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“Dr. Gould and President Stephen Kopp immediately recognized
the potential of such an organization both for our students
and the institution,” Wendell Dobbs said. “And then, Judy
Ketchum and Lena Shell provided the resources to make it
happen. Without their belief in our work, this worthy
project simply wouldn’t happen.” The corps is patterned after the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps in Washington, D.C. Marshall alumni Lutricia Tampa Fields and Jennifer Razok Bailey both serve in that premiere ensemble. |
The
John Marshall Fife and Drum Corps was the idea of Dr. Wendell Dobbs
and his wife, Linda, both professors in the department of
music. They approached Dr. Alan Gould, director of the John Deaver Drinko Academy at Marshall, and he coordinated
fundraising efforts to absorb the group’s startup costs and
make the John Marshall Fife and Drum Corps a reality.
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•| More Information about the John Marshall Fife and Drum Corps | |
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The John Marshall Fife and Drum Corps wear Revolutionary War
era uniforms created locally by Magic Makers Costumes and
perform on McDonagh fifes and rope drums similar to those
used in Washington. Their music is from the era of Chief
Justice John Marshall. Members of the corps are students and
teachers in the department of music.
“They have devoted the summer months to learning the fife
and writing drill routines,” Wendell Dobbs said. They were
trained early in August by Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps
retiree Susan Brockman, who spent several days with the
group, Dobbs said. “The students have been splendid. They’ve
devoted their creativity, time, effort and professionalism
in making this a quality group. I think the public will
recognize their excellence.”
As Drinko Fellow for the 2007-08 academic year, Wendell Dobbs developed a schedule of events to display the John Marshall Fife and Drum Corps. In addition to the WVU Marshall home football game, they have performed in Richmond on Sept. 24 (John Marshall’s birthday) at the rededication of Shockoe Hill Cemetery, where the remains of John Marshall, John Cabell and other famous Virginians rest, and later that day at the John Marshall House and the Library of Virginia. The return trip from Richmond included events at Lee Chapel at Washington and Lee University and Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg, W.Va. The corps performed at the Mountain State Forest Festival on Oct. 6 in Elkins, W.Va., the Homecoming Parade on Oct 27 and at the Tri-State Band Festival at Marshall University on Nov. 3. Dobbs said the John Deaver Drinko Academy’s mission to reinvigorate civic and political culture inspired the creation of the John Marshall Fife and Drum Corps. “The corps’ music and image will reaffirm Marshall University’s link with the era and spirit of Chief Justice John Marshall,” Dobbs said. For more information on The John Marshall Fife and Drum Corps contact Dr. Wendell
Dobbs |
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211 Old Main =
One John Marshall Drive=
Huntington, WV 25755-2014
Email:
drinko@marshall.edu
