Stephen Quadagnino's dream of being a part of the Preston Scout House Band of Canada lay dormant and unacknowledged for at least 37 years.

Quadagnino brought an end to his drum and bugle corps days in 1972 so he could raise a family with his wife, Carol. He sold his horn and closed that chapter of his life.

During Warren County's Fourth of July celebration this past July, however, the bugle called and Steve answered.

Steve looks back less than six months ago to the Independence Day celebration with excitement. Just days before the holiday, he saw an ad in the Times Observer stating that the Preston Scout House Alumni Band would be performing in the Warren parade and at Betts Park.

"I thought, cool. They're coming to Warren," he said. His family made plans to attend the performance at Betts Park.

During the performance, he became fully aware of the reverie he held for the Preston Scout House Band and a dream that he had never really acknowledged. The opportunity to do something about it presented itself when, to his amazement, he recognized a couple of the current players from another time and an altogether different bugle band. Steve struck up a conversation and old friendships and rivalries quickly became opportunities. The members of the Scout House Band invited Steve to come to another show with them in Lewisburg and to practice there with them.

For Steve this offer was monumental. The Scout House Band was famous for its unique performance and parade choreography. He wasn't sure if he could do it. The band had a history and was highly respected and he felt uncertain as to whether he could live up to the standards of the band.

Started in 1938, The Preston Scout House Band spent ten years undefeated against all other competition. Everyone involved in a drum and bugle corps knew about the Scout House Band and its history. The band had a unique style of marching and choreography for is performances. Steve dubbed them the New York Yankees of drum and bugle corps.

Considering their offer, Quadagnino was catapulted back 46 years to his first drum and bugle corps experience. He joined the Statesmen Junior Drum and Bugle Corps in 1963 in Rochester, N.Y., and after three years, moved on to the Rochester Crusader Senior Drum and Bugle Corps where he stayed until 1972. Throughout his years, Quadagnino had opportunities to compete against other bands. Regardless of the rivalries, friendships were forged and clearly they remained.

"The Scout House Band was the band everyone wanted to beat," he said. "But that was the corps I always wanted to be with." He had so many good memories of the past. He wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to create new memories and new friends.

"The level of excitement was unbelievable. The music, the sounds, the encouragement and the endorsement that this group provided made me think this is something I'd like to do," Quadagnino said. He quickly agreed to attend the show and try a practice with them. In the meantime, only his wife Carol really knew that he was getting involved again. He borrowed his grandson's trumpet and starting learning the art of the instrument all over again. He attended the Lewisburg show. Before the day was over, they had asked him to join and he reopened a chapter of his life that he never believed he would ever revisit. Steve was now a member of The Preston Scout House Band.

Accepting their offer required making a commitment to attend the practices, which are held in Canada every Thursday. He also practiced at least one hour each day, sometimes more, listening to music, playing the music or watching the choreography of the show. Steve and Carol continued to keep Steve's involvement a secret. He knew this would have a profound effect on his family.

The Quadagninos have been involved in drum and bugle corps for years. His father was a lawyer who worked with many of the corps in New York State. His sister and brother played in the Rochester, N.Y., corps, and his brother is still involved. His wife had been in the Hamburg, N.Y., corps, and continues to play locally when she can. Both of his children were players and eventually drum majors for the Warren Area High School band. They both continued on to their own drum and bugle bands in college, as well. For the Quadagninos, attending drum and bugle performances and competitions was nothing new.

So when the Scout House Band was scheduled to appear as a guest performance for one of their larger shows, The Drum Corps International, held in Buffalo, N.Y., Steve knew his family would be there.

For Steve and Carol, keeping Steve's secret was not difficult. But finding excuses as to why Steve wasn't in his seat during the performances leading up to the Scout House Band was very difficult. His family knew something was wrong when the Scout House Band came on the field and he still wasn't in his seat. They knew he'd never miss a performance. Luckily for Carol, she no longer had to make excuses. When the band hit the field, she pointed to the 40 yard line and there stood Steve right along with the other members of the band, uniform-clad and ready to perform. His family was incredulous.

Steve recalls the day with emotion. "That was a red letter day. I didn't know what to expect when I started this. I didn't know what would happen." When the performance was over, his family was enthusiastic and emotional, but no one more so than Steve.

"My father said the same thing to me that day as he had on so many other occasions in the corps. He said 'Keep it up. Play like a champion.' I couldn't believe it. He remembered after all those years."

The support and encouragement he receives from his family and the band itself provides a great source of inspiration for him. He looks forward to February when the band resumes practice and the upcoming performances. He is hopeful that one of those performances will be here in Warren, as part of the line-up in Warren's Fourth of July parade.

Steve still struggles to believe that he is a member of the Preston Scout House Band. In less than six months he went from a spectator to an active member who contributes 100 percent. His excitement is tempered by feelings more profound.

"I feel proud. It makes me feel like I have a sense of accomplishment. To me it's a privilege," he said.