Vol. IX, No. 2                                                                                           Oct-Nov 2006

Roswell Jazz Festival is Huge Success
Roger Dickerson & Frank Schlatter Perform Major Roles

 As just about everybody knows, Roswell, New Mexico has become known as the UFO capital of the world, but Roger Dickerson (57-58) and Frank Schlatter (56-58), and some staunch community supporters are seeking to change that image.  If the success of the first annual Pecos Valley Jazz and Arts Festival held in Roswell over the weekend of October 13-15 is any indication of the potential for a new way to see Roswell, over the next few years the town's alien reputation could well be modified by Roswell's new found jazz-oriented identity.  Frank began his service with the planning group as its secretary, then became the festival's secretary-treasurer, and subsequently took over as the 'Chairman of the Board.'  For his part, Roger, following his performance in the Roswell Mardi Gras celebration, was the one who instigated the festival in the first place; and during the recent music-fest he performed on all three days.  He also coordinated and directed activities related to the four-hour jazz workshop involving guest artists and high school students.

In addition to Roger, the guest musicians at the October jazz weekend included Randy Sandke, trumpet, and Nicki Parrott, bass, both from New York; Peter Sprague, guitar, from San Diego; Tom Fischer, clarinet, from New Orleans; Kenneth Rupp, trombone, and Bobby Black, guitar, from San Antonio; the Pat Malone Trio from Santa Fe; the Big Band of the Rio Grande from Las Cruces; and a host of artists from El Paso: Dan Borton, sax, Pepe Carmona, bass guitar, Judy Day, vocalist, Bob Foskett, trombone, Eric Hutson and Eric Malichi, drums.  Local musicians also performed in a couple of the venues.

Townspeople who attended the various jazz venues, particularly the 'main event', when most of the guest artists joined together for several hours of great jamming at the Performance Art Center of Eastern New Mexico University--Roswell campus, are still buzzing about the festival and are already looking forward to a repeat event a year hence.

Members of the 33rd ABAA who would be interested in attending next year's festival  or perhaps desirous of participating as a jazz musician should contact Frank..(You'll find his mailing and e-mail address and telephone number in the "About the 33rd Army Band Alumni Association " section that follows.)

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Just a Reminder: Annual $15 dues are scheduled to be paid in December or January for the 33rd ABAA members.

Also: Members of the organization should remember that the editor of the newsletter is always interested in receiving news stories and/or pictures that can be used with the newsletter and placed on our website.  Of especial interest are photos taken during members' tours of duty and at 33rd ABAA reunions.

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Roger Dickerson performing at the second venue of the Pecos Valley Jazz and Arts Festival,
shown with Nicki Parrott playing bass

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[Editor's Note:  As you will see by the number of entries in this "Mail Call", the editor got somewhat behind.  For those who did not get a response from him, please accept his apologies.  As noted in the lead article of this issue of Passing in Review, his attention was focused elsewhere.]

Charles Sanders (63-65) wrote to say that a photo that is posted on the Alumni Association web site as the 1966 band photo is NOT the 1966 band because he is in it.  He said it is the 1964 band photo, noting that he recognizes just about everybody in the picture. (Note: This has been corrected on the web site)

Melvin Good (55-56) wrote to indicate how much he and his wife Doris, had enjoyed the reunion in Denver, saying, "It was wonderful seeing some of my close friends I hadn't seen in fifty years.  It was also great to meet so many other folks who had also been a part of the 33rd band, and it was super to meet you and your lovely wife Carole."  He spoke of Frank's "outstanding job of running the organization and making us all feel so proud to be former members of the 33rd Army Band."

Ken Winkle (59-61) and his wife Anne wrote to thank both Carole and Frank for their "efforts in pulling off another reunion of the band."  They wrote that "Most of us just show up and enjoy while those behind the scene have done a lot of work to facilitate everything that happens."

Ken Briden (58-59) found a few inaccuracies in the 33rd database and forwarded the information to Frank.  They are as follows: Max Beaver, who is listed as deceased, was with the 33rd in 58-59.  Ken's addresses and telephone number should now be listed 7704 Ramona , Albuquerque, NM 87114; 505-729-8200; kenandvera2@msn.com.  Robert E. Ellis should be 58-60.  William Lockman, who is not listed but who was in the band at the same time as Ken, should be identified as 58-59.  Ray Prim should be listed as 59-60.  He closed his email by saying: "I am amazed at the number of names and addresses you tracked down after all these years.  My congratulations..."

