I am a Rutgers Alumnus who put in my four years in the RU Band from 1969-1973.
My first ever performance was televised nationally as the 100th anniv of college football, yet the crowd was barely 29,000 fans.
Wanted to express my appreciation for the performance by the KSU Band. I always enjoyed a brassy sound more than many current shows display, and your tribute to the band "Chicago" was terrific.
Thoroughly enjoyable was the K-State Band and you can pass along my kudos to your students.
Ralph J Cicchelli
Rutgers 1973

Just a note to let you know how much we appreciate all that you and the band do. The K-State Marching Band always is great. We are so proud of the band, they represent the University with such pride. All season we have enjoyed the half time program and just watching the band members durning the game and their enthusiasm. They all did us proud at the bowl game. We do have the best in the nation. Thanks Band--We are K-State.
Linda and Mike Gibson
Paola, Kansas

On behalf of the K-State Alumni Association Board of Directors and staff, I want to once again extend our appreciation to you, your staff and the members of the K-State Marching Band for performing at both the pep rally and pre-game events in Houston.  Our alumni and fans always look forward to the excitement and spirit the band adds to our events!

Amy Button Renz
K-State Alumni Association President

To Dr. Frank Tracz and the ENTIRE K-State Band:

We wish we could write to each one of you and thank you for your outstanding performance and extra hard work at the Texas Bowl!  No doubt about it, the K-State Marching Band won! 

We thoroughly enjoyed your performances at the Pep Rally, the President’s Club breakfast, the pregame party, and during the game.  That had to be an exhausting day for you all!

Thanks so much for all you do,

Sam & Dean Moore

Central States Marching Festival (2006 - 2009)

Dr. Tracz and the KSU Band Staff,

Thank you so much for the opportunity to participate in the Central States Marching Festival. Our clinic at 8:00 a.m. was extremely helpful. Our band was very impressed by the student staff and section leaders during our clinic. It really helps to have someone new reiterate what is said during our regular rehearsals. In spite of the freezing cold conditions, your organization was warm and receptive.

The entire day went smoothly for our band. That is the result of all the hard work that all of you do every day. My kids were absolutely blown away by the KSUMB’s evening performance! They could not stop singing Journey on the bus trip back! 90% of our band members are die hard KU fans, but after your performance, some are seriously reconsidering. I am proud to have been a member of “The Pride of Wildcatland” years ago and I am happy to see how you continue to improve.

By the way, I saw your performance with the Boston Brass last weekend. One word: phenomenal!

Sincerely,
Mr. Mac Knight
Director of Bands
Eudora School District, USD 491

Frank:

Just a quick note to say "Thanks" to you, your staff and the members of the marching band for a wonderful day yesterday. K-State does a wonderful job of organizing and running the festival. The band members are especially friendly, courteous, helpful and polite. Everyone works to make the day a pleasant and memorable experience.

Despite the weather, it was a fun day filled with exciting moments. Please let the students know how much we appreciate their efforts in working with all the bands who participated in the festival. BTW - the K-State band was incredible!!! Your performance was stunning! The marching was exciting and precise. The music was strong and full. Great sound!! Despite my age, I even knew a lot of the words to the Chicago music. Your performance was a fitting end to a great day, with two exceptions - the two superior ratings achieved by the Blue Valley North bands.

Thanks again for a great experience. All in all it was a very enjoyable day. You should be very proud of your students and staff. They did themselves proud not only in how they helped the visiting bands but with their marching performance on the field.

Best of luck in the future. Here's hoping you all make it to a bowl game this season.

Best Regards
Roger Randall

Good morning,

I wanted to say thank you for all your hard work on Central States Marching festival. My band had a tremendous time and couldn't have asked for a better experience on Saturday.

Also, the KSUMB was just oustanding. My students were just blown away by their performance. I have many students who are excited about becoming members of the KSUMB in the near future! Thanks for your hard work and professionalism. I know I have said it many times, but I can not be more proud to call myself an alumni of Kansas State and of the KSU band program.

