forms of were copies of British items issued to American troops once overseas. This pattern all-white was worn by the Boys of 76, Post No. 76 of Racine, WI. They were American Legion National Champions in 1922, 1923, 1924 and 1925. The same uniform, but with a white , was worn by the Harvey W. Seeds Post No. 29 of Miami, FL; they were the Legion’s National Champion in 1927, 1928, 1930 and 1931.

s These two corps not only made their style s Chapter 5 of uniform the most popular (if you wanted by Ron Da Silva your drum corps or color guard to look like a r r national champion), but also helped make it a A drum and bugle corps’ appeal is 50 symbol of the American Legion as well as its percent musical and 50 percent visual. The drum corps. o o musical half can be divided between the horn The Commonwealth Edison Post No. 118 l l and drum lines, while the visual half, or how of Chicago, IL, also wore the same white a corps looks, can be divided between what uniform, but with white “mountie” . the corps wears (uniform and corps colors) They won the Legion national title in 1936, o o and how they march (drill and movement). 1940 and 1941. By that time, however, most While most people don’t remember drills, corps, junior and senior, favored an authentic

c everyone remembers a corps’ uniform, West Point Cadet style. c whether in a positive or negative way. The Gray Iron Casting Co. of Mount Joy,

Modern drum corps had their PA, produced two versions of a toy soldier start in the early 1920s, just after World War “Legion” drum major, drummer and bugler. I, with the drum and bugle corps of the The first version had slight bodies and is d d American Legion. , with its believed to have been produced in 1933. A trench warfare and stalemate, produced some second version, with robust bodies and bent of the worst conditions soldiers ever had to knees, came out in the late 1930s. n n fight in and live under. Both these cast iron drum corps, as well Uniforms were mud-colored grays, drabs as all of the Gray Iron Company’s men, were

a or khaki and usually were wet and dirty. So painted khaki, except for their WWI , a it’s not surprising to find the veterans of that which were painted bright silver.

horrible war wearing some of the brightest The Barclay Manufacturing Co. of West and cleanest looking uniforms ever seen on a New York, NJ, manufactured hollow-cast toy s

s parade ground. soldiers in lead, similar to Gray Iron. Their The most popular look of the 1920s was figures had separately cast tin helmets and, the Army officer style. This modern uniform while they also painted their soldiers in was basically a U.S. Army version of a British khaki, they left their tiny helmets bright officer’s service uniform. metal, very similar to the American Legion’s m m It consisted of a () with the real helmets. new open collar and turned down For the 1937 American Legion National r r lapels, worn with a dress and Convention in New York City, the Barclay Co. tie. Over this was worn a leather produced a larger scale marching Legionnaire “Sam Brown” sword . and a Legionnaire color bearer with a silk o o were jodhpur-style U.S. flag. These figures had overseas and riding , cut full from the straight trousers and are known to have been f f hips and close fitting from the produced in 13 different color combinations, i i knee. These were tucked into from the regulation Legion blue to scarlet officer’s pattern riding and and cream or maroon and light gray. leather . It is believed these various colored n n While the official American uniforms represented different American Legion headgear was the overseas Legion Posts or their color guards and drum , most Legion parade uniforms corps. Both these companies also produced featured a chromed or nickel- West Point Cadets painted all white with red U U plated version of the M1917 or blue trim and cross-belts, in addition to trench helmet. Both of these ( to bottom) (photo from the Bcoolylesc otifo n7 6o, f 1R9o2b2 ert Zinko/American Legion archives) ; An American Legion bugler from “Ludwig Bugle Manual, circa 1930s (from the collection of Ron Da Silva); Connecticut Y(Ranokbeerts Z, inko) Stratford, CT, 1952 (Walter ; HEromlye Nl faromme tChaed ceotslle, c1t9io5n8 of Ron Da Silva) ; (right) an original set of Gray Iron and Barclay toy soldiers from the 1930s, restored( pahnod to from rtheep acionltleedc tbioyn t hoef Raounth Dora Silva) . 42 their “Cadet Gray” versions. popular, certain corps had a look all their Cleveland, OH, eight of the top 12 finalists Today, collectors call these soldiers “Dime own. Capital Post No. 9 of Salem, OR, must wore West Point-style uniforms, complete Stores” because they were sold nationwide at have been fans of actor/director Eric Von with tailed and double cross-belts. all the major five- and ten-cent stores. Stroheim; photos at the time show the corps The Stratford, CT, Post No. 42 (see photo I have found old figures of drummers, in two very Germanic-looking uniforms. One on previous page) wore one of the more buglers and flag bearers repainted in a variety photo in which they are displaying their 1932 classic versions of the West Point uniform. It of colors. These were probably on display at American Legion National Champion flag consisted of a white trimmed in black their posts or with their trophies. These shows the corps dressed in a Prussian-style patent leather, white over black plumes and a uniforms with a black, full-dress, tailed with seven rows peaked caps and of white braid ending in trefoils and ball lancer over buttons. white trousers. Over this they wore double-cross belts and Another group a belt. White trousers and photo showed the completed the uniform. Later known as the corps dressed in a Connecticut Yankees, the corps would wear very elaborate hussar this uniform unchanged for more than 30 uniform, complete years before modifying it in the 1960s. They with a second then did away with the double-cross belts, fur-trimmed , replacing them with a single cross belt and a called a , red satin waist . slung from their left A few junior corps, like the Bronx, NY, shoulder. These Kingsmen and the Emerald Cadets of New were worn over Haven, CT, were still wearing cadet uniforms riding breeches and with double-cross belts into the mid-1960s. boots. The Silver Sabres of Salina, KS, wore an The corps’ authentic-style West Point uniform, similar headgear was a short to the original Connecticut Yankee version, shako that had a into the 1970s. (photo from the collection of Ron Da Silva). brush A scene from Busby Berkeley’s “Gold Diggers of 1937” plume on three-inch tall toy soldiers show how the right side and a busby bag on popular American Legion and VFW the left. In this uniform, they convention parades and contests were looked more like hussars of the between the two world wars. Today, these Austro-Hungarian Empire than figures are being recast or reproduced from American Legionnaires. original molds for collectors. The Green Trojan Post No. 318 When film director and choreographer of Greenburg, PA, state champions Busby Berkeley had an all-chorus-girl drum in 1933 and 1934, wore the corps and color guard in his “Gold Diggers of officer-style uniform topped off 1937” musical, they were wearing abbreviated with authentic Italian Bersaglieri all-white Legion uniforms complete with tin (sharpshooters) hats in black with helmets. Their drum major, actress Joan a hanging plume of rooster Blondell, wore a tall shako typical of the era. tail-feathers. Even their drill movements were taken from While some Legion drum corps Legion drum corps drills of the time. adopted foreign-looking uniforms (photo by Moe Knox While the Army officer or Legion style was or headgear, all were modern, with Tfrohme Sthileve cro Slleacbtrieosn, oSfa lina, KS, at the 196).8 VFW Nationals many patterned after the dress Drum Corps World uniforms of World War I. The once colorful and fancy uniforms worn by brass , Zouave drill teams, National Guard and State Militia units were now considered old-fashioned. A new corps or a corps on a budget could wear a simple and tie over trousers with a side stripe and top it off with an overseas cap or tin helmet and look very neat and military. By the mid-1930s, the West Point Cadet- style uniform (right) was just as popular as the Army officer style. The Cadets’ tarbucket shako and double cross-belts were adopted at West Point, NY, at the turn of the century to help commemorate the U.S. Military Academy’s centennial in 1902. While the uniform was very traditional, it was simpler in many details than the parade dress uniforms worn by some elite units of the State Militia and National Guard, whose uniforms were heavy, with dress cords, tassels and large fringed epaulets. The U.S. Military Academy at West Point has a simp(lUer.,N c. adet- A cartoon making fun of( fBroomys thoef 7c6o’slle cchtiroonm oef hReolmn eDtas, Suislvead) . into At the 1936 American Legion Nationals in psthyoleto u bnyif oJromh no fItseana co fproiemd tbhye dcroulmlec atinodn bouf gRleo nc oDrap sS ilva). the 1950s by the corps 43 From the late 1920s known today simply as The Cadets. They are through World War II and one of the most progressive and innovative into the 1950s, U.S. Army corps of all time. And, while they have officers did not wear the abandoned many of the traditional aspects of same olive-drab uniforms as both drum corps and color guard, The Cadets enlisted men. Their service still have their musicians and drum majors dress coats were a darker (Lpohgoatno Sfroqmua rthee S coonlsle cotfi othne o Af mBoebri cBaenl laLRegoisoan/, Chicago, IL, 19)5. 