The
Corps was organized as a fife, drum and bugle corps, in 1927 by James R.
Case, a well-known veteran of field music. The Corps was formed by the music
minded members of Post 60, Danbury, American Legion, for the sole purpose of
recreation and to carry on the traditions of martial music. With the assistance
of other post members and commanders, a corps of 25 members was organized and
made its first appearance on Memorial Day of that year, wearing their first
uniforms of dark blue pants, white shirts, black ties, and American Legion hats.
All instruments used such as fifes, drums and bugles were purchased by the
members themselves. Charles Mead, leader, instructed the drummers at that time
of the Bethel Drum Corps. John Hyslop drilled the buglers. The Corps continued
to grow so that by 1930, with John Treadwell as business manager, a drive was
conducted which raised $2,100 for new black and white doughboy uniforms.
From
1927 to 1932 all officers of the Corps were members of
Danbury, Post 60 American Legion. In
1932 there was a reorganization of the Drum Corps whereby the Corps became a
Legion sponsored corps, allowing young men to join that were not legion members.
Willis E. Woodin was the Corps first President under the new set-up. President
Woodin served from 1932 to 1933. In 1933 William V. Cottrell was elected as
President serving from 1933 to 1935. In 1935 John Hill was elected President.
As
the early part of 1938 rolled around, the Corps was again confronted with the
task of securing new uniforms due partly to the wear and tear of the old
doughboy uniforms purchased in 1930 and the continued growth of the Corps. A
uniform committee decided to keep the black and white color scheme of the Corps,
but changed the style of the uniform to a cadet-type uniform with a short
jacket. Entering its first
competition at Middletown, New York, in 1938, the Corps walked off with 5 first
prizes in the fife, drum and bugle class. It was the start of a monopoly, for
the Corps has been winning ever since.
From
1938 to 1941 the Corps continued to grow, reaching its peak of 75 men in 1941.
In 1939, 1940, and 1941 the Color Guard won the American Legion State Color
Guard trophy known as "The Rose of New England Trophy" and became the
permanent possessor of the trophy by winning it three years in a row. In
December 1941 with the attack on Pearl Harbor, and into the early part of 1942,
the Corps was hit hard because by now some 69 men were in the service of our
country. With about 6 old timers
left, the remaining Corps officers set out to enlist every kid and others to
join the Corps in order to make appearances at Bond drives and Red Cross
appearances throughout the state.
Many
corps disbanded during 1941 and 1942, but the Legion Drum Corps kept alive, and
in July 1942 won the State Championship in a meet held in Waterbury by the
Connecticut Fifers and Drummers Association. The Corps held the State
Championship from 1942 to 1945. In 1943 the Danbury American Legion Drum Corps
and the Greenwich American Legion Drum Corps combined for the period of 1943 to
1945. The group, known as the 8th Infantry Band of the Connecticut State Guard
attached to Camp Niantic, New London, Connecticut provided the official music
for the State Guard.
In
1946 with the war over, the Corps again underwent a complete reorganization and
changed to the combination corps, which is the present day status. With the
Corps back to a strength of 50 members, the task of raising $10,000 was no easy
problem, but one that was accomplished, and in 1946 new black and white cadet
uniforms made to the specifications of the West Point Cadet
uniform were purchased, as well as black Eisenhower jacket, giving the
Drum corps complete change of uniform for different occasions. Also new drums,
fifes and trumpets secured.
In
1948 the Corps, then rehearsing in an old barn in back of the Elks, had the
opportunity of securing the former White Street School. The members completely
remodeled the old building.
In
1951 the Corps dropped American Legion sponsorship and remained on its own.
In
1955 the White Street building was sold. Immediately the Shelter Rock industrial
area was picked for a new home, and the Corps built a home that was without
equal to any other drum corps organization in the country, costing over $30,000.
In
1960 the first Tournament of Champions was held in association with the
Connecticut Yankees of Stratford. The Corps sponsored this event in Danbury
through 1964. In 1960 the corps did a commercial for Volkswagen, shown
nationally on television. 1n 1964 new fatigue shirts were purchased. These were
black and red, to be used as a second uniform. In 1965 the building on Shelter
Rock was sold to purchase new equipment and uniforms. The Catholic War Veterans
became our home.
