ORIENTAL BAND ALZAFAR SHRINE

Volume 1, Issue 3
April 2013
ALZAFAR SHRINE
ORIENTAL BAND
San Antonio, Texas
Welcome Nobles all!
Thanks for visiting the Alzafar Shrine Oriental Band Newsletter. The main goal of this simple newsletter is
to provide you with news and events concerning our Alzafar Oriental Band. So lets get going!
Thanks
The Musette Newsletter
William “Bill” Nanes
President/Music Director
Alzafar Shrine Oriental Band
San Antonio, Texas
210-520-0768 Home
210-827-3596 Cell
ALZAFAR SHRINE ORIENTAL BAND
Our band is gearing up for the TSA compe on in Wichita Falls, Texas. Our horns are warming up our new mouth pieces and the percussions are
seasoning their skins and metal. We plan to enter as a small band this year. It all depends on the health of the members and their families. We
have some me yet to decide. I hope to meet some Nobles from other areas at Mid‐Winter and later in Wichita Falls.
We have been busy during our Monday night band prac ces. But be er yet the func ons we have been tasked for the support of our Shrine.
This year, 2013, we had the Interna onal IHOP Day. Our Band were tasked in manning the Bandera Road and Loop 1604 loca on.
We had the honor of having the Illustrious Sir Past Potentate Steve Molnar (at right) an Oriental Band percussionist member come by and
contribute his me to the fund collec on. The Alzafar Shrine Oriental Band President and Music Director, Bill Nanes, is pictured on his right.
Also suppor ng the cause was Nobel and Musset horn musician Dr. Charles “Doc” Beckmann, MD (re red)
si ng on the right of Brother Steve Molnar. These Nobles you will need to meet and chat with. World of
knowledge and a lot of laughs!
Other band members who a ended were Rich Thomson and Robert “Dusty” Gonzalez, both
percussionist. Also visi ng was Art Loera, Alzafar Shrine photographer (pictured at le center). Pictured
the le is Bill Nanes, “Da Pres” and Music director. Right of Art is Robert “Dusty” Gonzalez, one of our
percussionist.
ALZAFAR SHRINE ORIENTAL BAND
The purpose of the Alzafar Shrine Oriental Band is to have fun doing
what we do best; playing and marching. However, while we are
thoroughly enjoying the activities, we are always mindful of your most
important goal of perpetuating the programs of our Temple and the
Children’s Hospitals.
William Nanes, Publisher and Editor, The Musette Newsletter
Alzafar Shrine Oriental Band
William Nanes, Publisher and Editor, The Musette Newsletter
The Musette Newsletter, Volume 1, Issue 3, April 2013
The Alzafar Shrine Oriental Band had the honor of performing the opening act in receiving and installing our new Potentate 2013, Illustrious Sir, Tom Young and
his lady Rita. This was a great event. It gave the Oriental Band exposure to our visi ng guests but most important was the opportunity to demonstrate our
support to our new Potentate and our Shrine. Here are some pictures of that event.
The Band setting up for our performance
at the Potentate 2013 installation.
‘Tut and tat’ Here we go! What fun it is to
perform with the ‘Oriental Band!!”
With the Texas Oil theme in the background, the Oriental Band performs for our
Potentate and guests.
Then there was the Laredo Texas George Washington Parade on February 23rd, 2013. One of our best parades during the year. Many Alzafar Shrine Units were
there to support our Shrine. The hospitality room, Brotherhood and family members all had a good me in Laredo. The Laredo Shrine Club is an important part
of this event and presented their contribu on for the IHOP event for their community. And what a contribu on it was … over $3000.00! Great job Laredo!
Here are some pics of the Laredo events and parade.
The Alzafar Oriental Band art the parade
staging area. Ready to Go!
The Laredo Shrine Club contribution for the
IHOP event.
What a crowd it was!
THIS JUST IN !
I just returned from Mid‐Winter 2013 held in Houston, Texas. What an event! The Arabia Shrine was the host and they really did a fantas c job. The TASOB
president, Nobel John Barron, and the rest of the TASOB officers did well in organizing the mee ngs and events. Special thanks goes to the Ladies of the Arabia
Shrine who prepared and served the meals throughout the event. Every Noble and their guests who a ended Mid‐Winter demonstrated what Brethren, Nobles
and families of the Shrine are made off. Just a big family who care for children that look upon us for help. Here are a few pictures of the different events.
TASOB 2013 annual meeting in session
with TASOB president John Barron at
the helm.
Nobel Mike Hartup details
the importance of the Ladder
of Smiles donations.
Mike is the Chairman for
Ladder of Smiles, Director
of the Midian Shrine OB
in Witchita Kansas and
Past President of the
ASOB.
