What do a Connecticut Superior Court judge, a professor at Suffolk University in Boston and a sports public address announcer have in common? They're members of the band The NLHS Wailers (not Whalers), a group of 1972 New London High School graduates who will be performing for their former classmates at their upcoming 50th high school reunion.

Until their first rehearsal, most members of the group hadn't spoken or seen each other since the night of their graduation five decades ago.

Members of the group include lead guitarist (and flute soloist), the Hon. Carl Schuman from West Hartford, who presides over Superior Court in Waterbury. Judge Schuman is a well-rounded musician. In addition to performing with The Wailers, he plays saxophone in the Governor's Foot Guard Band and guitar with The Benchwarmers (made up entirely of judges) and Duke and the Esoterics.

On bass guitar is Quaker Hill resident Bob "The Bass Man" Bradshaw. Bob, after working 39 years as a designer at Electric Boat, has retired to become a master gardener -- and is one of the very few individuals in Connecticut growing Pawpaws -- a long forgotten indigenous fruit. Bob is the "ringer" in the band, as he plays in the local, professional trio 3 Timers.

On keyboard, is Dr. Peter Rivard, Ph.D, who now resides in Boston. After a very successful career in health care management, Dr. Rivard changed paths and brought his skill and experience to Suffolk University in Boston, where he is a Professor of Healthcare Administration. Trained as a classical pianist, (he plays woodwinds also) Peter can be found in and around Boston, playing for various Contra Dancing and English Country Dancing groups.

On percussion is Colchester resident Steve Mednick. A retired mechanical engineer, Steve designed and managed steam generation plants for General Electric. Steve now spends his time traveling, playing pickleball, perfecting his golf game (not quite yet) and "enjoying life.“ Before joining the group, Steve hadn't played drums in 45 years, but remarkably he hasn't missed a beat!

Lead singer is Lance Reiser. Living in West Hartford, Lance utilizes his "pipes" as a public address announcer for Hartford Athletic, UConn, Yale University, and the University of Hartford, calling games throughout Connecticut. He says singing 1960s and ’70s pop music for the reunion "is new and challenging" as he is more accustomed to leading services at his synagogue or performing Broadway tunes at Senior Residential Communities.

Featured singers at the reunion will be Nancy (Capozza) Patti and Karen (Aimetti) Edgar.

Nancy lives in East Lyme and is retired from a career teaching on the university level and in educational consulting. An All-State singer in high school, she has also sung with the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus and several a capella groups.

Karen lives in Waterford and is a retired registrar from Lawrence + Memorial Hospital. She plays a mean acoustic guitar and writes her own music. Local Senior Community residents would recognize her as Chee Chee the Clown.

The band will be performing tunes such as "Those Were the Days," "Under the Boardwalk," "Margaritaville" and "Can't Help Falling in Love." Nancy will sing a Linda Ronstadt medley, and Karen will sing some Mamas and Papas and a Burt Bacharach duet with Lance.

The New London High School Class of 1972’s 50th reunion will take place Aug. 5 at Langley's Restaurant at the Great Neck Country Club in Waterford.

For additional information contact Lance Reiser via email or phone at (860) 978-4969.