Cymbals	1959 - 1963

I'm one of the "old-timers" having marched with the Sunrisers from 1959 through 1963, I think. The years have dulled the details! I was a cymbal player. I remember the days of sponsorship, first by the American Legion Post in Freeport, L.I., N.Y, then by the Massapequa Fire Department, and practices in the Bar Harbor Shopping Center parking lot. I wonder if there is any such place anymore. I'm retired and living in Margate, Florida now, but more of that later.

I'm glad to see that the corps has kept true to the orange, blue and white. Back in the "early" days, the Sunrisers' uniform consisted of white shoes, blue trousers with orange stripe, orange satin blouse, orange neckerchief, and a blue beret with orange pompom. It was befitting of the French theme of our program. It may well have been our first competitive program. We consistently placed second or third behind the New York Skyliners and Washington Carver Gay Blades.

I'm writing this from my son's computer. He found the Sunrisers' Home Page and has brought back many memories for me. Though he never marched, he continues to be interested in drum corps. I remember him carrying my cymbals each and every practice and competition. My grandson becomes eligible for drum corps next year. He's quite a trumpet player and has high hopes of marching with a corps someday.

I left Long Island in 1974 and relocated to Florida, retiring in 1990. I have continued my musical interests throughout the years. I marched for several years with the Broward County Mummers String Band, playing snare drum. We are now pretty much limited to stand up performances.

I'd be interested in hearing from some of the "old-timers", particularly from horn player Greg Lampazona (sp?). I don't have this new-fangled e-mail, so here's my home address and phone number:

• Don Trayer, Sr.
  2811 N.W. 68th Terrace
  Margate, FL 33063
  (954) 979-0682
   
  
• Or, e-mail me, in care of my son, Donald, Jr. at: Donald.Trayer@navy.mil