A Tribute

A Tribute to the Trailblazers

Through the years the members of The Empire State Grenadiers, and the Interstatesmen have been a major source of inspiration and influence to the next generation of Drum Corps People in the north eastern part of the country. Some provided help in a direct way by acting as writing staff or instructional staff, while others by just being a part of these great organizations left a model for participation in the activity at it's highest level. We have all been influenced by these people and continue to be to this day. I would like to list the names of some of the people who have helped push the Drum Corps movement forward in our area.

(I apologize in advance for anyone who I missed - please us know if you can provide Bio information for any of these people. And, also, let us know if YOU know of additional members of the Grenadiers/I-Men still participating in the activity. (underlined text link to bios)

Ron Ghetti ........... Soloist , Brass Instructor

Artie Nelson ......... Percussionist, Percussion Instructor, Judge

Joe Baker .......... Percussionist, Percussion Instructor, Judge

Butch Daigneault ... Soloist, Drill Designer. Judge

Floyd Jones ......... Soloist Extraordinaire

Al Richards ......... One of the first mellophone players in the country (with The Benoint Bros.)

Butch Anderson .. Brass Instructor, Drum Major (New York Skyliners)

Brad Longo ....... Arranger, Brass Instructor, Drum Major

Billy Jones ........... Color Guard Instructor

Bob McCaffery ... Brass Instructor, Judge

Dom Delra ......... Arranger, Composer, Brass Instructor, Inventor of The Mellophone Bugle

Paul Christopher .. Arranger

Al Hallenbeck ....... Brass Instructor, Judge

Billy Teta .............. Brass Instructor

Rocky Teta ........... Drill Designer

Bill Hoyt ............... Drill Designer, Playing Member to this day

Conrad Keado ........ Drill Designer, Judge

Chet Zabek ........ Percussionist, Percussion Instructor

Jeff Perkins ........ Director of the only Jr. Corps from our area to ever break top 16 DCI (Avant Garde,1984,16th)

There are also a few other die hard souls out there who still perform with various groups and by doing so perpetuate and nurture our activity. Those who come to mind are:

Les Perry, Paul Christopher, Terry Stoliker, Dinky Gardener, Tim Boardman, Al Richards, Charlie Symanski, Lowell Scales, Bill Siddon, Dennis O'Connell, Bill Kennedy, Staff Evans, Hank and John Carney, Marty Angiulli, Jack Papa, Tom Norton and Joe Chizek Sr.

Thank You for providing a wonderfully challenging path to follow.