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The Marching Royal Dukes welcome 1972 grad as an alumnus

By Jim Sheldrake ('72)

Post game, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2007, I'm standing on Showker Field surrounded by about 40 Marching Royal Dukes trumpets totally overwhelmed. Tears filled my eyes as their incredible sound gave me one of the greatest rushes and the biggest goosebumps, I have experienced in years. It was the climax of an incredible weekend experience -- not only an enjoyable reunion but a connection to my alma mater.

An unofficial attempt at a marching band

In my senior year at JMU, then Madison College, when it came to a marching band, we had nothing. Unable to gain any official support, we pulled together a maverick group that we named the Central Appalachian Marching Band of Eastern USA, or CAMBEUSA. Barry Owen (the governor, as we called him) and I decided to model our group after the Hobo Band of Pittman, N.J. -- play well and dress like hobos. That spring we marched in the campus Greek Week Parade and the Poultry Festival Parade. What a hoot!

That was my only marching band experience while in undergraduate school. The following fall, with the arrival of the Dukes football team, the Madison College Marching Band made their debut. I was in the stands watching, listening, smiling with some pride and gritting my teeth with a little bitterness. Marching band had always been my thing, the ensemble where I thrived the most. I knew my performing days on the field were behind me now, as I was a high school band director. It didn't seem fair that I missed this college experience.

Pregame activity

Pregame activity

I watched the JMU Marching Band grow and develop. I attended rehearsals to learn from each of the directors, and encouraged my students to attend JMU and be a part of the band. I loved what I was seeing year after year. I loved hearing the band, not just musically, but also hearing how their pride was growing. I was very proud to say, "That's MY university's marching band ...Virginia's finest!" But it was a distant feeling. I was never a part of it; I didn't know what it was really like on that field; I didn't have the deep camaraderie that connects the members through all those hours of rehearsals, performances and trips. It was just an organization at a school I attended -- until about a year ago.

The MRD Alumni Band

I'm not sure when the first e-mail came announcing the re-forming of the MRD Alumni Band, but I remember jumping on it quick. I sent a plea based on the history of CAMBEUSA to organizer Dan Everard asking for inclusion as an honorary alumnus of the group. It didn't take him long to reply, "Absolutely!"

As the plan for putting together an alumni band began to develop, my excitement grew. But I also knew I was 1,000 miles away in Central Florida. The odds were slim that there were enough MRDs in my area and just as slim that I could make a trip back to the valley for an event. Full-time job, full-time single dad ... those things pretty much dictate your schedule. But the plan came -- alumni band with the MRDs, on the field, pregame, November 17. E-mails were exchanged; plans put together; it sounded great, so I jumped on it.

As the registration list grew, I found myself the only performing alum from the 70s, and I wasn't really an MRD alumnus! I was certain younger grads read my name and year thinking, "Is this guy going to come out with a walker?" I was determined to carry my part musically, as well as not trip over the sideline as I hit the field! The pressure was on; showtime was nearing. I memorized my part for the three songs, packed the warmest clothes a Floridian owns and headed for the weekend.

Reunions, rehearsals and connection

My Friday started with a personal reunion with fraternity brother and good friend Steve Smith. Steve is on the JMU administrative staff and offered to give me a tour of campus that afternoon. He suggested our tour begin at one of our old favorite places ... Jess' Quick Lunch. There was no way I could visit Harrisonburg without enjoying a Jess' hot dog!

What do you mean Jess' No. 2? What do you mean it's out here on Route 33?

New place, new location, same hot dog. I had two, which was about four less than my usual meal in my undergrad days! We left and began the tour of campus. With every stop and introduction, two things grew inside me -- pride and connection. I felt like a part of the university. I met staff members and students. Stories were exchanged, but more important to me, I heard from a lot of happy people. It was easy to see why our university is one of the best and one that is in demand.

Friday evening came, and it was time to check in for my weekend. First things first -- that heavy MRD alumni coat I ordered! It was beyond chilly; a cold front had passed through early in the day. I met a few fellow alumni, shared my pre-MRD experience, met the band director, Scott Rikkers, and watched the MRD rehearsal. Then we stepped on the field to join in "Proud Mary." I was positioned off to the side a bit and felt like I was playing in a small ensemble; not exactly what I had imagined. But at this point, as I shivered in my thin jeans, lightweight shoes and no gloves, all I could think of was to get to my car and turn on the heat!

