While visions of sugar plums may be dancing in your heads this time of year, we are as busy as ever at Space Park Drive in preparation for the 2009 season. I'm now past my 300th day as your COO and I have been loving every minute of it. My days are full of "managed chaos" and challenges, but I'm exhilarated to be a part of the changes taking place at SCV and am humbled to be surrounded by such supportive, caring people.

We're just coming off the weekend of Vanguard Audition Camp, where 300+ prospective members from around the world converged on Independence High School for a weekend of music, marching and physical training. This year's talent and program are the best we've seen in awhile, and are guaranteed to delight audiences this season. And, we've just done the same with auditions for our Cadet program. Also, our Winter Guard program is in full swing with great hopes for top placement in Dayton, and our CAM program continues to reach those less fortunate, and is growing in attendance. All of the SCV programs are healthy and strong, and are sure to entertain you over the next year.

On the financial front, I'm happy to report that we are as sound as can be in these uncertain economic times. The organization just completed an audit of the 2006-2007 fiscal year. While we received a clean audit, the "fix-it" list is long, but not daunting. It's the shot in the arm the organization needed to better understand our affairs financially and operationally, and what we need to do to remain compliant with non-profit regulations.

Our fleet is going through some major facelifts. First, Miss Amana recently returned from rehab in St. Louis, where major repairs and appliance replacements were completed. We purchased a new Suburban to haul the staff and gator around the country, and we are about to acquire a new Souvenir Trailer, completely funded by our terrific Alumni. A few of the Old Eagle buses-SCV3, SCV14 and SCV15 specifically, were sold off to caring homes this past year. SCV1 and SCV2 are the last of the remaining "Sisters," and will see one more tour before they retire to that big parking lot in the sky.

We're also in process of completing an overdue Information Technology infrastructure refresh, with new computer servers, a high-speed network, and new Web-based member and supporter applications. These tools already starting to deploy, will provide self-service access to your own profile, SCV events, and financial information and volunteer tracking.

And, you'll see major improvements in our facility this year, starting with the replacement of the Hall floor. The building hall will be shut down from 12/22 through 12/31 to demolish the current floor, repair the base, and install brand new tile and baseboard.

I'm proud of what we've been able to accomplish in the short 10 months I've been on board, and the best is yet to come. Keep your eyes open for new merchandise, more venues to see our members perform, strong leadership across the board, and financial stability. I have a special place in my heart for SCV, as I speak to you not only as your COO but as an Alum, so be assured that I will continue to make a difference for SCV.

To our cherished group of Volunteers, our dedicated instructors and office staff, and all our members, families, friends and vendors, I wish you a very memorable holiday season, and all the best that the new year can provide.

Happy Holiday and Happy New Year Wishes,

Kathy Serksnis, kserksnis@scvanguard.org

Vanguard and Vanguard Cadets Auditions
Kick off the 2009 Season

The Santa Clara Vanguard completed another successful Thanksgiving weekend Clinic/Audition, with the brass section performing a draft of the opening segment from the summer program "Ballet for Martha." Prospective and veteran members from all over the United States, Canada, Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong, Brazil, and The Netherlands gathered in San Jose. Returning volunteers were pleasantly surprised by some of the major improvements to Miss Amana since the summer of 2008 and everyone was excited to work with the new and returning caption managers and their staffs. Drum Major Stephanie Lee was present and in charge throughout the weekend, supported by a strong core of veteran members who have returned with the intent to lift the corps' effort to a new level in 2009. Auditionees performed, learned techniques, and participated in fitness challenges. On Sunday afternoon, everyone received the results of their audition and understood their current status with the 2009 Santa Clara Vanguard.

The Vanguard Cadets completed a highly successful and well attended Audition Camp/Clinic the weekend before the holidays, attracting international students and many returning members. The brass line treated parents and percussion auditionees to holiday classics at the end of camp.

This month we have another spotlight on a marching member who participated in Vanguard color guard, Vanguard Winter Guard, and the Vanguard Dance Company. Read the story of Eli Tamondong's journey from drum major of his high school marching band in Chicago to the elite Vanguard color guard and Winter Guard, to the intimate and expressive Vanguard Dance Company. For Eli, "Vanguard is what ties it all together."

