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NATHAN HALE 2009 Annual Reports
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Last Update: November 26, 2009 at 2:45 p.m. local time in Coventry, Ct
November 22,2009
As the Chairman of the Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes and Drums for the 2009 season, I have made it my goal to ensure that the organization and its constituents adhere to the purpose on which the organization was founded. These points are as follows:
2. To pattern the uniforms as closely as practicable to those of the Revolutionary period. 3. To present programs memorializing Nathan Hale, through fife and drum music and other media 4. To pay tribute to persons who have contributed outstanding service in the Ancient Fife and Drum world S. To pattern drill for Major, Color Guard, and Corps as closely as possible to that of the Continental Army. 6. The Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes and Drums is to be a non-competitive, except when engaged in a paid parade or event where special prizes are awarded in addition to the regular fee for such parade or event. 7. The executive committee may direct the corps to present programs at no charge to certain non-profit or charitable organizations. 8. Whenever possible, and in order to meet financial obligations, to participate in paid parades or events.
enactment world, thanks to Bob Castillo for chairing the muster committee along with other members who assisted Bob in this endeavor. In November, members of Capt. Stephen Buckland's Artillery and the Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes and Drums marched in the Hartford Veterans Day parade, where we were awarded the best fife and drum corps recognition, along with a beautiful trophy. As in years past, 2009 has seen members resign, but we have also seen new members join or rejoin, we hope to continue to attract new members, especially fifers as we move forward in 2010.
In order to be in full compliance with the by-laws governing this organization
I have supported members of the executive committee in contacting and soliciting
members to serve on our current Board of Trustees. I want to thank everyone both
past and present for their willingness to. serve our organization. Your support is
vital for our group to remain in existence.
In closing, I have worked with the membership in terms of improving our
communication with each other in regards to being proactive and on the importance
of maintaining a positive attitude, as well as organizing social events to ensure our
motto, "Esprit de Corps" Any time you want to find out what we're doing and where
we've been, I encourage everyone to check us out on the web at: We have a wonderful digital archive of past events, announcements, and our schedule easily accessible on line at the above mentioned sites. In the Ancient Spirit respectfully submitted, Carla Kennedy Chairman
November 22, 2009 As the substitute Quarter Master for the Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes and Drums, we have been successful in recovering inventory from past members that we . . desperately needed in order to outfit new members. I have also started a dIgItal inventory of the corps current property in order to have a current record. The uniforms in current corps possession have been organIzed In are kept In b!ns wIthIn the loom house. The executive committee has also instituted a fixed asset Inventory sheet for all current and new members in order to maintain more accurate records of our inventory. Although this process has begun for current members, It wIll need to continue into 2010 in order to be complete. The cannon traIler tIres have been replaced in order to ensure equipment safety during transport to corps sanctIoned events. Some of the ranger_muskets are inoperable and have been sent out for repair. As we move into 2010, past member inventory recovery and procedures will need to continue and be established.
Report of the Business Manager
During the course of our season, we are invited to many events the membership is not always aware of. We get invitations to jams, ceremonies, educational events, musters, encampments and of course parades. Some of these are paid events however many are free community service type events. Over the past few years our activity has been confined mostly to Connecticut with one excursion in the autumn to Worcester where we march in their Columbus Day Parade. We almost missed that one this year due to the lagging economy. In years past we used to travel north into Vermont, east to Rhode Island and west into New York State as well as the events we performed in Massachusetts and Connecticut. I would like to see this again however we need to have a strong base corps before we can go after these out of state events. The difficulty of business manager is trying to present in a timely fashion to the executive board those events which will encourage our membership to want to attend. One example of how the Corps came together on short notice was the victory day celebration in Hartford for the undefeated UCONN Women's basketball team. This event was well attended, the weather was great and everyone had a good time. The only drawback to this event was no remuneration for our time and talent. The invitations were as follows for the 2009 season. Invites 11 ................ Invites 12 ..................... Invites 9 Attend 8 ................... Attend 4 .................... Attend 5 Cancelled 1 The 2010 season has already begun. Parades Invites 1 declined 1 Respectfully submitted,
G. Mark Whitham
I am not publishing our Treasurer's Report since I do not consider the Corp's Financial Records to be in item for public scrutiny. Members can receive copies from our Executive Committee upon request.
