News and Notes

Help the Mighty Sound of Maryland get new band uniforms by participating in TerpsChoice, the university's new social giving effort that seeks to make a big impact through small contributions.  

Go to http://terpschoice.umd.edu to make your gift in any amount from $10 to $250.  You can vote/donate as many times as you'd like between Feb. 1 and April 30, but only once per day.  All of the money donated by the end of the campaign will go to the cause that receives the most votes.

The minimum donation amount per vote is $10.  If you'd like to donate more than $10, we recommend you make the minimum donation once per day, so you can cast several votes over several days.  

If you're a Tweeter or Facebooker, please help spread the word to family and friends to get us over the top.  

Remember - your vote won't count unless you make a donation at the same time.  There isn't much time left, so make your TerpsChoice today. 

Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, Dekelbaum Concert Hall

On Wednesday evening, April 6, the Maryland Community Band will present a special trio of trumpet performers with a unique tie to the UM School of Music.  Faculty member and trumpet professor, Chris Gekker, will be joined by his teacher, Prof. Emeritus Dr. Emerson Head, and his former student, Musician 1st Class, Brandon Almagro, of the United States Navy Band, in Agostini’s “The Three Trumpeters.” The performance is part of a concert presented each semester by two special outreach groups formed by the UM Band program; the all-campus University Band, Eli Osterloh, conductor, and the Maryland Community Band under the baton of John E. Wakefield, Director of Bands Emeritus.  Wakefield proposed the soloists to recognize the great legacy of fine trumpet teaching and performance over many years at the University of Maryland.

Someone suggested Hawaiian shirts and lava lavas for the tubas.  Not sure we'll go that far, but we do want to show the kids we're proud of 'em.  Show your pride for the Mighty Sound of Maryland - register for Homecoming today!!

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Band Alumnus John Turner, on June 19, 2010. He is probably better known as half of the Dynamic Band Duo Betsy and John Turner, and father of Chris Turner, another Band alumnus.

During his tenure at Maryland from 1970-1975, he played clarinet and tuba in Concert and Marching Band, and was ΚΚΨ President. He met his future wife in the band. "My first words ever to John was at the red/white game….I was playing drums and I turned around to him and said, 'Don’t tell the equipment staff, but I lost my plume!' I didn’t know it at the time, but he was the Head of the Equipment Staff. His comment back was, 'Your secret is safe with me.' Paul Deafenbaugh, whom I knew much better, was bent over laughing his head off, and I couldn’t understand why." The following year, one formation had John and his tuba hitting the same mark at the same time as Betsy and her flag. "I kept hitting him in the head about 3 steps out. John yelled a lot."