Corps Instructors Biographies
Brass (Hornline) Instructors LARRY KERCHNER, Brass Arranger Larry was first a brass player with the famed Blue Rock Drum & Bugle Corps of Wilmington, Delaware in the early 1960s. They are most fondly remembered for playing Baby Elephant Walk in their heyday. Larry became the “wonder child” of the corps for progressing from playing soprano, french horn, mellophone, and contra to arranging new, influential music for them. Along the way, he designed and used the first Flugelhorn bugle. He spent 10 years with Blue Rock, helping them attain national prominence. In time, he decided to pursue a formal music education and tried his hand elsewhere. Larry moved from one black & gold corps to another when he was invited to begin arranging for and teaching the St. Andrew's Bridgemen in the early 1970s. He furthered St. Andrew's already strong brass line with challenging charts like The William Tell Overture, My Favorite Things, and Free. But it was the Bridgemen makeover in 1976 that propelled his writing to new heights, freeing him to explore new avenues of entertainment. His classic charts for the Bridgemen have included Pagliacci, Land of Make Believe, Ritual Fire Dance/Sabre Dance, Harlem Nocturne, Spanish Dreams, In The Stone, and Thunder & Blazes. These charts are still in demand by many corps and bands to this day for their entertainment value and technically challenging parts. Larry has written and/or taught over 120 corps, while writing in a variety of genres including classical, latin, jazz, pop, rock, soundtracks. And has even written for The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus! He has arranged for and instructed some of the most influential corps of the activity including Blue Rock, Bridgemen junior corps, Hawthorne Muchachos, Royal Brigade, Crossmen, Star of Indiana, Troopers, Sky Ryders, Pioneer, Spirit of Newark, Caballeros, Skyliners, Bushwackers, Reilly Raiders Alumni Corps, The Renegades, Caballeros Alumni, Yankee Rebels Alumni, Music Express, US Naval Academy D&B Corps, and Bridgemen Alumni.
As a music and horn judge, he has evaluated drum corps and bands for the Middle Atlantic, Bay State, Cavalcade of Bands, and other judging associations.
Larry has over 300 compositions published and was a Grammy Award Nominee. He was inducted into the Massachusetts Drum Corps Hall of Fame in 2000, the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame in 2001, and the New Jersey Drum Corps Hall of Fame in 2006. BRIAN LAW, Brass Caption Head Brian Law began marching with the 1972 Keystone Regiment of Philadelphia, PA. In time, they merged with their rivals, the 507 Hornets, to form the Crossmen. He performed with the Crossmen as a baritone between 1975-1979, notably playing the solos in “Something” and “Tiger of San Pedro” to acclaim. He came over to the Bridgemen in 1980-1981, for what what would become a long-lasting relationship with Bayonne. After aging out, Brian became an assitant horn instructor and drill tech from 1982-1987, where he met his future wife, Lori-Ann Skibbie. He joined the ranks of the Bushwackers all-age corps beginning in 1991 as a baritone. In time, he was tapped to become a horn and drill instructor through some of their best years in DCA, winning several championships along the way. He has participated in several of DCA's I&Es on championship weekend and won the baritone individual title 3 times. He has marched, designed for, and instructed many notable bands and corps over the years. He has been judging drum corps, bands and color guard since 1988, including 5 years with M.A.A. and over 10 years in N.J.A. Attended the W.G.I. academy for adjudicators in the late 1990s. Brian has been married to Lori-Ann since 1989. Lori is a veteran of the Bayonne Kidets, Bridgemen, and Bushwackers. They have two sons together and are active in the local community of Bayonne, NJ, where Brian has been coaching soccer, basketball, and baseball for the better part of 12 years. Marching Experience: Drill Design Experience: Teaching Experience: MATT KREMPASKY, Brass Instructor Personal: b. 1960, Wayne, NJ. Married (since 2001) to wife Lisa. One daughter, Julia, b. 2003. Education: BS Music Ed, Gettysburg College, 1982. Major instrument: trumpet. Continued study in Computers and Education, Columbia University, NY. Professional: Music Teacher/Band Director, Somerville High School, Somerville, NJ. Also taught at Columbia High School, Maplewood, and Roxbury High School, Succasunna. Marching experience: Wayne PAL band, Wayne Boys Club Band, Wayne Monarchs Drum & Bugle Corps (1974-1977), King's Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps (1978), Reading Buccaneers (1979-1981). Teaching