What do these guys all have in common?...
left to right: Moonanum James, Leonard 'Red' Balaban; Steven Sondheim; Donald Trump; Les Brown; David 'Bobo' Lavorgna
Give UP?!...They ALL went to...
Steven Sondheim with his father, c. 1941
Bobo Lavorgna, Sousaphone Player, New Guy,
in front of the NYMA Band Barracks (Section 8)
New York Military Academy Band
Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY
1966-1967
"...where the noble, flowing Hudson cleaves the hills in two..."
-NYMA school song
Bobo at the Library
Cadet David Lavorgna, Cadet Cpl. Roland Moonanum James (Bo's roomate), Calvin Fenton, librarian
'Rupe
Captain Everett Diefendorf Rupert, US Army (retired) and Band Director, NYMA
"The French horns sound flatter than piss on a platter!"
In Concert
ALUMNI OF DISTINCTION
This is the Academy's highest honor and is given to an alumnus "in recognition of success or renown in a particular field of endeavor whose accomplishments have reflected creditably upon himself and the personnel or institutions associated with him".
Brigadier General Nelson Dingley III, U. S. Army, D.Sc., Class of 1910 NYMA's Fifth Superintendent 1951-1961 First alumnus to become Superintendent
Maj. Gen. Robert B. McClure, U.S. Army, Class of 1915 Heroic Combat Leader, WWI, WWII, Korean Conflict Cadet First Captain 1915
Lester R. "Les" Brown, Class of 1932 Musician, Composer, Arranger, Conductor of "The Band of Renown" NYMA Head Boy (Valedictorian)
Leonard B. Smith, Class of 1933 Composer, Musician, Founder and Conductor of the Detroit Concert Band
Fairleigh S. Dickinson, Jr., Class of 1937 President, Becton-Dickinson & Company, New Jersey State Senator, Former NYMA Trustee
Colonel (NYMA) Anthony F. "Ace" Castellano, Class of 1943 Deputy Superintendent, Commandant, Tactical Officer
John A. "Johnny" Mandel, Class of 1944 Composer-Arranger-Musician Academy Award Winner
Stephen Sondheim, Class of 1946 Writer - Composer - Musician Pulitzer Prize Winner
Leonard "Red" Balaban, Sondheim classmate Writer, Composer, Musician, Band Leader, Humorist, Dancer, Singer, Entrepreneur, Restaurateur
Moonanum James, co-leader of the United American Indians of New England and spokesperson for the International ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War & End Racism) coalition
David Michael "Bobo" Lavorgna Musician, Artist, Writer, Actor, Bottle Washer, Humorist
Donald J. Trump, Class of 1964 Chairman and President, The Trump Organization
