Brad Longdo was writing and directing music for drum and bugle corps in upstate New York for almost 10 years before he graduated from Potsdam State Teachers College in 1950, then became director of instrumental music in Waterford. Soon after, he became drum major, music director and arranger for Cohoes Grenadiers senior drum corps. He produced championship corps regularly throughout the 1950s, including Syracuse Brigadiers, state champions from 1954 through 1960; Canadian national champion Guelph Royalaires in 1957, 1958 and 1959; Ohio state champion Satan’s Angels. From 1963 to 1965, he instructed Frankfort Starlighters, with his contributions especially noted as part of their 2022 reunion program. He also worked with Schuylerville Green Sabres for 25 years, with performance highlights including two president’s inaugural parades and the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.