experience: Reading Buccaneers assistant horn instructor (1982), Crossmen assistant horn instructor (1982), Reading Bucs Caption Head/Brass Arranger (1983-1987), Bucs arranger (1990-91), Crossmen Brass Arranger/Caption Head (1986-1994), Spirit of Atlanta Brass Arranger (1997-2000), Bayonne Bridgemen Alumni corps (2006 - Present); have also written for Bayonne Raiders, Hawthorne Caballeros, New York Lancers, Jubal, and lots of college, university, and high school bands since 1983. Performance experience: Freelance musician in the NY metro area; currently Lead Trumpet, Jordan Thomas Orchestra, Lead Trumpet, Fun Bunch Big Band, and 1st trumpet, Acme Brass Co. Latest disc released: Xmas Xing, Acme Brass Co, 2004. Accomplishments: Lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time many, many times throughout career. Named New Jersey's “Music Teacher of the Year” by the New Jersey Music Educators' Association, 1997. Elected to Reading Buccaneers Hall of Fame in November, 2006. GABE GULINO, Brass Instructor Gabe Gulino has been part of the Drum Corps Community for over 40 years as a marching member, instructor/arranger, brass tech and adjudicator. This year marks his return to the Jersey Surf for a 5th year as a brass tech and also begins a new chapter as brass tech with the Bayonne Bridgmen Alumni Organization. Gabe began his drum corps career as a marching member with the Midshipmen Drum & Bugle Corps and soon advanced to march with the St Rocco's Cadets and the New York Kingsmen Drum & Bugle Corps. During that time, Gabe began his writing career under the watchful eyes of Hy Dreitzer and Robert Bunce. He was also involved in the early flugelhorn experiments while marching with the NY Kingsmen. Gabe attended Manhattan School of Music Prep, Manhattan School of Music and Bronx Community College as a Trumpet Performance Major and later attended Nyack College where he studied music/composition theory under Paul Liljestrand attaining a BA in Composition. During this time Gabe also attended the Eastern School of Musical Instrument Repair where he learned the craft of repairing and restoring band and orchestral instruments under the watchful eye of master technician Fred Kirschner. In 1972, Gabe began teaching his first Drum Corps, the Queens Village Queens, and brought them to their first championship in NY State. He continued this streak with the Pearl River Cadets, bringing them to an unprecedented 4 years undefeated in the American Heritage Circuit Championships. Gabe went on to teach and arrange for a number of corps which included the Kidets of Bayonne NJ (feeder corps to the Bayonne Bridgemen), New City Commanders, New City, NY and Fantasia III, Little Falls, NJ, who placed second in the DCI Div II finals. Gabe began his judging career with the International Judges Association and has continued to judge band festivals, auditions and other events. Gabe has had the honor of having judged all the armed forces Drum Corps in competition in Annapolis. Gabe continues to perform/arrange/teach around the Ocean County, NJ area and is currently a judge with the YEA organization. Gabe manages DCG Music, a full service Band and Orchestral Musical Instrument Repair Company. You can find them at www.ibrokemyhorn.com.JEROME KIMBROUGH, Brass Instructor, Drill Instructor Jerome Kimbrough is a native of Jersey City, NJ. His drum corps career began at age 12 when a friend of his invited him to a rehearsal of the Bayonne Kidets (feeder corps of the Bridgemen). In autumn of 1980, he made the bold move to the Bridgemen junior corps and joined the ranks of the baritone line. In 1982, Jerome made the leap from fouth baritone to first in one season. In 1983, he moved further forward and performed a solo and was part of a quartet in the opener. Jerome performed with the Bridgemen from 1981 through 1985, and cherishes his five consecutive years with “The Bananas.“ In 1986-87, he met the challenge of performing with the Garfield Cadets and was a member of the 1987 DCI champions. During his junior corps years, he studied music for a time, allowing him to develop his musical abilities and playing prowess. Jerome found his calling as a culinary student at Johnson and Wales University of Providence, RI. In 1983, Jerome began performing with the Bushwackers all-age corps, once the DCI season was over. In 1988, Jerome became a full-time member of the Bushwackers, performing or helping out through 2006. He is a renowned baritone soloist in DCA and twice captured second place at the DCA I&E competition in baritone individuals. He has taught various local High school band technique programs, as well as the the NY Lancers. Jerome returned to the Bridgemen Alumni corps in the autumn