woodwind)--Amy Fu, piccolo '08
Briggs Family (lower woodwind)--Masis Parunyan, tenor '08
Briggs Family (percussion)--Blaire Segal, cymbals '08
Baton Award--Malia McPherson, clarinet '06; Albert Liu, baritone '05 (highest academics)
Herbert Towler--Jon Nagata, baritone '07 (second or third year leader)
Bill Ellsworth--Ryan Wilcox, alto '05 (most spirited senior, given by CBAA)
Bell Award--Raul Lopez, bass drum '05 (most outstanding senior)
Pacesetter Award--Hector Salcedo, tenor '05 (best senior marcher)

*** BOB BRIGGS MEMORIAL CONCERT ***

In my initial thanks to everyone who helped for Bob Briggs' Memorial Celebration in October, I neglected to thank Mark West for his donation of wine from the Rominger West Winery. Thank you Mark!!!

From Bill Doherty...

I am excited to announce that Solano Winds has commissioned a piece to première at the Robert O. Briggs Memorial Festival! While looking for a composer who knows what kind of music Bob would like, it was instantly obvious that the right person for the job is Randy Biagi. Our community band is contracting with Randy to write a selection to add to the concert band repertoire, and Randy has chosen to create a Fantasia based on Hail to California! It's enough to give Bob eternal chills!! You can be an important part of premièring this new music. Sign up now to play in the Festival band by visiting www.solanowinds.org and following the link to the Robert O. Briggs Memorial Festival.

Player registration closes on January 15, but the sooner folks sign up, the better Randy can plan what the piece will look like. We're happy that in our early stages, we already have a fairly well balanced 32 piece group, but we'd like a lot more! In particular, Randy wants to incorporate all double reeds and a string bass into this score, but all concert band instruments are still needed. The Festival takes place at the Fairfield Center for Creative Arts in Fairfield on Sunday, February 15, 2009. We will rehearse at 1:00 PM and perform at 7:30 PM. Proceeds will benefit the Robert O. Briggs Scholarship Endowment Fund. If you have any questions about the Festival, please do not hesitate to contact me at bdoherty80@earthlink.net. In the meantime, I hope you'll be able to join us for this special musical tribute to Bob!

Thanks, Bill Doherty
Trumpet '76
Music Director, Solano Winds

*** NORTH TUNNEL ECHO ***

Everyone should have received a copy of their North Tunnel Echo in the mail. We apologize for the delay of this special issue, but for obvious reasons, we wanted to make sure we got it right.

I would like to give a huge thanks to our NTE staff for an excellent job well done - Editor Jason Clark, Tristan Harward, Tara Castro, PR-Comm, and many many others that spent countless hours helping. All of you are class acts!!

*** CAL BAND ALUMNI NEEDED AT BASKETBALL GAMES ***

The Cal Band has requested our help with basketball Straw Hat Bands during their Winter Break. Uniform would be Straw Hat if you have it, Alumni Band if not. These are always a fun way to play and be with current band members, and to see some great Cal basketball. Following is a list of the games they need help with, along with the call times for each. Keep your eyes open for additional announcements and information, and watch the CBAA web site. Please RSVP to Chris Bailey for any game you would like to attend & play: chris@batesandbailey.com.

As you are probably aware, the Emerald Bowl is on Saturday, 12/27 at 5pm. The men's basketball game vs. Dartmouth has been moved to 1pm so fans can attend both if they like. The Cal Band is hoping this game can be alumni led and staffed, as they will not be able to go at all due to marching rehearsals and other performances that day. WE ARE LOOKING FOR A DIRECTOR FOR THIS GAME. Please email Chris Bailey (chris@batesandbailey.com) if you are interested.

Here's the schedule with gametimes, call times are 45 minutes before in BRH:

12/20 Men's v. Nevada 3:30
12/22 Men's v. Colgate 8:00
12/22 Women's v. Baylor 5:00
12/27 Men's v. Dartmouth 1:00 **We need an alumni director!**
12/28 Men's v. TBA, 2:30pm or 5:00pm
12/29 Women's v. St. Mary's 7:00
1/2 Men's v. Arizona 5:30
1/4 Men's v. ASU 5:00
1/8 Women's v. WSU 7:00
1/11 Women's v. UW 12:30
1/18 Women's v. Stanfurd 3:00