Phil Jones (56-57) sent his congratulations to Frank for the reunion, saying, "Man, what a great time with all the folks from the "33rd Herd"!!  Thank you so much for all your effort put into a truly wonderful time.!!"  Phil also inserted a note for Carole, saying: "Carole, Donna had such a great time with you and Bonnie doing the "Shopping thing", it is too bad we don't live a lot closer.  I am sure that if we did, there would be many more such trips to Malls!"

Gene Garza (68-70) said that he and Nancy "really enjoyed our first reunion.  Sorry to hear about John Field."

Scott Phoenix (75) wrote at length to Dee Tonning, providing some information in addition to extending his thanks to Dee for services rendered.  He said: "You and Frank are always Johnny-on-the-spot!  I so very much enjoyed putting faces w/ names after these years, notably of you two who have put together for our information and enjoyment all this time the communiqués we are the beneficiary of.  My dress hat is off to you.

"My wife Carol told me that she very much enjoyed chatting it up with everyone she spoke with, Melvin and Doris Good, in particular, because they were so gracious with her; those two make a lovely couple, indeed.  I say anyone who makes my wife feel that way is high on my list.

"For me, I was gratified to chat with people I knew in the band: Michael Bradbury, David Lovine, Don Craig, and Ken Erion.  We shared some grand times together.  Michael was in the band when I came to it.  Both of us were in other MOS's (he an MP, I an administrative clerk at CCDMC - Command and Control, Data Management Center) at Campbell Barracks, and so we didn't take the customary route to the band most people from our time did, which was via the School of Music.  Michael was one of the bridges for me between the prior band members and those who came in from Herbert Bilhartz's recruiting.  He was always a friendly person - nothing's changed in that regard!"

"Ken and Don were always together and helped make bus rides what they were.  We had good times going here and there and being wherever we were.  The two provided the Army with two rock-solid people by their staying in the service after their original enlistments expired, something that surprised me, but which is an example of how one never knows what turns one's life and that of others can take!"

"I had seen Ken in 1982 when Carol and I (before our boys) drove by Ft. Ord, where I had Basic and AIT, and saw from a distance that characteristic erect posture of his, and Don and I have e-mailed stories from the band back and forth.  Ken also had kindly contacted me after moving to Sheridan, OR, something he could do because of the Alumni Directory!"

"David was (and is) one of those people who bring out the best in people.  He has had an incredibly varied tapestry of experiences.  I am very grateful to him for what happened when the band was in Cardiff, Wales, for the Tattoo in 1975.  David befriended some fellows in the Welch Guard and they, in return, invited us to the club that they had for lager and limes (lagers and lime?).  That was an incredibly refreshing drink, our first enjoyment of it!  Two of the Guardsmen took about a dozen of us under their wing for a tour of local sites, including the famous Tintern Abby and a section of the Roman road!  That evening we were treated to a gathering of townspeople for which two Welchmen made up 40% of a dance band and a hilarious emcee kept us in stitches.  Afterwards, we were taken to the emcee's house and were enthralled by him and his two brothers singing acapella for us as only the Welch can.  It was enchanting - absolutely enchanting.  I felt so very honored by this!  This experience led one of us, Bob Davies, and me staying in London for a week with three members of the Guard (Dave, Big John, and Crawford Patterson Hall) in their house off High Holborn on the street Shoot-up Hill."

"One of the Guardsmen, Bill Viner, came to visit me in Idaho in 1976 and liked my parents so much that he later invited my father (my mother had died in the interim) to attend his wedding outside of London!  My dad and sister (who lives in Germany) were able to represent our family.  I had by then embarked upon my job as a teacher and could not afford to attend and did not have available time.  Bill and another buddy of his also came to Oregon in 1980 to visit.  While in Idaho seeing my parents, his buddy served as page turner on the spot for a Community Concert pianist who was desperate for one!"

