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Greeting Alumni, Four years. It’s been four years. When Jake Straus published the last issue of Gamma’s Eyes online, I was still in high school. So I guess it’s my job to help catch up. The 2001-2002 Academic Year has brought its share of ups and downs. Let me outline the 10 events that have shaped this year into what it is.
Mr. Wakefield has also asked us to assist in hosting the upcoming American Bandmasters’ Association Convention in the spring of 2003. We have made this one of our top priorities, and are looking to raise about $7000 along with the Sisters of Beta Eta. Campus news, as always, begins with several construction projects. These include the Comcast Center, new housing units on South Campus, and additions to the Chemistry Building and Van Munching Hall. I believe they have annexed a small hotel onto the latter. Also, the Student Union is undergoing its final phase of renovation. This means that it will be ready in roughly twelve years. You have no doubt heard the University’s new advertising slogan, “ZOOM”, which refers to the relatively short amount of time the university has taken to improve its academics, athletics, student programs, and to kick upperclassmen off campus. The school’s current agenda is to change its image from that of a party school to that of an elite academic institution. With 30,000 students. Right. The main thing that has garnered attention for this university has been… you guessed it: riots. Anyway, as my final act as Corresponding Secretary, I submit to you, Alumni, the Spring 2002 edition of Gamma’s Eyes. Take care and enjoy. AEA,
Dion d'Aquino, Spring 2000
2001-2002 GX Officers
President – Bill Davis  A Message from the Vice PresidentIt has been my pleasure to serve the Chapter as Vice-President this year. For those who are not on the Alumni email reflector to see my updates, we have had a great year in terms of membership. In the fall we initiated 5 new Brothers: two percussionists, two tubists, and a saxophonist. This spring we are almost ready to initiate 4 more Brothers: one player each on trumpet, percussion, trombone, and tuba. Those of you who have served as Vice-President can probably understand where I'm coming from when I say that my experience this year has been an experience I'll never forget. Over the past year I have learned so much more about the responsibilities and rewards of being a Brother of Gamma Xi, and I have been able to pass those ideals on to a new generation of Brothers who will keep "Those Damn Gamma Xi's" strong for years to come. AEA,
Phil Barnes, Spring 1998
2001-2002 Membership Education ClassesFall 2001, Be It… STOP! 2. Robert MagsipocSpring 2002, The Final Four 4. Michael King Joint Activities with BHJoint relations with our Beta Eta sisters are wonderful. Service has been very rewarding to our organization but when both chapters are involved, it has made it a fun. We recently held a joint picnic to relax from all the business and schoolwork. Food was eaten, soccer and kickball was played; it was an overall enjoyable day to be with our Tau Beta Sigma sisters. Through this semester, we have served the Marching Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensembles, and University Band. We would not be able to succeed in our endeavors without total cooperation within both organizations. At every joint meeting, our business is discussed, but we also have fun at the same time. With classes and work, this gives us a time to come and catch up on what everyone is doing and just relax with each other while our joint business is being discussed. We never had it any better. AEA,
John Kim, Fall 2000
Symphonic Wind EnsembleThis past year has been one of excellent musicianship for SWE. In the fall we premiered the "Maryland Rhapsody" at the Kaleidoscope (formerly Pass-in-Review) concert. This work, composed by Frank Hudson with assistance from band historian Dick Taylor, featured many current and past school songs, as well as the chapter songs of Gamma Xi and Beta Eta. So far this spring we have performed two concerts, including one to showcase the band program during Maryland Day. For the upcoming Pops Concert (on May 11th) we will be collaborating with the Concert Band to perform a variety of music dedicated to America. Many of our works will feature the University Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Edward Maclary. Phil Barnes
Concert BandUnder the direction of Dr. Sparks, the Concert Band has expanded from two weekly rehearsals two four, adding hour rehearsals on Monday and Wednesday to its Tuesday and Thursday schedule. The band has performed in two concerts thus far this semester, one of which was a children’s concert featuring selections from Harry Potter, Tarzan, and a John Williams Medley. Other pieces performed include The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, a Titanic medley, and patriotic songs such as “Americans We” and “America the Beautiful”. As mentioned above, the Concert Band will perform in the annual Pops Concert with SWE and the University Chorale. Kevin Lutz, Spring 2002
Jazz BandsThe Jazz Program has enjoyed another successful year under the direction of Chris Vadala. Many of us were worried earlier in the year due to rumors that he was leaving for another position at the Eastman School of Music. However, Mr. Vadala has decided that he is truly a Terp at heart! Perhaps the biggest news for the jazz program is that there will be an addition of a third band in the fall to compliment the 5:30 Jazz Band and the 1:00 "Monster" Lab Band. The 1:00 band, which is now at twice the size of a normal jazz band, will be reduced to a normal size, and the new band will take more players in an attempt to get more students involved in the jazz program. This new band will meet Monday evenings for 2 hours and will be directed by Steve Fidyk, the jazz percussion instructor here at Maryland. Although Mr. Fidyk will direct the band, it will still be overseen by Mr.Vadala. Our Annual Big Band Finale Concert will be held on Monday, May 13, at 7:30pm in the Kay Theatre of the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. For more information please call Mr. Vadala at 301-405-5519, or the CSPAC Box Office at 301-405-ARTS. Phil Barnes
University BandThis marked the second year of the University Band ensemble, a new student group started by Mr. Wakefield in fall of 2000. University Band meets on Wednesday evenings and is comprised entirely of students, almost all of whom are non-music majors, or majors performing on an unfamiliar instrument. This semester, we had two performances: one in the CSPAC Concert Hall with the Community Band, and an open rehearsal in the Wakefield Band Room. Our repertory, taken from a wide spectrum of genres, included: “Big Band Bash”, “Three Scottish Folk Tunes”, and “Jupiter” from Holst’s “The Planets”.
Basketball Pep BandFinally, with the overwhelming success of the men’s basketball team, the Pep Band found itself in the national spotlight, playing the national anthem for millions of viewers. James Shanoff, from ESPN.com’s Page 2 wrote “Winner: Maryland pep band. Brassy ‘Banner’ a nice change of pace from one-hit-pop-wonder caterwauling.” (http://espn.go.com/page2/s/shanoff/020402.html) Dion d’Aquino
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