If you hang around the band office long enough, you will hear these words uttered often.  So who is Sue? 

I want to introduce you to Sue VandenBerge (Mrs VandenBerge to the kids), band office super woman.  I am sure you have gotten emails from her, so let's put a face to her name!
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What is your job title?
Band Office Administrator

What are some of your job duties in regards to Jenison Marching Band?
I manage the band student accounts and all the marching band payments, forms and paperwork. I also assist the directors with many different tasks such as tracking attendance, making reservations, copying/printing, selling band supplies, and helping the directors and kids with whatever they need. I also work and communicate with all the different booster committees. I help organize and prepare for our competitions, and travel with the students and chaperones as a liaison between them and the directors to help make sure that everything stays running as smoothly as possible. 

How long have you worked for JPS?
I've been working part-time in the band office for four years, and have done marching band administration for two years. 

How did you become involved with Jenison Bands?
In 2012 our son Andre joined the Jenison 8th Grade Band, then joined the JMB in 2013 on clarinet for his freshmen year. He was a drum major for the 2014-2016 seasons. Our son Jared joined the 8th Grade Band in 2014, and played clarinet in the JMB for 2015-2018. I volunteered to help with practice records at the Junior High, which led to us being asked to serve on the Invitational Committee from 2013 to 2016. Both of our sons were heavily involved with all things band related for all of their years at Jenison High School, and we enjoyed being involved with the program in many different areas throughout that time.

Tell us about your family?
I grew up in Jenison and have been married to Brad for 25 years. Brad is a Shipping & Receiving Manager at Rothbury Farms and also does some architectural drafting for Baroque Residential Designers. We have two sons, Andre and Jared. Andre is studying Music at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Jared is planning to move to Washington in September to attend Renton Technical College to study Band Instrument Repair. We also have an 11 year old lab mix named Sophie and two kitties, Rex and Amidala.

What are your hobbies?
I spend as much time as possible at my family's cottage up in Free Soil, Michigan during the summer. When I'm there, I spend most of my time gardening, but also enjoy spending time out on Gunn Lake boating or just relaxing out on the water. I have also recently started rock collecting at various Lake Michigan beaches. 

What is your favorite food?
I love Middle Eastern food! My favorite food is probably meat pies or fresh pita bread with toum (garlic sauce) from Sheshco Mediterranean Grill. Shish kebabs, kafta, shawarma, and stuffed grape leaves are also some of my favorites (and I love all of them with garlic sauce). I also can't pass up baklava for dessert. 

What is your favorite type of music?
I enjoy a wide variety of music, but I mostly listen to New Wave (especially Synth-pop), '80s indie rock and '70's and '80s hard rock and glam/hair metal bands. A newer group I really like is Twenty One Pilots. I also listen to lots of classical music. 

​Where did you go to high school?   Parkway West High School in Chesterfield, MO - a suburb of St. Louis

College?   Northwestern University for undergrad, University of Missouri - St. Louis for grad school

First job ever?   First job EVER was at St. Louis Bread Company, which eventually became Panera - yes, I worked at the third location in existence! First teaching job was actually at my high school - I became the head director right out of undergrad.

First concert you attended?   Hmm not sure... Lots of orchestral concerts. I think the first "rock" concert I went to was Sting or Dave Matthews.

Music you listen to at home?   It varies - typically classical, 80s/90s pop/rock, or musical theater stuff.

Favorite food?   I am a total sucker for baked goods. Put cream cheese frosting on a baked good and you've got me. 

Hobbies in your spare time?   Reading, running/exercising, interior decorating/watching too much HGTV

If you weren't in music, what would you be doing?   Interior decorator

What is a hidden talent you have?   Well I used to be a really good waterskiier... But it's been quite a while haha.

Dream vacation?   Hawaii

Most memorable marching band experience?   Too many to try to narrow down to one... Almost all having something to do with the kids feeling the joy of a really great performance experience that clearly connected with the audience.

Do you have any pets?   Two cats, Teddy and Finn. They are awesome. :). 

Favorite movie?   The Empire Strikes Back

Favorite thing about marching season?   Working as a team with so many great kids and adults over the course of 5 months to create not just a great show, but a whole set of memories and personal connections in a setting that is unlike any other musical endeavor.

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Where did you go to high school?  I went to Waverly High School in Waverly, Ohio. Go Tigers!

College?  I graduated from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Go Bucks!

First job ever?  My very first job was working as a referee for youth soccer matches at our local YMCA. It gave me a strong appreciation for the pressure that professional referees face!

First concert you attended?  I think my first concert I ever attended was my older sister's first high school band concert - I was 11 years old! As far as more mainstream music is concerned, I saw a variety of groups at Winter Jam when I was in high school (it's a giant contemporary Christian music concert).

Music you listen to at home?  I listen to a huge variety of music at home! My latest obsession is Vulfpeck, a group from Ann Arbor. But I listen to a huge variety depending on the mood I'm in - it can be anything from movie soundtracks to electronic music (and so many things inbetween). But NEVER country music!

Favorite food?  I love tacos. My ideal taco is a traditional taco al pastor, but I've yet to encounter a taco that I don't like.

Hobbies in your spare time?  My number one hobby is baking! I love experimenting with new recipes and creating some of my own. I also enjoy cooking, watching a LOT of sports (mainly soccer, football, tennis, and hockey), hiking, and weightlifting.

If you weren't in music, what would you be doing?  I think I'd have to go back to school to pursue another career, but I've always joked with my mom about opening up our own bakery if she gets too bored in retirement!

What is a hidden talent you have?  I've been told that I can do really good voice impressions of some famous people and movie/TV characters!

Dream vacation?  I would love to go to Seychelles and/or Greece at some point in my life.

Most memorable marching band experience?  I have so many memorable experiences from high school, college, and my teaching jobs, but I think my most memorable experience was in college when I dotted the "i" in Script Ohio in 2014. Ohio State was playing against Michigan, and the roar of the crowd was SO loud! To hear a crowd of 105,000+ people cheering as I fulfilled an enormous dream was nothing short of surreal. Plus Ohio State won, so that's always a good thing!

Do you have any pets?  I unfortunately have no pets. However, I am the godfather of my friends' cat!

Favorite movie?  I have two favorite movies. The first is RocketMan - not the Elton John film! This one is from 1997. It's a sci-fi comedy starring Harland Williams. I grew up watching it with my dad and it's just as funny now as it was over 20 years ago. My other favorite movie is The Conjuring, a horror movie based on a true story in the 70s. I never get tired of it!

Favorite thing about marching season?  So many things! But I think the thing I love most about marching season is being able to witness the growth of the group throughout the season. We always start the season knowing so little in terms of marching and music, but by November, students are performing an entire production from memory. Watching the students improve throughout the season at every rehearsal and competition is so cool and shows how dedicated they are!