Category Archives: Drumming History

During the 2005 American Patriots Rudimental Drum Club convention held in Middletown, PA, Ken Mazur and Mark Petty from the Michigan Chapter asked my opinion as to “when” Swiss rudiments were first played by Drum Corps in North America. “1958 / 59” was my initial response. This was based on my experience in the Toronto area during the 1950’s. I told Ken and Mark that I would research the CADRE library and get back to them.

In order to ascertain approximately “when” and “which” Swiss rudiments were played, an understanding of the history leading up to that time is helpful. The following is based on my personal experiences as a result of acquiring Dr. F. R. Berger’s book around 1957 and my observations as a Drum Corps performer, writer, instructor and judge. Continue reading →

IntroductionThe analysis of historic drum beatings is not easy. One is constantly reminded of many facets of the era of communicative drumming, including its military objectives, teaching by rote, different centers of excellence and their assumptions and applied conventions, earlier … Continue reading →