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Janesville Fife &Drum Corps The 2015 Season
Troop S t eps The 2015 Season
Historically Authentic Patriotic Sights and Sounds from America’s earliest heritage on reproduction wood fifes and rope tensioned drums.
The Corps began in 1975 as a joint project of the city of Janesville, Wisconsin, and its schools to celebrate the nation’s bicentennial. Today, this group (some of whom come from Janesville, while others are from surrounding communities) offers people of all ages friendship, travel, teamwork, patriotism, discipline, honed musical skills, and a unique appreciation of American history. Corps Founder: Robert Williams Corps Officers: President—Bill Wilson Vice President—Amy Holevas Secretary—Eda Wilson Treasurer—Sue Long Corps Offices: E. B. Wilson, 215 E. Clay St. #40, Whitewater, WI 53190, edesw@yahoo.com, 262-473-7073 Corps Website: janesvillefifeanddrum.com
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Troop S t eps The 2015 Season
Wow! The 2015 season started off rather uniquely for the Janesville Fife and Drum Corps. Several Tuesday “rehearsals” were online, as well as the meetings and planning for the 40th anniversary of the Corps and choosing music for the CD. Planning for the 40th anniversary party/clinic included setting the agenda, food, tee shirts, publicity, recording the CD. It was a very busy time.
Baby bonanza! On March 6, Alysa gave birth to Hunter. On April 16, Amy gave birth to Michael. And Carmen followed by giving birth to Evelyn on April 27! Wouldn’t it be something to see them join the ranks in our 50th year?!
Macktown, April 25–26, 2015:
Rehearsals were scant; we’ve had a few good ones, though. Because of the amount of time it would take to plan and execute our 40th anniversary, our shows this season were made up of music planned for the CD.
Baby Bonanza Macktown is Macktown. Very brisk, cold winds on Saturday. Skies were cloudy but we stayed dry, thank goodness.
Amy and Michael enjoyed the fine weather during the Lewis and Clark Haritage Days gathering.
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Troop S t eps The 2015 Season
Eli brought a friend, Allie, who was all decked out in molly attire. Marching in period dress on Saturday were all five LeHurays, Eli, Allie, Ellie, Eda, and Bill.
April 19, 2015:
Several members of the Corps had the honor of witnessing Eli Mathia’s Eagle Scout ceremony. It was meaningful and special. Corps members played a medley as part of the ceremony. Eli was thankful that the Corps was a part of this key event in his life. How could we not be?!?! Congratulations, Eli! (Thanks for driving, Ed.) Ellie says we sounded great. Just enough folks to get the job done. We did do some jamming and marched to Jeff Dabson’s tent to play a few tunes. Of course, Jeff had to play bass for a couple tunes himself! Once a drummer. . . . Visitor attendance was way down on Saturday. (With that weather, small wonder!) Flag ceremonies were abbreviated and we were happy to be dismissed early on Saturday because of the nasty cold wind. Sunday it was LeHurays and Wilsons—small group but better weather. We got the job done. I don’t think anyone was disappointed.
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Troop S t eps Lewis & Clark Heritage Days, May 16–17, 2015:
The 2015 Season
Once again, Corps members from all over made the trip to St. Charles, Missouri, for Lewis and Clark Heritage Days, despite a grim weather forecast. (No snow this time around, not like last year!)
The “Holevas-mobile” included a crowd!—Amy, Teresa, baby Mike, Breyonna, Rose, John, and Gabe. Longs shuttled Jonathan, Sue, Kyle, and Larry. Mathias brought their whole crew—Ed, Kristi, Eli, Xin and the dogs! Wilsons included Bill, Ellie, and Eda. LeHurays, bless their hearts, joined us Saturday evening, having traveled after Lauren’s dance recital! All five LeHurays were present: Jason, Missy, Devon, Jacob, and Lauren. No snafus with the hotel reservations this year. The weather cooperated for the Janesville Fife and Drum Corps but not so much
for the folks sleeping on the grounds (read: rain at night). A brief downpour soaked the Voyageurs at the start of their show. Boy, did those kids scamper! Our show seemed a bit short, but went off without a hitch. People seemed to enjoy hearing what Ellie had to tell about our Corps. The opening and closing ceremonies, marching, parading and jamming went off in the usual fashion—fabulously! What is it about a bunch of Corps getting together and making music? It’s magic! Mr. Bill would be pleased. I have to add that Breyonna’s presence, her caring for Mike, and her exuberance for all things were a delight!
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Troop S t eps Koshkonong Rendezvous, May 22–23, 2015:
The 2015 Season
The annual Koshkonong Rendezvous held in Fort Atkinson was good. On Friday, Kristi, Eli, Bill, and Eda made music for education day. The bushway, Joel Winn, said 1,000 kids were expected. The kids seemed most interested in Bill’s drum.
