FLAG DAY FUN
Avant Garde Drum and Bugle Corps alumni to perform at Elks Parade
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> Spectators at the Saturday, June 8 Saratoga-Wilton Elks Flag Day Parade are in for a musical treat as more than 150 alumni of the former Avant Garde Junior Drum and Bugle Corps are scheduled to entertain for the second straight year.
The Spa City-based group, which traveled throughout the U.S. each summer, ranked among the best in the world during its existence from 197585.
On Friday, June 7, the music of legendary trumpeter and composer Chuck Mangione will be celebrated during a concert at Lake Avenue Elementary School, featuring the Avant Garde and jazz ensembles from Saratoga Springs, Schuylerville and Mohonasen high schools. Although not performing, Mangione will be on hand, too, for this fundraising event for the Sara
toga County Youth in Music program.
“What a golden opportunity for kids to not only play his music, but meet the Grammy Award-winning artist as well,” said Rick Gathen, Elks national membership and marketing director.
Gathen grew up in Lansingburgh, but made several trips per week to attend practices in Saratoga Springs, even hitch-hiking in winter if need be.
“We wouldn’t miss for anything,” he said. “It was a major influence in my life. You learned so much at a critical young age. Of course there was the music. But you were also exposed to people from every walk of life and learned the importance of teamwork, respect and discipline, things that are building blocks to a successful life.”
Former Avant Garde color guard members Cindy Hollowood and Karen Mason have enjoyed prominent business careers. Hollowood is Saratoga Springs Holiday Inn general manager, while Mason was recently named Saratoga National Bank & Trust Company regional manager.
“You’d be on the practice field six or seven hours per day,” Mason said. “It was a lot of hard work, but it was also fun. I stepped into the room for a recent alumni practice and there was an instant connection. You still have this bond. You all went through the same thing.”
The annual parade is the largest Elks Flag Day parade in the country.
“We’re going to be 150 strong coming down the street,” Gathen said.
Avant Garde alumni are traveling from 10 states for this year’s gathering. Last year’s reunion was the first in more than 30 years.
“It was going to be one and done, but everyone had such a good time they decided to get together again,” said Jeff Perkins, Avant Garde founding director. “We’re calling it ‘Twice as Nice.’ It will probably be the last one.”
As a youth, Perkins performed with several different Saratoga Springs groups such as the Junior Cadet Corps, Bethesda Hurricanes and Emerald Knights. The latter band formed with a group from Speigletown to form the Avant Garde, which quickly became a powerhouse, winning seven state championships in a row and placing 15th at the Drum Corps International championships in 1984.
“Some kids aren’t cut out to be a football star or cheerleader,” said Joe Anderson, a former long-time band member. “They found this niche and went to the next level with it.”
As it grew in talent and prestige, the group gained members from England, Canada and states such as Florida, Texas and North Carolina, although half its roster was still comprised of Capital Region residents.
“Ninety-nine percent of the staff was local,” Perkins said. “Nobody got paid.”
In fact, band members paid for the privilege to join and perform with Avant Garde.
When school let out for summer, the band hit the road, competing across America at major venues such as the Orange Bowl, Disney World, Mile High Stadium in Denver and Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis.
“It became a family thing,” Anderson said. “You’re traveling with people for three months, day in and day out.”
The group rode buses through the night and quite often arrived with just enough time to catch a few hours sleep – sometimes on a gym floor – before their next engagement.
Perkins said Stewart’s Shops co-founder Charles Dake was a big supporter of the Avant Garde and helped with the purchases of buses.
Marching, carrying and playing heavy instruments in precision formation can be grueling, especially on hot summer nights.
“It gets pretty warm down in Alabama in July,” Gathen said.
Members consumed so much energy practicing and performing that it was common to eat four meals per day.
In addition to horn players, the band was comprised of a batterie drumline and color guard.
Nearly two dozen people went on to become professional band directors, while others composed music, too.
Gathen met his wife, Linda, while performing with Avant Garde and their two adult children are both professional music educators.
“It was just a wonderful, positive experience,” he said. “It didn’t matter what race, color or religion you were. If you were dependable and worked hard we loved you.”
Seating for the Friday, June 7 concert at Lake Avenue Elementary School is limited to the first 450 ticket purchases. Tickets are only available in advance and may be purchased at the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Club or online at: avantgardealumni.com.