Deihl, Ned C. 1955 CLARINET   ncd2@psu.edu
CPL
Currently: Retired
(This entry dated 7/26/05)
Professor Emeritus and Director of Bands, Penn State University. Retired in 1996 after 33 years at Penn State and starting 10th year conducting the State College Area Municipal Band.
I spent several weeks with the 7ASO on TDY. Tried to get a release from the 9th Division Band, but the CWO wouldn't agree to letting me join the orchestra.
125 Haymaker Circle State College, PA 16801 814-238-8187

Dellicarri, Joseph '59-c. - '60-c. VIOLIN
Deceased
Joseph passed away almost 10 years ago (this entry dated 7/99).
Thanks to Doug Sax for reporting this. He was trying to locate Joseph, and received a note from a daughter-in-law in Florida.

Dembicki, Alexander '60 -'62   Violin, Recording Eng. - Radio Pgm.
SP4
Currently: Retired. Married. Have a daughter and two sons. Four grand-daughters and counting. I would like to attend this reunion for the sake of all the beautiful memories of the orchestra and its members. Thank you for finding me. My son Alex received your mail directed to me.
200 mts. N.Iglesia, Muelle de Florencia, Alajuela, Costa Rica 4407 Central America

Demiranda, Marcel '59 - '60 HORN marcelde@efn.org
SP4
Currently: Retired teacher
(This entry updated on 6/15/06)
After my 7th ASO tour, where I served mostly under the baton of John Canarina, I accepted 3rd chair horn with the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra where my good friend from the 7ASO, Allen Guse, played first. When Allen accepted a position with a symphony in Australia, the Honolulu conductor, George Borati, who had guest conducted the 7th ASO, offered me the first chair.
   After leaving Hawaii I returned to L.A. and played with the L.A. Brass Ensemble. I also played with a woodwind quintet, free lanced, recorded and ultimately accepted a teaching position with L.A.U.S.D. In 1991 I moved to Oregon where I'm happily ensconced and retired, though I still play with the Lane Chamber Symphony. Music has always been my first love. I'm really looking forward to this 2006 reunion and am glad that many of my (and I use the word advisedly) old musician friends will be there!

Dempster, Stuart 3/59 - 7/60 TROMBONE dempster@u.washington.edu
SP4
Currently: Professor Emeritus, School of Music, Univ. of Washington, Seattle.
I am in the book in the pix in Lyon sitting under the airplane wing practicing trombone.
See Stuart Dempster's Website for photo, biography, and more.

Dennis, Richard F. "Dick" l0/56 - 9/58 VIOLIN
Deceased
Dick passed away the morning of October 10, 2005. Reported by Mel Ponzi, after speaking with Dick's wife, Carol.

DeRosier, Kenneth '53 - '54 TRUMPET   derosi7@verizon.net
CPL
(This entry updated on 2/18/08 - Email address)
.I was drafted in Dec. of '52. Took basic training in Ga. and went overseas in the spring of '53. Saw a notice on the service club bulletin board that the 7ASO was holding auditions - took an overnight pass and went up and auditioned. At that time Jim Dixon was conducting - the orchestra was small, until the bunch of replacements arrived in '54. They were doing the Menotti operas. As for myself, I always wanted to be a trumpet player. After I got home I got sidetracked into playing keyboards and accordion in society bands - mostly accordion. Got a ton of work playiing accordion - no time to practice the trumpet. Also took up the bricklaying trade for a daytime gig. Got married in '58 - have 2 grown children - retired about 10 years ago. Health wise not too good - have arthritis, one back operation, left and right hip replacements - general health pretty good. Still play a little around the house but that's about it.
Photo of Kenneth DeRosier - then.
21 Metcalf St., Franklin, MA 02038

DeVos, Bradford '59 - '60 BASSOON   b-jdevos@comcast.net
Rank ?
Currently: Retired
(This entry dated 7/5/05)
Brad attended Boston U. where he received his Masters and Ph.D.. in Musicology. Went on to teach at Marshall Univ., retiring after 20 years. Presently in a Nursing home in Baltimore. His wife, Jeanne is somewhat confined to a wheelchair.
8810 Walther Blvd. Apt.2406   Baltimore, MD 21234   410-665-9030

