Patrick’s story: My favorite thing to do when i was a kid was to go in Saratoga and watch the flag day parade. After I saw you guys go by i would get in my bike and ride as fast i could to the football field so i could get a front row seat to see the corps compete. As i sat there and looking out at my sister on that field i I wished i could do that some day.
The funny thing about you guys being in the parade last year is got to live my child hood one more time. I have to think my sister Michelle McFarlane for giving a great child hood and showing me the world of the Avant Garde
Tribute to Laura Johnson Hummell, by Linda Cooper 12/3/18
I am so grateful I had the chance to take one last ride to drum corps with her last spring. It was taking a step back in time to 1984 when we were teens on our way to Saratoga Springs, listening to music, talking about absolutely nothing and enjoying the company of a kindred spirit passing the scenery of New York State along the Thruway. We had taken that trip so many times as kids, even when we missed our exit, we still kind of knew our way “home” to Saratoga
Kathy’s story: This Saturday (6/9/18) at noon I will be performing in the Flag Day Parade down Broadway in Saratoga Springs. Those of you that know me as a computer programmer analyst or a travel agent might not know the important part drum corps has played in my life. I started performing when I was a teenager in the 70s with my Dad, Bill Rettie, who had been in several upstate New York drum & bugle corps himself with total support from mom, Joanne Braun Rettie. After high school, I was introduced to Avant Garde in Saratoga and competed nationally for 2 years before “aging out”. I met my husband, Marty Thomas, while marching with the Interstatesmen (I was their first female horn player) and we performed together for many years locally & with the New York Skyliners up until 1990, including the year we had our daughter, Erin Trimarchi. After a 15-year hiatus, I went back to performing with NY Skyliners Alumni and am in my 12th year with them. It’s not just about the music – I have learned about dedication and self-discipline, responsibility and friendship. I have made some of the best life-long friends a person could ask for! This weekend is not just about playing my mellophone to entertain; we are making memories together. I will be sad when it’s over, but have no regrets about the hard work and crazy time commitment over the last few months!
Frankie‘s story: I will try to explain …when we were kids aging anywhere from 13 to say 21 we marched & played instruments in a group that is sort of like a band but more military style … disciplined. We were at an age where we were young adults & still had our childish ways almost men & women but not there yet…immature oh well, still bratty lol…Not all of us… some were a bit older & those guys guided us younger kids … we joined this group & marched in parades & competed against other drum corps trying to be our best & win the competitions which were held all over the northeast in different states …in the winter of 1974 there were 2 local drum corps that had merged as 1…. after the merger we were big & powerful we had tons of great talent but it was raw…after a long hard winter of rehearsals & practices ….every day but Monday plus all day Sat & Sun …sleeping on gym floors or on the buses as we traveled … we were getting good, very good & we were proud as we were getting better each day polishing until we were at our best …we started out well in competitions & got better almost undefeated the first year .We went on to win the States & then won the World open in our class…. I will never forget hearing that drum corps members from all over the world were coming out to see what this Avant Garde was all about. At our last show called Finals …When we went on the field at the start of our show the stands were packed full like sardines on one side of the field from end zone to end zone & when we turned to play to the back field those stands were packed full of drum corps members in uniform from other corps…when we played our last note & went to parade rest we had a standing ovation from 1 end to the other the crowd cheered so loud it hurt my ears & the tears flowed out of my eyes as a feeling I can not explain over came me just knowing we did it we gave it our all we put everything we had into it & made it happen this was something we all did together not just 1 or 2 people but all of us together… over the winter & thru the year we became close like brothers & sisters.. there is a bond there with this group particularly this bond is like no other ..in all the years I marched in Drum Corps I have never felt what we had back then & never will…no matter what happens that bond never goes away. I love & will always love these people… it is like this …after not seeing most of these people in 38 years when we saw each other last weekend we just picked up where we left off…like it was just last week .
Theresa’s story: In 1971 my father introduced my brother Dan and me to a little drum and bugle corps in Saratoga Springs, the Hurricanes. He knew Joe and Ted, the then Directors of the corps. Ted was the best man in my parent’s wedding. My uncles and cousins had marched in the corps. I don’t know exactly why my Dad thought why it was a good idea for us to join and honestly I never questioned it. He probably just wanted 2 of his 5 kids out of the house for a while. I don’t know if he could have realized the impact this would have on my life. By 1972 Jeff Perkins was the director and the vision for the Bethesda Emerald Knights emerged. The end of the 1974 competition season brought more growth, a merger was in the works! In 1975 the Avant Garde Drum and Bugle Corps marched loud and proud! My last marching season was in 1978. These 9 years of marching came with invaluable lessons and lifelong friendships. Thank you Dad!
Patti’s story: My brother Mike. We both marched in VFW Thunderbirds when we were younger. Mike joined the Hurricanes and I had to wait until I was 13. I remember when Jeff Perkins took a look at me said “you’re 13?” Only because I was so short. That’s why I drove everyone crazy on the Mutt Bus with The News Zoo Review! Great Memories!!
Jeff’s story: In 1953, I was 10 and my real tough friend, Mike Gibney, who had been bugging me to join the Saratoga Junior Cadet corps came walking by with his no-valve bugle on his way to rehearsal. He grabbed my wrist and wouldn’t let go until I agreed to go to drum corps rehearsal with him. So, I went along with him and sure enough, joined. The next part is even more interesting. We were doing close-order marching upstairs on the third floor of City Hall (remember it?). Our Director, Ham Doney caught Tom Brophy and I talking to each other while marching. He was a WWII vet and expected total discipline. After being quiet for a minute or so, Brophy and I began talking again. All of a sudden I felt Ham’s hard shoe in my butt with his next reply. “You have a choice to make Perkins, either shut up and march or go home and when you get there, tell Mommy that I kicked you in the ass”. I stood tall with tears running down my cheeks and continued marching, becoming a model member. As an only child, I needed that discipline. The next 18 were incredible drum corps years for me, marching in 6 corps, a charter member of DCA, having Dom DelRa as my instructor for 7 consecutive years, rising to third in DCA being a member of the Interstatesmen, watching 3 of our players introduce the very first marching mellophones designed by Dom. After my final marching year with the Syracuse Brigadiers in 1971, I began teaching m&m at the Troy Muchachos with Butch Anderson and as the Director and m&m instructor of the Saratoga Hurricanes, then the Emerald Knights and finally as Director of Avant Garde for all 11 seasons while making DCI’s top 25 our first year. I became a drum corps freak. Loved all 32 years of drum corps, especially watching many of you continue your marching and musical lives as instructors, management, players, judges, composers and band directors. And, to those of you who believed in me and stayed on to help AG after you aged out, thank you from the bottom of my heart.