1 at the state competition wearing the classic West Point-style uniforms olive-drab that became a Eastern Review adopted by the Holy Name Cadets in 1939. dark brown shade. The most famous West Point Cadet-style Besides the traditional West Point styles, Officers’ riding breeches and, later, uniform worn by a drum and bugle corps was many corps adopted modified cadet styles trousers were a much lighter shade, the maroon and white uniform with gold from the 1940s onward. Some patterns did authorized as optional for dress uniforms. satin sash and tassels worn by the Holy Name away with the rows of braid ending in trefoils These trousers, called “pinks,” were popular Cadets of Garfield, NJ. The Cadets were not or frogs in favor of a plain, double-breasted with the officer corps and could range in the first or only junior corps to wear West jacket with two rows of buttons. color from tan to grayish beige. The term Point uniforms or to call themselves cadets. Others had a turned back lapel in a “pinks” came from the fox hunting horsey set It was very common for Catholic contrasting color or a lancer-style breast and would find its way into drum corps and Church-sponsored junior corps to run their front. Wide cross-belts and waist were band uniforms of the 1940s. units as a paramilitary cadet corps with both often integral to the jacket, being attached or Corps in staff and corps members wearing military permanently sewn to the garment. Various military jackets rank and uniform. In the 1930s and 1940s, designs on collars and cuffs, as well as of dark brown, this was also the case with many of maroon or the junior corps sponsored by the hunter green American Legion and VFW. worn over While the Holy Name Cadets trousers of tan, weren’t that unique for a junior corps beige or light of the 1940s since most corps had a gray became military image, they were a cut above fashionable. -- not only for their smart appearance The and military bearing, but also for Irvington, NJ, their winning performances. The Sons of the Cadets won many local contests and American state titles and were the American Legion Legion national champions in 1940, Squadron No. 1948, 1949 and 1950. 16 wore After losing the sponsorship of the (photo by David Rice from the collection of maroon cadet Church of the Most Holy Name, the New York Sk)y. liners, 1994 Drum jackets with corps reorganized as the Garfield Corps World double Cadets in 1958 and wore a uniform of black emblems and shoulder sleeve patches, gave a cross-belts over Aussie hats, white golf , white corps a sense of identity and esprit de corps . light gray and knee . In 1959, the Cadets appeared The Raymond A. Garbarina Post No. 1523 Harvey Seeds Post, Miami, FL, at the trousers. A at contests in their traditional maroon of New York City wore a classic example of a 1925 Americ(apnh oLteog iforonm c othnev ecnotliloenc tiinon similar and tall white plumes, white satin shirts and modified cadet-style uniform. Adopted in Oofm Raohbae,r Nt ZEi nko/American Legion archives). uniform, but white trousers with maroon trim. 1948, the uniform consisted of a white pearl with red cadet Finally, in 1960, the Cadets returned to shako with a bright red plume, a double- jackets and gray trousers, was worn by the their familiar maroon and white West Point breasted jacket in scarlet with black cuffs and Logan Square SAL Corps of Chicago, IL. jackets and gold sashes. The corps continued shoulder straps and black and gold braid The Bracken Cadets of Robert W. Bracken to win contests, including 10 American decoration on the front as well as the collar Post No. 382 of Bristol, PA, wore a cadet Legion National Championships and eight and sleeves. uniform with brown jackets trimmed in Drum Corps International World The black sash was integral to the jacket orange over tan trousers. Championships, including one tie. and had scarlet and black drops and tassels. The American Legion senior corps of After being called the Cadets of Bergen A white cross-belt and white citation cords Hershey, PA, called themselves the County from 1989 to 1998, the corps is highlighted the jacket. While the cross-belt Chocolatiers and described had no breastplate, the waist sash had a large their cadet uniforms as round chrome plate. An American Legion having dark chocolate insignia were affixed to the eagle on their brown jackets and cocoa shakos and the waist plate. A large American tan trousers with white Legion patch was worn on the left shoulder and silver trim. Besides sleeve. Trousers were black with a red stripe being a popular color trimmed in gold. White shoes and gloves combination for military completed the uniform. uniforms, dark brown, tan The same uniform, stitch for stitch, was and silver were the worn by the New York state junior corporate colors of the champions of Sheridan American Legion Post Hershey Chocolate Co. (Above) in Brooklyn, NY. Where Garbarina had After the loss of While subdued colors church sponsorship, the scarlet and black, Sheridan had orange and were popular during and Garfield Cadets had a dark blue (the New York City colors). differe(npth lootook b fyo rS tmwoith s efraosm ons, just after World War II, 1th9e5 9co llection of Bob After Sheridan disbanded, their uniforms brighter colored jackets BellaRosa/ ); were sold to St. Joseph’s Cadets, an up and over white or black (right) Eastern Review coming junior corps from Newark, NJ. (photo Gfraormfie tlhde C caodlletcst,i o1n9 5o8f trousers were just as Bob BellaRosa/ The Most Precious Blood Crusaders of popular. ). Eastern Boston, MA, would also copy the Garbarina Review 44 would adopt green, black and white uniforms and would be known as the Chicago Cavaliers. Ike jackets were usually worn with a dress shirt and tie or ascot. Some Canadian corps wore them with turtlenecks or even full . These GI jackets and overseas caps were also worn by the staffs of many corps in the post-World War II era. This was under the influence of the American Legion and VFW, when most of a corps’ staff and instructors were war veterans themselves. (photo by Ron Walloch from the The last major competing corps Mcoalldeicstoionn S ocfo uts, 1983 ) Drum Corps World Our Lad(yp hoof tLoo breyt tRoo, n1 9D6a0 ,S iinlv saa).tin . In 1961, the corps got Skyliner-style to wear Ike jackets was the Madison jackets Scouts of Wisconsin. In 1983, the shako and a white plume over white trousers Skyliners’ uniform, but in crimson and black, Scouts wore white brush hats and Ike jackets and shoes. with black and white trimmings. Most over dark green trousers. In 1985, they Satin pullover shirts or buttoned blouses Precious Blood would go on to become reversed the colors by wearing dark green Ike were not new. They have been in band today’s Boston Crusaders, who still wear a jackets over white trousers. With both uniform catalogs since the late 1900s as uniform similar to their original one. uniforms they wore a mint green Army shirt novelty styles. The wide-collared gaucho Finally, in 1962, Our Lady of Loretto with a bright red tie. shirt or band-collared Cossack shirt were Knights of Brooklyn, NY, adopted cadet Satin shirts both made popular by silent film star jackets, again identical to the Skyliners’ only While the classic West Point and modified Rudolph Valentino. in bright orange and black. To help pay for cadet styles were the most popular for both While St. Vincent’s Cadets returned to these expensive uniforms, older members of junior and senior corps from the late 1930s wearing a military jacket in the early 1950s, the Knights formed a “Vampire Club,” selling to the mid-1970s, the expense of a shako and two other New corps would make the their blood to private blood banks -- so great plume, cadet jacket, trousers and accessories gaucho shirt the thing to wear for winning was the appeal of this smart-looking uniform. could be cost prohibitive. drum corps in the 1950s. They were the Coincidentally, all these corps -- the New While shakos and trousers could be stock Hawthorne Post No. 199 Caballeros, which York Skyliners, St. Joseph’s Cadets, Loretto items or even military surplus, unique cadet were the senior American Legion national Knights and the Boston Crusaders -- were jackets were always a custom-designed and champions in 1951, 1953, 1954, 1958 and known for their powerhouse horn lines. made-to-measure item. The custom tailoring 1959, and the Blessed Sacrament Golden The last popular style of drum corps and fancy details not only made them Knights of Newark, NJ, who were the junior uniform inspired by a major war and its expensive, but also difficult to replace. American Legion title holders in 1954, 1955, veterans was the “Ike” or Eisenhower 1956, 1958 and 1959. jacket. Officially known as the wool By the late 1950s, most junior Field Jacket M1944, it was an corps and some senior corps were American copy of the ’s wearing satin shirts or blouses with wool battle dress. contrasting colored waist sashes. American officers could wear the All the Philadelphia area’s top regulation style with fly front and corps, including Archer-Epler, Reilly buttoned cuffs, or a cut down version Raiders, Liberty Bell and Bracken of their dress coat, with brass buttons had given up their elaborate military and sleeve braid. This was the pattern tailed coats or for pullover used in drum corps and color guard satin shirts. However, these were uniforms. (Above) (photo by Walter Ermel from the not the simple patterns worn in collectionH oafm Rilotonn DPao sSti lsvean);i o(br ecloorwps) , Baltimore, MD, 1952 (photo by Walter Ike jackets were usually worn with Ermel from the collection of Ron Da SLiitltvlea )F. lowers, Baltimore, MD, 1957 most of the country. These corps an overseas cap or bush . A very had shirts just as fancy as their old neat version of this GI-style uniform military coats, with contrasting was worn by both the senior and junior colors and cuffs, braid trim, wide SAL drum corps of the Hamilton Post multi-striped cross-bands and No. 20 from Baltimore, MD. The attached waist sashes. uniform consisted of an all-white GI In the Midwest, a few corps had overseas cap, Ike jacket and trousers split-colored shirts, divided with gold trim. The