Who Knew!!

"It took me years to realize that Chip Davis of Mannheim Steamroller was our Instrumental Music teacher's, Gregg Hansen, friend from Michigan.  He arranged many of our marching band and symphonic band pieces. Three years after we graduated Chip put out his first album, Fresh Aire.  I was at a Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Concert a few years ago and Mr. Hansen was conducting the orchestra!" (copied from Michelle Dean's profile...)

'Variations for Band' is from the 'RECORD' the band recorded at Weber in 1972. Chip Davis wrote this for us! (His name was actually Louis F. Davis Jr. at the time.)

Here is a tiny pic of the Marching Band

So, I eMailed the fan club Mannheimsteamroller.com

From: Michelle Dean-Jackman <msmdmdj@gmail.com>
Subject: Davis High School 40th Reunion
Date: July 16, 2012 8:26:37 PM MDT
To: mailbox@mannheimsteamroller.com

I'm pretty sure these emails don't get to Chip Davis very often. I would like you to send this on to him.  


Dear Mr Davis, or may I call you Chip,

I have 'known' you for a long time.  I was a band member of the Davis High School Band graduating class of 1972 (funny how it is 'Davis' high school).  I played Glockenspiel in the marching band and Oboe in symphonic band.

You are a friend of our Band Teacher, Greg Hansen.  It took me a few years after high school to put together that you were the one who did some arrangements of pieces for our Marching Band.  Do I remember 'Chicago' being one of them?  We also were the FIRST to perform your piece 'Variations'.  I'm trying to locate someone who has the record we recorded.  The following articles talk about that piece.  It makes me feel that in a way you are a part of our graduating class.  Was it two years later you put out your first 'Fresh Aire' album?

I am living in Salt Lake City and a few years ago went to one of your Christmas concerts.  It was the "go to" concert (and always is). I was so surprised to see Mr. Hansen conducting your orchestra.  I was able to talk to him afterwards and catch up a bit.  Had we as a class known we were in company of SUCH greatness...  not sure teens can know such things.

It is our 40th High School reunion and I am wondering if you could come do a concert for us on August 16th this year?  I'm only kidding.  I'm actually wondering if there is something I could wrangle out of you for our class reunion.  Our band members would be particularly awed.... Well they were always odd anyway like most musicians.  Maybe you could come up with the 'Variations' piece we did of yours...

I really am a fan, just joined the club, actually.

I would be wildly ecstatic just for a reply...

Michelle Dean-Jackman

I also sent the above articles and picture. Will I or will I not get a reply?  Who's guessing?

YES !

Not from Chip but.....close.

On Jul 19, 2012, at 1:54 PM, L Stout wrote:

Michelle,

    I was given your email today.  I have been responsible for cataloging Chip's album library and I have never seen a recording of "Variations for Band".  I hope you can find one among your high school friends or maybe in the Davis H. S. Band files.  If you do ever find one I would sure like to have a cassette or CD copy of for our library.
    If you would like the sheet music to "Variations for Band" I would be happy to send that to you.  We have quite a few copies of it.  However,  I have also never seen any old marching band arrangements that Chip may have written, so I can't help you with that either.  Sorry.
    Let me know if you would like a copy of Variations, include your snail-mail address and I'll get you one as fast as possible.

Sincerely,

Louis J. Stout
Publishing Coordinator
DOTS AND LINES INK.

my reply

Deal! I'll take a copy of the sheet music. That would be awesome.
I found the record we recorded. When I get it digitized, I will send you a copy.

his reply

On Jul 20, 2012, at 7:51 AM, L Stout wrote:

Great!  The music will go out today.

Louis Stout

P.S.  I need your phone number to ship it via UPS.

Now I need Harris to get me the record.... WHOOO WHO

Got it!  All's right with the world.....