Alzafar Oriental Band President, Bill
Nanes, Ladder of Smiles Mike Hartup,
and ASOB David McCarthy.
David is, at this photo shoot, the 2nd
VP of the ASOB and the editor of
the Moslah OB newsletter. He also
holds other titles such as Past
President of TASOB.
Gathering for the great meal in the Arabia
Prairie room.
Arabia’s own Chief, Matt Bell
and his crew. Great theme
meal! Thanks Matt and the
assistant cooks.
Now here is a handsome bunch!
Guest speaker, Imperial Sir Jerry Gantt
Job well done Nobel John!
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Our next TASOB fearless leader,
Khiva Shrine member, John
Meyer and his lady.
Here pictured is Nobel Moe Rahmeh
(second from right), the upcoming
1st VP of TASOB.
And when it is all said and done, some
relaxation and time for a social gathering
at pool side.
T H E M U S E T T E N E W S L E T T ER
Alzafar Shrine Oriental Band
William Nanes, Publisher and Editor, The Musette Newsletter
The Musette Newsletter, Volume 1, Issue 3, April 2013
ALZAFAR SHRINE ORIENTAL BAND
2013 PARADE SCHEDULE
DATE
PARADE
LOCATION
LINE-UP
SAT. 23 Feb
Washington Birthday
Laredo, Texas
7:00 a.m.
SAT. 13 Apr
Strawberry Festival
Poteet, Texas
8.00 a.m.
10.00 a.m.
SAT. 27 Apr
Fiesta Flambeau
San Antonio, Texas
5:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
SAT. 04 May
Cornyval
Helotes, Texas
7:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
SAT. 04 May
Hobo Fest (optional)
Kirby, Texas
9:00 a.m.
10.:00 a.m.
SAT. 11 May
Bluebonnet Festival
La Vernia, Texas
8:00 a.m.
10.00 a.m.
SAT. 25 May
Memorial Day
Bandera, Texas
9:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
SAT. 15 Jun.
Berges Fest
Boerne, Texas
7:30 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
th
START
9:00 a.m. Done
THUR. 04 July
July 4 Jubliee (optional)
Schertz, Texas
8:00 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
FRI. 23 Aug
Gillespie Cty Fair (optional)
Fredericksburg, Texas
8:45 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
SAT. 31 Aug
Kendall County Fair
Boerne, Texas
8:00 a.m.
10.00 a.m.
SAT. 21 Sep
Medina County Fair
Hondo, Texas
8:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
SAT. 12 Oct
Peanut Festival
Floresville, Texas
8:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
SAT. 19 Oct
Fiesta de Amistad
Del Rio, Texas
8:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
SAT. 26 Oct
Kerr County Fair
Kerrville, Texas
8:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
SAT. 09 Nov
Veteran’s Day
San Antonio, Texas
10:00 a.m.
12:00 noon
SAT. 14 Dec
Christmas Parade
Sattler, Texas
9:30 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
ALZAFAR SHRINE ORIENTAL BAND BRIEF HISTORY
The original Alzafar Band was formed in 1940. However it was not formed in San Antonio but at a Shrine club in the valley
of Texas which was part of the Alzafar Shrine in San Antonio, Texas.
At a Flambeau parade in San Antonio years later a Nobel of the Alzafar Shrine asked for and received permission to form
an Oriental Band. It was announced in the Alzafar ARCHBAR publication and drew five Nobles. A meeting was held on
November 7, 1977 and the new Alzafar Shrine Oriental Band was formed.
In January 1978 at an official stated meeting, Potentate Floyd O. Schneider officially announced the new unit. At that
instance the stage curtains opened and the Nobles where treated with “Hoochie Kooch” played by the newly formed
Alzafar Shrine Oriental Band.
The very first Texas All State competition for the Alzafar Shrine Oriental Band was in Houston, Texas in 1978. What is
funny is that the band won this competition but was soon disqualified because someone noticed that the new band played
the wrong contest song. The tune announced during Mid-Winter in El Paso, Texas was for the following year. The Alzafar
Shrine Oriental Band did win at Austin Texas in 1980. The rest is history.
Today the Alzafar Shrine Oriental Band enjoys playing in parades and competitions. Although most of our members are
aging, they are strong as a camel. Our Musettes have been around for the longest time. No one knows for sure.
Nevertheless, they produce their unique sound at the helm of their musicians. Our percussion players are going strong as
well.
So that’s it in a nut shell. This information was taken in part from member handbook written back in 1993 and again in
1997. William “Bill” Nanes, Alzafar Shrine Oriental Band, President/Music Director, 2012/2013
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T H E M U S E T T E N E W S L E T T ER