Occupation:  Software Development
Website:  nicepics.us
Marital Status:  Single
What year(s) were you in SYB?:  1964-1974
What instrument(s) did you play?:  Trumpet
Have you used your musical talents since participating in SYB?:
Played trumpet in: community musical theater productions, big bands, church orchestras, San Jose Metropolitan Band, South Bay Stompers Jazz Band
Other Talents & Experience:
I've posted some photos in the 1970's and Reunion Photos Albums. Take a look.
From Don:
Started playing trumpet in the 4th grade (1963) and took private lessons from Russ. Joined the band that following summer. Went to the 1965 music camp led by Bill Nicolosi at Camp Sacramento. Member of Youth Band for about 10 years. Russ certainly knew how to choose fun music to play. And super kudos to the dedicated and warm Ray Gaither...such an example! Growing up, my favorite thing was being in the Youth Band! So many great memories and friends, including Nancy and Danna Balser, and my motocycle buds Richard Anderson and Paul Gregory. - - - - - - Moved to San Jose after graduating Sac State in Computer Science (software). I've continued to play my horn, in musicals and church orchestras, a community concert band (28 years) and a trad jazz band (5 years now). Attended (as listener) every Sacto. Jazz Jubilee since its inception. Never-married, no kids. Enjoys volleyball, biking, photography, movies.

Thanks for posting the great memories, Rich.  He's now asked me to post some of mine ...

- The excavation team headed by Richard Anderson to dig out the snowmobiles so we could ride them.

- The cages at Santa Cruz (rock 'em over enough times to be listed on the leader's chalkboard).

- Speaking of Santa Cruz, the Wild Mouse roller coaster where a certain Rich A. tried to make it to jump the track (humph!).

- The older Allen Transportation Buses, where the seats were low enough where you could actually talk with the bandmates in front of you.  Along with the rotating seats for the card games.  And gaining access to the locked buses by pressing on the knob in front.

- We traveled to Santa Barbara in the night, and were supposed to sleep on the bus...yeah, right!

- ... then on the way back we visited Hearst Castle, where Rich A. tried to pick some gold from one of the swimming pools.

- Bill Nicolosi and his blank gun at Camp Sacto. and later at parades when the drum major "dropped" his whistle and the band became disorganized and shook hands with the audience, until the gun went off and we raced back into formation.

- The dedication for the groundbreaking or opening of the Convention Center (SYB did one, Kennedy Band did the the other; forget which was which).

- Playing at the Veteran's facility in Yountville, and eating in their cafeteria afterwards.

- Trying to march in the Chinese New Year's parade in San Francisco, what with the pressing audience and firecrackers being thrown out of windows.

- And speaking of San Francisco, marching in the absolute worst place in a parade.  No, not behind the horses' entry.  But actually behind the street sweepers, aka the end of a parade!  The audience had left, and we couldn't avoid the horse excretions that were spread all over the street.

- At the Columbus Day Parade in SF, having thought we were the only band with Black Saddle, in the staging area another band played it, and we promptly played it back at them, better, of course!  And the left trombone guide fainting on his horn.

- After the Artichoke Festival Parade in Castroville, eating at a 4-nationality buffet  where Don Abel tried to pass off a glass of water mixed with soy sauce as a coke ... and the waitress actually took it, put it back on her tray, and gave it to Jan Laing!

- Remember our bus chants of "food" or "McDonald's"?  And seeing the look of fear in the faces of the food people as two busloads of musicians pulled into a Giant Orange?!

- Getting to hear the Vanguard in a post-parade exhibition at YMI's Santa Clara Parade of Champions.

- At the end of the Lodi Grape Festival Parade, being given roast beef sandwiches (later years, hot dogs) and sodas as we entered the fairgrounds (and sneaking thru the line a second time).

- Playing Black Saddle on the grounds of the Stanford Hospital in a surprise visit to Russ as he was rolled out in a wheelchair with his eyes bandaged...I'm thinking that our visit was part of a miracle of God that contributed to his recovery from blindness.