of 2004 and is presently performing with the baritone line as well as instructing drill. Percussion (Drumline, Battery) Instructors DENNIS DELUCIA, Drum Arranger/Program Coordinator Dennis has had an extraordinary list of accomplishments in his many years in the activity. Dennis is one of the most renowned percussion arrangers, teachers, clinicians, and judges in North America. He has an admirable work ethic and inspires his drummers to aim high. He is committed to excellence and expects his drummers to reach their potential instead of falling short. This determination, coupled with a gifted insight into music, have had a lasting impact on his students, his drumlines, and the activity as a whole. He has been inducted into both the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame and the Drum Corps International (DCI) Hall of Fame, the first percussionist to achieve this honor. Dennis began his drumming experience in Bergenfield, NJ back in 1955 under the tutelage of Dr. Bernard Baggs and Bobby Thompson: these well-known, well-loved percussionists set Dennis on a lifelong pursuit of musicianship and excellence. He marched in a drum corps for just one year; coincidentally the same corps that the creative genius Bobby Hoffman began in! He was in HS band for six years, and the West Point Band “Hellcats” for 2 years. He is a self-taught drumset player and marching percussion arranger. His college major was in Economics, with minor studies in Psychology and Comparative Theology. He dabbled in the men's clothing business as a buyer/executive before pursuing his talent. Dennis began instructing and arranging for the Hawthorne Muchachos, the junior corps wing of the famed Caballeros, in 1970. Dennis' diligence paid off as the drumline improved under his guidance and began to gain national recognition. The smooth latin rhythms of the Muchachos made them a crowd favorite and Dennis' drumline was soon on par with their strong hornline. The Muchachos were in shooting distance of the DCI crown in 1975 but fell short. In time their star would fade but they are remembered fondly for their entertainment value. Under the urging of show coordinator/drill designer Bobby Hoffman (the creative mastermind of the Bridgemen makeover) Dennis cast his lot with the man who was engineering a bold new experiment in drum corps entertainment. Bobby intended to move the Bridgemen away from the militaristic style that defined corps of that era and embark on a journey: to make corps shows far more accessible and enjoyable to audiences than they had ever been before. But still challenge the players to reach inside themselves and turn out the best performances they could achieve. Dennis set to work in Bayonne breathing new life into the Bridgemen drumline and turning its fortunes around. The new style of the Bridgemen was more flexible, playful, and creative. In the years that followed, their musical choices, show style, and determination to “Give it all you got” would revolutionize the activity. Dennis took some strong drum players under his wing who would, in time, become instrumental to the Bridgemen drumline's success at the turn of the decade: Bob Dubinski and Pat Scollin. Dennis was left speechless when his dream of top drum honors finally came home to Bayonne in 1980. This win in Birmingham, Alabama opened up a drum dynasty of wins for the Bridgemen drumline that would last three years, until 1982. Other drumlines were part of his success as Dennis masterminded the turnaround of Fantasia III (Class 1 junior corps, as the division was known at the time) and the Sunrisers (senior corps) as well. 1981 is arguably the pinnacle of Dennis' success in the drum corps activity when the Bridgemen, Fantasia III, and the Sunrisers achieved all three classes of drum corps high drum honors at season's end. This remarkable achievement has been called Dennis Delucia's ”Triple Crown” and has not been equaled since. In time, the Bridgemen junior corps' star would fade, but Dennis stayed on for as long as he could. Dennis went on to teach and arrange for other great groups in the years to come including Star of Indiana, The Caballeros, as well as countless marching bands. Plus he served as show coordinator for The Crossmen in 1992 when they achieved their highest placing at DCI Finals. He has racked up sixteen championship High Percussion titles in his percussion career. He has four books in print and conducts percussion clinics/workshops in 41 states and six countries. Presently, Dennis serves on the task force for WGI Indoor Percussion, is an Associate Professor of Percussion at Rutgers University in NJ (since 1996), teaches at Piscataway High School in NJ, and serves as an educational