Bob began playing the trumpet in the 4th grade (that’s 1972!) when his parents realized he had little aptitude for sports and needed a hobby. Practicing by himself was becoming monotonous and his mother recognized the need for a performance outlet. A neighbor suggested that Bob join her son at a local junior drum corps; Bob joined the Philadelphia Police Cadets in the winter of 1975. While the brass instructor “recommended” contra, Bob picked up a valve/rotor soprano and remained with PAL until his age-out in 1985.
Bob was also a four year member of the Archbishop Ryan Marching Band. After graduating, the band director asked Bob if he would be interested in returning as a staff member. As movement techniques began to evolve, Bob realized it might be a good time to learn these new methods in order to remain current and effective as an instructor.
Bob was also a four year member of the Archbishop Ryan Marching Band. After graduating, the band director asked Bob if he would be interested in returning as a staff member. As movement techniques began to evolve, Bob realized it might be a good time to learn these new methods in order to remain current and effective as an instructor.
Around the same time, a student had joined the Bushwackers in 1993; several friends traveled throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania to support him in DCA contests over that summer. Bob enjoyed “Sunday In The Park” and how the 1993 program was not only innovative and fresh, but remarkably well executed for a corps that only rehearsed on weekends. Bob attended the 1994 Bush Open House at Harrison High School; after leaving for the winter, Bob returned ready for the Friday night rehearsal at Tri-Chem in Harrison, NJ on Memorial Day weekend.
Bob marched soprano with The Bushwackers in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2004. He also assisted Jay Morlot with administrative activities from 1999 until 2008. Bob returned to the corps in 2011 to assist Bob Gupta when he became the corps director. Whether it was collecting dues, arranging rides, recruiting at band shows, recruiting over the phone, driving members to shows and rehearsals from Massachusetts, northwest Pennsylvania, and hundreds of points in between, driving equipment trucks and trailers, hauling pit equipment, and possibly a dozen other activities, Bob did whatever the corps needed.
It is with great pride we welcome Bob Kidd into the Bushwackers Hall of Fame.
Bob marched soprano with The Bushwackers in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2004. He also assisted Jay Morlot with administrative activities from 1999 until 2008. Bob returned to the corps in 2011 to assist Bob Gupta when he became the corps director. Whether it was collecting dues, arranging rides, recruiting at band shows, recruiting over the phone, driving members to shows and rehearsals from Massachusetts, northwest Pennsylvania, and hundreds of points in between, driving equipment trucks and trailers, hauling pit equipment, and possibly a dozen other activities, Bob did whatever the corps needed.
It is with great pride we welcome Bob Kidd into the Bushwackers Hall of Fame.