A new patriotic CD will benefit the Salvation Army and feature performances by the Madison Scouts, Phantom Regiment and Empire Statesmen. The disk, "Marching For Freedom," also includes songs from major college bands like the University of Iowa and UCLA as well as charts from the Salvation Army's musical units.

"We chose the Salvation Army as the beneficiary because they are a 365-day, round-the-clock service organization (that) happens to have a significant history of music education," said Jeff Harvey, CD producer. The Salvation Army works in more than 100 countries with 14,000 corps centres that offer a wide range of social, medical, educational and other community services, including help for the homeless, care for elderly people, education and counseling.

"They have become increasingly excited about the project since we began working on it six months ago," Harvey said. Harvey's independent, Internet-based record label, Emphatic Music, works to spotlight unique musical artists that aren't in the limelight. He marched in the Largo Band of Gold under the direction of the late Robert Cotter, an instructor for Jersey Joes and the Skokie Indians as well as the founder of Suncoast Sound.

The CD includes You'll Never Walk Alone by the Scouts and Amazing Grace performed by Phantom Regiment.

"Both Madison and Phantom have recorded gorgeous horn chorales," Harvey said. "They are emotional, spiritual moments. Empire Statesmen's '91 championship show had a hard-hitting medley of Glenn Miller tunes, including American Patrol, which certainly conjures up it's own images." Madison Scouts Director Scott Stewart said he was happy to support the project.

"I'm a firm believer that if people help each other the world will be a better place," Stewart said. "In this case, it was simply a matter where all we had to do was allow our recordings and logos to be used and it helps out a great cause."

Harvey said the project is his way of helping a charity that has been strapped since the terrorist attacks on America on September 11.

"Shortly after the 9/11 tragedy," Harvey said, "the public cried out with a renewed sense of patriotism, hungry for tangible reminders: flags, music, whatever rekindled the American spirit. I visited several music retailers and learned that there was an absolute run on patriotic recordings. The store couldn't keep their shelves stocked. Unfortunately, there was little available to display other than some major label offerings, mostly titles over 10 years old and nothing very exciting or timely."

The University of Delaware's Fightin' Blue Hen Marching Band performs Stars and Stripes Forever on the CD. Band director Heidi Sarver, a Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps alumnus, said the project "is a wonderful opportunity for UD band members to make a contribution through their art in the aftermath of 9/11. It was very close to home for us. I remember saying to the band after the attacks, 'how do we fit in?' You feel very small.

"So when Jeff (Harvey) contacted me, it was like a weight had been lifted. We as a band could use music to add some beauty back into the world."

Harvey said the CD could also be a good marketing tool for the drum corps activity. His goal is to sell the disk in mainstream stores and introduce fans of college marching bands to drum corps like the Scouts, Regiment and Statesmen, and vice-versa.

Harvey said he's not sure how the record will sell, but fans should not worry that their money won't actually help the Salvation Army. While some of the money from the CD sales will cover production costs and royalty fees, a significant percentage will go to the charity. That percentage will also increase as more copies are sold, Harvey said.

"The fact that this is a charitable project has concerned many people, and rightfully so," Harvey said. "There are always opportunists taking advantage of tragedy for their own gain. That's why our books are open to the Salvation Army and we will post our sales and expense figures on the web site for public review." For financial data and ordering information, visit www.MarchingForFreedom.com.