s PublisheJ by The Company of Fifers & Drummers, Inc. Vol. 25 No. 4 $2.50 Leading The Company Into Tne Millennium WtJodwmd qnJ percw,1ion LJUtrwnentJ craftiJ by hand for do/Cf17ling /1UMLC/LllU wo,1JwiJe.
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GJW~™ CoOPERMAN F IFE & D RUi\\ Co. E,,,e.Y l1u)11Arin/ Park,. P.O. Bo.-r. 276 Cmterbmok, CT 06409-0276 USA Teld60-76i-1779 F,~-r.:860-767-70/i 11•ww.maperina11.com email: [email protected] . \ncic11tTin1cs
Vol. 25 No. 4 ongratulations to the new officers and Executive
Publisher/Edllor: Vin Ctcp1el Committee that will be leading The Company into a new Consultant: Bun -\lien l,;dilorial Assistant<: Doru,a Czepiel. Syhio Hooghkirk. era. We have a lot to look forward to, and I'll say without Robm ~iem1v C reservation that this group won't let u s down. President Moylan Contributing Scon Grttn,trect. Jc»1ca Edhors: llal,l?T'-<>n. \lark Log,.,ton. Don is a take-charge, let's-get-it- Moylan. Ed Ols.:n. Ke,m \I, Sulli\'an. George Ycramian done kind of guy who appre Com ,.,pondenll: Ed Boyle. <\J B}'rd. Ellen Cashm3n. Erin Connolly. Cap ciates new ideas and expects Corduon. Sally $, Finn. Su,an K action. The Executive Keogh. Scon Mandrell. C ollccn Marching Andre,,, Smck. Randy Stack Committee has already met Contrlbuto~ : Peter Andre\\,. George Canms. Dick Crosson. 8111 Guilfoilc, a few times, and I left each into the Pcm llo.mp1on. Wayne I hckman. I ,m \ le,.,cll. Irene Miller. Linda meeting with a feeling of Gncten Mo,-.. Stc,c 'i1cn11u, Jae~ o· Brien. Tan}a Paul. Tim accomplishment.. . and some Millennium Rem.ch. \lo Schoos. Jim Sm11h tasks to be completed before Photoj?raphers: \1al Hinckley, chief: Cap Corduan. Joe Culhane. O,ana the next meeting. We're get- Culhane, Ron OaS,l,a. Rhonda Fomstoll. Alan Goldfin~cr. Ethel ting things done! La,·clle. Belly \foylan. Ed Olsen. Jim Willey. George Yc.-ram,an. As eager as we are to move forward, we realize that there are Carl Yu.,na some loose ends to be tied up first. Larry Donahue is putting his \lembcrship1Subscriptions: For informauon on Life \1embe1'1h1p pledges. address computer expertise to work getting our membership database change<; and subscnpuon ,nforma11on conm.:t: The Compan) of hfc:1' & Drummer<, P.O. Box 525. h·ol)tOn. under control. Secretary Colleen Stack has organized a team to CT 064-12-0525 USA, tel. 860 767-2237; fa,: 860 767- 9765: c-rna1I· thccomponyoffd(njuno.com define the duties of each committee chairperson so when a new
Editorial: person takes over a committee, the transition will be much Send an,clc, and photo, to: The Company of Fifer< & Drummer.;. P.O. Box 525. lve>l)1on. CT 06442-0525 lJSA: smoother. These are just two examples. Everyone on the tel. R60 767-2237: fa, : 860 767-9765 c-mo,I: thcancientumeefa hotmoil com Executive Committee is actively involved in a number of projects Ad, ertlslng: to keep The Company moving forward. For nuc, nnd a,a1lab1luy contact Randy Smcl. 203 265-0543 One of our biggest challenges has been publishing Ancient Times on a regular and timely basis. To solve that problem, we The Company of have divided the work up among a number of people. The new Fifers & Drummers Ancient Times staff will be headed up by Bob Lynch. (see The www.fifedrum.com/ thecompany Changing of the Guard, pg. 3) President: Dan Moylan 617 232-23(,0 h1 \Ice President: Lee Zuidema 860 537-5502 The Ancient community is growing and spreading to other 2nd \1ce President: Rnndy Stack 203 265-0543 S«retal"): Colleen Stack 203 265-0543 areas of the country. Five new corps were accepted for member Treasurer: JODay parades in Curator: Ed Olsen 860 399-6519 FadUlies \tanager: Joe f ranklin 860 526-1655 Ireland. A lot of goodwill being spread around. \ 1uslc Chairman: George Cancns 914 833-4136 \ lusren Chairmon: Beth Johnson 860 349-2279 We've got a lot of good people but we could always use more. Web, lte Chairman: \C,n C1.ep1cl 914 565-8416 The Compan) Store: Cathy Olsen 860 399-65 I 9 If you have time or talent to spare, we'd love to have you join us.
lnrient Times 1s published qunnerly by The Compa11y of With your support, we can accomplish a lot. Pifers & Drummers. lne., Museum. Mu,,1c Libr.11')', Hcadquancrs, PO Bo• 525. 62 ls Main St .• lvoiyton. CT 06442-0525 USA, 860 767-2137. The publication (ISS~00917 176) seek, 10 keep mdi,1dual, ms111u11onal and Vin Czepiel, Editor drum corp, members throughout the world informed pnmanly on the act1v111cs of trad1uonal ;\merit.in fife and drum corp, known a,, Ancicnis. Th,· Comp
1st New Jersey Volunteers Fifes & Drums Fieldsboro, NJ ages 14-35 Founded in 1997, the 1st NJ Volunteers are the fife & drum detachment of a Revolutionary War Loyalist Fyfes & Drumms of Olde Saratoga Company re-enactment Stillwater, NY group. ages lO+up Although they were only founded in July, '98, they have already attended DRAM, Marlborough Muster and Westbrook Muster.
Maple City Ancient Fife & Drum Corps Honesdale, PA ages 6 - 16 Founded in 1996 by former Yankee Tunesmiths Jim & Dee Florance, the corps chose Civil War era uniforms because Honesdale, also known as Maple Also voted in, but not pictured City, did not exist during the here (see page 10): Revolutionary War. Their research turned up information on a "Maple City Fife & Liberty Fife & Drum Corps Drum Corps" from 1911. St. Petersburg, FL www.geocities.com/ Broadway/ Stage/ 1763/lfd.html ages 13 - 75 Andrew Lewis Volunteers Fifes & Drums Founded in 1994, Liberty FDC Lewisburg, WV is the only Ancient corps on www.fife-n-drum.org/alv the West Coast of Florida. They ages 18+up participate in many annual Founded in 1976, the Andrew Lewis parades and events, including Volunteers used to be members of The the "Muster Under the Palms" Company under the direction of Howard in Palm Bay and the Highland Schoonmaker. When he moved out of the Games Tattoo in Dunedin, area, the corps decided to reform as a where they and the U.S. senior corps with more authentic Marine Corps Band are the representation of the Colonial American only non-pipe bands to period. perform. The Fife That Started a n
The legendary McDonagh Fife - developed in the mid-l 950s by Crafted from the f'mest Grenadilla wood available. John McDonagh and Roy Seaman. McDonagh, who created and developed the famed New York Regimentals, and Seaman, known Strobe tested for perfect pitch. world wide for his C-me piccolos and flutes, crafted an instrument so Roy Seaman's exclusive dual superior, it revolutionized Ancient fife and drum music forever. conical bore gives you flawless tone quality in every register. Now, 40 years later, they are proud to introduce the McDonagh Available in 6-hole and 10-hole Regimental Model fife. models. Regimental Model: Combining today's technology with years of experience and 6-hole - $100 outstanding craftsmanship, the Regimental Model gives you a clear, 10-hole - $120 sweet sound and flawless tone quality in every register. Roy Seaman's price includes shipping & handling dual conical bore makes this fife easy to play for beginners and within the Continental U.S. On orders of 10 or more, experienced fifers alike. deduct $10 per instrument. Perfected and strobe tested for perfect pitch, the Regimental Coming Soon - Model is unlike any other rue available today. You can buy a more Spirit Model, a two-piece fife with expensive rue, but you won't find a better one. the traditional look of a one-piece, compatible with the Regimental Revolutionize I.Q.m: fiiing with the new McDonagh Regimental Model Model fife. Presentation Model - a special version of the Regimental Model with sterling silver rings, perfect for gifts and awards.
