My name is: Vern Tallman   (email:  vtallman@aol.com )
Member years: 1992-'98
Section: Booster
Comments: Great, fun experience for all. Looking forward to '98.

My name is: Brad Hawkins   (email:  OmarBudley@aol.com )
Member: 1980-'87, 1990-'91, 1993-'95
Section: Founding Band Director
Comments: Too many fond memories to put down, but here are a few of the highlights of my experience with "my first child":
1) 1985 "Victory Concert" in L.A.- the band pulled up from behind to beat the Santa Ana Winds for the second year in a row wuth their fieldshow "Tribute to the '40s". Spirit had gone undefeated UNTIL the last regular show of the season, where we came in 2nd to The Commodores. In all my years with Spirit, I never saw the band so determined to win as they did at this championship.
2) Playing "Jerusalem" in the lightening, thunder and pouring rain in Penticton, Canada (1984) - Powerful, emotional 3-4 minutes for all who were there.
3) Coming in 2nd place at the band's first-ever fieldshow contest, (1982) the VFW National Championship in L.A. - Our kids shocked 9 other youth bands who had never heard of us with this beat-the-odds second place finish to the Santa Ana Winds. We had by far the youngest age average, since at that time the age requirement for Spirit of Sunnyvale was 11-14 years-old. Due to popular demand, after the championship the Board of Directors agreed with me as Band Director that we should change the age requirements to 11-18 year-old, to be more in line with the other youth bands in the Pacific Coast Youth Band Association, which we joined after that contest.
4) Having our wind ensemble come in 1st place on the Drum Corp caption sheet in the GE Brass category, beating out the Cavaliers, Suncoast Sound, the Troopers, and several other top ranked Open Class Drum Corps with our 1986 fieldshow (my all-time favorite) featuring music from "The Natural" and "Silverado".
5) Going on the Cadet Band's first-ever over-night trip in 1995 to Lompoc, CA, where the band shocked its far older competitiors (as in 1982) with a 2nd place finish in the parade. The age range for the Cadets at that time was only 4th-6th grades, as well!!!!

My name is: Erik Olsen   (email: eolsen@montereytechnologies.com )
Member: 1984-1896 (3 seasons)
Section: Trumpet, Mellophone, Base Guitar
Comments: Fun stuff maynord....40's show, Blickman Turkus, the Edminton Mall, buzzing our heads, Klondike Days, Expo '86 in B.C., Santa Ana Winds, drill downs, band camp, burnt, peeling noses, Eric, Jeff, Judy, Kirstin, Melvin, Thor, Dan the Man, Joe, Glenn, and of course Rob Buckley and Steiny. Check out the Music for Minors gig coming up June 20, 1998 at http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/4316/mfm.html. Me? Graduated from Long Beach State in '90, San Jose State in '96 and am now livin downtown. My Page:http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/4316/ ErikO

My name is: Jon Steinwinder   (email: jmsteiny@aol.com )
Member: 1981-1989
Section: Assistant Director/Director
Comments: Hello!!! Great to see spirit has got a web site now!!! There are so many wonderful times that I had witht the band, it's hard to pick out just one - but for the REAL old-timers, remember hot dog surprise, and the 80 or more sandwiches floating down that creek in Canada in 1984???? It's a story I STILL tell to this day! (I never will forget the sun gleaming off of the plastic bags the sandwiches were in!) It would be great to set up a history area on the web site - there's A LOT of history to this band, almost all of it great - the public should see that! Again, great to see this web site finally - kep it going!!!!

My name is: Eric Geffon   (email: Egeffon@pdo.co.santa-clara.ca.us )
Member: 1982-1987
Section: Saxophone/Drum Major
Comments:

My name is: Stantons, William, Melanie and Andreisha Bennett   (email: stanton@aerotherm.com )
Member: 97, 96, 95, 94
Section: Saxaphone, Clarinet, Trumpet, Color Guard, all Cadet Band
Comments:

My name is: Rick Garcia   (email: SF49ers99@aol.com )
Member: Spirit Hopefull
Section: Hopefully Drum Major
Comments: Love the Pictures!!!

My name is: David Hundsness   (email: dhundsness@amosed.com )
Member: 82-86
Section: Saxophone; Asst. Director 92 & 93
Comments:

My name is: Mike Adrian   (email: I would if I knew what it was )
Member: 2 going on 3
Section: Low Brass (Baritone)
Comments: You're doing a fine job. Lyssa could use some help with her grammar.