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Saturday, Jonathan, Sue, for a while Pam, Ryan, Kyle, Jason, Devon, Jacob, Lauren, Kristi, Eli (and later Ed and Xin), Teresa and Amy, Bill, and Eda fulfilled the contract with good music and some marching. (Does shopping and food consumption count as keeping the contract? We did that, too!) The weather
was perfect. (Not always the case!) Breyonna and her sister Michaela were along and really seemed to enjoy the event! They romp like a couple of puppies, practically! Their enthusiasm is heart-warming. And Zoe Amico joined us too.
Troop S t eps The 2015 Season
May 25, 2015: Memorial Day: Again, we
marched in Pecatonica for Memorial Day. The weather was fine! The crowd was wonderful and enthusiastic! They really like a parade. We had a good turnout! Jonathan, Sue, Tyler, Megan, Kyle, Ed, Kristi, Eli, Allie, Xin (and Toothless the white sultan rooster), Teresa, Amy, Jason, Devon, Jacob, Lauren, Bill, and Eda were on hand for this parade. Once again, it is a comfort having Sue driving the truck in case someone goes down or needs a ride. (Naturally, we prefer that that doesn’t happen!)
July 2, 2015: We began recording for our Corps
CD in Holevas’s basement, Paul’s recording studio. It went well, but was less than half done.
July 3-5, 2015, the Northern Tour:
The Fourth of July is always fun and this year was no different, partly because the weather was about as good as it can be (not beastly hot, but temperate and dry with a decent dew point) and things went quite smoothly. We had along most of “the usual
suspects” with a couple of changes. The LeHuray family could not march the whole weekend but made the effort to drive to Menomonee Falls to march with the Corps on the 3rd. Allie and Bre were along for the weekend and fine additions. It was amazing how quickly a uniform was put together for Bre and how well it fit her! Well, it was the traditional Fourth of July campaign: 7 parades in 25 hours . . . leaving from the middle school . . . Van Galder coach and special drivers . . . cobbling together a uniform for someone . . . sleepless nights . . . Eda’s cookies . . . saluting Marty’s . . . mini concert at the VFW . . . the best fireworks ever . . . our own fireworks and the crabby people across the street . . . kids finding a ball and playing for hours in the gym . . . poker game . . . stopping at Perkins on the way home.
July 3, Menomonee Falls:
You know, there are only about 35–36,000 people in Menomonee Falls. I think they were all watching the parade! The crowds were huge! This is a long parade but we made it and looked and sounded sharp. 2015 - 7
Troop S t eps The 2015 Season
The Oscar Mayer weinermobile was a big hit. The ranks: Devon and Jake; Xin, Breyonna, Tyler; fifers—count them—7!—Eda, Eli, Amy, Rose, Larry, Teresa, Missy; drummers Bill, Josh, Jason. Good-bye to LeHurays and on to Three Lakes. Fun games on the coach.
July 4, the North-Woods Wisconsin Tour: 9:00 a.m. Three Lakes:
and Ellie joined us in the morning. This parade was very well attended. The crowds seemed larger than ever and very enthusiastic. Lots of people thanked us for being there and praised us! That feels good. We sounded good! Tyler, Kyle, Jonathan; Xin, Bre; Eda, Eli, Amy; Rose, Larry, Teresa; Bill and Josh. Camp followers Kristi, Ed, Allie, Ellie, Sue. Our newest recruit, Bre, did a fantastic job; talk about a quick study!
Ron took us to Menomonee Falls and on to Three Lakes and then Steve took over. It certainly makes things easier and go more smoothly when the driver knows the ins and outs. (Thanks, Steve!) There was a slight delay, as some of our members, along with others, witnessed a semi clip a Volkswagen trying to make a turn. The semi driver should’ve paid attention to Tyler’s directing..
11:00 a.m., Rhinelander: Again, the crowds
There was a bit of a wait getting into the gym (at 2:30 a.m) but we settled in quickly. Jonathan, Sue, Kyle, 8 - Troop Steps
seemed larger than ever and the route a little longer. We did our first rear wheel of the day and our newbie Bre did great! Bre was born to march with the Janesville Fife and Drum Corps!
Troop S t eps The 2015 Season
2:30 p.m., Lake Tomahawk: This parade
is short and sweet and the crowd is noisy and enthusiastic! Best kind of gig! 4:00 p.m., Minocqua: Wow. They bent over backward to accommodate our need to get in and out quickly in order to make our last parade. We were the first unit after the color guard and we stepped off a
bit before 4. They allowed the coach to follow us in the parade. Again, there were tons of people along the parade route—noise and cheering all along the parade route. We were on the road to Bessemer at 4:30!
