OLPH RIDGEMEN ALUMNI DRUM & BUGLE CORPS

 

Greetings Ridgemen !

 

    I trust everyone had an enjoyable and healthy summer.  I've just returned from the DCA Championships in Rochester, NY where, despite the inclement weather, a good time was had by all.  Congrats to The Reading Bucs on winning the 2006 championship in fine form.

 

        Great to see The Ridgemen well represented on the field and in the taverns in Rochester!  Congratulations should go to Ridgemen Alumni Jim Rosenthal, Romeo Petric and drum instructor Jim Mallen of the Bridgemen alumni.  Also to Dennis Augustini, Bob Kinnley of the Hawthorne Caballeros for their "peoples choice" awards (tied for first place) in the Alumni Classic!  Well done guys! 

 

AND (before I get killed) The Skyliners!, with their numerous OLPH alumni members,  wowed the crowd with their performance and were "skunked" out of much deserved recognition by some guys in short pants.  Great to see John "Domino"Neurohr , Eddie Byrnes, 'Brudda Rob' Scarbourgh, Rich "Da neck" Logan, Big Mark Marowski, Anthony "Jerz", Solly Baby, Solly Baby! Wes Myers, Paul Adazzabel & Carl Ruocco out there knockin ‘em dead.  Hope I didn't leave anyone out!

 

      As we move forward to the parade season just a few items to review here.  The Ridgemen will perform in the annual Ragamuffin/Third Ave. Fest on the 30th of September. The Ridgemen are one of the original participants of this event and it's an "old home week" for Bay Ridgites. Please lets have a good turnout for this event. The play list wil be Conquistador, Buddy and Volga so please bone up on these songs.  We are planning a sectional practice for whoever can make it for the weekend before.  PLEASE MAKE IT!!!!

 

         The Catholic War Veterans have requested the Ridgemen play for their Mass at the OLPH Basilica on November 11th.  Eddie Byrnes is in touch with them and we are waiting to finalize the arangments.  This will be a short gig.  Most likely just Play them in and done. NOTE:  There is the possibility of  The Columbus Day Parade on Staten Island for the Parks Department.

 

       Some good news for the many Ridgemen alumni who have been requesting we add OUR DAY WILL COME to our play list.  This WILL happen, as Doc "Mussels" Corbino has spent his summer slaving over this arrangement. This is a Ridgemen Classic!  It was performed by the 64/65 corps as an "exit" and was heard on the stage of Carnegie Hall and in the World Open Finals and immortalized by the Fleetwood recording company.  Rob will try to replicate this beloved song best as possible to the ORIGINAL arrangement, complete with signature mellophone "sighs" !!!!  So Greg Boyle, Donato, Jim Rosey ..... you got it!!!!

 

        Lastly, PARADE REST!  In discussions with alumni Tom Breen and John Neurohr with regard to their Brooklyn United Project, Tom assures everyone he does not intend to create conflict with the Ridgemen and it his NOT his intention to harbor any bad feelings with anyone's choices of participation.  Also, Tom and John are holding rehearsals for their up coming event MUSIC UNDER THE BRIDGE (see their web site) and have requested that if you are free to assist in this effort you will be warmly welcomed to do so.  Tom "Bucky" Swan, the Ridgemen's beloved brass instructor in the Seventies, is conducting some of their rehearsals.  If performing is not you choice, please support their effort by purchasing a ticket and attending this event.

 

WING IT IN!  In closing....... Let’s keep Mike Carten, Steve Garcia, Mike Carr, Richie Marino, Pete Lanfranca and the recent loss of Mike Barrett in our thoughts and prayers.  May God bless them and keep them.............FALL OUT!

 

                                                               stein