*** EMERALD BOWL INFORMATION ***

Your California Golden Bears will take on the Miami Hurricanes on Saturday, Dec. 27th at 5pm at AT&T Park in San Francisco. CAA wants to invite you to a variety of activites on Friday Dec. 26th and Saturday, Dec. 27th, including the official Cal Tailgate. Check it out! www.alumni.berkeley.edu/bowl

Official Cal Tailgate!
2:30 - 4:30pmPier 48 at AT&T Park
(parking available in Parking Lot A)

Don't miss the event of the weekend—the official Cal tailgate! Enjoy the Cal Marching Band, Dance Team, Oski, a pep-talk from Athletic Director Sandy Barbour, and more. Receive a discount if you register online before midnight, Wednesday Dec. 24th. A limited number of walk-ups will be available at the tailgate entrance at a higher price. You can register for either beverages only or beverages with food. Special pricing is available for young alumni, students, families, and youths.

There are 4 events on Friday to attend as well as a post-game concert at the Warfield on Saturday night - all in San Francisco. Even if you aren't going to the game, check out the events.

Go Bears! Cal Band Great!
Erin Proudfoot '92
CBAA Communications Chair

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!

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.

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! :)

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!

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.

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 :)

Forever under the direction of Robert O. Briggs

I have been completely overwhelmed and unable to write since Bob's passing. Words just don't seem enough to express how much Bob meant to me and to the Cal Band and Alumni Band communities which are so dear to all of us. Bob was such a special person in so many ways.

Bob was not only my Cal Band mentor, but he was also my good friend. I marched 3 seasons under "Old Bob" and was Drum Major for the Ex-Comm which brought in "New Bob" in the fall season of 1995. I had the pleasure of orchestrating Bob Briggs's last Spring Show (which was my excuse why it was 3 hours long!!!), including a photo slideshow at the end which I am trying to find (does anyone know?).

While I experienced defining moments with Bob while I was in band, I would say we became much closer friends after I left the Cal Band and entered the alumni world. We kept close as my husband Mark (trombone '92) and I would invite him to birthday shindigs, Memorial Day BBQs, and holiday parties - and he would ALWAYS be the first person to arrive, right on time, usually with sangria in tow. He attended many gatherings, forever being the oldest person there by many years, but somehow fitting in exactly right.

He nurtured my love for Cal and the Cal Band, paying for my husband and I *twice* to attend CAA's black tie "Charter Gala", knowing that we didn't have the money but that we should absolutely be there. We seemed to be on Bob's short list for extra basketball tickets, football tickets, or those illustrious Hall of Fame Room pre-game passes. I believe he was instrumental in me attaining my current job with the California Alumni Association, and he was always so proud and felt it was so "right" for me to work there. In the past 4 1/2 years, Bob would stop by my office regularly just to say hi and "talk shop" - and I will dearly miss that.

Without a doubt, Bob is absolutely the reason why I love Cal and the Cal Band so wholeheartedly to this day. I will forever thank him for instilling this spirit in me and teaching me the values of Cal tradition.

With the help of my wonderful sister Amy, we have put together a very short photo montage with music that I would like to share with you. The sound is important. If you see a horizontal blue bar, please wait for the pictures to load.

http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openTheBox?sendevent=4e4459344e6a67354d3377344d6a67354e44677a0d0a&sb=1


Once a Cal Bandsman, Always a Cal Bandsman.

Cal Band vs. MSU info!

Here's the scoop on the Cal Band for Saturday:

As always, the Cal Band will perform it's Sproul Steps concert on Sproul Steps (duh) at around 3:30pm (1 1/2 hours before game time). Check it out!

The Cal Band has about 160 returning members with about 70 newmen. No one has gotten cut (yet?) as the newmen class is really strong and pre-game is charted for 221. :)

Pre-Game:


* Because of the ABC coverage, the Star Spangled Banner will probably be played after Big 'C' in the "C" formation.

* Pre-game is charted for 221 members. (Half-time is less, I forget the number.)

* The third song of pre-game is "Golden Bear."

* All season, instead of marching show-high to "America the Beautiful", the band will march show-high to "Hail to California". Apparently it works without the fermatas.


Half-Time:


* Show: The Who Show -- Who Are You, I Can't Explain, My Generation, Baba O'Reily, Pinball Wizard, Won't Get Fooled Again.

* The Michigan State Band will not be performing at half-time (and I don't believe they are coming at all). There will be parachuters after the Cal Band performance.