consultant/clinician for Yamaha Corporation of America, SABIAN Cymbals, Remo Drumheads, Vic Firth, Inc., Row-Loff Productions, and Pro-Mark sticks. Since 1994, he is best known as a DCI commentator for the broadcast of junior corps championships. Dennis has been to every DCI Championship since its inception in 1972, and is uniquely qualified to bring new insight into DCI corps performances for spectators. Dennis relishes the opportunity to entertain drum corps fans and help draw new fans into the activity with the broadcast into Regal Cinema theaters. His wife Rene is also a drum corps alumnus, having marched with the Garfield Cadets hornline in 1977 before coming to the Bridgemen as a color guard member, then instructing after she aged out. Rene and Dennis have been married since 1985 and make their home in New Jersey. Their daughter, Chelsea, also follows the drum corps activity, plays bass drum with the Bridgemen Alumni, and will be college-bound in September 2007. Dennis returned to the Bridgemen when the new corps began anew in 2004. Besides arranging the drumline charts and instructing, he is actively involved with choosing our music, in concert with Larry Kerchner and management, for how best to plot the Bridgemen's course in the new era.
BOB DUBINSKI, Drum Instructor Bob “Dubie” Dubinski began performing with the celebrated Garfield Cadets in 1970. He graduated to percussion section leader in 1973, having demonstrated his devotion to his craft. In 1974, he was named “Cadet of the Year” for his unswerving loyalty to the corps. He marched with “Holy Name” through 1976. In 1977, Bob took a job at Collins Music Company, where Dennis Delucia (famed arranger/instructor for the Hawthorne Muchachos) worked as a salesman. Dennis saw something special in Bob and offered him a job with “the bananas.” Bob joined the ranks of the Bayonne Bridgemen as a drum instructor and joined a team that would become renowned in drum corps circles for building one of the greatest drumlines in the history of the activity. Bob was, and still is, a very motivational instructor. He brings a fiery intensity to rehearsals and expects drummers in his line to settle for nothing less than perfection. Bob was a driving force in helping the Bridgemen drumline achieve the High Drumline trophies of 1980-1982, and helping to keep the Bridgemen drumline in the thick of things. Plus he wrote the music for the pit from 1978-1984. Bob urged the drummers under his charge to “Read the poem each night.” This poem, called “The Man In the Glass,” challenged each member to reach inside themselves to achieve their greatest goals. In 1978, Bob completed his B.A. in Music Education from Kean College of New Jersey. That year, he also took on the role of Band Director for Lodi High School in Lodi, NJ; a post he would hold through 1986. Bob married his sweetheart Roseanna in 1979 and began to raise a family with the birth of their son, Rob, in 1982. Bob completed his M.A. in Music Education from Jersey City State in 1983. That year, while he also worked with the Bridgemen, Bob worked with the drumline of Avant Garde corps, of upstate New York, through 1984. His daughter, Allison, came into the world in 1984, blessing Bob and Roseanna with two healthy children. In 1985, Bob was offered a drum position within the new Star of Indiana corps; a position that would become a turning point in his life. Star of Indiana rose to become one of the premier corps in the activities and left an indelible impact on the activity as a competitive junior corps. In 1988, his daughter Amanda was born, raising the Dubinski household to three children. Star of Indiana's climb culminated in winning the DCI crown in 1991 (with a score of 97.0) with their “Roman Images” show. Bob worked with Star of Indiana through 1993, after which the Cook Foundation decided to pursue another form of entertainment for its performers. In a sense, they returned to the limelight years later as “Blast.” Bob accepted a position as Band Director of Bloomington H.S. South in 1986, a position he holds to this day. Bob's drive for excellence is apparent in his music program; Bloomington H.S. marching band is a crowd favorite wherever they go. Bob commented, “My marching band has a style similar to the Bridgemen and Velvet Knights. We are loved by the crowds because we do a lot of dancing and jiving around, even while we play.” Indiana is a hotbed for marching music talent that's always in the thick of things, year in and year out. While with Star of Indiana, Bob also worked with the drumline of the Bluecoats of Canton, Ohio, who were another up-and-coming corps that worked their way into DCI Finals and have proven themselves great showmen