With over 20 lively performances in just this academic year, The Cardinal Sound has become an essential part of William Jewell College’s school spirit. Since its creation, the band has captivated audiences and energized campus events with its enthusiastic performances.

“I was hired in part to help launch the athletic band. We started it from absolutely nothing but an idea,” shared Dr. Dorothy Glick Maglione (Dr. GM), who has been working full-time at Jewell since 2019. She was central to the founding of the Cardinal Sound and has served as its faculty director from its beginning. Dr. Glick Maglione reflects on the athletic band’s journey, highlighting milestones such as the introduction of a color guard and invitations to perform at the 2024 Achievement Day dinner.

“While I’ve been teaching for almost two decades at this point, starting The Cardinal Sound has been an absolute privilege,” Dr. Glick Maglione recounted. “Selecting the uniforms, purchasing instruments, composing music and creating traditions were all aspects of this new venture. I am honored to have had students who bought in, and I have been blown away by their dedication. Throughout this process, I have really learned how precious moments are with people. Four years goes by quickly, and it is such a joy to get to see the students go from high schoolers to starting their careers.”

Along with Dr. Glick Maglione, the Monitor interviewed three graduating students who have been in The Cardinal Sound all four years: Brynesha Griffin-Bey, Alexis Harper and Jolia Bernal.

Brynesha Griffin-Bey, who plays clarinet and aspires to become a music educator, spoke about her love for music: “Band is a beautiful thing to me. Band has taught me to be disciplined and strong (through procedures, practicing, leading the ensemble in multiple ways and just being a member of something where my presence matters), but it has also created an environment where I can be my true authentic self in front of others, and I want to take all of those things with me into my career and future.

“My favorite memories revolve around the people in the ensemble!” Griffin-Bey reflected. “I have made so many friendships and close bonds through performing and practicing with these members over the years, and that is truly unforgettable to me and will be the things that I will look back on once I graduate from Jewell. Performing under the direction of Dr. Glick Maglione has also been the best! She had inspired me and mentored me so much over the years, and that will also stick with me.”

Alexis Harper, a graduating senior who plays flute and piccolo, reflected on the influence that The Cardinal Sound has had on the fans at Jewell sporting events. “It is special to watch and support the WJC athletes in a way that incorporates my passion for music,” Harper said. “I remember a stark lack of enthusiasm from the crowd during the first football game The Cardinal Sound ever performed at. Four years later, a full crowd pumped their fists as we played the William Jewell College fight song at our last performance of this season.”

Harper also shared about her recent new experiences in The Cardinal Sound. “The Shenanigans Concert on March 24 was a downright goofy display of the talented people in the William Jewell College Performing Arts Department that was constructed by WJC Choral Director Dr. Anthony Maglione and actor and comedian Dave (Gruber) Allen. The atmosphere both on and off stage was different from any other performance I have done, and it was great to be a part of it with The Cardinal Sound.”

Jolia Bernal, a graduating euphonium and trombone player, explained how The Cardinal Sound has impacted her life. “Playing at the college level has given me the opportunity to push myself in my playing abilities. My biggest takeaway from my experiences in Cardinal Sound would be that you can create a home away from home with common interests and the people that you surround yourself with.”

Bernal, while involved in The Cardinal Sound, has also been a founding member of The Crown Jewell color guard. “Winter guard is a sport of the arts that involves flags, sabres, rifles, dance and interpretive movement. Our show this year was titled “Let In The Light,” and it was about new beginnings and kind of represented the start of this new team and legacy at Jewell.” she explained. “I was very excited to help start this team as a part of Cardinal Sound, and we had a very successful season as well.”

The Cardinal Sound is made up of 24 students this year, and the program is expected to grow in the future. While Griffin-Bey, Harper and Bernal prepare for graduation, their legacy as founding members of The Cardinal Sound’s will be maintained by returning members and newcomers.

Third-year trumpet player Carson Krop described how his experiences in Cardinal Sound have influenced his interactions with teamwork and dedication: “It provides a lot of structure and companionship. College band has a set time to meet and you can count on your peers being present at rehearsal,” he explained. “There were countless rehearsals that we have had that were tedious, but that tedious and persistent work that we put in consistently showed during our performances. If it weren’t for those small details that we perfected in rehearsal, no matter how tedious, then we would not sound the way we do nor have the reputation/name recognition on campus and throughout the community.”

