Dartmouth Friends Undying

The Friends of the Dartmouth Band is in its seventh year of providing active support to the band in many different ways—with the side effect that musical alums can keep their lips in shape. The group started as the Dartmouth Alumni Band, the brainchild of lead trumpeter Don Drakeman '75. Its original purpose was simply to get former members of the band back once a year to play with the current Varsity Band, and the College readily endorsed this alumni participation. But it wasn't long before our organization took on a greater mission that went beyond "sitting in." We restructured ourselves as The Friends of the Dartmouth Band and recruited former bandsmen and women whether they still play or not. With the group's support the band has acquired a number of concert-quality instruments, a new Dartmouth Medley arrangement, blazers for the entire band, varsity letter sweaters for four-year members, and a scholarship for a band member. The program has helped musicianship at Dartmouth, and helped disadvantaged students obtain instruments and uniforms. And perhaps most important, it is helping get the word out (alumni interviewers take note) that the College provides an outstanding musical environment in which young musicians can develop their talents. Who knows ... the next step may be to form The Friends of the Friends of the Dartmouth Band—so we can accept contributions from alumni who don't know a sousaphone from a saxophone.

With a Little Help from the Friends. At the center are John Kennedy '53, alto sax, and Don Landzettel '60, tenor sax, just before the Dartmouth Band took the field at last fall's Dartmouth-Yale game. Not shown: Dan Palant '58, who organized the Friends' weekend in Hanover. John, Don, and Dan are three of the directors of the Friends of the Dartmouth Band.