Dillingham, Dalton '55 - '56 BASS
SP4
Currently: Semi-retired musician.
(email addr. updated 7/5/05)
Arrived at 7ASO after basic training at Fort Ord, Army Band School at Ft. Dix and 82nd Army Band in Nürnberg (Trombone). After auditioning for Henry Lewis and Ron Ondrejka, I spent most of '55 & '56 playing string bass with the orchestra. After service, jobbed around San Francisco (SF Opera, Oakland Symphony, Hurok tours, etc.). Spent most of the 1970s in Nashville, playing Country Music (1 gold, 2 platinum recordings). Recently received a Folk Grammy award for an album with Tom Waits (Mule Variation). No money when you get a Grammy - just bragging rights.
3 Wallace Ct. Petaluma, CA 94952

Dixon, James '53 - '54 CONDUCTOR
Deceased
Jim was born in Estherville, Iowa on April 26, 1928. He was adopted by Frank Dixon and grew up in Guthrie Center, Iowa. In 1948 he entered the University of Iowa where he studied conducting, getting his bachelor's degree in 1952. Throughout his undergraduate study and beyond, he was the student, assistant and friend of Dimitri Mitropoulos. He conducted the 7th Army Symphony from August 1953 through June 1954, after which he returned to the University of Iowa to conduct the University Symphony Orchestra and study for his Masters degree, which he got in 1954. He then taught at the New England Conservatory and served as assistant conductor of the Minnesota (then Minneapolis) Orchestra, returning to Iowa City in 1962 as director of orchestras at the University of Iowa. He retired as the Phillip Greeley Clapp/Carver Distinguished Professor of Music in 1997. He also served as conductor of the Tri-City (later Quad-City) Symphony for 29 years, retiring in 1994. Among the awards he received were the the Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Medal in 1955, given to the finest young artist of the year for conducting; the Gustav Mahler Medal in 1963; a 1978 Laurel Leaf Award from the American Composers Alliance in New York, for distinguished achievement in fostering and encouraging American music; and honorary doctorates from Augustana College and St. Ambrose University. He mentored more than 30 conducting students and conducted world premieres of nearly 40 new works. He died on April 3, 2007 in Iowa City, Iowa.
Memories of Jim Dixon

Doolittle, William B. 1952 'CELLO
Deceased
(This entry dated 7/16/05)
Francis Fuge, another Lexington resident, mentioned to Mel Ponzi that Capt. Doolittle had passed away some years ago, in Kentucky

Dornberg, John 1/55 - 7/56 ADMINISTRATION (Public relations & advertising director)
Deceased
John passed away in early February of 2000, in Munich, where he had lived for over 25 years. He was a freelance foreign correspondent and writer and remained in Europe after his discharge in 1956. The first 7 years were as a reporter, then editor at The Overseas Weekly in Frankfurt. Then 10 years as a correspondent for Newsweek (Bonn, Vienna-East Europe, Moscow, Munich). Author of a dozen books, mostly about Germany, E. Europe, Russia. When John sent in his biography, he said "A sign that we're all getting older is that I have to tell incredulous Germans what the 7ASO was. Few people remember, and those who do are getting senile. Basic message: "To show you Germans that we Americans also knew something about the Three B's."

Doumitt, Donald P. 19?? VIOLIN
Permission to list.
427 W 23rd Ave. Covington, LA 70433   (985) 867-8813

Draganski, Donald 10/60 - 3/62 BASSOON   donalddraganski@sbcglobal.net
E4
Currently: Now officially retired from Roosevelt University.
(This bio. updated on 6/27/05)
Born 1936 in Chicago, BM degree from DePaul University in 1958. MA in Library Science, Rosary College, 1966. Have played as free-lance bassoonist over the years; am published composer (Crown Music Press, Miami Music Ed., etc.) I have been a professional librarian since 1966, and held the position of Music Librarian at Roosevelt University in Chicago from 1973 to 1998. I am about to retire from full-time library work. I have been a bassoonist with the Evanston Symphony Orchestra for the past ten years, and am a co-founding member of the Pilgrim Chamber Players. I am married (Antje) and have three grown children (Thomas, Christine, and Mark). I now have a web page listing my compositions for anyone interested in performing them - you will find it at www.draganskimusic.com
2113 Forestview Rd. Evanston, IL 60201-2007   (847) 475-7073

