Silver Sabres were a drum corps from western PA!

Drum Corps involvement provided musical background for Vince Schaefer

Ferruccio Busoni - prophet of electronic music - ".....one day, it seemed clear to me that the full flowering of music is frustrated by our instruments ....in their range, their tone, what they can render, our instruments are chained fast and their hundred chains must also bind the composer"

Edgard Varese -
inspired by Busoni and Debussey - "I long for instruments obedient to my thought and whim, with their contribution of a whole new world of unsusoected sounds, which will lend themselves to the exigencies of my inner rhythm"

Silver Sabres was the first drum corps experience, providing the chops and musicality to play on a national level.

I was with the Silver Sabres Drum & Bugle corps, from Beaver Falls for two years. Denny Trozzo and Gary Phillips were the percussion staff, and 'Cocky' Martin was the corps director. Denny also taught me while I was in the Modernettes, Gary was also teaching the Finleyville corps while also doing graduate work at West Virginia University, Denny had taught me for 5 years, so they added a big musical learning experience in my life. Some of my best friends in life marched that frontline with me, including: John Linnarelli, (a music student at WVU) Clay 'Bink' Beringer, (I later marched in SCA with Bink, also) Frank Lonnett, Gary Mussey, Jack Henderson, (a music major at Geneva College), Jack Rowe, (I marched more with him too) Ken Behrend, (yes I marched a few more years in different organizations with him) Tinker Reed, and many others. I especially remember these friends, and their parents, for help with housing and employment (and food) during my stay the first summer in Beaver Falls; Thanks Again!
Anyone that sees this, should e-mail me and I'll put up everyone's name. vin.drums@verizon.net Also help with pictures or information, and obviously any audio would be appreciated. I used to have an 8-track with the performance from 1974, but it's gone the way of so many 8-tracks.......I also remember a striking drum-line photo wearing gauntlets and hats from Finals in 74 that would still be entertaining. I have no photos, though still have the gauntlets! I think we were close to being a finalist in Class A that year........corrections welcome! All pictures appreciated.
I must also mention Carl Seidle, whose efforts with the horn-line, and with the drill won't be forgotten! His devotion to the activity was also greatly appreciated. Denny, Carl and I generally rode to rehearsals together, and I never stopped laughing, at the old drum corps stories form the days when the Archer-Epler Cadets ruled senior drum-corps! Skyliners and Cabelleros also provided good material for the hours of riding in the car.
Through our affiliation with the Royal Crusaders, we were also lucky enough to learn from the efforts of: Gary 'Chops' Chapinski, Tim Moxley, Jack Mien, Michael Kumer, Rande Sanderbeck, Jan Fung, and had some top arrangers in the country writing charts for us.

List of memorable names.......I remember everyone, really......but don't remember all the names; help!
Guard: Patty Rowe, Tammy McCoy, Tammy Schaefer, Debbie Schaefer, Ginger Mussey, Gretchen Mussey, Michele Mahovlik, Tony Cristaphano as drum major and solo rifle, Kelly Brenzo, .....
Horns: Bruce Johnson who later played in Finleyville, Terry Brenzo, Garth Mussey playing mellophone, Flo ? (soprano), ......
Drums: Mike Harb also played snare in the Royal Crusaders, Paul Rowe, Jim Desenzo, Susy ? (cymbal) Denise ? (cymbal)......boy, I marched with a lot of people after that, this is harder than I thought.

I am compelled to mention the Silver Sabres Winter Color Guard, under the direction of Tony Cristaphano. they were always an entertaining and exciting program to watch. They were also well rehearsed and highly competetive!

Silver Sabres played two tours with competitions in: Monongahela PA, Butler PA, Charleroi PA, Brookville PA, Sharpsville PA, Lackawanna NY, Derry PA, Midland PA, Bellefountaine OH, Wapakoneta OH, New Galilee PA, Swissvale PA, Sarnia Canada, Flint MI, Blairsville PA, Hempfield PA, North Tonowanda NY, and did championships at: Phladelphia PA..