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Jari Villanueva, Music Director
Jari Villanueva holds degrees from the Peabody Conservatory of Music of the Johns Hopkins
University and Kent State University. Jari retired from the United States Air Force in 2008 after
twenty-three years as a trumpeter, bugler, drum major and staff arranger with The United States
Air Force Band. He led The USAF Band in ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, the
Pentagon and the White House and served as the Non-commissioned Officer In Charge (NCOIC)
for the Arrival and Departure ceremonies for the State Funerals of former presidents Ronald
Reagan and Gerald Ford. He has also sounded Taps over 2,000 times at Arlington National
Cemetery and other cemeteries. Considered the country’s foremost authority on US military
bugle calls and the bugle call Taps, he was responsible for moving the bugle used at President
John F. Kennedy’s funeral from the Smithsonian to Arlington, where it remains on display in the
Visitor Center.
Jari is the author of Twenty-four Notes That Tap Deep Emotions: The Story of America’s Most
Famous Bugle Call. He has published numerous articles on the history of US bugle calls and brass
bands of the Civil War and is currently working on a book on the subject. Jari has been
interviewed for newspapers, radio and TV programs across the country and was featured in a
History Channel segment on the origin of Taps, a CBN segment on the 140th anniversary of the
creation of the call and a radio essay for Boeing’s “Forever New Frontiers” Radio Essays Series.
He was also a consultant to the designers of the American Heritage Field Trumpet, a bugle made
by the Getzen Company. Many of Jari's articles and much additional information on Taps, bugles,
and buglers throughout history can be found on his website at www.tapsbugler.com.
An active Civil War re-enactor, Jari sounds bugle calls for Co. D, 3rd US Regular Infantry and
has served as Federal Principal Musician for major re-enactments including the 140th Antietam
and 140th First Manassas. He is co-founder and director of The Federal City Brass Band and 26th
North Carolina Regimental Band, which perform Civil War era music on original 19th century
instruments, and is the Artistic Director of the National Association for Civil War Brass Music,
Inc. In 2001 Jari served as assistant to the music supervisor for the movie Gods and Generals,
sounded bugle calls for the soundtrack, and appeared as a bugler in several scenes. With the late
Don Hubbard, Jari was a co-founder of the Eastern Field Music School (2002-03), and he
frequently gives presentations and demonstrations on bugling and field music of the Civil War era.
Jari is a free-lance musician and accomplished arranger with many published selections to his
credit (www.jvmusic.net). Many of his arrangements have also been recorded. His arrangement
of Goin' Home was featured in the movie A Clear and Present Danger, and was heard world-wide
during the State Funerals of former Presidents Reagan and Ford. Since 1998, Jari has been a
member of the music faculty at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where he has
directed the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and Pep Band. In 2008 he was selected as the new
director of the Wind Ensemble and Pep Band at Johns Hopkins University.
Jari currently works for the Maryland Military Department as Director of Veterans Affairs,
Maryland National Guard Honor Guard, where he oversees the conduct of military honors for
veterans' funerals and other ceremonial functions throughout the state. In October 2008 he was
commissioned as a Major in the Maryland Defense Force, a uniformed military agency of
volunteers under the Adjutant General of Maryland and the Maryland Military Department, and is
the commander and conductor of the Maryland Defense Force Band, "Maryland's Musical
Ambassadors." He lives in Catonsville, MD with his wife Heather and two cats. Contact Jari at
jvmusic@erols.com
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Garman Bowers, Drum
Garman received a Music Education Degree from Shepherd College, WV and has a Master's
Equivalence in Music Education. A drummer since 1964, he was the Timpanist for the Maryland
Theater Orchestra from 1970-1980. He is the Principal Percussionist for the Williamsport
Community Band, Washington Co., MD. Nominated and accepted in the Seventh Edition of
Who's Who Among America's Teachers 2002, he retired as Music Department Head and
Instrumental Music Educator at Springfield Middle School in Williamsport, MD. Garman has
been a member of The Federal City Brass Band since its founding in 2002 and is also a member
of the 26th North Carolina Regimental Band.
Garman is also a woodworker and craftsman, and has made many custom and historical
reproduction furniture pieces, instrument cases, and music stands, as well as restoring original
rope tensioned drums.