Drasher, Glenmore H. 6/53 - 12/53 'CELLO (Euphonium in bands)
SFC (E7)
Currently: Retired, but still playing 'cello with Philharmonia Symphony Orch. Baltimore MD and Bel Air MD Community Band.
Joined 13th Engineers Band, Ft. Humphreys, VA Aug. 1931.
Re-enlisted 62nd CAAA Band, Ft. Totten, NY Aug. 1934.
Discharged Aug. 1937 - out for 4 years.
Joined Reserves March 1939.
Recalled to Army - 2nd C.A. Band Ft. Monroe Feb. 1941.
Re-enlisted - Carlisle, PA - Medical Band Aug. 1945.
Ft. Sam Houston, TX 1946 - 4 mos.
USMA Band, West Point 1946-52.
Ft. Campbell, KY 74th Army Band 1952 - 6 mos.
Heidelberg USEUR Band - Oct. 1952.
7ASO June 1953
7th Army Band Dec. 1953.
Ft. Carson. CO Oct. 1954.
6th Army Band, Presidio of S.F. Mar. 1955
324th Army Band APG - MD Oct. 1957.
7th Inf. Div. Band - Korea - April 1961
324th Army Band APG. MD - Aug. 1962 - retired March 1965.
207 Courtland Pl. Bel Air, MD 21014-3709

Drucker, Arno P. '58 -'59 PIANO adrucker@comcast.net
SP5
Retired - former head of music dept. & faculty member, Essex Community College; also Principal Pianist - Baltimore Symphony Orch. for over 20 years.
Debut performance with Philadelphia Orch. at the age of 13. Eastman School of Music, Bachelor & Master's degrees. Soloist in 21 performances with 7ASO. Soloist with Baltimore, National, Chautauqua & New Haven orchestras. Solo recitals in numerous U.S. cities. Pianist of the American Arts Trio. Performed with the Tokyo String Quartet. Founding Artistic Dir., Festival Chamber Players. Directed and performed 11 years of summer chamber music at the Baltimore Museum of Art and as part of the Md. Arts Festival at Towson Univ. Recital accompanist with Benita Valente and Leslie Parnas. Master classes and recitals with wife, soprano Ruth Drucker, in Indonesia, Austria, Canada, Germany and the U.S. Faculty member of W. Va. Univ., Westminster Choir College, Essex Community College and the Peabody Conservatory, a recording artist for Orion Records, and author of "American Piano Trios: A Resource Guide," to be published by Scarecrow Press.
Arno Drucker's Home Pages at   homepage.mac.com/arnodrucker/    http://mdapple.org.
One Glencliffe Circle   Baltimore, MD 21208-3402   Tel: 410/296-4930   Fax: 410/296-5427

Dumm, James 2/59 - 7/60 VIOLIN (Concertmaster)   Jedumm@aol.com
Sgt.
Currently: Retired.
Retired in 1998 from full-time playing (26 years) with Rochester Philharmonic, 18 years as Personnel Manager. Currently an active substitute with Rochester Philharmonic and Naples Philharmonic (Florida). I was concertmaster for three months and left with rank of Sgt.

Durham, Arthur V. '55-c. - '57-c. FLUTE/PICCOLO
Deceased (this entry dated 6/5/06)
Arthur passed away on Oct. 18th, 2005, in Austin, Texas. Buried, Ft. Sam Houston Nat'l Cemetery 11/14. Listed as a Lt. Col. at time of death. Arthur (a Sgt. at the time) was a fine photographer, and will be remembered as taking many of us under his wing, for both photo taking and darkroom processing. His passing was reported by Mel Ponzi, while working on the 2006 reunion.