Annual Report from the Musick Master,
To our Executive Committee Members and to our Board of Governors ...Greetings!
It has been a long time since I last had the pleasure and privilege of addressing this report to both,
our Executive Committee, AND our duly constituted Board of Governors. It was the vision,
stewardship, and the joint efforts of the early Boards of these two bodies that acquired the land for
this building from the State of Connecticut, and a good portion of the money for the construction of
this building we are enjoying today. I am personally thankful to those members of the Trustees who
have carried on the principal functions of the Board of Governors over these past years ... Filing our
tax status, maintaining our incorporation papers, tending the financial odds and ends that fall
outside the sphere of our Executive Committee. What I have found missing is the face-to-face
interactions between those of us on the Committee who make the day-to-day operational decisions
throughout the year, and the TrusteeS, Iwho could be looking over our activities and, from time-to-
time offering advice, guidance, suggestions etc., all, for the betterment of the corps. Feeling an acute
need to return to this form of govern!lnce which served us so well in our formulative years, I
personally raised these concerns within the Executive Committee; and, collectively, we agreed to
pursue a course of action directed at re-engaging and re-energizing the relationship. So, for better or
for worse ... (in the words of a colonial tavern song) ... "Now we are met, let mirth abound!"
Our Field Music is presently "lean & mean" ... with a strong base of veteran fifers & drummers who
will hopefully provide a nucleus for a bigger, better, stronger sounding corps in 2010! I am very
proud of the accomplishments of this year with another successful Encampment, Parade and Muster
in July on the grounds of the Nathan Hale Homestead. We are enjoying a most cordial and
cooperative relationship with the Homestead, and, in fact, Bev York, of the Homestead and the
Connecticut Landmarks, is now on our Board.
Last Saturday, at the Connecticut Veteran's Day Parade in Hartford, where there were 4000
marchers, 25 Musical Units, and 45,000 spectators along the parade route ... The Nathan Hale
Ancient Fifes & Drums were judged to be the "Best Fife & Drum Corps" and awarded the beautiful
Trophy on display here tonight. This was the largest Veteran's Parade in the state and one of the
largest in the nation, so I believe the pride is well justified. With our Artillery hauling the cannon
ahead, we looked and sounded great.
Web site:
Over the past year, I have continued to maintain the Corps' primary web site which
I set up years ago, designed mainly, for the public who might be just surfing the web looking at fife &
drum in general or looking for our Corps in particular. This year, I created a Corps-Specific web site
where members and interested individuals can find our scheduled events such as parades,
performances, practices, meetings, photo gallery chronicling the year's activities, videos of various
events which took place over the year, and a lot of items of interest. I update the pages of this site on
an almost daily basis so everything in there is right up to the moment.
Our Corps website is located at:
Everyone is cordially invited to pay a visit to these sites, and I have my laptop set up in the room
today so anyone who wants to can take a look.
Looking Ahead
Having learned that waiting until after the first of the year to start work on new music is TOO LATE,
Earlier this fall, I handed out and we have begun to practice the new music for our 2010,
Encampment, Parade and Muster! .
As we all know, the small number of people we had participating at events throughout the year made
it possible for us to get through in one piece. I want to thank everyone for attending whatever they
could attend. I will say it again ...It only takes one fifer, one drummer, and one flag to "constitute" a
fife & drum corps. We very closely approximated this configuration on more than one performance
or parades this year! The good news is, we STILL managed to get a big and good-quality sound from
those who were there.
We need more musicians and Rangers! The people who are in the Field Music right now are terrific,
but we need MORE. Our challenge for this coming year includes, but is not limited to, recruiting,
recruiting, and more recruiting. I have a drum roll ready for instant action and a couple of the
Continental dollars in my haversack! Bring 'em on! You all know, I have strongly encouraged
cross-training between the sections... fifers picking up some rudiments and a few beatings,
drummers learning some fife tunes well enough to perform in public. I have started practicing on my
fife again and did play it at two events this past year.
