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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 27, 1984)
Monday, August27, 1984/The Battalion/Fage 1 IB rBARRA Choral director remembers her Jammin’ata&m escape from Communist Cuba >m Cruise By JEFF WRIGHT Reporter arents, As a 9-year-old Cuban ref ugee al- Bob Sejeii lowed to bring only three sets of Roll” in tk; Bothing and her piano books, Patty ss” again?Oi IFleitas boarded the plane for Anier- pit in “Raid. again? Ot :hard Gert r off herfe« )f ficer andi fhat’s when Jers come it ica. She left behind her p; friends and baby doll but brought with her the one thing that would di rect her life — her music. S Today Patricia Fleitas is the assis tant vocal music coordinator for the yocal Music Programs and vocal music and artistic director for the MSC Madrigal ^Dinners at Texas Bookstore si A&M University. She serves as direc- rentals, VQ' tor of the Century Singers and the imera rental! Women’s Chorus, and staff at jj “I didn’t even know Texas existed d L DeHarJ when I came to this country,” Patty “xas A&H| says. “I certainly didn’t know about project was Texas A&M.” ago. the service, other way to Is of our own don’t jet to Patty has been involved in music since she was three years old. At the age of 6, she watched her jountry, city, school, church and ome fall to Communist control, he quiet and peaceful lifestyle of lie Cuban people was disrupted by a t the VCRt, t revolution that resulted in Castro’s not unusual Hontrol. Patty’s hometown became are alrcadr the site of bombings and martial law. student doe | Her parents wanted to get her and e said heuir iber brother Tony out of the country oathizes will I before they were chosen to help in Biewar. America was the answer. 173 movie K To leave Cuba, they had to place a xaokstorek< IKquest at the American Embassy and there art I mid then wait for a telegram that ei- numberofvi (her granted or denied permission rental, whid p leave. “We stood in line for hours to put in our request,” Patty says. “All we |ould do after that was sit and wait.” After weeks of waiting, the tele ram came. Patty and Tony could ave the country. Their parents |ould not. Her father was a physi- San and the regime needed him in uba. “They said he probably would lever be able to leave,” Patty re- ■gin with lilt icster, begat ■ of demand, compete wid. DeHart said only with tht i customers.' 12.50 a day, ay, and cam Renters who at in late art /’s rent, novie camera ed to be sue n get on film dart says. Ht uses for tht ning gradua- membered as she shrugged her shoulders. On August 4, 1962, Patty and Tony and their aunt and grand mother boarded a Pan American flight for Miami. Not knowing when she would see her parents again, she left Cuba carrying her piano books in a hand-made needle-worked bag. In October 1962 all flights to the United States were closed and inter action between the two countries was impossible. The anticipated reunion with her parents seemed to be slip ping further and further away. Patty’s group settled in Miami as a refugee unit. They received money and medical assistance from the U.S. government, along with powdered milk, canned meats and cheese to supplement what was bought with money from work. She attended public schools where she learned to play the violin. In ju nior high school, she joined the or chestra. “My parents loved to hear me play the piano,” Patty said as a tear rolled down her cheek. “I missed them so much.” One day the phone rang and Pat ty’s father said they would be in Mi ami the next week. Little did his chil dren know that he had given everything he owned to be with them. He gave his home and every thing else he owned in exchange for a pass to America. Dr. Fleitas passed the American Medical Examination and got a job in Marlin, Texas, in the Veteran’s Administration. After three years, he moved his family to Bryan to open a private practice. Patty was a senior in high school. “I did not like Texas,” Patty says. “I lived for Christmas and summer time when I could go back to Mia mi.” After going to Texas A&M one summer and Blinn College one se mester, Patty went back to Miami to finish her degree in music. She re- Patty Fleitas directs the Women’s Chorus By JULIE ENNIS Reporter Members the Texas A&M Sym phonic Band and the Texas A&M Jazz Band may have different musi cal styles, but their devotion to enter taining Bryan and College Station is common. Floyd Kaminski, director and member of the Jazz Band, says any student interested in playing big band type music is welcome to join the group. He says the Jazz Band was created five years ago to let students play blues, ragtime, big-band and other related jazz music. “I have been a member of the Jazz Band for four years now,” he says. “It used to be very limited for stu dents not in the Corps to have an outlet to play instruments such as the horns.” Bill Dean, director of the Sym phonic Band, says any student can audition for the band, but mem bership is limited to 75. Dean sends informational notices about the Symphonic Band to many Texas high schools. “A lot of musically talented high school students aren’t aware that Texas A&M has a band like this,” he says. “And it’s always good to get the freshmen interested in the band early in their college career.” Kaminski says the Jazz Band has 22 members and doesn’t recruit from high schools. “The size of the band largely de pends on the type of music we are playing at that time,” he says. “Some programs need more instrumenta tion than others.” Kaminski says the band practices every Monday night during the school year in the lounge area of the Commons. Depending on the weather, the Jazz Band plays in the Memorial Stu dent Center or at Rudder Fountain on home football weekends. “The alumni really seem to enjoy the big band music,” Kaminski says. The Jazz Band also schedules noon sidewalk concerts on campus to entertain students, faculty and vis itors, he says. “We have also played for gradua tion parties and fundraising events,” Kaminski says. “We use the money