=============================


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Occupation:  Mom, Grandmother and 
Great Grandmother
Marital Status:  Widowed
No. of Children:  2
What year(s) were you in SYB?:  1964-1976
What instrument(s) did you play?:  Parent - Concert Treasurer/Chaperone/Historian
From Minnie:
I would like to say hello to all alumni, parents and members alike.  Those years were so much fun.  We all made so many friends and shared many memorable experiences along the way.  I really miss those years.  I hope to see many of you at the reunion concert.  My 'Now' picture is with 4 of my 5 Grandkids (Rich's kids).  Feel free to drop me a line.  My email only accepts text messages.  
ccsvany@mycidco.com    
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Occupation:  Business Intelligence 
Analyst
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  2
What instrument(s) did you play?:  Trumpet
Have you used your musical talents since participating in SYB?:
High School bands and performance band after high school.
From Brian:

Looking back at my years in the early ‘70s in SYB, I have vivid memories of marching practice during the summer at McClatchy High School; bus trips to events; and those red blazers! I’ve been married to a great woman for 20 years and we have two children—Bryson will be a senior in high school and Cirby will be a sophomore at CSUS this fall. I started working at Bel Air Markets in 1974 and now work at Raley’s corporate office as a Business Intelligence Analyst. Along the way, I have been a Sacramento Bee sportswriter, and an air traffic controller trainee. I’m involved in my son’s Boy Scout troop and Toastmasters. Golf has replaced playing the trumpet, although I still play my Doc Severinsen silver horn—the same one I had in high school--once in a while. Getting ready for the 50^th Anniversary concert is like preparing for a marathon! I just hope I survive! I look forward to seeing a lot of friends from the good old days. The picture of Ed Kinkel, Jeff Knezovich and me is from an unknown parade in 1973, and appeared in the Sacramento Union.

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Occupation:  Retired State Peace 
Officer
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  2
What year(s) were you in SYB?:  1966-1972
What instrument(s) did you play?:  Trumpet
From John:

  It is with an extremely fond reflection of pride, accomplishments and friendships that manifests itself of my years in the Sacramento Youth Band, especially specific to the Monday night rehersals at California Junior High School, the varied parade participations and the multitude of concert performances at the William Land Park amplitheather.
  It is also a tribute to the Sacramento Youth Band's character and integrity that during an appreciable time in my formative years, the Sacramento Youth Band was an instrumental, integral component in this vastly impressionable time in my life of facilitating the cultivation of my own, then, and I believe present, too, moral fiber and character.
  I shall forever cherish my time spent with the Sacramento Youth Band.
  I look forward to the Sacramento Youth Band's 50th reunion with great anticipation.

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Occupation:  art gallery sales 
consultant
Website:  www.evokingimages.com
Marital Status:  Single
No. of Children:  1
What year(s) were you in SYB?:  1968-1972
What instrument(s) did you play?:  French Horn
Have you used your musical talents since participating in SYB?:
Not nearly enough. I switched to becoming a photographer, but, still have a deep love of music.
Other Talents & Experience:
Photography
From Charlene:
I have fond memories of playing French Horn in the Sacramento Youth band in the late 1960's and early 1970's. It's great to know the band is still active. It was one of the most fun parts of my youth.

My brother, Chuck Mitchell, who played trumpet in the youth band the same years as I did passed away in 1996 from Multiple Sclerosis.  My mother, Jo Mitchell, who faithfully drove us kids to practices, parades and attended events, passed away in 2003. She often talked about the Youth Band days with fondness.

My daughter, who is now 25, played the piano for a while in Middle School in Carmel, but, didn't pursue music the way I had. She's now a Montessori teacher in San Francisco after spending 3 and a half years abroad post college.
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What year(s) were you in SYB?:  Forever
What instrument(s) did you play?:  You
Have you used your musical talents since participating in SYB?:
Some
Other Talents & Experience:
Many
From Any and:
The 50th Anniversary Reunion Concert was a smashing success!!!!  A great turnout for a wondeful day/evening of fun.  Lou was in great form.  And the band.....what can I say, it gave me goosebumps.  Thank you Russ for starting this back in '57!  What memories it brought back.  I closed my eyes and felt like I went back in time to the good old days where this was almost a weekly event.  Did I see Groucho Marx at the concert?  I'm sure I did.  Anyway, GREAT JOB everyone for pulling this off.  Having done many of these type shows in the past, I know just how much work it can be and my hat is off to all the members, parents, alumni, volunteers and everyone else who made this evening possible!      

Now...that being said... calling aaaaaalllllllllll Sacramento Youth Band Alumni who have not entered their information on the SYB site to to add your comments, shout-outs, pictures, gossip, stories...whatever to this alumni page.  We want to hear from ALL of you!!  Spread the word!  

Secret Alumni  
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Occupation:  Nonprofit Media and 
Events Director
Marital Status:  Married
What year(s) were you in SYB?:  1970 - 1974
What instrument(s) did you play?:  flute
Have you used your musical talents since participating in SYB?:
Mostly personal enjoyment. My husband and I play (he on piano and harmonica) a fair bit -- just for grins.
From Kimberly:

Being a part of the Sac Youth Band was wonderful.   Made Mondays (rehearsal night) something to look forward to.  Certainly cemented a passion for all kinds of music for me.  Both of my younger brothers, Lew and Kevin, were in the Jr. Band.  