"I want to close by saying that the most surprising element of the reunion for me was meeting the grandparents of one of the students I had this year, Lou and Betty Driever!  How about that for a small world!  Those are two FINE people.  I had another grandchild of theirs a few years before - she is such a sweetie!  She represented her school this year in high jump at the state meet, which was held, as all years, on the famous Hayward Field track of the University of Oregon, where Steve Prefontaine worked his magic and the Olympic Trials, the de facto Olympics for the U.S. that year, were held in 1980!"

"Well enough of these ramblings.  Again, gentlemen, I salute you.  I am very excited to collaborate with Ken Erion on details for the next reunion.  Everyone who attends will find Portland to be one splendid city!"

KT Magnusson (64-65), who played Sousaphone in the band, is now in Salt Lake City, Utah.  His snail mail address is 218 I Street, Salt Lake City.  "And, " he said, "since my wife is a network engineer for the State of Utah, were we to relocate to the South Pole, I could assure you we'd be getting our emails as always."  KT's email address is KT.Magnusson@slcc.edu.

Cindy Maus (84-87) wrote saying: " My new address will be 96 Autumn Lane, Enola, PA 17025.  I should be settled in there by the middle of August.  I don't have a job yet but I have my resume online with Monster.com and Careerbuilder.com.  I noticed there are a lot of jobs I can do and I am really looking forward to being together with my family again after 28 years of living away from home."

Linda Granzow, wife of Robert Granzow (80-85) wrote: "Thanks for the great updates on the Denver reunion!"  She wrote: "Bob and I enjoyed reading up on some of our former cronies from the mid 70's through mid 80's, as well as hearing (in prose) from other attendees of earlier and later eras.  We still plan to make it to one of these shindigs sooner or later ourselves!"  She then provided an address correction for her and Robert.  Their correct address is 11445 E. Neville Ave., Mesa, AZ 85209-2915.  She closed by identifying herself as Linda (Vrancheff) Granzow/ex 8th ID Band, Bad Kreuznach (adopted 33rder).

Daniel Rickard (72-75, 82-85), provided us with a new address: 302 1/2 S. Johnson St., Ada, Ohio 45810. dwrsax@mac.com.  His telephone number is 419-634-0696.

Doug Youra (57-58) forwarded a letter that he had received from Bob Holmes (72-73), containing what Bob characterized as "a great amount of ramblings from the 'old days.'"  It read as follows:

"My condolences to the members of the 33rd who did not get a chance to play the great Germanic ethnic tunes that we played in the early 70's with CW John Field!!  Sadly, he just died last month.  Even though he was near the end of his military career, he freely gave us enlisted members to opportunity to sample the wares of  the Prussian Military Music traditions and Fest music from Germany and Austria.  He kindly gave me (a PFC) the opportunity of conducting in many important events, and allowed many other members to contribute to the missions that we had throughout Western Europe.  I didn't realize until the reunion how fortunate I was to be under his baton."

"The Zapfenstreich Tattoo is a German Ceremony that is similar to the British Tattoo: filled with pomp and circumstance, surrounded by the last tapping of the keg before "Lights Out."  I think I read somewhere that the Tattoo actually meant "Tap Too" and, in the American tradition (probably borrowed from the British), it was the last bugle call before Taps."

"I think that at least the British and Prussian/German Military have an evening ceremony filled with hymns and bugle calls amidst the troops sometimes holding candles and singing and playing the national anthem at the end of the ceremony.  WWII put a damper on much of the public display of some of the German military traditions, even banning some tunes from public performance!  The one tune that comes to mind is Prussia Gloria (Glorious Prussia.)"

"That's probably why some of the 50's era 33rd Army Band members were not familiar with many of the tunes that we played at the reunion.  By the 70's, things were much more relaxed, and we were allowed to play some of the "forbidden" music not allowed earlier."

"There is a large volume of ethnic music centered around Germanic, Bavarian, Austrian and Slovenian (and Oktoberfest) music that is so neat and fun that I can not get enough of it!  We played some of it in the 70's:  Berliner Luft, Schone Mais, Es Gibt Kein Bier, Berliner Bleibt doch Berlin, Schutzen Marches, etc."

