N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

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Name: Justin Niehaus
Email: niehauji@email.uc.edu
Years In Band: 2001-2005
Instrument Played: Saxophone/Bassoon
Personal Info: I am in my second year at the University of Cincinnati, pursuing my bachelors and masters in Aerospace engineering. I played in the university pep and concert band my freshman year which kept my skills in tact, and even though I had a lot of fun, it still didn't live up to the memories I had here.
Favorite Memory: Wow, just one, everyone seems to say Midwest... for good reason. More specifically not playing poker for money and not staying up till 4 AM playing video games with my awesome room mates. Oh yea, didn't we like do a performance there or something ;-)

Name: Alexander Noel
Email: alexander.noel@gmail.com
Years In Band: 2000-2004
Instrument Played: Trumpet
Personal Info: I'm currently a student at the University of Cincinnati double-majoring in Philosophy and Anthropology. I live on Ohio Avenue in Clifton with, you guessed it, other Mason Band Alumni.
Favorite Memory: It was Junior year, on the band bus heading home from a marching band competition. It was late at night and one of us crazy band kids had several of those glow-necklaces, only, they were cut open and the glowing chemicals were being sprayed everywhere as we raved to cheezy techno remixes. We were all worried that the bus driver would find the stains... I still wonder to this day. Oh, yeah... and "The Towner," which had to be performed to our "special" song.

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Name: Kate 'Padgett' Dempsey
Email: kdempsey1040@hotmail.com 
Years In Band: 1997-2001
Instrument Played: Flute, bassoon, colorguard
Personal Info: I graduated from Appalachian State University in 2005 with a degree in English and Secondary Education, got married two weeks later to a great guy I met in college, flew to L.A. two weeks later to help run a summer project with The Traveling Team, came home to teach high school English for a year (the hardest experience in my life - - surely we weren't THAT bad when we were in high school... haha!), and now my husband and I are joining staff with The Traveling Team. Check out their website: www.thetravelingteam.org - - We will be traveling 7 months out of the year to college campuses talking to students about missions and the 10/40 window - and also spending 3 months overseas in the 10/40 window.
Favorite Memory: Oh gosh... could be the night Mr. Bass dressed up in drag... remember the red dress... I have the picture to prove it... or maybe the great friends that came out of band - Kathy Burdick, Jennifer Hamman, Dan Pawlak, Liz Stumpf, and all the rest... But the best memory of all might be the day we qualified for Nationals (I think) for the first time... Every other band was calm and cool and collected... do you remember that one band that just stood up and sat down without a word?... but oh no, not our band!!! Even Mr. Bass and the other directors were shouting and jumping around! That day we were a family of friends - we knew that all our hard work had paid off. Other than this, marching band prepared me for life. I went on to march in college at the University of Missouri - and was given the Most Talented Freshman award and two solos in front of 70,000+ audience. Being in colorguard and trying to be a leader in the midst of the extreme drama, prepared me to be an RA in college and handle all the situations that a floor of 70+ girls can create. It also prepared me for handling a classroom of teenagers....where it doesn't matter if they like you or not - you still have to lead. But mostly my time in the Mason Marching Band just prepared me for life. Marching band was where I found myself, my talent and my love for performing.

Name: Adam Paljieg
Email: atomicblaster@gmail.com
Years In Band: 2004-2008
Instrument Played: Trombone

Name: Jason Pawlak
Email: jasonapawlak@yahoo.com
Home Page: www.jasonpawlak.com
Years In Band: 2000-2004
Instrument Played: French Horn
Personal Info: Currently attending the University of Cincinnati pursuing a degree in Computer Engineering. Spend most time working with the UC Robotics Team and keeping up with school work. Having fun and enjoying college.
Favorite Memory: Favorite band memory would have to be senior year band camp. Being with the best of friends, hanging out and playing cards with a little bit of music and marching squeezed in too. However, I will always remember being stung by the bees and wasps junior year band camp and being sent to the emergency room. Good memories.

