Napoleon is probably most responsible for the popularity of combining music and marching in modern times. While he was out conquering the world, he stumbled upon a Turkish “Janissary” band with cornettos, shawms, cymbals, and a thing called a “Jingling Johnny” that resembled a hi hat on a broom stick. He proceeded to buy one, […]
A very wise friend of mine named Jim Elvord once stood up at a corps staff meeting of a top national contender and asked the following: Who are we? Where are we? Where do we want to go? How are we going to get there? Everybody wanted to skip right to number 4. That would […]
This edition of Off the Record features Frank sitting down for a chat with old friend and drum corps legend Jack Meehan. What a great way to start off the New Year! Enjoy! Click on the player below to listen
One popular scientific theory holds that the universe continues expanding, a result of the incredible force generated by the Big Bang. There seems to be a good deal of evidence for this view. Whether this will go on forever is debatable, and even Einstein struggled with this problem. After all, why wouldn’t the collective mass […]
In this special edition of Off the Record, Frank Dorritie pays tribute to “the jewel in the crown of all national titles” – the CYO Championships – with recordings between 1964 and 1984. Enjoy! Includes selections from this Fleetwood album: Click on the player below to listen
Drum and bugle corps were born in the local community – which is exactly where Frank focuses this episode of Off The Record … on the small groups that were the foundation of the activity. Take a few minutes to enjoy this look back – which includes a contribution from the great storyteller, Wayne Harris. […]
A hush falls over the audience as the ensemble turns backfield and shapes the hauntingly melodious beginning strain of a deeply moving ballad. The pit percussionists layer tasteful textures onto the rich brass sound, the timpanist applying a perfectly balanced and feather-light touch to a roll even as a gentle wind chime floats above it […]
With this episode of Off the Record, Frank explores the evolution of “standstill” recordings and attempts to answer the question of “why people like to stand in a parking lot – in front of a drum corps, and listen to them in that context”. The episode features some of the very finest recordings ever made […]
A few days ago, I held in my hands a valveless trumpet upon which ringing fanfares were once sounded in the Royal Court of His Majesty, James II of England. This rarest of horns may also have served to enliven Shakespearian dramas and comedies of the period. Crafted of copper and brass in London by […]
On a Sunday afternoon in mid summer 1968 it’s oppressively hot and humid in Jersey City. We wear uniforms made of wool blend, and don’t care. The “breeze” feels like one of those moments in mom’s kitchen when you open the oven to see if the roast is done. It matters not. We have to […]
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