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Available only from: "I highly recommend these fifes. The craftsmanship established by Mr. Seaman in Wilson Woods the mid-1950s when the McDonagh fife was originally developed has been clo Roy Seaman Co. restored... you won' t be disappointed/" P.O. Box 5941 - Joe Culhane Tucson, AZ 85705 tel. (520) 623-9594 Visit us on the Internet at E-mail: [email protected] www.wilsonwoods.com Sorry, no C.O.D. 's - Payment must accompany order 6 .\11cic11t'li1nc~ Making "Ancient Thunder™" by Bill Guilfoile, Executive Producer To accomplish this goal, the May 5 to June 9, 1995. The tracks were then mixed to form the final For years, fans of the Mattatuck Band decided to take its fans on a musical journey through its history. musical product. A significant Drum Band have been asking the All of the tunes the Band currently amount of time was spent making question, "When can I have a record plays are on the recording as well as sure the "Mattatuck Soundn was ing of the Mattatucks' music?" They a narration of its history since its properly captured and reproduced in now have an answer: inception as the Training Band in the studio. When fans hear the ANCIENT THUNDER™ Farmingbury Parish. The CD also Mattatucks on the street, the Band's A Musical History of The Mattatuck contains an eight page booklet with "thunder" stirs the soul. The record Drum Band - Narrated by Governor color pictures and illustrations of the ing needed to produce that same feel Band throughout its existence. ing. John G. Rowland On the path to creating the The hard work of writing the The Band has been working on musical journey for the Mattatucks' script for the narration was next on the recording since Spring, 1995. That fans, the members of the recording the list. This took the longest amount may seem like a long time, but 231 committee took their own journey. of time. The Band is fortunate in that years of continuous existence is a lot They received a thorough education it has a written history going back to of territory to cover. During the many in just what it takes to produce a CD its beginnings in 1767. This has been conversations about the recording on and cassette recording of professional compiled over the last 125 years by Tuesday nights down at the Band quality. It was a daunting but enjoy members of the Band, their families, headquarters (also known as "the able task. and local historians. Its sources are loft"), members came up with dozens One of the most enjoyable parts historical documents, verbal descrip of ideas and formats for the project. of the process was recording the tions by members, and diaries of peo The Drum Band wanted to record drum beats and tunes. The drum ple like Charlie Miller, the Band's more than their music. They wanted beats and fife tunes were digitally leader for 50 years. Deciding the the public to understand their histo recorded at Trod Nossel Recording appropriate quotations and sections ry, their sound and their spirit; the Studios in Wallingford, Conn. The to use in telling the Drum Band story things that have kept them going recording sessions took place from was quite a task. Thousands of pages since 1767. of documents had to be reviewed and summarized. The Band also wanted the narration to be an enjoyable jour ney for the listener and not a dry his torical account of its past. Sound A Musical History of effects were included to help the lis TIIE MATrATUCK DRUM BAND tener's imagination travel back in Ncrrrurcd JJy Gownior .lohn G. Ri>u:/und time. The pictorial history was an equally challenging task. The Band has thousands of pictures in its archives dating back to the late 1800s. The Drum Band's history dur ing the early years, when photographs did not exist, also needed to be docu mented. To do this the recording com mittee selected an artist, Jack Hornak of Sandy Hook, to follow the Band and immerse himself in the Mattatucks' culture, history, and music. Hornak spent dozens of hours watching the Band march, talking with members and sketching his impressions. He produced a number of original illustrations that truly cap ture the history and spirit of the Band. His main illustration was used for the cover of the recording. The recording committee wanted the cover Cds $18 each Send Checks to: Mattatuck Drum Band to express the energy and emotion the Tapes $12 each 61 Village Circle Mattatucks generate when they Shipping $ 4 per order Naugatuck, CT 06770 march. After dozens of concept www.mattatuck.org 203-729-5329 . \ncicn(l i111cs 7 sketches, Hornak captured the essence of the Band spirit in a ren dering of Bass Drum Sergeant and Life member, Jim Pierpont Sr. Jim was unaware that his portrait would be on the cover of the recording. He didn't find out until the unveiling of the portrait at the recording release party held in November 1998 at Bill and Betty Guilfoile's house in 1 was thinking... Naugatuck, Conn. The history of the Mattatucks' Isn't it nice that the The Company of Fifers & Drummers now has it's own drum beats and tunes was another headquarters and museum building where it can hold its meetings and social area requiring significant research. events? The Company ofFifers & Drummers Where did it meet before? music librarian, Susan Cifaldi was a If you have been in fife and drum less than fourteen years, you probably very helpful resource. Bill Guilfoile never gave it a thought! also used a number of sources in Well, the meetings were not held in any particular place, they were held Ancient music that he had uncovered wherever a member corps would provide a hall and be the host. over the years. They helped determine Glover's Marblehead FDC of Mt. Vernon, N.Y. was host for the Spring when the drum beats and tunes cur meetings at their rehearsal hall for a few years. This was the historical St. rently played by the Mattatucks were Paul's Episcopal Church annex. The Reverend Father Kenneth Kinner, a drum first used in America. mer and author of The Company Prayer, would have everyone go to the church Once the script for the recording next door for an invocation and a short historical talk about St. Paul's Church. was written, an individual had to be Lancraft FDC of North Haven, Conn. probably hosted more general and selected to perform the narration. The Executive Committee meetings in Lancra.ft's hall than any other corps did in Band sought an individual who had their hall. It's central location (at that time) and facilities made it ideal. made a significant impact on the his Several meetings were hosted by the Mt. Kisco FDC in the Mt. Kisco, N.Y. tory of Connecticut and who had the fire hall. Following the meeting, a large group, maybe 14 or 16, would adjourn vocal skills of a public speaker. They to the Fife and Drum Restaurant for dinner. Isn't it natural for fifers and drum also wanted someone who had been mers to go to a restaurant called The Fife and Drum to eat? involved in the Band's history. If my memory serves me right, the Kentish Guards FDC of East Governor Rowland certainly met all of Greenwich, R.l. hosted a meeting during the gasoline shortages of the '70s and the criteria. Being a native of the a bus was chartered to transport members from Connecticut to Rhode Island! Waterbury area, the Band has played The meeting was held in the historic Kentish Guard Armory. at numerous events for the Governor Stony Creek FDC in Stony Creek, Conn. allowed the use of their spacious during his rise in politics. He gra facilities for many meetings before The Company had its own. ciously accepted the Drum Band's One has to wonder, if it had not been for the generosity and cooperation of invitation and recorded the narration these corps, would The Company have prospered as it did during the first on September 8, 1998 during the twenty years of it's existence? .. height of his reelection campaign for Governor. The CD and cassette were first Give Our Past A Future available for sale to the public on December 19, 1998, just in time for Contribute to the Christmas. The recording is dedicated to the memory of all Band members Ancients Fund who have "marched on to better things/ and to the late Marvin Wheeler who helped to make the Mattatuck Drum Band, Inc. or for recording possible. Marv was a life Cullen & Kinnare CD's or tapes of ~Ancient Thunder" member of the Band with over 50 Insurance, Inc. years of service until his death in visit the Drum Band on the Internet at www.mattatuck.org or write to: 1993. 135 Church Street ANCIENT THUNDER is the story Mattatuck Drum Band 61 Village Circle of a musical organization that has P.O. Box 307 Naugatuck, CT 06770 always strived to preserve its past, or call: Guilford, CT 06437 and by so doing, insure its future. Bill Guilfoile at 203-729-5329 or The recording adds another facet to Bill Doyle at 860-628-4043 WILLIAM M. KINNARE, PRESIDENT that effort. CD's are $18 each and Cassettes are SHAWN M. KINNARE, VICEPRESIDLNT The Mattatucks hope the Ancient $12 each plus $4 per order for ship world enjoys experiencing ANCIENT ping and handling. Checks should be OFFICE: 203 453-4829 THUNDER as much as the Band made payable to the Mattatuck Drum enjoyed creating it. HOME: 203 421-4636 For information about the Band, Inc. .. 8 . \ncicntTin1cs F.j Robin Niemitz: New Goals & Ideas For The Juniors Committee by Jess Halverson continuance of Ancient fifing and drumming and to the future of The Robin Niemitz can be thought of as Company. To achieve this, I plan to the youthful heart within The reach out to our younger members so Company. She's the muscle behind they will know who I am, how to get the Juniors Committee, having m touch with me, and to be sure that recently been appointed to chair the they do so. I want to know what is group. important to them ...what will keep Here are her thoughts about the them interested in this activity for Jr. Ancients' role in drum corps, her years to come The more global impli · goals for the Jrs. committee and how cations of their involvement in this you can become more involved. activity will be stressed as well, so Who are you? Tell us about they know their contribution to fifing yourself and your involvement in and drumming is more than just drum corps. showing up at parades, practices and Between my husband Steve and performances Their involvement I, we have three children, a stepson ensures this activity will continue well David, who is 17, a son Chnstopher, into the future. who is 13 and my youngest son ts Do you believe that, being the Stephen, age 5 I'm 37 years old and director of a junior corps, you have have been fifing for about 24 years. experience in this area? My first experience with ftfing When I first began directing in and drumming was in 1974, when I 1993, I had no idea what I was get joined the Spirit of '76 Fife & Drum ting into, nor did I have any experi Corps of Southampton, Mass. My ence in this area. Over the last five father and I joined together - he's a years I have learned a great deal, not snare drummer only through trial and error, network I took some time away from fif ing with other directors and such, but ing and drumming in the early '80s also from our juniors themselves. but returned m 1987 to join the 8th chairperson. When she moved to They have taught me the value of Volunteers Fife & Drum Corps of Georgia, I was unsure who had ta.ken patience. faith, perseverance, a good Manchester, Conn. In 1990, that over the position, so I asked Roger sense of humor and, most of all, the corps disbanded and the 8th Clark. His response was, "If you're exuberance of youth. I have learned Connecticut Regiment Fifes & Drums interested. the position is yours." more from our juniors than from any of Warehouse Point, Conn. was So ... here I am other source. I do have expenence in formed. I then became a member of What are your responsibilities junior directing but it never remains that corps. The Warehouse Point as the Juniors Chairperson? static, as there are always new things Junior Fifes & Drums was formed in Officially, the role of the Juniors to learn. One must constantly strive November of that year with the Committee is to see that the junior to keep up with the changing times, express purpose of introducing young corps are recognized for their impor the challenges that face our youth people to the tradition of the fife and tance within The Company. In order and the many other activtties vying drum. I have enjoyed music since I to carry out that role, I will be expect for our children's time. was a young girl, and have always ed to continue some of the programs What activities do you have in found it challenging