In reply to Dan Witter. I would have done better playing the trombone in felthams band than sax and clarinet in derbys band

That’s a great album. I’m so glad you brought it to us! I thought the 1955 band was top notch but this compilation was so good. Thanks a million !

Oh boy, do I remember Brooke’s Chicago! At the inaugural parade for Governor Shafer in 1967 we played that right through six or seven times. It was a cold January day in Harrisburg and that was a real bear for the clarinets. That’s a really good Seitz march, but on the march in the cold–yuck!

I liked Colonel Jayne’s. I played for him on alumni weekends. I played the Tenor and Bari saxes a few times and the trombone in a few more of them. Feltham accepted me in 9th grade on the trombone. However, that didn’t materialize on the home front.. Derby accepted me on the Bari sax and Bass Clarinet for 12th grade post grad. He was a cool guy……

At the news of VF closing the Academy , and with JC in doubt, as a former Bandie from 52-56 in the Academy I was arguably the youngest to have been accepted at least until then. I was privileged to play under DK Feltham for all my time at VF; including a couple years prior in the Band summmer camp. I served under four Band Captains, starting with John Dodson, whose exec officer was Geo Newell . Many memories: a few: like when we went to Washington to play in Eisenhowe’s first innaugural, and I had to wear pinned up […]

In reply to Dick Buxbaum. No objections. Send me a link to my email and I can link to it. Dan

Upon the apparent demise of VF, perhaps it would be appropriate to include a CD of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band which was spearheaded by Al Jaffe, a VFMA Band member during the early ’50″s ? He has passed away however his son now operates the Hall.

as VF is about to close I want to relay a short story about a Bandmate of mine in the early 50;s when Col Feltham was the tac. Allan Jaffe was a tuba player in that band; he went on to be the owner/proprietor of Preservation Hall in New Orleans where he played tuba there for many years. His son now owns the Hall and plays there as Allan passed away as did his wife. Perhaps it is appropriate to include a Preservation Hall Jazz Band piece on BandSir as a testimony to his spirit etc? Thanks!

In reply to Jeff Leri. Thanks, Jeff! Great to hear from you. Be well and stay in touch.

You are now the keeper of the legacy,Dan. Thanks for all you have done and continue doing. Excellence through Scholarship, Unity, Devotion.