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Earnest, Chris 12/54 - 12/55 HORN cearnest@earthlink.net
SP3
Retired computer scientist
Graduated from Curtis in 1953, where I studied with Mason Jones. After I got out of the Army on Dec 17, 1955, played in the New Orleans Symphony for 2½ seasons, then spent a couple of years in Chicago, where I studied with Philip Farkas and played various jobs, including the Lyric Opera. Gave up professional playing in 1960 and moved to California to become a computer programmer, primarily in compilers and database systems; had a couple of papers published in the Journal of the ACM. Have been back to Germany several times in that field, living in Darmstadt for a year, with shorter stays in Konstanz and München, and finally became fluent in German. Married Sally, an artist, in 1963, and have two sons, John and Erik, both now grown and taller than I am. Since I retired in 1997 I've continued doing software consulting, and also have kept busy restoring my 1972 BMW 3.0CS and 1965 Mercedes 230SL, which has won awards in several shows.

Economou, Jim 7/55 - 7/57 VIOLA   james.economou1@cox.net
Sgt.
Currently: Restaurateur, retired.
Permission to list.
5808 S. Louisville Ave. Tulsa, OK 74135

Elias, Richard ? - ? VIOLIN
Deceased
(This entry dated 4/25/05)
Mel Ponzi was canvassing for the 2006 reunion and spoke with Richard's wife, soprano Jean Kraft. She said that Richard passed away in 2003. He was a member of the Metropolitan Opera for 20 years, during the time that Jean sang many roles there.

Eliason, Robert E. 3/56 - 5/57 TUBA roberteliason@verizon.net
SP3
Retired
Masters in performance, Manhattan School of Music. Kansas City Philharmonic 10 years, while there completed a doctorate in musicology. Post doctoral work at the Smithsonian Institution, Curator of Musical Instruments, Henry Ford Museum 14 years. Research on the American keyed bugle and 19th century American brass and woodwind makers continues. Publications appear in the AMIS Journal, Galpin Society Journal, The New Harvard Dictionary of Music, and The New Grove dictionaries. Received the American Musical Instrument Society Curt Sachs Award for research on American instrument makers 5/23/98. Technical writer 11 years for New England Digital, makers of the Synclavier digital synthesizer; Geographic Data Technology, producers of digital mapping data; and Creonics, a computerized motion control firm. Continue to play in a variety of symphony orchestras, concert bands, and smaller groups. Had a music typesetting business for a few years.
12 Courtyard, Hanover, NH 03755   (603) 643 8484

Elledge, Harvey B. '54-c - '55-c VIOLIN
Deceased
Known as "Onkel Bruce" to the children of Passau. He had an interest in circus history, especially clowns and dogs. Harvey died in 1996.

Ellis, Merrill '56-c - '57-c. SAXOPHONE
Deceased
Merrill passed away some years ago. He was for a long time a well-respected composer on the faculty at North Texas State University. Our thanks to Charley Hoag for reporting this.

Engelmann, Werner 5/60 - 8/612 COMPANY CLERK   wernere@netzero.net
Sp5
Currently: Retired
Permission to list.
2602 N.Forrest Lane Arlington Heights Il. 60004

Erdman, Andrew ? - ? VIOLIN
Deceased
Andrew Erdman passed away on March 29, 2006 in Hospice.
Reported to Mel Ponzi by his wife, Bettina.

Ernst, Darwin 11/59 - 6/61 FLUTE
Sgt. E-5
Currently: Retired Teacher
I came to the Symphony as a clarinet player, with a flute double. I sat 2nd chair to Sheridon Stokes until he rotated home. I moved to 1st chair, and Tom Slattery, another clarinet player, moved to 2nd chair. I taught for 35 years, music and English, and retired in 1995. Many good memories and good friends from the Symphony.
1139 Springfield Dr., Campbell, CA 95008

Facenda, Aubrey '58 - '60 HORN
Sp4
Retired
Member of New York Philharmonic for 22 years. Taught for 6 years at Trenton State College.
71 Verde St. Kenner, LA 70065

Fader, Laurance 9/54 - 6/56 VIOLA
PFC
Still a working musician.
Associate Principal Violist, NYC Ballet Orchestra.   Member, NYC Opera Orchestra. Co-founder, North Country Chamber Players (20 years).

