7th Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps NEW LONDON, CT

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER Volume 1.1 June 2014

7th  Regiment  marching  in  the  Bunker  Hill  Parade  in  Charleston,  MA  on  Sunday,  June  15.    Photo  Credits:  Raychael  Coombes  and  Lauramarie  Rahusen  

    Introducing…  The   7th   Regiment   Alumni   Association   (7RAA)  was   founded  by  dedicated  7th   alumni   this  past  January   as   a   division   of   the   Surfer’s   Alumni  Association   (SAA).   The   group   was   created   to  include  7th  Regiment  alumni  in  the  organization  of  volunteering  opportunies,  fundraising,    social  media,  and  community  and  alumni  events.    So   far,   7RAA   members   have   created   and  maintained  social  media  accounts,  volunteered  for   weekend   rehearsals   and   fundraisers,  created   a   new   parade   banner,   purchased   new  necklaces   for   corps   rookies,   and   hosted   a  successful   alumni   event   that   brought   back  members  from  as  far  back  as  2004!  

 Our  most  recent  projects  include  producing  this  quarterly   newsletter,   revamping   the   corps’  website,   and   a   food   drive   to   benefit   our   local  New  London  community.    We  currently  boast  over  20  members  and  invite  7th   Regiment   alumni,   staff,   volunteers,   friends  and   family   to   join!   More   information   about  membership   criteria   and   the   annual  membership   fee   can  be   found  by  downloading  the  application   from  the  7th  Regiment  website.  Just   click   on   “7th   Regiment   Alumni”   under  “more  links”  for  more  information!    It   is   our   goal   to   eventually   gain   enough  members   and   experience   to   become   an  independent  501(c)(3)  non-­‐profit  organization    dedicated  to  supporting  the  7th  Regiment.    

7th  Regiment  Alumni  Association    Board  President:       Jamil  Jorge  Vice  President:     Jonathan  Miller  Secretary:     Christina  Nadeau  Treasurer:       Daniel  Topping    Committee  Heads:  Fundraising:       Rachel  Timmons  Communications:     Erick  Mancebo  Social  Media:       Lauramarie  Rahusen  Alumni  Relations:     Bror  Okerblom      

 Email:  7thalumni@gmail.com    Send  us  an  email  and  ask  to  join  our  emailing  list,   ask   questions,   give   feedback,   or   to   get  more   involved!  We  send  regular  emails   that  include   7RAA   news,   newsletters,   events,  volunteering  opportunities,  and  more!    For   more   information,   check   out  www.7thregiment.org!   There,   you   can   find  recent   news   and   rehearsal   schedules,   staff  biographies,  member  information,  and  make  donations  to  the  corps.      7th   Regiment   has   a   strong   social   media  presence!  Like  us  on  Facebook,  follow  us  on  Instagram  and  Twitter,  and  subscribe  to  our  YouTube  channel!    

   

Mailing  Address:    

Surfer’s  Alumni  Association  Attn:  7th  Alumni  P.O.  Box  64  

New  London,  CT  06320  

                         The   2014   7th   Regiment   will   be   playing   the  music  from  the  movie  Alexander  Nevsky  (1938),  scored   by   Sergei   Prokofiev   (1891-­‐1953),  Russian   composer,   pianist,   and   conductor.  Titled   “Alexander’s   Legacy,”   the   program  chronicles   the   medieval   invasion   of   Russia   by  German   crusaders.   The   show   will   explore   the  burning   of   the   Russian   city,   the   violent   Battle  on  Ice,  Procession  of  the  Dead,  and  Victory.  

-­‐Mark  Maguire    2014  Design  Team  Stephen  Lyons     Program  Coordinator/Visual  Designer  Mark  Maguire     Visual  Caption  Head/Designer  Ray  Fallon     Brass  Caption  Head  Jack  Tully     Brass  Arranger  Michael  Blancaflor  

Percussion  Caption  Head/Front  Ensemble  Arranger  

Jeff  Bickford     Battery  Coordinator/Arranger  Eric  Schrader     Color  Guard  Caption  Head    

                       

Check  out  the  entire  Drum  Corps  International  Tour  on  www.dci.org!

