days as a high school drum major. The band director gave it to me in my Junior year, when he appointed me the band's drum major. I was puzzled as to why he had selected me. Then, he said, "The uniform will fit. You're tall and skinny." And that was that.

Is that where the thunder comes from?

If I were a purist, I might think it destroys the tone.

The Thunderer is a very loud whistle. It's also very responsive, which makes it easier to use whistle commands for your marching band. I did not know that such commands existed until I read a book on being a drum major. I also didn't know there was a book on that subject until the band director handed it to me.

Our high school band director detested the entire marching band concept, and wouldn't have anything to do with it. He also gave me a book of marching band routines. It was up to me to get the band to perform at the halftime shows. The first year, I used the routines in that book. The second year, I designed my own routines, which were often humorous or satirical in nature. Not everyone approved of my sense of humor, but the band director just told them to talk to me.

It was a fun couple of years for me. And for our band.

when they were an essential feature on the dance floor and at parties all the way into the '80s (worn around the neck)!



(example song that utilized one)

The teachers all had those straight whistles hanging on lanyards around their necks when we went out to the soccer field.

It lives in a drawer next to my phone so when "Microsoft Technical Support" scammers call I can give them an earful.