to learn new that have already been implemented, store for us? instruments. In addition to the fife, I such as the Junior Jaybird Day, and For certain, there will be a also enjoy playing the piano, flute, 5- develop new programs and activities Junior Jaybird Day this coming year. string banjo and snare drum. as well. I would also like to plan some work How did you become the chair What are some of the goals shops on various topics of interest to person of the Juniors Committee? you hope to accomplish? the Juntors I also have some ideas for Sometime last year I volunteered Juniors should feel they have a some other activities where the kids to be on the Juniors' Committee. At voice in The Company. They should could come together, which may or that time, Cap Corduan was the realize how important they a re to the . \ncicnt'l in1cs 9 may not involve fifing and drumming directly. Some possibilities are: going to an amusement park, getting Music in the together for a picnic after a muster, taking a trip to a historic location, or organizing a junior jam at a Civil War muster... a fife and drum camp might also be a possibility. The most impor by Tanya Paul tant thing to keep in mind is that it Hello. My name is John Bingham. I be something the kids would find enjoy listening to the music of the interesting and fun. times. That is why I am practicing to What do you think the juniors' become a drummer in the Moodus role in The Company and the com Drum & Fife Corps. I believe that munity of fifing and drumming is? music plays a very important role in The juniors are our future. war. Since the Civil War started, I Without the involvement of young have become more and more interest people, this activity cannot survive. ed in the type of music that this par How can juniors become more ticular corps plays. Not only do I active participants in The enjoy listening to it, but I also enjoy Company? playing it. To me, it is a thrill to hold Our junior members can become the smooth wooden drumsticks in my more active participants by attending hands and feel the vibrations going some of the junior activities that will up my arms as I beat on the d17.lm. I be offered, reading the Ancient Times love it, I absolutely love it! in order to get a better understanding Now you're probably wondering of what is going on in our "communi why I think music plays such an ty" and talking to the adult members important role in war. Well, some or directors of their corps about times it can change a whole battle issues that are important to them. around. It influences your feelings. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Music can make you win or lose a How can juniors become battle. It can make you happy or directly involved i.n your activities? Tanya Paul of the Moodus Drum & gloomy. It can change your whole They should feel free to contact mood! In fact, during the Battle of Fife Corps researched and wrote this me at any time. If they see me at a Williamsburg, one of General Joseph muster and they have an idea, they report on music in the Civil War for a Hooker's men thought music saved should tell me. They can phone, write school assignment. She assumes the the battle. It's just Like Robert E. Lee or send e-mail as well. Although we persona of a Union soldier from East once said: "Without music, there may not be able to act on all ideas, Haddam, Conn. who was killed at would be no army." we will certainly give each one serious Antietam. Anyway, I'd like to tell you about consideration. some of the songs that are played and What do you see in the near or Junior Ancients! sung and about the bands that play distant future for the juniors of them. I hope you will like it as much today? Jr. Jam wants to know what's on as I do. So without further ado, let For those who stay with the your mind. Contact the music be heard! activity long term, 1 definitely see the Jess Halverson at opportunity for a lifetime of music continued on page 10 [email protected] appreciation and enjoyment, and the Songs of the Civil War formation of friendships that could potentially last a lifetime as well. Those same people will become The Company's leaders of tomorrow, Nutcrackers, etc. which is why it's so important for them to really feel a part of this orga by MOER Mansfield Center, CT 860 456-1347 ask for Mike or Eileen nization and to have an understand ing of its purpose now. For those who · Drum Corps Nutcrackers '99 MUSTER SPECIAL partake of this activity only during Nutcrackers in Drum Corps Uniforms their youth, I see them having a great · Ancient Drum Ornaments deal of very fond memories of the · Fife Key Chains starting at only... music, the good times and the friends · Drumstick Key Chains $50 reg. $65. (Including special orders they made as a youngster. l also see them possibly returning to fife and · Hand Turned Pens, etc. if purchased at the muster) drnm in future years. There are also careers in fifing and d17.lmming. The possibilities and combinations are Stop by our booth with the card table, green umbrella and the Christmas endless. ,I' tree at the musters this year. We look forward to seeing you. IO •\11cicn(lin1cs Songs of the Civil War continued from page 9 here are many songs played y bands in the Civil War. Some are new, and in some cases, the words from old songs are changed to make new songs. For instance, the song "Woodman, Spare That Tree" was changed to 'Traitor, Spare That Flag (Touch Not a Single Star)" to fit the Civil War. Another song that was changed to go along with the theme of the Civil War was "O Tannenbaum." This German song was changed to Liberty Fife & Drum Corps performed at the Palm Bay, Fla. muster in "Maryland, My Maryland." Some March with visiting fifers John Trusheim (Minutemen of L.I.) and Ron songs are even sung on both sides, Seaborg (Sudbury). but with different words. Two of those songs include "Maryland, My Maryland" and "The Battle Cry of Freedom." Reports of Movements Some other songs are about events that have taken place in this war. I guess you could say that these South Confirmed songs are used to stir up emotions in many people. They sure did in me! by Irene Miller Christmas, Independence Day and Memorial Day, as well as St. Some of these songs are "Shiloh's Reports have been received in recent Hill" and "The First Gun is Fired! May months of northern corps members Petersburg's nationally known God Protect the Right." finding attractive temporary duty Festival of States Parade. This "Goober Peas" is a different kind assignments elsewhere. Although not parade, Nelson said, is held each of song that is sung in the South. It's all have been confirmed, our inquiries spring and features bands from a song about peanuts, a food Georgia suggest the rumors are valid. throughout the country. Liberty FDC has also been invited to participate in is famous for. This song is used to Indications are that most, but not all put people in good spirits. It raises of these movements, have been dur events at Epcot Center, local interna tional folk festivals, and for such morale... a type of party song, you ing the winter months, with a desti might say! nation of Florida and, in particular, organizations as Daughters of the American Revolution and the League The last type of song reflects the the gulf-coast city of St. Petersburg. of Women Voters. realities of a harsh war. One of these In an attempt to verify these songs is "Battle Hymn of the reports, we contacted Alan Nelson, Transfers, stragglers, all are wel Republic," which is based upon the coordinator of five-year-old Liberty come to join with Liberty FDC on these occasions, Nelson indicated. He song "Say Brothers, Will You Meet Fife & Drum Corps of St. Petersburg, went on to suggest that visiting fifers Us?" and also is the tune for "John a member of The Company of Fifers & and drummers, experienced as well Brown's Body." Another song like this Drummers. Nelson confirmed that is "Marching Through Georgia," such temporary attachments have as beginners, are invited to take part in regular practice sessions. As remembering William Sherman's become more common of late. He march to the sea. Finally, "Taps," reports that fifers and drummers from Liberty's current membership which was inspired by the Seven New York, Connecticut, includes people from age 13 to 75, Days battle, recognizes the soldiers Massachusetts and New Jersey who there are no limits to eligibility. Also, in addition to the active fifers and killed on both the Union and were on vacation, had taken tempo Confederate sides. rary housing or had moved to Florida drummers, Liberty FDC has a dedi cated color guard that is eager to The music and the bands of the have found musical allies in the expand its numbers. They urge Civil War are very important. They sunny south. friends old and new, young and old, play the very important role of enter Nelson stated that all such tem to help them keep the spirit alive on taining soldiers, bringing so soldiers porary and permanent attachments closer together and also informing the are warmly welcomed by Liberty FDC, the suncoast. public of events with their songs. which now consists of 18 members. For additional information about Liberty FDC or life on the suncoast, I can't wait until my regiment's He confirmed that, although formed contact Alan Nelson at 727 360-2677 band leads us into battle playing one only five years ago, Liberty FDC now or email Irene Miller at of their famous songs! Hopefully, that participates in parades year-round, time will come soon! .. including those celebrating [email protected]. ,I' .-\ncicn(Ii111cs 11 Warehouse Point Attends 225th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party by Steve Niemitz '1\vas in November of 1773 that three ships, carrying 342 chests of East Indian Company tea arrived in the Boston Harbor. American patriots refused to allow the_tea to be unloaded and the tax paid. For almost three weeks, mass meetings of "the body of the people" gathered in the Old South Meeting House to appeal to Royal Governor Hutchison to send the ships away. Finally, on December 16, 1773, five thousand colonists crowded into the meet ing house in a final attempt to negoti as the patriots marched through the was present to tape the event for a ate a resolution, and when it failed, streets of Boston. Upon reaching the future documentary. After the the Sons of Liberty took matters into harbor and boarding the ship Beaver, evening's event was over, a compli their own hands. They quietly slipped they broke open the chests of tea and mentary buffet was provided by the down to the harbor to throw the tea dumped them into the Boston harbor. Boston Tea Party Ship & Museum for overboard... the event now commonly There were chants of "dump the tea" all the participants. JJ referred to as the Boston Tea Party. It and "no tax" to spur them on! shattered a three-year period of rela The Warehouse Point corps, tive calm between Great Britain and along with Ed Bednarz of Lancraft the colonies and led, almost without (marching with his daughter Nancy of Preserve interruption, to the outbreak of war Warehouse Point Juniors) and Scott at Lexington and Concord. Stedman of the Ancient Mariners Ancient Music On December 13, 1998, 225 (marching with his future wife Denise Become an Individual years after this momentous event, of 8th CT Regiment) provided tunes of Member of The Company! present day patriots, including a com the period from the bow of the ship. bined Warehouse Point Drum Corps The event was well covered by Keep the Spirit Alive (8th Connecticut Regiment and the media, and the History Channel Warehouse Point Juniors) led the march to the harbor. Prior to the march, a recreation of the original meeting was held in the Old South Meeting House. Several patriots came forward to express their anger at the Sweetheart Flutes proposed tax, while ship owners were 32 So. Maple St., Enfield, CT 06082 also allowed to present their side. Of course, the British loyalists were FIFES: Colonial & Gvil WaI. models; Cloos repros; eager to express their opinions on Folk & Modem - "engi.neered" in many keys this matter as well. Finally, when Samuel Adams stood and said "This FLUTES: Irish style - keyed or keyless; BaI.oque; Renaissance meeting can do nothing more to save the country," it was a secret signal to WHISTLES: D & C -for Jigs and Reels! destroy the tea. The patriots left the Send for Brochu.re and/ or Antique & Used Flute list meeting and gathered outside for a recreation of the march to the harbor. Tel: (860) 749-4494 E-mail: [email protected] Thousands were in attendance 12 .\11cic11t'li1nc-..
