One of our esteemed fellow VFMA alumni, who chooses to remain nameless, sent me this note on the Book of Faces:
“Dan, I just came across this about John Hoffman, ‘legendary’ Bandsman ’69. Excellent audio interview with him. Many of us always wanted to know all that he had been involved in. This says it all.”
This unnamed, “honorable” alum, who wore three pips and a tuba my plebe year, is correct — it’s a really terrific interview!
Originally heard on…
[Edited to correct graduation year.]
Posted at the request of the organizers.
Dear Fellow Bandsmen,
As some of you already know, a group of 17 VFMA Band Alumni from 1964 – 1969 got together for a small reunion in Gettysburg, PA. Many of us had not seen each other in 45-50 years. Needless to say, it was a fantastic experience and much overdue. Stories abounded and for some of us, we met bandsmen who we had not ever met in person. It will be a weekend that we will treasure.
During the weekend, we talked about continuing the band reunions and about who should be included. Some wanted to keep it for bandsmen of the 60’s but others felt it should be open for all the Col. Feltham bandsmen from 1949-1976. We were all in agreement that it should continue as none of us are getting any younger and almost all of the Feltham years bands are retired or will be soon.
We are contacting those we have addresses for and are asking for input. The reunion will be held in the Philadelphia area because of its proximity to VFMA and transportation hubs. We are looking at venues on the “Main Line” near VFMA.
We would ask that you respond via Email by March 1, 2017 to jimmeckley@yahoo.com
This will help us make a decision as to when and how big of a group to plan for in our endeavor. As soon as we have an overall picture, we will pick a date, time and place and get back to you with information.
If there are other bandsmen from the Feltham years not on this mailing list that you are in contact, please forward this to them so they may be included.
QUESTION #1 Should the reunion be kept to the “60’s” era or be opened up to all bandsmen 1949-1976.
QUESTION #2 Should the 2017 reunion be held in June, 2017 or late September, early October, 2017
QUESTION #3 I am interested in attending a Reunion/I will be unable to attend a reunion.
VFMA Alumni weekend is April 28-30, 2017.
Thank you all for your help with our plans and we hope that many of you will be able to attend this event. Your input is most welcome and never forget the wonderful years we shared with Colonel Feltham and the VFMA Band.
Sincerely, Jim Meckley, Brian Kreider, Hugh Johnston, Eric Ronnigen, Keith Hooper and Dave Detwiler
Your one stop spot for all the Christmas music from BandSir.com.
Have a very merry Christmas, everyone!
Dan
I’ve been trying to locate a list of all the Band Captains and Drum Majors and so far, have failed to locate a full list. Bill McKibbin was kind enough to send me a pretty extensive list, but it’s not complete.
At the link immediately below is a Google Sheets spreadsheet with places for the names by year.
Add Information to the Band Captain/Drum Major List
Since y’all are clever gentlemen, if you would at your convenience enter the data you know into the spreadsheet we can compile this list pretty quickly. Please enter the first and last name of the person in the appropriate spot.
I figure that in a few weeks, we’ll have it all. I’ll add the information that Bill McKibbin provided when I have the opportunity, but it’s liable to take me a bit as I have some travel this weekend.
Thanks in advance!
Dan Wolfe
74 & 76 JC
All done, so it would seem! Please report any broken links or anything else that doesn’t work to DanWolfe.US@gmail.com.
Thanks!
Dan