One Last Post before I go

For all you band geeks out there--or those who simply wondered how band members get ready for a game. Here you go--videos compliments of the AU Theta Beta Nu's (Trombone section).
Prior to the Florida Game

Prior to LSU


For this I sent my son to college ;-D

O Sweet Auburn

As I mentioned before, Steven is now one of four "freshman advisors" for the marching band. That's the official title. The real title is RAT Leader. RAT stands for Rookie Auburn Tiger--at least that is what he says. They've come a long way from the days when I was a rat, but the purpose is the same to help freshmen transition into Auburn life. One of my strongest memories of the first day or two of classes at Auburn was of being lost on campus, burdened by books and unsure where to go when suddenly, from out of nowhere it seemed, an Auburn band member would show up and give me direction and help. I didn't always know who they were, but they knew who I was from reading the back of my rat cap (I think we were the last class to wear those--what kids are missing these days! And--Yes, that is my original Rat hat to the right.)

Anyway, I just wanted to share what Steven wrote about Auburn and the Auburn band on the Auburn RAT blog. It may sound sappy but like Steven I have always truly loved Auburn and for many of the same reasons he mentions.

O Sweet Auburn, Loveliest Village on the Plains

Friday and Saturday, Craig and I had the pleasure of 24 hours in the loveliest village on the plains. The official reason for the trip was to see Steven receive his award as the Outstanding Junior Student in Mathematics and Statistics. It was such a pleasure to get to see him receive the award and to meet some of his professors!

It has been an exciting spring for him. Not only did he receive this award, but he has also been awarded a university undergraduate research fellowship! In addition, he has been named one of the four Freshman Advisors for the Marching Band (that's Rat Leader to those familiar with the Auburn Band). He is very excited about all the plans for the new freshman in the fall. I recommended a revival of rat hats and sandwich boards with names and majors, but I think he ignored me.

While in Auburn, we also had the opportunity to hear the Auburn Symphonic Band in concert. Steven says this is his final concert band performance--we'll see about that (he's said that before). But it was also the final performance for the Director of Bands, Johnny Vinson, who was the assistant band director long ago when I was in the band. I was glad to be there to help celebrate his 36 years at Auburn.

Steven's girlfriend, Ashley, is also in the band and we had the opportunity to visit more with her and to meet her parents. And Steven and Ashley also introduced us to the wonderful food at Niffer's Place. If you are ever there, be sure and try the corn nuggets!!
It was a wonderful trip!