My name is: Rachelle Dimaya   (email: rdimaya@haywire.csuhayward.edu )
Member: 1991-1993
Section: Flute and Picc
Comments: I was surfing the web and decided to see if there was any web pages on youth bands. I look back and remember the good times that I had in Spirit...I'm happy to see that Spirit did well in competitions...I'm now a senior at Cal State Hayward and it's nice to look back and see an organization that I was a part of still thriving and growing...Feel free to sent information to my email address on any upcoming events...Best of luck to the upcoming season...

My name is: dave gary jr.   (email: no )
Member: i don't 'member much
Section: director(ha,ha,ha)
Comments: lots of stress,lots of joan,some fun,championships.

My name is: Tami (Bray) Brown   (email: tomasa_brown@hotmail.com )
Member: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984
Section: Color Guard Instructor
Comments: Teaching Spirit was one of the greatest experiences I had. It was enriching, and fun. I feel blessed to have been part of this wonderful organization at such an early stage of it's life. Any old folks (alumni) still around???? The web site is wonderful, and I am glad to have stumbled into it.

My name is: mike jones   (email: gregmike@juno.com )
Member: 1980-82
Section: french horn
Comments:

My name is: Tony Rivera a.k.a. California Tony   (email: rivera623@aol.com )
Member: 1995
Section: Bottom Bass
Comments: Tour was cool and so were most the people.I had a great time and hope that everyone enjoys their time in "Spirit" as much as I did.Drum line....Keep rockin'!!!!!!!

My name is: Greg Humphreys   (email: Greg.humphreys@worldnet.att.net )
Member: 1986
Section: Tenor Sax
Comments: Stumbled across the web site by accident. Spirit was a great experience, and I have many fond memories of the organization.

My name is: Sol Rosenberg   (email: )
Member: 1980
Section:
Comments: Hello?!!!? Oh boy! Saw the Riverside show and lost my hearing for a week! Expect a call from my attorneys. I'm gonna sue you for all you're worth. My wife wont talk to me and my kids left town

My name is: John-David Cisneros. spice guy   (email: dont have one )
Member: 97'
Section: trumpet
Comments: it was great i really enjoyed being on tuor with everyone. I also liked just going out and having fun playing my horn on the field. it was a great eperience. im doing Vangaurd Cadets now so maybe youll be able to see me during one of our shows. c-ya john-david cisneros

My name is: Chris Thompson   (email: cthomp99@ucla.edu )
Member: 1993, 1996
Section: Tenors 93, snare 96
Comments: Spirit was a really cool beginning and a really cool end to my marching expiriences (with some other "stuff" in between not really worth mentioning). I saw the group through the eyes of a green rookie and then through the eyes of a "seasoned" veteran. To spike and corey from 93 and Denny from 96.... 664, lets chub

My name is: Brent Nelson   (email: brent@physics.berkeley.edu )
Member: 1984, 85, 86, 87, 88
Section: Clarinet
Comments: It was a richly rewarding experience -- I especially miss the 1986 ("Silverado") show and playing tenor sax in the stage band. Reading the comments of past staff and members sure brings back a flood of memories. By the way, what ever happened to the RATT Fan Club?

My name is: Jason B. Asuncion   (email: Jasuncion@aol.com )
Member: 1989, 1990 and 1992
Section: Low Brass Trombone and Baritone
Comments: It would be nice to see some pictures from earlier years of Spirit. 80's and '90s. Is there ever going to be another Spirit Alumni Parade?

My name is: Mickey Helms   (email: mhelms2@aol.com )
Member: 1986-1992
Section: Clarinet (1986-1988), Baritone (1989-1992)
Comments: Spirit was by far the greatest experience of my life. I learned teamwork, cooperation, pride in myself and in the group, loyalty, what honor really means, love, compassion, and so many other things. There are too many great memories to list here, and I honestly enjoyed every year I was in Spirit, especially my first (1986 - The Natural & Silverado) and my last (1992 - Total Recall). I wouldn't trade those memories or my time in Spirit for anything in the world.

My name is: Todd Oliver   (email: kahunapte@aol.com )
Member: 1992, 1993
Section: cClarinet, Bass Clarinet
Comments: Well I joined in Oct 1991 at the age of 12. I learned basics in a day and the thrown out onto the field the following morning and it just went from there. 1992 was a great fieldshow and hasn't been paralleled since. The following year was a huge let down and as the band dwindled to 39 from 90 I left too.