I has been my sincere pleasure to have served this great organization as your Musick Master,
Muster Committee Chairman, Drummer, Fifer and Webmaster throughout the year.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bob Castillo,
Included in this report was a quote from the Sunday Hartford Courant noting our First Place Finish as "Best Fife & Drum Corps" in the Connecticut Veteran's Day Parade, Hartford, CT.
Hartford
The winners of the five Band Contests at the 2009 Connecticut
Veterans Day Parade have been announced. More than 25
different musical units marched through Downtown Hartford in
the Sunday, November 8 parade, including college, high
school and middle school bands, pipe and drum, and fife and
drum bands.
A judging panel selected one winner in each of five categories.
Each band will receive a trophy from parade organizers.
The winners of the 2009 Connecticut Veterans Day Parade
Band Awards are:
More than 4,000 marchers marched in Sunday's 10th annual "Connecticut Veterans Day Parade" and an estimated
45,000 spectators cheered them on. The ~vent is the largest veterans parade in New England and is one of the
largest salutes to veterans in the entire U.S. For more information about the annual Connecticut Veterans Day
Parade, go to wv.w.ctveteransdayparade.org or call 860-986-7254.
Report of the Fife Major
Madame Chairman, Executive Board and Board of Directors, and Members of the Nathan
Hale Ancient Fifes and Drums, Inc. Welcome to our new home!!
2009 Fife and Drum Corps marching season has nearly come to an end. Nathan Hale
Ancient Fifes and Drums, Inc. has gone through changes and appears to be growing
again. Our numbers on the street have been improving. However, we have had to turn
done some commitments because we do not feel we can represent Nathan Hale as we
would like to at this time. (For example, Philadelphia.)
As Fife Major, as I said last year I feel responsible for trying to have the Corps sound as
well as we can with the members that we have at an event. I modify the list of songs that
we play based on who is there, whether we have a bass drum that day, how many
experienced fifers we have, and who plays harmony and who plays melody. In
Wethersfield, we had so many fifers from a few years back, we even called songs that are
not in our current repertoire!
I had concerns about the structure of the Corps last year. I feel that the Corps has become
more structured and disciplined, yet we continue to be able to have a good time. In
practice, due to the hard work of Danny, Ed, Wayne, Darrell, and others I probably don't
even know had a part, Weare; able to practice here at the barn. The firers meet in the
little room and the drwnmers titeet here in the big area. That way, we are able to work on
the things that we need to go over individually. Then we get together and put it all
together. I feel that this really helps reduce the frustration of not feeling that we know
our parts. Jim Clark continues to put up with us and give instruction to both the fifers
and the drwnmers. Bob has been fifing as needed and others, both fifers and drwnmers
that can not march have come to practice and performed with us at short parades or
Standing events. This has been wonderful support! People that have TRIED to retire
from Nathan Hale have also been with us occasionally.
If I am chosen to serve as Fife Major again for the upcoming marching, I would welcome
suggestions from the marching units. I would encourage those who can not march, to
continue to join us at practices and the events that we do in one location, such as musters
and standing performances. I appreciate the flexibility of the members when musicians
that also participate with the other units help out the music unit at times, and vice versa.
Thank you for bearing with me this past year. Let's all continue to work together in the c;!
coming year, respect each other and continue to represent the organization with pride. 1
And most ofall LET'S HAVE FUN!!!!!
Respectfully Submitted,
Ruth McGinley
November22,2009
Dear Trustees, Executive Committee, Unit Representatives, all Members and Guests,
It has been my pleasure and honor to serve as Ensign of the Color Guard for the 2009 season. As
representative symbols not only of the patriot, Nathan Hale, but in extent those men and women of
service to the units of our group, the flags have been carried with pride this year. Those assisting with
colors have taken their roles seriously, giving attention to proper order of line, hold of the flag,
commands and presentation of arms. The perspective of Color Guard as a means of tribute rather than
merely a stage in wait for another unit position is encouraging.