 Performance  Schedule  2014:    March  23   Holyoke,  MA     Parade    June  15     Charleston,  MA     Parade  June  28     Jackson,  NJ       Competition  June  29     Lawrence,  MA     Competition    July  2     New  Haven,  CT     Competition  July  3     Bristol,  RI     Competition  July  4     Hingham,  MA     Parade       Duxbury,  MA     Parade       Norwood,  MA     Parade  July  12     East  Hampton,  CT   Parade  July  19     Manchester,  NH   Competition  July  20     New  London,  CT   Free  Show*  July  24     Johnsonburg,  PA   Competition  July  26     Paw  Paw,  MI     Competition  July  29     Troy,  MI     Competition    August  2   Avon  Lake,  OH     Competition  August  4   Michigan  City,  IN   Open  Prelims  August  5   Michigan  City,  IN   Open  Finals  August  6   Indianapolis,  IN   I&E  Competition  August  7   Indianapolis,  IN   World  Prelims  August  8   Indianapolis,  IN   World  Semi-­‐Finals  August  9   Indianapolis,  IN   Drum  Line  Battle      

Presenting  their  2014  Production…  

Thanks  for  the  Wheels!  7th   Regiment   has   been   steadily   growing   in  members   over   the   last   few   years,   and   that  means  space  on  the  buses  and  trucks  have  been  becoming  more  and  more  cramped!    In   an   effort   to   increase   space,   7th   Regiment  began   a   successful   campaign   over   the   winter  and  spring  months  to  raise  money  to  buy  a  new  trailer.  Here  it  is!  

 7th   Regiment   would   like   to   thank   all   of   our  generous   donors   that   helped   us   raise   over  $6,500   to   purchase   this   7’x16’   trailer.   We  would   also   like   to   thank   the   Community  Foundation   of   Eastern   Connecticut,   Liberty  Bank,  and  the  Frank  Loomis  Palmer  Fund.  With  all  the  money  raised,  the  corps  was  also  able  to  purchase   an   even   bigger   trailer   for   use   next  year…  more  to  come  on  that!  

7th  Regiment  Golf  Tournament  The   corps   hosted   its   first   annual   golf  tournament   at   the   Pequot   Golf   Club   in  Stonington,  CT  on  May  31,  2014.  It  was  a  sunny  day   filled   with   friends   and   family   of   the   7th  Regiment  community.  In  total,  the  event  raised  over  $2000  for  the  corps!      7th   Regiment   will   be   hosting   the   golf  tournament  again,  next  year,  on  May  23,  2015.  Save  the  date  and  get  your  team  together  while  staying   alert   for   more   information.   Questions  can  be  emailed  to  7thregimentgolf@gmail.com.      7RAA  Food  Drive:  #7for7th*  To   give   back   to   our   New   London   community,  7RAA   is   hosting   a   food   drive!   Bring   canned  goods  and  other  non-­‐perishable   food  products  to  weekend  rehearsals  throughout  the  summer  and   the   free   7th   Regiment   Family   and   Friends  show  on  July  20th,  2014,   at   the  New  London  High  School  football  field.    Your   donations  will   be   given   to   the  Gemma  E.  Moran  United  Way/Labor  Food  Center   in  New  London,  CT,  one  of  the  three  food  banks  in  the  state   that   distributes   goods   to   over   100   food  pantries,   soup   kitchens,   shelters,   child   care  centers,   community   meal   sites,   and   elderly  programs  throughout  New  London  county.    We   suggest   bringing   seven   items   for   the   7th  regiment!  Also,   consider  helping  us  spread   the  word   by   posting   flyers   in   your   local   markets.  Email   7thalumni@gmail.com   for   more  information  and  flyer  pdfs.              