same uniform but diagonally, or had their left sleeve in with sky blue jackets was worn by the a contrasting color. This was an era Little Flower junior corps, also from when bugle arrangements required Baltimore. The Little Flowers were the only one hand on the horn, while Maryland State Open champion. In the post-World War II era, some junior the left hand was swung high. Ike jackets with plumed shakos were also corps started wearing plain satin shirts and The Belleville Black Knights of Illinois worn, but were not as popular. The only waist sashes with tall shakos and plumes. St. always wore black uniforms with a white left major corps to wear that combination was Vincent’s Cadets of Bayonne, NJ, seems to sleeve -- with satin shirts in the 1950s, cadet the Red Jackets Senior Corps of Sharvin Post have been the first corps to win a national jackets in the 1960s and with very fancy No. 397 in North Chicago, IL. championship in such a simple uniform. A jackets and horse guard helmets in the 1970s. Another Chicago corps would make its group photo of them taken after winning the With so many corps wearing satin shirts, first appearances in second-hand blue and red 1946 junior VFW national title shows them they became known as “corps-style” blouses Ike jackets and shakos during the 1951 wearing solid kelly green shirts, gold waist and took on many unique patterns and contest season. The following year they sashes with two drops and tassels, a tall white variations. Some looked like Renaissance 45 Scouts gave up their inspired by British Explorer greens and Colonial styles. It Scout khaki for featured a white modified cadet styles. pith helmet with a Madison wore a very red plume worn military “British on the side and Riflemen” green dark blue , while Racine shirts and opted for a bright royal trousers with blue jacket and white white cross belts (photo by Walter Ermel from the collection of Ron Da Silva). trousers with red trim. and gauntlets. St. Vincent’s Cadets, 1957 Both uniforms Their girl color liveries or racing silks, others like circus featured a large “Explorer” badge. Madison guard was known . wore them on their shakos by its blue In Canada, a military-looking shirt with a while Racine had them on short-shorts, a la high band collar was popular. The Toronto the left breast of their blue (Above) Scout House, and Optimists, De La Salle Oaklands and LaSalle jackets. (phMotaod bisyo nM oSec oKuntso,x white boots. f1r9o6m6 the collection of Cadets of Ottawa all wore this military or The Casper Troopers (left) Drum In the mid- Cossack style. still wore U.S. Cavalry Corps World);( photoR bay cine 1960s, the Racine While corps-style satin shirts were popular uniforms of the 1860s, but MScooeu Ktsn, o1x9 6fr5 om the Kilties combined collection of and colorful, they required high now with short, gold (beloDwr)u m Corps their old scarlet, maintenance. To look good and pass braided jackets and gold World()p; hoto by MTrooeo pKenros,x black and gold 1fr9o6m6 the collection of inspections, they had to be laundered and satin sashes similar to the Drum Highlander ironed after each performance. Uniform Garfield Cadets. Corps World). uniforms with a manufacturers came up with more durable So, military or newer sky blue, navy and maroon materials than satin, like double-knit cadet styles were Highland uniform to outfit a much polyester and poly-satin. back in . larger corps. This mix of uniforms They also introduced the shirt-jacket or In the 1950s had the horn line in sky blue tunics military blouse, which was a corps-style shirt and 1960s, drum and blue and maroon kilts, the with the reinforced standing collar and corps were proud drum line in scarlet tunics with epaulets of a cadet jacket. of their blue and maroon kilts and the By the mid-1960s, most top level junior cadet-style color guard in scarlet tunics with corps were again wearing West Point or uniforms and black and gold kilts. With each modified cadet jackets. A double cover of the many had section in various colors, the October 1966 issue of the Chicago-based off-season Kilties were nicknamed the “mad Drum Corps Digest showed 14 buglers from military balls. At plaid.” the top junior corps of the era. Only two of these events, male corps members wore their The Racine Scouts continued to wear their the 14 were still wearing satin shirts with uniforms, complete with gloves. Female chrome, Roman-type helmets with a crest of shakos -- the Chicago Cavaliers and the corps members or dates wore evening red plumes and were nicknamed the “chrome Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights. or cocktail . domes.” The Madison Scouts replaced their The Boston Crusaders, St. Kevin’s Features in drum corps publications of the rifle green cadet uniforms for actual cadet Emerald Knights, St. Lucy’s Cadets, St. time show male corps members getting gray uniforms once worn at the U.S. Military Joseph’s of Batavia, Blue Rock, Chicago Royal married or even buried in their uniforms. Airs, Des Plaines Vanguard and Norwood Park Uniformed honor guards of corps members Imperials were all wearing standard cadet were often used at weddings, funerals and styles. church services. Even the Madison Scouts and Racine In Wisconsin, unique and/or historical military-styled uniforms were in vogue. It seemed as if no corps in that state wanted to wear the style of another. Corps looked to history books or films for a unique look. The Spectacle City Mariners of Milwaukee became famous for their seafaring theme, which featured the corps dressed as sailors from the War of 1812. The corps was led by a drum major, nicknamed “Captain Krunch,” in a complete naval captain’s uniform of that era. The Marquis of Fond du Lac had their corps in the full dress uniforms of the French Foreign Legion, circa 1900. That uniform featured red with a white haverlock, blue tunic and red trousers -- very “Beau Geste.” (Top) (photo from thMea rcqoulliesc, tFioonn do f du Lac, WI, approxi)m; (abteoltyto 1m9) 74 (Top) (bottom) (photos The Blue Stars of La Drum Corps World (Sphpoetcota bcy le by SmBitlhe sfrsoemd Sthaec rcaomlleecnttio Gno oldf eBno bK nBigehllatsR; osa/ Chicago Ca). valiers, both taken in 1959 Crosse wore a uniform CMiotye MKanroinxe frso,m G trheee ncdoallelec,t iWonI, oafp proximately 1967 ). Eastern Review Drum Corps World 46 Academy at West Point before returning to Bridgeport, originally wore green and The Scout House style was copied by a few actual Explorer Scout uniforms again. white Ike jackets over dark green corps and trumpet bands in Quebec, most In the early 1970s, a spin-off of the and knee socks. notably Les Cadets de Shawinigan. In the Madison Scouts became the 32nd Hussars. They later adopted shakos and green Midwest, the Eau Claire Boys of Wisconsin Their uniform was, without a wore an all-white uniform with black trim doubt, the most elaborate and that was similar to the white uniform worn authentic Napoleonic era by both Scout House’s color guard and the uniform ever seen on a 1958-1959 Garfield Cadets. contest field. It consisted of a It should be remembered that many small tight jacket in sky blue and large Boy Scout drum corps could be covered with row after row of seen in short-sleeved shirts, shorts and knee gilt braid, royal blue trousers socks, which were all part of the regulation with a gold stripe and black Scout summer uniform. These uniforms shakos with large white always looked better on a youthful corps and plumes. never took hold in the ranks of senior corps. Authentic accessories such However, bush-style uniforms with long as girdle sashes, baldrics and trousers worn by the 27th Lancers of Revere, cartridge pouches completed MA, the Crossmen of Pennsylvania and the the uniform. Since the Madison Scouts. hussar is a light cavalryman, Girls’ uniforms the 32nd Hussars had their When the first girl drum majors, color (photo by Ron Da Silva from the collection of drum major and regimental Scout House, July )2. 7, 1963, at Garfield, NJ guards and guidon sections were added to color guard photographed on Drum Corps World previously all-male junior corps in the 1930s, horseback. As far as I know, the horses never trousers similar to St. Kevin’s Emerald the girls’ uniforms were usually the same marched in front of the corps. Knights of Dorchester, MA, thereby losing style as the boys’. Cadet- or lancer-style tops Bush and Scout styles their unique look. were the norm in either a two-piece jacket Since the drum corps contest season was When the St. Nicholas all-girl corps of and or one-piece military dress. in the summer months, usually from Egg Harbor, NJ, went coed in the 1970s and were long and worn with oxford shoes or Memorial Day to Labor Day, a few corps renamed themselves the Victorians, they majorette boots. during the 1950s and 1960s adopted hot adopted dark green shirts and shorts with Girl drum majors sometimes wore weather uniforms. These were often worn white brush hats and yellow neckerchiefs. As short majorette-style skirts with high when a corps had an afternoon parade the a result of keeping their old corps colors of boots. Tall white rabbit or fake fur busby hats same day as an evening contest. green, gold and white, a few people thought were also a popular item for girl drum Some corps simply substituted a short- they were a Girl Scout corps. majors. sleeved cotton shirt in place of their normal Color guards were military jacket or blouse. Others put sometimes dressed in together a completely new uniform, featuring reverse colors, so a drum a sun helmet or overseas cap, a knit polo corps with black cadet shirt or loose bowling shirt in their corps uniforms trimmed in gold colors and cotton pants or even could have their girls in shorts. gold dresses trimmed in At one very hot afternoon contest in black. Skirts on female Selden, Long Island, in 1960, St. Lucy’s corps members usually Cadets, Our Lady of