1. Past VP George Yeramian (Civil War Troopers) urges members to get in new Individual members, DO SOMETHING! Is it soup yet? Past Secretary Sandy Bidwell (Sailing Masters) serves up
• Jammin' ain't just for big kids, ya know!" says Victoria "Totie' Sweet, da 4. C1v1I War Troopers Jim and Rick McDonald take a break from bass drum 5. Judging by the size of the crowd, the Tuesday Nite Concerts are a popul . \11cic11(li111cs 13
>wder at Jaybird Day. er of Walter and Carol Sweet. g to enjoy the refreshments. 1vent.
6. Drum corps legends Eldrick Arsenault, Eric Perrilloux and Bob Redican. 7. Walter Sprance accepts the 1st prize award at the 1999 Limerick, Ireland parade .
.------,.-- 8. Stony Creek's Jim Clark proves that Kevlar is bulletproof, but not Clark proof. 9. Barbara Dabinett and Jack O'Brien posed with Uncle Sam and Liberty at the Dublin, Ireland parade. 14 .-\11cien(li111cs Fasnacht in Basel 1999 by Tim Meixsell with another clique called This year AmeriClique was invited to Chromosomlii and had a good time play with the Mir clique during with them as well. Fasnacht. I viewed this with a bit of Thursday morning at 4 is the trepidation because they wanted us to end of Fasnacht when Mir marched to dress up looking like Monica the Luftschloss and we all had break Lewinsky. After I digested this I found fast together. The street cleaners out I had to buy a blue dress (the came out and cleaned up the confetti lady in Filene's basement was quite and the last drummers and fifers amused as I tried on size 22 wide). went to the bars for a last beer. Finally my costume was complete In retrospect, I start thinking with a wig, pu~e and big red lips. I about how friendly the also brought another costume so I Swiss were and with could march with other cliques for out their hospitality the Tuesday festivities. Mir sent us a we wouldn't have had list of tunes to learn, so the 3 months nearly as good a time leading up to Fasnacht was filled with as we did. Taking off a lot of practicing. in a plane over the Bill Hart, Tishka Musco, Dave Swiss Alps leaves me Fontaine and I marched with a little nostalgic as I Mir and we had an extraordinary head on back to time. Rain threatened to dampen our Boston, but I have to spirits as the night before think that we will be Morgenstreich there was a heavy back again, but hope downpour, but it let up just enough fully not dressed like to let us play. We started at 4 a.m. Monica Lewinsky. ,JJ Monday morning and marched around until breakfast, then we took a little break until the afternoon. Monday afternoon Dave and I did a quick interview with the Swiss National Radio, as they seemed to be curious as to why Americans would HEALY FIFE want to do this. The short answer is that we were there to have a good time, reestablish old friendships, COMPANY make new friends and play the music. The radio station also came that night to tape us marching. We did a credi ble job and the next day the interview Skip Healy was broadcast. I listened to it in a local bar and was rather amused to Fife & Flute Maker hear the overdubbing into Swiss German. 1 ran into several other Americans at Fasnacht - John Featuring hand-crafted instruments Ciaglia and Skip Healy, Sarah and Jim from MCV, and Dave Pear. On of the finest quality. Tuesday the groups mingled and by 3 a.m. a massive group at the Hotel Also specializing in repairs and Basel, including members of Deja Vu, took off to march around town. There restoration ofwooden Fifes & Flutes. must have been about 100 musicians in this group and it sounded very tight. The echo a big group can sustain Phone/Fax (401) 885-2502 marching down the city streets is quite exhilarating. After marching 5 Division St., East Greenwich, RI 02818 around town a bit I went back to the hotel at about 4 a.m. We marched . \ncicntTi111cs 15
The Newark Colonials FDC Alive and Well in Delaware by Linda Grieten Moss other events such as reenactments. The fort is In March of 1975, Major open to the public for Peter Kozak, an Army tours while being officer residing in restored, and during the Newark, Delaware, was Revolutionary War, so impressed with an made a name for itself exhibition given bY, the by holding the British Old Guard Fife & Drum fleet at bay for six Corps that he decided to months so they couldn't organize a corps whose supply their troops on members would come the upper Delaware from the youth of the River. Newark, Del. area. He As a senior corps, was motivated by the fact our uniforms consisted that we would be cele of white shirts with brating our bicentennial black stock neckpiece, in 1976. white hunting coat, tan He engaged Paul breeches with white Urbaniak as a drum socks, black tricom hat. instructor and initially Actually, we adopted we had no fife instructor. this style at the latter Mrs. Janet Kozak and part of our junior corps Mrs. Charlotte Urbaniak status. were chaperones and put Randy Kusel, who together rather simple was a member of the Old uniforms to start us off, Guard, is still our musi consisting of blue denim year age group. Meeting other young cal director. He also taught fife at pants, white shirts, blue vests with people from other corps was also Williamsburg and Independence Fife Newark police buttons and, of course, especially exciting. & Drum Corps and has written a black tricom hats. Randy Kusel Again in 1976, we had another music book for fife. In 1975, Randy became our fife instructor. great celebration for the birth of our married Carol Jester, who played The original members consisted nation and the fact that Delaware was trumpet and is now our bugler. of eight fifers and four drummers, our first state, and our performances My brother, John Grieten, ~ne of which was on bass. All, of were getting better. Also this year, we although not one of our original mem course, learner members. Through played for Governor Pierce DuPont's bers, is an exceptional snare and the earlier years, we had other mem inaugural. bass drummer. He was in the Army bers, some losing interest and others Of course, there were many for four years and was involved in moving away. parades to come, such as St. Patrick's Desert Storm. Upon his return in Our big day to come was the Day in Wilmington, New Castle 1991, we decided to expand our Newark Memorial Day parade in Separation Day, Memorial Day to senior corps status. 1976. We had several tunes by then name a few, including a performance Thanks to Carol Kusel, who is and played "Yankee Doodle" and at the University of Delaware. the Cultural Enrichment Director at ~white Cockade" rather well. We became a junior/senior corps the Fraim Boys & Girls Club of The 4th of July parade in 1976 (since there were still juniors Wilmington at Elsmere, we have a was also a big day in the city of involved) in 1980 and continued to do place to meet on Monday nights. As Newark. What an honor to partici parades and musters, Westbrook and part of our arrangement, Mr. Kusel pate, with all the applause for our Yorktown being our favorites as we and John Grieten teach those inter young ears for what we achieved in have never been to Deep River. The ested fife & drum. We also participate such a short time. parades done as juniors are still part each year at a celebration hosted by rn September, we participated in of our schedule with exhibitions for DuPont called Riverfest on the our first muster hosted by the Old special events included, one being the Christiana River in Wilmington, show Guard. We weren't the greatest, but Spring and Fall ceremonies at Ft. ing our appreciation for the use of the proud to be invited. The tour through Mifflin located near the Philadelphia club. the National Cemetery and the International Airport. We put on sev In 1992, Joe Galbo from Mohnton, Changing of the Guard was very eral musical sessions in between Penn., joined the corps. He was a impressive, especially for our 10 to 15 16 . \ncicnt'Ii111cs Alive and Well in Delaware continued from page 15 A Drum drummer with All Saints Drum & drummer. We recently had one of the Bugle Corps as a youth, instructed by original fifers, Donna Concavage, Major's Big Frank Mangum and Bob Thompson. return. In 1994, Ernie Hauser from Recently, we purchased new uni Landenberg, Penn., joined the corps. forms consisting of a reversible blue Moment He's formerly from Long Island and is and white vest, white pants leggings still a member of the Minutemen of trousers, white shirt and our black Long Island drum line for 22 years. stock neckpiece. Our hats are black Fizzles In 1995, Ms. Pat Gladu from tricorn with gold braid. Eventually we Chestertown, Md., who was involved will have our regimental coats repre in drum corps when her children senting Delaware's own regiment "The whole brigade took a queer, were young, joined up as a bass circa 1776. perverse pride in the regimental band drummer. The next generation is getting of the 6th Wisconsin - not because it was so good, but because it was so In 1997, Walter Mathers from ready and I'm proud to say my three Glen Burnie, Md., formerly with oldest girls, Rachel, Rebecca (on fife) terrible. It was able to play only one selection, something called 'The Monumental City, joined as a bass and Sarah on snare drum have joined the corps. As they are learning, we Village Quickstep,' and its dreadful have our color guard. inefficiency (the colonel referred to it in his memoirs as 'that execrable In September of 1997, my broth Remember ... er, John Grieten, married Chimene band1 might have been due to the colonel's quaint habit of assigning when you patronize our Sollinger and we played at their reception. Lucky for us, she shows men to the band not for musical abili advertisers, tell them interest in the fife. ty but as punishment for misde meanors - or so, at least, the regi you saw their ad in Let's all of us continue to perpet uate fife and drum corps in the Spirit ment stoutly believed. The only good Ancient limes! thing about the band was its drum of '76. ~ major, one William Whaley, who was an expert at high and fancy twirling of his baton. At one review, in camp around Washington, the brigade had William E Gallagher paraded before McClellan, who had been so taken with this drum major's Trustee and Counsel to 1ofty pomposity' (as a comrade described it) that he took off his cap in jovial salute - whereupon the The Company of luckless Whaley, overcome by the honor, dropped his baton ignomin iously in the mud, so that his big Fifers & Drummers, Inc. moment became a fizzle."