My name is: Todd Oliver   (email: kahunapte@aol.com )
Member: 1992, 1993
Section: cClarinet, Bass Clarinet
Comments: Well I joined in Oct 1991 at the age of 12. I learned basics in a day and the thrown out onto the field the following morning and it just went from there. 1992 was a great fieldshow and hasn't been paralleled since. The following year was a huge let down and as the band dwindled to 39 from 90 I left too.

My name is: Brian Huen   (email: Allwrong@aol.com )
Member: '85, '86, '87, '88, '90
Section: The Phones: Alto/Section Leader '90, Bari Sax Stage Band Player
Comments: I litterally grew up here! This organization changed my whole life! I wanted to be an olympic ice skater and then I joined Spirit. Ive taken everything Spirit has given me and apply that to my current gig, being on the radio for Radio Disney (1310 in the bay) Too many menories to list but: "Since 1985, for over four consecutive years, I performed a 'show' underneath a huge red tent. Within that time, I witnessed many memorables experiences: '85 victory concert; 'L' Days; cockroaches; Burns Wyoming; I was interviewd on Canadian TV; Expo '86; Talent Oregon...and hearing such stories as 'Jerusalem in the rain'; the Corny 4; and Hot Dog surprise. I came back to the SHOW in 1990 to a set of All new set of cast members which was rewarding, knowing that I was able to pass on the education that Spirit taught me to a new generation. After the last emotional show durring Spirit's 10th Anniversary, I packed my bags becasue a circus will come and go, leaving only memories..." Spirit: "Ill see you in my rear view mirror." check out the web site: www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Studio/1722

My name is: John Le Mieux   (email: razzi@ix.netcom.com )
Member: 84-88
Section: Trumpet
Comments: I had so many great, memorable experiences in Spirit in the dawn of YBI, that I think anything I say here would be too long winded. Please update the website. I'm always interested in the current happenings.

My name is: Mike Adrian   (email: HeyBD@aol.com )
Member: 1996, 1997
Section: Baritone
Comments: I was really sad when the '98 season got canceled, I was looking forward to a hat trick at championships. I just want to say Spirit was the most fun, I miss everyone. Please write to me and let me know what's up with you. 664

My name is: Mary Jane Coombs   (email: coombsmj@whitman.edu )
Member: 1993
Section: phones
Comments:

My name is: Beth Crall   (email: crall@scf.usc.edu )
Member: 94, 95, 96
Section: Flute
Comments: Spirit was the bomb. Some of my best memories from high school came from my experiences there. I would go back to those days in a second. Well, maybe not. But only because then I would have to go back to high school. Well, I have one final comment and that would be...RED IS BRIGHTER THAN BLUE BUT BLUE IS NOT AS BRIGHT!!!

My name is: Beth Crall   (email: crall@scf.usc.edu )
Member: 94, 95, 96
Section: Flute
Comments: Spirit was the bomb. Some of my best memories from high school came from my experiences there. I would go back to those days in a second. Well, maybe not. But only because then I would have to go back to high school. Well, I have one final comment and that would be...RED IS BRIGHTER THAN BLUE BUT BLUE IS NOT AS BRIGHT!!!

My name is: Jessica Quon   (email: Slky4lyf@aol.com )
Member: '93-'95
Section: Pit, flute, baritone
Comments: I had some of the nost fun I had in years. It was a great time to spend our youth. Although I haven't kept in touch with anyone from the band, I still cherish the memories. My brother met his best friend there and I had a best friend there too. Some people got lost in the pretentiousness that other people brought in, but I loved eing with those who knew who they were. I loved the band and I movedon from it with a life lesson and a wonderful talent. Thank you to Melissa Tagatac, Mark Shwartz, my cousin Matt, Paul Paulino (for makin me laugh) Sid for makin it fun, Christie and Nohemi, and never forget Elmo who is an SOS legend. Thanks Sean for all the lessons and thank u to Will who's probably cleaning someone corporal's eyes out. Thank U spirit.

My name is: Matthew "Somolien" Enslow   (email: EnslowMatt@aol.com )
Member: 93
Section: PIT
Comments: Spirit of Sunnyvale boosted my self confidence. My playing improved tremendously!

