Donald Michael Friesing

January 14, 2021 at age 94, Mr. Don Friesing passed away. Mr. Friesing was a loving family man and was so loved by family and many dear friends. Mr. Friesing was most deservedly inducted into the Drumming of Our Veterans Hall of Fame in  2018, as well as, the prestigious Drum Corps World Hall of Fame 2001.

As a child, a very young Donald performed in local pubs in his dad’s band. His drum corps drumming career started with the Joseph B. Garrity Post American Legion in 1938, followed by his playing with the Phoebe Hearst. Mr. Friesing went on to join the Raymond A. Gabarina Drum Corps (which became the N.Y. Skyliners) and was one of the infamous ‘Original’ 8 Skyliners’ snare drummers. One of Mr. Friesing’s highlights of his performing days was playing snare drum in the legendary Son’s of Liberty. sadly Mr. Friesing was the last living member of the ‘Original 8′ Skyliners’ snares and Son’s of Liberty.

Mr. Friesing excelled as an arranger and drum Instructor. His drum parts were ahead of his time. His style relied on tasty syncopation between Snares, Tenors, Cymbals and Bass, throughout his unique drum voicing to support the horn scores, and his creative use of expression. As a teacher Mr. Friesing was one of the best in the history of of Drum Corps. He was a master, teaching the Les Park, Bobby Thompson left hand grip, and his teaching style was a mix of  patience, being demanding, kindness and getting arranged and instructed the Babylon Islanders, Our Lady of Loreto, Connecticut Hurricanes, Ballantine Brewers, St. Rocco’s of NJ, St. Joseph Patron, Washington Carver, St. Ignatius, and  Blue Hornets. Mr. Friesing wss a percussion judge for the Northeastern Circuit, the Long Island Circuit, Greater New York and Eastern States Judging Associations.

Mr. Friesing was an accomplished organist. he just “loved” to perform for family and friends. I can say firsthand that in the recent times, the legendary WDCHOF’ers Tommy Martin, John Oddo along with myself (Chet Doboe), would visit Mr. Friesing over the years and he would sit at his console concert organ (with bass pedals) and just serenade us with songs from the Great American song book. He was simlpy awesome. I do believe that his keyboard experience impacted greatly on the musicality of his drumline arranging.

At the age of 92, Mr. Friesing’s last public drumming performance was at the Drumming for our Veterans benefit concert on Long Island. He performed a collage from drum solos that he wrote over the years and his performance was met with a thunderous standing ovation from a sold-out crowd. It was truly a magical moment.

As a friend and student to my mentor, I am most proud to know that throughout Mr. Friesing’s Drum Corp career,  he had a reputation of being a real gentleman. He respected everyone and was kind and extremely talented. He made such a difference in people’s lives. for that I and many others are extremely greatful. Mr. Friesing , rest in peace , the great drumline in heaven has gained another great one !

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Donald Friesing Scholarship fund