Please note: This page is updated on an almost DAILY basis so check back often for the latest.
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Ed Rhodes ...R.I.P.
Ed's wake will be Monday evening the 29th from 6-8pm at Tolland Memorial Funeral Home in Tolland. The funeral Mass is at St. Bernard's in Vernon on Tuesday at 10am. Not many have ever served our Corps longer and better than Ed. He will be missed and long remembered fondly by all of us who shared so many happy moments with him over the years. Below are a couple of photos from those days.
The wake on Monday evening from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. is at the Tolland Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Merrow Rd. (Rte. 195) Tolland, CT. Just go north on Rt 195 into Tolland until you get to # 375.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at St. Bernard's Church, 25 St. Bernard Terrace, Rockville, CT. To get there, drive north from Coventry on Rt 31 until you go over I-84, and get into the center of Rockville. St. Bernard Terrace will be on your right. This a picture of what the church looks like.
Both days are week days and there will be conflicts with work and school. If you can be to either or both, I am sure Roberta will be appreciative of what ever we can do. Bob Castillo
2011 Muster, on stand
2011 Memorial Day Parade, Coventry
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The CD Music of the American Revolution
Music of the American Revolution CD
We will also be able to download individual tunes to our smartphones. Soon as I figure out how to do that, I will post it here.
To Download and buy individual (@ $0.99 apoece) ... go to iTunes.com and download iTunes to your pc or mac.
Bob
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Then, Contact Bob Castillo RIGHT NOW / RIGHT HERE!
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Nathan Hale is also trying to locate the many, many former members who may be lurking out there in cyberspace. If you were ever a member of any of our units, please provide as much of the information requested below as possible.
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Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes & Drums Corps
Performing
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE ..I need to be informed of any changes in a TIMELY MANNER. If I get NADA for input, NADA is what this site is going to be worth in terms of values to our membership,
Color Code
Parades & Performances are in Blue
Meetings are in Bright Red
Practices are in Black
Comments are in Green
Sunday, May 19, 2013 Practice: 6 P.M. Lessons for beginners. 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. "ish" for the rest of us.
Sunday, May 26, 2013, Memorial Day Parade. Tolland. The parade line-up will be held at noon in the parking lot next to the Preschool of the Arts on Route 74. The parade will step off at 1 p.m. (arrive by 12:00 Noon) and travel along Route 74 and the historic Tolland Green, turn right on Old Post Road and end at Tolland Intermediate School at 96 Old Post Road. The route is 7/10 of a mile. We will be performing Mourning Muskets at the school dedicated to Ed Rhodes.
Sunday, May 27, 2013, Memorial Day Parade Coventry, steps off at 10:00 A.M. from Robertson School. Arrive by 9:15. We will perform Morning Muskets at the green dedicated to Ed Rhodes. Also a medley of Chester and Yankee Doodle, At the cemetery, we will enter playing with muffled Drums, Nearer My God to Thee. Ruth will be laying the Wreath at the monument.
Sunday, June 2, 2013 Practice: 6 P.M. Lessons for beginners. 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. "ish" for the rest of us.
Thursday, June 6, 2013 Nathan Hale Day, State Capitol, 12 Noon. Mark, Bob, need two or three fifers and flag.
Sunday, June 9, 2013 Practice: 6 P.M. Lessons for beginners. 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. "ish" for the rest of us.
Monday, June 10, 2013 Executive Committee Meeting, 6:30 P.M. at Barbara's house.
Sunday, June 16, 2013 Practice: 6 P.M. Lessons for beginners. 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. "ish" for the rest of us.
Saturday, June 22, 2013 Firemen's 275th Anniversary Parade, Andover (Short parade route), Meet in parking lot by Barbara's church for shuttle bus ride to start. Step off is at 10:30 A.M.
Sunday, June 23, 2013 Practice: 6 P.M. Lessons for beginners. 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. "ish" for the rest of us.
Sunday, June 30, 2013 Practice: 6 P.M. Lessons for beginners. 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. "ish" for the rest of us.
Thursday, July 4, 2013 Parade Columbia. Step off at 10:00 A.M., Arrive by 9:00.
