MARK L. EDSALL is a native of Watkins Glen, NY where he was a member of The Squires Jr. Drum & Bugle Corps from 1972-75. After a thirty-seven-year hiatus, he joined Mighty St. Joe’s Alumni in July 2012. In addition to MSJ, he performed with Ghost Riders Mini Corps from 2013-15, including their DCA World Championship title his first year in Annapolis, MD. From 2016-19 Mark returned to the competition field as a member of The Skyliners DCA Corps based in Scranton-Wilkes Barre, PA. Over the past nine years he also performed with Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights Alumni, NY Skyliners Alumni, St. Joe’s of Batavia Brass Ensemble (where he became Asst. Director), St. Kevin’s Tribute Corps, as well as competing in multiple Buglers’ Hall of Fame and DCA Individual & Ensemble contests. During this time Mark also developed relationships with people throughout the Marching Arts community.
Kacy has been around drum corps and marching bands all his life. After graduating from Attica High School he obtained his bachelor’s degree in music education from The Crane School of Music and his Master’s degree from The University of Buffalo. He was fortunate enough to march with The Cadets of Bergen County in 2003, 2004, and 2005. After aging out in 2005, he performed with The Ghost Riders mini-corps in the late 2000s for several years, where he met Mr. Donny Allen, who introduced him to MSJ. He has been graciously accepted by the many people who make up the Mighty St Joes Drum and Bugle Corps and strives for musicality and entertainment in his instruction. He feels very fortunate to be part of this organization and to have made so many friends that treat him like family.
HAROLD MCJURY began his drum corps career at the age of five when he joined St. Joe’s Peanut Corps in Batavia, NY. Moving up to Mighty St. Joe’s Junior Corps when he was eleven was a dream come true, playing both French horn and soprano bugle. Later he would become one of Mighty St. Joe’s soloists, winning many individual contests in both New York and Canada.
At age 19, during the Vietnam War, Harold enlisted in the U.S. Navy. During boot camp he taught the Naval Drum Corps at Great Lakes and played in the stage band as well. As a Navy submarine sailor, Harold would never leave “on patrol” without his trumpet. When the sub was topside, one would often find Harold on deck practicing. Today, he plays the Star Spangled Banner several mornings a week at the Veteran’s Hospital in Batavia with his colleagues.
Harold and friends wanted to give the drum corps experience to others in and around Genesee County, so The American Patrol Drum and Bugle Corps was formed. Harold was horn instructor, arranger, and finally took on Corps Director. At that time, he was also an arranger and horn instructor for the Rochester Patriots. He has since performed with the Rochester Crusaders and was a horn instructor and marching member of the Hamburg Kingsmen.
Harold has been a member of Genesee Symphony Orchestra since 1974. He was active in playing in the Batavia Big Band for many years with Lyle Mark as director. Another significant accomplishment, Harold started the band program at Notre Dame High School in Batavia which is still active today. He continues to play for many high school musicals around the area and for the Genesee Choral.
In 1990, Harold was one of the founding fathers of Genesee Quest Junior Drum and Bugle Corps and became corps director and musical arranger. At about the same time, Bob Sullivan decided to form Mighty St. Joe’s Alumni Corps with past St. Joe’s members. As one of the original horn instructors, Harold was thrilled with the success of the 1995 performance at the DCI World Championship Finals in Buffalo. He continues today as horn instructor and arranger for Mighty St. Joe’s Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps of Leroy, NY.
Harold is also an instructor, arranger, and member of St. Joe’s of Batavia Brass Ensemble which was formed in 2009. All their performances are done for charity, including Christmas Brass, playing for Veterans, and nursing homes. Harold is proud to be a member of the Hit Men Brass Band under the direction of his longtime friend Dave Martin. He also enjoys being horn instructor of the Militaries Alumni Corps from Niagara Falls, Canada.
Harold has been married to his drum corps sweetheart, Donna for 46 years. They have four children and six grandchildren. He plans to continue instructing and playing for a very long time.
Michael Porter began his marching enthusiasm in Mohawk, NY in 1984, performing with the Mohawk Marching Band. Then in 1990, a junior in high school, he became the drum major of the Marcus Whitman Marching Band under the direction of the late Bob Steele. In 1991, Michael joined the Empire Statesmen from Rochester, NY, marching 91-94, 96-2000, 2004-05 and 2010. Michael played in the horn line, drum line, and was many characters on the field, including Phantom in 2000, Boris the evil spy in 2005, and the cowardly lion in 2010. For the 2006 and 2007 seasons, he was the drum major of the Dansville White Sabers. In 2008 he was assistant drum major of the Rochester Crusaders.
Michael’s passion for music and the sport came from the late Vince Bruni, who in 1984, had the Statesmen perform a winter show in Mohawk, NY. The fire was lit and the fire continues to burn to this day. His love for music doesn’t stop there. He has a project called SHALOM, meaning, Spreading His Amazing Love On Media. Michael travels around the east coast helping churches upgrade and install new sound, lighting, and video equipment. Music is truly in the depths of his heart.
