Just an introduction...

[Kasia]

Hey guys,

So I've been kind of lurking around here for a while but didn't really start posting until not too long ago (as y'all have seen with my posts in other threads). Anyways I thought I'd give you guys a little introduction, since, well, I just thought you guys might want to know about this random girl posting in your forum .

My name is Katie (Kasia is my Polish name). Born in Poland, moved to America when I was 6, finally became a very proud United States citizen on 11 May 2006 (best day of my life). I hail from San Diego, I'm finishing up my last year in college and when i'm done I'll have a B.M.

I am a big military enthusiast (a trait I picked up from my dad and gramps), but I hope to someday soon join and serve in the organization I have so much fondness for. The U.S. Army Pershing's Own Ceremonial Band is holding auditions for flute/piccolo this year and I plan on auditioning. My audition cd is to be submitted by March 28th, so I'm working hard on preparing. If I make it past the first round, then I get to go to DC and audition in person. I really hope I get it, but I have absolutely no idea what level of muscianship I'm up against so I'm preparing my little heart out. If I don't make it, I've been talking with a recruiter lately about joining as a band officer. I know, those are the poguest jobs ever, but it would be combining the two things I love the most, and I know I would be very happy doing it. I can't do anything, though, until I get my degree in June.

So that's my story, just thought you all would like to know

Katie

 

[BoazB]

Hey guys,

So I've been kind of lurking around here for a while but didn't really start posting until not too long ago (as y'all have seen with my posts in other threads). Anyways I thought I'd give you guys a little introduction, since, well, I just thought you guys might want to know about this random girl posting in your forum .

My name is Katie (Kasia is my Polish name). Born in Poland, moved to America when I was 6, finally became a very proud United States citizen on 11 May 2006 (best day of my life). I hail from San Diego, I'm finishing up my last year in college and when i'm done I'll have a B.M.



I am a big military enthusiast (a trait I picked up from my dad and gramps), but I hope to someday soon join and serve in the organization I have so much fondness for. The U.S. Army Pershing's Own Ceremonial Band is holding auditions for flute/piccolo this year and I plan on auditioning. My audition cd is to be submitted by March 28th, so I'm working hard on preparing. If I make it past the first round, then I get to go to DC and audition in person. I really hope I get it, but I have absolutely no idea what level of muscianship I'm up against so I'm preparing my little heart out. If I don't make it, I've been talking with a recruiter lately about joining as a band officer. I know, those are the poguest jobs ever, but it would be combining the two things I love the most, and I know I would be very happy doing it. I can't do anything, though, until I get my degree in June.

So that's my story, just thought you all would like to know

Katie

Well, well, well. So you're not only military (to be), but your also musical. I wish you well. My dad tried to sign up for Royal Navy during WW2, but could not be released from essential services, so he signed up coastal artillery which meant he would stay put - but yet serve. He played in the band and tells some interesting stories.

Here is one: the band was marching up a main street of the city. One guy who was playing Bass /Bombardon /Tuba because you are behind the instrument, unlikehaving it wrapped round as with a Sousaphone, one's view is very restricted. The band turned a corner... but he didn't realise until the sound of the band faded and faded away. He suddenly truned around, saw the band dissappearing round the corner, and ran after them as fast as he could!

(PS: Sousa was Polish. His surname was So. He immigrated to the US, and because he felt so patriotic of hisnew home, he had USA added to the end of his surname. SO + USA = SOUSA. He went on to become a prolific writer of military marches. )

Here is another juicy military band story: Another friend of my dad's played in the Royal Airforce Central Band. On cold days they would wear a great coat. On hot days they would not. He found the greatcoat too hot, so he took an old uniform, cut the collar off, and stuck it into the great coat. Oneday it started off with cold weather , so he reported for parade wearing his new little device. Then the weather changed! And all he had on underneath was a vest when they told them to take the great coats off!

(PS My home instrument was bass trombone. Wonderful and noisy on the front row!) Have fun with the band!

 

[BoazB]

Another little gem story I heard. I don't know if it is true or urban legend, but here it is:

The SA Navy used to have an annual visit to a small lagoon town called Knysna. To do this they would have to pass by ship across a sand bar at high tide (Waiting for a high wave to take them in.)