1:00 p.m., Tomahawk:
This parade feels long and it’s only the third parade of the day. Waiting inside the building with the a/c was nice! Amy, Teresa, and Eda sat by the restrooms, resting. Josh came by and asked if he was getting a mint. Well, on his way out, Teresa handed him a peppermint! (You know—that fancy restroom thing.) Again, there were great crowds and at the end of the parade, the coach was right there. Thanks, Steve. We need to “get out of Dodge” quickly in order to get to Lake Tomahawk on time. 2015 - 9
Troop S t eps The 2015 Season
the usual stopping and restarting and—is that hill is a little steeper than last year and is the road pitch a little more noticeable? Shortly after finishing, we saluted Marty’s Goldenaires as they marched by. Marty’s celebrated their 65th anniversary. Things were going quickly, so Marty’s were gone before we could play for them.
7:00 p.m., Bessemer, MI: Huge, friendly crowds as always at Bessemer. A sampling of Bessemer hospitality: “You guys come every year! Thank you!” “I’ve been waiting all day to see you.” “I drove all the way from Duluth to see you.” “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” “I’ve been following you for years.” “Hello, Janesville!” “We’re glad to see you!” “Welcome home!” A little confusion at the start and
We played a short standstill for the folks who were at the VFW. And then the fireworks! The amazing Bessemer fireworks! The best ever fireworks! Returning to the gym afterward, we had our own fireworks. As usual, the people across the street complained. (Really? Fireworks on the 4th of July, on a Saturday night at 10:30? Pul-leeze.) We finished off what we had on the other side of the building. The night ended with the annual poker game or running around in the gym with a basketball, or hitting the hay, exhausted. 10 - Troop Steps
Troop S t eps The 2015 Season
The ride home was uneventful (a good thing). What a fine tour! Nobody got sick or hurt. Things went very smoothly. People had a good time. We looked and sounded just fine! Hopefully, we’ll all be together for July 3–5, 2016. With how many babies???
July 9, 2015:
and Sue were also there. We marched in, played both National Anthems (Star-Spangled Banner and Chester), said the Pledge (led by one of Sue’s day care kids!) listened to a couple short comments, played a medley, and then marched out of the pavilion. Smooth. Short. Sweet. It was a big crowd! I think people didn’t know quite what to make of us! I’ll say one thing, that group is respectful of the flag and our veterans. No one was offered a ride on one of those Harley’s, though. (Rats) The weather was nice, too. We did very well. I hope the locals remember us and call on us to do some local gigs. (Recruit, recruit, recruit!) For various reasons (small numbers, babies, etc.) the Corps did not march the usual parades this season. Let’s hope the invitations come in next season.
Labor Day, 2015: The Labor Fest that did not HOG (Harley Owners Group) rally! Definitely a first for the Janesville Fife and Drum Corps and must be the most unique event of the 2015 season. The HOG folks were looking for a local group to incorporate in their opening ceremonies. JF&D Corps stepped up.
happen: What a shock to learn just days before Labor Fest that Janesville would not hold this annual event. For the first time in 25 years, Labor Fest was canceled. Planners tell us it will return in 2016. Labor Fest has always been a “homecoming” for the Corps. Almost everyone would be available. We did meet at Longs for the usual Labor Day picnic and to jam and plan. Big things to plan: the rest of the CD, the 40th anniversary/recruitment celebration, and our concert for Feast.
September 13, 2015: “Corn Fest” parade in
We had a good turnout: 4 fifers (Teresa, Eli, Missy, and Eda), 1 snare (Bill), 5 color guard (Jonathan, Kyle, Tyler, Jason, and Bre) and the 3 young LeHurays, Devon, Jake, and Lauren. Ellie, Kristi
Darien, WI: Your “event planner” almost dropped the ball on this one! Paperwork was handed in pretty late. But there is always a place for the Janesville Fife and Drum Corps, we were told. Color guard: Jason, Devon, Tyler, Jon, Ryan, Breyonna, and Xin. Fifers: Amy, Teresa, Rose (from “up Nort”—surprise!) and Eli. And—Melissa! Welcome to our newest fifer and Corps member!! Bill Wilson on snare and in the back/ support: Kristi, Ed, Pam, Allie, and Lauren. Gosh, almost the entire Corps! 2015 - 11
Troop S t eps The 2015 Season
October 3–4, 2015: Feast of the Hunter’s Moon
at Fort Ouiatenon on the Wabash River in West LaFayette, IN: Early in the week, the weather looked to be lovely. Ha, ha. By Thursday, showers were expected Friday night (pity those who camped on the grounds) and Saturday at 5. Of course, just in time for closing ceremonies. Booo.