Contact Garman at garmanbowers@myactv.net
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Jeb Hague, Fife, Drum
Jeb is a 2005 graduate in Music Education from The Pennsylvania State University. While at
Penn State, he played in the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Centre Dimensions Jazz Ensemble, the
Penn State Blue Band, and various chamber ensembles. Jeb has been a re-enactor for over 20
years, playing fife, drum, and bugle. He has performed with the Camp Chase Fifes and Drums,
the Maryland Line Field Music, the Regimental Fifes and Drums of Fort Delaware, and the 28th
Pennsylvania Regimental Brass Band. He can also be seen playing fife, drum and Bb cornet in the
movie Gods and Generals.
Since 2006, Jeb has been a fifer with The Old Guard Fife and Drum, 3rd US Infantry, Ft. Myer,
VA. He also performs on Bb and Eb cornet with The Federal City Brass Band and 26th North
Carolina Regimental Band. Contact Jeb at jhague13@gmail.com.
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Douglas Hedwig, Bugle
Douglas Hedwig is an original member of the Federal City Brass Band and 26th North Carolina
Brass Band, and Vice President of the National Association for Civil War Brass Music, Inc. He is
Professor of Trumpet and Director of Brass Instrument Studies at Brooklyn College of The City
University of New York, and previously served on the Music History Faculty of The Juilliard
School. For 27 years he served as Trumpeter with The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in New
York City. As Music Director & Trumpeter of the Metropolitan Brass Quartet he recorded three
albums, and toured internationally to critical acclaim: "A model of infectious spirit, and dashing
virtuosity" - Musical America. In 1986 he became the first trumpeter to be awarded the Doctor
of Musical Arts Degree in the history of the Juilliard School.
Dr. Hedwig has been the recipient of awards and honors from the U.S. Department of State,
Fulbright Foundation, New York City Fire Department, City Council of New York, and The
National Endowment for the Arts. He has recorded over 50 internationally distributed albums -
early music, chamber music, band, and orchestral idioms - and has performed recital /lectures for
The International Trumpet Guild Conference, The New York Brass Conference, Historic Brass
Society, Bad Saeckingen Trumpet Museum, and Musikhochschule in Karlsruhe, Germany. He
was Co-Founder and Executive Director of Orvieto Musica, a chamber music festival in central
Italy. His most recent CD release is "The Art of the Posthorn" on the MSR Classics label (MS
1184): "Hedwig's performance radiates music, even through the most challenging registers and
passages...he is an excellent player in every sense." - International Trumpet Guild, June 2007.
Formerly Civilian Bugler for the New York City Fire Department, Doug had the honor of
sounding Taps for the families of many fallen NYC Firefighters in the months following the
events of September 11, 2001. Douglas Hedwig is Commander and Conductor of the 89th Army
Band, "The New York Guard Band." He received his Commission as Captain in the NY Guard in
August 2007. Contact Doug at dhedwig@gmail.com.
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Donald Heminitz, Fife
Donald Heminitz began his fife and drum career in January 1999 as a Civil War re-enactor with
Historical Impressions of America, Inc., based in eastern Pennsylvania. In June 2002, he
attended the Eastern Field Music School (now the Don Hubbard FMS) at Fort Delaware and
enjoyed it so much he returned for a third time in April 2004, when during the final formation, he
was awarded the "Most Improved Fifer" Award. Later that year, Donald was finally exposed to
the fife and drum world, when he met the members of the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and
Drums and the Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes and Drums and from them both received
several tips on the fife. His fife skills were later tested by George Carroll in June 2006 at Fort
Delaware and he was given the title Master Fifer. Less than a month later on July 4th, he
performed live with the 3rd New Jersey Field Music at Times Square in New York City on Good
Morning America. He then attended the Old Guard Juniors' Workshop at Fort Myer, Va in
October. In January 2007, Donald published Martial Music for the Fife, a book of fife harmonies
that he arranged himself, and one year later, he won first place in the Baconworks Tune-smithing
Contest with his tune Misty Morning. In June 2008, Donald participated with the Colonial
Musketeers in the New Jersey State Association Fife and Drum Contest and as an individual took
first place as senior male fifer.
Currently, Donald fifes with the 3rd NJ and the Colonial Musketeers Senior Ancient Fife and
Drum Corps and is an extended member of the Middlesex County Volunteers. He also
occasionally plays with the 2nd Maryland Fifes and Drums and Camp Chase Fifes and Drums.
He is also the fife instructor for the BSA Troop 53 Fife and Drum Corps of Maytown, Pa.
Outside of re-enacting and fife and drum, Donald is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in
music with concentration on the flute at Millersville University of Pennsylvania. There he is a
member of the flute choir and wind ensemble and teaches private lessons on flute and fife. At
home he occasionally performs with the Flutations Flute Choir of Allentown. Contact Donald at
Dhfifenheimer@aol.com.