Part of this visit would be a march of naval personal down the main street. The Navy Band were mraching ahead, and as a small town, things happen in an unexpected way. There was a manhole uncovered.

The snare drummers marched past and warned the trombones. The trombones marched past and warned the saxaphones. They warned the clarinets, who warned the cornets and trumpets. Even the basses got warned. But the bass drummer, neither heard the warning, nor saw the offending manhole... The rest you can guess. The good side of the story? With a bass drum strapped to you, at least you can't go all the way down!

 

[BoazB]

O sorry. Here's another story. There was a tatoo for a twin city thing bewteen a South African City and an Italian city. They had all sort sort things there (Girl guides, boy scouts... you name it.) The Salvation Army band was there as well as other bands. The Salvation army band had been asked to play "Abide with me". The programme read, "The lights will be dimmed as the Hymn "Abide with me" will be played. We never thought about it until the lights were dimmed and the music grew softer and more unsure. Fortunately somebody realised that musicians need to read music and they cranked up the lights again.

 

[Kasia]

(PS: Sousa was Polish. His surname was So. He immigrated to the US, and because he felt so patriotic of hisnew home, he had USA added to the end of his surname. SO + USA = SOUSA. He went on to become a prolific writer of military marches. )

I did not know that! That's awesome though, I've played plenty of Sousa marches in my high school band way back in the day. I'm still convinced that my old band director use to be in the military, but he never really told anybody anything about himself, so it's a mystery


Thanks for all the stories! I love hearing stories.

 

[justanobserver]

Pleasure to meet you. I took my basic at MCRD there in San Diego over 30 yrs ago. Congratualtions on becoming a US citizen and I appreciate your desire to want to serve this country. Band, huh? they have their place in service and with honor. you do know, only one military band is called the President's Own and its the Marine Corps Band....

I have always felt it is an honor to serve one's country. I wish you the best. I said elsewhere I am done posting here in this section of CF but I wanted to acknowledge your thread and welcome you here.

 

[Kasia]

Pleasure to meet you. I took my basic at MCRD there in San Diego over 30 yrs ago. Congratualtions on becoming a US citizen and I appreciate your desire to want to serve this country. Band, huh? they have their place in service and with honor. you do know, only one military band is called the President's Own and its the Marine Corps Band....

I have always felt it is an honor to serve one's country. I wish you the best. I said elsewhere I am done posting here in this section of CF but I wanted to acknowledge your thread and welcome you here.

Yep...

Marine Corps: President's Own
Army: Pershing's Own
Navy: Uh...they don't have a cool name, they're just the Navy Band lol
Air Force: They don't have a cool name either, just the Air Force Band

Trust me, I've done many-a-hours of research

Don't worry, this part of the forum will get okay again soon, I have faith in the Mods (well, most of them).

 

[Angeldove97]

Hey Katie,
I have some Polish blood in me as well! Though a nice mixture of Russian and Belarussian too. (Doesn't the name Tatiana give it away?) It's great to have you here and I hope you'll stay past the bumpy rides that some of the threads take.

Both of my grandfathers fought for Russia during World War II... one was banished from Russia and his family, the other ended up in a Nazi concentration camp and got out of there with his wife soon after. One part ended up in Germany, where my Dad is born and the other ended up in Brazil, where my Mom is born. So I'm 1st generation American in my family... very proud of my country

Nice to meet you!

 

[Kasia]

Hey Katie,
I have some Polish blood in me as well! Though a nice mixture of Russian and Belarussian too. (Doesn't the name Tatiana give it away?) It's great to have you here and I hope you'll stay past the bumpy rides that some of the threads take.

Both of my grandfathers fought for Russia during World War II... one was banished from Russia and his family, the other ended up in a Nazi concentration camp and got out of there with his wife soon after. One part ended up in Germany, where my Dad is born and the other ended up in Brazil, where my Mom is born. So I'm 1st generation American in my family... very proud of my country

Nice to meet you!

My grandpa fought in WW2 as well...first against the Nazis, then against your grandpas lol I'm just kidding, but he did fight on both sides of Poland, so he did fight against Russia.

It's funny, I use to always be jealous of people who were a mix of different nationalities cause I've always been just Polish (as far back as we know we're all from here, but my dad and aunt [his sister] both have darker skin and dark hair, so I'm assuming waaaay the heck back when my ancestors from my dad's side came from somewhere closer to the Medeteranian.