Loretto Knights and the followed the fashion of the Audubon Bon Bons all competed in various time or military regulation hot weather uniforms. The judges even shed for service women. their starched khaki shirts for white T-shirts. In the 1950s, when Some corps kept these hot weather outfits hemlines were calf length, as a travel uniform. I believe both these ideas corps skirts were calf were taken from Canada’s Scout House Bugle length. In the 1960s, when Band and the Garfield Cadets, who wore a skirts became knee length (photo by Ron Da Silva from the more conservative, preppie version of Scout cSoulnledcotiwon eorfs All-Girl Corps, Dum). ont, NJ, April 21, 1972 or shorter, so did uniform House’s uniform during Drum Corps World skirts. part of the 1958 and 1959 The It wasn’t unusual to see inspection judges contest seasons. Sundowners, at color guard contests use a ruler or tape Like Scout House, a from Dumont, measure to see if uniform skirts were of few corps wore Aussie NJ, had their proper regulation length. Contests were lost hats and shorts as their corps in for skirts that were too short. By the 1970s only uniforms. This was complete mini-skirts and high boots were popular with especially popular with Australian- schoolgirls, working women and drum corps younger or coed corps. style color guard uniforms. In the mid-1960s the uniforms One of the most popular and lasting styles Connecticut Royal consisting of a was the “Princess” dress. It was fitted from Lancers of Fairfield khaki bush the waist up and had a standing military competed in many major jacket, brown collar. At the waist it flared into an A-line contests wearing white bush hats skirt. Any design or decoration could be put military shirts with navy and brown on the front since the dress fastened in the blue Aussie hats and shorts and back. Bermuda shorts. A knee socks For years, the Boston Crusaders had their neighboring corps, St. (cover photo of the November 1971 with orange girls in red Princess dresses with a large Lion i3s2snude Hofu ssar, Madison, WI, 1fr9o7m1 the collection of ). trim. Ann’s Loyalaires of Drum Corps Digest Drum Corps World Rampant in white decorating the front. 47 However, most corps title in red letters on the white. By 1965, that had girl color guards they would carry 10 American Legion title simply had them in the flags in their drill. same uniform as the corps Later, the Chicago Cavaliers would carry proper, substituting a unofficial white, green and black VFW pleated or full skirt for National Championship flags. trousers. By the 1970s, most corps carried only All-girl corps were flash flags in their drills, with the American another story. Many flag section, or real color guard, relegated to exploited their femininity a far right corner of the field to avoid getting with cute or sexy flag code penalties. Now the flash or corps uniforms, while others flags were of one design in the corps’ colors. dressed like top all-male Some had the corps insignia or monogram corps, but with skirts. on them; others were simple tricolor or solid Cute names like the color flags (usually white) with a single (photo by Ron Da Silva from the Mello-Dears, Debonnaires, cAouldleucbtioonn Boof n Bons, June 14, 1)9. 69, at Harrison, NJ corps-colored regimental stripe crossing the Bon Bons, Sweethearts, Drum Corps World flag at one point or another. Nee-Hi’s, Stardusters or Lucky Ladies added integrated into the corps’ drill patterns. In Stock flags were also used. The Yankee to their appeal. the 1940s and 1950s, junior corps that Rebels of Baltimore at times carried only Some all-girl corps took their uniforms wanted to involve more girls in their corps Confederate battle flags in their drill, while from majorette or drill team styles. Short would add guidon sections. Guidons placed the West Reading Buccaneers carried a set of skirts, short shorts, sleeveless blouses or between every squad of three or rank of six Jolly Rogers (scull and crossbones) as their dresses in satin and sequins were not was the answer. corps flag. uncommon. A corps with 36 musicians would have a Costumes as uniforms In Quebec, all-girl corps took on the dozen guidon girls or lancers in addition to While military uniforms of various styles manner and style of the majorette corps and their proper color guard of maybe six flags, and colors were the norm for most corps girl trumpet bands found in France. Wearing four rifles and two sabers. When large flag from the 1920s to the 1970s, unique or the shortest skirts and tallest shakos, they sections became popular, corps that had unusual costumes have always been a part of always attracted attention, even when just guidon or lancer sections simply converted the drum corps scene. Corps uniformed as standing on the starting line. them into flag sections. Spanish caballeros, buccaneers, cavaliers, The most famous of the all-girl corps Other corps enlarged their flag lines by cowboys or Indians, as well as classic black would have to be the Audubon, NJ, Bon Bons. adding flash flags. Flash flags were and white evening wear or showboat Originally dressed in blue, white and gold regulation size -- 3.5 feet by 5 feet for juniors, minstrels, could be seen at both local parades military uniforms consisting of shakos, cadet 4 feet by 6 feet for seniors -- in a variety of and national contests. jackets and long skirts over and designs in two or more of the corps’ colors. Some costumes reflected the corps’ name white oxford shoes, in the mid-1950s they A corps with red, black and white or musical theme, while others showcased replaced their cadet shakos and jackets for uniforms might have a dozen red and white the corps’ heritage or geographic location. white cowgirl hats and white satin blouses flags of various designs. Sometimes the flag While not military, most were still very with blue silk neckerchiefs. White majorette bearers designed and even made the flags “macho,” due to the almost all-male nature of boots had already replaced the oxford shoes. themselves. Besides the standard quartering the drum corps activity. By the 1960s, the Bon Bons had changed and tricolor designs, everything from strips to The most popular of the non-military their medium blue skirts to baby blue and polka dots could be seen in flag lines of the styles was the variety of Spanish or Latin had sleeveless blouses and gloves trimmed in late 1960s. American costumes worn by a number of blue fringe and sequins. The girls beat many In the early 1960s, the Garfield Cadets, corps from all parts of the country. The first all-male corps long before the women’s who had won eight American Legion National American Legion national champion senior liberation movement. Championships, decided that instead of corps to wear the classic caballero of Colors and standards carrying their one official national flat black Spanish hat, white gaucho shirt and Originally, drum corps color guards were championship flag, they would carry facsimile red waist sash over black flared trousers was military regulation and were only required to flags, one for each national title they won. not the famous Hawthorne Caballeros of New carry two colors -- the flag of the United The new flags were red over white, with Jersey, but rather, the men of San Gabriel States or national color and the flag of their NATIONAL CHAMPIONS in white letters on Post No. 422 of California, which won the American Legion or VFW sponsor, guarded by the red and the year and place they won the senior national title in 1935. two rifles. State, city, church, ethnic or corps flags could also be used. Color guard captains or sergeants commanded the unit. Captains usually carried a 1902 U.S. Army saber and sometimes a side arm like a dummy .45 pistol. The greatest status symbols a corps’ guard could carry were title flags, especially state and national championship flags. Color guards stayed between six and 12 in number from the 1920s to the early 1960s. They usually marched as a separate unit in front of or outside the corps’ formations with one exception -- the compulsory color presentation. One reason for this was the strict protocol that could get a corps severe penalties for infractions of the U.S. Flag Code. By the mid-1960s, flag sections were getting larger, with a dozen or more flags (photo by Ron Da Silva from the collection of ). Muchachos, Hawthorne, NJ, July 4, 1973, at Union, NJ Drum Corps World 48 However, after World War II, the Mexican heritage produced some black pirate boots with Hawthorne Post No. 199 Caballeros would of the most colorful corps in red turndowns. influence many corps to adopt a Spanish look Latin costumes, from the original Another little-known or play Latin music. San Gabriel seniors of the1930s senior corps of the The Cambridge Caballeros of to the San Gabriel Senoritas of 1950s, the Jolly Rogers Massachusetts were one of the better junior the 1960s, to the beautifully of Chattanooga, TN, corps to imitate the Hawthorne seniors dressed San Jose Raiders and wore a similar costume, during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Their Fresno’s California Dons. but with caps uniforms were almost identical to The second most popular and white pirate shirts Hawthorne’s and were later sold to the New costume type uniform worn by a over red and white Jersey corps after the Cambridge corps number of good corps was the striped dickeys, black disbanded. swashbuckler style. Better baggy pants and boots. Another New England junior corps of the known as the “cavalier” style, it After the caballero, mid-1960s became well-known for their includes corps that call cavalier and buccaneer Troop( p1h2o Itnod biayn sB,o Kbi nHgusntotenr, fNroYm, atphper cooxlilmecattieolny authentic Mexican uniforms, which were themselves cavaliers, 1o9f 70 ). styles, costumes or charro (cowboy) outfits made in Monterey, buccaneers, musketeers, etc. Drum Corps World uniforms