My name is: Carla Kaun   (email: leftbraindp@hotmail.com )
Member: 1990-1992
Section: Colorguard
Comments:

My name is: BOBBY HELMS   (email: helmsisay@aol.com )
Member: 87, 88, 89, 90, 91
Section: DRUM LINE87-91, BRASS 90
Comments: I cannot thank mr. Brad Hawkins enough for all of the great memories. I wish that I had the space to wright about all the things that we shared in my years with spirit. I wish I was 16 so that I could do it all over again. One thing that really sticks out in my mind is the unstoppable 88 Drum Line, and eating at Chicago's Pizza in Seattle, and my thanks to Devin Hammer for all his instruction. I cannot thank spirit enough, to many good memories!

My name is: Amy McDavid   (email: amcdavid@facstaff.wisc.edu )
Member: 1981-1986
Section: flute, piccolo, mellophone
Comments:

My name is: Dave Watrous   (email: Neovisguru@aol.com )
Member: '86-'91
Section: Low Brass & Drum Major
Comments: Are you old school?

My name is: Alexa Westre   (email: Alexadave@aol.com )
Member: '92-'93
Section: Tenor Sax
Comments: I had lots of fun in the band and miss my old friends. E-mail me!

My name is: Alexa Westre   (email: Alexadave@aol.com )
Member: '92-'93
Section: Tenor Sax
Comments: I had lots of fun in the band and miss my old friends. E-mail me!

My name is: Carlo Casuga   (email: Aro27@Juno.com )
Member: 1
Section: Baritone Saxaphone
Comments: I think this is a great program and wish to return. Do you think Spirrit will start up again.

My name is: John Aaron Atkins   (email: jatkins679@aol.com )
Member: 1980-81
Section: Tuba
Comments: Played in Spirit during the tour to the Pacific Northwest during the year of the baseball strike. I remember playing to a rousing standing ovation for an NASL game in Portland and "forcing" our way into the Kingdome to play. Also remember some of us getting jumped by a bunch of local hillbillies at the Medford A's minor league game, a sobering introduction for many of us to racism and rednecks. Ironically, not long ago I ended up living just down the road from the stadium there in Medford for about a year... Trino, Jones, Stoney, Chuck, and Andy Takatasuka were bandmates... Brad was band director... Me: graduated from Sonoma St. (1991), traveled all around the country, lived in Idaho and Alaska, and have ended up here in Indianapolis, working on my master's degree at Butler Univ. in pharmaceutical chemistry... Was asked to play tuba in the BU marching band when I got here, which I got a laugh out of...

My name is: Sarena Jaggia   (email: seena@ucla.edu )
Member: 93, 94
Section: Color Guard
Comments: Some of my favorite memories, and favorite people, are from Spirit.

My name is: ?????   (email: ????? )
Member: ?????
Section: ?????
Comments: WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE TELL THE MEDFORD STORY!?!?!?!

My name is: Christina "MAV" Mavroudis   (email: corpswriter@earthlink.net )
Member: Mom of Emily (guard '95)
Section: Booster
Comments: Good morning: Emily's first experience with 'field' drill ('95) was this "Abyss" year. New direction, new friends, and a tour to Denver. I couldn't go, but saw the video tape and will never forget the sight of our staff members jumping and hugging each other when SOS won second place and Drum Major. Thanks for the memories Spirit! And on another note...I am saddened by the announcement that SBI has disbanded. What a horrible day for our youth! I wish all the bands luck - with or without a governing body - and look forward to seeing them on parade routes. Best and blessing.... MAV

My name is: Linda Harris   (email: robandlinda@juno.com )
Member:
Section:
Comments: I was never a member of Sunnyvale, but I am looking for info about a youth band called Los Cabelleros. I was a member from 1982 to 1988. If anyone can give me any info whether they are still together or not, it would be greatly appreciated.My years in a youth band were the greatest experiance of my teenage years. I hope that someone can help me out.I would love to contact some old friends.

My name is: Gordon Taft, Jr.   (email: gordochan@mailexcite.com )
Member: The Only year 1990
Section: Phones
Comments: It was a great memory.