“I am excited to be a part of Mighty St. Joe’s Alumni. I have seen and heard them for many years and have always admired their dedication to the activity. Ace Peterson asked me years ago to join, but I was doing competitive drum corps and didn’t have the time. From the moment I walked into practice, thanks to Ace, I feel right at home.” Michael Porter
Donny Allen has been involved in music education for over four decades. Mr. Allen is a high school band director in the Corning-Painted Post Area School District. Mr. Allen has many laurels to his credit including many New York State Championships, National and World Championships in high school and college marching bands, and drum corps. Mr. Allen presently continues in his own business of music education, arranging, adjudication and consulting based in New York State. He is a certified teacher in New York State with Bachelor of Arts in Music from State University of New York and a Master’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Buffalo.
William A. McGrath, Jr. has a long association with drumming, judging, and the marching arts communities. His resume reads like a Who’s Who of rudimental drumming and drum and bugle corps. His first role as an instructor was from 1963-67 for the Emerald Cadets where he assisted in their five-time title of Penn-York Champion, twice NY-Canadian Drum Quartet Champion, second place Drum Quartet at the VFW Nationals in Chicago in 1965, and World Open Finalists in 1966 with the Emerald Statesmen. In 1968 he was NY-Canadian Individual Snare Championship five weeks before his junior corps age-out.
Among his many accomplishments is the recognition of Lifetime Membership and Lifetime Achievement in the Connecticut based “USARD” United States Association of Rudimental Drummers in 2019 at Scranton-Wilkes-Barre Pa. Bill was bestowed honorary membership in the “NARD” National Association of Rudimental Drummers in 2018. He is a member of the Morgantown, Pa. based “APRDC” American Patriots Rudimental Drum Club Hall of Fame in 2008, the Maryland Drum Corps Hall of Fame in 2011, N.Y. City-Long Island based “Drumming for Veterans” Hall of Fame in 2018, Rochester Crusaders Hall of Fame in 1997, and a member of the WDCHOF World Drum Corps Hall of Fame in 1994 serving as Chaplain and Yearbook Editor from 1997 to present.
Bill served our country in the U.S. Marine Corps as a member of “The Commandant’s Own” United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps of Washington D.C. from 1969 to 71. He served as percussion writer and instructor in the 1971 season before his Honorable Discharge. While in the Washington, D.C. area, he was drum instructor and arranger for the 1971 American Legion National Champion, Yankee Rebels of Baltimore, Maryland.
Bill returned to Rochester lending his talent as drumming technician and Instructor for the 1972 American Legion National Champion Rochester Crusaders. He was the drum instructor for the highly innovative Phoenix Senior Drum Corps of Rochester, N.Y. from 1974 to 1977. He was drum instructor and arranger for the Rochester Patriots from 1983 to 1987 assisting them in winning the “DCNY” Drum Corps New York Circuit Championships in those same years.
Bill was the set drummer in the Irondequoit High School big-swing-band from 1961 to 65 graduating in ‘65. He graduated from SUNY Brockport in 1984. While at Brockport he served as Golden Eagle Marching Band Drum and Marching Instructor and Adjunct Faculty Band Director.
His adjudication experience includes the “WNYJA” Western New York Judges Association from 1980 to present, the NYFCJ-New York Federation of Contest Judges as a charter member from 1974 to present. He judged the NYS Field Band Conference Championships from 1979-91, and a NYSSMA Percussion Judge from 1983-present. He was a DCI tour judge in 1982 and 83 and judged DCA regular season contests including Prelims and Finals of those championships from 1979 to 1991.
Bill served with the 98th Division Army Reserve Band of Rochester, N.Y. as an SFC Sergeant First Class-E-7 and percussion section leader from 1989 to 2006. During this time, he was recognized with the Army Achievement, Army Commendation, and Army Meritorious Service Medals.
Since 2009, we have had the pleasure of enjoying his talents as Drum Instructor and snare drummer for Mighty St. Joe’s Alumni Drum Corp with the support of his lovely wife Anne.
Sarah started her tenure with Mighty St. Joe’s with the 1995 season. She is a 20 year plus seasoned member of the corps, marching in both the Percussion and Color Guard sections of the corps. Sarah also marched several years with the Rochester Crusader Senior Drum and Bugle Corps playing keyboards in the pit.
Growing up with a strong performing arts and musical background Sarah has always found an extended family through Drum Corps. Besides her position as the Color Guard Instructor and Designer, Sarah is part of the Corps’ Board of Directors, serves on several committees including grants and recruitment, and assists with the webpage design.
When not marching or doing work for the Corps Sarah is a part-time student studying Computer Programming, working full-time as a Senior Report Designer/Programmer/Analyst for the University of Rochester, and volunteers with Avon Fire Dept. and Lima Ambulance.