of the Old Mexico. The corps, the Troubadours of These uniforms were usually a mix of West were popular with some corps. Trumbull, CT, were Explorer Scouts and had standard corps-style blouses and trousers, Cowboys, Indians and U.S. Cavalry could be important duties waived by an Act of with the addition of a cavalier hat and ostrich Congress in April 1966, signed by then- plume, a or and sometimes a President Lyndon B. Johnson. The corps was . Some drum majors and guard captains named the “Tiajuana Brass” by its fans. wore the full swashbuckler look, complete The most successful junior corps to do the with baggy or tight pants tucked into turned Caballero thing was their “sons,” the down boots. Hawthorne Muchachos. Originally The West Reading, PA, Buccaneers had Hawthorne Post’s SAL corps, the Muchachos two early uniforms that had the look of a started out with uniforms similar to the Hollywood buccaneer -- the Caballeros, but with a Mexican look. first, in lavender and black The Muchachos had their hats trimmed in worn in the 1950s, the ball fringe, wore striped blankets over their second in baby blue and left shoulders and had their rifle section black worn in the early 1960s. Both featured a flat-topped hat that many thought looked more Pennsylvania Dutch than seafarer. Later in the 1960s, the color guard was put in nautical uniforms while the corps adopted shakos. St. Raphael’s Golden (Inset) (photo by Walter Ermel from the collection of Buccaneers of Bridgeport, Bob PeJteorllsy) ; Rogers, Chattanooga, TN, 1952 CT, copied West Reading’s (photo by SRto. nR aDpah Saeilvl’sa Gfromld ethne B cuoclcleacnteioenr so, f Bridgeport, CT, July) . 27, 1963, at Garfield, uniform, but in black and NJ Drum Corps World gold, with a small cavalier hat. Their young seen on contest fields as well as movie drum major, Skippy, wore a complete screens. (photo from the collection of Califor)n. ia Dons, 1984 Drum Corps buccaneer uniform with leather gauntlets and An expensive set of authentic American World boots. Indian uniforms was worn by the Troop No. wearing bandoleers full with cartridges. The Archer-Epler Musketeers of Upper 12 Indians of Kingston, NY, during the 1960s Later, they would modify their uniforms to a Darby, PA, had their color guard wearing and 1970s. A highlight of their field show classier style, with plain black hats and black musketeer hats, tabards and in the was Native American dances and drum bolero vests trimmed in red and silver. early 1960s. These were worn over the same beatings. When the Muchachos recruited an all-girl long red shirts and straight black trousers Sponsored by the Theo Hamm Brewing color guard in 1973, I was asked to design worn by the rest of the corps. their uniform. The staff was thinking of In the mid-1970s, the Chicago Cavaliers putting the girls in the same black boleros as exchanged their black shakos and tall white the boys, but with black and riding plumes for large cavalier hats and covered boots. Together with black hats, black gloves their well-known kelly green satin shirts with and black waist flag belts, it would have been letherette -- white for the horn line a very somber uniform. and color guard and black for the drum line I suggested red bolero vests and red -- while keeping the straight black trousers gaucho pants to set off all the black with white side stripes. At times, their drum accessories. It was approved; however, the major and guard captain wore cavalier capes. Muchachos never played the Latin song The One not-so-famous senior corps seems to Lady in Red . have done the swashbuckler look the best. While one could find drum corps with They were the Merriton Lions Buccaneers of Latin names and costumes in almost any part Ontario. In the 1960s, they wore large black of the country or even Canada (and good hats with a red plume, white pirate shirts ones, like the Appleton Americanos of with full sleeves and a lace-up front, red Like the Hamm’s Indians, Sugarhouse Post, Salt Lake City, UT, Wisconsin or the Rhode Island Matadors), , wide black waist belts with large had genuine Indian costumes, 194(6p,h oato t hfreo Amm theeri ccaonll eLcetgioionn of California, with its rich Spanish Colonial and silver buckles and black pants tucked into RCobnevertn Ztiionnk oin/A Smaenr iFcarann Lciesgcioo,n C aArc hives). 49 Company, Hamm’s Indians of Minneapolis-St. wear stores or by catalog. Paul, MN, wore authentic Chippewa Indian Thus, corps could always costumes consisting of full eagle feather replace uniforms for new or headdresses, head-banded neckpieces, beaded growing members. buckskin jackets, beaded gauntlets, breach A few corps that wore cloths and buckskin trousers. Western outfits were the The original uniforms were hand-made by Pioneers of Kearny, NJ, the Indian women over a period of time from Oakland, NJ, Rangers, the 1929 to 1950. In 1961, the uniforms were Mavericks of Schaghticoke, (photo by Nancy Engelbretson from the collection of valued at $1,100 each, or more than $60,000 NY, the Plainsmen of Wranglers, P)h. oenix, AZ, 1977 Drum for the entire 55-man corps. Emporia, KS, and the Colt Corps World A few corps wore U.S. Cavalry uniforms. .45s of Dubuque, IA. Western outfits also American Citizen Club. In 1970, they Most were patterned after the uniforms seen looked good on all-girl corps -- the Audubon produced authentic Polish-made national in John Ford Western films rather than Bon Bons are a good example. dress for their girl color guard. Some corps wanted The CapitolAires all-girl corps of Madison, uniforms or costumes that WI, had a modified peasant costume that were even more unique and made them look like the Swiss Miss. I believe original than the wide variety they were actually dressed as Wisconsin of military, cadet, Latin, dairymaids. cavalier and Western style. In The most unusual of the costume 1970, the Tri-Town Cadets of uniforms was the split red and white clown Castile, NY, who were from costumes worn by Canada’s Jolly Jesters of farm country, had their corps Toronto (see pages 365 and 371 in “A History dressed as farmers. Wearing of Drum & Bugle Corps, Volume 1”). straw hats, red bandanas and Originally an army militia drum corps for the , each section Royal Canadian Army Service Corps, the wore a different colored shirt. corps had rented costumes for a series of On their flags were Santa Claus parades. It was so well-received (photo by Walter Ermel from the collection of Bob TPreotoeprse)r. s, Bridgeport, CT, mid-1950s pictures of a barn, silo, cow, that they left the Army to become a civilian rooster, duck, etc. While they senior corps with a “Big Top Circus” theme. authentic 1860-1880 Army styles. The didn’t play Old While the Bridgeport Troopers of Connecticut, a senior MacDonald Had a corps adopted corps sponsored by the Catholic War Veterans Farm , their feature the classic in the 1950s, wore white Stetson hats, dark number was a barn clown outfit blue John Wayne shirts and yellow dance to Turkey in with a tall neckerchiefs with sky blue pants bloused the Straw . cone hat in red over black paratrooper boots with yellow The Knights of and white with laces. Kewanee, IL, did the large black A few years later, a junior corps from Medieval Times pompom Glenview, IL, called Custer’s Brigade, wore a thing by wearing buttons, their similar uniform, but with Western style costumes right out drum majors trucker or Western-style boots. of “Ivanhoe” or were dressed The best known corps to wear a U.S. “Robin .” as a tramp Cavalry uniform is the Casper Troopers of Archer’s caps and clown and a Casper, WY. Their original uniforms had tabards emblazoned court jester. actual Civil War era insignia and hat cords, with large red Stepping off purchased from the legendary Bannerman’s crosses on white the starting (Above) Army surplus store in New York City. matched their (photo byS tR. oGne Dorag eS iOlvlay mfrpoiman tsh,e S cporlilnegcftiieolnd ,o Mf A, 1964, at the Wo)r;l d(b Oelpoewn ) line, they Over the years, the Troopers’ uniforms Knights’ pennant (photo by RoDnr uDma CSoilvrpas f rWomor ltd he collection of would let loose Pacers, Poughkeep).sie, NY, 1971 went from chino shirts and pants to wool flags. They even Drum Corps World multi- tunics and trousers to authentic Civil War had the corps colored dress jackets and sky blue trousers. Their photographed in balloons. black cowboy hats with yellow hat cords and front of a castle. By the crossed sabers and yellow neckerchiefs Ethnic or mid-1960s (which weren’t popular with Civil War national dress was they gave up authentics) have become a trademark of their also used as the clown uniform. uniforms by some uniforms I once helped the Troopers get authentic corps, especially for and became reproduction hat cords at wholesale prices all-girl color guards. the Jesters. and also offered to give the corps’ drum The St. George Sponsored major an authentic reproduction Army Colt Olympians of by the and holster. I didn’t like the post-Civil War Springfield, MA, Toronto revolver and modern holster he wore with his were sponsored by a police, they uniform. I was told, “Thank you, sir, but that Greek Orthodox Church. While the corps acquired new uniforms similar to the Reilly six-gun was given to the corps by Mr. John wore standard cadet uniforms in the Greek Raiders of Philadelphia, but in dark blue with Wayne.” Well, I couldn’t “out duke” the colors of blue and white, the color guard was white and mint green trim. Duke, could I? especially colorful in Greek Evzone uniforms. When the drum corps activity broke away Cowboy or Western outfits were worn by a The Evzones are the Greek army’s national from the American Legion and VFW in the number of corps, especially young corps. and presidential honor guard. early 1970s, they formed their own ruling Simple Western shirts and ties or fancy Roy The Poughkeepsie Pacers of New York bodies such as Drum Corps Associates for