Kammer, Charles

Kammer, Charles

Charlie Kammer began his drum corps career in St. Andrew’s Fife, Drum, and Bugle Corps in 1944 as a fifer. However, he was quickly drawn to learning to play a snare drum under the capable instruction of Buck Soistman. While attending high school he was selected to play in the Maryland All State Concert Band. During the 1950’s, he was a marching member of the Towson American Legion Post Senior Drum and Bugle Corps and the famous Baltimore Colts Marching Band. From 1956 to 1974, he very ably displayed his talents in the percussion section of the Hamilton Post No. 20 senior drum and bugle corps, Yankee Rebels. He spent much of his off time searching for that “certain song” to fully display the music and drill to portray the period of the Civil War and the inspirational music of the time. He had a dream! Finally, his dream came to fruition. Music arranger and instructor Colonel Truman “Tru” Crawford was presented by Charlie with an album entitled Battle Stereo which contained the music Charlie was suggesting the corps play and the idea of the drill that could accompany the music. Within a week, Tru came to Charlie and exclaimed that what Charlie had provided was exactly what he was looking for and the famous Requiem for an Era was given birth. This segment was made part of the drill and immediate national recognition was given. This is still portrayed by the Yankee Rebels wherever they go and still bring audiences to their feet with standing ovations with admiration and appreciation. He also contributed other songs for the corps’ repertoire. Requiem for an Era is said to be a major turning point in the Yankee Rebels becoming repetitive national champions. He has served as president, vice president and treasurer of the Yankee Rebels Alumni Association since 1997 and has served to be one of the main proponents of keeping this organization alive and strong today. To add to his credits, he has been on the board of directors of the Great Alliance of Seniors (GAS) since its charter year, representing the Yankee Rebel Alumni Association. He served as chairman of GAS in 1997, 1998, and 1999 and continues to serve as a very active member on their executive board. In 1998, he was one of the three founders of the Maryland Drum and Bugle Corps Hall of Fame and has also served as president. He was inducted into the Maryland Drum and Bugle Corps Hall of Fame in 2004.