Vince DiNino's sanctum; chaos to us

Everybody know that Johnny Seim married Carol Martinson. But did you know that John Seim, Jefferson Class of 1965, had a sister? Well, he does. And recently she contacted Cub Reporter Tom Obert. Her email appears below.
She seeks memories of Vince DiNino. Don't know who Vince DiNino is? Well shame on you. We covered Mr. DiNino in a previous blog article and you'll just have to look it up in the archives or use the search function to find out about it.
Anyway, Vince was a pretty cool band director before our time and right now, while he is "still upright" [his words] he is trying to write down some rememberances about his experiences in Alexandria -- and as a national figure as the director of the world renown University of Texas Band. None of us probably has much to contribute to this project, but it is fun to know this is going on and we were close to a famous guy once.
When we were at Central Junior High, members of the Junior High Band had Lyle Frank as our band director. We spent time in the very same bandroom, where the world-famous Vince DiNino once schooled his proteges. But in these later years, the most memorable experience in this hallowed hall for junior high hopefuls may have been Lyle banging over the chaos on the overhead sewer pipes with his director's baton, yelling "people, people, people."
I defer to first clarinetist Sara Smith Sevey for confirmation on this ... did this actually happen or am I just hallucinating here? Paul Strandberg, coronet (poor man's trumpet), did that happen? As third clarinet, I need to know. Anybody else? Donley on drums... Benson on tuba, Blanchard on flute. Am I right?
But we digress. Below is the transcript of the email to the cub reporter from Ms. Seim. TB

Let's see. First Clarinet, First Trumpet, First Flute. Smith, Larson, Engstrom. Veterans all of the DiNino sanctum in basement of Central Junior High.

University of Texas
From: Phymegeri@aol.com
To: tobert@charter.net
Sent: Sunday, July 01, 2007 4:59 PM
Subject: Vince DiNino Memories
Yes, Tom, I am John Seim's sister, class of 1952. I am a bit confused as to the e mails between you and David Dittberner that have been forwarded to Dave's and my friend Nyla and she to me but will tell you what we have in mind for Memories of Vince.

Vince led the Alex band from 1948-1955. Those were important years to Vince and Jane and, even though they went on to bigger and better things at UT, he says those seven years in Alex were their "permanence years" and he asked me to gather some memories from the band kids he had those years, which I have been trying to do.
I believe you were in the class of 1965 so of course he was long gone but know your Dad knew Vince well. So far this has been kind of "hit and miss" as far as contacting people and I have a few people helping to contact others etc. so, if you know of anyone from those years who played under Vince, I would appreciate your telling them what we are trying to do. Vince is in the process of writing a book about his 50 years at UT and this gathering of info from Alex won't be in a book form but maybe a pamphlet or something - if we get enough.
So far some of the remembrances have been very touching and Vince influenced many lives in Alex. My husband, Loren, and I have visited Vince and Jane a few times in Fredericksburg TX and we keep in close touch via e mail and phone - such wonderful people and he remembers all his students in Alex. Amazing! He will be 89 in Oct.

So, Tom, that is what we are trying to do. I will be in Alex from July 26-August 5 out at Dick Danielson's cottage on Lake Ida, which is in the phone book. Also, you now have my e mail address if anyone you see wants to contribute.

Surely would be fun to see you sometime (I knew you as a little boy) and your Mom too. Greet her from me.

Sincerely, Phyllis Seim Erickson