In
1967, after many rehearsals and a great deal of effort, a recording named
"Down Main Street" was produced. In 1972 new uniforms were purchased after a
successful fund raising drive. In 1973 a second recording called "In
Concert" was produced. In 1976
preparations for the celebration of a 50th anniversary began. Raffles, smokers
and other fundraisers helped finance a trip to Disney World in Florida in 1977
where the corps marched in the afternoon parade in the magic kingdom. 90 people
traveled on that trip. A 50th
anniversary ball was held in March at the Amber Room. In 1978 a weekend to Lake
George and a trip to Washington D.C. were the highlights. Yet another set of #1
uniforms were purchased in early 1979. These uniforms were badly damaged in a
1981 rainstorm at the Barnum Festival in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
In
1983 the Corps again performed at Disney World.
In
1985, the Corps donated a memorial trophy to GADCA in memory of Earl Sturtze,
our drum instructor for many years, who passed way that year. This was repeated
in 1991 when Jesse Saunders passed away.
New
#1 uniforms were purchased for the 1987 season and a 60th anniversary trip was
taken to Washington D.C.
On
the 4th of July 1992, the Corps performed at the Ives Center and immediately was
asked to return the next year. That fall the group went to New York City to be
in the documentary of the life of Charles Ives, the famous composer from
Danbury.
It
is in this period of the early '90's that the Corps changed musical gears and
gradually replaced several of the standard military marches with more modern
pieces such as "The Phantom. Of the Opera" The Moorside march,"
"Prince of Thieves, "Virgin de la Macarena/Malaguena," "Back
to the Future." The mix of standard and modern music produced startling
results.
In
1992, the Corps took 17 first place trophies out of 23 eligible, including both
the Westchester and Dutchess County Fireman's Conventions. In 1994, the Corps
took 15 first place trophies out of 21 possible, including Connecticut, Triboro,
N. Y., and N. J. Fireman's Conventions. Other recent seasons have produced
similar results.
In
1994, James Gaboardi received 50 years of active service, being the first to
achieve that distinction.
The
spring of 1995 was highlighted by a trip to Disney World in Florida, where we
led the evening Electric light parade. In 1996 work was begun on a new
recording, which was completed in 1997, making CD's and tapes of our music
available.
New
#1 uniforms were purchased in 1997. Bob Melillo and Art Travis co-chaired the
70th anniversary celebration committee who produced this chronology, decorated 2
storefronts downtown, supplemented bullpen shirts for members, ran an
anniversary gala at the Elks Hall in April, and arranged a visit to the Empire
State Building in New York City.
In
the spring of 1997, Peter Krajc worked many hours to produce a 45-minute video,
which is a history of the Corps, complete with interviews, photography
reproduction, and the Corps on parade. It was shown on Comcast Cable T. V. many
times, and is available at the Danbury Library.
The
1997 season produced 18 wins, including the Westchester County Convention.
In
1999, the Corps began doing the Holyoke Mass. Saint Patrick's Day parade, as
well as the "Big E fair" in Springfield Mass. in October.
In
1999, Joseph Bogues achieved 50 years of active service, joining Jim Gaboardi at
that level.
In
2000, the members built a quartermaster room addition to the CWV building, under
the leadership of Frank Northrop. A great effort by all the members involved.
Bob
Melillo and John Hancock will complete 50 years of active membership in 2002, to
join Jim Gaboardi and Joe Bogues at that lofty level.
As
we enter our 75th year, the 75th anniversary committee has several events
planned, including a Carnival Cruise to Canada, a trip to the Oakdale Theater,
and another gala party.
It
is appropriate to pause at this milestone of our 75th anniversary to reflect
upon a few of the most outstanding characteristics and achievements over this 75
year period. Well more than 1,200 area boys and men have belonged to this
organization, some for a brief trial and others for an extended period. It
has taken a total effort in rehearsing, parading, competing and fund raising to
attain the high level of excellence that has been a trademark of the Corps since
1927. One can only estimate the number of miles marched and the number of
parades participated in over these many years. All of the members, both past and
present, can be extremely proud of the achievements, the prizes won and the
honors bestowed, as well an the many awards for excellence, attendance, and
years of service attained by individual members.
Our
20-Year Club, known as the "Old Reliables," has the distinction of
having 36 members that have achieved 20 years of active service in the Corp.
Currently, there are 25 men in the club and 11 deceased.
Mention
must also be made and thanks given to the Ladies Auxiliary. This group of wives,
girlfriends and daughters of members have been of tremendous service and have
been extremely generous with time and effort to aid the Corps in any way
possible.
Yes, there had been a great deal of effort over the years to achieve all that the Danbury Drum Corps has achieved. The rewards to each member have more than compensated for these efforts. Comradeship, the sense of achievement, the maintenance of standards, the joy of belonging to a successful and worthwhile organization, and enjoyable leisure time activities, are a few of the reasons we have reached 75 years of community service.