Marques of Granby Celebrates!

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PictureFyfe instructor Jen Wick presents the “Most Improved Fyfer Award” to Helen Newman

Marquis of Granby celebrates 45th Season

By Lori Catlin Garcia

Members of the Marquis of Granby Jr. Ancient Fyfe and Drum Corps gathered on Jan. 3 in Cook Hall at the First Congregational Church to celebrate their 45­­­th season. The corps opened the evening by playing a short concert to a gathered crowd of over 100­­ attendees, including family members, instructors and past directors. After a delicious dinner, Davis LaPointe presented a video highlighting memorable moments of the 2014 season. It was also announced that this year’s summer trip will be to Fort Ticonderoga, N. Y.

Awards and promotions followed which began with the appointment of newly elected Junior Board Members for the upcoming year: Ivy Nguyen, Casey Lampert, Michael Spence, Jonah Garcia and Juliana Puskar.

Rank promotions were awarded as follows: Marching Recruit – Alynne Gallion, Kylee Disabella, Grace Darling, Ryan Fett, Alyssa Groneman, Katrina McCord. Private (Flag Line) – Gage Levine, Emily Wheeler, Shannon Leydon. Private (Playing Line) – Layne Cramer, Jacob Fett, Keith Seger. Corporal (Flag Line) – Sam Askew. Corporal (Playing Line) – Brittany Janzer, Rachel Abrahamson, Jessica Askew. Sergeant – Helen Newman and Rebecca McCord.

The highest rank a member can achieve during their years of service in the Marquis of Granby is the rank of Major. This year, Jonah Garcia, Michael Spence and Casey Lampert were promoted to join Ivy Nguyen in this important role.

In 2014 the Marquis performed at 24 separate venues and the corps recognized its members with exemplary attendance rate. Corps members with an attendance rate of above 90 percent were also acknowledged: Jonah Garcia, Brittany Janzer, Rebecca Kaczmarek, Shannon Leydon, Ivy Nguyen and Keith Seger. Corps members with extraordinary attendance records receive their choice of a credit to their travel account, or a scholarship to fyfe and drum camp.

Picture

Director Audrey Lampert (R) with newly romoted Marquis Majors Jonah Garcia, Casey Lampert and Michael Spence. Photos by Jessica Askew



For the fourth time, the Jacky Award was given to honor the memory of Jacky Welsh, a Marquis member from East Granby who died in August 2011. This award is voted on by the corps members and given to the person or persons who best exemplify the words used to describe Jacky such as: smart, witty, engaged, mature, confident, passionate, dedicated, quiet, respectful, considerate, caring and brave. This year’s recipient was Rebecca Kaczmarek.

The recipient of the Knight of Knipton award is also chosen by corps member vote, and is given to the new member who best exemplifies the corps values of a great attitude, overall contributions and willingness to act as an Ambassador of the corps. The 2014 recipient was Katrina McCord.

Several members reached important service milestones with the corps. A.J. Newman, Helen Newman, Michael Spence, Rebecca McCord, Noah Greer and Dawson Levine received a pewter mug for five years of service, and Davis LaPointe received a pewter plate to commemorate seven years with the corps.

The Marquis Director’s Award went to Casey Lampert. Casey, who will graduate this spring, had performed at 177 events by the end of the 2014 season. She has also been instrumental in planning fun recreational events for corps members.

It was announced that Director Audrey Lampert will retire this spring after nine years of service to the corps. Guests watched a video highlighting Lampert’s career, which included memorable trips to Yorktowne, Colonial Williamsburg, Quebec, and Switzerland. The corps and the town of Granby are profoundly grateful to Lampert for her commitment to the Marquis. The corps will remain in good hands, as Kimberley McCord has stepped up to serve as assistant director, and she will move up to director after this year’s Memorial Day parade.

The evening concluded with the presentation of the Peacock Award, which recognizes long-standing commitment and support for the Marquis by an individual or organization in the community. This year’s recipients were Terry and Gale Grayson.

Membership in the Marquis of Granby Ancient Fyfe and Drum Corps is open to youth ages 9 to 21 from Granby and the surrounding towns. Prospective members are always welcome to attend a practice at the First Congregational Church on Wednesday evenings. For more information, visit www.marquisofgranby.org.