Jack Tencza learned rudimental drumming from Earl Sturtze, then played snare drum with the Washington Park junior drum corps in Meriden, Connecticut from 1953 to 1960. In 1961, he drummed with St. Paul Seniors. He then performed with Lancraft Ancients Fife and Drum Corps from 1964 to 1971. Over the years, he won every individual drumming title in the Northeast. He won two titles five times in six years: the Connecticut Fifers and Drummers and Northeastern Drumming junior snare championships in 1955, ‘57, ‘58, ‘59 and ‘60. He won the Dan English Trophy awarded to the senior champion in 1963, ‘64, ‘66, ‘68, ‘69 and ‘70. He won the Northeastern drumming title in 1963, 1964 and from 1966 to 1970. He won the junior national championship in 1957. He has served on the board of directors of a number of groups, has been a drum instructor and a judge for the Connecticut Fifers and Drummers Association.