Name: Kristen Peterson
Email: vkip1@case.edu
Years In Band: 2001-2005
Instrument Played: Clarinet
Personal Info: I'm at Case Western Reserve University studying Biochemical Engineering with a minor in Spanish.
Favorite Memory: Meeting amazing people who I know I will still be good friends with when I am 80 years old. This organization really helped me shape who I am today, and I will always remember the great times that I have had. From Marching Band and the RCA Dome, to the Midwest Clinic, I will never forget every experience.

Name: Eric Petrinowitsch
Email: etp0016@unt.edu
Years In Band: 2001-2005
Instrument Played: Percussion
Personal Info: Studying Percussion at the University of North Texas, majoring in Music Education studying under Mark Ford and Christopher Deane.
Favorite Memory: Midwest Clinic, National Concert Band Festival, Grand Nationals, and countless others

Name: April Poovey
Email: april_poovey@eku.edu 
Years In Band: 2002/03 - 2005/06
Instrument Played: Colorguard
Personal Info: I attend Eastern Kentucky University with a major in Psychology and a minor in Religion. After graduation I plan on attending Southern Seminary in Louisville. I plan on going into Pastoral Couseling or full time overseas ministry. I'm actively involved in Campus Crusade for Christ, which keeps me way busy and gives me an excuse to travel (for spring break, conferences, and mission trips; i'm even going to Asia!) I'm still single, and don't plan on getting married anytime soon but i have a niece and two nephews (from Amber Issacs [Jackson] for those of you who know her) and they are pretty awesome.
Favorite Memory: I would have to say my favorite memory is the first time, and well every time (because it never got old) standing in the air tight chamber.. or whatever it's called.. right before we would go on to perform at BOA. I remember being so nervous I couldn't breathe and when the huge garage looking doors opened and i felt the air from inside and saw the field and we walked in and there seats everywhere, and for a second i forgot how scared I was and I was just so in awe of the RCA Dome. it was the coolest feeling and I got it every time I went in to perform. That is definitely my favorite memory.
 

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Name: John Raptis
Email: raptisjj@notes.udayton.edu 
Years In Band: 2000-2006
Instrument Played: Saxophone
Personal Info: Right now I'm a pre-law major at the University of Dayton, and I'm probably going to get a double major with Spanish. I'm in the Dayton Jazz Ensemble, which is UD's jazz band, taking private lessons, and am in sax quartet.
Favorite Memory: I know this is probably unoriginal, but Midwest. Wow. If you want to know more, read my Midwest essay......

Name: Jeff Reed
Email: reedjp@uc.edu
Years In Band: 2004-2008
Instrument Played: Saxophone
Personal Info: I am gong to University of Cincinnati to study Engineering. And that is about it right now.
Favorite Memory: I would say that there are too many memories to write down, but I would have to say the best is being the first senior class since 2003 to go back to Grand Nationals and make semi-finals just the feeling of walking back onto the field knowing that you are one of the top bands in the nation. It is something special.

Name: Emily 'Riley' Darland
Email: emmegriles@yahoo.com
Years In Band: 1998-2001
Instrument Played: flute, bassoon, drum major
Personal Info: I am now married to Ben Darland, another past Mason band member, and living in sunny South Carolina as an interior designer.
Favorite Memory: Stepping out on the field for the first time at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis as drum major my sophomore year (1999). Also, getting to share the band experience with both of my brothers: Nate Riley, 1998, and Grant Riley 2003.

Name: Dave Roberts
Email: dbobroberts@hotmail.com
Years In Band: 1993-1997
Instrument Played: Trumpet
Personal Info: Currently married to Kelly Roberts, Bachelor of Music Ed. from Miami University (2002), Trumpet player in the Navy Band Pearl Harbor, HI and Substitute Trumpet with the Honolulu Symphony, also a  Sound Technician with the Navy Band.
Favorite Memory: Dropping ketchup packets on the ground at Universal Studios (1996) and watching it squirt up their legs.