from The Army of the Potomac: Mr. Lincoln's Army by Bruce Catton Gallagher ••••••••••••••• Gallagher & Calistro Keep in Touch! The Company Museum/HQ UNS ELLOR S AT LAW phone: 860 767-2237 fax: 860 767-9765 1377 B OULEVA RD PO.Box 1925 e-mail: [email protected] NEW HAVEN, CT 06509 Ancient Times 203 624 4165 New e-mail address: F AX 203 865 5598 theancienttimes@hotma i I.co m
GENERAL TRIAL & APPELLATE PRACTICE The Company Website www.fifedrum.com/tbecompany :\ncicnt'li111cs 17 23rd Annual Jaybird Day A Resounding Success - As Usual! by George Yeramian Saturday, October 3, 1998 marked Pam Pohlman, the 23rd annual Jaybird Day at The Sylvia & Dave Company building in lvoryton, Conn. Hooghkirk did an The usual format was in place: sign in with registrar fixtures Chuck outstanding job and Dodie McGrath of Westbrook of feeding a lot Drum Corps; rene\\t acquaintances; eat, drink, jam; meeting and raffie; of hungry dinner; goodbyes. Jaybirds. There was somberness in the remembrance of departed friends, especially for the passing of The Company co-founder Bill Pace one year ago. It was good to see many of the regular attendees. There was Harold Baldwin Jr. in the middle of the fifing all day. Harold seems ageless to me. l first met him at a muster in Windsor, Conn. in the early '80s and J swear he hasn't changed at all. Cal Meyers of the L.l. Minutemen is a veritable encyclopedia. The man knows every fifer and drummer in the New York area and has a history or story about each of them. Tony Castellano, who I met last year, was back again. He played with St. Anselm's and was N.Y. State bass drum champ many years ago. Duke, Jim Kirwin, Don Friesing, - Cal Meyers, Fred Novak, Jack Above: There's never a shortage of O'Brien, Bill Boemer, Warren Lee, drummers at the Jaybird jollification. Tony Castellano, Ray Fardy, Nick Durso... those New York and New Right: Roy Watrous, Ancient Mariners Jersey guys come up en masse... play up a storm, too. founder, was one of many Ancient Stony Creek's Hooghkirk's (Dave, celebrities in attendance. Sylvia, et al), Jimmy Luongo and Roger Clark, and Sailing Masters Sandy Bidwell and Mike & Jill Short were the mainstays of the kitchen W. ALBOUM HAT CO. INC. patrol. Life members Dan and Gus presents Malstrom of Monumental City FDC from Baltimore made their annual pil Authentic grimage. Al Horton, also with Monumental City, kept his string of Fife and Drum Corps Hats attendance in tact. Ed Olsen was master of cere For the finest quality headwear monies again. This year's Honored Jaybirds were Helen Arsenault, Frank you can buy Call or write: Grady, Ted Nelson, Cathy Olsen and Leslie Pace. •• (973) 371-9100 • 1439 Springfield Ave., Irvington, NJ 07111 I 8 . \ncicnt'lirncs
raderie" they experienced at DRAM ~. or to be so freely and openly '62. shared - for "there are no strangers Same thing in '69, when Doyle here, only friends we haven't yet met!" and Carolyn Lytle and their young Like all good things that evolve, sons Jeff and Steve returned to so has Mark Logsdon's concept of Lafayette, lncliana and convinced the "Freezer Jam." I would liken the pre rest of the Tippecanoe parents to plan sent Freezer Jam format to an exten vacations around DRAM!I sion of The Company programs (most And believe it or not, that same universities these days operate exten "ham and cheese sandwich" even got sion services). Freezer Jam includes recycled in Japan - as the kids well attended (and effective) clinics, said... "the music was great, but the discussions, an impressive concert hospitality - WOW!" and, yes, SANDWICHES! Now that's a well-traveled ham Anyhow, as unofficial "Itinerant and cheese sandwich and I've been Drummer" for The Company, I offer fortunate to be able to share it with the preceding thoughts as another nice folks around this country, in perspective to Mark's "Along the California, Utah, Missouri, Illinois, Frontier" column (Fall '98 Ancient Maryland, Pennsylvania and North 7Ymes) and the following: Carolina... , but folks still agree - To Mark - "It's a windmill, Voices & Views is a forum for your "the best sandwiches are in Ivoryton, Mark, it's a windmill. Relax and comments, suggestions and criticisms at the old Falcons Hall, now known enjoy." of all things Ancient. We will continue around the world as The Museum of And I offer the usual encourage to include your letters when QllR Company ofFifers & Drummers. ment to everybody: "Go for the sand appropriate. Please send all material And, aside from the sandwiches, wiches, but stay for the music and to The Company of Fifers & hospitality and camaraderie, The the history. Then go home and give it Drummers, P.O. Box 525, Ivoryton, Museum has a rather interesting col away." CT 06442-0525 or e-mail lection of unjgue memorabilia and In the Ancient Spirit, theancienttimes@'hotmail.com artifacts, and a living history program Jim Smith not to be found anywhere else in the Greensburg, Pennsylvania
KNOCKING THE BORDER? Like everyone else afflicted with TDC (Terminal Drum Corps), I drop any thing and everything upon arrival of Ancient 1Ymes - hang up the Do Not Disturb sign and soak up the only news worth printing, reading and heeding (more or less). Ancient Times is a we)come diversion from the mun dane... it is like getting a "care pack age from home" (you know - Mom's fresh baked chocolate chip cookies, dry socks and a new set of skivvies). Something that leaves you feeling warm inside and out. Anyhow.... Since 1961 I've been trying to give away the ham and cheese sand wiches Cathy Olsen packed for Craig Toft, Jim Otte (my stepfather-to-be) and me for our return trip to Palmyra, New York from our first DRAM. As I told folks back home: "the music is incredible (our ears rang with fifes and drums for weeks after that first muster) but you won't believe the hospitality and cama raderie!" And a year later, the new C.A. Red Tie Music and Books FIFEandDRUM.com MCV - 105 Boston Ave. Palmer corps returned home to tell PO Box 31809 Online Store W. Medford, MA 02155 friends, neighbors and relatives about Baltimore, MD 21207 http://FIFEandDRUM.com http://members.aol.com/mcvfd the "wonderful hospitality and cama- . \11cic11tTin1cs 19 by George Yeramian was April Fool's Day. Boy, interior I'm glad Dave Hooghkirk and family Albany is sure different from what were there - Dave always has a sup It's been a long winter that went by you see going by on 1-90. That's a ply of those little foam earplugs. quick. After the Holly Jolly and the crowded city! I only traveled on three Besides that, they're nice folks. Marty Jam in January, things were streets: Central Ave., Ontario Ave. Several corps had large turnouts, quiet in this area 'til and Quail Ave. especially Warehouse Point and the March 5th, 6th and but I'm sure 17th Conn. I saw Ken Wittman, bass 7th when the Civil that I encoun- drummer with the Camden (NY) War Troopers hosted a tered 75% of Continentals for the first time since party in Vails Gate, Albany's the '98 Deep River Muster. I also met N.Y. on Friday the 5th. 49,000 traffic his friend and fellow corpsman, snare Then the Germantown .The lights. And, drummer John Wnuk. Nice guy. You Ancients held their they're all syn could tell he was a Continental snare 19th Annual February chronized ... to drummer 'cause he was getting in Doldrums party in stop you on about twice as many hits as any Danbury, Conn. The Tattler every block. other drummer. long, quick winter This Also had a pleasant reunion with threw them off by a year's jam was little (not anymore) Aimee Farland month. The Menotomy held in a new who used to fife with Marquis of Minutemen held their annual jam in location, the Hibernian Club, formerly Granby Jr. F&DC and the 18th Conn. Arlington, Mass. on Sunday the 6th. f a K of C Hall. Adamsville Director Jim Regiment F&DC. I remembered that missed all three events because of Willey said this was the biggest she said she wanted a career in avia impending bad weather, bad weather turnout yet. About 115 servings of tion and sure 'nuff, she went to an and the aftermath of bad good food prepared by Adamsville aviation school in N.H. and is now weather. ..darn. corps member Keith Kiernan, a pro working for a company at Brainard On Saturday, March 27th, the fessional chef, was about the number Field in Hartford. Got her pilot's 8th CT Regiment Fifes & Drums of of attendees. Just for the heck of it, I license too. Got a fiance too. She had Warehouse Point, Conn. hosted a get took a count of drummers playing at her music book out \vith tunes