Read more ...

Community Programs Announcements

Alumni Association Story of the Month

I do recall....

... The Corps as a whole had peaked just a few hours ago as we played our last run through. It was such a definitive moment that turned fantastically surreal. I recalled the musical tension mount as we played from the fugue into the Dupli-meter of the Young Person's Guide to Drum Corps. At that precise moment, on the down beat of the 3/4 against 2/4 time the walls that surrounded the courtyard in which we played exploded in what could only have been the result of perfect synchronicity of every musician playing that downbeat. The feeling was euphoric. It felt like everything and everyone had been thrown into some "Matrix" like slow motion. The cool Montreal breeze turned into a warm wind that sent the maple leaves on the ground into a whirling flight track around us. It was as if we were receiving a blessing.

I had looked across the courtyard to Gail and our instructors, jubilant as they witnessed the beauty they had helped to create. There were flashes of Ralph Hardimon almost leaping out of his Birkenstocks in excitement while Tim Salzmen merely closed his eyes and nodded in approval. My once instructor, always friend Scott Pierson had the appearance of a man, gleeful, as he was sure he had brought the biggest stick to the fight. Then there was Gail, fist pumping years before Tiger Woods made fist pumping the thing to do.

I recall only shadows of that championship night. As our beloved corps stood a few hundred yards away from the monolithic Olympic Stadium, we could see the silhouette of Rick South playing the Fiddlers part from Fiddler on the Roof. I could still hear Charlie Anderson's' monologue comparing us to Daniel going into the lion's den. I recalled as we stepped down the ramp into the pristine stadium how it's cavernous walls echoed any and all sounds within. There again, was Gail leading his snotty nosed kids like a doting parent. It looked like he was ready to pick a fight.

The performance was a blur. I remember only snapshot-like images as we rode the swells of our performance. Tim Salzman once told us you wouldn't be able to describe what a great performance you did because like seeing a glimpse of Heaven, you won't be able to remember. I think he was right.

Then, as soon as it started, it was over. As we stood at retreat, not allowed to look at the scoreboard, the echo of the announcer, so loud he was almost indiscernible said, "...with a score of 93.7...The Concord Blue Devils!" I do recall clearly, finally seeing our score on the scoreboard of 94.00. After that...well that's another story for another time.


Ronald Abadam
Lead Soprano 1979-1983,85

Field Commanders - Pescadero Holy Ghost Parade 1987
(Tim Andriese, Ken Serra, Gail Royer)

Email your SCV story or picture to share to alumni@scvanguard.org.

Join us for the Alumni Association Mixer on Thursday, January 8, 2009, 7pm-9pm. Check the website calendar for details. Wear your alumni gear to the mixer.

You can also connect with fellow alumni on SCVanguard.org

Last chance to become a part of
SCV vehicle history...

The Alumni Association held a telethon at the SCV Cadet Corps Audition Camp at Evergreen Valley High School.   The goal was to raise the remainder of the $15,000 needed to purchase a new souvie trailer for the A corps and remodel the old trailer into a kitchen for the Cadets.
The back drop for the telethon could not have been better with nearly 200 kids in attendance.

Another huge thank you to the following alumni who have now donated nearly $12,000 for this great cause: 

We are still in need of $3000 to meet our goal.  This month is the last opportunity to make a donation for this great cause.  Please click the link below to make a donation; you'll receive satisfaction that will warm your heart every summer knowing that an alumni-sponsored, top-of-the-line souvie trailer is making money for the corps, and that the trailer feeding our Cadets on tour was made possible by your donation.

Donate

2009 Vanguard
Show Shirt

2008 Santa Clara Vanguard Tour DVD

SCV Battery
Auditions DVD

SCV Simple Gifts
Pewter Ornament

Vanguard Red
Fleece Blanket

This fleece blanket is great to curl up to the fire with, or wear on your lap during a cool evening drum corps show! Available in red, it comes with a carrying strap and has "Vanguard" embroidered in one corner. Measures approx. 50" x 60'.

Reminder:
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