Sunday, July 7, 2013 Practice: 6 P.M. Lessons for beginners. 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. "ish" for the rest of us.
Sunday, July 14, 2013 Practice: 6 P.M. Lessons for beginners. 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. "ish" for the rest of us.
Saturday, July 20, 2013 . Deep River Muster with an evening Tattoo on Friday night. Corps-Sanctioned event. OK to attend and perform in uniform, but not required.
Sunday, July 21, 2013 Practice: 6 P.M. Lessons for beginners. 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. "ish" for the rest of us.
Saturday, July 27, 2013, Colchester Continentals Muster. Details to follow.
Sunday, July 28: 26th Annual Nathan Hale Muster at the Homestead. Details to follow.
Saturday, Sunday, August 3 & 4, 2013, Olde Sturbridge Village, Rebels & Redcoats Event. Details to follow.
Sunday, August 11, 2013 Practice: 6 P.M. Lessons for beginners. 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. "ish" for the rest of us.
Sunday, August 18, 2013 Practice: 6 P.M. Lessons for beginners. 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. "ish" for the rest of us.
Saturday, August 24, 2013: 54th Annual Westbrook Muster. Details to Follow.
Sunday, August 25, 2013 Practice: 6 P.M. Lessons for beginners. 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. "ish" for the rest of us.
Sunday, September 1, 2013 Practice: 6 P.M. Lessons for beginners. 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. "ish" for the rest of us.
Tentative: Saturday, September 7, 2013, Shaftsbury, VERMONT, Encampment program like Deerfield.
Sunday, September 15, 2013 Practice: 6 P.M. Lessons for beginners. 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. "ish" for the rest of us.
Friday, September 20, 2013, Coventry High School, Opening night. Cannon plus some field music for opening ceremonies.
Sunday, September 22, 2013 Practice: 6 P.M. Lessons for beginners. 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. "ish" for the rest of us.
Sunday, September 29, 2013 Practice: 6 P.M. Lessons for beginners. 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. "ish" for the rest of us.
Sunday, October 6, 2013 Practice: 6 P.M. Lessons for beginners. 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. "ish" for the rest of us.
Sunday, October 13, Columbus Day Parade, Worcester, Mass. Arrive 11 A.M. Step off, !2:30 P.M.
Tentative: Monday, November 11, 2013 Veteran's Day Parade Hartford.
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IN warm weather, We will meet on the grounds of the Nathan Hale Homestead according to the following schedule
· 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. Beginner's Individual Instruction Yes, beginning students will be free to leave after their lessons. Yes, performing members will be free to wait until 7:00 P.M. to arrive for a one-hour practice.
Beginning students will be allowed to remain for the entire practice, if they so choose. Performing members are, likewise, welcome to come early.
We have a lot of work to do, musically, in preparation for the coming year, so It is most important that everyone attend as many practice sessions as possible, making due allowance for family, school, work, and church. As you sort your priorities, we ask that you place the Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes and Drums a tight 5th place.
Bob Castillo, Music Master
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And here are the videos from the Sudbury Muster!
Sudbury Muster Number ONE
Sudbury Muster Number TWO
In case any of you did not see the videos from Lebanon Green ...
Saturday & Sunday on Lebanon Green
And a link to another terrific photo gallery by Monica.
Two Days of Photos of the Event.
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As any frequent visitor to our web sites knows, I am quite fond of posting photos and videos of our recent events. The thought has crossed my mind, just recently, that possibly some of you may not be comfortble with your photos being posted here. So, If you ever see a photo (or Video) here, that you would rather NOT share with the rest of us, please let me know & I will remove it immediately.
To Opt OUT: Click here
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Just a reminder ...the 2010 Dues are due. $15 for an individual, and $20 for a family. This is a real bargain if you are more than one person... Please try to bring your dues in to one of the practices this month. Get another family member to join up. Learn to play a fife, a drum, a Musket , or a cannon! Free lessons !!! (If you joined during the last quarter of 2009, your dues are covered for the 2010 season.)