from 3 together at Ralph Sweet's Powder Mill one time and there were 14 bass and or 4 corps and was practicing Barn in Hazardville, Conn. Names 14 snare drummers whanging away Adamsville stuff as she's going to that harken back to Civil War times and enough fifers to keep 'em in line. march with them when she can. ,I' when Powder Mill and Hazardville were dangerous places because of munitions manufacture. It was a noisy if not explosive evening but I found enough quiet time to renew acquaintances with Mr. and Mrs. Ben Emerick, O.V.F. (Old Village Fifer) of Recordings the Capt. James Buxton FDC from Ancient Mariners, 1st Michigan, Midnight Riders, Uxbridge, Mass., and with Matty Skip Healy, 42nd Royal Highlanders, Muster Bunch, Lyons, Ancient Mariner snare drum Middlesex County Volunteers, Fife in the Fast Lane, mer - my, what a snare drummer! Williamsburg Fyfes and Drums He was flanked much of the evening by Dominic Fereleto of St. Peter's Music Drum Corps of Torrington, Conn. and Bruce and Emmett, Benoit and Mitchell, Ciaglia, Barbara Rossi Catania, who Hazeltine, Howe, Moon, Robinson, and Sweet drummed with the Sons of the Fifes Whiskey Rebellion Phase I. Cooperman, Healy, and Sweetheart The 8th Conn. folks were happy to see Charlie Garrow in good form on Drum Supplies the bass drum, back after an illness. Cooperman and Heritage Drum Companies The Nathan Hale and Westbrook Free Websites!! corps were well represented. It got Get your Corps online with our easy to use pretty loud with about a dozen web-based interface. Update your site anywhere snares, 8 bass drummers and 14 fifers going at it pretty good. Things you can connect to the Internet! quieted down when the pizza delivery truck arrived. Boy, they were good ... musicians and pizza. On Saturday, April 10, I took a FIFEandDRUM.coin pleasant 100+ mile drive west on 1-90 Store, Oassifieds, Calendar, Directory, Links, Message Board, and Chat to Albany, N.Y. for a 1st time visit to the Adamsville Ancients No Foolin' 14011-F Saint Germain Drive, Centreville, Virginia Jam. No foolin' because the first time Toll Free 1-877-378-DRUM W CAL: (703) 803-8833 FAX: (703) 968-8877 they hosted it (3 or 4 years ago), it 20 ..\11cicnt'l1n1cs Duke O'Terreri Fife & Drum Corps A Big Hit In Ireland by Jack O'Brien The Duke As announced by the five prehmmary reviewing stands in the St. Patrick's O'Terreri FDC Day parade in Dublin: •A member of impressed the this American corps is 81 years old crowds, win and always wanted to march m ning 1st prize Ireland!• The crowds roared approval in Limerick - the only problem was that Duke waiting for us at the final main and roars of grandstand where he fell in for a few approval in blocks with the group. So all along Dublin, where the line, the Irish were asking, everyone "Which one ,s the 81 year-old guyr wanted to see Then they started looking at some of our "kids~ - O'Brien, Boemer, Frank the 81-year Nevens, Ron Peterson ... is that him? o/d American What fun! drummer! It was a 9-day tour, parades in Limerick and on March 17, Dublin and O'Brien with 60 and 63, others and four color guard, led by the Betsy itselfl We took a count on the number had 20 - 30 - 40 years. It totaled Ross 13-star and the lnsh panel of years of drum corps experience we 1,063 years of experience in fife and flag- the Irish went wild! A reception had in this group - Duke himself drum corps! our guys and gals \viU never forget with 70 years, followed by Boemer Two bass, nine snare, 16 fifes Then came a delegation of flag twirlers, trumpeters and men m tights all the way from Italy - they Don 't Take A Chance ... Travel With Sprance! must've known Duke was coming. I only got to sec our friends from I St. Mary's Pnze Winning Band bnefly. Another outstanding band was the Regimental Fife Band of Londonderry ~ Spranee Travel Limerick must have entered six different bands, from flutes, brass 1 and bagpipes. \ Specializing in Drum Corps Travel Then, the big school bands from the States. We asked if they spoke Ireland & Fasnacbt 2000 English of course, we come from March 1- 5, 2000 - Florida FLAM 2000 the Flonda Ancient Muster - Take a Texas, Pennsylvania, University of Miami - but how would you know? mini-vacation to sunny Florida and muster among the palms! None of them flew an American flag! March 12- 20, 2000 - Tour Ireland Waterford, Ktlamcy, Dublm. Limerick and Sure, they all twirl flash flags. The more ... Enjoy a mcd1c\.al feast at Bunrauy Castle .. Kiss the Blame:, Stone ... only units that showed their colors March in the St. Paddy's Day Parade m Dublin .. Have a pint or two at Dirty Nellie's were Colorado and Canton, Texas... Pub ... and cnJOY a week m Ireland v.ith your Ancient friends! this 1s a sad situation. (I have a clause in our parade contracts here March 9- 18, 2000 - Fasnacht 2000 An event you'll nc,cr forget! in Hoboken: All musical units shall March 9-20, 2000 lrcland,Fasnacht combo This will be the trip of the be preceded by an American flag. Who century! Fasnacht 2000 followed by a trip to Dublm for the St. Patnck's Day says so? Me - I have the checks!) fest1, 1tics! What a great way to celebrate the new millennium! Thanks to the many old friends and the new ones we made on the presen Sprance Travel Services tation of such a legend corps ,JJ
Better Service at Lower Prices Corps Directors and Company Phone (7 18) 497-6420 I Fax (718) 497-1801 I E-mail: SpraoccTrncl{iEjuno.com delegates: Executive Committee 55-37 Metropolitan Ave., Ridgewood, NY 11 385-1202 minutes are available upon Visit us on the Internet at www.czcom.com/spra11cetravel request from the Secretary. .-\ncicntTi1ncs 21 r------, Available Now! from Tlie Company Store The Company Store Mail Order Form Tunes of the Hudson Description Qty. Price S&H Total Valley - Vols. I & II Company Music Book Volume #1 $12 $2 Company Music Book Volume #1 Cassette $10 $2 A Collection of Original Company Music Book Volume #1 with Cassette $21 $2.50 Fife & Drum Music by Company Music Book Vol. #1 Drum Solo Cassette $10 $2 Frank Grady Company Music Book Volume #2 $12 $2 Company Music Book Vol. #2 Cassette (Set of 2) and $14 $2 Company Music Book Vol. #2 with Cassettes (2) $25 $2.50 Nick Attanasio Company Music Book Volume #3 $8 $2 In the truest traditions of "Ancient" Camp Duty Music Book with Cassette $15 $2 fife & drum music, Frank Grady and Sturtze Drum Book $10 $2 Nick Attanasio present a two-volume Tunes of the Hudson Valley Vol. I (Attanasio & Grady) $8 $2 collection of original tunes. Masters of Tunes of the Hudson Valley Vol. II (Attanasio & Grady $12 $2 the art form, Grady and Attanasio pay tribute to legendary corps and musi 110 Military Drum Duets Book (Munier) $5 $2 cians of the genre with such tunes as: American Rudimental Method Drum Book (Classey) $5 $2 Sons of Liberty Quickstep Camp DuPont Music Book $5 $2 Yatesville MUSIC of the Sons of Liberty Book $10 $2 Jay Tuomey March 40 Rudimental Orum Beats (Perrilloux) $5 $2 Krug's Korner Chas. T. Kirk Fife Music Book $10 $2 Hugh Quigley Roy Watrous Book $5 $2 Culhane Muster Up A Meal Cookbook - on sale/ Save $2 $6 $2 Olsen's Ale 200 Years of Fife & Drum Cassette (NY Regimentals) $10 $2 Major Pide/ NY Regimentals/CT Yanks/Moms County Cassette $10 $2 Johnny McDonagh Company Window Decal Col. John Chester $2 .50 Company Lapel Pin $4 $1 - to name but a few. Those who Company 25th Anniversary Pin (Bronze) recognize the names will fondly recall $2.50 $1 the greatest era of "Ancient~ music. Company Armetale Tankard $25 $2 These tunes are loyal to that time. Connecticut Residents Add 6% Sales Tax on Above Items $ Every fifer and drummer - Company Tee-Shirt (Adult) S_ M_ L_ XL_ $12 $2 young or old, novice or seasoned - Company Sport Shirt (Adult) S M L XL $22 $2 should have this collection to play and enjoy. Company Sweat Shirt (Adult) S_ M_ L_ XL_ $22 $2 Company Jacket, Unlined (Adult) S_ M_ L_ XL_ $24 $2 Company Jacket, Lined {Adult) S_ M_ L_ XL_ $30 $2 Online Chats Total Amount Due s ATTENTION ALL CYBER-ANCIENTSI PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
Now there are TWO Fife & SHIP TO: Drum chats every week! On Sunday nights at 7 p.m. Address CST/8 p.m. EST join Jessica City State Zip Halverson & friends for Jr. Chat. Monday nights at 7 p.m. EST Make Check or Money Order Payable To: Charlie Terzi hosts the lively and The Company of Fifers & Drummers, Inc. informative Fife & Drum Music Chat Please send this order fonn with your payment to: with special guest interviews and good conversation. Both chats are hosted on The Company of Fifers & Drummers FifeandDrum.com (not to be confused with fifedrum.com, official home of Company Store The Company website). L ______P.O. Box 525, lvoryton, CT 06442-0525 J 22 . \ncicnt'l in1cs