Name: Erin Robertson
Email: sunshine2088@juno.com
Years In Band: 2000-2004
Instrument Played: flute
Personal Info: I am now attending Bowling Green State University to study biology and psychology.  I hope to work with marine mammals after college, and next summer hopefully get an internship working with them.  I still play flute in marching and pep band and am in the honorary band sorority tau beta sigma.
Favorite Memory: There are so many memories, but I guess the one that comes to mind was after the last band concert.  We played "October" one last time before graduation and it was really emotional.

Name: Lindsey Roth
Email: aliasgrl04@aol.com
Years In Band: 2004-2008
Instrument Played: Flute
Personal Info: I’m attending the University of San Diego, and planning on majoring in biology and economics.
Favorite Memory: The bus rides were incredible! I loved trying to cram five people into one seat and all of us singing “Hey Baby” at the top of our lungs, quite poorly I must admit. The mellophones’ performance of “If I Weren’t a Mellophone” was pretty crazy as well (a truck driver I would be – here’s a curve, there’s a curve, here’s an even better curve :-).) Nevertheless what I appreciate most from band is everyone I had the opportunity to meet and grow close to…Mr.Bass, Mr. Fourman and my peers. It’s been a blessing to participate in a band program as passionate as Mason’s. I will never forget the intensity before we delivered a performance and the satisfaction when all the hard work paid off, whether it was in awards or the journey the music provided us..

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Name: Patricia A Sharer Andrews
Email: pat8645@hotmail.com
Years In Band: 1966-1972
Instrument Played: Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Cymbals
Personal Info:  Live in northeastern Ohio, have 2 grown children, my son is in the Navy and recently married and my daughter is in nursing school.  I've had many interesting jobs and been able to do some traveling, haven't been home for about 10 yrs.  I really miss seeing my family, and am going back to college in the fall.
Favorite Memory: Going to the Wenatchee Apple Blossom Festival with my friends, and sitting in the band section at basketball games with Kay Schillinger and being silly.
 

Name: Bradley Simpson
Email: bradleycsimpson@gmail.com
Years In Band: 2001-2004
Instrument Played: Drumline, Percussion
Personal Info:  I am currently a Senior at Ohio University studying Management Information Systems. After graduation in June I will be located in Cleveland, Ohio working with Progressive Auto Insurance doing Network and Telecom Data Analyst. Feel free to contact me with any questions about Ohio University or my major.
Favorite Memory:  My favorite band memory would have to be winning 2nd place at WGI World Championships for drumline. It was exciting to hear our name announced with some of the best drumlines in the world.
 

Name: Matt Sirk
Email: sirkml@muohio.edu
Years In Band: 2001-2005
Instrument Played: Trombone
Personal Info: Now a sophomore business major at Miami University with a minor in trombone performance. 
Favorite Memory: NCBF after the concert with the judges and Midwest are up there but really though, there are too many to count. 
 

Name: Julie "Young" Sizemore
Email: Sizemore421@yahoo.com
Years In Band: 1995-1999
Instrument Played: Clarinet
Personal Info:  Hi everyone I was a 1999 graduate of Mason I played clarinet. I am now married to a wonderful guy. We have been married for 2 years I am a homemaker for right now but getting ready to go to college. My husband works out at Ford transmissions in Batavia. We are living in Northern Ky right now but looking at a home in Ohio so hopefully soon we will be moving back.
Favorite Memory:  I honestly can not remember one memory that sticks out more then any of the others. I do remember hating my parents for making me join Marching band my freshman year but now I thank them for it I just remember all the fun we had eating Pixi sticks and drinking MT. Dew right before we performed to get our energy up because getting up at 6 in the mornings on Sat mornings for competitions was a slap in the face and especially when we has 2 or 3 in one day at different locations.

Name: Hillary Smith
Email: smi07045@byui.edu
Years In Band: 2002-2005
Instrument Played: Flute
Personal Info:  Well, I'm currently studying at Brigham Young University- Idaho. Im doing a double major- BS in both Music and Psychology. I'm hoping on getting my masters in Music Therapy- we'll see :-) .
Favorite Memory:  Playing the final 'hit' of October at NCBF (and NCBF as a whole) and playing the piccolo for the first time at my last concert.

