Arthur Nicholas Velarde was born on October 20,1977 at 7:17 AM at Garfield Hospital in Montery Park, CA. He was born 17 minutes after his twin brother Raymond, the youngest of four children.
His passion for music began at Magnolia Junior High when he was in the seventh grade. His first instrument was the clarinet. In the eighth grade he played the trombone. When he went to Chino High School he discovered his love for drumming. Arthur graduated from Chino High School in 1996.
From 1993 to 1997. Arthur played the bass drum for The Sound Machine of the Inland Empire Youth Band, based in the Chino/Ontario area. Throughout that time his dream was to make the Santa Clara Vanguard. He finally achieved his dream along with his twin brother Raymond. In the fall of 1997, Arthur enrolled at Riverside Community College where he played in the bassline.
Finally in 1998, through 1999, Arthur participated in the nationally acclaimed Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps where he continued his passion for music. While he participated as a bass drummer for the Vanguard, some of his achievements included: first place for the I&E Bass Ensemble in Orlando, Florida, as well as winning High Percussion at DCI Finals in 1998.
Arthur spent the off-season working for Office Max in San Jose and Montclair. One of Arthur's aspirations in life was to teach young kids the art and style of national drumming.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory: his loving mother, Frances Velarde; his stepfather, Kenny "Bummer" Monroy; an older brother, Carlos Anthony Cons and his wife Gabriela; his sister, Sylvia Diaz; his twin brother, Raymond Velarde; his nephew, Joshua; and his niece, Desirae.
The sadness felt at his loss is deep and profound for those of us who knew him. We will miss him so!
A message to Arthur from his twin brother Raymond:
All I have to say Art, is that I will always have you on my mind forever and ever till I die. I will always love you and have you in my mind and heart 27-4 bro. We really didn't get to do the things we wanted to do like live together but that's OK, wherever I plan to live, I will have you with me forever, cuz I have your skin on me which means a lot to me. There is so much more to say but I will cut it short. Live a happy and healthy life with God. I Love You Art Velarde!
Love Your Brother,
Ray Velarde
P.S. JONZ for Life!
The Burn.
When you cry it starts to come when someone dies.The pain you feel as your eyes start to swell.And the tears fill up in the well. The burn starts to choke you up. Words come out slow and shaken. You close your eyes and wonder why. That there's a burning why you cry. When Art left, it felt like hands around my throat, I couldn't talk, I couldn't see. The burn overwhelmed me. My heart is heavy. That is why You get the burn when you cry. Then you dig down deep. You cannot sleep. You toss and turn in your sheets. Awaken with sobs and wet pillowcases. You wonder aimlessly looking to the sky. You feel the burn when you cry. Art, I will miss you and I will always love you like a bro....till I see you again, take care.
- Adam Goetz, Soprano