For second-year percussionist Ali Thatcher, the athletic band offers opportunities for exploration and growth. “There are higher expectations in collegiate level band, but I also get to try a ton of new stuff that I haven’t done before,” Thatcher shared. “You can usually try something new and experiment if you just ask! The worst [a director] can say is no.”

First-year guitarist and drummer Caden Powell shared his journey of adaptation within the ensemble: “Something I’ve learned would definitely be mixing sound with everyone, and having to change the sound I usually use to something that cuts through the mix a bit more. My favorite memory would have to be playing at the Achievement Day dinner, everyone locked in with each other and Dr. GM let me turn up a little and just let it rip. It was so much fun.”

With each member contributing their unique perspective and talents, The Cardinal Sound continues to evolve, embracing new challenges and opportunities.

Alongside Bernal, Avalon Autrey, a second-year at Jewell, also contributes her talents to The Crown Jewell color guard team. Collaborating with The Cardinal Sound band at athletic events, Autrey fondly recalled their favorite moments from their inaugural season. “My fav event so far has been homecoming! It’s also my favorite memory from how large the crowd was and the energy they brought, and winning the game made it even better!” Autrey reflected. “Dr. GM and my guard coaches have taught me that it is okay to be the last one to leave practice sometimes, especially if you’re the last one to get to practice in the first place!” 

After attending and winning their first Mid Continent Color Guard Association (MCCGA) State Championships at Willard High School on April 6, The Crown Jewell winter guard came home with five first place, and one second place, finishes in the six competitions in their inaugural season. With their first show “Let In The Light,” The Crown Jewell won the title of Independent Regional A Champions of 2024 against six other college independent color guards: Beautiful City Independent, Wildcat Winter Guard, Divine Light, Elegante Independent, Parkway South-West Winter Guard and Queen City Independent.

If you’d like to learn more about The Cardinal Sound or The Crown Jewell, you can reach out to Dr. Glick Maglione at maglioned@william.jewell.edu or follow @williamjewellbands and @thecrownjewellguard_wjc on Instagram.

Cardinal Sound 2023-24 Performances
9/2/2023 Jewell Football vs. Fort Lewis
9/9/2023 Jewell Football vs. Kentucky Wesleyan
9/30/2023 Jewell Football vs.Upper Iowa Homecoming
11/4/2023 Jewell Football vs. Southwest Baptist
11/14/2023 Jewell Women’s Basketball vs. Newman University
11/16/2023 Jewell Hoops vs. Washburn University
11/18/2023 Jewell Hoops vs. Newman
11/21/2023 Jewell Hoops vs. MO West
2/8/2024 Jewell Hoops vs. Southwest Baptist
2/10/2024 Jewell Women’s Basketball vs. Drury University
2/17/2024 Jewell Women’s Basketball vs. Rockhurst University
2/17/2024 Jewell Hoops vs. Rockhurst University
2/29/2024 Achievement Day Dinner
3/2/2024 Jewell Hoops vs. MO S&T
3/8/2024 Jewell Hoops vs. Truman State 2024 GLVC Tournament
3/24/2024 Shenanigans 3

The Crown Jewell Competitions & Scores
2/3/2024 Blue Springs South – First Place – 61.12/100
2/17/2024 MO State University – Second Place – 67.14/100
3/2/2024 Lee’s Summit West – First Place – 73.99/100
3/9/2024 Belton – First Place – 79.27/100
3/23/2024 Lee’s Summit North – First Place – 80.40/100
4/6/2024 Championships at Willard – First Place – 82.22/100

18-year-old Dominic Miller and 23-year-old Lyndell Mays were charged with “second-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon.” As the parade concluded, locals overheard Miller and Mays arguing with one another, which quickly escalated to gunfire. Two other teenagers were also charged with both gun-related offenses and with resisting arrest. 

Video evidence from the event shows onlookers chasing down and tackling the shooters, detaining them until the police arrived. In an interview with NBC’s Today Show, Paul Contreras, who was seen tackling one of the shooters, explains the event. “When I took him down to the ground, his hood went over his head so he was face down the whole time,” Contreras said. “I had him face down to the ground with me on top of him…”

As our community members and families process the tragedy that took place, the Chiefs players have teamed up with United Way of Greater Kansas City, a non-profit organization, to launch the #KCStrong Fund for emergency monetary funding to support those affected by the shooting, violence protection organizations, recovery facilities and first responders.

Lisa Lopez-Galvan, whose life was unfortunately taken at the shooting, was a part of the William Jewell community, both as a sister and as an aunt. In a supportive effort to honor Ms. Lopez-Galvan, the Faith and Culture center at Jewell has set up a memorial outside of Gano Chapel.

