JOHN BAUMFALK

Class of 2009

CADET / OUR FIRST DRUM MAJOR / INSTRUCTOR

Cadet Years: Member: Drum Major (1934)

Bugle Instructor (1934-1938)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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HIS CADET STORY:

As our Corps History is told (https://www.theholynamecadets.net/10.php):

 

“Surprisingly, it was not an adult associated with the original Holy Name Field Music that fanned the flame.  It was three young boys – John Baumfalk, Mike Lichtenberger and Vince Pettiganno – who, for whatever reason, decided they wanted to have a drum and bugle corps.

 

John Baumfalk was a naturally talented leader and organizer.  If anyone can be credited with being the catalyst for turning the dream of these boys into reality, it was young John.  His enthusiasm and energy were boundless.  His friends often saw him marching around with a blackboard pointer, practicing to be the first drum major of this yet-to-be-established corps.  Though this new corps was destined to be sponsored by a Catholic church, becoming perhaps the most famous church-sponsored drum and bugle corps in history, “Johnny Baumps” was not a Catholic.  This most enthusiastic member of the original three founding Cadets was a member of a local Durch Reformed Church.

 

John Baumfalk, thrilled with the success of the initial recruiting efforts, attended the next meeting of the Holy Name Altar Boys Club.  He brought two 1930-era bugles with him so the boys could start learning how to play.  Since the corps at that point existed mainly in their imagination, and they had no money whatsoever, it was decided that John would retain one of the two bugles, and one other boy each week would bring the second bugle home to practice, returning them at the end of the week to be passed to the next pair of boys for their turn.”

 

John eventually became the Corps very first Drum Major in 1934 . . . and the rest is history . . .