Rogers styles could be purchased at Western were sponsored by Group 368 Polish- senior corps and Drum Corps International 50 for junior corps. However, cadet-style high-collared tunic fastened on the left side this uniform at the British Marching Band uniforms were still popular and had remained with all buttons, insignia, cross stripe and Championships in 1978. the status uniform since the 1930s. waist sash sewn onto the tunic’s front. Most of the 30 junior drum corps, Six of DCI’s original member corps wore A similar uniform in all-white with green trumpet corps and brass bands in that contest full cadet-style uniforms. They were the trim had been worn by the Commonweath wore British styles of their armed forces or Garfield Cadets, Blue Rock, Boston Crusaders, Edison Knights of Light senior corps in the scout organizations. Therefore, when Argonne Rebels, Anaheim Kingsmen and De early 1960s, but the style had not caught on. listening with the corps to the judges’ tapes, La Salle Oaklands. The 27th Lancers and Since the Santa Clara Vanguard was the we were all surprised to hear a Royal Marine Casper Troopers wore historic cavalry 1971 VFW national champions and would warrant officer, who was judging general uniforms, while the Blessed Sacrament continue on to become the DCI world effect marching, comment, “Very smart Golden Knights, Chicago Cavaliers, First champions in 1973 and 1974, other corps uniform!” The Vanguard style uniform still Federal Blue had a military appeal. Stars, Madison The St. Andrew’s Bridgemen of Bayonne, Scouts and NJ, adopted a much more radical style Santa Clara uniform. Again, it was a simple three-piece Vanguard had uniform consisting of a large hat, a long coat various semi- and standard trousers. It was unlike the military styles. Vanguard’s uniform, which was a However, modification of a bush hat and military tunic. the long The Bridgemen’s uniform was inspired by Vietnam War, hip street clothes and worn by funky the youth rock musicians. It has been described as a revolution and zoot , a pimp suit or a show style. It was a general designed by the corps’ director, Bobby distrust of Hoffman. things He said it cost half the price of the military would (photo by Jane Boulen from the collection of ). Bridgemen’s former cadet-style uniform, as affect the look Santa Clara Vanguard, Santa Clara, CA, 1973 Drum Corps World well as being more comfortable and more and military traditions of the drum and bugle started to copy their style of uniform. reflective of the corps’ image as showmen and corps activity. The top corps did not want to Besides looking neat, it made quartermasters entertainers. lose a contest for hair too long on male happy by doing away with separate The hat was an oversized in black members or skirts too short on females. accessories such as cross-sashes, belts or with a bright, tie-dyed as a hat band. At the American Legion and the VFW state . The coat was a long, banana yellow coat and national championship contests, military Some of the corps that adopted the with black turn-back cuffs and a wide black inspections were held and full point penalties Vanguard-style collar similar were given to corps whose color guards tunic and hat to those on committed infractions of the National Flag were the corps-style Code. New rules would do away with Coachmen of shirts. It inspections, military bearing, color Grand Rapids, zipped up the presentations and national flag color guards. MI; the Knights front to the Three top junior corps of the 1970s of Geneseo, IL; collarbone so adopted and the Avant that no shirt uniforms that Garde of or ascot was changed the Saratoga needed. look and style Springs, NY. The only of the drum The Avant insignia was corps activity. Garde wore an Old English In 1972, bright lime “B” on a white the Santa green tunics Blue Eagles, Basildon,( pEhsosteox b, yE Rngolna nDda, NSoilvae mfrboemr t2h5e, c1o9l7le8c, taiotn t hoef British Marching ). shield worn on Clara with a double Band Championships Drum Corps World the coat’s Vanguard of cross or “X” design in black trimmed in right side. The trousers were of conventional California white. A few years later they cut their tunics style in black with a yellow seam stripe. The replaced their down to jackets and added white shoes and the gloves were black. green satin cummerbunds and black shakos to their The all-girl color guard had the same style shirts and uniforms for a more conventional look. coats, but in black with yellow trim. No pinned up The Vanguard uniform was copied by the skirts were worn since the coat came down to their caballero Blue Eagles of Basildon, Essex, a drum and the knees. Originally, the girls wore black hats for a trumpet (valveless, E-flat) corps from riding boots, but later they changed to black totally new England. Their horn line wore sky blue jazz or dance shoes. The Bridgemen’s drum style of tunics with navy blue sashes and facings major and guard captain wore the same style Avant( Gphaordtoe ,b Sy aJroasteopgha ZSeppriknog sfr, oNmY , the c1o9l7le9c tion of ). uniform. It trimmed in white, while their drummers uniform as the corps and the guard in Drum Corps World consisted of a wore the opposite: navy blue tunics with sky all-white trimmed in yellow. large, dark green, cavalier or Aussie hat worn blue facings and white trim. The Bridgemen were a great sounding over a unique, full-length, scarlet tunic All wore navy blue trousers (photo from the collection of trimmed in dark green and white. The with a double white stripe that Bridgemen, B).ayonne, NJ, 1981, Montreal, QUE Drum trousers were dark green with a double white opened at the bottom like Corps World side stripe. White gauntlets, gloves and shoes caballero pants. Black bush completed the uniform. hats with a full, white ostrich The Vanguard’s all-girl color guard had plume completed the Vanguard the same uniform, but with dark green skirts look. I was with them in and white majorette boots. The Vanguard’s London when they premiered 51 corps that played enjoyable and entertaining so the men looked like many young men of Publisher Steve Vickers in 1976. A burnt music, such as popular classics, show music the 1970s. Still other corps maintained a orange with black braid trim was and even circus marches. While their cadet image that required male members to worn over a black dress vest and trousers. costumes pleased many, others hated them. be clean-shaven and to have short hair. The brightest of these Rhett Butler- or Some were shocked when the Bridgemen’s With the great popularity and success of Maverick-style costumes was worn by the girls formed a chorus line a la Bob Fosse, the Bridgemen, many staffs tried to match or Pioneer of Cedarburg, WI. They had white unzipped their long coats to reveal a dancer’s outdo the Bridgemen’s style. Most of these gambler hats, lemon yellow cut-away coats costume of red , black , bow ties hip uniforms or costumes look extremely and vests over white trousers with shoes. A and glitter. dated now. The fact that many were worn for lime green silk hat band and a neck scarf The Santa Clara only a few years shows showed it was highlighted this tropical looking costume. Vanguard girls had basically a drum corps fashion fad. Similar showboat styles with top hats, done a Russian A few uniforms were based on period tailed coats and large bow ties were worn by bottle dance in costume or , which could still be Pacific Blue from Surrey, British Columbia, their “Fiddler on worn today. But most went the way of the and the Pride of Cincinnati. The 1981 Spirit the Roof” leisure , flared trousers and Nehru of Atlanta wore their light blue tailed coats production jackets. over black formalwear vests and trousers, but number, but in Some of the better looking Bridgemen- they continued to wear their West Point their standard type costumes were worn by corps like the shakos. The following year they returned to corps uniform. Sky Ryders of Hutchinson, KS, who wore their military jackets with the “Trecky” The Bridgemen’s black Bridgemen hats, black vests, white looking “A” on the front. girls were a sign of ruffled tuxedo shirts and black pants. Various Many of these costumes, which included what was to come: colored rainbow-striped cross sashes and hat all the details and accessories of true when scantily highlighted this costume. formalwear like dress shirts, ties or scarves, dressed dancing With their rainbow flags and their “Wizard vests, etc., looked good and were not cheap. girls would of Oz” theme that featured the song A few corps saved money by getting their eliminate the Somewhere Over the Rainbow , the look formalwear from companies that supplied traditional worked for these kids from Kansas. stock uniforms to hotels and restaurants, military-styled A new senior corps that was based a few after which they would add showy accessories miles away from Bayonne in Harrison, from dance team catalogs. Some made their NJ, also copied the Bridgemen’s uniform; own accessories from materials found in however, they wore long Confederate gray fabric and trimming shops. While the Vanguard and Bridgemen had adopted unique uniforms that were actually quite simple, the uniform adopted by the Blue Devils of Concord, CA, was the most elaborate. In a 1975 interview, the Blue Devils’ director, Jerry Seawright, said the corps was looking for a “showier” uniform, (Top) (photo by Art Luebke from the something along the lines of the collectRioivne ormf en, Stillwater, MN, )1; 9(a8b3o ve) Drum Corps World (photoB buys hRwoanc Dkear sS,i lHvaa rfrriosmon t,h Ne J, Hawthorne Muchachos. cAoulgleucstito 1n4 o, f1 982, at Bloomfield,) ;N (Jri ght) The uniform they came up with (photo by SteDvreu mLi nCsoernpms aWyeor ldfrom the cPoilolencetieorn, Mofi lwaukee, WI, 1983 ); (below) (photo by Art LuebDkreu mfro Cmo rthpes World for the 1976 contest season was collectioCn oolft s, Dubuque, IA, 