Category Archives: Music – Band

Fairmont grad Phil Drennen launches new writing career following Altar Boyz tour

Originally posted: http://www.examiner.com/x-27336-Dayton-High-School-Theater-Examiner~y2009m10d26-Fairmont-grad-Phil-Drennen-launches-new-writing-career-following-Altar-Boyz-tour This 2002 Fairmont graduate, now a performer living in New York City, was known in the Miami Valley for cow roping, singin’ and dancin’ in the rain, gambling, and dancing in pajamas. Now, having completed a national … Continue reading

Posted in Broadway, Friends, Music - Band, Music - Show Choir, Musical Theatre, Playwright, School, Theatre, Theatre: College, Theatre: Community, Theatre: High School | Leave a comment

Centerville HS senior Jack Gallagher lights the way

Originally published:  http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-27336-Dayton-High-School-Theater-Examiner~y2009m10d23-Jack-Gallagher-lights-the-way “The shear difference from a plainly lit stage before the show, and the last little touch – lighting adds to a production that truly takes you to where the show takes place.” This is why Centerville High … Continue reading

Posted in Entertainment, Music - Band, Music - Show Choir, Musical Theatre, Playwright, School, Theatre, Theatre: College, Theatre: Community, Theatre: High School | Leave a comment

"September Song"

Every September 1st, I think of this beautiful song by Weill & Anderson. The first time I heard “September Song” was in the mid-late 1980’s when Mr. Logan played a recording of it. I cannot remember who sang it but … Continue reading

Posted in Inspiration, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, People: Joshua Logan, Playwright, Theatre | Leave a comment

STEP-OFF with the Marching Firebirds

Late afternoon Friday the skies began turning gray, and rain threatened the Miami Valley. Just as Jose was leaving to report to the band room, the splotches of wetness began appearing on the sidewalk. Within minutes the deluge had begun. … Continue reading

Posted in Fairmont High School, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Family Life, Music - Band, Music - Marching Band, Parenting, School, The Haasienda | Leave a comment

…Back To Blogging…

God, how many times have I written that title over the past few years I have blogged. My cousin, Dana, and my friend, Jeff, are tremendous, faithful bloggers. I always try to use these two as role models with cooking, … Continue reading

Posted in Fairmont High School, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Friends, Indiana, Music - Band, Music - Marching Band, Music - Show Choir, Musical Theatre, People: Joshua Logan, People: Rodgers & Hammerstein, School, Single Parent, The Haasienda, Theatre | Leave a comment

…Sailing the South Pacific…

Sunday, May 17th, we held auditions for SOUTH PACIFIC. I was so impressed with so many of the teenagers, and there were a few that blew me away – I had not seen that level of performance from them. I … Continue reading

Posted in Broadway, Entertainment, Fairmont High School, Family Life, Family Pets, Movies, Music - Band, Music - Show Choir, Musical Theatre, Parenting, People: Joshua Logan, People: Rodgers & Hammerstein, The Haasienda, Theatre, U.S. History | Leave a comment

…SOUTH PACIFIC… and we are off!

Well, last night the production team officially met for the first time to prep SOUTH PACIFIC for Beavercreek High School’s new summer stock production company, Summer On Stage. This production team is on fire, and over the past three weeks, … Continue reading

Posted in Eleanor Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Movies, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, People: Joshua Logan, People: Rodgers & Hammerstein, Playwright, Theatre, White House | Leave a comment

…Out of the PAJAMAs and into a… grass skirt?…

Sunday afternoon, the production of THE PAJAMA GAME at Beavercreek High School ended. I am generally a little teary-eyed following a production, but this time I was relieved. April 14th, the orchestra conductor was fired and I was handed the … Continue reading

Posted in Eleanor Roosevelt, Entertainment, Family Life, Harry Truman, Movies, Music - Band, Music - Show Choir, Musical Theatre, Parenting, People: Joshua Logan, People: Rodgers & Hammerstein, Playwright, School, The Haasienda, Theatre, U.S. History | Leave a comment

…South Shore Drill Team…

Thursday, April 2, 2009, I volunteered for the Winter Guard International (WGI) competition at Fairmont’s Trent Arena next to our home. I was working with Carol Dittoe at the volunteer check-in booth, and we heard there was an all-male guard … Continue reading

Posted in Barak Obama, Entertainment, Fairmont High School, Music - Band, Music - Marching Band, Politics - 2008 Election, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

Catching my breath…

I feel as though I am finally catching my breath for the first time in a month. Where do I begin? Well, I am vocal director for Beavercreek High School’s production, The Pajama Game. The director and I are up … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Broadway, Entertainment, Fairmont High School, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Family Life, Family Pets, First Ladies, Friends, Indiana, Music - Band, Music - Marching Band, Musical Theatre, Parenting, Playwright, School, Single Parent, The Haasienda, Theatre, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

…The Isles of Innisfree…

Tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day – one of my favorite holidays (and I do not even drink). Eleanor Roosevet on her wedding day. Tomorrow is also the 105th anniversary of Eleanor & Franklin Roosevelt, the 25th Anniversary of my friends, … Continue reading

Posted in Eleanor Roosevelt, Entertainment, Friends, Indiana, Inspiration, Movies, Music - Band, The Haasienda | Leave a comment

…Don't Quit…

There is a fascinating young man in college. I never had him as a student, but saw a good deal of his set designs while he was still a high school student. They were incredible. He posted something in his … Continue reading

Posted in Entertainment, Friends, Inspiration, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, Spirituality, The Secret, Theatre | Leave a comment

WEST SIDE STORY – the 1995 Cast

Who are they, and where are they today? Some current photos of a wonderful group of performers from Theatre Under The Stars 1995 production, WEST SIDE STORY.                                     

