Banner

Welcome

  • Welcome to the USARD

     

    Welcome to the Official Website of the United States Association of Rudimental Drummers!

     The USARD is dedicated to the Performance, Preservation and Promotion of the Art of Rudimental Drumming.

    USARD encourages regional chapters that will meet to discuss, practice and perform. Members of the chapters meet annually for business and pleasure - mostly the pleasure of drumming! 

    The annual convention is a showcase for the talented members who will perform as individuals or in ensembles.
    Each year the convention features one or more special performer or prominent clinician. The idea of Individual and Ensemble (I and E) competition is being discussed.

    The USARD is a great group to join if you are interested in getting back into your old love - rudimental drumming. It's also a wonderful opportunity for young drummers to see and hear some of the older styles of their predecessors such as Ancient (rope-tension) and classic drum and bugle corps drumming. You will meet some legendary drummers at a USARD convention!
     
    We'd also love to meet some of today's contemporary drummers so we can share ideas and enjoy some of the new and exciting ideas of the modern drummer.
     

    Drum notation in the form of solos, exercises or ensemble pieces will be available to members from this website for their personal and chapter use. Some drumming pieces will be dedicated to the annual mass drumming performance.



    Read 2164 times
The United States Association of Rudimental Drummers

Thursday, 03 May 2012 06:12

Notice - Next Meeting of U.S.A.R.D

The next quarterly meeting of the U.S.A.R.D. will be held on July 7, 2012 from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the American Legion Post, 145 Walnut Street, Corning, NY 14830 View Larger Map   All are welcome to attend.…
2012 Convention a Success! (Full review "under construction" - check back soon.) Please pardon our delay in posting all the details about this past weekend's convention in Lancaster, PA.  The committee is busy writing, counting, editing and posting to assess…
Steve Young and Bill McGrath give some closing words to conclude the 2012 U.S.A.R.D. convention:
Sunday, 29 April 2012 19:33

Happy Birthday John Flowers!

In the video below Barbara Flowers presents her husband a 75th birthday cake! Sorry about the poor camera skills.
Sunday, 29 April 2012 19:00

Jeff Salisbury - "Rudiments in Motion"

Jeff Salisbury returns this year to continue with his program on the utilization of drum rudiments for creating tonally unique, effective drum-set grooves.  Jeff also discusses his interest and background in rudimental drumming; learn  more by playing the video below..........................................
Sunday, 29 April 2012 06:36

Bill Messerschmidt at U.S.A.R.D. 2012

Bill Messerschmidt offers three perspectives related to the use of  drum rudiments: as applied to their original historical context; as applied to modern rudimental drumming and other areas of percussion and as a foundation for creative percussive interpretation. There is much…
World Drum Corps Hall of Fame drummer, John Flowers offers a plethora of drumming information from the history of Ginther's Grey Ghost, which he performs with his old battery mate, Don Walls, to the texture and visual qualities of a…
The Rudimental Drummers Club of New England (RDCNE), a U.S.A.R.D. chapter performs some popular fife and drum jam pieces as well as some original compositions for the genre. Special kudos goes out to the individuals of this group who in…
Friday, 27 April 2012 21:44

The Skyliners Alumni Duet Performance

The many time drum ensemble I&E champs, The N.Y. Skyliners Alumni Drum Ensemble with Joe Fontana and Jack Murray give a brilliant and entertaining performance at the USARD convention. Watch the video and enjoy!:
Hearing this announcement many of us were surprised that what was announced had not happened years ago! Play the video below to learn more:.........................
DCI Hall of Fame drummer, Thom Hannum presents his clinic which covers some of his work with the University of Massachusetts Marching Band drumline as well as demonstrating some incredible playing!...............................
Pipe Band Drummer extraordinaire, Jon Quigg performs at U.S.A.R.D. Convention! Along with former Air Force Pipe Band  and World Drum Corps Hall of Fame drummer, John Bosworth, Jon explains the evolution and rudimental development of pipe band drumming. His solos performances were…
Bob Zarfoss explains the practice routine and tonal goals of the Hanover Lancers Drum & Bugle Corps Drumline.
Friday, 27 April 2012 13:15

The Middle River Ancients Perform

Our Friends The Middle River Ancients Perform at This Year's Convention.
The U.S. Army "Old Guard" Fife & Drum Corps Drumline show their stuff at the 2012 United States Association of Rudimental Drummer convention! One of the highlights of the weekend, the Old Guard Drumline enthralled those attending with precision execution…
This is the performance that brought down the house!
St. Lucy's Alumni Drum Trio with John Flowers perform at the 2012 U.S.A.R.D. Convention
John Flowers is Honored at the 2012 U.S.A.R.D. Convention
The U.S. Air Force Drum & Bugle Corps Drumline performs at the United States Association of Rudimental Drummers annual convention in Lancaster, PA   Here is a virtual hall of fame drumline (most members of this ensemble are in the…
Jim Clark gives the United States Association of Rudimental Drummer attendees a  most interesting, in-depth account of the early history of the drum with fife. The recently published author gives us his personal insight into his early life in the…
U.S.M.A. Hellcats Warming Up at the 2012 U.S.A.R.D.Convention The video below shows the Hellcats warming up prior to their evening performance at the 2012 United States Association of Rudimental Drummers convention. The complete performance video will be coming up soon.
Wednesday, 25 April 2012 11:11

The Historical Sound of the Field Drum

Jim Smith at the 2012 U.S.A.R.D. Convention A surprise presentation by U.S.A.R.D. member, Jim Smith gives convention attendees an insight to how a rope-tension field snare drum would sound in historic time. There is a lot of interesting information here…
Tuesday, 24 April 2012 20:59

Rope-Drum Maintenance

Rope-Tension Drum Maintenance by Jim Ellis of Cooperman Fife & Drum Company Jim Ellis gives us attendees of the 2012 United States Association of Rudimental Drummers convention an insightful clinic on the care and feeding of the lovable but sometimes…
Thursday, 05 April 2012 07:14

Warren Lee's Memorial Service

Warren Lee's "A Celebration of Life" was held on Wednesday, April 4th at the West Copake, NY Reformed Church. The service was held to a standing room only crowd at the quaint little church; I was happy to see such…
Friday, 30 March 2012 13:16

U.S.A.R.D. Member Warren Lee Dies

Warren Lee was old friend and fellow snare drummer from my days in the Germantown Ancients Fife & Drum Corps. A post on my wife’s Facebook page first brought us the sad news. Warren’s drumming experience dates back to his…