Consider  Donating  to  the  Corps!  Drum  corps  is  a  costly  activity  and  7th  Regiment  does  its  best  to  keep  costs  low  for  its  members.  To  make  a  donation,  click  on  “support/donate”  on   www.7thregiment.org   and   donate   to   the  corps,   the  scholarship  fund,   the   fuel  budget,  or  sponsor  a  member.  

                   By   signing   up   for   IGive   or   Amazon   Smile   via  “Surfer’s   Alumni   Association,”   a   certain  percentage   of   your   online   purchases   will   be  donated  to  7th  Regiment.  Signing  up  is  free!    You  can  also  support  the  corps  by  buying  corps  merchandise,  including  hats,  show  shirts,  corps  shirts   and   sweatshirts,   sweatpants,   pins,   pens,  and  more!   All   profits  made   from  merchandise  sales  directly  benefit  the  corps.    Interested  in  Volunteering?  7th  Regiment  is  always  looking  for  volunteers  to  help   with   cooking   and   serving   food,   driving,  sewing   uniforms,   writing   grants,   and   all   the  other  odd  jobs  that  keep  a  drum  &  bugle  corps  operating   daily!   If   you   want   to,   help   email  7thalumni@gmail.com  either  to  ask  about  what  it   is   you   can   do   for   the   corps,   or   to   join   our  emailing  list  and  receive  notifications  regarding  volunteering  opportunities.        

Throwback  Photo    

 This   photo   was   taken   during   the   2009   season,  “Excalibur.”   That   night   we   had   our   warm-­‐ups,  walked   to   the   gates,   and  were   about   to   set   up.  Suddenly,   the   thunder  began   to   rumble  and   the  rain  started  to  fall;  the  show  was  cancelled.  But,  that   didn’t   stop   us!  We   came   to   put   on   a   show.  Our   instructors   had   set   us   up   in   an   arc   and  we  performed   a   standstill   run-­‐through.   We   didn’t  know   what   would   happen,   but   as   the   picture  shows  we  drew  in  a  crowd.  Many  of  the  members  said  it  was  the  best  performance  of  the  season.  If  nothing   else   it   was   a   wonderful   bonding  experience.  

-­‐Rachel  Timmons,  Colorguard    

Do  you  have  something  to  share?  If  you  are  a  member  of  the  7th  Regiment  or  Surfers  community  and  have  something  to  share,  let  us  know!  In  future   newsletters,  we  want   to   include   community   updates,   including   engagements,  marriages,   kids,   new  jobs,   awards,   educational   opportunities,   graduations,   big  moves,   photos,   stories,   and  whatever   you  might  think  of!  Email  7thalumni@gmail.com.    

Alumni  Spotlight...  Jeff  “Puffy”  Langan    

Hometown:  East  Lyme,  CT  Section:  Tenors  Years  Marched:  2008-­‐2010    Eastern  Connecticut  State  University  ‘11  

B.A.  Communications  Quinnipiac  University     M.A.  Journalism    Current  Occupation?  Photographer  &  Live  Truck  Operator  for  Fox  Connecticut.    Why  did  you  do  drum  corps?  I  did  drum  corps  because  I  loved  the  music.  I  loved  running  around  on  a  field  in  the  middle  of  summer,  and   the   thrill   I   got   from   a   performance.   My   first  drum  corps  show  was  Cadets  2003,  and   it   inspired  

me  to  march.  The  people  also  kept  me  marching.  It  was  so  much  fun  getting  to  march  with  them,  and  I  consider  them  brothers  and  sisters.    Favorite  drum  corps  memory?  It   would   have   to   be   the   first   time   we   made   finals  back  in  2009.  It  was  very  close  going  in,  and  we  had  no   idea   if   we   would   or   not.   Everyone   was   just  shocked  when  it  happened.    How  has  drum  corps  affected  other  aspects  of  your  life?  Drum   corps   has   greatly   affected   my   life.   Not   only  does   it   teach   you  music,   and   how   to   stay   on   your  toes   while   backing   up,   it   teaches   you   life   lessons  about  hard  work,  dedication,  and  never  giving  up  on  yourself.   I   apply   those   things   every   time   I   step  through   the  door  at  work.   I  don’t   think   I  would  be  the  person  I  am  without  drum  corps.      

