World Drum Corps Hall of Fame (WDCHoF) member Frank Gerris, age 79, passed away April 2 in Hawthorne, New Jersey.  He was inducted in the WDCHoF in 1992 and the New Jersey Drum Corps Hall of Fame in 2000.  His involvement in drum corps activity began at age 7 playing soprano horn with Our Lady […]

A feature story in the Sunday March 28 edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper gives readers tons of information about World Drum Corps Hall of Fame member Bill Ives and his ongoing campaign to collect items for a proposed Marching Pageantry Arts Museum. The extensive story and photos were also featured in The Upside section […]

World famous jazz pianist Chick Corea, inducted into the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame in 2018 for distinguished professional achievement, died February 9 at age 79 from a rare form of recently discovered cancer.  He had been inducted into the International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers Hall of Fame a year earlier.  He […]

Those wishing to honor the memory of World Drum Corps Hall of Fame member Don Friesing, who passed away recently, may make a donation to the Hall of Fame’s scholarship fund in his name.  Donations can be sent to World Drum Corps Hall of Fame, PO Box 357, Pine Brook, NJ 07058. Don Friesing, inducted […]

World Drum Corps Hall of Fame member Frank Ferraro, who produced a steady stream of state and national championships with the Buccaneers of Reading, Pennsylvania, passed away Sunday December 20 at age 88.  He had recently been hospitalized before moving to hospice care at ManorCare Health Services in Laureldale, Pennsylvania. A mass of Christian burial […]

Anna Gentile, of Fallston, Maryland is the winner of this year’s $500 World Drum Corps Hall of Fame scholarship, awarded from funds supported by the annual pledges of more than 200 Hall of Fame associate members. Scholarships are available to members of the families of Hall of Fame members.  She is the granddaughter of Phil […]

World Drum Corps Hall of Fame member Doug Reynolds of Niagara Falls, Ontario, who passed away October 21 at age 80, earned a reputation as an outstanding snare drummer, percussion instructor, administrator and judge, carrying out all of these functions at the same time from 1953 to 1980.  He became a member of the Hall […]

By Joe Marrella (World Drum Corps Hall of Fame member inducted 1989) Even if I wasn’t a drummer, I would try to see Buddy Rich and his Big Band as often as I could. He was an awesome player and his band’s music was as driving, pulsating and emotional as he was behind those drums! […]

By Joe Marrella We remember vividly those in our beloved drum corps activity who share their unique talent, dedication, creativity, and life philosophy, toward catapulting the activity and its performers to greater heights. Their greatness stands out in the manner with which they leave their mark and influence on each person who crossed their path. […]

The Bracken Alumni Corps, of Bristol, Pennsylvania started out-of-door practices the week of September 18, following weeks of inactivity during the COVID-19 pandemic. “There are no performances scheduled, so it was just for the camaraderie of getting together, and to keep our chops in shape,” stated music director and brass instructor Chuck Smith, an associate […]