Cal Band Great!

2008 Cal Band Half-Time Shows

From the Cal Band Drum Major:

Hello Alumni! My name is Frankie Garland and I play the mellophone. I'm the Cal Band's Drum Major for this upcoming season and wanted to give you all an update on our planned halftime performances. We have a full, diverse schedule of shows and we look forward to performing them on the field. We hope you're around to see them this Fall!

Our 2008 Schedule is:

- August 30th, Michigan St:
The Who Show -- Finally a tribute to the true rock greats! including Who Are You, I Can't Explain, My Generation, Baba O'Reily, Pinball Wizard, Won't Get Fooled Again

- September 27th, Colorado State/High School Band Day:
The Hip Hop Show -- Something we figure the high school kids will enjoy. Its never too early to start recruiting! including Take You There (Sean Kingston), Deja Vu (Beyonce), Umbrella (Rhianna), Stronger (Kanye West), The Way I Are (Timbaland), 4 Minutes (Madonna and Justin Timberlake).

- October 4th, Arizona State/Alumni Band Day:
Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons -- Frankie Valli got his start around 1958. Brussels Tour? Eh Eh? including Big Girls Don't Cry, Walk Like A Man, Can't Take My Eyes Off of You, Oh What a Night

- October 25th, UCLA/Hall of Fame Day:
The Sports Show -- I like this show cause it breaks the mold of just choosing an artist and playing 5 of their songs. We're playing all the TV sports theme and hoping to incorporate some Cal Athletes and the Jumbo-Tron to show classic Cal Sports Moments.including Monday Night Football Theme, MLB on Fox Theme, NBA on NBC Theme, NFL on CBS Theme, NFL on Fox Theme

- November 1st, Oregon:
Arena Rock -- A Show dedicated to Hard Rock of the 1980s. We're hoping to chart the show such that each song faces a different direction and thus the 4 parts of the crowd. This would make it truly an "Arena" show. including Enter Sandman (Metallica), Panama (Van Halen), Dream On (Aerosmith), Sweet Child of Mine (Guns and Roses), You Shook Me All Night Long (AC/DC).

- November 8th, @U$C:
Arena Rock

- November 22nd, Big Game:
90s Pop Show -- A show dedicated to the pop hits of our youth. including Backstreet Boys, Hanson, Spice Girls, Britney Spears and NSync.- December 6th, Washington: Disney Show -- A tribute to classic Disney Films including Circle of Life (Lion King), A Whole New World (Aladdin), Under the Sea (Little Mermaid), Be Our Guest (Beauty and the Beast), Be A Man (Mulan)

- Potential Bowl Game Show:
Bruce Springsteen -- We're trying to plan ahead for a bowl game show so that we don't end up scrapping a sloppy show together at the last minute.including Born in the U.S.A, Dancing in the Dark, Glory Days, Born to Run

So there you have it folks! We hope you enjoy our musical selections and I'm sure the Stunt committee will unveil some amazing charting. We already have Pregame and the Who Show nearly finished and I'm excited to perform them both for you in just a few weeks. Thanks for your time!

Go Bears!
Frankie Garland '05 Mellophone, DM '08
www.calband.berkeley.edu

NorCal Band Benefit

From CAA Executive Director Tuck Coop-

Dear Cal Band Family, Friends, and Supporters:

On Friday, September 19, 2008, we hope you will join us for a fun-filled and exciting evening in support of the Cal Band. This year's NorCal Benefit will be held at the fabulous Julia Morgan designed Berkeley City Club with a theme of "Blue Nights, Golden Lights." It promises to be an extraordinarily eventful evening with all proceeds going towards the support of our beloved Cal Band.

The University of California Marching Band 2008 Northern California Benefit: Blue Nights, Golden Lights

Friday, September 19, 2008
6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Berkeley City Club
2315 Durant Avenue, Berkeley

For more information, please call (510) 643.2662 Event details

As always, this will be the Band's largest fundraising event of the year and it promises to be a wonderful combination of great food, great music (plenty of performances by Cal Band members), great ambiance, and great company. Please RSVP by September 6, 2008.

Thanks so much for your support and Go Bears!


Tuck Coop
Chair, NorCal Benefit 2008
Executive Director
California Alumni Association
1 Alumni House, Berkeley CA 94720-7520 Phone: (888) CAL.ALUM Fax: (510) 642.6252