ever since; Bob worked with the Bluecoats through 1989. Bob became Director of the Star of Indiana Elementary Band in 1992; where he still leads to this day. He is also the Contemporary Worship Director of the Evangelical Community Church, since 2005. In the autumn of 2004, “Dubie” returned to the Bridgemen to pick up where he, Dennis Delucia, and Pat Scollin left off so many years before. Bob proved himself to be as committed to excellence now as he was at the height of the Bridgemen drumline's best years. He has brought his intensity to the Alumni Corps and has made a lasting impression on the members of this drumline to settle for nothing less than their potential. We are blessed to have such talent in our ranks, driving us to greater glory. RON DOLCE, Drum Instructor Bio forthcoming PAT SCOLLIN, Drum Instructor Bio forthcoming JOHN YURKIN, Drum Instructor Bio forthcoming Color Guard Instructors MATT HURLEY, Guard Choreographer/Designer Matt began his drum corps career in the hornline of the Bridgemen feeder corps, the Kidets of Bayonne, NJ. He proved himself a capable musician and scored a mellophone solo with them. But his destiny awaited with different equipment. While in 5th or 6th grade, Matt befriended Lori-Ann Skibbie and Candace Hart. He begged them to teach him some guard basics, which set him on course to a new lifelong passion. He sought out others to learn from and improved steadily. His dedication to his craft emboldened him to try to join the Bridgemen color guard, but was hit with the news that the guard only admitted girls! So he picked up a flugel horn and made the most of the experience in the 1983 Bridgemen hornline. The following year, Bobby Hoffman chose Matt to be “Baby New Year” at the close of the 1985 “Christmas in July” portion of the show. Matt didn't want to do it, but Bobby was determined and demanded, “Am I gonna have to call your mother!?” Matt cried, “Alright, fine, I'll do it!” Matt finally got to pursue his first love and developed his guard precision & dancing grace with top units, like the Sunrisers senior corps & the Emerald Marquis winter guard. He went on to become a gifted choreographer, where he created inspired flag and rifle choreography for several winter guards (like ComplXity & Black Watch) and corps color guards (like Phoenix & Jersey Surf). And now he's the central figure of the Bridgemen color guard.... but still can't put on a uniform because it's again an all-girl guard! Nonetheless, Matt had his moment in the sun when he won the 2005 I&E Rifle competition as a Bridgemen in Scranton, PA. Drum Corps marched: Winter Guards marched: Drum Corps instructed: Winter Guards instructed: NANCY DUCHARME, Guard Instructor Nancy Kolodziej-DuCharme followed her older sister Linda into the Kidets feeder corps in 1970 when they were still the St. Andrew's Kidets. She saw their transition to the Bayonne Kidets and was a member of the color guard through 1976. She stepped up to The Bridgemen in 1977 and performed with them for three seasons through 1979. She also assisted in the start of a new winter guard, The Silver Express, at Father Donovan's new parish in Bergenfield, NJ. Her mother was the Director of the Kidets and Nancy moved over to helping out the Kidets during some of their best years. Nancy taught the Kidets from 1980 through 1987. Besides their summer show, the Kidets also competed in various winter guard circuits and were highly competitive throughout the tri-state area. Nancy served as Vice President, and the President, of the American Heritage Association in 1983 and 1984. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, she worked with Wayne Valley High School (1977-1980), West Essex High School (1980-1990) and Roxbury High School (1990-1999) and assisted various other guard programs in New York and New Jersey. She also traveled to Virginia and North Carolina to teach at High School clinics where her experience was valued. Nancy has been lifelong friends with George Lavelle and Dennis Delucia so, combined with her business managerial skills, helping to bring about the new era of the Bridgemen was no stretch for her! She assumed the duties of tackling the day to day operations of the fledgling corps and has assumed the mantle of Business Manager to assist with finances. Helping to teach the Bridgemen color guard is just one of the many hats that Nancy wears. She's committed to helping color guard members reach their potential and putting on the best performance they can muster. She also helps to teach Bayonne High School's color guard. Nancy met her husband, Rick, during a band camp in 1987 and after years of teaching together, they were married in 1993 and reside in West Orange, NJ.