Thanks again, and Go Cats!

Darren Brooks
Assistant Director of Bands
Salina South High School

Mr. Frank Tracz,

I just wanted to say a good job well done on Saturday's performance! I'm a friend of a clarinet player and I love to watch marching band shows so I decided to come see yours. Your Chicago show was great, I truly enjoyed it. In my opinion though (and no offense), Journey was by far the best I've seen. You've come a long way with your group and I appreciate all the hard work you have done. Of course there is improvement for any show, but as I intently watched, I found that most, if not all, lines were straight, everyone was in step and the sound was fantastic. From an audience member perspective it was really a great show. So thank you again.

Kevin Pham

Frank,

I just wanted to thank you, your staff, and your kids for another outstanding festival Saturday. Despite the miserable cold everyone seemed to have good spirits, and as always we received good critiques that will help us with the rest of the season. All of the KSU Band members we worked with were very polite and helpful. Also I want to thank you all for taking the time to put all of our comments on a CD...what a fantastic idea and help to us! (I can't believe how hard it is to find a cassette tape player these days!!!) I also really, really enjoyed the KSU Band's show!

Many thanks!


Justin W. Love
Director of Bands
Olathe North High School

Dear Dr. Tracz,
I just wanted to inform you that not only my parents were impressed with our performance, but so were the students present. After we completed the pin wheels during the drum break, my parents overheard a couple of high school band members saying- " THIS is why I am coming to K-State for college!" I believe even though it was cold we accomplished our mission and delivered one solid WOW factor as you have put it.

Paul Hensley

Dr. Tracz,
I’m glad to sound like a broken record. Awesome job, again. Despite the cold, everything went very smoothly. Thank you for all that you do for us.
Jamie

Jamie Rogers, Music Teacher
Mission Valley Schools

Frank,

Thanks so much for the opportunity to judge again this year. It is always a pleasure to return to Kansas, work with colleagues, and see you all. As always, your organization and hospitality were terrific. I was really impressed with your band - great sound, drill, and execution.

Larry Blocher

K-State staff-
As a first time participant in the marching festival, I just wanted to say thank you for a well run program. It was a very positive experience, and we hope to be able to participate in the future. From the clinic, to the video critique, to the performance, to helping with our pit equipment, we had a wonderful day…thanks again.
Chad Reed
SM North

Dr. Tracz, Thank you for a great day this past Saturday. I really feel your festival was exactly what our band needed. My students came back energized and excited about marching band. Even better you got them to breathe and want to do breathing exercises. I had several student come to me afterward and mention they felt we need to do that every day.

Matt Bradford

Deb
Would you please accept and share my sincere appreciation for the hard work and planning that went into the CSMF. My students and staff always feel welcome, as though they are appreciated guests and respected as performers. Your staff is so efficient and they work at making it a pleasant experience for the visiting groups. Not many (if any) festivals promote this atmosphere. I am one of few, but I feel that music is the last area in which someone does not need to lose for another to succeed..it was great to see all the high school kids having a great time, appreciating each other and being rewarded for their efforts to share music.

PLEASE thank Frank and Anthony for me.
Marion K. Roberts, D.M.A.
Director of Bands
Blue Valley North High School

Dr. Frank Tracz, staff and members of the Kansas State University Marching Band:

I want to thank you all for a fabulous day at Central States Marching Festival. I am so happy that there are still places that promote education over ‘winning’, where bands can come together to learn from and support each other and not try to ‘beat’ each other. The entire day was a wonderful educational experience for my students, enhanced by the professionalism of every person that we worked with during the day.

And there could not be a better close to the day than to end with such a magnificent performance from one of the finest college marching bands in the world. I have had the great pleasure to attend a couple of K-State games this year and have immensely enjoyed every aspect of the band’s performance. There might be some others that are as good; by I can’t believe there is a better band anywhere.

GO CATS!!!

Chris VanGilder
Director of Bands
Arkansas City High School

Just wanted to say thanks for everything today at Central States. You and your staff deserve a big pat on the back. What a great experience for everyone involved. I know how much work it takes to make the day as successful as it is! As you say - Ya done good.

The band was just awesome. Love all the step - two work. It makes me proud to say that I am an alumni of the KSU band program. I know that I couldn't be the teacher/person that I am now without my years at K-State.

Darren Brooks
Salina South High School

Many thanks goes to you and your staff for another "job well done."  As always, the festival is a great experience for the students!  Thanks for providing us with the opportunity. – Erica Lindberg (Dodge City)

On behalf of the Louisburg Marching Band and traveling supporters, An enormous amount of gratitude is extended to you, your staff and colleagues for rearranging the day and getting everyone inside for their practice and competition performance. It made a world of difference in our band’s practice and performance.  Your concern and quick thinking was greatly appreciated. I look forward to upcoming KSU Marching Band, Concert and Symphony Band performances and Louisburg’s spring time trip for our concert band performance at KSU.
Steve Town (Louisburg Band Aides Chairman)

Great day and thanks for moving it inside. My kids had a good time and I am so thankful you held it inside. - Kim Harrison (Shawnee Mission East)

Thank YOU for having the festival. The parents of my students who came to watch the band expressed to me how impressed they were with how organized the festival was run despite the changes in plans. Hats off to another great CSMF. Thanks again, and we'll see you at CBC if not sooner. – Jamie Rogers (Mission Valley Schools)

Great Job today on running your festival under crummy conditions!!! We actually enjoyed playing in the inside stadium. – Neal Purvis (Shawnee Heights)

Thanks for all the work you and your staff did to put on the festival. I especially appreciate the flexabiltily you had in allowing working with the schedule so we could have all our kids march. This is the first time the De Soto Band had attended a large marching festival in many years and I thank you for making it such a great experience for our kids. Your student workers were very helpful and professional especially given the
adverse weather conditions. We enjoyed it! – Justin Love (DeSoto)

Just got home and have to thank you for a wonderful time at Kansas State and your Marching Festival.  Even under the stress of severe, nasty weather, you made the transition from Outdoor to Indoor seem like you had planned it for months. The amazing thing for me was that your band “volunteers" knew that PLAN B would be amazing because you are THE MAN! They are so proud to be working/playing for you. Congrats on making what was a miserable day an absolutely fabulous experience for all involved. – Jim Oliver (Meyer Music)

Frank,

Thank you and all of your students and staff for a great festival. Only folks who have hosted an event on this level really understand what it takes to make it work so well, and what a wonderful educational event it is for students and directors (those directors who actually believe that they are there for the kids).

Thanks so much for including me in the day. I always enjoy getting back to Kansas.

By the way, I thought the K-State MB was outstanding! The sound was mature, the drill was exceptional, and the show was really exciting. I think it is your best MB yet! Congratulations!

It is so exciting to see all of your hard work pay off. You keep setting the standard for all of us!

Thanks!

Larry Blocher

Weather=Beautiful
KSUMB=*&$%*&! AWESOME Festival=Well organized as always.
Judges=Great! Your band really was outstanding. Probably one of the best shows I've ever seen you do.
Luke Chaffee

I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful day on Saturday. As always your staff and students were top shelf and provided a wonderful learning environment for the festival. It has been a few years since I have had a band at Central States, so I did come in with “fresh eyes.” the atmosphere, the adjudication and the overall “feel” of the day was great.
Thanks Frank and your staff for taking care of business and doing things right!

Frank and Anthony - I enjoyed the whole contest last Saturday. You run a quality AND "on time" festival. I'll have to admit it's been a long time since I have seen your marching band and it is awesome! I told the kids about it Monday morning. Rebecca Bush (piccolo in your band) is having the time of her life! ........and for those of us born and raised on "step two" drills, THANK YOU!!! Don Buhler, Pratt

Don Buhler

Band Day

I wanted to pass on to you how impressed I was with the performance of the 24 bands on the field at halftime. That so many could perform together and with such precision is a testament to your skills as a trainer and director. I was especially delighted to hear the 1st Division Song played by all. Never have I heard it as beautiful. Of course, I was in the President's box and I'm sure the other dignitaries in the box were surprised to hear me singing the words as your bands played. Thanks again for incorporating the 1st Infantry Division Band with yours. It was a wonderful performance.

Vincent K. Brooks
Major General, US Army
Commanding General, 1st Infantry Division and
Fort Riley

Letter from Becky Hughes, Campus High School

On behalf of the 1st Infantry Division Band I want to thank you and your band for a tremendous KSU/Ft. Riley/Band Day this past Saturday. Despite all of the moving parts and pieces of that day, it was a tremendous success. Many of my band members have been praising the professionalism of your band and how easy your staff is to work with.

CW3 W. Scott MacDonald
Commander and Conductor
1st Infantry Division Band

I just wanted to thank you for the opportunity to come to Band Day this year. As always, the event was well organized and well run by you and your staff. My kids really had a great time and are looking forward to next year. Also, I thought you should know that I was extremely impressed with your clarinet section. We were located in the top of the "U" and were surrounded by them. The KSU clarinets played very well and were a good example to my kids on how a clarinet section should sound.

Again, thanks for the opportunity to attend Band Day!

Shawn M. Knopp, Director of Bands, Smoky Valley High School

Thank you for band day! I know my kids enjoyed everything, and the reasons that I wanted to bring them were fulfilled:

1. Playing in front of other people.
2. Seeing/hearing other high school bands, as well as the KSU band (which sounds GREAT, by the way).
3. To experience the atmosphere of a big-time college game and witness the band's contribution to that atmosphere.
4. To have fun!

I knew it was going to be a good day when we unloaded the bus before the parade. We had some down time, and a larger school's drum line started warming up right in front of my kids. It wasn't long before my kids were staring and I had to walk around and pick their jaws up off the ground. They got to see and hear things they hadn't seen in person before - things that they liked and now know are possible! They could see where we compare to other bands at the moment, and I hope it instilled in them a desire to work toward a higher level of performance and discipline as our year progresses.

Plus, in spite of the chilly weather, they HAD FUN!!!

Thanks again for all you and K-State do for music educators and our students in Kansas!

Ryan Nichols, Director of Bands, Valley Falls USD 338

KSUMB

Our band yesterday (vs. KU, November 7, 2009)

This may have already been posted - and I hope so - and it needs to be done again. Our band ROCKED yesterday! From my new-and-awesome seats (and I use the term seat loosely! LOL) in Sec. 23, I could hear the other band :) during the game. They were so sloooow and draggy and brassy that they sounded like an old-time military band (no offense to them - they are good at what they do). That kinda surprised me, because you would expect them to be fairly good. Then their halftime show almost put me to sleep. When our band came on with their full-out fanfare start and uptempo music and great quality sound and visual - WOW! I feel sorry for those who felt that another drink, or whatever, in the parking lot was better they really missed out. There is always an unwritten 'battle of the bands' at the ku game, and we WON this one big time! Way to go Pride!

--
Justin Nutter
Sports Editor
Kansas State Collegian

Hi Dr. Tracz!

Just wanted to thank you for how your band handled itself at Arrowhead. We were so impressed that you could tell where the band members had sat...the area was totally clean! Thank you for running a class program! They did better than lots of alumni in the parking lots!! And thanks also for whatever pull you had to get the game to be at 6:00 pm for the 17th! LOL!! Preston is thrilled that he won't have to miss marching...his sister's wedding and a game in the same day! He is loving marching band and has made a great transition to college life. Band is much more than performing on the field or getting the crowd into the game...wish more people would see what it does for the kids!! Please extend our thanks and appreciation for the way the band performed and cleaned up after themselves...did not go unnoticed!

Go CATS!
Terrie Galle

Dr. Tracz,

I wanted to say thank you for giving Lee Ann and me the opportunity to participate in the halftime show at Saturday’s game. Doing the Wabash in the stands is a lot of fun, but doing the Wabash and Wildcat Victory while standing at the 50 yard line of Bill Snyder Family Stadium, in the middle of the percussion section with our son, Michael, and the entire KSUMB is a moment that I will never forget. I know why Michael is so proud to be part of such a great organization, one of which that Lee Ann and I are equally proud to be “part owners.”

Keep up the great work, Dr. Tracz! We look forward to your next performance.

JMS

P.S. The new uniforms look great!

John M. Sturd
President
Union State Bank

Hey Dr. Tracz,

I came to the football game this Saturday. I haven’t seen a half time show of KSU since I played in the marching band in 03-04. You were awesome! Just wanted to say congrats to the marching band on a terrific first performance. Even though I played in the drum line, I hardly heard the feature because I was busy trying to figure out the marching sequence of the rest of the band. Everyone sitting around me was impressed by the show as well. From where I sat, the drum line and tubas were about ½ a beat apart during Wabash on the field, but it was no different when I was there if I remember right! Enjoy the rest of the season.

Jennifer Altwegg
(formerly Jennifer Cordell)
03-04 Bass drum

Dr. Tracz, we just wanted to send a quick thank you for everything you did to make Saturday a very enjoyable day. Everthing went very smoothly...we did not experience any bumps. It was the experience of a lifetime to stand on the field while the band played. Great music, new uniforms, new/old coach, winning game, the best band director. I'll use Sam's words to express the sentiment: "It was Epic!" Thanks again!

Mike and Teresa Mustain

Dr. Tracz,

I wanted to say, "Thank you!" for allowing the alumni band to participate in the activities this past weekend. The alumni always enjoy getting together to see each other again, but it was a pleasure to see and hear the band start another season. I'm sure you'll hear a lot from others about the how the new uniforms looked, but I wanted to comment on the playing and marching.

I watched from the sidelines right in front of some piccolos as they began a step-2 drill. That was intriguing for the first halftime show, but the transverse step-2 drill was even more impressive. Some of the piccolos looked a little scared, and all of them were counting furiously to themselves, but it looked pretty good. The sound was harder to appreciate because we were behind the band on the field, but the overall sound was also impressive for being the first show.

Thanks again, and tell the band to keep up the good work - we look forward to seeing and hearing them over the next few months!

- James McReynolds '96-'99

Dr. Tracz,

Thank you SO MUCH for all your hard work in organizing and carrying out the band uniform fund drive! That was quite an accomplishment in a relatively short amount of time.
The uniforms looked fantastic, and we heard alot of good comments on them from folk at the game.

I was especially THRILLED to be on the field with the band, and am now trying to think of another way I can do so! ha I loved being among the students as they played . I had been looking forward to it for weeks and telling everyone I knew. It was a great thing to do for the donors.

Thanks again,
Emily Arpin

Mr. Tracz-
Clayton and I want to take this time to thank you for making us feel so special. It was, you know, all those special young people in the best band in the Big 12 that needs all the thank yous. Continue to know K-Staters like us will continue to support and cheer The Pride. Thank you again for being part of one of the greatest weekends in K-State history.

Clayton and Celia Olson
1609 S. Garfield
Junction City, Ks 66441

From: Mann Family
Date: November 14, 2008 5:50:47 PM CST
To: <ftracz@ksu.edu>
Subject: KU Half Time

Please accept my Thanks and Appreciation for the performance of the Pride
at the ku game. We lost the game but in the battle of the bands, KSU was
the clear and decisive winner. An OUTSTANDING half time show.

Go 'Cats!

Greg Mann, '75
Norton, KS

Just a quick note to let you know the band sounded great and the drum break was awesome at the game Saturday. Everyone around me in the stands commented on the intricacy and length of the "cool moving diamonds." One person even commented on the extra time the band must have put in to learn those moves. Haha.

Stands tunes also sounded great. We sit in the SW corner of the stadium and can hear the band loud and clear. Simply put.. The Band. Is. Hot.
Katie Eads

Frank: Both Montana St and yesterday were superb! From the moment the band 1st enters- thru the game- half time- and after the game, it's all top notch Big XII presentations! The half time shows are each wonderful in their own right! Watching all those pattern changes yesterday seemed pretty intricate. Thank you for time after time exciting presentations!
The pre-game movement from KSU to K-State to Wildcats is pretty great- and the team running onto the field thru the band corridor is such a positive way to start the game! Thanks again for the best! Not to leave unmentioned the music part of the production is such a high caliber with each aspect to the day! Band Day was wonderful with all those high school band members. You're providing great exposure for those kids to KSU!
Sally Hoesli

DT and DP,

KSUMB’s performance at Junction City was amazing. As you could probably tell by the noise, our students (and the crowd!) really enjoyed it. During the show, I was on the back side line with our tuba section. My “favorite” tuba player exclaimed, “Mrs. Worcester! They’re all in step!” He also noticed that everyone was getting their knees up during the high step (he has been struggling with that as well!).

My parents were visiting, and they helped with the pizza dinner before the game. My mom wanted me to tell you that she truly appreciated the numerous “thank you’s” that she received while serving the pizza. Several band members also stayed behind in the cafeteria asking what they needed to do to clean up. Just so you know, they did “leave it better than they found it.” My mom was extremely impressed by hundreds of hungry college students remembering their manners!

We appreciate you coming to perform for us. The band showed our students that it is possible to have hundreds of people stay in step, keep the instruments up, and play with a good sound. We can’t wait to see them perform again at CSMF!

Thanks,
Sharyn Worcester

Hi Dr. Tracz,

How are you doing? We are doing great! We were at the game on 09-27-2008 and the band was Amazing!!!! They sounded incredible!!!! My 4yr old son was very excited to see the band. I told him mommy was in the K-State band. It was a close game. I was happy to see K-State win it. I don't know if you knew, but I was given a music scholarship my freshman year to go to UL Lafayette. I was in their marching band my freshman year. Their football team was horrible back then. I was surprised to see how they played. I wore my KSU shirt and my red UL Lafayette hat. In any case, I was just emailing you to let you know that I'm very proud to have been a member of the KSU Marching Band. I have very fond memories of my days at K-State. The band is great. You guys looked awesome. Keep up the great work!!!!!

Musically,
Jennifer Haake Lopez
Piccolos 2001-2003

Hi there, it was great to see you guys this weekend! I just wanted to send you a quick e-mail to let you know that the performance at the Chiefs game on Sunday was GREAT! The people sitting behind me said it was the best part of the game (which is saying a lot because the team was actually winning that day :) ) I know that going to that game is such a hard day for the band and you, but they did such a nice job! I also wanted to tell you that I LOVE that the Classy Cats march with the band. It truly does make it look like "one band" and not the band and the Classy Cats. I loved to see that unity. Anyway, just wanted to say great job!

--
Thanks,
Jessica Murphy

Dr. Tracz:

Thank you for showing us what a marching band can do! As I took a moment to sit at halftime last Saturday, the Pride of Wildcat Land took the field. My attention was drawn to your show as each moment the musicians, the flags, the twirlers, the drum major(ettes), and the support staff (moving flags & platforms) put on a spectacular show. The focus and intensity on the faces of the band as they marched and played screamed for my eyes to watch directly from my 17th row 40 yard line seat on the West side. The beauty of the intersecting lines and gently curving arcs as visible on the giant screens exercised my neck muscles as I tore my attention from directly watching to the high angle shots. Wow!

In the middle of an extremely competitive and superbly sportsmanlike football game blossomed an astounding example of a “real” halftime show! Thanks! I felt like I was watching one of those “how they used to do it” showcases of magnificent marching, precise playing, and triumphant teamwork! Great Job!!!!

Will there be a DVD of the band?-)

Pressing on,
Kenny
KSU ‘78

WOW!!!
I'm a former band member (flag) that graduated from KSU in 1980 and was at the CU/K-State game last night. The band was spectacular!!! I have never seen it look and sound so good!!! I was so proud of it!!!!! I loved the marching formations at the end! I heard many people say that they also thought it was the best it has ever been!! The flags were wonderful! The Classy Cats were fabulous! And the twirlers were top notch.

I live in the Denver area and get frustrated at the high school football games halftime performances by the bands. It is more dramatics than marching band. Wish they could have seen the pride of Wildcat land last night to see what marching bands should look and sound like!!!

Keep up the good work!!!
Go CATS!!
I'm wearing my purple today and will wear it tomorrow - my husband says I'm rubbing our victory into the CU fans. Maybe I am, but I'm a proud fan of those CATS!

KSU alumni,
Loretta Pacey Sampson

Frank,

First of all, the band's halftime performance on Saturday was fantastic. I'm a sophomore ICAT ticket holder, and it has been a pleasure to have the band play towards the student section two weeks in a row. I was very impressed with the entire sound and marching effort of everyone (it must be hard to high-step that many counts!). Specifically, the drum feature was very powerful and entertaining too! I might be a little biased though because I'm a drummer. :) As the former field captain of the Shawnee Mission South band, I realize how much work the staff puts in and especially the students. The finished product turned out great, and I hope the band saw the students' standing ovation afterward. I'm looking forward seeing the band's future shows, and again great job to everyone!

Sincerely,
Jonathan Potter

Just wanted to say great job on the halftime show this past Saturday. The band truly showed the fans just how hard they work and how full of Pride they are. I was not sure if you noticed but the Colorado band members gave you a standing ovation. Keep up the great work!

Brent Logan
Natural Resource Specialist
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Milford Lake, Ks.

Dr. Tracz,

Congratulations to you and the band on a magnificient show this weekend!!! It was the best show I have ever seen a K-State band perform for a half-time. You know that I am a band "geek" at heart, but did want to pass on my congratulations! The drill was amazing and the sound of the band was AWESOME!

Best of luck on the rest of the season! I will keep in touch and always be watching and listening!

"Good Golly" Mollie

Dr. Tracz,

Please let the band members know what a terrific job they did on Saturday. They just get better and better. As their director I hope you never leave KSU and are here the rest of your career!

Our guests for the CU game were my husband's cousin, wife and child visiting from Laguna Niguel, California. Glenn is a KSU Veterinarian and had not been back for a game in 25 years. He was amazed at our stadium, the campus, and our BAND.

The 2-a-days in the heat, the hours of practice and all the preparation are now providing the fans with inspiring performances. First Class!!

Thank you.
Barbara Craft, Emporia
Go CATS!
P.S. When we retire to Manhattan I hope to thank you in person sometime.
We did ride our purple Harley on Harley Day and will have our purple Model T
in the Homecoming Parade. Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat!

Once again I brought students to your campus and witnessed the highest level of professionalism, organization and teaching. I have parents ask me why I am always taking students to events at K-State and rarely go anywhere else and I tell them that you are often the only ones that offer these types of activities and no one that does try to do them does them even close to as well. Its a long drive for us, but well worth it.

Thank You and please keep up all that you do to support music education!


Chris VanGilder
Director of Bands
Arkansas City High School