For Christmas of 1972, WJZ television in Baltimore, Maryland invited the Valley Forge Military Academy Band to record a Christmas concert for their viewership. Below is that recording courtesy of Ron Youngs, who had this program along with the recording of Nixon’s inaugural concert previously posted here.
We continue to owe Ron a huge debt of thanks for not just what’s already posted here, but for rediscovering these video recordings from 1972 and taking the time to get them digitized for this site. Please help me thank Ron for these wonderful clips in comments the section below.
Thank you Ron Young!!
Big thanks to Ron Youngs. VF Bandsmen will be forever thankful for your efforts in preserving these memories. Despite all the craziness in the world today, we can enjoy these lifetime moments of our time together with the Duke and each other. Will be fun to listen to this recording during the holidays.
Wait a minute guys!!! I was in Baltimore in 1972, the year I graduated from Medical School (Univ of Maryland) and I never knew anything about this. I am so sorry to have been so close and missed it. Richard Wingert ’63 and ’65 Band, Oboe.
Wow that was great! I’m from Baltimore!!!!
This was posted on my 73rd birthday. Could not have had a better gift! So wonderful to see our marvelous band back in the day. Loved seeing the Duke on the podium again. A million thanks to Ron Youngs. This site is about the only thing keeping me sane these days.
You know, that’s about the nicest compliment I think I’ve ever received. I’m so glad that you enjoy this website. Thanks so much for taking the time to drop a note. Oh, and by the way, happy birthday!
Dan Wolfe
Thanks to Ron for preserving and sharing these wonderful clips. Brought back so many memories. Thanks. Please stay safe and well all.
Thanks to Ron for having all this in the first place and also to Dan for making it available for us all to enjoy. It was really fun watching the Baltimore show as well as the 1812 concert shows and seeing all of us so freaking young. Brings back mostly great memories. One thing I recall is that several of us had the flu for the Baltimore taping. I recall Little Zim having to go off camera to puke in a trash can in the middle of the show. Anyone able to confirm that memory?
Thanks again – Bill Leslie
I remember that as well. And still we played a great show. Felt bad for Little Zim. So nice to be able to watch this and the other videos.
Excellent performance. Brought back wonderful memories. Thanks!
As a Graduate of the Academy in 1957….this wonderful music
reminds me of the EXCELLENCE of Valley Forge Military Academy in
all areas. These Memories make this Son of BALTIMORE PROUD ! !
Michael Patrickk O’Hara
I graduated (D Troop) Class of 1966 and enjoyed listening to the music of “my” Valley Forge Military Academy Band. This 1972 Band still had all the earmarks and high standards found in my years at the Forge.
To all former Band members — especially you scholarship cadets of the Glory Years, thank you for always being there for the Rope dance, (not that I ever got the Rope LOL) Battalion balls, Ring dance and Graduation ball. You were very professional and very much a BIG part of the school. I got to know several of you when I came back to the JC in 1967 and you were great friends.