Name: Stephanie Snyder
Email: steph62485@aol.com
Years In Band: 2000-2004
Instrument Played: Clarinet and flute
Personal Info: I am attending the University of Cincinnati working on getting my vet tech license.
Favorite Memory: My favorite band memory was when the girls put "Senior Girls" written in pads on the boys cabin at Kings Domain. What can I say, girls rule!!

Name: Matt Sollenberger
Email: mattsollenberger@hotmail.com  
Years In Band: 1997-2001
Instrument Played: Drums
Personal Info: Graduated from Purdue w/ Computer Engineering major. Now working for the man at GE Appliances in Louisville.
Favorite Memory: Too many to name.

Name: George Spaeth III
Email: george3spaeth@cinci.rr.com 
Years In Band: 1996-1999
Instrument Played: Pit
Personal Info: I'm getting married in July of '07 in Hawaii, and I'm finally finishing my degree in Computer Science. I've been published in, and have edited, UC's Technically Speaking magazine. Life has been great, and I'm still telling stories of band. Go PIT!
Favorite Memory: Joseph, Moody Blues, Evita and music by David Arkenstone. All great times! I really wish I could have joined in my senior year. Starting band in the 8th grade was wonderful! Darnt Poop the Poner! Some creative rearranging of some words that the pit did between rehearsals for the Moody Blues show. We had to have rehearsals at the middle school (The current Intermediate campus) that year due to construction at the High School (the current middle school). The band room was the best at the time, but nothing compared to the new high school! I'm jealous!

Name: Elizabeth Stoner
Email: estoner@gmail.com
Years In Band: 1997-2000
Instrument Played: Clarinet in marching band (Fall 1997), bass clarinet in symphonic band, drum major (Fall 1998), 1998 Winter Guard
Personal Info: I graduated from Georgia Tech in 2005 with a B.S. in Management and certificates in both Marketing and Operations Management.  I'm currently living in Atlanta, GA, working as a healthcare consultant for Stockamp & Associates.  However, I commute to New York, NY, every week on my current project assignment.  So I feel like I live in two places!  Walking around NY sometimes brings back memories of our band trip and performance there.
Favorite Memory: Moved to Mason in 1997 - my sophomore year.  I can't pinpoint one particular memory that year, but I loved how everyone in band was the community I needed to adjust to my new environment.  I also loved my year as drum major -particularly our performance in the RCA dome!  I still have my whistle...

Name: Matt Suguitan
Email: suguitan.1@osu.edu
Years In Band: 2001-2005
Instrument Played: Saxophone

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Name: Sarah Taylor
Email: Sarah59913@aol.com
Years In Band: 1999-2003
Instrument Played: Horn, and Flute
Personal Info: I am currently in Mason trying to figure out what it is I want to do with my life. I attended Wright State University for 2 years for a Music Education Degree, then went to Sinclair Community College for a couple of quarters when I realized I have no clue what I want to do with my life. So for now, I'm working, catching up with old friends, and living life one day at a time.
Favorite Memory: There is not one specific memory that I have, that stands out to others. Mostly it is just the experience in general that I remember, all the great friends, the bus rides. I think one of the best things that I learned from it was, through all the frustration and work that not just marching band, but also Wind Symphony took, is that the music we made was beautiful. I've taken this lesson with me, that the harder I work and get through all the hard times, the end result is amazing. I remember not wanting to do Marching Band, but Mr. Bass just wouldn't let it go, so to make him happy I agreed to try it my Sophomore year and then fell in love with the music making and the fun that I had, and also "sharing" Bob's office with him. I think I was in there just as much as he was at some points! :)

Name: Nick Titus
Email: titus.nick@gmail.com
Years In Band: 1999-2003
Instrument Played: Drumline
Personal Info:  Graduated from Miami University with a History, Philosophy, and German major in 2007 with study abroad experience throughout Germany. Continues to play drum-set, learned guitar, and records music to continue the pursuit of a rock band. Past projects include dialhforhero, New Zion Haste, and other independent recordings. Currently in Cincinnati and looking for more talented musicians to perform with.
Favorite Memory:  All Winter Drumline performances, especially MEPA and WGI finals. Mr. Sark. The Marching Band RCA dome semi-finals. Pep-Band improv 'jam sessions' with Tony Elfers and Alex Marque. The Scaffold 'incident' and of course all of the people I became friends with.

