Bill Semeyn began playing lead soprano with Empire Statesmen in 2001, but his drum and bugle career dates back to 1956, when he was a solo soprano player with the Green Hornets junior drum and bugle corps in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was lead and solo soprano with Racine Kilties senior corps from 1994 to 2000. As a member of the United States Air Force, he served three tours of duty in Vietnam between 1966 and 1976. He helped re-organize the Coachmen drum and bugle corps of Grand Rapids in the mid-1980s, serving as horn instructor and, with his wife, looking after food services for three years. He is a life member of the Disabled American Veterans Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. He is an exceptionally versatile brass player, and has participated with many community bands playing trumpet, cornet, flugelhorn, alto horn, baritone and valve trombone.
*Deceased
