Hello Everyone!

I hope this finds you doing well in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this chaos, I decided to do something I have wanted to do since the day I was hired, a band newsletter! It is remarkable how much more I can get done when students aren't in my office all day—but I wouldn't change it for the world!

This past year was our second year as the Raven Regiment. It is remarkable to think how far we have come in just three years. The band is projected to be at 150 members this coming fall, we have brand new uniforms, 12 piccolos that somehow sound in tune, and best of all, eight tubas! There is no other NAIA school that can boast eight tubas and 35 percussionists! It has been quite a fun journey so far in the band...even if our balance can be off a bit at times!

Mr. Hanman and I have truly loved teaching these past few years. The students have been our joy, and at times, our angst! We are thrilled with how far we have come from marching John Williams on the field to playing the Holst Suite. The concert band now boasts a strong wind ensemble and a full percussion ensemble. These ensembles have allowed the students to grow, especially those majoring in music.

Fundraising Successes:

We also raised over $30,000 dollars this year in our fundraiser. It allowed us to continue to grow and expand. I would like to use this newsletter to give each and every one of you an authentic thank you! To all those who donated I want to offer my most sincere and gracious thanks, because without you we could not have survived this year. While my thank you here is not sufficient, please accept this small gesture of our gratitude. The students were in awe by both the number of people who donated and the amount we raised. We can all not thank you enough!

Senior Pride and Future Homecoming:

As you all know, it was a tragedy to have the year end the way it did. I think all of us are reeling from the chaos that COVID-19 has brought. I feel especially bad for our seniors. Seniors, please know how much we appreciate you and miss you. I know you will be back on campus soon, in light of President Minnis's promise to have a senior week and graduation, but know Mr. Hanman and I expect you back for our first ever band homecoming! We promise to have an extraordinary weekend planned for you to come back and see your alma mater; we will even have a float that follows the band! We would love to see not only our seniors, but all band supporters this year for Homecoming. Our new Graduate Assistant, Matt, is putting it on!

As so many of my students know, I like to end an email either with a picture of our new baby[!] (Jack Henry was born January 11th and is doing very well) or some sentimental words of wisdom. Today, I'll go with the latter and leave you with a quote from Victor Frankl in which he described his experience as a prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp: "Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." Please know the band family is in all of our thoughts and prayers. Looking forward to seeing you all soon!

Sincerely,

Mr. York, Mr. Hanman, and Matt Jandrain