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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: 1) Frank Falalan Memorial Award For Best Pipe & Drum Corps goes to The Connecticut Firefighter Pipes and Drums Band. 2) Best Fife And Drum Corps Award goes to Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes & Drums. 3) Best Middle School Band goes to Hartford Magnet Middle School Marching Band. 4) Best High School Band goes to Rockville High School Band. 5) Best Parade Spirit goes to The University of Connecticut Marching Band. 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 event 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 www.ctveteransdayparade.org or call 860-986-7254. |
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WOW!
Right on the heels of the very successful Connecticut Veteran's Day Parade in Hartford, last Saturday ... We just held one of the best Annual Meetings in recent memory, and we held it in our own Headquarters Building! Our Executive Committee submitted all of their Annual Reports to our re-established Board of Governors/Trustees. Following the Pledge of Allegiance to our Flag, retiring, long-time Board Member, Mr. John Lacek turned over the financial records and documents to their new Treasurer, Ms. Heather Carl of the North Coventry Fire Department. Present also were Mr. Frank Libby of the Coventry Volunteer Fire Association and Mr. David Dutka of the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church of Coventry.
I am planning to set up a link to a separate site where I will post the written Annual Reports in my possession, and perhaps the verbal reports from the Secretary's minutes of the meeting.
It was a very moving meeting ending with Three rousing Cheers to our recently departed, Gene Wilson. We shook the rafters with that one! Overall ... The meeting was very positive, upbeat and focused on the road ahead. The afternoon was then topped off with a catered buffet featuring some reallly great food!
For anyone who missed it ... Here is the After-Action Report from the Veteran's Day Parade.
Quoting the news clipping above from the Sunday, Hartford Courant, November 15 ,,, "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 event is the largest veterans parade in New England and is one of the largest salutes to veterans in the entire U.S. "
And guess what, folks? Best Fife And Drum Corps Award went to the Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes & Drums.!!!!! We received a very impressive trophy to add to our collection from years past. We will have it on display at our annual meeting this coming Sunday.
Thanks to all for a terrific job at this parade. We did have some serious competition for this award. Other fife & drum units in the parade included the huge and always impressive Mattatuck Drum Corps, The Connecticut Valley Field Music, The champion junior corps, Windsor Junior Ancient Fife & Drum Corps, Westbrook Drum Corps.,, etc.
 Stay tuned!
Bob Castillo
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I will keep adding to it throughout the season. If you HAVE a picture or Pictures you would like included just send them to me...
OUR 2010 VIDEOS!!
Please Note: These videos take about two ticks and one tock longer than forever to load onto your machine ...but they are well worth the time. I am sorry they do take so long, but, I had nothing to do with the design of the internet... or your PC for that matter.. You can download the individual clips by right-clicking and choosing to "Save Target As ..." to some place on your own hard drive. By doing so, you can avoid the annoying interruptions that occur while downloading and playing on the fly while online.
And now ...From the 2010 Drummer's Call, Old Sturbridge Village ...
The two video links below were provided by Monica Bullock.
First part of the viedeos
Second part of the viedeos
And now ...From the 2010 Lebanon Encampment
Saturday & Sunday on Lebanon Green
And a link to another terrific photo gallery by Monica.
Two Days of Photos of the Event.
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And now ...From the 2010 Westbrook Muster ...
The video link below will take you to the Muster Field at Westbrook, Ct. The last "unit" to enter the field is tradionally known as F-Troop. No two are ever alike. They are made up of (A) people who just finished marching the parade with their own units, (B) fifers & drummers of corps that are not among the corps formally participating in the particular muster, or (C) fifers & drummers who are currently not members of ANY corps. The best way to experience F-Troop for yourself is to make your way back to the beginning of the parade route after you get into the field with your own unit! You will find yourself surrounded by members of all of the above and you will then proceed to march the parade again .. this time playing tunes from the "traditional" repertoirre. where do you learn all of these tradional tunes? By sticking around after ALL the corps have completed their "stand piece" and everyone goes back out on the field for the monster/muster jam session. As you watch this video, (lousy sound track) the troop is playing the Downfall of Paris. Note the variety of "uniforms" or lack thereof. Note the ages of these happy people. 9 to 90 !