From May 2 to Sep. 26, 2023, the Writers’ Guild of America (WGA) successfully secured a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) after 148 days on strike, allowing all writers to resume work.

WGA and AMPTP have negotiated a 94-page Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA) that will last for three years. Outlined in the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) are payment increases, health contributions, improved terms and staffing minimums. 

The WGA has also secured protections against artificial intelligence (AI) in which AI cannot write or rewrite material, AI will not be considered a writer under the MBA and will not be credited as such, and AI usage cannot be required by companies. Companies must disclose to writers if given materials contain AI-generated content, and the exploitation of writers’ material to train AI is prohibited.

Similarly, from July 14 to Nov. 9, 2023, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) have just recently struck a tentative agreement with the AMPTP after 118 days on strike.

SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP have negotiated a MOA with over 100 pages that will last for three years. Outlined in the MOA are payment increases, health contributions, protection against AI, equity and inclusion policies and sexual harassment policies. 

Compared to the WGA, the SAG-AFTRA protections against AI are seemingly more complex. Consent is required for the digital alteration of a performer in any form; however, some exceptions may be: (1) post-production editing for purposes of cosmetics, sound, timing, continuity, pitch, effects and filters, standards and practices, ratings, adjustment in dialogue or narration or other similar purposes; (2) audio dubbing or using a double if permitted under Codified Basic Agreement or Television Agreement; (3) facial or body adjusting, altering voice to a foreign language, or changing dialogue or imagery for licensing or selling.

Producers must notify and specify any nudity or sexual scenes that are expected of a performer before an audition or interview and no later than 48 hours in advance of call time. Producers are also encouraged to use an Intimacy Coordinator for nudity or simulated sex scenes and consider the use of an Intimacy Coordinator if requested by a performer for any scenes. All employees will be provided easy access to a company’s non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies.

Performers with disabilities can now request accessibility accommodations if the requests are reasonable. Protections for underage actors for auditions were also put in place. Producers may not request a performer of any age to appear nude or wear anything more revealing than a bathing suit appropriate for a public pool.

With many other policies put in place for income, benefits and such, the SAG-AFTRA and WGA have gained meaningful progress in the protections of their performers. This 3-year contract has sparked a new beginning for the writing and acting industry.

But after many years of avoidance, I finally mustered up the courage to take a long-awaited family trip. The wonderful spring-like weather in early February allowed the perfect chance to avoid the unpleasant sweatiness. Not only that, I was excited to see the new aquarium building! In September of 2023, The Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium introduced The Sobela Aquarium to the public (along with a name change). Although I didn’t make it to every part of the park, I made sure to check out the aquatic habitats along with a few surprise mammals.

My first stop was the Stingray Bay touchpool to pet the Cownose rays and Southern stingrays. I wasn’t sure what they would feel like at first, but after petting the first one, I felt a little dumb for thinking they would be anything but slimy!

Next, I walked around the Australia section of the Zoo. Here, I got to see lots of birds, kangaroos, wallabies, dingoes, camels and more! Most of the animals in this area were napping, but I had a silly interaction with an Australian Straw-Necked Ibis.

Around the corner from “Australia” was the Tiger Trail, home of the new Sumatran Tiger, Phoebe. She was very vocal since it was time for her lunch, and as she grew more and more impatient, she even tried opening the door herself!

Down the path from Phoebe’s habitat, I had the strangest experience of my life. At the Orangutan exhibit, I think I made a new friend. As Kalijon the orangutan spun around on her makeshift swing, she and I made eye contact. Next thing I knew, with my hand on the glass, she gave me the best high five!

After such a bizarre interaction, it was finally time to loop around to the Sobela Aquarium building with 34 different habitats. Here, I immediately fell in love with a cute sea turtle. Everything looked so relaxing. There were so many different styles of tanks: overhead tanks, cylindrical tanks, circular window tanks, and tons more — all wonderfully decorated.

My absolute favorite part of the Sobela Aquarium was the jellyfish room. Here, I saw five species of jellyfish, but the ethereal South American Sea Nettle mesmerized me.

Of course, I couldn’t conclude my visit without a trip to the gift shop! Although there were so many options to choose from, I settled on a sea turtle plushie to remember the sea turtle I saw in the aquarium and a wolf plushie because I thought it looked cute.

This was one of the best visits I’ve ever had, and I will definitely be going again very soon! I can confidently say that I no longer dread the Zoo. I can’t wait to see Kalijon again and make friends with even more animals.