ABOUT Drummers’ Heritage Concert

SESSION TITLE: Rudimental Roots and the Evolution of Marching Snare Drum

Brendan Mason

Fife and Drumming icon and USARD President, Brendan Mason has personally experienced the generational excellence of Connecticut rudimental drumming as it was passed on from generation to generation through the likes of Paul Cormier, Ken and Ed Lemley, and state drum corps meets held in Connecticut for over 100 years where the best of the best would compete for a chance to win the coveted Northeastern States Drum Corps Association Championship. Brendan is endorsed by Mapex and Majestic Percussion, Cooperman Drum Company, Loyal Drums, Vic Firth, Zildjian, and Avery Drums. 

Charley Poole

The legendary DCI Hall of Famer and adjudicator, Charley Poole is a subject matter expert on the classic Connecticut style of rudimental drumming crafted by Earl Sturtz, whose style later shaped the entire drum and bugle corps idiom through prized student Frank Arsenaul as his travels brought him to the Midwest with the Ludwig Drum Company, changing drum corps forever. Charley is endorsed by Pro-Mark Drum Sticks, Evans Drum Heads, Zildjian Cymbals and Pearl Drums. 

Mark Reilly

World Drum Corps Hall of Famer and former Bandmaster of the “Old Guard” Fife and Drum Corps, SGM(R) Mark Reilly grew up in the highly contentious New York competition style of rudimental drumming developed from the likes of Gus Moeller, evolving with the Charles T. Kirk’s fife, drum, and bugle corps, and eventually solidifying with the iconic style of Les Parks, Nick Attanasio, and Bobby Thompson of the Sons of Liberty. Mark is endorsed by British Drum Company, REMO, Sabian, Prologix, Loyal Drums, and Büchler Trommelbau.