Posted in Broadway, Entertainment, Fairmont High School, Friends, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, Theatre | Leave a comment

…Now, Sunday…

Another busy week behind us… Beginning last Monday I was not feeling well, and my temperature hovered around 100-101 degrees. My sister-in-law, Stacia, had been taken ill with strep last weekend, and then my brother, Destin, got it this week. … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Broadway, Entertainment, Fairmont High School, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Family Life, Family Pets, Fowler, Indiana, Friends, Movies, Music - Band, Music - Marching Band, Music - Show Choir, Musical Theatre, NACAC, Parenting, Playwright, Religion, Robert Schuller, School, Single Parent, Spirituality, The Haasienda, Theatre, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

…Five People We Meet in Heaven…

Hmmm… interesting. I just finished watching the movie, THE FIVE PEOPLE WE MEET IN HEAVEN. I have always believed we each have a place in one another’s lives – affecting one another in ways beyond our awareness, even beyond our … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, Entertainment, Family Life, Friends, Inspiration, Movies, Music - Band, Norman Vincent Peale, Religion, Robert Schuller, Spirituality, The Haasienda | Leave a comment

Counting blessings…

Jose’s youth group had an interesting discussion on how “doubt” is often crucial to faith. The youth were asked that upon waking this morning, count your blessings, and to walk through the next few days in a state of gratitude. My friend, Jeff … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, Eleanor Roosevelt, Entertainment, Family Life, Family Pets, First Ladies, Harry Truman, Indiana, Inspiration, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, NACAC, Parenting, Playwright, Religion, Robert Schuller, Single Parent, Spirituality, The Haasienda, Theatre, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

…Weekend of Winter Guard…

The long, long weekend is over… If parents work shifts at the Winter Guard International (WGI) or percussion contests, money will be applied towards your child’s marching band account. So, I volunteered for Saturday. Kathy Symes, the parent coordinator, and … Continue reading

Posted in Entertainment, Fairmont High School, Family Life, Friends, Indiana, Music - Band, Music - Marching Band, Music - Show Choir, Musical Theatre, Playwright, School, The Haasienda, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

…And it's finally the weekend…

I cannot believe Friday is upon us, yet, I am so thrilled it is here.   Last Friday I had breakfast/lunch with Bill Hetzer, and taught the remainder of the afternoon. After teaching, I went in to watch TWO AND … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Entertainment, Fairmont High School, Family Life, Indiana, Movies, Music - Band, Music - Marching Band, Music - Show Choir, Parenting, School, The Haasienda, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

…How Firm Thy Friendship…

Tuesday, January 13th, began as any other normal day, and seemed to continue as such. My son, Jose, returned home from school at 3:15pm, having taken his 7th period final semester exam. I began teaching at 2:00pm, and was thoroughly enjoying … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, Entertainment, Family Life, Inspiration, Music - Band, NACAC, Parenting, Single Parent, The Haasienda, U.S. History | 2 Comments

…It's a Sherman Brothers wolrd after all…

Last night I saw the stage musical, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and began wondering if the Sherman Brothers had penned some of the new songs. Yes, indeed! They are still living, and still writing music! Sherman Brothers are Academy Award-winning … Continue reading

Posted in Broadway, Disney, Entertainment, Friends, Inspiration, Movies, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, Playwright, The Haasienda, Theatre | Leave a comment

…It was uncategorical – a stage burning oracle…

IT WAS TRULY SCRUMPTIOUS! “It was more than spectacular – to use the vernacular – it’s wizard, it’s smashing, it’s keen.” Forty years ago, I opened a Christmas present, and to my delight was a cast iron model of the … Continue reading

Posted in Entertainment, Friends, Indiana, Inspiration, Movies, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, Playwright, The Haasienda, Theatre | Leave a comment

Ringing of the bells…

Wednesday morning I drove to Columbus to attend the funeral mass of a friend’s father. I met Katie Pfister-Musick in the late 1980’s and absolutely fell in love with this incredible actress. Despite the various moves between the two of … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Broadway, Christianity, Entertainment, First Ladies, Friends, Movies, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, Parenting, People: Rodgers & Hammerstein, Religion, Robert Schuller, Spirituality, The Haasienda, Theatre, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

This week…

What a past few weeks – confined mostly to bed for rest, and battling a nasty sinus infection. My asthma kicked in and since it settles in my throat, I have been robbed of my voice. Finally, the end of … Continue reading

Posted in Broadway, Entertainment, Fairmont High School, Family Life, Friends, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, NACAC, Parenting, Robert Schuller, Single Parent, The Haasienda, Theatre | Leave a comment

2008 Marching Season comes to an end…

It is 10:55pm and we are home from a semi-cold, blustery day on the marching field. Yesterday, we had no marching band or other commitments. Jose and I did the traditional end-of-marching-season dinner – he chose Golden Corral (not my … Continue reading

Posted in Fairmont High School, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Family Life, Inspiration, Music - Band, Music - Marching Band, Robert Schuller, School, Spirituality, The Haasienda | Leave a comment

Candidates & The Arts…

Jeff Carter, my friend who is now the director of music at Webster University in St. Louis, always finds the neatest things. This was an incredible discovery! http://jeffreycarter.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/candidate-record-on-the-arts.pdf

Posted in Ball State University, Ball State University Singers, Entertainment, Music - Band, Politics, Politics - 2008 Election, School, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment