ALUMNI NEWS

CHS alumni to join U.S. Navy Band

From the Mailbag - August 2002-

My name is Clayton Schapker and I graduated in '99. I played trombone while at Castle and just recently I have been accepted into the Navy band after already serving for 3 years in the United States Navy. I just thought I would give a little background on my Naval Service so you could let everyone know.

I went into the Navy in July of 1999. Upon my enlistment I went to Chicago,Illinois for Basic training that lasted for approximately 8 weeks. After completion of Basic training I went to Naval Technical Training Center Corry Station in Pensacola,Florida. I stayed in Pensacola from September 1999 until June 2000 where at that time I went to the USS Paul F. Foster DD-964. Upon checking on board to the Paul F. Foster I was assigned to Operations Department and into the Technical division. I have currently gone away on one Western Pacific Deployment and a Persian Gulf deployment but now I will continue my Naval service as a Navy Musician.

I auditioned for the Navy Band in May of 2002 and got notification that I had been accepted into the Armed Forces School of Music located in Little Creek,Virginia and I will be attending in December for approximately 8months. I hope to see you all soon.

Very Respectfully,
CTR3 (SW) Clayton M. Schapker USN
USS Paul F. Foster DD-964
Operations Department
OT Division
FPO AP 96665-1202

'75 Grad returns to roots!

Castle High School
Newburgh, Indiana
July 29,2001

Mark Eifler (Class of '75) has been named to the position of Assistant Director of Bands at Castle High School. He earned his music degree from Indiana State University. A student of H. Joseph Owens and Larry Weed, Mark is quite active as a performer and has been featured with the Evansville Symphonic Band as a soloist for the last seven years. He also serves as orchestra director at Crossroads Christian Church.

Mark was previously a teacher of instrumental music at Plaza Park Middle School in the Evansville Vanderburgh School System.

Farewell planned for Glenn Northern

Pizza Chef Restaurant
Newburgh, Indiana
July 18,2001

Mr. Northern will begin a new teaching job at Penn High School (Mishawaka, IN) effective July 23, 2001. We wish him the best of luck in his new position and extend our gratitude for the hardwork and dedication he has exhibited during his seven year tenure with the Castle Band Program.

A farewell for Glenn has been planned for this Friday evening (July 20th) at Pizza Chef starting at 6:00pm. Plan to come and share your memories.

Jerry Reese honored at Gala 50th birthday bash!

Crossroads Christian Church
Evansville, Indiana
December 29, 2000

Hundreds of alumni, including former students, staff, and boosters gathered at Crossroads Christian Church to honor Jerry Reese at a surprise 50th birthday gala. Jerry's wife Chan had been secretly planning this wonderful evening for almost two years.

Randy Wheeler, past Castle Band Booster President began the evening as the master of ceremonies by welcoming a stunned Mr. Reese as he was greeted by an extended standing ovation after walking into an auditorium for what he thought was a church related program.

Alumni Band 2000 consisting of some of Jerry's former band students played three selections.

Ken Kreke, Jim Miller, and Barb Hansen each shared stories with those gathered to honor this teacher, mentor, family member, and friend along with a short humorous video clip. The Evansville Brass quintet played two selections that had been arranged by Jerry. David Rinehart, Linda Bernhardt, Treva Pruden, and Dan Hendricks combined for music and an accompanying band slide show. Vickie Carter sang the touching song You Were Loved as slides were shown from Jerry's life.

A reception followed in the gymnasium where alumni visited over refreshments and viewed the many scrapbooks from the different eras of Castle Band history.

Castle Band Alumni Foundation Established

December 29,2000
Chan Reese has announced the formation of a a new foundation to benefit the Castle Band programs and allow past alumni and boosters to remain a part of a program that has molded future generations. She has been in contact with many of you already, but there are so many alumni yet to find. If you have not been contacted, or if you have information on former Castle Band students or staff, please drop her a line.Chan Reese

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