This is how I remember Cherokee sounding......

[IndianFan]

You know living out of town or out of state it gets real hard for an alumni to keep up with things that are happening at PNG. That is one of the things that brought me to the web site in the first place. I also wish there was a place for ex alumni's could post fellow class mates or teachers that have passed away. If it wasn't for my mother still being local I would never know a lot about any of my fellow class mates or old teachers. Even then their are some that she misses. I know on the PNGISD web site their is a place (sectioned off by graduation year) where an alumni can post a little bit about themselves. Their is also a place for reunions, but I wish their was a place set up kind of like the alumni sight by graduation year where a person could post memorials on fellow class mates and teachers would be nice. Maybe some how on this sight, something like that could be set up. Well mods, what do you think????

Good idea EX79NDN. A category for alumni news and info has been added. A board for each class is added as well.

 

[EX79NDN]

COOL INDIANFAN!!!! :woohoo: Thanks. :clap: Now we need to let everyone know if they have any information in regards to any alumni they can post it under the year that alumni graduated. If you know of any ex alumni that has maybe an life threatening problem and is going to have a fun raiser to help with medical expenses, ex alumni that have passed away (memorials), reunion information, if an ex alumni won the Noble Peace Prize (dought it but who knows. It may happen some day), etc.. Than that would be the place to post things like that. Than all a person would have to do is go to that year and they would be able to see all the information on people that they graduated with. We could even have one on old teachers. See I did not know that Coach Hooper had passed away until the other day when we where talking about some old teachers we had in another topic. I still do not know the details. What happened? He was a really sweet man. Alot of people did not know Denny Duhon had passed away and the details about his passing. How many people know that Terry Guilbeaux (class of 77) had also passed away a couple of years ago? I think he had some type of illness. He was also one of those great football players of the 70's.

 

[bandkid]

Ok, Im sorry, but I really dont think they're intentionally slowing down Cherokee. This is only the 2nd year for the TJ Grad and the 2nd year as head director for the Vidor grad. We've played it slow for more than two years.

In response to the competition comment, we deserved a 1st division ranking this year. We didn't get it because the judges just plain didn't like the music selection. It wasn't that it was boring or that we played/marched it badly. Our music just didn't fit in with their taste. Is it right? No. But they did it, and we're just gonna have to live with it.

I dont think we need new band directors that happen to be PN-G natives. We've got great band directors as is. They may not understand some of the traditions, but that doesn't mean we need to get new ones. They just need to be told that it was played louder and faster and that that's the way the crowd wants it. Its not that they aren't willing to do it, they just don't know. We can't hold that against them.

In a lot of ways, these directors have revitalized the band. This is only Mr. Wells' second year as head director with PN-G. I can personally vouch that he has done an amazing job and that great things lie in store for PN-G if he remains at the helm.

He didn't know that we used to march the I off the field, but he was told the crowd wanted it back and he was more than happy to do so. The tempo and volume of Cherokee is virtually the same situation. Just tell him. He'll do it. You can do so through the Band Action Commitee, which meets the first Tuesday of every month in the Band Hall, you can do so through e-mail (I'm sure you can find his address through the high school webpage), you can do so through a telephone call (I'm sure you can ask the front office to connect you). But replacing the directors because of a minor lack of knowledge is a little too extreme.

Note: To disprove the TJ alumni "no-stand" thing, I offer this example. My grandmother is a TJ graduate. She doesn't go to many games, but when she does, she stands for Cherokee, and she has not one but two titanium hips, a rod in her leg, and low blood pressure. She lives here in PN-G. There is no better proof that there are Indian "implants."

 

[IndianFan]

The slow comment was only meant in reference to the fight song. No offense meant to the rest of the band performance. I agree, just let the band directors know. That's what I meant by a grassroots movement to communicate and explain.

 

[modmouse78]

This is the reply i got back from Mr. Keith.

At PNG we are always open to discussion and dialogue on ways to improve all of our programs. One of the first measures would be to contact our Band directors to voice your concerns. This contact will afford all parties an open line of communication and will help in the sharing of information that may be instrumentally helpful for all that are involved. I am sure that they would love to hear from you concerning their program and students. I will forward this communication to their attention and let them know that they will be hearing from you in the near future. Thank you again for you inquiry and concerns.



