Guaranteed Notes: Memoirs of the Three Erdman Brothers & The United States Marine Band, "The President's Own"

Guaranteed Notes is a behind-the-scenes journey into the world of the famous and venerable Marine Band, “The President’s Own.” Fredric Erdman, as the band’s premier cornet soloist, provides the drumbeat throughout this journey, with Timothy Erdman as narrator. This book is filled with dramatic, delightful and humorous true stories as told by the three Erdman brothers (and others) serving simultaneously in the President’s band, two of whom served as star soloists under a very demanding, sometimes unreasonable and subsequently legendary leader, Colonel Albert F. Schoepper, pronounced SHOW-purr (1955-1972). The many fearful and sometimes electrifying moments of those days, as well as the fulfilling and often exhilarating moments of pride and joy, reveal the pressure of accomplishing a mission—followed by the elation of a mission accomplished—in what has been acclaimed as the world’s greatest symphonic concert band.

After 30 years of service and performing as its premier cornet soloist, Fredric Erdman retired from the United States Marine Band, "The President's Own," and currently resides in Arlington, VA. James Erdman retired after 20 years with the Marine Band, serving as the band's principle trombonist and soloist. He presently teaches trombone as a member of the music faculty of Lebanon Valley College and makes his home in Mt. Gretna, Pennsylvania. The book's narrator, Timothy Erdman, spent nine years in the Marine Band alongside his brothers before leaving to pursue a career in business writing. A resident of Lebanon, Pennsylvania and a former principal trumpet with The Harrisburg Syimphony, he is a free lance writer; teaches public speaking and writing at the Reading Area Community College; and conducts the Lebanon Community Concert Band.