198).1 striking. They retained their black Drum Corps World cadet shakos and tall white plumes, but they replaced their blue satin coats and Charlie Daniels hats. Called the shirts with a version of a U.S. Marine Corps Bushwackers, the corps was originally officer’s . going to have a country music theme. A mess jacket was originally a short, The older West Reading Buccaneers high-collared military jacket that British also adopted the long Bridgmen coats, but officers wore when off duty. Worn open with in light blue and black with a red and a vest or , the jacket was used black cross sash. They retained their for informal dining at the officer’s mess. black buccaneer hats, but now with a red Today, it is seen only at formal occasions. plume. The U.S. Marine’s version is very Other corps adopted uniforms that can traditional, being navy blue with small gold only be described as show-wear or buttons, trimmed in gilt braid and scarlet theatrical costumes. The St. Croix piping. A studded tuxedo shirt and scarlet Rivermen of Stillwater, MN, had white cummerbund are worn over navy blue straw Bridgemen hats worn over a trousers with gilt and scarlet side stripes. medium blue cut-away coat trimmed in The Blue Devils’ original version was close silver. Completing their uniform were to the Marine’s model; however, it was bright color guards. ruffled dress shirts, black vests and trousers. sky blue with silver and black braid and trim. In an interview, Hoffman said while the Another corps with a riverboat-style A ruffled tuxedo shirt and silver cummerbund corps did not wear cadet-style uniforms costume was the Colts (formerly the Colt replaced the Marine’s version. Black dress anymore or have inspections, they still .45s) from the Mississippi River town of trousers with silver and blue side stripes and pressed their pants and polished their shoes. Dubuque, IA. Their riverboat gambler high gloss military oxfords completed this While true, the male members of the costumes, which consisted of a flat-topped, outstanding uniform. Bridgemen were anything but GI. The corps Western hat, a ruffled shirt and a Western This look became extremely popular, not permitted long hair, beards and moustaches, , were designed by Drum Corps World only because the Blue Devils went on to win 52 the 1976 and 1977 DCI World only item that remained consistent was Championships, but also because it their trademark red . combined a trim, military look with a One last uniform, which stands alone showy or concert look. It also did not for its originality, is the costume worn lock into a theme or musical style in by Les Chatelaines from Laval, QUE. the same way that Latin and Broadway This fine all-girl corps gave up their styles did. majorette dresses for white hooded knit A few corps copied the Blue Devil tops, white pants and white shoes. Over look by simply wearing their old cadet this base uniform they wore a long, jackets unbuttoned over a ruffled dress sleeveless tunic with pointed shoulder shirt of with a bib and a wide waist wings. From the waist down it was sash. Many high schools also open, like a cut-away coat. copied the Blue Devils’ uniform This garment was a bright magenta with because it could be worn dark blue and gold trim on the front. A unchanged for marching band as single, pointed, -like headpiece in well as for concert or stage band. magenta with a gold sunburst design was The Dagenham Crusaders of worn over the white hood or , which Essex, England, copied the Blue also covered the neck like a nun’s habit. Devil uniform in all navy blue At times, the girls wore extremely large with scarlet and gold trim. The white sun hats over their white . What traditional uniform colors were inspired this unusual uniform? To me, it taken from their old British looked medieval or even Byzantine in nature. military uniform. In their press Others it had a modern or futuristic air, releases, they never mentioned like something to be worn by a princess from the Blue Devils, but they said a far-away planet in a “Flash Gordon” or “Star their uniforms were patterned Wars” film. Whatever it was, it was unique. after the mess uniform of a U.S. With dance movement becoming more Marine Corps officer. They also and more a part of the color guard’s never mentioned that their performances, most of the top American Eagle shakos were second-hand and junior corps of the 1980s wanted to once worn by the Blue Devils. demilitarize or feminize the While Santa Clara Vanguard’s and uniforms of their all-girl guards. Concord Blue Devils’ uniforms would become One of the most attractive classic styles, found in most band uniform uniforms was designed by Michael catalogs under the names VANGUARD and Cesario for the 1983 Garfield BLUE DEVIL styles other West Coast corps of Cadets. It fit the modern dance and the early 1980s would go all-out to find a ballet moves of the girl guard, yet it unique or original look of their own. still matched the look of the corps The Seattle Imperials followed the proper. It was a romantic looking Bridgemen’s lead as entertainers by wearing costume, in which the guard’s blue and white straw hats with red young women all wore their hair in and white trimmings. The jumpsuits were French braids with a white floral practical because this corps’ drill hairpiece worn on the left side. never stopped moving, featuring The traditional maroon cadet jacket was running, jumping and dancing in a cut down at the collar and the cuffs to reveal high-energy show. a white ruffled Victorian blouse worn with a The Velvet Knights of Santa Ana, white lace . An off-white CA, were a conventional junior corps was worn over white stockings and white until 1982, when they did away with dance shoes. At times, the girls wore large their normal shako, blouse and white sun hats. cummerbund uniform in black, white This original uniform could have been and red. During that 1982 season, inspired by the “cantiniere” or canteen they challenged the Bayonne women of the French army of the 1860s and Bridgemen with a funky West Coast 1870s. Those military women wore feminine show titled “Hollywood Hits the versions of the uniforms worn by the Beach.” The corps had a relaxed, regiments with which they were associated. Southern California look. The uniform usually was a brimmed hat with For headgear, they wore straw sun plume, braided military jacket, fancy lace hats while their girl guard wore blouse and full skirt that matched the men’s yellow sun . The corps wore trousers. Making their dress practical for burgundy, red and yellow floral print marching were lace-trimmed and Hawaiian sport shirts over yellow pantaloons tucked into boots or leggings. T-shirts, khaki chinos and red sneakers. (Top to bottom) Another top DCI corps that adopted a (photo by APrrti dLeu eobf kCei nfcroinmn athtie, 1c9o8ll2e,c taiot nD CofI in Montreal, Starting their show seated in beach chairs on QUE ); (photo Dbyru Emd Corps romantic looking costume for their girl guard the sidelines next to a potted palm tree, their FWeorrgldusoGn afrofiemld t hCea cdoeltlse cattio DnC oIf Miami, FL ); was Santa Clara Vanguard. Their 1984 Drum Corps World drum majors wore aqua and green Hawaiian Dagenham Cr(upshaodtoe rbsy, ERsosne xD, aE Sngilvlaan fdro, Amu tghues tc o1l0le, c1t9io8n3 o, fin costume looked more like a French Can Can shirts. Bayonne, NJ ); girl than that of a French female soldier. Drum (Cphoorptos bWyo Arlrd t LuBelubek eD ferovmils ,t h1e9 8c2o,l leact tDioCnI oinf Montreal, Over the years, the Velvet Knights wore QUE ). Drum Corps Their hats were a small, stylized version of many odd uniform combinations. They wore World the boys’ large Aussie hats and plumes. everything from white Panama hats, white to full dress tailed coats in white with gold The dress had a red -like over sport jackets over yellow shirts and red pants fringed epaulets and red baseball caps. The a white Victorian blouse accompanied by a 53 long, dark green skirt. When the split-front Rumble and the gang fight. movement made many guards look just plain skirts were lifted for dance numbers, they This “Broadway on a football field” silly. In a recent “West Side Story” number, a revealed a ruffled red lining with a white concept would continue into the new century. top corps had a section of Marias marching in ruffled trim. Under the skirts, the girls Color guards were now not only dancers, but their while twirling their sabers. showed of black tights and red . also actors dressed in the appropriate Another corps with a Roman theme had their The Blue Devils exchanged their girl costumes for young guard’s military uniform and black boots in whatever show women 1981 for black Lycra one-piece jumpsuits was being dressed in with blue sequin panels and leg stripes performed. While nude trimmed in silver sequins. The right sleeves, some costumes colored collars and cuffs were white crepe and gave added to a corps’ body the impression that a blouse was worn under production value, stockings the . A small teardrop hat in blue others did not. and white and silver sequins with a white pouffe A mix of show chitons, completed this new look. costumes with as worn While this body-hugging costume was new color guard pikes, by the to drum corps color guards, it was merely a sabers and rifles ancient style the Blue Devils borrowed from the does not always goddess of world of baton twirling, pep squads and dance work. Also, the the forest. teams, whose costume catalogs featured a use of Lycra and These wide variety of cute or sexy outfits for those spandex costumes modern activities. did not flatter all goddesses The (Above) tossed dummy Springfield rifles instead of the Bayonne Les Ch(pahteoltaoin be y spear or bow. AEdll-oGttierl sfr, o1m98 t1he Bridgemen, collection of Today, traditional or military color guard on the ); (left) Drum Corps uniforms have become as extinct as a World Velvet other hand, Knights, 