Fags, Kevork K. 12/53 - 2/55 'CELLO   k.fags@att.net
CPL
Currently: Retired (Photograper).
Permission to list - biography forthcoming. Abby Mayer and wife Marianne were here for lunch this past Thursday March 1st (2001). Have kept in touch with them for the past 46 years. Just attended the 50th reunion of the class of June '50 of Music and Art High School on June 9th 2000.
236 Thayer Street, River-Vale, NJ. 07675-6235   (201) 664-2606

Farkas, Rudolph 1961 VIOLIN
Deceased (This entry dated 2/12/06)
Rudolph passed away in July of 2001. Reported by Mel Ponzi during reunion search.

Felberg, Leonard 3/55 - 8/56 VIOLIN  
E2
Professor of Violin Emeritus, University of New Mexico
B.M M.M Yale University. Soloist with 7ASO. Member of Concertgebouw Orchestra 1956-59. Teaching positons at U. of Georgia, U. of Toledo. Final position at University of New Mexico (28 years). Member of Seraphin Trio. Recitalist, chamber musician and concertmaster of Santa Fe Symphony. Recently made 3 trips to Brazil, where I performed and taught master classes in São Paulo & Porto Alegre.
Phone: (505) 821-0058

Fenn, Thomas 11/57-c. - 9/59-c. VIOLA
Deceased (November 17, 2004)
After a 2006 reunion mailing, Mel Ponzi received this word from Tom's wife, Carolyn.
His original bio. follows:
Somehow passed the audition. Probably due to the sympathy of Ling Tung and Charlie Pinto. Missed the fun-peak of the Orchestra -NATO tour, teddy bears on parade. But did experience drunken bus drivers and a marksmanship contest between the Orchestra and 7th Army HQ MP's. Most interesting. Concert at Brussels World's Fair and a lot more best left in memory only. After getting out spent about sixteen years as violist and later operations mgr. of Louisville Orchestra. Married (an oboist!), have three grown children.

Ferritto, John '59 -'60 CONDUCTOR, VIOLA, PIANO   maestrof@roadrunner.com
SP5
Currently: Retired
(This entry updated 9/9/07)
Previously: Music Dir./Conductor, Springfield Symph. & Coordinator of Composition Dept. at Kent State U.
BM Cleveland Institute of Music, MM Yale School of Music.
Have great memories of our great tours. Hello to all the guys.

Flanzman, Mel 4/54 - 8/55 TROMBONE mflanzman@aol.com
CPL
Partner in the JMC Music Corp. of Hackensack, NJ which specializes in the repair and refinishing of brass instruments, but also services some school music programs.
NYU and Manhattan School of Music - Taught music in the public schools for 4 years and have spent the rest of my life in the music business. I'm still fairly active playing the trombone in local bands and orchestras.
25 Maria Drive Hillsdale, NJ 07642

Fleshler, Bernie '52 - '54 VIOLA clemhf@adelphia.net
CPL
Currently: Violist, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
Served in 7ASO under Adler, Heath and Dixon.
New Orleans Philharmonic, 1954 - 1959, where I met my wife Clem, a violinist. We both now play in the Buffalo Philharmonic, since 1959. Principal of the Princeton Chamber Orchestra. Wild tours with the Arkansas Traveler and the Virginia Symphony. We have three children: Jonathan, David and Elisabeth, all on their own, plus two dogs. Contemplating retirement in the year two thousand, maybe.

Focht, Milton H. 1952 BASSOON gandgfocht@aol.com
CPL
Currently: Retired music teacher.
I was the first principal bassoon. Played in the pit at Passau for Marriage of Figaro with Sam conducting. After army, I taught public school instr. music in Allentown, Pa. for 38 years. Performed with the Allentown Symphony for 45 years.Also Scranton (Pa) Phil. and Binghamton (NY) Symphony. Did much pit work and am still on the adjunct faculty at Moravian College, Beth. Pa.