"When I was in Heidelberg, we had an 'adopted' 33rd member, Herr Peter Schwann.  He was an old former SS Band director in the local area, and from what I heard, he had been a town band instructor in many of the little communities near Heidelberg.  (He had his SS number tattooed on his knuckles!)  He would recruit several of us to play in town bands from time to time.  I played in his Schriessheim and Dossenheim bands one night.  The musicians were pretty awful, but I was absolutely taken by the bass drummer/cymbal player!  The cymbals (mounted on the bass drum itself) had a unique tone quality -- very dull, with little ring - coupled with the dull thud of the bass drum-- was very different from our English/American concept of percussion timbre."

"Peter died while I was there and some of the band members played at his funeral.  I heard that he was much disliked by many of the local townsfolk for his WWII background."

"I went on way too long on this... [Ed. Note:  No, Bob, those of us who had experiences with the 33rd appreciate all the details!]

William (Woody) Woodworth (56-58) wrote that he thought the most recent reunion was a roaring success.  He said that "Portland, OR sounds like a great choice since that's a part of the country we've never seen before."

Laura Spencer, administrative support for the 33rd  from 1994-1997, sent a few photos she happened upon when cleaning out a desk. (See pictures that follow.)

Following her tour with the band, Laura became a middle school teacher, and at the time she wrote was working as the Coordinator of Instructional Technology for a school district in San Diego.  She has two daughters ages 8 and 4, with her ex-husband (and former band and chorus sound tech) Dennis Bockert.

Keith Hanlon (00-01) wrote to indicate that he played flute and piccolo with the 33rd.  He said he noticed that he was not on the roster and sent his email address along with his snail mail address and telephone number to indicate that he was "found".  They are as follows:  Hanlonflute@aol.com. 1513 Winter Hill Circle, Richmond, VA 23236. Tel.: 804-873-5023.

Gene Garza (68-70) said that the alumni directory needed an update on him.  His entry should read Gene Garza, Trombone, 69-70, found,  He also said he enjoyed Denver..."a lot"

Mary Pitts, who served as the Band's Chaplain at Tompkins Barracks in Heidelberg, Germany from 1985-1988, wrote that she would enjoy hearing from anyone there during that time, including COL GARY LAMB or MAJOR STAN CORNET.  She is now retired from the Army.  Her email is map325akp@yahoo.com

Lee A. Stofer, Jr. (85-89) and (92-95) wrote to say that he would like to be listed as "found" and to correct the spelling of his name.  It was only recently that he "first looked at the web site."  Lee says he played tuba in the Fightin' 33rd prior to retiring from the FORSCOM Band in 2001 as Brass Group Leader.  He noted he intends to be an active member of the 33rd ABAA  and said he knows the whereabouts of a number of the "unknowns" he served with.  He then provided numerous examples: Don Vareville, French Horn player, retired about 1992 and lives in Johnson, Georgia, and Theodore Zitelli, XO of the Band in the late 80's, is now an Atlanta businessman who lives in Peachtree City, GA.  Simone and Noreen Garza live in Virginia Beach, VA.  Simone was medically retired after the First Gulf War, and Noreen retired from the School of Music last year.  Simone is a local music teacher, and Noreen is an instrument repair tech.  Steve Birkhead is an instrument repairman in Tidewater, Virginia, retired from Ft. Monroe.  Russell Clements, tuba, 1992-1995, is not listed at all.  He presently lives in Germantown, TN, suburb of Memphis.  Russ retired as 1SG of the Ft. Leonard Wood Band about 3 years ago. Barry Fletcher retired in Germany with his Frau, and lives in the country near Leimen, not far from French hornist Randy Hamilton and his Frau.  Horace Gamble was last seen marching with the Georgia Army National Guard Band in the 1990's, and is retired from the Guard by now I would think.  Ricardo Hatton retired as the SGM of the Band, and is living and working in Heidelberg area.  John D. Marsh was a trumpeter in the Band from 1985-89, went to FORSCOM in Atlanta, and retired there in the 1990's.  He lives in Atlanta and plays professionally still.  Gayle Petrick, oboe, was stationed at the 33rd from 1988-92.  Now retired, she lives in Newport News, VA.  I think I may have found a typo on the list- instead of William Priestly, trumpet, his name is Priestly Williams, and he was stationed at the 33rd in the early-to-mid 1990's.  Karen Lyn Sly, oboe/keyboards 1984-88, has been out of the Army for some time and was last known to be Karen Lyn Sly Mallard, married w/ kids, living back home in Illinois.  Jeff Stewart's years of service were  1992-96, and he was a piano player.  Jim Torrey was a clarinet player from the Tidewater, Virginia area, and he served in the 33rd from 1992-95, I believe.  From there he went back to Ft. Monroe to retire, I think.  Patrick (Pat) Wallace was a tuba player, stationed in Heidelberg from 1983-86.  He ETS'd, went back to Pennsylvania.  Ross Whitlock is stationed at either Ft. Monroe or the School of Music, and his wife ETS'd a long time ago, and is busy taking care of Ross and raising their flock of kids.

