VMAPA is happy to report that our continued efforts to pay off all remaining debt from the 2022 tour has paid off - literally! We have not only been able to get back to a zero balance, but we have already started putting money into our savings account toward the future of Santa Clara Vanguard. Thank you to everyone who has come out to play bingo at the corps hall in recent months!

Driving for Indoor Percussion Groups
From Director of Marketing, Eddie Montoya

The last few months, our fleet was fortunate enough to join forces with Ayala High School, Clovis High School, and Homestead High School indoor percussion programs. Three of our VMAPA-owned tractors pulled equipment trailers for these programs to both local competitions and WGI World Championships in Dayton, OH. All three groups did an incredible job and Ayala High School took home both the gold medal for Percussion Scholastic Marching World class and the bronze medal for Percussion Scholastic Concert World class! Congratulations to all participating programs and we were so happy to be included in the WGI season this year.

Road to 2024
From Santa Clara Vanguard Corps Director, Gio Bastante
 

The efforts toward getting the Santa Clara Vanguard on the field in 2024 have continued and great strides have been made. Conversations have continued between Corps Director Gio Bastante and key staff members of the Santa Clara Vanguard regarding details of what a return to the field should look like. Additionally, communication between Gio and the alumni is strong and that partnership is instrumental in the future of the organization, which is looking brighter every day.

Percussion Projects

We recently shared an incredible video of our 2022 percussion section and their final rehearsal from the summer. Be sure to check it out and be on the lookout for some more exciting virtual projects from SCV this summer!

This initiative is to support our 2023 Vanguard and Vanguard Cadets members as the summer DCI season approaches. This project aims to establish the foundation of the alumni community's presence in a season without the Vanguard or Vanguard Cadets on the field, and form a connection to the Vanguard community for the marching members.

• If you are interested in supporting this initiative, please fill out this interest form

• There will also be a Zoom meeting to answer any questions about how this network will work! 

Join the Rebuilding Committee!
Want to join the Rebuilding Committee? We meet every Wednesday at 5pm PDT on zoom. Link to the meeting can be found here or on the Calendar on scvanguard.org. If you are interested in starting your own committee, let us know! Email alumni@scvanguard.org with your ideas.

• Thank you to all who attended our April Alumni Association meeting! Some good information was shared from Corps Director Gio Bastante on plans to get the corps back on the field and a vote was conducted that approved our new bylaws. 

  • You can find notes from this meeting here and a recording of this meeting here

  • Approved bylaws can be found here

The Vanguard Star

Be A Part of creating the next round of Decades Project videos
From Mike Eng and Shannon Stamm McGhee

In case you missed it, we have published a series of documentary videos recounting the history of past years of VMAPA ensembles. We’re now gearing up to make another set of videos for years ending in 3. We have begun to form volunteer teams, and we’re now looking for: 

• Anyone interested in leading a team to work on a Vanguard Cadets or B Corps year

• People with video editing experience

Please fill out our interest form and join us!

HOF Update
From Marilyn Gill
THE VOTING FOR THE VMAPA HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2023 HAS CLOSED, and we are just weeks away from announcing our new inductees.  While we wait for the announcement, we wanted to let everyone know that the Hall of Fame Committee is planning a “live” event to present the 2023 Hall of Fame inductees.  We felt we all were overdue for a get together to enjoy each other’s company and remember why we chose to be a part of SCV. 

Initially, we were planning to include the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony with the Front & Center 2023 telethon event.  The decision was made to reschedule the Front & Center 2023 telethon until sometime after the DCI Season.  With no corps on the field this year, we weren’t certain how many alumni would be attending DCI West, but felt it would be the best chance to maximize the number of alumni in the area.  We would like to celebrate the 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees, take time to reminisce about our SCV past and catch up on the present over a good old-fashioned, traditional Gail Royer’s Special Sauce Spaghetti Dinner.

On JULY 8th, the Saturday before DCI West, we are planning a party to celebrate, our new inductees and each other.  If possible, and primarily for nostalgic reasons, we would like to hold this at the SCV Hall.  Many of you older alumni know from experience, that this will be a bit of a challenge as Bingo ends at 6:30 p.m.  In anticipation that the timing may be too tight for what we are planning, we will be looking for alternative locations as well.  Suggestions welcome!  So for now, let’s say the location is yet to be determined.   

To make this event happen, we are asking our Bay Area Alumni to volunteer their time.  While this is not a fundraiser, there is also no budget for this event, so a nominal fee will be charged to cover costs.  Right now, all we ask is that you MARK JULY 8th on your calendars and PLAN TO ATTEND.  Here is the link to our Interest Form, https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/82VY7NQ that will be used for RSVPs as well as volunteer sign ups.  If you have any questions, or suggestions, please contact us at hof@scvanguard.org.  

      Within the last couple of months, the VMAPA has recognized the need to create a presence to let everyone know that there are great things being done. As a result, I was given the opportunity to re-establish the new VANGUARD JAZZ ORCHESTRA program. The intent of this group and its program is to solidify the organizations' footprint in the community by playing for audiences in our area. This will create more interest into what our organization is about as well as spreading good will wherever people and groups will have us. With good fortune and careful planning as well as the support from people such as yourselves, the orchestra is looking to  eventually develop a new culture within our area like bringing back the "seasonal culture concert".   

      Briefly, the jazz orchestra is comprised of accomplished local musicians who have volunteered to come together and rehearse and perform contemporary jazz charts. The group also includes several Vanguard alumni as well. The group plays a diverse collection of tunes ranging from Count Basie and Stan Kenton to Gordon Goodwin and beyond. Currently we are slated to play at the next VMAPA event as well as at this year's San Jose Jazz Festival. We will also be announcing performances for you to come enjoy our music as they are scheduled in the upcoming months.

      Lastly, if you are interested in being in our group (or any of our ensembles that may be created) Please contact me. Currently, we are looking for a female vocalist as well as a guitar player.

We are looking forward to seeing all of you at our next "gig" (jazz lingo for performance!) See you all soon.

Ron Abadam - Band leader of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra

• VMAPA Alumni Association Committee Meeting May, 3rd @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm PST
• VMAPA Alumni Association Committee Meeting May, 10th @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm PST
• VMAPA Alumni Association Committee Meeting May, 17th @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm PST
• VMAPA Alumni Association Regular Monthly Meeting May, 17th @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm PST
• VMAPA Alumni Association Committee Meeting May, 24th @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm PST
• VMAPA Alumni Association Committee Meeting May, 31st @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm PST