Many magical memories of rehearsals, bus trips and marching around in those "dude" uniforms (all of the girls were required to slick our hair back in ponytails too -- no jewelry)  Oh, all the small town parades.  I believe we always won the 1st place ribbon -- or at least Mr. Coppala and Mr. Gaither told us we did.  Loved the concerts at William Land Park -- even though it was always toasty.  

As a teen in the "pre-mallrats" and "gameboy" era -- we played our own games with the boys....ahem.   First kisses were abundent on the famed road trip to Santa Barbara in 1971 or 72 -- when a well-intended lecture from Mr. Kline (to the entire flute section) warned us that "nice girls" didn't let fellas give them "monkey bites" on the neck.  Oh, boy, what a hoot we had listening to his cautionary yarn.  Nothing would ever be the same.  Formed lots of friendships and explored new locations on the road though.   ahem.

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Marital Status:  Married
What year(s) were you in SYB?:  1991
What instrument(s) did you play?:  Colorguard
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Occupation:  Band Teacher since 1974
Website:  www.sacwinds.org
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  2
What year(s) were you in SYB?:  1963 to 1974
What instrument(s) did you play?:  clarinet/color guard
Have you used your musical talents since participating in SYB?:
I graduated from CSUS with a BA in Music, continued to receive my elementary classroom credential and Secondary Music credential, then started teaching elementary band in the San Juan District in 1974. I retired June 2007 after 33 years. If I had not been in Youth Band, I would not have gone into teaching music.
Other Talents & Experience:
I have since switched to bass clarinet and started a Notary business. I also play regularly in the Sacramento Symphonic Winds: www.sacwinds.org under the direction of my husband Dr. Les Lehr. I also played the premirer performance of the Oh Mr. Sousa! show in Napa. See: www.ohmrsousa.com
From Marjorie:
I was in the band from 1963 to 1972 as a clarinet player, color guard member and then color guard captain. I was also an instructor at a couple of summer camps. My older sister was Janice Ferguson, now Janice Nicolosi, and she was a clarinet player and color guard captain as well. Russ Kline was the director of the senior band and Bob Lindfeldt was the director of the junior band at that time. I have two children from my first marriage, Michelle and David, flute and trombone respectively. Michelle is in the National Guard stationed in Maryland and Dave works in Sacramento. I married Les Lehr in 1984. He was the Director of Bands at American River College at the time. He has now retired and is conducting the Sacramento Symphonic Winds www.sacwinds.org, and a show called "Oh Mr. Sousa!" all over the U.S. www.ohmrsousa.com I retired June 2007 after 33 years of teaching band in the San Juan School District. The before picture is (left to right) me and Janice in SYB concert band tuxes about 1965. The picure of Les and me was taken summer of 2005 on a concert tour of Scandinavia. You can learn more about our current musical activities by going to: www.sacwinds.org I sure had a great time at the 50th reunion!
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Occupation:  State worker
Marital Status:  Divorced
No. of Children:  2
What year(s) were you in SYB?:  1969 - 1975
What instrument(s) did you play?:  Flute/Piccolo
Have you used your musical talents since participating in SYB?:
Mostly at church
From Linda:
Wow....how do all of you remember all those dates? I guess I played in the SYB from about '69 - '73. Russ was the director of the senior band and my little brother and sister , Phil and Karen, were in the junior band. I loved all the bus trips which may have influenced 1 of my career choices. I married my high school sweetheart and have 2 wonderful children, Matt and Stephanie. I have worked for the Sacramento City Unified School District as a cafeteria Manager and a Purchasing agent. When that wasn't exciting enough I faxed my resume to Delta Airlines and was a Flight Attendant until the 9/11 tragedy when many of us were furloughed (but I still fly for free) hence my travelling bug. Before I moved halfway across the country to "Save your a**, not kiss it", I played my flute mostly in church and for my own enjoyment. My dad kept our family band together for Christmas Performances at various nursing homes. When I came back to Sacramento in '04 I volunteered as an "Elly" judge for Musical Theatre. Seeing over 60 shows in one year proved to limit my social activities to the point that I had to retire from that, although some shows were VERY good. Both of my kids are getting married next year so I'm sure I'll be plenty busy with that. Can't wait to see everyone, I've seen Kendall a few times, he was directing the orchestra for River City Theatre Company a children's musical theater group that my daughter participated in. He keeps in touch with my mom, Janice Laing-Ranton who directed the Junior band.
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