humorous and self-deprecating man ner only served to elevate and William J. MacMaster Jr. enhance his stature and endear him to all who knew him. 84 The increasing frailties of old age Drum Major resulted in fewer letters and more Kentish Guards phone calls ... more "talking wire" Rhode Island than "talking stick" and "talking February 20, 1999 paper." He would describe each suc cessive affliction as going 8 or 10 rounds with the ailment and having "Mr. D" (death) waiting to "execute a pick-up order"... "not this time, old Doris M. Yvon boy," he'd say... but finally, "this time" came. I'm so glad for the letters. Marty was born in Bridgeport, 76 Conn. in May, 1906. He was first Drum Major instructed in the art of rudimentaJ Spirit of '76 - Holyoke drumming by Harold Baldwin, Sr. DRUM Massachusetts Marty played with the OF Devon Fife, February 23, 1999 Drum & Bugle Corps from I 915 to 1920. His family moved to Florida in Martyn W. Field 1924 where Marty spent his entire working career with the Florida Light 92 & Power Co., retiring as a chief Joseph T. Kirwin Jr. accountant. Individual Member of The Company In 1983 he joined the Florida Florida Frontiersmen; he called himself a September 19, 1998 63 Roger's Ranger. He participated in Snare Drummer shooting matches and rendezvous as USMA Band, Civil War Troopers long as he was able. New York In 1990 he somehow connected March 15, 1999 with John Hetzel, founder of the Nathan Hale Fife and Drum Corps, Robert Milano then Dodie and myself. My wife and I went to Florida in February, 1993 72 Fr. Jordan Stovik and went to meet and visit with Marty Fifer, Snare Drummer, Bass Drummer at his home in St. Pete. Later, in July 18th Conn. Regiment of '93, he came back to Connecticut Connecticut 85 and I took him to the "Hale at the November 27, 1998 Director Homestead" Muster in Coventry. He St. Benedict's FDC sat in the announcer's tent with me New York and was happy and proud to be intro March 28, 1999 duced to the crowd and to view the performances. While there, he fulfilled Carmine DiLullo his wish to meet John Hetzel person Martyn W. Field ally and also John and Lee D'Amico, 90 Martyn W. Field, an Individual mem who had made him an honorary ber of The Company, died September member of the Milford Volunteers Fife Fifer 19, 1998 in St. Petersburg, Florida. and Drum Corps. Numerous Corps I first heard from Marty in a let In 1994 he came back again. Connecticut ter dated January 29, 1991. He was This time I took him to the Milford January 1, 1999 referred to me by Dodie McGrath of Muster and, as announcer, I was able Westbrook Drum Corps, as a source to introduce him as Milford's Guest of of "muster videos." That letter was the Honor. He always recalled these two seed that sprouted into a pen pal visits as highlights of his later years. relationship and then into a fully As Marty would end his letters, Matthew Soltys blossomed friendship. "check the sentries and secure the To prepare for this eulogy/ obitu camp." 32 ary, I reviewed well over a dozen let Marty was predeceased by his ters from Marty and found myself wife "Chrissy" and his daughter Betty Snare Drummer marveling again at what an interest Lou. He leaves to mourn his passing Olde Ripton Ancient FDC ing, engaging, articulate and gentle his sister Lois G. Taft of East January 17, 1999 manly correspondent he was. His Hartford, Conn., five grandchildren and several great grandchildren plus .\11cic11t'l1111c~ 23
anyone who ever knew him. Matthew Soltys Bill was a Captain in the Kentish A memorial service was held in My friend Matthew Soltys passed Guards, a member of Washington St. Pete, Fla. on September 29, 1998. away on January 17, 1999. Matt was Lodge 5 F & AM ,and a member of the North Kingstown Seniors Association. by George Yeramian 32 years old and 1 knew him for 20 years. 1'wenty years that have passed In recent years he was a fre Robert Milano by like a summer breeze. quent contributor of memorabilia to The Company archives. Bob Milano, a fifer with the 18th Young as he was, I will sorely At the memorial service on Conn. Regiment Ancient Fyfe & Drum miss him. The time we shared was all February 24 at the First Baptist Corps, passed away on November 27, too brief. The days of walking around Church in Wickford, R.I., an Honor 1998. Bob was a member of the John the neighborhood and getting into Guard from the Kentish Guards lined Brown Fife & Drum Corps until 1975, trouble are gone but never forgotten. the walk from the street to the church when he co-founded the 17th Fife and drum was the way I got and a fife tno from the Kentish Conn. Regiment Fife & Orum Corps to know Matt better. We were both Guards Fife & Drum Corps played with Carmine DiLullo. Bob was members of the Olde Ripton Ancient hymns in the church prior to the ser President of the 17th until 1997, Ftfe & Drum Corps. Matt played the vice 1\vo bagpipers from the when he joined the 18th Conn. snare drum and had lots of musical R. I. Highlanders Bagpipe Band played Regiment Ancient Fyfe & Drum talent. He also played the trumpet in "Amazing Grace" during the service. Corps, who benefited greatly from his his high school band. Matt tried to Besides his wife Marjorie, he instruction as an experienced Ancient teach me how to read music but I leaves two sons, one daughter, two musician in fife, snare and bass was a poor student. stepdaughters, eight grandchildren drum. Running around at musters to and sixteen great-grandchildren. Bob's last muster performance get into the next jam session was by Mo Schoos was at the Marlborough Muster last something that we lived for. "Hell on the Wabash,n "Power of Whiskey; September 12. He was proud of his Doris M. Yvon nearly perfect attendance at parades "Drums and Guns,• and Doris first maJored for the Marine and musters throughout his career as "Grandfather's Clock" were a few the Orum Corps m the Willimansett an Ancient musician. He is survived songs that he enjoyed. section of Chicopee, Mass. Her hus by his wife Mabel, their children and I can still see Matt and hear his band, Roland, was a drummer in the grandchildren. voice. How quickly the memories come flooding over me A nighttime corps and both were active members by Tim Reinsch rocket launch, a Rush concert, a from 1938 until the begmrung of Tiverton muster walking in the World War II. In 1946, Roland formed Carmine DiLullo woods. A Muster Under the L, the Spirit of '76 Ancient Fife & Drum Carmine D1Lullo passed away at his Westbrook musters sitting in the Corps in Holyoke, Mass. Doris was daughter's home on January 1. In bleachers, hanging with friends and the major, Roland was the drum 1924, he was a member of the talking 'til dawn. instructor, and daughter Betty later Torrington Fife, Drum & Bugle Corps. Evening leads to twilight, a became a member of the color guard In 1960 he started the St. Peter's missed opportunity before me. How and twirler for the corps School Band in Torrington, and was a can this happen to one so young? Doris maJored for the Spint of member for ten years. For the next Now all I have left are the memo '76 unW the corps disbanded in the five years, he was a member of the ries of times gone by. Dreams of hav mid-fifties. She later led the Hatfield John Brown Fife and Drum Corps. In ing our children play together like we Ancients, Hatfield, Mass. and the Post 1975, he co-founded the 17th did are now unfulfilled. 70 VFW Drum Corps in Springfield, Conn. Regiment Fife & Drum Corps M emories Mass. with Bob Milano, and served as Are Doris became widely known as treasurer and music master. Carmine The thoughts the major who occasionally danced was a member of the 17th for over That count. around her mace while leading her twenty years, marching until he was corps down the street. She was 88. He was also an accomplished by Wayne Hickman awarded over fifty medals in competi violinist. tive contests and was the Mass. State Carmine's last performance, at William J. MacMaster, Jr. Champion for five years. In Conn., age 89, was with the 18th Conn. William J. MacMaster, Jr., 84, died at R.l. and N.Y. she distinguished her· Regiment Ancient Fyfe & Drum Corps home on February 20, 1999. He was self by winning the best out-of-state at the Marlborough muster last born in Framingham, Mass., the son award (twice m Conn.). She also won September 12. His fife instruction of William J.and Elizabeth championship awards at the Eastern was deeply appreciated by the 18th. MacMaster. States Exposition, The New England Carmine is survtved by his son, He lived in Schenectady, N.Y. States competition and was awarded John N. OiLullo, and his daughter, and Cranston, R.I. before settling in The American Legion National Phyllis Cardegno, both of Torrington; North Kingstown, R.l..in 1953. Championship title in 1950 at a con a sister, Flora Castelli of He served as Drum Major for the test in Worcester, Mass. Harwinton, CT; five grandchildren Pawtuxet Fire Kings Fife & Drum Doris will always be fondly and eight great-grandchildren. Band in the nud 1900s, and from remembered for her pleasant person 1978 - 84 he held the same position ality, ever-present smile and the little by Tim Reinsch in the Kentish Guards Fife & Orum dance around the mace. Corps. by Dick Crosson 24 .\ncicnt'lin1c~