 Before   this   first   edition   of   the   7RAA-­‐produced  newsletter,   Carl   Burnett,   Surfers   Drum  &   Bugle  Corps   Alumnus   SAA   member,   managed  production  of  the  newsletter  from  2003  to  2014.  I  contacted  Carl  to  thank  him  on  behalf  of  the  7th  Regiment   for  his  substantial  contribution  to  our  community   and   to   inform   him   that   the   7RAA  would   be   taking   on   the   task.   I   thank   Carl,   once  again,   for   providing   this   brief   biography   of   his  drum   corps   experience,   and   for   offering   sound  advice   for   the   future   of   not   just   this   newsletter,  but   the   continuation   of   our   7th   Regiment  community.  

-­‐Jamil,  7RAA  President    

*   *   *    

Carl  Burnett  –  Past  Editor  SAA  Newsletter    It  was  wonderful  news  to  read  Jamil’s  email  to  me   announcing   that   the   7RAA  will   be   doing   a  quarterly   newsletter.   I   believe   that   all   those  who   had  worked   on   the   SAA  Newsletter   from  2003   through   2014   are   just   as   happy   to   hear  that   the   7th   Alumni   would   take   over   this  important   task.   Drum   Corps   (DC)   is   very  interactive   at   all   levels,   and   to   each  marching  member  it  is  important  that  they  have  a  source  to  go  back   to,   to  relive   their  days   in   the  corps.  That   was   one   of   the   goals   with   the   SAA  newsletter  –  to  capture  history  as   it  was  being  written.    Jamil  also  asked  if  I  would  write  a  short  Bio  on  my  DB  activities,  so  here  goes!  The  catalyst  for  me   joining   the   Surfers   was   the   Fireman’s  parade  in  New  London,  where  dozens  of  junior  drum   corps   from   around   the   state   were  represented.   I   marched   during   the   1966  through  1969  seasons  as  a  tenor  drummer  with  the   Surfers.   Moving   to   Norwich   in   1970,   I  marched  with   the  Fletcher  Raiders  and  played  triple  tenors.  The  culmination  of  my  DC  career  ended  with  a  2nd  place  finish  on  multi-­‐tenors  at  the  National   Individual  Championships   in  New  Hampshire  in  the  fall  of  1970.  That  was  the  last  time  I  strapped  on  a  drum  –  went  out  on  top!    

 Well   nearly…   the   guy   from   the   Boston  Crusaders  who  placed  first  was  phenomenal!    

I   have   followed  DC  as   best   I   could  since   moving   to  Florida   in   1978.  After   attending   the  SAA   reunion   in  1999   and   hearing  talk  of  starting  up  a  new   DC   in   New  London,   I  volunteered   for  doing  a  newsletter.  As   most   alumni,   I  wanted   to   give  back  to  the  activity  that   had   given   me  so   much   –   and   so  many   memories  and   friends   that  have   lasted   a  lifetime!    

If   there  were  one   thing   I   could   share   from  my  11   years   as   editor,   it   would   be   to   the   entire  organization.   That   is,   everyone   has   a   story   to  tell,   things   to   share.  Whether   an   alumni,   staff,  instructor,   volunteer,   current   marching  member,   supporter…   make   the   7RAA  Newsletter  a  first  class  publication,  just  like  the  corps  itself.  Support  your  newsletter  staff  when  asked,  offer  suggestions  –  they  will  love  you  for  it.  Document  what  is  going  on  now  so  that  in  30  or  40  years,   you  will   be   able   to   look  back   and  read   with   pride   and   a   warm   feeling   in   your  heart   for   the  greatest  activity  on  earth…  Drum  &  Bugle  Corps!  

A  Thank  You  to  Carl  Burnett