From the Lancraft archives November 29,1990
From the New Haven Register newspaper, "Daniel M. English, world champion rudimental snare drummer since 1928, died early today (April 14, 1931) in St. Raphael's Hospital after a five week illness of heart disease. He was 28 years of age and left his parents and younger brother, Jim English". (Also a member of Lancraft, and active of the C.F.D.A. executive committee in the 1930's.)
Thus ended a fabulous but too short career in the world of rudimental drumming. Dan joined Lancraft in 1918 and became Drum Sergeant when he won the Connecticut snare drumming title in 1925, continuing in 1926, '27 & '28. He won the North East States, the U.S. National Championship at Brooklyn, New York in 1930, and previously the world title at Naugatuck in 1928.
We know little of Dan's early years except that he was Captain of the Hillhouse High School basketball team in 1918 or 1919. Dan's drum instructor was J. Burns Moore, nationally prominent drummer and instructor, and long time percussionist with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra.
Dan was both player and instructor with the Yale Band when Rudy Valle attended Yale during the 1920's. He taught the many drummers with St. Francis School Drum Corps, was instructor for both the New Haven & West Haven Institutes of Music and their drum corps, and had many private students.
In preparation for each annual C.F.D.A. convention in August, Dan accellerated drum practice on rubber pads to 3 hours a day, 7 days a week. Remember he was already instructing or playing in 5 other organizations- a man of perpetual motion with drum sticks!
Dan was very active in Lancraft events, especially the annual Old Timers Night. He conducted prolific correspondence with the Ludwig Drum Co. of Chicago, with C.F.D.A. officers, and with the famous Gus Moeller in New York. Our letter records show that Gus was fascinated with Dan's drumming style and ability, and learned all he could in many personal contacts. In September 1930, Dan hosted Gus in New Haven when he drummed every step from Madison Square Garden N.Y., to Boston Armory, 248 miles in 11 days at age 53 for the opening of the American Legion National Convention!
In Dan's memory a stunning trophy was presented by Lancraft at the August 1932 State Convention in Meriden Connecticut. The inscription is verbatim as follows:
DAN ENGLISH TROPHY
AWARDED BY
LANCRAFT FIFE & DRUM CORPS
FOR INDIVIDUAL SNARE DRUMMING
SENIOR CLASS
Dan English Trophy Winners
Photo taken November 29 ,1990
Left to Right Front: Art Gomperts(son of James Gomperts, first winner of the trophy)Bob Redican, Howard Kenealy, Hugh Quigley, Tom Grandel, Dan Toscano.
Rear: Eldrick Arsenault (brother of Frank Arsenault) Nate Marks, Jack Tencza, Bill Rotella, Cliff Barrows, Brad Fairchild, Jim Clark, Paul Cormier, and Stan Trybus(Family member of Sigmund Trybus)
Hugh Quigley presenting Bill Rotella with his certificate
The Dan English Trophy was retired to Lancraft Hall in 1988.