THE AUTHOR. 

As a point of interest, Dr. Harvey Berish is the first Keynote Speaker in the five-year history of
RAM Virtual Symposium to hold a Ph.D. Dr. Berish received his Doctorate in Educational
Social Psychology from the City University of New York and has participated in pageantry and
related activities for more than 40 years.

Harvey first participated as a young boy in the Bronx Jewish War Veterans Drum and Bugle
Corps (1950's), moved on to the Gunhill Post VFW drum corps in the early 60's, and joined the
Staff of the William E. Irwin Post American Legion "Bronx Kingsmen" Drum & Bugle Corps
from the Kingsbridge section of the North Bronx. The Kingsmen were State American Legion
Parade and Field Champions a number of times. Mr. William J. Hickey was Director of the
young corps, and Harvey was host and announcer at the Kingsmen's annual drum and bugle
corps competition, "Metropolitan March Time" at the Gaelic Park Irish Football Stadium for
many years. 

Later Dr. Berish became General Manager of the Nationally ranked New York Kingsmen Drum
and Bugle Corps, the first corps in the nation to feature attire with Mexican themes, large
sombreros, and sequined vests. Harvey moved to the East Bronx community and joined the staff
of the Midshipmen Drum and Bugle Corps as a Manager, they started as a Sea Scout
organization in the City Island and Westchester Square area of the Bronx and then became
independent and marched in the Metropolitan All American Circuit for a number of years. 

The Midshipmen evolved into a major corps when they affiliated with Building Service
Employees Union (local 32E) and the Knickerbocker Federal Savings and Loan Association. The
Corps became well known as The N.Y. Knickerbockers in the community and throughout the
metropolitan area. They represented New York City, the Bronx, and the Sons of Italy on major
tours. They appeared at the US Open and World Open numerous times. The corps was also
selected by Richard Nixon to lead his 2nd Inaugural Parade. 

The N.Y. Knickerbockers at one time had almost 400 kids involved. The organization was one
of the most successful inner city drum and bugle corps of their time. Harvey moved west in the
very early 70's and joined the staff of the Royal Cavaliers Youth Band VFW National Champion
Band from Van Nuys, and then joined the staff of the famous Velvet Knights Drum and Bugle
Corps of Anaheim, CA. There he assisted in 11 cross country tours with the Velvet Knights.
After earning a place among DCI World Championship Finalists with the Velvet Knights, Dr.
Berish became Director of the Velvet Knight Cadets to assure the unit of their future. 

During this time Harvey was Assistant to George Wong and the Los Angeles Chinese Imperial
Dragons Drum and Bugle Corps. Dr. Berish joined George Wong in producing the wildly
successful "Oriental Odyssey" competition, the largest drum corps show in the West for a
number of years. Harvey also served as Announcer and Coordinator of the Kingsmen
Invitational, also a huge event annually sponsored and hosted by the Anaheim Kingsmen. 

Dr. Berish has been Writer for Cadence Magazine, Eastern Review Magazine, Drum Corps
News, Drum Corps World, and an Editor of the Encyclopedia of Drum and Bugle Corps
(McGraw Hill). He also contributed material to the Congressional Record, served as Promotions
and Public Information Officer for the New York and Bronx Council for the Arts. Dr. Berish is
Founder, Editor, and publisher of The World of Pageantry band and drill team news magazine
(Originally known as "Pageantry Press"). 

Currently Harvey is still publishing World of Pageantry, and sponsors the largest and most
successful Marching Band and Pageantry competition in the State of Hawai'i (The Hawai'i
Invitational International Music festival) which has brought more than 40,000 young musicians,
color guard members, and dancers to Hawai'i in the past 19 years. Harvey is founder and sponsor
of the annual "Pageantry and Performing Arts Booster Workshop" which teaches band, corps and
pageantry support organizations to raise funds and organize effective booster clubs. He has been
a consultant to the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics (Opening Ceremonies), numerous parades and
festivals across the nation, and to Disney on a number of special projects. 

Perhaps the most versatile and accomplished scholar in the Marching Arts and Sciences, Dr.
Berish is unrivaled in the research of marching as pageantry. His work has greatly magnified the
uniquely accessible perspective of our art as American culture, and we have all benefitted,
directly or indirectly, from his contributions in our organizations. It is an exceptional privilege to
be addressed by Dr. Harvey Berish. 


Stuart Rice 
Chairman, RAM Virtual Symposium 1999

    Source: geocities.com/marchingresearch