Troy University Band Alumni Chapter

The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same.
By Larry Wells
Troy University Alumni Band Chapter President

The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same.  No one Likes Change.  With great change comes great apprehension and criticism.  Rarely, does it come with great welcome, excitement and appreciation.            

            Welcome to your NEW Troy University Band Alumni Chapter.  A lot of exciting changes have taken place in past few months and I could not be more excited about the future of the Troy University Band Alumni Chapter.  Details have been hashed over, ironed out and finalized and the time has come to reveal what is in store for the alumni band chapter in the future.  Ralph Ford charged the chapter’s new alumni band board back in November to create the largest and most encompassing Alumni Chapter in the Troy University system.  We are now at the threshold of that great journey to accomplish this vision and goal.  We are on the cusp of creating a great, powerful, fulfilling and rewarding group capable of achieving success.  Sounds great right?  We will start modestly with the intention for continuous growth in the future.  The board has set the ground work for the group to grow.  You, the members, have to help us with the task of achieving all the chapters goals.  We want to give all members a great place to socialize while supporting the current band and university.

            Our primary goal is to encompass all past members of the Troy University Band Programs. We want to celebrate the greatness of our University and the wonderful musical heritage it has to offer. So, whether you were in the first band in 1939 or just finished your tenure with the band last semester we want you to be an important part of our organization.  The chapter goals include to promote and encourage continuing interest in and loyalty to Troy University by developing a close association between former band members as well as to promote a greater public awareness of the Troy University Band Programs.

            Communication is going to be the biggest challenge to our success as an alumni chapter.  Our solution to this challenge is the new newsletter that will be coming to all members four times a year.  In this newsletter you will find topical information on the alumni band affairs, exciting news from the current band program, pictures from years past, a “Where Are They Now?” segment on alumni band members, new and exclusive alumni memorabilia.  There will also be the Director’s Corner where you will hear from the Troy University band director Ralph Ford and his perspective on the current band program. Upcoming Events with the chapter and new and exciting ways that you can be involved in our association.  The purpose of the newsletter to provide the means to communicate in an informative and meaningful manner.

            The activities of the alumni chapter have traditionally surrounded Homecoming.  In good news there are now even more ways to get involved with the chapter.  For those of you who enjoy Homecoming in the past then you will love this year as well.  Homecoming will remain exactly the same.  Great food, great friends, great music, even more scholarships to deserving students and the halftime show performance.  Mark your calendars November 4th for Homecoming 2006.
           
            The alumni band chapter board is currently putting the finishing touches on a banquet designed to induct honorary individuals into a new and special society within the Alumni Band.  This society will acknowledge and honor in the highest order the alumni members and friends of the band who have distinguished themselves as outstanding supporters of the Troy University Band program, through performance, word and deed, financial backing or other honorary activities with or for the band program.  With the inductions, special guest speakers and lots of great food with a time to socialize with members as well as inductees.  This banquet will become an annual event with the membership and inductees getting to spend time on campus and acknowledge the contributions that these special people have made to our university’s band program. This formal event will be held on April 29th of this year on campus with the list of inductees to follow soon. 

            Another new and exciting event is the Troy University Summer Band Camp Barbeque.  The alumni association will be hosting a band camp BBQ on campus for the current Sound of the South.  The alumni association will provide food and drinks to the current Sound members and their families and well as alumni band members.  This will be an excellent way for newest the band members and the alumni members to meet and greet each other.  Additionally, it will give the alumni a chance to see how this year’s band is shaping up with a “preview show” just for the alumni chapter. The BBQ will also give the current Sound members a chance to see how they can be involved in the future with the alumni band chapter. 

            The alumni band chapter will be hosting a Golf Tournament in the summer months.  This will be an excellent way for members to socialize and meet regardless of your golfing skills or interests.  There will be much more details to follow in the coming months regarding this social activity.

            Another great change within our organization is the definitions of Membership.  There are several levels of membership dues within our organization.  With each higher level come certain advantages or rewards for contributing.  In really exciting news for a donor can have their name spelled out on the field during a football game halftime show.  These levels in detail of giving will be located in the Membership section of the Newsletter.

            There are always lot of questions concerning memorabilia and attire associated with the alumni band.  We are making a concerted effort to afford everyone with the ability to easily obtain high quality professionally made alumni attire and products.  You can purchase them using the order forms that will be located in the Alumni Band Newsletter.  We are also beginning to research materials to create various memorabilia in media with the history of the Troy University Band Program.  These are some of the long term projects that we will be working on so you should expect to see them on down road.

            With all these changes one thing will remain the same.  As the people who have each contributed to this program, we want to see our alma mater grow and take shape as a major university with the band program as its lead ambassador.  We all share in glorious history of the Troy University Band Program.  We now have the wonderful privilege, opportunity and obligation to ensure that the band program continues its growth and change for the future as well as making sure that our past is not forgotten.  This can be achieved through our goodwill and fellowship with each other.  We may continue in some small way to re-live our past with the present band as we all watch and safeguard the program as it moves into our combined future.  Our future is a bright and glorious future full of sound and fanfare.   
               

For specific questions about the Alumni Band, please contact Carol Franks at cfranks@troy.edu or troyband@troy.edu.