CANDRUMMER

The Niagara Memorial Militaires Alumni Drum Corps has a spot open for a Drum Major. The Militaires are primarily a Parade Corps roughly 12-15 per year but do standstill concerts, exhibitions as well. The Corps is located in NIAGARA FALLS Ontario and practices TUESDAY nights 7:00 - 9:30 pm at Branch 479 Royal Canadian Legion 5603 Spring St. (5 min from the US Border for any Americans who may be interested.)This is the Corps HQ with practice rooms offices storage etc. likely the BEST Corps Hall in the area. The brass charts are arranged by HAROLD McJURY of MSJ and HITMEN .The Corps is approx: 40 members 18 Brass 8 Drums 4 Keyboards 4 Honour Guard 6 banners. The Militaires are the only Drum Corps left in the Niagara area which once boasted 16 Corps. Interested parties please PM me with a brief bio etc.

I am looking for books written by LARRY McCORMICK back in the 60's and would even settle for good photo copies. Books like PRECISION DRUMMING, TENOR DRUM METHOD etc Any help appreciated.

If you notice British Bands ie: HM Royal Marines DO NOT use leg rests.They balance the drum on the leg as though it was a rope drum which we all know did not have a leg rest. The only British bands I can recall using a leg rest were the Pipe Bands before going to carriers

The drum apron is a BRITISH idea which used to keep the LEFT pant leg clean from blanco and brasso that were applied to the then used rope drums that were usually brass shelled that needed to be polished with BRASSO and the ropes and ears were whitened with BLANCO. Also saved wear and tear on the pant leg from friction from marching and the drum moving on the leg. The bass drummers leopard or tiger skins were a throwback to Britsh Army units being posted to India or the Far East in Victorian times.They skins of the animal were "trophies" usually shot by Officers of the Regiment and presented to the Corps of Drums or Band. Tenor drummers sometimes wore small skins like a snare drummers apron or the regular white "buff" leather apron. Bass drummers also wore a leather apron in front to protect the front of the uniform tunic again from blanco or wear and tear.

I could NEVER understand that "BIG TEN" style of marching and drummimg!!!!!!!!!!!!

I could never understand the need for the 3rd valve on the G horns. GREAT music was played prior to the addition of the 3rd valve on 2 valve and even valve rotor horns in the past. The way I see it if the BEST DBC in the world US MARINE DBC is STILL using 2 valve horns and playing the stuff they play why the change???????????????. Oh I know$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ for the manufacturers!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also because of the drum now being on an angle going left to right its a bit different than playing flat ie: with a carrier. Stick angles and positioning will differ a bit.

We have a DYNASTY 24'' Bass Drum Black finish with silver hardware. Comes with case and carrier NEVER USED Asking $350.00. Also have 3 LUDWIG BD 22'' 26'' 28'' Red gloss finish need new heads rims need repainting no carriers need a bit of TLC but still good drums. $75.00 ea. All are in Niagara Falls NY. www.militairesalumni.com

One only has to look at the BLUE DEVILS Program over the years as the members morph from the C Corps to B Corps etc. There is also a video on YOUTUBE of a Japanese KINDERGARDEN Drum Corps!!! Playing cut down sized snares quads and bass drums and synthisizers doing s M&M show on a gym floor.The old saying "START EM YOUNG" has meaning here!! I have said for many years MORE local based Community Corps should be formed BUT you don't have to go the DCI route.Nothing wrong in marching in a Parade Corps doing parades,community events supporting your local Service Clubs etc like was in our day. There could be a Standstill Class contest where you are judged on your playing. Also a Parade Class where you are judged on marching playing etc. There is enough equipment out there ie: G horns 2 or 3 valve hell maybe even V-R now since Corps have gone to Bb and tons of drums so equipment should not be an issue. Just my thoughts

Nice to see that there is some sort of activity here for the kids in Ontario once a hotbed for both Jr and Sr Corps where Drum Corps has all but dried up save for the 9 Alumni Corps and BLUE SAINTS.

24'' DYNASTY Bass Drum for sale BLACK with silver hardware. NEVER USED!! Comes with carrier and case. Asking $350.00 plus s/h from Niagara Falls NY or will trade for a 3 valve G baritone OR 2 3 Valve G Sopranos

We have a KANSTUL 2 Valve mello once used by the US Marine DBC with "The Commandants Own" engraved on the bell. Horn is in GREAT cond. Asking $175.00 plus s/h from Niagara Falls NY.

How much for the 3 valve baritones?

From the Niagara Memorial Militaires Alumni Drum Corps our sincere condolences to the Kleinhan family on their recent loss of Doug. He was one of the best at his craft and didnt mind sharing idea's and helping those drummers or drumlines who asked for his help over the years.He will be missed by all on both sides of the border.Just one more member for GODS drumline.

You are CORRECT Sir!!!! That is Don DABERS artwork.Don was/is a legend in DC Artwork right down to the tiniest detail.His artwork even was on the US MARINE DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS LP Record back in 1976 BOTH sides.

OK I'm an old fart I play-teach in an Alumni Corps. Im going to PO some people but here goes. If I want to hear "Classical Music" I will go to a Symphony Concert. I strongly feel that if Corps played music people RECOGNIZED the DCI activity would be stronger. How many people leave a DCI Show humming whistling a tune they heard that night?????. In the "old days" or what the kids call "back in the day" you could do that. Its still done at Alumni Shows The Corps play music people can relate to AND RECOGNIZE!!!!!! The modern Corps have to pick up on that. I can fully appreciate musicly what they are playing BUT I have to think afterwards WHAT THEY HELL DID THEY JUST PLAY!!! IMHO play something recognizable that the crowds can relate to. 98%of the fans are not classicly trained musicians. Afterall its the FANS who are paying the prices of the tickets

We Alumni Corps drummers aka Old Farts would WELCOME something lighter BUT it has to SOUND like a drum not a tabletop!!!!!!!!!!

THE NIAGARA MEMORIAL MILITAIRES ALUMNI DRUM CORPS from Niagara Falls Ontario are looking for 2-3 Bass Drummers(Both "straight" style and rudimental) as well as 2-3 Cymbal players. The Corps practices every TUESDAY night 7-9:30 at Branch 479 Royal Canadian Legion 5603 Spring St. NIAGARA FALLS ONTARIO which is 5 minutes from the CANADA-US Border(Rainbow Bridge)20 min from the Buffalo-Fort Erie Peace Bridge

The NIAGARA MEMORIAL MILITAIRES ALUMNI DRUM CORPS from Niagara Falls Ontario are looking for 2-3 Bass Drummers (both 'straight" style and rudimental) as well as 2-3 Cymbal players. The Corps practices every TUESDAY night 7-9:30 at Br. 479 Royal Canadian Legion 5603 Spring St. NIAGARA FALLS which is 5 minutes from the CANADA-US Border (Rainbow Bridge)

Go to 1 800 USABAND aka TAYLOR MUSIC They have a "in house" carrier under $100.00 that can be use with the angle bar on a snare or tenor.

A majority of the NIAGARA REGIONAIRES drum line in 1981 came from a B&DC from Toronto. Might have been Montage.

There is a BDC that STILL comes to St Catharines Grape and Wine Festival Parade and Welland Rose Festival Parade both here in Ontario CANADA every year!! I believe they are from Akron Ohio Their name escapes me at the moment.They have 2-3 snares 1 bass 1 quad and 1 horizontal bell lyra

We used to hammer the clip flat on the shoulder piece so it wouldn't "pop off."