APRDC

The American Patriots Rudimental Drummers Club was founded in 2003 by John and Barbara Flowers to promote the preservation of historical rudimental drumming from our earliest roots to modern drumming as we know it today. Our First Annual Iinternational Convention was held in Harrisburg, PA in April 2004. Drummers from all over the United States and Canada meet annually for a weekend of truly inspiring performances and socializing. Our members range from young performers to Hall of Fame drummers.

News Notes: APRDC HAS CEASED TO FUNCTION AS AN ORGANIZATION AUG. 1, 2008. Barbara and John Flowers, founders, have decided to forego any further activities. Personal reasons have required this decision on their part.

AS A RESULT: A new organization is being formed to continue the activity and an organizational meeting will be held in November in Pittsburg to form and identify the format of the ongoing endeavor to promote rudimental drumming. Contact Gary Rockwell gary@percussionworld.biz for further information

BARBARA FLOWERS' RECAP OF THE APRDC 5th Annual International Convention
April 18-20, 2008 Harrisburg, PA

Everyone agreed this was the best convention we’ve had.  The main reason for this is the new location.  It was perfect for our needs.  The ballroom was well lit, spacious and had very good sound.  We didn’t trip over each other or equipment.  Lots of parking space. The food was great for both the banquet and breakfast.  The rooms were good, the restaurant/bar served good food in a fun atmosphere (one problem here was the bar closed too early – 11:00 PM!)  On the negative side we had the least amount of attendees at this convention since our first one five years ago.  Also, it was the worst year in getting people to reply/commit to if or whether they were attending.  There was much ‘foot dragging’ and way too much time was spent on trying to get responses and/or payment from everyone.  I really feel the expense of traveling is hurting the club since our membership is so physically diversified as far as location.  Also, there may be some lack of interest since we’ve been doing this each year for five years and basically each convention is the same.  These are two of the main reasons – besides financial concerns – for not holding a convention next year. 

However, for those who didn’t or couldn’t attend this convention, you definitely missed the granddaddy of them all.  Besides the best facility so are (as mentioned above) we had the enormous pleasure of experiencing the Connecticut Patriots Fife& Drum corps.  The talent, skill and zest from these young people were very exhilarating.  Whether they were competing in the I&E, exhibiting on Saturday afternoon or performing at the banquet (at my special request) their professionalism and talent were excellent.  Their rendition of Drummery #4 is undoubtedly the highlight for me of any of our conventions or any muster I’ve attended.  It was literally thrilling – the dynamics, flow, difficulty and, yes, the ‘story’ told were emotionally so uplifting and exciting that it was tears and goose bump time at each performance.

Another highlight was the two fifers from the Patriots – Bill Hart & Tishka Musco – whose caliber of playing is second to none.  It was so enjoyable not only listening to them play, but also watching their enthusiasm as they performed.

Friday began in its usual hectic fashion with the unloading of the U-haul and setting up of the Registration table, vendor tables, etc.  Many thanks to all the folks who helped with this:  the Magsamens, Bitners, Don Walls, Rick Hosie, Rose Hamilton, Skee Derr, the Ehrhards and any others I’ve missed.  The I&E began promptly at 6:30 PM.  There was some concern because at this point the Connecticut Patriots hadn’t yet arrived.  We had heard some horror stories from various members about huge traffic jams and detours.  Our three judges:  Cosmo Barbaro, Steve Filippelli and Ken Sherry all arrived promptly and were ready to go.  All the performances were excellent – congratulations to all of our competitors.  The Patriots finally arrived about 7 PM and after a short intermission agreed to compete in their assigned time slot.  Several of the members asked if it were too late to compete in the I&E Rope Drum Individuals and since the competition was fairly informal it was agreed that they could so we ended up a very good turnout for the entire I&E competition.   Our first ever I&E proved to be a great success.  There was a good variety of competitors and a lot of camaraderie amongst them all.  “Rival” competitors cheered each other on during their individual performances.  There were definitely no “losers” in this competition.  The good spirits and excellent talent displayed by all competitors was a sight to behold.  Our three judges did a fine job.  There were some very difficult decisions to be made.  The results of the I&E are attached to this newsletter.

