“Its music to our ears” as the Brother Martin Alumni Band joined together for an “alumni-studded” night at the 2017 Alumni Band Reunion. Since inception in 2006, various members of the Crusader Alumni Band have participated in the reunion. “This year marks our twelfth year and the event continues to grow and gain popularity,” commented Kraig de Lanzac ’86. Many of this year’s participants have also been playing in the reunion performance since inception with de Lanzac, including David Connick ’88 and Mike Hotstream ’90.
“Each year more graduates from the classes before 2000 turn up, and we have worked to welcome more graduates. This year our participants ranged from the Class of 1951 up to the Class of 2017 graduates. Every year since 2011 we have dedicated our event to our mentor Marty Hurley, who truly enjoyed Alumni Band events,” said de Lanzac.
The night before the game, band members gathered in the Prof. Taverna Band Room on campus, socialized and rehearsed for their big night at the Brother Martin vs. Jesuit football game. They also received their official t-shirts and practiced playing some great music to entertain all! On Friday, alumni, family and friends attended a tailgate party hosted by the Office of Alumni with great food and music. Participants also met current band members at Brother Martin and shared past and current stories about what it is like to be member of the Crusader Band. Then, Alumni Band headed into the stadium joining the Crusader Band in some musical numbers and performed a few of their own. During halftime, the Alumni Band joined forces with the Crusader Marching Band and members of the Junior High Band for an outstanding performance on the field. Tunes performed were “Word Up,” “Hey Baby,” “No” and the “Crusader Fight Song.”
The Crusaders defeated the Jesuit Blue Jays be a score of 23-17. It was an all-around successful night and great time to be a Crusader!
Thank you to our Sponsors:Gold Sponsors
Kraig de Lanzac ’86
Michael Riley Smith ’16Crimson Sponsors
The Berrigan Family – Matt ’16
David Connick ’88
Michael Connick ’81
Patrick Lagrange ’81
Frank McCaskell ’81Crusader Sponsors
Beau Bujol ’14
Robert Dunne ’87
Kurt Engelhardt ’78
Steve Hart ’81
Duane LeBlanc ’90
Willy’s Auto Repair – Guillermo Valladares ’17
Next year, “we’re putting the band back together” so please contact the Office of Alumni for further information on the Alumni Band Reunion 2018 at 504-284-6700.
Thank you to our musicians, volunteers, faculty & staff, Office of Alumni, Rhen and Kraig de Lanzac ’86, Christopher Bailey ’86, Dominick Caronna ’85, David Connick ’88, Michael Connick ’81, Mike Hotstream ’90, Gavin Labourdette ’10, Frank McCaskell ’81, and Mark Messina ’06 for serving on the committee.