Greetings,
What a Beautiful day! Ed, Carla, Brett, John, Patti, Jim, Natalie, Michelle, Junior,and all of you wonderful youngsters ... Thanks for making it happen! Everyone pitched in. Everyone helped us put on an excellent parade & on-stand performance. Monica, I can't wait to see the photos & videos you recorded today. Here are a few of the pictures I snatched during the day.
Carla, relaxing ,
Nice Fire! We cooked our dogs and burgers on this later in the day. ,
Photographer at work. (Thanks, Monica) ,
Brett describing the finer points of sword drill. ,
Wonder if this "relaxing" is generic? ,
. Watching the other corps performing. ,
My daughter, Michelle and her hubby, "Junior". ,
Training, training, training. ,
Going On-Stand and looking sharp!
The following photos taken by my friend Roland Benoit.
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Going On-Stand and looking sharp! ,
Going On-Stand and looking sharp! ,
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Comments on our Encampment & Muster 2010:
I learned that our friend, Marty Sampson, from the California Consolidated Drum Band brought her UMBRELLA all the way from Chico, California to have handy at our muster. She really got hosed a couple of times right here on this Flag Lot. So, I am certain we owe it to this umbrella, that the rains defied all forecasts and gave us a beautiful day for our Muster. .
Marty with her rain-stopping California Umbrella!
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All of our guests really put on some exceptional performances and it was quite obvious they were having a great time.. Carla, there is no way I can thank you enough for all you did in accommodating the Tittabawasee Valley Fife & Drum Corps. And what a performance they gave us.! I got a video of their entire show as well as the Connecticut Valley Field Music.. Both of these videos are pretty long so I am going to have to figure out a way to get a link on line.
And here they are!
Connecticut Valley Field Music on Stand.
Tittabawasee Valley Fife & Drum on Stand
If anyone has a video of our corps on stand at the Nathan Hale Muster, please try to get it to me.
Congratulations to our new members who took the step forward to the drum head and picked up their dollars! That step will, in time, lead you to friendships all over this country and abroad as you attend other musters within the fife & drum community. If you experienced the jam session on the field after the formal presentations were over, you saw fifers and drummers of all ages from a lot of corps out there playing traditional tunes together. The best definition I have ever heard of what is happening out there is the title of a poem ... "An Ancient Muster is a gathering thing". I can honestly tell you that except for three people on this planet, the best friends I have, I met on muster fields in my 73 years. I wish you the same good fortune.
I have the photos online at www.bobcastillo.org/nathanpix.htm.
Bob
OUR 2009 VIDEOS!!
Sudbury Muster & Colonial Faire, Septmber 25, 2009
Sudbury Muster and Colonial Faire Sudbury Muster and Colonial Faire Mark showing the same symptoms as Rebecca! Sudbury Muster & Colonial Faire Sudbury Muster & Colonial Faire Sudbury Muster & Colonial Faire Sudbury Muster & Colonial Faire Sudbury Muster & Colonial Faire Sudbury Muster & Colonial Faire Drummer's Call at Old Sturbridge Village, Septmber 13, 2009
Sturbridge Village Martial Musicians
Blackstone Valley Martial Musicians
Gabby working the water pump detail.
Our Fire Tender and scenes around our encampment
Peter Emerick, short clip at start of presentation
Muster 2009 at the Nathan Hale Homestead
Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes & Drums ... Opening the Muster
Nathan Hale 2009 Stand Piece, Alumni Medley, Marquis of Granby Entrance
Marquis of Granby Jr. Ancient Fyfe & Drum Corps, Windsor JR Ancient F&DC Entrance
The rest of Windsor F&DC Performance
The Grand Jolification A.K.A. The Jam Session
Westbrook 2009 Muster
Geese Eaters from Basel Switzerland playing first Medley
Geese Eaters from Basel Switzerland playing second Medley
Geese Eaters from Basel Switzerland playing third Medley
Miscellaneous Clips
F-Troop, Deep River Ancient Muster 2009, Clip #1
The "Troop", Playing York Fusiliers.
This clip and the next one give a pretty good example of "What the heck is an F-Troop? " Answer: members of all different corps who have just marched the parade with their own units, running back to the beginning of the parade route and now massed together playing "traditional tunes". F-Troop, Deep River Ancient Muster, 2009, Clip #2
The "Troop", Playing Sailor's Hornpipe.