CLAIRE KRONENFELD, Guard Instructor Bio forthcoming Drill (Marching) GEORGE LAVELLE, Drill Designer George has been around The Bridgemen his entire life. He grew up in Bayonne and went to school at St. Andrew & Bayonne High School. His two uncles, Tom “Fluff” Matthews & Albert Matthews, marched in the corps from 1967 through 1977. George began his drum corps experience in the Kidets (the Bridgemen feeder corps) and marched as a soprano player from 1972-1978. He was eager to move on to the greater challenge and fun that the Bridgemen offered so he joined at the first opportunity in 1979. He marched from 1979-1983, earning his five year ring along the way in 1983. In 1981, George started to instruct the Kidets while he was in the Bridgemen, a skill that would prove beneficial in the years to come. In 1987, he came back as a visual instructor for the corps until the junior corps folded in early 1988. George has been teaching drum corps & marching bands since 1981 and is currently the drill designer for three marching bands, including Bayonne High School, where he has been drill designer/show coordinator from 1983-1988 & 2000-2007. In 1991, George and his father founded the Raiders Drum & Bugle Corps in their hometown of Bayonne. He was the corps first director from 1991-1997. During his time as director of the Raiders, George served as President of the Garden State Circuit (1994-1995), was the Chairman of the Judging Committee (1996) and in 1996 was voted DCI Division III Director of the Year. Also in 1996 he served as Vice President of Drum Corps East. Through those years, George kept in touch with the many friends he made in drum corps. In May 2002, George was invited to the New Jersey Drum Corps Hall of Fame banquet (to honor Bridgemen alumnus Father Donovan & Bob Holton), which brought together Bridgemen alumni of different eras. They vowed to continue meeting regularly and forge a new Alumni Association so that many friendships could be rekindled and the name Bridgemen could be legally protected. In time, the impossible dream of resurrecting the drum corps was put forth and George took on a feasibility study to determine if that feat was indeed possible. The Alumni Corps that exists today is the direct result of that endeavor. George is the Executive Director of the Bridgemen Alumni Corps and also serves on the Board of Directors (the governing authority of The Bridgemen Organization). He is the drill designer for field shows and the lead drill/marching instructor. Because the Bridgemen cannot rehearse as frequently as competing corps, George's challenge is to get the maximum productivity out of the scheduled hours that he has to teach basics and drill to corps members. George was a computer operator for BMW in Woodcliff Lakes, NJ until recently. He is married to the former Teresa Holmes. George is actively involved in rearing their two children, their daughter Riley Ann & their son Ryan Patrick, to give them all they love they deserve. BOB MURRAY, Drill Instructor “I was born into Drum Corps since my dad is in the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame. As a child prior to marching I was a Hawthorne Caballeros mascot. Marching Experience: Teaching and Administrative Experience: GEORGE RUSE, Drill Instructor Bio forthcoming BOB HALEY, Drill Instructor Bio forthcoming
Drum Majors/Conductors JIM JORDAN, Drum Major/Conductor Jim began playing the trumpet in 1968, at the age of eight and quickly developed a passion for playing and music. He followed in his sibling's footsteps by joining the outstanding Bergenfield High School Marching Band, which was taught by Don Angelica, Frank Levy, Jack Meehan, Fred Sandford, Jeff Kievit, Dennis DeLucia, and Bobby Hoffman. Their influence led Jim to join the Hawthorne Muchachos in 1976 along with friends, John Yurkin, and Tim Griffin. After a fun season with the Muchachos, they decided that Bayonne was the place to be after witnessing the legendary 1976 Bridgemen corps. Jim played mellophone in 1977, as part of the legendary “Super Six.” In January of 1978, Bob Hoffman offered Jim the position of drum major for the Bridgemen. Jim was stunned but proudly accepted the position with enthusiasm despite being a bit nervous about replacing the great DM Jerry Morecraft. Jim had the support of staff & members and was truly honored to serve as DM for