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David Loyal, Drum
David Loyal has been drumming since the age of 9, and has been reenacting with the 28th Mass
Co. B and the Liberty Rifles from the time he was 11. David attended the first Eastern Field
Music School in 2002 in the intermediate class, where he was truly inspired by his instructors to
become a better musician. Using the practice techniques that he learned from his instructor Bill
Maling, David began a journey through the art of rudimental drumming that continues to this day.
In 2003 David started taking lessons with a former 3rd US Infantry (The Old Guard) snare
drummer, Rick Ruddle. That year David came to the Field Music School once again, and was
placed in the advanced class. There, instructor George Carroll tested him for a rank advancement,
and David earned the rank of 'Master Drummer' in George Carroll's International Field Music
ranking system. For the 2004 season, David was asked to instruct at Field Music School, which
he enjoyed very much as a chance to pass on the skills that he had learned.
David attended the Company of Fifers and Drummers Junior camp under the instruction of Jim
Clark, and has also served as the drum sergeant for the performance of this 80-member corps.
David has gained a well rounded knowledge of many forms of percussion, from taking
Afro-Cuban and Brazilian drum instruction from Kevin Powell, to attending DCI drum corps
auditions, rehearsal weekends, and clinics. David has played with Camp Chase Fife and Drum
Corps, Independence Fifes nd Drums, Monumental City Fife and Drum Corps, various reenacting
corps, and is a founding member of the Maryland Line Field Music.
Since 2004, David has been a member of The Old Guard Fife and Drum, 3rd US Infantry, Ft.
Myer, VA. Contact David at rudimentaldrum@gmail.com.
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Kara Loyal, Fife
Contact Kara at loyalwife@gmail.com
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Jason Maines, Drum
Jason Maines has been drumming on Long Island for over 30 years. He started with the Yankee
Tunesmiths of NY. Later he would be the director and drum instructor of the Yankee
Tunesmiths. He has also performed with many fife and drum corps on the East coast. Jason has
been a re-enactor for over 7 years with the 119NY and the National Regiment. He is the lead
drummer with the 119NY and National Regiment and also serves as drum instructor for the
119NY. He also plays with the Colonials of Bethpage and the Veteran Corps of Artillery SNY.
Contact Jason at drum119@optonline.net.
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George Rabbai, Bugle
George Rabbai’s first national recognition as a trumpeter came when he joined the Woody
Herman Orchestra, touring with the orchestra as a jazz soloist for two years at jazz festivals and
concert halls throughout the United States and abroad, and recording with Herman on the
Concord and Toshiba EMI labels. His premier CD, "Lemon Drop," was released in 1997 on DBK
Records, and a second album, “In Good Company” was released the following year. Rabbai was
selected as part of the Woody Herman All-Star small group, performing with artists like Sal
Nistico, Jake Hannah, Nat Pierce, George Duvivier, Scott Hamilton and Count Basie tenorman
Frank Wess. He has also performed as a soloist with the Concord Jazz All-Stars and has
recorded with jazz greats Hank Jones, Rufus Reid and Mel Lewis for the Naxos label. Rabbai
worked for several years as a soloist behind vocalist Rosemary Clooney, and is featured on her
“Demi-Centennial: A Girl Singer’s Golden Anniversary” television special for the Arts and
Entertainment network. Most recently George has been working with vocalist Michael Feinstein
and is featured jazz soloist on Feinstein’s double CD, “Romance on Broadway and Romance on
Film.” George has also recorded with Margaret Whiting and was featured with Tony Bennett on
his television special, “Tony Bennett With Love.”
George’s lyrical trumpet sound is featured in the soundtrack of "Baseball," a film by Ken Burns,
which first aired nationally on PBS in 1994. He can also be heard in Burns’ epic documentary
"The West."
Admired for his tone, phrasing and swinging style, Rabbai infuses his performances with humor
and personality. His performing engagements have included Carnegie Hall, Boston Symphony Hall
and the famed Rainbow Room, as well as European jazz festivals, New York City’s St. Regis
Hotel and many East Coast jazz clubs. An active jazz performer and educator, he is currently on
the faculties of Philadelphia’s University of the Arts and The Maynard Ferguson Institute of Jazz
at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey. He makes frequent appearances at area schools
as a jazz clinician, festival adjudicator and featured artist. Contact George at mwrabbai@verizon.
net.