Name: Abe Torkelton
Email: dgmTorkelton9724@cape-mail.com
Years In Band: 1979

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Name: Vinny VanSlyke
Email: bigvinny76@yahoo.com
Years In Band: 2003-2007
Instrument Played: Trombone
Favorite Memory: All BOA events, especially freshmen and senior year grand nationals.
 

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Name: Heather Waymouth
Email: hew2@geneseo.edu
Years In Band: 1998-2002
Instrument Played: Clarinet, Marching band 2001
Personal Info: I graduate from SUNNY Geneseo on May 13th with a double major in childhood education and biology. I have completely enjoyed my four years at Geneseo, swimming on the varsity team and getting involved in all sorts of organizations. I will return to Western New York in the fall to complete my student teaching. After that, who knows where I'll be?! I plan on getting a masters degree within the near future, either attending the University of Maine full time or teaching here in New York and taking classes part time in Rochester.
Favorite Memory: Making finals at Morgantown and all that came with it! I have so many memories though, trying to learn the bassoon (HA!) tommy and the dysfunctional contrabass clarinet, organizing the guitar room for lack of anything better to do senior year (it was all moving anyways), but above all, I remember how Mr. Bass came in and completely turned the band program around. Bass - despite our little tiffs here and there, you're awesome!

Name: Michael Whisman
Email: whismamp@email.uc.edu
Years In Band: 2000-2003
Instrument Played: Trombone and Baritone
Personal Info: currently at UC... Working on my degree
Favorite Memory: Trying to freeze out the senior cabin... they had me rig the a/c so the thermometer thought it was eighty all night so we all got to wake up to a freezing cabin too close...

Name: Gwen Wilkens
Email: wilkenge@email.uc.edu
Years In Band: 2000-2004
Instrument Played: Bassoon, flute
Personal Info: Well, I'm attending a college at the University of Cincinnati; majoring in History with a Pre-Law intent. I own a house now. I bought a bassoon, and I have played with a few groups in college. I got to play under Eric Whitacre, at Ohio University, and won't be forgetting it any time soon. Two Words: October, and Glow Sticks. (I realize that that is 5 words)

Name: Matt Wright
Email: wrightm1@xu.edu
Years In Band: 2001-2005
Instrument Played: Trumpet

Name: Christi Wolf
Email: wolfie0421@yahoo.com
Home Page: just facebook me!
Years In Band: 1998 - 2005
Instrument Played: Bb and Eb Clarinet
Personal Info: I am currently an undergraduate at Purdue University with a Management major and a double minor in Spanish and Marketing. Although we have the world's largest drum, music doesn't exactly thrive here and because of that I wish I was still in band. My family still lives in Mason; Jen is about to graduate this year and hopefully she'll come to Purdue as well.
Favorite Memory: From NCBF to Midwest, and marching band to final concerts, I don't think that it is possible to pick just one favorite band memory. The memories that I have with me are ones that I value greatly and wouldn't trade them for anything. If I wasn't in band, I would not be the person that I am today nor would I have had nearly as many opportunities (OU Honor Band, Tournament of Roses Parade, Midwest, Honor Bands, NCBF, Grand Nationals, etc.) to succeed as I have had simply by being a member of one of the greatest high school bands in the nation.
 

Name: Jennifer "j.Wo" Wolf
Email: masonbandsoftball5589@yahoo.com
Years In Band: 2003 - 2007
Instrument Played: Flute and Piccolo
Personal Info: Heading to Purdue University to study nursing with a psych minor.
Favorite Memory: Midwest was such an accomplishment for our band and it is something I am very proud to have been a part of. It for sure is at the top of the list. The band trips that we had and the amazing opportunities that band provided will always be something that I remember.
 

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Name: Amy Zhu
Email: amy_zhu@northwestern.edu
Years In Band: 2002-2006
Instrument Played: Clarinet

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