three consecutive seasons: 1978 to 1980, culminating in the highest-placing Bridgemen corps ever (3rd place) at DCI Finals. In 1982, Jim became the very first DM of the Bushwackers. In 1983, he returned to Hawthorne, playing the mellophone with the Caballeros, placing 2nd at DCA Finals. Jim graduated from William Paterson College in 1987, with a B.A. in Communication, and a minor in Psychology and Business Administration. In 1988, he returned to the Bushwackers, as a mellophone player, as “Bush” tied the Sunrisers for first place at DCA Finals. He switched to soprano in 1989, as the Bushwackers again placed first, just edging out the Sunrisers for the championship. Jim's parents had raised him on the big band music of the '30s and '40s. So Jim fulfilled a lifelong dream by organizing his own 17-piece big band to help perpetuate the music of Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa, Harry James, and so many other greats! His first band was composed of several members of the Bushwackers and other professional musicians. Their success encouraged Jim to form a “working” band that rehearsed and played at different venues such as jazz concerts, weddings, dances, and outdoor concerts. The “Jordan Thomas Orchestra,” was formed in the spring of 1990, and is still together today. The “JTO,” with Jim as leader, front man, and trumpet, has performed with Jerry Vale, Al Martino, Buddy Franco, Julius LaRosa, and Stefanie Nakasian. The band has been featured at the “NJ JazzFest” at FDU-Madison, several concerts in conjunction with the NJ Jazz Society, Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, and frequently at St. Ann's Italian Feast in Hoboken. Since 1990, Jim has been active as a freelance trumpet player, performing with several local big bands, including the recently-formed “Fun Bunch,” concert bands, and theater groups. Jim has been employed as a teacher in the Irvington School District, since 1999, initially teaching General Music in grades K-5, and then Instrumental Music in grades 6-8. Recently, Jim began teaching Special/Alternative Education in grades 1-5, and is in the process of furthering his education. Jim has been actively involved with the Bridgemen since their return. He has been a drum major for the Bridgemen Alumni since autumn 2004 and has helped the hornline at Thursday night rehearsals to learn their music, play it cleanly, and musically. JOHN RICHARD, Drum Major/Conductor Personal: b. 1949, Bayonne, NJ. Married (since 1984) to wife Jayne, with three children, Laura 28, Daniel (Chip) 21, and Kimberly 20. Education: BA Psychology, Montclair State College and FLMI, Professional Insurance/HR Designation (1980). Military: United States Air Force Reserve 1967-1975. Professional: Prudential Financial (1968), Manager. Specialization in Personnel Administration, Claims and Administrative Management. Marching experience: Original member (Lead soprano, Drum Major, and Administration) of the Saint Andrew's Bridgemen (1965 - 1973) and the Bridgemen Alumni (2005 - present). Bridgemen highlights: Garden State Champions 1968 and 1969, VFW State Champions 1972, American Legion State Champions 1973, World Open Champions 1973, DCI Finalists 1972 and 1973 (these were all firsts in Bridgemen history). The Bridgemen were the first corps to ever compete in a DCI finals. John Richard and Jerry Morecraft were the first Drum Majors to ever set foot on a DCI finals field. John feels honored to be one of the Drum Majors of the Bridgemen Alumni Corps and marching alongside 150 other Bridgemen. It's a very, very special feeling and each moment of this second time around is cherished. John has spent the last 10 years residing in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. As John says “It's a great place to live but getting to Bridgemen rehearsals and shows does present some logistic challenges.” But, he also states, “It's well worth the effort and cost.” John's other lifelong hobby is athletics. He is still a gym junkie and hits the Winston YMCA at least 5 times a week as a charter member of the YMCA Breakfast Club (a group of every weekday 5:00 AM exercise crazies). The Breakfast Club supported our beloved Bridgemen with a Gold Ad in our 2006 TOS Program. He expects nothing less from his friends in 2007! Visit our Contacts page to speak with some of our people. Back to Staff page |