|
Boom!...Boom!...Boom! That is the sound every community band loves to hear - the steady beat of
the bass drum. That beat is one of the things that really holds a band together, keeps the music
sharp and crisp, and is absolutely necessary for a band to shine.
The St. Johnsbury Band has been in desperate need of a new bass drum. Our old drum is in such sad
shape we can no longer patch it up to produce a decent sound. It looks like we've been using it
since 1830, when the Band came into existence.
Bass drums are expensive but it is an investment that can last for 50 years, if the instrument is
cared for properly. The Band asked for help from the community and the response was tremendous! We
received donations totaling $720 and now have our new bass drum!
The Band purchased a 14x28" Pearl concert bass drum. The bass drum is made of mahogany, giving it
a deeper, resonating tone. It has Fiberskin heads used for concert and symphonic bass drums, giving
it warmer tonal qualities similar to calfskin, instead of the plastic heads used on marching drums.
Fiberskin is also less susceptible to temperature and humidity avoiding a dead "thud" sound in very
humid weather. We also plan to use a traditional muffling strip instead of a foam ring to achieve a
more authentic sound and appearance.
The Band puchased two new mallets to use with the new bass drum. One mallet is a general purpose
mallet. The second mallet is a special "roller" mallet used for bass drum rolls.
The Band wishes to thank the following for their generous donations to our bass drum fund: David
Eliassen, Wayne Fearon, Dave Hare, Anne Jenks in memory of Charles R. Jenks, Scott Labun, Mildred
Lewis, Jim McGregor, Maybell Peck, Dave Rau, Marion Reed in memory of James Lumbra, Richard Reed,
Kathleen Scott, Jeanette Wheelock, and Ella Ziter. The Band also wishes to thank these groups for
their donations: the Green Mountain Grange #1 and the Patenaude Trust Fund.
The Band invites you to come out, hear our new bass drum, and enjoy all our concerts this season!
|