My name is: Zoe Meyer Banchieri   (email: peatzoe@aol.com )
Member: 82-86
Section: colorguard, instructor 93?
Comments: Nice web site. Is the band still around? I was thinking of putting up an alumni site. Zoe

My name is: KARA   (email: )
Member: NEVERBEEN-VISITOR
Section: BARITONE
Comments: MARCHING BAND IS SO FUN. IT'S ONE OF THE BEST EXPIERENCES I'VE HAD IN HIGH SCHOOL!! GO JHS!!!!

My name is: Stacy (Rider) Stevens   (email: none! )
Member: 85-87
Section: Colorguard
Comments: Web Site? How many choc. bars did y'all have to sell for this? Hello Eric, Dave, and Amy! Good to see your names here. Haven't thought about Spirit days in years...now feeling very old.

My name is: Stacie (Fischenich) Curutchet   (email: scurutch@pacbell.net )
Member: 1982-1986
Section: Color Guard
Comments: There are so many great memories I would not know where to begin. Zoe it would be great to have an Alumni page!

My name is: ALUMNI   (email: )
Member: ????
Section: Low Brass
Comments: Will someone start a Spirit of Sunnyvale Alumni Association? It would be nice to march in a christmas parade again...

My name is: Jeremy Spike Van Wert   (email: Spikethescv@earthlink.net )
Member: 90-94
Section: Drumline Tenors
Comments: Where is the guest book? I wanna read it. Spirit was the perfect place for me to start. I ended up accomplishing increadible things in the feild that Spirit introduced me to. It offered me some fun times and some memories of the old me. I wish that the organization could still offer that to young people. It makes me sad that it is gone. SPIKE

My name is: Jeremy Spike Van Wert   (email: spikethescv@earthlink.net )
Member: 90-94
Section: Drumline Tenor
Comments: I remember some good times, some great times, and some not so good times. I remember being a dumb ass little punk that couldn't keep his mouth shut. I first started to learn about myself in those beginning years of my teens. I met my first true love in Spirit. Over all I made some really good friends and was introduced to an activity that lead me to an increadible marching career. I believe that Spirit helped keep me out of jail for the first couple of years of my teens.:) It was a good program. I enjoyed my few years there. I feel I could have done a better job being a good vet, but I guess hind sight is 20/20 isn't it? Much love, SPIKE

My name is: ALUMNI   (email: ------- )
Member: ------
Section: -----
Comments: If someone actually puts up an alum page, please put a notice in this guestbook---it seems to be the only way of getting a message to us scattered folk who would love to get in touch with old friends.

My name is: Raul Sanchez V.   (email: vivache@hotmail.com )
Member: 1990-1992
Section: Tenor Saxophone
Comments: Thanks for the dear memories and to all of those who made those times a riot! It was because of programs like "Spirit" that music became an important aspect of my life. I now do a little touring and playing of my own. I live and study in San Francisco as well as play drums for The Damsels...for music and tour info check out www.thedamsels.com...see ya at the next one with lots of love.

My name is: Jon Culbertson   (email: jon316@flash.net )
Member: '85-'90
Section: Low Brass
Comments:

My name is: Tim Foley   (email: bearatone@hotmail.com )
Member: 1992, 1993
Section: Drum Line, Pit
Comments:

My name is: Tim Foley   (email: bearatone@hotmail.com )
Member: 1992, 1993
Section: Drum Line, Pit
Comments: I dearly wish Spirit would come back with an alumni band. I learned a lot from my time in this band. I will never forget the tours I went out on, and the times I had in rehearsals. Even at 24, I still have a desire to do it again. Even my marching experiences after Sunnyvale will never be as memorable as my time in Sunnyvale.

My name is: James Floro   (email: jhembhoy@earthlink.net )
Member: '92
Section: Trumpet
Comments: Ah, the memories. So many to recall even though I was just a member for only 1 season. But hey, the bus rides, practices, and people I met made it worthwhile. Here's a preliminary start for an "alumni page". It's not much but it's a start eh? http://sites.netscape.net/baguongboy/spirit

My name is: Ginger Ellis   (email: ginger@best.com )
Member: 81 to 86
Section: Color Guard all the way!
Comments: I had so much fun being in Spirit and everytime I watch DCI or old video's of Spirit it brings back such fond memories. I have started a Spirit Alumni web site. There's really nothing on it yet (considering I just got the domain name a few days ago). It's at http://www.spiritalumni.com. Visit it. I hope for it to be up soon. Please e-mail me and let me know if you would like to know when it's updated. Take Care! (what's this Medford story?? never heard of it)