 

[Angeldove97]

Ya I saw how dark skinned you were and I was like WOW She's Polish? My full-blooded Polish friends are usually light brown/blonde hair and blue eyes... so you defintely have something else in your blood too. Most of my blood is Russian so I have that "distinct" Russian look... I know guys really like Slavic girls, so be thankful of your full-bloodedness

Well as far as I know my Mom's Dad fought against the Germans (so ya your Grandfather fought against him) but my Dad's Dad fought first against the Germans and then the Russians (I'm not sure of all the details), which is why he couldn't return back home to Russia after the war ended.

 

[Kasia]

Ya I saw how dark skinned you were and I was like WOW She's Polish? My full-blooded Polish friends are usually light brown/blonde hair and blue eyes... so you defintely have something else in your blood too. Most of my blood is Russian so I have that "distinct" Russian look... I know guys really like Slavic girls, so be thankful of your full-bloodedness

Well as far as I know my Mom's Dad fought against the Germans (so ya your Grandfather fought against him) but my Dad's Dad fought first against the Germans and then the Russians (I'm not sure of all the details), which is why he couldn't return back home to Russia after the war ended.

I'm also a little darker cause I'm a swimmer and a lifeguard, so I'm out in the sun constantly hehe. But yeah, I think I would absolutely hate it if I was the stereotypical fair skinned Polak, cause I have been blessed with the ability to not get sunburned easily hehe, which comes in handy when you're a swimmer.

How weird is it that our grandpas fought against each other, yet here we are in America together in the long run? I love this world My grampa actually was in the Polish cavalry, so in the beginning of the war when the Nazis invaded they charged the tanks with horses lol. They lasted 3 days. But if you think about it, lasting 3 whole days on horses against tanks is a pretty darn huge accomplishment! hehe

 

[Angeldove97]

Well if my Grandpa didn't get banished from Russia, my Dad would have never been born and then I wouldn't be around... so woot! (Very ironic) It was sad though because he left a wife and two sons (one of which was just a baby) back in Russia... we didn't find out about them until 1990's and my Dad was able to find them with the help of two Russian boys who happen to be computer addicts (like me!) and lived in the same town.

What's odd about that even more... is that my Dad's half-brother (the younger of the two) is also named Anatoly, like my Dad.

 

[Angeldove97]

Oh I envy you! I'm pale but I do have the ability to tan slowly... I have to burn once and then I'm good to go for the summer lol.

 

[Kasia]

Well if my Grandpa didn't get banished from Russia, my Dad would have never been born and then I wouldn't be around... so woot! (Very ironic) It was sad though because he left a wife and two sons (one of which was just a baby) back in Russia... we didn't find out about them until 1990's and my Dad was able to find them with the help of two Russian boys who happen to be computer addicts (like me!) and lived in the same town.

What's odd about that even more... is that my Dad's half-brother (the younger of the two) is also named Anatoly, like my Dad.

That's insane, but it's really cool that your dad was able to find them! It's amazing, and it must have been a surreal experience for him. That's really sad about your grandpa though, having to leave his family like that. I can't even imagine it.

 

[Gwenyfur]

G-d be with you Kasia...
My daughter plays french horn in the USMC Band

It's tough...but well worth it according to her

Hope ya like to "drill"

 

[Kasia]

G-d be with you Kasia...
My daughter plays french horn in the USMC Band

It's tough...but well worth it according to her

Hope ya like to "drill"

That's awesome about your daughter!

And I am more than ready to "drill" In fact, I'm looking forward to it!!

 

[Angeldove97]

That's insane, but it's really cool that your dad was able to find them! It's amazing, and it must have been a surreal experience for him. That's really sad about your grandpa though, having to leave his family like that. I can't even imagine it.

I think it's what really hurt him. I never met... mainly cause he didn't want to see me (long story) and he died a few months after I was born. Losing your family like that must be hard... I don't know if he ever saw that consequence when he decided to be a soldier. He was always portrayed as a loud, mean, tough man, though my Dad did cry at his funeral. I'm not completely sure it's because of his Dad's death, but maybe there's deeper roots of pain. I often wonder if its why my Dad is the way he is. Not abusive, but at times judgemental and harsh... his way or well HIS WAY. heh I love him very much though... he's my Daddy of course.