A couple of weeks ago I attended Gayle's sons spring concert at the Brush Prairie High School. There were several bands that played that night including ones from the middle schools and high schools in the Battle Ground school district. I have to say that all of the bands were fantastic! Gayle's son Brandon plays trumpet and had a great solo in one of the songs. Throughout the night I was thinking about the many years that I played in the stage bands at the John F. Kennedy Jr. High School and Comesewogue High School in Port Jefferson Station, NY. I remember my dad taking me to practice several times a week and watching the band practice and practice and practice. Do know how hard it is to practice with your dad sitting there watching? Several of the people that I knew High School Jazz band have gone on to play with major musical acts. I do however remember the band teacher Mr. Proios who was not the nicest guy in the world. I don't know what it was but he and I never clicked.

When I was a junior in High School I played alongside the great drumming of John Miceli. John is now the drummer for the band Meatloaf. I also played with Bobby Rondinelli who has played drums for Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, Zebra, Rainbow and is now touring with Blue Oyster Cult.

I must say I learned alot from John and Bobby. I remember John teasing me for being a rock and roller and hanging out with the "heads". John was such a pretty boy back then and looked like his mom dressed him :-). He also taught me some drum licks that I still love to play today.

Comment posted by Gayle06/09/2003 03:26:10 PM

Opps....try this since the other URL doesn't seem to work:

http://www.rosefestival.org/planner.htm

then click on West Coast Bank - Jazz Band Classic

Sorry about that!

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Comment posted by 06/09/2003 03:16:10 PM

The jazz band concert was indeed very good. This is the 2nd or 3rd one that I have been to and each time has been worthwhile. Bands that played were from Hockinson Middle School, Laurin Middle School (my son's school), Pleasant Valley Middle School, Prairie High Jazz II and Prairie High Jazz Band I. Prairie High Jazz Band I, under the direction of Al Aldridge have won many contests - see URL for the most recent contest - (http://www.rosefestival.org/jazz_band_classic.htm). It continues to amaze me how good these high schoolers play. They have recorded 3 cd's of which I own, each sounding like Professionals. The last one I have, "Caravan" is one on my favorites, but the 2 earlier ones are just as good.

If any of you have a chance to attend one of their concerts, I would highly recommend going.

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Comment posted by Tony Kelleran06/10/2003 07:10:23 AM
Homepage: http://www.dominodude.com

Ahhh, High School Stage Band...I didn't play next to any rising stars like you Bruce, but it sure was fun! I loved the annual concerts we would put on! I played next to James Johnson, he is now the drummer for... JK, actually he is an engineer. He was better and I learned a lotfrom him.

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Comment posted by Alan Hurt06/12/2003 07:48:43 AM

Zebra...love that band

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