Comments on: Record Album – “Parading the Brasses”

By: Robert F. Davis, Conductor

Robert F. Davis, Conductor — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 22:47:19 +0000

This is indeed a nice march by a very special composer who understands the band well. The “Brass Factory” will be presenting this in our next concert along with Brass Pageantry by Ostling.

By: Richard N Ostling

Richard N Ostling — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 21:32:47 +0000

Nice rendering of the title march, written by my father Acton Ostling (Sr.), premiered with his Union-Endicott H S Band, Endicott, NY, and published by Bourne.

By: E Bruce McLeod

E Bruce McLeod — Thu, 14 Dec 2017 04:20:07 +0000

In reply to Blaine Wilkinson.

Blaine,
What a great story! We miss you in the Washington Regiment here in DC/MD/VA area. We had a great alumni Christmas party and meeting tonight at the home of John English (VF Chair of Trustees) in McLean attended by many alumni and also Col. Church, the Saudi Ambassador and Gen. H.R. McMaster.
I am off to Charleston, SC, to live near my son. Get in touch if you come by there – bmcleod64@gmail.com.
All the best,
Bruce McLeod
Band 1960

By: Howard Dreizler

Howard Dreizler — Sun, 06 Nov 2016 01:53:59 +0000

I know I am late, but I cannot let this opportunity pass. I was in the Band from 1949 to 1951. Those two years were two of the best in my life. And the Duke was an idol. We had a wonderful band, and the friendships we made last to today. Any email from a former VFMA bandsman is read with relish. We are scattered to the four winds, but the bond remains. I cannot listen to this music without choking up.

By: BLAINE WILKINSON

BLAINE WILKINSON — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 23:52:23 +0000

In 1969 I was General Manager of the Sheraton Jacksonville HOTEL, a 300 hhroom 4 – Star hotel. One afternoon the front desk called me and said a Colonel Feltham was at the desk and asking for me. I immediately ran down to the lobby and there was THE DUKE and Sydney. He was wearing shorts, a Hawaiian shirt and a very large straw hat to ward off the Florida sun. He asked if I had a room for a couple wayward travelers. I immediately set them in our Presidential Suite and had the Bellman take the to their rooms. I also alerted Room Service to deliver flowers, fruit, cheese, wine, etc. I invited them to join Loretta and I in our suite for cocktails and then have dinner in my upscale restaurant. It was one of the most enjoyable evenings I ever spent. Blaine Wilkinson, BAND CAPTAIN, 1954.

By: Blaine Wilkinson

Blaine Wilkinson — Sun, 31 Jul 2016 01:36:08 +0000

In 1969 I was General Manager of the Sheraton Jacksonville HOTEL, a 300 room 4 – Star hotel. One afternoon the front desk called me and said a Colonel Feltham was at the desk and asking for me. I immediately ran down to the lobby and there was THE DUKE and Sydney. He was wearing shorts, a Hawaiian shirt and a very large straw hat to ward off the Florida sun. He asked if I had a room for a couple wayward travelers. I immediately set them in our Presidential Suite and had the Bellman take the to their rooms. I also alerted Room Service to deliver flowers, fruit, cheese, wine, etc. I invited them to join Loretta and I in our suite for cocktails and then have dinner in my upscale restaurant. It was one of the most enjoyable evenings I ever spent. Blaine Wilkinson, BAND CAPTAIN, 1954.

By: Ed Bavsria

Ed Bavsria — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 02:05:37 +0000

Like Dave, I was of the class of’50. I never enjoyed life better than the 1 and 1/2 yrs I spent at VFMA. Our band was so very special to us all, and Maj Feltham such a terrific conductor and teacher. What I remember so well is marching down Broad St in Philly playing “Them Basses” and Stars and Stripes Forever!! I’m enjoying these recordings SO much. Thanks, Dick, Dave and whoever helped in putting this together.
Ed Bavaria

By: Dick Leister

Dick Leister — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 21:33:38 +0000

I was in the band 47 through 51 and was band captain that year. I returned to VF in 1960 as PMS and enjoyed the same faculty as when I was a cadet. I taught Aerospace Science class of 40 cadets for Al Sanelli for three years and loved it. I lived in the Medenbach house for two years and my first dinner guest was the Felthams. My 11year old dau said the blessing and finished off with “God Bless the Band”. We still say that when we have family dinners and I have it on my veterans plaque on Mt. Soledad. If I had not gone to VF I would have been in jail. Long live Valley Forge and God Bless the Band

By: Blaine Wilkinson

Blaine Wilkinson — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 00:38:04 +0000

The best years of my life were those spent in the VALLEY FORGE BAND(3 week’s-trumpet; 4 months – bass(I did not read bass Cleff but with Howie Driezlers help I muddled through.); and 31/2 years on French horn) and those spent in the MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY BAND as a trumpet player again (they had too many French Horns)..I play my VF recordings frequently.

By: Dave Keller

Dave Keller — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 19:57:26 +0000

I was class of 1950, the first year that Feltham was on campus.The album dates me bigtime but listening to it still brought chills down my back and a million memories!!!! I played baritone horn.
Dave Keller