Scalp Em Indians



Marc Keith

Port Neches-Groves

High School Principal

 

[squaw]

Just wanted to share. I sent an email to Lani Randall, PNGISD superintendent, voicing my concern on two issues; (1) the need to use a process and screening fair to all HC applicants and not play "politics" when choosing a new Head Coach, and (2) my disgust at the way Cherokee sounds now and the fact that fans at the other end of our stadium cannot even hear when Cherokee is played. I hope Bandkid is right and they are just not "informed" of the importance of our fight song to our entire fan base and football program. As far as inplants are concerned, I will welcome them as long as they get on the bandwagon and become true "PNG Indian fans." If I hear "This is how we did it in PA" one more time.......

 

[IBLEEDPURPLE]

Can someone please post the current email addresses for the Band Director & Principal at PNG HS?

Many thanks.

 

[modmouse78]

The principal, Marc Keith's email is mkeith@pngisd.org
don't know the band directors email.

 

[NDNmom91]

Ok, Im sorry, but I really dont think theyre intentionally slowing down Cherokee. This is only the 2nd year for the TJ Grad and the 2nd year as head director for the Vidor grad. Weve played it slow for more than two years.

In response to the competition comment, we deserved a 1st division ranking this year. We didnt get it because the judges just plain didnt like the music selection. It wasnt that it was boring or that we played/marched it badly. Our music just didnt fit in with their taste. Is it right? No. But they did it, and were just gonna have to live with it.

I dont think we need new band directors that happen to be PN-G natives. Weve got great band directors as is. They may not understand some of the traditions, but that doesnt mean we need to get new ones. They just need to be told that it was played louder and faster and that thats the way the crowd wants it. Its not that they arent willing to do it, they just dont know. We cant hold that against them.

In a lot of ways, these directors have revitalized the band. This is only Mr. Wells' second year as head director with PN-G. I can personally vouch that he has done an amazing job and that great things lie in store for PN-G if he remains at the helm.

He didnt know that we used to march the I off the field, but he was told the crowd wanted it back and he was more than happy to do so. The tempo and volume of Cherokee is virtually the same situation. Just tell him. He'll do it. You can do so through the Band Action Commitee, which meets the first Tuesday of every month in the Band Hall, you can do so through e-mail (Im sure you can find his address through the high school webpage), you can do so through a telephone call (Im sure you can ask the front office to connect you). But replacing the directors because of a minor lack of knowledge is a little too extreme.

Note: To disprove the TJ alumni "no-stand" thing, I offer this example. My grandmother is a TJ graduate. She doesnt go to many games, but when she does, she stands for Cherokee, and she has not one but two titanium hips, a rod in her leg, and low blood pressure. She lives here in Port Neches. There is no better proof that there are Indian "implants".

I'm sorry if any of our conversations offended you bandkid, we did not intend to do so. The comments about the directors intentionally slowing down Cherokee was really just a joke, to lighten the mood i guess, I don't think they are doing that either. As far as the comments about "replacing the band directors", I was only saying if the situation were to present itself, not that I think they need to be replaced right now, I do think they are doing a great job with the band! I am a former NDN band member, so I did not mean to make it look like I wanted them "gone", not that at all, I know it did sound that way and I am sorry. I just think everyone is frustrated with everything and we are trying to come up with ways to restore that "special spirit" png is known for, that's all.

 

[PNG NDN Fan]

Directors:

Mr. Alex Wells - awells@pngisd.org
Ms. Doneane Beckhom - dbeckhom@pngisd.org

Source:

http://www.pngisd.org/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/446867/File/District%20E-Mail%20Directory%202008-09.pdf

 

[modmouse78]

Has anyone else heard anything about this. More people need to email so that they understand what we want.

 

[IBLEEDPURPLE]

Modmouse.... I posted the reply that I received from Mr. Wells on a thread titled: "Mr. Wells speaks on the tempo of Cherokee".

Although I can understand his point (allowing the Indian Spirit & Twirlers to do their routine correctly), it certainly does not address the tempo when played in the stands after a first down, touchdown or fumble recovery. The Indianette Officers & Twirlers are usually not on the track the entire game.

Also - I have known many Indianettes & Indianette Officers during the 80's, 90's. I have watched the same routine done over the years. I don't remember the previous band director slowing the fight song down so the routines would be easier on the girls and the Indian Spirit.

Not to point fingers.... but in my opinion, I think the drum majors are the ones that may need to help the band start Cherokee a little faster. They are the ones that are directing the band during football games. It is their count off at the beginning that sets the tempo for the song being played. Hopefully, if enough people express concern, we will finally hear the Cherokee we have all grown up hearing during next year’s football games.