Franano, Frank '53 - '54 HORN   e-mail: via my wife at sfranano@msn.com
CPL
Currently: Semi-retired.
Frank Franano's lifetime as a symphony musician began with 3 yrs. of solfeggio study with his father, an Italian-trained pianist, clarinetist and opera coach, followed by French Horn studies with Karl Schinner, Merle Smith, and, briefly, Alfred Brain. He entered the KC Philharmonic in 1943 at age 16 and played in the Phil. and its successor, the KC Symphony, as well as the Lyric Opera of KC, and the State Ballet of Missouri, until 1993, the last 25 years as principal horn. He was instrumental in the formation of the Symphony and served as its personnel mgr. from 1982 - 1995. Early in his career he toured with the Claude Thornhill big band, the American Ballet Theater, the Virginia Symphony and the Virtuoso Orchestra. Later he also played in the Filarmonica de las Americas in Mexico City and the World Symphony Orch., made up of musicians from 60 countries, which played Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Ctr. and for the opening of Disney World in 1971. He was drafted near the end of WWII and played in the port of embarkation band stationed in Fort Kilmer, NJ. A second draft in 1952 sent him to the 4th Infantry Div. Band in Frankfurt and eventually the 7AO. Frank taught Horn at the Conservatory of Music in Kansas City, Drake U., Des Moines, Iowa and Stephens College in Columbia, MO. In 1994, he received the Punto Award for lifetime achievement from the International Horn Soc. His wife of 30 years, Susan, is a former opera singer turned orchestra mgr., now serving as Executive Dir. of Ohio Citizens for the Arts. They have a 23 year old son, Nico.
836 W. Los Altos, Tucson, AZ 85704

Frankel, Leo ? - ? VIOLIN
Deceased
(2/7/05) - Mel Ponzi received word from Leo's nephew that Leo had passed away 2 years ago, October.

Fraser, Jefferson E. 12/54 - 6/56 VIOLIN/VIOLA   JFraser357@aol.com
PFC
Retired from 34 years of teaching public school orchestras
Playing in the 7ASO was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Played concerts in 6 countries, made lifelong friendships, witnessed enough stories to entertain guests for hours. Master of Music degree from Eastman School of Music (1958). Stayed on to teach public school music in the area for 34 years. Concertmaster of a local & active community orchestra for 28 years (Penfield Symphony). Continue to judge music contests for NY State, but now retired & spending much time studying the stock market. Retirement is great.
357 Corwin Road Rochester, NY 14610 (716) 482-3654 Fax: the same, but tel. first so I can turn on the computer

Friday, Raymond, Dr. 3/59 - 8/60 CLARINET   raymondfriday@comcast.net
Sp4
University Professor
1st Clarinet when left orchestra. Professor of Vocal-Choral Music at School of Music/West Chester University, West Chester, Pa. (one of the 14 Universities in the PA state system). Teaching for almost 29 years.
709 West Miner Street West Chester, PA 19382

Froelich, Ralph 5/55 - 8/56 HORN
PFC
Currently: Retired from teaching 6/1/98.
Juilliard graduate. Former member: New York Woodwind Quintet, and Symphony of the Air (Principal Horn). 24 Years teaching: University of South Florida.

Frost, Larry 1959-c. VIOLIN
Deceased
Thanks to Dan Thomason for reporting this.

Furholmen, David 11/56 - 8/58 'CELLO davidfur@gte.net
SP3 (or SP5, I don't remember)
Currently: plastics molder.
Graduate of Northwestern University; BBA. Cellist: formerly in Chicago Civic Orch, North Carolina Symphony, 5 Classical Musical Festival's in Eisenstadt (near Vienna, Austria), Danville Symphony (IL), participant in Rostropovich's World Cello Congress in St. Petersburg, Russia, 1997; currently play in amateur orchestras in the Chicago area. Plastics molder: developed proprietary line of tooling for automotive in a family business in the Chicago area called Furnel, Inc. I sold out in 1996 but have 2 more years on an employment contract with the new owners.
610 Nerge Rd. RR#3 Roselle, IL 60172-4821