SUMBio: Dan Sclafani

Name: Daniel L. Sclafani
Major: Music Education
Hometown: Pallet Town, PA
Instrument: Alto Saxophone

Why I did band: Honestly, I wasn’t really planning on it for awhile. I was in marching band and it was a big deal for me, we were fairly competitive and was Drum Major three of four years. Yea man, it was pretty much what I thought about 24/7. I went hardcore with the whole marching band thing, as I’m sure a bunch of people do nowadays, yet I didn’t want to add anymore marching band other than those four years. I had grown tight with the members over the years, and doing band in college wouldn’t be the same experience…or so I told myself. Even though I had no intent to join marching band, and it didn’t really play into my decisions of where to go to school, that little voice of George N. Parks was nagging me. I remember he would say the same thing (when you’re at DMA for three years you start to notice how word-for-word everything gets) about kids who never do marching band in college vs. kids who do. So, hey, I put on that I would join the SUMB, and I gradually grew excited. Don’t know why but I just started getting hyped. And then the day came. The day came man, and it was intense. Sure things are different than how they were in the good ol’ HS days like how Generation V is different from Red and Blue (and Green) versions. But what’s most important in this event we call marching band is how much we can never stop growing as human beings. That’s exactly what never ceases when we commit our time to something so much bigger than we are… nothing truly ever ends does it?

Experiences with the SUMB: There’s a lot here, but if you’re still reading at this point, you’re not going to turn back now. I remember the sugar packets or whatever we call them (still don’t know some things yet). The first time was one of those WTF (am I allowed to say that? Wtf stands for water the flowers anyway) moments in my mind but like a lot of things, hey I’ll just go with it, man. Now, in late July, I miss it. Sounds dumb perhaps, but it’s something I can always think about, it was just intense, you know? All the huzzahs and what not add something to band; it just makes everything better. Halloween day, dress up like your favorite member day (I dressed as myself) etc. etc. All those different days where something is meant to happen, build up some excitement, and you learn to cherish them. The list can go on with little embellishments or blemishes (as I learned it’s the blemishes that stand out in your memory – Supernatural, season 5 ep. 22). They have the same properties, but what they are exactly is up to our individual discretion.

Other stuff I do on campus/Syracuse: I like to swim around Onondoga lake every morning to breathe in the nice fresh water. Drink it too! Cleaner than that Icelandic water I got for Christmas (seriously Icelandic water is the freshest water you can drink). Long walks on beaches as I slowly stroll feeling the nice ocean breeze and the waves caressing my legs, then hugging them suddenly. They disappear. I can then contemplate the quality of life in its nightmarish yet beautiful forms as I watch the pink clouds quietly dance around the sun’s shining beacon crawling back behind a horizon I cannot tell where it starts or ends…

Oh sorry, I was getting ahead of myself.

I also go on running adventures around the city with my good friend. Hardcore for miles at 2 in the morning (not actually joking about this…). Explore my favorite cave, Dragon’s Den… oh wait, that’s Blackthorn city. I also go to classes, and in my spare time I study for classes. And when I’m not studying or in class I like to practice in my spare time. And when I’m not studying or in class or practicing I like to go to the Carrier Dome for marching band practice/games. And when I’m not studying or in class or practicing or going to the Carrier Dome for marching band practice/games I like to go to lessons. And when I’m not studying or in class or practicing or going to the Carrier Dome for marching band practice/games or going to lessons…. what was I saying?

I am also involved in different band programs at SU, and last year I was Pit Manager with First Year Players where I was slave driven by Rachel Dentinger and John Hylk- I mean helped with logistics and got to play in the pit as well! They’re nice people I guess.

In addition to everything, if you haven’t noticed there are a lot of references to the Japanese anime/manga/gaming franchise Poke’mon. If you don’t understand those references, then as the cool folk say, “get on my level”. “brah”. I try never to say things like that but the occasion calls for it.

Favorite color: Syracuse Orange, what kind of question is that. (green)

Favorite show: Supernatural

Favorite Poke’mon: Dratini

Favorite SU Building: Crouse College, duh.

Favorite Book(s): Moby Dick, it’s a goddamn classic, Riders in the Chariot, LOTR obv.

“If any fool can make a rule, any fool can mind it”
-Henry David Thoreau

I honestly don’t know what else to say.
Cheers, Au Revoir, etc. Go Orange, 44, Go ‘Cuse, etc.

SUMBio: Rachel Dentinger

My name is Rachel Dentinger and I come from Clifton Park, NY.

In my area (518!), we really don’t have marching band, except for at the far edges. So, even though I was a band kid since fifth grade, I really only did ensembles like jazz band, wind ensemble, etc. I decided to go to school for music education – but as a vocalist. Subsequently, I was not required to join marching band. But I started making good friends who were instrumentalists in my program and they told me that marching band was a really fun thing to do. I was nervous – learning all of the music and formations seemed daunting. But I joined the SUMB in my junior year.

Being a rookie as a junior was certainly a unique experience. I got to see what the experience is like for incoming freshman while going through it with them. I really loved that. I loved seeing my friends lead the band as section leaders and drum majors and field assistants, and I really loved the amazing performances we all put on together. It has actually inspired a lot of my senior capstone, where I am experimenting with music and movement in a more lyrical sense.

I can’t wait to rejoin the SUMB for my senior year!

SUMBio: Jordan Campo

Greetings Orangmen and Orangewomen,

My name is Jordan Campo, and I’m a senior, native to Schenectady, NY. This will be my fourth year with the SUMB, and my second as the alto sax music instructor (huzzah!). If you’re looking for some facts about me, here are some: this summer I’m an intern for PBS, I get overly defensive when someone doesn’t think “Lost” is the greatest show of all time, and my ideal major would be Reality Television Studies with a minor in Baking Cookies.

The overall experience of being a member of the SUMB is incredibly valuable to me. I’ve made friends, seen some awesome games, and learned the “Thriller” dance, which I view as being a crucial life skill. But the most significant parts of being in the Pride come to me in small moments. Like meeting cheers from strangers as we exited Yankees Stadium in uniform after winning the Pinstripe Bowl, dancing on tables with my section at The Varsity following a particularly awesome win, or former SU coach Dick MacPherson bestowing sagely advice upon the altos before a quad show.

My all-time favorite SUMB memory occurred on the sidelines of the field where we waited for the second quarter to end and our halftime show to start. A member of the opposing team took a flying leap towards us, almost hitting me and a few other band members. As we jumped out of the way, we heard a spirited member of the student section yell, “No! Don’t you dare touch these beautiful musicians!” There may or may not have been a few expletives that I chose to leave out, but that was the general idea. It was a hilarious moment that I look back on as being one of the more ridiculous, yet memorable, experiences I’ve had with the Pride. I always laugh thinking about that kid trying to defend us, even if he tried to steal our plumes after.

To our rookies–we’re excited to welcome you into our weird, endearing family. To the vets – I’m looking forward to another great and memorable year with you all.

There’s nothing finer in the land,
Jordan Campo