Corps’ history. Both concerts went well. Sunday’s was enhanced with the color guard demonstrating part of their drill. Sandwich fixins were ready for Saturday’s lunch. JF&D carried out their obligations. There was the usual jam after massed music, always fun. It is rumored that cards and partying took place in one
Once again, the Corps arrived at our hotel at various times of the day and night. Accommodations were great! Rooms and breakfast greatly enhanced! Making the trek: Jonathan, Tyler, Ryan, Teresa, Amy, baby Mike, Dimitrios, Bre, Jason, Devon, Kristi, Eli, Allie, Eda, and Bill. Saturday started out with misting/ spitting rain. This went on and off much of the day. It looked like closing ceremonies might be canceled, but they weren’t. Interestingly (and, of late, typically), no full Corps rehearsal of the Feast show was held. We decided to do a “retro, over-the-years” slate of tunes that were, one, on our CD and two, truly part of the 12 - Troop Steps
Troop S t eps The 2015 Season
room Saturday night. Sunday dawned with much better weather. No wet stuff. It remained cloudy until about 1–2 p.m. Again, Janesville F&D Corps did their part and did it well. Right after massed music, JF&D handed out celebratory cupcakes to all Corps people. They were to be delivered by a “honey wagon,” but in the end, they were brought to the area and several Corps members readied them for distribution after massed music. Massed music has become— whimsical. There’s always a bugle tune for our 2–3 buglers, and always, a kazoo (or two) join(s) in the bugle part. The Viper, Piper F&D Corps is always a part of massed music. This motley-looking group is made up of highly skilled musicians—those retired from Corps or just without a corps to call home. The jam afterwards was epic. The cupcakes were a hit. I, for one, had blue dye from the cupcake frosting on my fingers for three days afterward. How nice to end the 48th Feast with fine weather. The only down side is that Melissa was not able to join us for this year’s Feast.
November 7, 2015:
For years, the season ended with “Christmas in Williamsburg,” a fund-raiser celebration featuring American colonial history through short skits, speeches, and music at a church in Rockford. It was elegant and the Corps was a crowd pleaser. This
year, the Corps ended its 40th season with a grand celebration. The 40th anniversary party was a clinic, a homecoming, and a super jam session.While there was enough food for twice the number attending, it was, by all measures, a success. Our newest fifer,
Melissa, brought a friend. A young man who has played field drum for Civil War groups heard about the day and attended, joining the snare sessions. He’d just moved from out west to Whitewater. Wil, Marla, Dave, Izzy, Rachel, “Toasty,” and others from the past came to complete the day and make the jam session awesome! (I don’t think we were able to convince Bill Wilson the younger to come back and bring his bride Stephanie into the fold, although they were present for lunch.) Every Corps member who was
able contributed in some (many) way(s) to make the day a success, be it Amy putting together the slide 2015 - 13
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really, really, well! I think he’s been practicing on the sly!) Everyone pitched in. Everyone made it a
show, a power point presentation which Josh narrated; Amy and Teresa doing a lot of set-up, never mind all that had to be done prior to the day; Jonathan and Sue manning the sales table when he wasn’t setting things up; Bill, Josh, Teresa, and Missy offering
music instruction. The young ones hung in there and didn’t seem bored. Tyler trained an absolute bumper crop of young color guard! It was so exciting to see Corps/former Corps members trying out new things: Missy with a snare drum, Ethan on a bass (and doing 14 - Troop Steps
very successful event! Tawnie, Ethan, Melissa, Julie (if she’s transferred to Milwaukee) and Rachel, and maybe others who live in Milwaukee may join us for
rehearsals and hopefully the 2016 season. Perhaps it’s time to find a central rehearsal site or move rehearsals around. Another alternative is to rehearse using Skype or other electronic means.
Troop S t eps The 2015 Season
Deb Gosa noted: “It was very satisfying to see the next generation of children taking part in the clinic sessions, even though my Clarissa was ‘air fifing’ but having a great time. Initially, she was very scared to
More photos from St. Charles, Mo.
be a part of the big group, but with Amy’s help, she fit right in.”
(Your editor wishes others would share their reflections.) 2015 ended on a very satisfying note. Looking forward to marching into the 2016 season! Eda 2015 - 15
Troop S t eps The 2015 Season
Janesville Fife and Drum Corps The Janesville Fife and Drum Corps, from Janesville, Wisconsin, began over 40 years ago in 1975, founded by Robert Williams, as a project of the Janesville School District to celebrate the nation’s Bicentennial. It began as a youth corps and evolved into what is predominately an adult corps and a family corps. Many of those early youths have now grown into adults, and they have brought their partners, children, and friends into the corps. The uniforms worn by the Janesville Fife and Drum Corps are replicas of those worn by the First Virginia Regiment of 1755, commanded by the young Lieutenant Colonel George Washington. It is a uniform of the French and Indian War, which occurred 20 years prior to the American Revolution. The corps performs in parades and reenactments throughout the Midwest in the spring, summer, and fall. Contact: President - drumsergeant@gmail.com 16 - Troop Steps
Secretary - edesw@yahoo.com