Huntley, 111.; two grandchildren, Priesthood. In his estimation, drum Meaghen and B.J Hampton of corps uniquely served that purpose. Highland Falls; two sisters, Maureen It was largely under his guidance Baile of Paterson, N.J. and Patnc1a that the corps developed mto a cham Henderson and her husband, Bill, of pionship unit. He understood the West Paterson, N.J.; two brothers, value of having the best instructors James Kirwin and his wife, Gloria, of for h1s players and setting high but Clifton, N.J. and Thomas l(jrwin of achievable goals for the corps. With Sussex, N.J.; and several nieces and the exception of several scattered nephews. years, he moderated the corps from 1943 until 1963. Working with John by Peggy Hampton McDonagh on fife and Tom Heath on drum, he embraced the change of the corps from Modem Fife Drum & Bugle to Ancient Fife & Drum in 1955. The corps consistently won New York State and Northeastern championship titles year after year. Fr. Jordan himself was an amateur musician, having played the clarinet in his high school and college bands. He deeply missed the drum corps when he was reassigned back to Minnesota in 1965. While assigned to a parish in North Dakota, he tried to orgamze a fife and drum corps but Joseph T. Kinvin, Jr. lacked appropriate instructors to Joe Knwin of Highland Falls, N.Y., a make it viable. When St. Benedict's retired Sergeant Major for the U.S. drum corps traveled to St. John's Academy Band, West Point, died Abbey in 1972, Fr. Jordan was there March 15, 1999 at home. He was 63. to greet them at the airport. The son of the late Joseph T. Sr. Fr. Jordan Stovik, OSB According to St. John's and Winifred Higgins Kirwin, he was Monastery in Collegeville, Minnesota born Nov. 27, 1935 in Paterson, N.J. Chief among the many reasons why where he was in retirement, Fr. He was a proud and dedicated St. Benedict's Drum Corps, Bronx, Jordan entered his eternal reward on member of the U.S. Military Academy N.Y., was so successful from the March 28th, 1999 at the age of 85. Band at West Point from 1957 - 82 1940s into the 1970s was the Benedictine Priests who served as Writers Note: I had occasion to be in playing in every Presidential inau~r Minneapolis on business m Sept al parade from John F. Kennedy to moderators of the drum corps. Of the several Priests who assumed this role I 997. I called Fr. Jordan at the Ronald Reagan. He served first in the Monastery to arrange a visit with him Hellcats, the Academy's field music none loved the corps more or con- • tributed more than Fr. Jordan Stovik. for a few hours. Part of his response detachment, and rose to percussion was "make sure you bring a fife." group leader in the concert band Jordan Anthony Stovik was born in 1914 in Curlew, Washington, a Shortly after I arrived, he asked to Joe began his career in music at hear me play to see if I had earned age nine as a drummer and joined the town on the Canadian border. He was the fifth of eleven children. my stripes in the corps. His request Ex-5th Regiment Field Music of was for "The Downfall of Paris." Paterson, N.J. He also belonged to the He was ordained as a Passaic County Letter Caniers Band Benedictine Priest in 1943 at St George Carteris and St. Bonaventures Field Music, John's Abbey in Collegeville, also in Paterson. He remained an Minnesota. His first assignment was active member of all three until he to St. Benedict's Parish in the north Book of auditioned for the USMA Band. east Bronx Among his many parish His love of music included mem duties was to manage and direct the Remembrance berships m the Continental Fife & fife, drum and bugle corps. Fr. Albert All contribu11ons and listings for Drum Corps of Cornwall, N.Y. and in was pastor of the pansh and the for departed friends and relatives recent years, the Civil War Troopers mer moderator of St Anselm's Drum should be sent to: Fife & Drum Corps of Newburgh. He Corps (St. Benedict's sister parish The Compan_\ ofFtfers & was a longtime member of The and drum corps rival in the south Company ofFifers & Drummers. Bronx). He knew of Fr. Jordan's ener Drummers, Im. Survivors include his wife, gy and enthusiasm and specifically P.O. Box 525 requested Fr. Jordan's assignment to Margaret l(jrwin of Highland Falls; horyton. CT 06442-0525 two daughters, Peggy Hampton of the parish so that he could moderate Highland Falls and Kelly Insco and the drum corps. Fr. Jordan felt that For more mfonnat1on call her husband, Kenneth, of Troy, N.Y.; guiding youth to their greatest poten Colleen Stack, (203) 265-0543 one son, Joseph T. Kirwin Ill of tial was part of his vocation to the :\ncicn(lin1cs 25 ''Marty Jani'' Meet Our New A Fun Way Calendar Editor
To Fund A Beth Johnson (Deep River Srs.) replaces Scott Greenstreet (Ancient Mariners) as Ancient Times Calendar editor and Scholarship Musters Committee chairperson. With many years of experi ence putting on the largest fife and drum muster in the world, by Peter Andrews Beth is uniquely qualified to fill both these positions. Scotty has served The Company well for many years, in many capacities, The annual Martin D. Andrews including several terms on the Executive Committee. He's also a Life Member. Memorial Scholarship Jam Session... While he certainly deserves a rest, he undoubtedly will be quick to pitch in and Marty Jam, to those who regularly help out when needed. attend ... was held on January 23, The Company is very fortunate to have dedicated and talented members 1999 at the Elks Club, Westbrook, like Beth and Scott (and many others) who give so freely of their time. So wel Conn. There was a wonderful repre come, Beth and thank you both for all you do for The Company. sentation from 25 corps from N.Y., Mass. and R.I., which again helped Reminder: If your corps holds an Send to: Beth Johnson make this event a huge success. The annual event, it is still necessary to jam started at 4:00 p.m. and did not P.O. Box 286 submit the information for publication Middlefield, CT 06455-0286 wind down until 2:00 the next morn in Ancient Times and on The Company 860 349-2279 ing. The new location offered a larger website. Please refer to previous listings hall than the previous one, allowing for style and content. mjohnson [email protected] for good conversation along with great fifing and drumming. • e • • • e • • • e • e e • • e • • • • • • • • Special thanks to Cooperman e Have deal fi 11 Corps Fife & Drum Co., Country ~rocer in e . we got a or our Thomaston, John and Phyllis Thompson, and Bill Rotella Drum e . Studios for their donations. v,es we \'C gol a real On February 13, 1999 a "Gala • .l\ money saving. , EvenC was held in Watertown, Conn. e discounted deal for 1he featuring vocalist Heidi Wood of St. • members of your corps who Peter's Drum Corps, the Maple Leaf can receive 1he Ancient 7i111e.1 Brass Quintet, and a fife trio (Bill • and be individual member, of I O Individual, U.S. only $15 Hart, Tishka Hart and Mike Andrews), • The Colllpan) for up one 0 Family, U.S. only $25 I 10 along with performances by Bill Rotella on vibraphone and Lynn • 1hml less than our published O Canada, Lndiv1dual. only $20 Patnode on flute. The evening was cos1ofC'fl5.00each. Here\ I D International, Individual. only $25 I attended by almost 100 people and • how it work\- :) Ufe Membership-I would like 10 learn abou1 nexible made a profit for the scholarship • 10 Corps paymen1 schedules for a $1,000 donmion. fund. The performances and dona- • Members or I 0 Corps Discounts-I would like 10 learn more about big I tions are much appreciated, especial '>