that we earn from these programs to buy equipment and instruments.” Dean says the Symphonic Band members practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 p.m. to 1:40 p.m. “It’s impossible to have a rigorous schedule during the school year,” he says. “The students really practice hard to gain the most out of the short practices.” The Symphonic Band puts qn a Christmas program and a spring concert in the Memorial Student Center. The band also schedules outdoor concerts on weekdays. The first organizational meeting for anyone interested in joining the Symphonic Band will be on Tues day, August 28. The first organizational meeting for the Jazz Band will be on Monday, August 27, in the lounge area of the Commons. ceived a bachelor’s degree in music education from Barry College and a master’s degree in secondary music education from Florida Interna tional University before returning to Texas. In 1980, she completed a master’s degree in performance at the Uni versity of Texas. During this time, Patty served as interim director for the Century Singers and assistant di rector for the Reveliers at Texas A&M. When offered a full-time po sition, she accepted without reserva tion. “I love working with Aggies,” Patty says. “1 have learned the true meaning of dedication through my experiences with Aggies.” “I believe in what my daddy said when he got to America,” she says. “He said people could take away ev erything you own, but they can’t take away your education.” Although she is not a native American, Patty has become a true Aggie. She supports Aggie traditions and says she is proud to be a part of such a unique and genuine associa tion of people. A night on the town can ease the stress Jazz ensemble in the swing of things By KAREN GILES Reporter The Reveliers, a vocal jazz, pop and swing ensemble, have been pro moting Texas A&M through music for the past 10 years. J The group, directed by vocal mu- SkaggV'h sk coordinator Robert Boone, con ks of 16 singers and four instru- tentalists who perform 15 to 20 saving a bud jowseach year at banquets, conven- pns, campus-sponsored events and iveral out-of-town activities. Formal shows include the Texas &M Vocal Music Program’s hristmas concert and an annual Spring concert, scheduled next year on Valentine’s Day. “The theme will be love,” Boone The Reveliers are noted for their jnique style of presentation, Boone said. “The music , depending upon the arrangement, is about 99 percent vo- , cal jazz or swing, but we’ll throw in a lUld DC P°P now and then,” he civil engi- d he wasn’t offered raov- II try to be re en the fall st irtsaid. ),000 said.“It’s danceable music, but it’s difficult, since it’s mostly harmony and rythym.” Members are selected through two auditions, a solo singing audi tion, followed by a group audition with the Reveliers. “They must maintain their grades at Texas A&M, and prepare them selves to devote four to five hours per week to rehearsal, not including performance time,” Boone said. He said the Reveliers are a tight- knit group. “There are no individu als,” he said.“It must be a team ef fort.” Boone said the group has had little chance to travel. “We’d like to travel more, but it’s just so expensive,” Boone said. “We charge an honorarium of $45 per song, which goes back into the bud get for such things as costumes and maintenance of instrurtients.” The Reveliers have nine openings to fill this fall, and Boone said he ex pects a big turnout at the auditions. Vocal Music Director Robert Boone By JUDY OLIVER Reporter It’s been one of THOSE days. It started out with three tests, included a nagging roommate and ended with an unexpected call from mom. There is only one thing to do. It is definitely time to party. College Station’s nightlife doesn’t compare to the excitement offered in Austin or Houston, but it does have choices. No taste is too odd that at least some form of entertainment can’t be found. Popular choices for a restaurant and bar are Bennigan’s Tavern and J.T. McCord’s. For those who like to dance there is Roxz and Graham Central Station. And for a laid back atmosphere with live music, try Dr. G’s. One of the most popular dance spots in College Station is the Roxz. Steve Graham, manager of Roxz, says that Roxz is successful because it has a good location and is kept up to date. He says the students go there because of the drink specials and the lights. Graham says that 90 percent of the crowd at Roxz are college stu dents. Graham, who is manager of Teaz- ers as well, says the new club caters to a wider variety of people: cow boys, older people, and just about anyone who wants to dance. Ruthi Wiethorn, senior manage ment-marketing major, likes to go dancing at the Roxz because that is where her friends are. For those who prefer country and western music, Graham’s and The Texas Hall of Fame are available. Melissa McDaniel, a senior educa tion major, says she likes Graham’s because there is a variety of music and good drink specials. Martha Sweet, a senior chemical engineering major, prefers the Hall of Fame be cause of the live bands and large dance floor. Don Crow, ajunior me chanical engineering major, says he likes Graham’s beause of the drink specials. “I prefer a place with good drink specials, good music and a good time,” says Crow. The Zephyr Club is another pop ular night spot. Zephyr’s has lasted in College Station for two and a half years, unlike some clubs that change hands every six ntonths. All the em ployees as well as both managers are students. The employees have as much fun as the people who go there, says manager Curt Jones. “It’s a meeting place,” says Jones. Zephyr’s is a place to sit around and have a few drinks, he says. For bands the choice is Dr. G’s. Every Friday night on KAMU-FM from 10 p.m. to midnight “Live From Dr. G’s” can be heard. Peter Rocha, a senior English ma jor, likes Dr. G’s because there is no strict dress code and it gives local bands a chance to play. Depending on what a person is in the mood for determines his choice for nightlife in College Station.