Photo by Brent Addleman The Gray Knights are back. The band is currently undergoing practices at the Johnsonburg Community Center. Members of the band are from Elk County and the surrounding areas.

After 5-year hiatus, drum and bugle corps is practicing for 2010 performances

By Brent Addleman

Editor

JOHNSONBURG – The Johnsonburg Community Center was filled with the sounds of thunderous drumming and the staccato notes of bugles on Sunday afternoon as the Grey Knights Drum and Bugle Corps are practicing for a 2010 return.

According to Bud Speaker, the corps is currently getting ready by practicing a mix of four songs and has tentatively scheduled summer performances in Ridgway, Brockway and Johnsonburg. The group is returning following a 5-year hiatus.

"The drum corp has always been in Johnsonburg and it started with Red Rockets from Central Hose Company, then went to the Diplomats, then the Grey Knights," Speaker said. "Then they disbanded for awhile, so now it is the new Grey Knights Drum and Bugle Corp."

The group is currently practicing one Sunday a month at the community center. Currently, there are 30 bugles and 15 drummers making up the corps. The next practice is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 13 at 1 p.m.

The excitement is at a crescendo for Speaker.

"Fantastic. It's very significant with Johnsonburg and the surrounding areas," Speaker said. "At this point, we're not exactly sure [of future public performances] because we are going to wait and see what the turnout is, but we have a complete summer schedule planned.

"Everybody loves it. The alumni people are showing up in nice force. We have a lot of new people showing up, including high school band kids that are interested in music. So, that's great for the whole area. We expect to be ready for Ridgway in June, Brockway in July and Johnsonburg's Bicentennial on August 28. That is the emphasis on the reorganization of the corps."