Drums with Tod L.

T. Alan Lucia, BS, BA, M. Ed, International Studies Ancient/Contemporary Lore; Ret. CPO, U.S. Navy Band ________________________________________ T. Alan Lucia began his music career with a small town New England Drum Corp, back in 1966. Some of the basic snare drumming techniques (Rudiments) used around the world were learned back in those days. Finding that he liked the physical sounds and challenges involved with playing percussion, Alan took the next step and began a regime of private drum set (drum kit) lessons, under the tutelage of Mr. John Soroka, a one-time U.S. Army Musician. This concentration on drum kit studies was shortly enhanced when, at the age of 12, Alan joined a local variety music group, "The Goldenaires." This four-piece group performed local weddings, parties, etc., up through most of Alan's high school years. With the help of older band members and parents, a considerable amount of musical experience was gained, resulting toward the end of high school in a partial scholarship to Berklee School of Music in Boston, Mass. Opting to begin a professional music career straight out of high school, Alan bypassed the Berklee opportunity, and instead auditioned for, and won a chance to become a working musician in the U.S. Navy's Music Program. That chance was realized fully when, after attending the Armed Forces School of Music, Norfolk, VA, in 1977, he graduated "First-in-Class," and hence became assigned to work with the U.S. Naval Academy Band, Annapolis, MD., as a founding member of the Jazz/Rock group, The Electric Brigade; a group that, after thirty-plus years is still serving the musical needs of U.S. Midshipmen, and the extended Naval Community. In 1980 Alan was transferred to The Navy Band, Washington, DC, where he worked with the Full Honors Ceremonial Band, the Commander's Jazz Trio, and eventually the Jazz/Rock group, TOPSIDE. While in Washington, Alan, by then Chief Musician Lucia, regularly performed musical support for visiting Heads of State at the US State Department, the Vice President's Residence, the White House, the Pentagon, numerous Congressional Buildings, various Embassies, and Arlington National Cemetery, as well as both around the United States and in Europe.