tired and old in pa Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 Belvederes March Again After 30 Year Absence Last week’s Schuylkill Haven Halloween parade brought back many memories of long-ago parades for one of the musical groups in the parade and for many long-time parade spectators. Appearing as the “Belvedere Alumni”, former members of the extinct Schuylkill Haven Belvederes Drum & Bugle Corps turned the clock back thirty years with stirring renditions of “Hang ‘Em High”, a signature song of the corps from the late 60’s and early 70’s. The Belvederes played a big part in the lives of many current and former residents of the area. From 1965 through 1976 over 450 youths from Schuylkill Haven and surrounding towns and counties participated in the corps as part of the color guard, drum line, or horn line. For many members, the corps was a family affair with brothers and sisters involved and for some, parents in a supporting role. For all, the corps was family. The Belvederes were organized in mid-1965 to provide young people something to do after school and during the summer. In 1967 the corps under the direction of Kenn Greene began competing as a full-fledged marching and music group against other junior corps. The competition format was similar to today’s high school band “Tournament of Bands” competition format. With expert coaching, practice and experience, the Belvederes’ on-field performance progressed to the point where the corps rose to the top ranks of junior corps in the mid-Atlantic states and beyond. The corps won the National Association Championship in 1969 followed by the Eastern States Association Grand Championship in 1973 and 1974. After the 1976 season, a large drop in membership forced the corps to merge with another junior corps. This new group dissolved three years later. Since then, many of the former Belvederes have kept in touch on their own, by sporadic encounters at drum corps competitions, and during the annual Casper Troopers visit to Haven. During this past summer, two ex-Belvederes spoke with Kenn Greene about organizing a large reunion for the group. Greene’s response: “Let’s do the Schuylkill Haven parade!” With a bit of serendipity and a healthy infusion of Haven’s “The Little Town That Could” spirit, the Alumni tackled a hectic four weeks of preparation for the parade. Names and contact information of ex-Belvederes were collected during Borough Day. E-mail and a website kept all interested parties informed about practice times. The Schuylkill Haven School District granted use of the high school band room for Sunday practice sessions. At the first practice just 26 days before the parade, “Hang ‘Em High” was picked for use on parade day. The horn players brought their own instruments or borrowed one from other sources. Drums were borrowed from the high school band. The original color guard flags were found in a barn in Myerstown. The United States flag arrived on loan from a Lebanon County high school. The final practice ended with a special performance at Rest Haven for Ida Heiser and her fellow Rest Haven residents to thank Ida for her many years of support for the corps. And on October 25th, 2007 the Belvederes marched again. The Belvedere Alumni thanks everyone who witnessed the parade for their enthusiastic response to the Alumni marching and musical performance. The Alumni greatly appreciates the support of all involved in this unique reunion of the Schuylkill Haven Belvederes. Special thanks go to Kenn Greene (corps and alumni musical director), Chris Evans (Haven High Band Director, hosted the Alumni practices in the band room), and the corps members who stepped up to lead the horn, drum and color guard practice sessions. And a tip of the cap is due our fellow Alumni who came down from Massachusetts with headgear for the parade. During the parade, the Alumni color guard was preceded by a three-car escort. The Alumni is grateful to the passengers – Earl and Gloria Kremer, Bill Krammes, Bill Ebling, Kenn Greene, and Ross Reber – for their time and effort expended during their tenure as Directors of the Schuylkill Haven Belvederes Drum & Bugle Corps thirty years ago. The Belvedere Alumni is actively seeking mailing addresses or email addresses of all former members for next year's reunion and possibly other social events. Another parade or similar event are possibilities as well. Contact us via the Alumni Yahoo site (http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/belvederealumni/) or call 570-739-2543. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tired and old in pa Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 SEEKING FORMER BELVEDERES A reunion of all members of the former Belvederes Jr. Drum and Bugle Corps from Schuylkill Haven is planned for Saturday, June 21, 2008 at the Sunny Rod and Gun Club in Minersville, PA. All former marching members, instructors, directors and support staff and their families are invited to attend. The Belvedere Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps is recruiting members. The unit plans to march in several local parades and is in need of horn players, drummers and color guard members. Membership is open to all Belvedere Alumni, family and friends. For more information contact: Brian Beamesderfer beames@verizon.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuvsPAisTe Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 Hey Beamie- Don't forget to remind folks to get some great gear at http://www.belvederesalumnigear.com/ Thanks- Spence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
train8699 Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 I had two cousins who marched colorgard for Belvederes - they lived in Lebanon Pa. (Ann and Mary) I'm in Atlanta GA and we always had so much fun comparing notes. One of them taught me how to spin rifle!! I don't see them as often, but I'll pass along this info about the alumni corps. I march in Atl. Corpsvets guard and still have a great time at age 46!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tired and old in pa Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 (edited) Can someone post some pics here? Here are three photos 1973 1974 05/26/2008 Alumni Edited May 29, 2008 by tired and old in pa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindap Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 Here are three photos 1973 1974 05/26/2008 Alumni Thank you. It's nice to see your parade photo and all the best. People at my work were commenting about drum corps and bands in parades from years ago, how there were so many. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuyW Posted June 12, 2008 Author Share Posted June 12, 2008 Kool pics! I especially like seeing the Alumni carrying tymps!! Hope you have a great Reunion event... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tired and old in pa Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Kool pics!I especially like seeing the Alumni carrying tymps!! Hope you have a great Reunion event... Thanks, the tymps that the Alumni are useing are the same ones from the 1973 picture. The tymps were stored in a barn for 25 years. They were repainted,and repaired with new heads and some used hardware this past winter. The guys playing them are in there late 40's early 50's. Tired and Old in Pa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A27Lancer Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Thanks, the tymps that the Alumni are useing are the same ones from the 1973 picture. The tymps were stored in a barn for 25 years. They were repainted,and repaired with new heads and some used hardware this past winter. The guys playing them are in there late 40's early 50's.Tired and Old in Pa Amazing that you folks are still together! Fond memories of you from days gone by! Marching tymps in your 40's and 50's. My hat is off to you. I could not imagine doing that in my frail state! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuyW Posted June 13, 2008 Author Share Posted June 13, 2008 Thanks, the tymps that the Alumni are useing are the same ones from the 1973 picture. The tymps were stored in a barn for 25 years. They were repainted,and repaired with new heads and some used hardware this past winter. The guys playing them are in there late 40's early 50's.Tired and Old in Pa The above is exactly parallel to the Kingsmen Alumni Corps tymp story... ...great minds, and all that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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