Christmas in Coventry, CT Parade, 2007 MIlford,Ct Parade, June 2008, Clip #1
MIlford,Ct Parade, June 2008, Clip #2
If you are NOT a snare drummer, you will probably find this next section long and BORING.
Note for drummers: Two weeks previous, I gave this youngster his first ever snare-drum lesson. I chose to do it
... See me do this? ... Now, YOU do it...
Also; from clues in Benjamin Clark's Drum Book 1797, I learned that the drag rudiments (single & double drags), the Three-and-a-two ... (lesson 25), and the short rolls ... 3-stroke,5-stroke, 7-stroke ), etc were taught very early on in the process, along with drum beatings that used these first rules. So; I have been teaching the "Rules for the Drum" in that order... long before addressing the development of the Long Roll. This seems to be working very well. You can watch the actual progression during the video.
STRESS
For the Good of the Corps
I would like for each member of The Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes & Drums to take this little test to determine if YOU might be getting stressed out.
Read the full description before looking at the picture.
The picture below has 2 identical dolphins in it. It was used in a case study on stress levels at St. Mary's Hospital. Look at both dolphins jumping out of the water. The dolphins are identical. A closely monitored, scientific study revealed that, in spite of the fact that the dolphins are identical, a person under stress would find differences in the two dolphins. The more differences a person finds between the dolphins, the more stress that person is experiencing. Look at the photograph and if you find more than two differences
Quartermaster ... Carla Kennedy
The Executive Board is in the process of creating a "Fixed Asset Inventory" for the Corps, and everyone's help is needed. If you can, please complete and sign one form per person and indicate what Corps uniform pieces, equipment, and property you have in your possession. If you find you have anything "extra" please feel free to bring it to the We attempted to get this information in during the Encampment Weekend, but we probably had too much on the burners at that time. Please get this done as soon as possible. Additional copies of this form may be obtained from Carla at any practice, in case you did not get a copy in your e mail.. Once you have turned in your form, your name will be checked off acknowledging receipt of the inventory you possess. Not only will this information inform the Executive Board as to what we have left in our possession, it will assist us in identifying uniform needs and making decisions to replace and distribute equipment as needed.
The music is ready for our 2010 Stand Piece! Some new stuff in there. SOme easy ... some of it is going to take a little more effort. Come to practice and get your copies. I decided to put this out now, rather than wait until mid winter.
PLEASE, make your comments, desires or interests known to me..
(Bob Castillo at CtConnection01@aol.com)
Thanks.
I HAVE TO ASK ... Maybe, there is someone out there in the Nathan Hale extended family reading these words , who just might have a hidden (or repressed) passion for announcing stuff for the corps at some of our events. I am not suggestiing any of you quit your day jobs to do this, but if you think you might like to help us out in this way, PLEASE, make your desires or interests known to me..
(Bob Castillo at CtConnection01@aol.com)
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.
Page Created and Maintained by Bob Castillo
Informal Group of Nathan Hale Corps Members
Rebecca crashed ... !! trashed ????
What is going on here?
What was in that cider?????
September 25, 2009
Kentish Guards Entering to Champlain Quick Step
September 25, 2009
Kentish Guards, Performance
September 25, 2009
Kentish Guards Exit playing Pleasures of Spa
September 25, 2009
Grand Replubic and Cap
September 25, 2009
Grand Replubic Finale & Exit
September 25, 2009
Scanning the Scene
2008 Encampment and Muster
You will not hurt my feelings if you skip it completely..
in the manner in which, I believe, drummers were taught during the War for Independence
I am not sure exactly how it works, but this is amazingly accurate.
If you have an interest in joining us, arranging for an appearance at your event, or simply desire more information, feel free to write to: Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes And Drums, P.O.Box 1776, Coventry, Ct. 06238.....
or... Contact Bob Castillo by e mail
Feel free to visit our WEB SITE
Days to endure before
The 2013 Deep River Ancient Muster !
Days to endure before
The 2013 Nathan Hale Ancient Fife & Drum Muster !
Days to endure before
The 2013 Westbrook Muster !