Saturday began at 10:30 with a very interesting clinic by Cosmo Barbaro and then the afternoon exhibitions took place.  It was here that we first witnessed the explosive and exquisite performance of the Connecticut Patriots.  The first was during a clinic by Brendan Mason where the corps (including fifers) played several excellent selections including Edinburgh Castle and Drummery #4.  Later in the afternoon the Madison Street Project gave us a taste of some different variations and interpretations of fife & drum music.  As in the past, all the folks who performed exhibitions did outstanding jobs!  Jack & Joe were inimitable, the “Old, Old, Old Guard” with their wigs, et al., Lynn Magsamen and her cymbal solo, the many members who pitched in to play with Chapter #4 and Chapter #5 to ‘help out’ were just a very few of the outstanding moments. For a complete listing of all the extraordinary performers, please see the attached copy of the Saturday schedule.  John Bosworth even called from Oman to say “Hi” to everyone! As in the past, the afternoon concluded with a Massed drumming of all attendees where the musical selections to be performed at the GAS reunion were run through.

The Saturday evening banquet not only had great food for everyone to enjoy, but many, many awards and recognitions.  First the ladies auxiliary (Rose Brigade) were recognized and three members were inducted into the Auxiliary Hall of Fame.  Members recognized were Rosemarie Hamilton, Lynn Magsamen, Maryann Gernandt, Ann McGrath, Bettye Ehrhard, Peg Bitner and Debbie Reed.  Hall of Fame members inducted were Rosemarie Hamilton, Lynn Magsamen and Anne McGrath.  Then Gary Rockwell, Skee Derr and Bill Maling were recognized for respectively handling the Web site, taping & creating DVD’s and handling PR for the Club.  Several members who were generous enough to make financial donations to the club were mentioned: Jack Pratt, Bill Murray, Joe Fontana, Bill & Anne McGrath and Bob & Elaine Peterson.  The awards continued with the First Responder award going to Bill & Anne McGrath for the second year in a row.  There were two Chapters recognized as Chapter of the Year since there will be no convention next year.  Both Chapter #1 and Chapter #2 were given this honor.  All members of these Chapters that were present received a certificate.

Then some special awards were presented to the following:  Connecticut Patriots, Don Walls, Skee & Connie Derr, Jack Pratt, Bill Murray, Joe Gillotti, Gary Rockwell, Bettye & Leo Ehrhard, CADRE and Bill & Anne McGrath.  Each of these recipients received framed prints of historical rudimental drummers by Neary. 

New Hall of Fame members Nick Biscotti, Skee Derr and Bill McGrath were inducted and gave very sincere and emotional acceptance speeches.  The Connecticut Patriots played a tribute to them including Drummery #4 which literally brought the house down led by Barbara Flowers yelling “Bravo” and crying and laughing and jumping up and down.  Fred Johnson and Doug Kleinhans received the last awards for the evening during their inductions into the Hall of Fame.  Tributes to both were played by Paul Mosley, Bob Peterson, Nathan McLaren and Ken Miller including a piece written by Doug and dedicated to Bob Peterson the title of which was “The Cadet”. All members of the club received copies of this piece in their weekend packets.

There was a surprise presentation of a beautiful bouquet of a dozen long-stem red roses made to Barbara Flowers by Rosemarie Hamilton on behalf of the Rose Brigade.  It was a very thoughtful and emotional ending to the award presentations.  Again, everyone joined in the Massed Drumming for a final time.

Sunday morning a very hot, delicious breakfast was served to those who were able to make it down to the ballroom.  Apparently there was much celebrating and jollification that took place later Saturday evening and several attendees were too much ‘under the weather’ to make it down for breakfast.  Packing and re-loading the U-haul went fairly swiftly and another Convention came to a close amidst many farewells and ‘see ya soon’………………

REVIEW of FOURTH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION:

The Fourth Annual International Rudimental Drummers Convention was held on April 20th-22nd, 2007. SEE A PHOTO SHOW of our EVENT: http://photoshow.comcast.net/watch/qJ6iB5Bk\

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