I hope that some of this will prove useful information to you, and I'll look at the site from time to time and forward information as it comes to me.  Please use the e-mail address below, as I am phasing out the juno.com account.  Lee A. Stofer, Jr., Lee Stofer Music, Inc., 3583 260th Street, Camanche, IA 52730-9658 H(563) 522-2060 Cell (563) 321-0642  tubameister@iowatelecom.net  www.tubameister.com.
[Ed. Note: The webmaster and I are always happy to get such information as provided by Lee!  Many thanks!]

Randy Cash (76-79) wrote to say that he played trombone with the 33rd and would very much like to join the association.  After leaving the band in 1979 as an E5, he went back to school at the University of Miami (Florida).  After finishing his last two years at Miami, he was commissioned a 2LT in the Signal Corps.  He went to flight school in 1981 and retired from the Army as a major in 1999.  He now owns his own company in Naples, Florida.  His address is 3670 1st Ave NW, Naples FL 34120.

Celeste L'Heureux (76-77) sent a photo, showing her in a parade with David Nutter and Richard Keene that was taken during her tour with the band.  She also sent the second photo that she says is of her "incognito".  It was taken by Richard Keene .  Her email is Cteacher@cox.net.  She's hoping to attend the next reunion in Portland.

Lee A. Stofer followed up his previous email (above) with some additional information.  He wrote: "Since retiring 01 SEP 01, I started and operated a band instrument repair business in metro Atlanta, GA for almost 5 years.  Then, this May, we moved to the family farm in Eastern Iowa, near the Quad Cities on the Mississippi River.  My in-laws have retired, and are turning over the operations of an Iowa Heritage Farm (owned by the same family for over 150 years) to us.  I grew up in the rural midwest, and it is sure good to be "home again".

"The band instrument business continues, and in fact I just sold a new tuba to the 33rd Army Band last week.  I was the low bidder on a new Rudolf Meinl tuba from Bavaria.  The Army Bands have to purchase virtually everything with a VISA card now, so I ran the transaction, and will pay the factory.  Then, the boys from the Band's tuba section will make a PTDY field trip to the factory when the finished product is ready, and we'll avoid any shipping costs."

"Besides continuing my band instrument repair business, I am a member of the AF o f M Local 67 in Davenport, IA and play a number of freelance jobs.  I guest conducted the National Night Out Concert presented by the River City Municipal Band in Clinton, Iowa about a month ago, am quite busy along with my wife Debbie, in raising four daughters and we are all active members of the DeWitt Evangelical Free Church in DeWitt, Iowa.  Also, somehow I manage to find the time to get some farm work done!"

Carol Rhine, Senior Analyst for Target Analyst Group, 413-296-0170 cell phone 413-695-4241 wrote to state that Jasper Bowman who played with the band in the 70's died recently (just prior to 10-5-06).  She said that "He had become a terrific march composer and arranger - making music with many of the community bands in western Massachusetts.  We are planning a memorial concert in December and would like to welcome any of the 33rd to join us - How can I invite them?" [Ed. Note: Please consider yourselves to be invited.]

Bob Mitchell (81-83) checked in to indicate that he played tuba with the band and is currently teaching.

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IN MEMORIAM

Jasper Bowman (69-71) in October of this year

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2004 Photos

Top left: Pamela Parchman, Dea and Mike Beychek;    Pic at right:  Ed Sullivan, Joel Joyner, Lisa Tabone, Carl Wesley
 

Below at left: Carl Wesley, Joel Joyner and Jeff Stewart       At Right below Joel Joyner