In foreground, Jim Sheldrake (left) and Earl Schaffer (right)

In foreground, Jim Sheldrake (left) and Earl Schaffer (right).

Excitement, emotion and validation

Saturday morning rehearsal brought more alumni. We were all dressed in our purple MRD alumni coats with white ball caps. I spotted a familiar face: Earl Shaffer, also from the 70s! (He didn't have a walker, either!) Rehearsal was better this time. We were at midfield, positioned in front of the MRDs, surrounded by the massive sound I had anticipated. I have kept up on my trumpet over the years, so I was able to carry my part with dignity, but of course, without the flair of the undergrads. Excitement was building.

After our tailgate gathering, I enjoyed a series of exciting, emotional and validating events. Watching the band warm up in gave me a sense of exactly what this organization is all about. The leadership was outstanding as each section rehearsed for the game. As they played through their selections, I found myself playing along in the background, only to be "caught" by Assistant Director Bill Posey as I was sounding out "Malaguena." He pointed to me and said, "You remember this one!" Oh yeah, but it was from the sidelines before!

It was time to lineup and march to our first performance, the Alumni Tailgate Party. I was impressed that I kept in step and even more impressed that I wasn't winded from the 100 yard march to the tent! We kicked into "Proud Mary."

Sheldrake (right, in center group in purple alumni jackets) participates in the trumpet warmup.

Sheldrake (right, in center group in purple alumni jackets) participates in the trumpet warmup.

Oh my gosh, did someone bring in more instruments?

The sound seemed to double from what was around me on the field just a couple of hours ago! I was smiling -- almost to the point of not being able to play. I may not be as good as I once was, but I was determined to be good this once as I ever was! I pulled it together and let it rip, carrying my own part without a walker!

Now it was time for the bigger show ... into the stadium for pregame. Again, I made it in, staying in step and not winded! The MRDs performed their pregame followed by the announcement welcoming the MRD Alumni Band including members all the way back to 1972!

Oh my! I'm a member! I am a part of this great organization!

The full marching band experience

After playing "Proud Mary" for about the fifth time that day, my trumpet chops were about played out, but that didn't stop me from savoring every moment and every note of the sound I had previously only heard from the stands. It felt fantastic. I pushed through the "JMU Fight Song," still able to end on the high B flat. We walked off the field to the cheers from the student side of the field, waving and high-fiving one another for our ability to still play with the young guns.

Hearing the MRDs offer the "JMU School Song" solidified my connection. Their rendition was a far cry from us singing it in Wilson Hall accompanied by the pipe organ! Finally we were able to head to the bleachers, rest, and enjoy the game.

We moved to the student side of the field for the post-game show. As I was taking it all in, someone asked, "Don't you miss it?" I replied, "I never experienced it to miss it."

But inside I knew that I had experienced it -- if only for two songs some 35 years after graduation. Then I thought, it's only been a couple of hours, but yes, I miss it already!

Performing

Performing "Proud Mary." (Sheldrake is third from right.)

After the show, the alumni were invited down to the field for the final huddle around Band Director Rikkers. We were congratulated and thanked by the staff and students. I doubt their thanks came close to the gratitude I had for being so warmly welcomed into this group. For the closing, each section of the band picked a place on the field for their final exchange of words. The trumpets were at the far sideline in a circle. The section leaders made the announcement, "If you ever, at any time, marched in this group, stand in the middle of the circle." Well, officially, I was never a part of this awesome group, so I stayed on the outside, helping encourage and herd in the other grads. Next thing I knew, there were two MRD trumpets taking a step towards me. They grabbed my arms and said, "You too!"

A connected alumnus of the MRDs!

What happened next is difficult to describe. It was one of those "had to be there" moments. After a few closing remarks by the section leader, these young men and women began to play one of the most beautiful trumpet choir selections I have ever experienced. The musical expression covered every dynamic; the crescendo of their clear tone in that brisk valley air brought me to a musical high I had not experienced in years. I stood there, motionless, listening to this tribute; this welcome into their Band of Brotherhood. Joyful tears began to fill my eyes; my body was one big goose bump. Bill Posey was in the circle with us since he is an alumnus of the group. He noticed my emotion and simply reached over and placed his hand on my shoulder and smiled. It was at that moment that everything about the weekend was validated.

This is MY university, MY band, MY trumpet section. This organization embraced this old codger from the pre-MRD CAMBEUSA era.

I am connected. I am an alumnus of the Marching Royal Dukes!