In this regard, I'd like to take a moment to extend thanks to several people. Ed Rhodes always made
sure the flags were on hand for activities and events. Mark Whitham helped new and existing members
reviewing the motions of the Mourning Ceremony and then stepped forward at both Tolland and
Coventry Memorial Day parades to perform it. Yleana Whitham, Natalie Beckwith, Darrell Kennedy,
Claudia Veilleux and others I may not have mentioned here, but certainly intended to include,
volunteered to march outside their units when needed to carry flags. Nicole Bell, Dennis Bell, Jessica
Middleton and other Rangers or Artillery officers guarded the Grand Union on occasion. Rebecca "little
Charge" Thompson was consistently there and at the ready for Color Guard duty. It is challenging to
maintain mark time or keep step when wheeling if the wind is making your grasp of a flag difficult. She
tried to stand firm and did not complain. Flanking the left of the line, she scouted for military personnel,
corps members and alumni on watch and the reviewing stand along route to acknowledge them with
due presentation of colors.
The Color Guard stands in fine company when combined with the ranks of Artillery, Rangers and Music.
Countermarching can be complicated, but when an instance that required it arose unexpectedly due to
muddy grounds at the muster, everyone worked together to execute it with some precision. Artificer,
George Collette, has kept us all presentably well dressed with the making of pewter buttons. We are all
grateful to you for this detail. Nathan Hale was once quoted as saying "I'll do the generals will, I'll do the
task he trusts to me the best I can." The corps is a special group and exemplifies the continuance of this
mission.
I appreciate the opportunity to celebrate liberty with all of you.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Thompson
November 22, 2009
Dear Trustees, Executive Committee, Unit Representatives, all Members and Guests,
Facebook is an online community dedicated to opening new connections and meeting new people as well as
keeping in contact with old friends. By creating this page we have been able to communicate with current and
past corps family members, gain more friends and show people just who we are and what we do. There is
usually only the occasional article in a local newspaper to show that we are indeed active. Through our page we
can link those paper clippings and share information with a greater audience. The page is open to everyone so it
is available to those who do not want to get a Facebook account in order to look at it. Postings include events,
photos, general information, announcements as well as the times and location of our regular practices. There is
also a discussion board with an assortment of things posted from equipment inventory form, our safety
regulations for Rangers and Artillery, to the muster cake recipe and other important documents. The reference
tabs are also open for anyone to access.
The internet address for NathanHale Ancient FifesandDrums Corps is: www.facebook.com/nathanhale.corps.
November 22, 2009
Dear Trustees, Executive Committee, Unit Representatives, all Members and Guests,
Facebook is an online community dedicated to opening new connections and meeting new people as well as
keeping in contact with old friends. By creating this page we have been able to communicate with current and
past corps family members, gain more friends and show people just who we are and what we do. There is
usually only the occasional article in a local newspaper to show that we are indeed active. Through our page we
can link those paper clippings and share information with a greater audience. The page is open to everyone so it
is available to those who do not want to get a Facebook account in order to look at it. Postings include events,
photos, general information, announcements as well as the times and location of our regular practices. There is
also a discussion board with an assortment of things posted from equipment inventory form, our safety
regulations for Rangers and Artillery, to the muster cake recipe and other important documents. The reference
tabs are also open for anyone to access.
www.facebook.com/nathanhale.corps
.
Using the Nathan Hale Facebook page, and in addition to individuals from across the State, nationally and
internationally, we are in contact with groups such as:
We are also connected to other organizations and resources including:
American Revolution Association Company of Fifers & Drummers
At present, Nathan Hale has 114 friends and continues to gain additional acquaintances from around the world
who share our love of music and enthusiasm for providing reenacted living history. Facebook is a medium to
networking, public relations and the possibility of expanding our corps family by encouraging attendance at our
activities.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Thompson
MUSIC OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. This wonderful CD is available online at the Liberty Bell Museum, Gift Shop While you are there, make sure to look over the rest of this very unique store.
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