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Stephan Southard, Drum
Stephan Southard is an accomplished musician with over twenty years experience playing
trumpet, fife, whistle, snare and bass drum, and other instruments. As a member of the Fifes and
Drums of Yorktown, Stephan studied under George P. Carroll and graduated from the corps with
the rank of Principal Musician. From 1994-97, and again in 2000, Mr. Southard continued with
the Yorktown corps as Assistant Music Master, providing instruction in the areas of music
theory, fifing, drumming, marching, drum majoring, and the history of martial music. In this
capacity, Mr. Southard arranged and composed numerous medleys and percussion arrangements,
as well as choreographed performances and field shows.
Before becoming a professional Firefighter/Medic, Stephan shared his historical knowledge and
musical talents as a museum educator with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and the
Jamestown Yorktown Foundation. Mr. Southard has performed as a balladeer in the taverns at
Colonial Williamsburg, as a member of the Colonial Williamsburg Dance Troupe, as an actor in
various stage and television productions for Colonial Williamsburg and the BBC, and with various
professional fife and drum corps, including Williamsburg Field Musick.
Mr. Southard is certified with the International Association of Field Musicians as a Drum Major
(snare and bass), and as a Fife Sergeant. He has performed in a variety of venues including
Carnegie Hall, the Library of Congress, and for numerous national and state dignitaries.
Over the past fifteen years, Stephan has participated in Revolutionary and Civil War reenactments
with such organizations as the 64th Regiment of Foot, York County Militia, Continental Marines,
and the 3rd US Regular Infantry Company D 1861-1865.
Mr. Southard is looking forward to sharing his experience and passing the art of fifing and
drumming on to others. Contact Stephan at ssouthard409@gmail.com.
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Chuck Woodhead, Bugle
Chuck is a former First Trumpet in the Clemson University marching and concert bands. A
retired Navy Lieutenant Commander and Desert Storm Veteran, he holds a Doctorate in Physical
Therapy. Currently he is the Chief Bugler for the 1st Division of the Army of Northern VA
(ANV) and the Military District of Mississippi as well as the 125th OVI. He has served as the
Bugler for the Hunley crew's Memorial Ceremony at White Point Gardens in Charleston and Chief
or Co-Chief Bugler for many of the major 140th Anniversary events. Contact Chuck at
shirleybw@msn.com.
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The 26th North Carolina Regimental Band
The 26th North Carolina Regimental Band is one of the most renowned bands of the Civil War
era. Based in Salem, NC, the band was made up of Moravian musicians who enlisted in the early
spring of 1862 and served until the last week of the war, when they were captured during Lee's
final retreat from Petersburg towards Appomattox Courthouse. They took part in many major
campaigns, including Gettysburg, where they are recorded as having performed “polkas and
waltzes” during the height of the battle to bolster the morale of the Confederate troops. Their
music, from the only known complete set of original Confederate band books in existence today,
has enriched the repertoire of dozens of bands since it was re-discovered in the late 1950s and
recorded by the late Dr. Frederick Fennell and his Eastman Wind Ensemble.
While many of today’s Civil War bands perform selections from the band books of the 26th
North Carolina, The Federal City Brass Band has researched not only the music but also the
incredible history of this band, which was said to be one of General Robert E. Lee's favorites.
Concerts by the re-created 26th North Carolina Regimental Band include music of the Moravian
heritage of the original musicians and selections from their wartime repertoire, along with
excerpts from original band members' personal diaries and other contemporary written accounts
of the 26th North Carolina and its band throughout the War Between the States.
The reproduction uniforms worn by the 26th North Carolina Regimental Band are meticulously
based on the only known photograph of the original band during the War, taken in July, 1862.
We have used contemporary descriptions of the band and museum examples of original
Confederate uniforms as additional references. Uniforms are custom patterned by Alison
Ragland of Greenbelt, MD and sewn by Heather Faust. Kepis are by Greg Starbuck of
Lynchburg, VA. Buttonholes for the reproduction NC state seal buttons are all hand stitched.
Jean cloth (70% wool, 30% cotton, guaranteed to fade just like the original) was produced by Ben
Tart of Newton Grove, NC using natural vegetable dyes and actual recipes from the Fries Mill of
Salem where the band’s original fabric was produced in 1862.
In 2008, the 26th NC Regimental Band participated in two major 145th Gettysburg re-enactment
events, re-ceating some of the battlefield scenarios in which the original band took part. Their
presence at the National Civil War Field Music School will also commemorate the original band's
service in the lines at Petersburg, VA in 1864-65. Contact the 26th NC Regimental Band at
federalcitybrassband@erols.com.
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