1982, at the dinosaur in the competitive drum corps were now DCI Champions(hpihpos tio n activity. However, the uniforms worn by the getting Mbyo Antrrte Laul,e QbkUeE f rom the drummers, buglers and drum majors have collection of their dance ); (beloDwr) um Corps retained many of the classic styles, but with costumes World some major updating. Glassmen, August 14, from 1998, at the DCI Michael Cesario, a professional Broadway similar Championsh(ipsh oin to by costume designer with a drum corps DOarlna nSdcoa, fFidL i from the catalogs of collection of background, redesigned many of the top dance and );D (rbuom ttom) corps’ traditional uniforms. Using basic recital wear. CorpsWorld design concepts to make corps members look Phant(opmho Rtoe gbiym Renotn, Da By the S19ilv9a2 from the collection taller and leaner, Cesario maintained the 1980s, of ). corps’ signature headgear and colors. dance and Drum Corps World Hats and cheerleader- plumes type costumes were the norm for most corps’ guard members. A became color guards or dance auxiliaries. number of fans taller and Most of these costumes still matched their and parents were jackets corps’ in theme or color. However, by the also concerned developed late 1980s, a new trend of putting the guard with the skimpy broader or dance corps in costumes that reflected the and body-revealing shoulder mood of the music or the production being costumes being pads or performed was gaining wide acceptance. This worn by the wider costuming had nothing to do with the corps’ guard’s young shoulder uniform or the corps’ identity. women. wings. The The concept was to put the guard in the Satin and horizontal same costumes used in theatrical spandex pants or lines productions. If a corps played music from tights have been created by “West Side Story,” a coed guard would be seen on a number waist dressed in a party dress or sport jacket for A of guards. A sashes or Dance at the Gym , or T-shirt or major West Coast corps once had their cummerbunds were abolished or made the for Somewhere or Maria . guards’ sexy outfits ordered from Frederick’s same color as the trousers and shoes, usually Finally, the guard would change into of Hollywood. Les Etoiles of Quebec had all black or all white. Sharks and Jets satin gang jackets for The their girls performing in white bras and skirts New, high-waisted or high-opening jackets that looked more like required higher waisted pants or bib overalls. underwear than Details on the fronts of jackets were either outerwear. Their white simplified or made more graphic in design. briefs with Wide cross sashes and panels were often straps holding up their made in reflective materials. Many of these white stockings made modified uniforms had a marked resemblance them look like they to the uniforms seen on “Star Trek: The Next stepped out of a Calvin Generation.” Klein underwear Because drum corps drills have become advertisement. busy with members’ feet moving in several Inconsistencies in different directions while their upper bodies costumes, props and are all facing the same direction or playing to 54 the stands, trouser strips and contrasting season, the Blue Knights adopted a more While color guards and dance troupes colored have been replaced with a conventional uniform in blue, black and consistently change their costumes and solid base color or value (black, gray or silver. props, even within a single performance, the white) from the waist down. Fabrics also The Glassmen have worn a number of heart and soul of a drum and bugle corps -- changed for easy care or freedom of showy uniforms, but their early 2000s the drummers and buglers -- still proudly movement. uniform in black and white with metallic gold wear traditional shakos, helmets, Aussie, The Star of Indiana experimented with delta insignia on their jackets, shakos and Spanish and cavalier hats over uniforms that almost yearly uniform changes that ran the gauntlets gives them a modern, yet classic, show their true corps colors. gamut from Western ranger to British look. Their tall black plumes and shakos, Let us hope the visual delight of sharp military and from ancient Roman to patriotic together with the broad white shoulders of looking uniforms, marching to the heartbeat band or classic cadet, thereby never gaining a their jackets, give the corps an awesome look of a tight drum line and exciting horn line, lasting visual identity. of Star Troopers. will continue to remain drum corps Most of the top corps that wanted to adopt The Blue Devils gave up their fancy mess fundamentals into the next millennium. uniforms to the show or the music did so by jackets and ruffled shirts for a simple but rearranging their accessories or corps colors. effective uniform, consisting of a Phantom Regiment would wear their broad-shouldered royal blue jacket with a Anglo-Indian look in all white one season, all standing black collar opening up at black the next and even khaki. They wore mid chest to show a silver sequin cross silver cross sashes one year and imperial red sash over a black sequin vest. Plain black capes the next. The Santa Clara Vanguard trousers, shoes and gloves, together with also appeared in many different color their traditional shakos and black plumes arrangements from year to year, but always in give them a formal and militaristic look. their Vanguard style hats and tunics. Minus their shakos, their uniform could Corps with a strong visual identity will be worn on the bridge of the Starship wear the same uniform year after year or they Enterprise. might adapt minor changes over a period of One of the few competitive senior years. corps to have a militaristic look is the The Cadets still wear their traditional Connecticut Hurricanes. The uniform (photo by Sid Unser from the collection of West Point jackets, but now they are cut so designed by Michael Cesario for the 1998 Blue Knights),. 1995 Drum high that only five of the seven rows of braid season looked back to the Hurricanes’ Corps World on the front of their jackets actually show. 1958 Storm Trooper uniforms. Those old Ron Da Silva graduated from Their plumes have changed from bird to bird, uniforms were entirely black and featured a the Newark School of Fine and yet they remain tall and white. German-style and a silver Industrial Art in 1966 with a The Cavaliers still look like cavaliers, lightening bolt cross sash. degree in fine art and illustration. having retained their kelly green, black and White and green were added to the corps’ He later studied photography at white color combination. uniforms in the 1960s and 1970s. The new the New York Institute of The Troopers, a tradition unto Photography. themselves, continue to look like As a freelance photographer in the cavalrymen out of a John Ford 1960s and 1970s, he photographed street Western, no matter what the Civil War life, models, rock bands and drum and authentics at Fort Casper say. bugle corps. His photographs have been Modified military styles are still exhibited at the Newark Museum, Newark worn by the Bluecoats, who actually Library, New Jersey State Museum and the wear blue jackets. Put together with Morris County Museum, as well as in their white cross belts, white pith independent galleries and shows. helmets and white trousers, they have From 1976 to 1986, Da Silva worked as the look of an 1890s National Guard a senior photo technician and custom regiment in full summer dress. printer at CBS Television’s New York The Pioneer have an Irish theme. headquarters. While at CBS, he studied Their jackets are similar to the fashion history and costume design at Bluecoats, but are kelly green and Parsons School of Design. Beginning in black and have been worn over tan 1987, he was a photo tech and staff trousers with white accessories. (photo by Sid Unser from the collection of ). photographer at the United Nations, Similar color combinations were worn Blue Devils, 1994 Drum Corps World retiring in early 2003. by Irish military units. uniform brought back the with a Besides his passion for art and Another corps in green jackets is the silver star pattern badge, but now it is worn photography, he is well-known for his Madison Scouts, whose dark green jackets over a bright green jacket and white pants. knowledge of military history and pageantry, recall their old green Explorer Scout A black sequin cross sash with the especially the colorful uniforms of the 18th and uniforms of the 1950s. While we never know Hurricanes’ silver lightening bolt completed 19th centuries. He is a longtime member of what costume a color guard might wear, most this modern, yet traditional, drum corps The Company of Military Historians, The corps retain somewhat traditional uniforms. uniform. During the 2000 season, the Company of Fifers & Drummers and The Corps Modified military styles inspired by the Hurricanes replaced their black caps for of Drums Society in Britain. futuristic uniforms seen on various sci-fi TV green shakos with white plumes. He saw his first contest in 1953, but didn’t shows and films functioned as a drum corps Unlike the old woolen whipcord uniforms get actively involved with a drum and bugle look of the 1990s. of the past, today’s drum corps uniforms are corps until 1958, when he joined the North The Blue Knights of Denver, CO, had Air made to be comfortable, hard-wearing and Newark, NJ, Woodsiders. He designed all the Force Academy blue cadet jackets that were washable in order to withstand the Woodsiders uniforms and insignia from 1961 to decorated on the front with a triangular high-energy, fast-moving corps. The drum 1970 and has helped many other corps procure arrangement of large white reflective buttons, corps look still stands out among the many uniforms or solve design problems. giving them the look of Space Cadets from costumes and uniforms worn by other forms Since 1972, he has been a staff member for the TV show of the 1950s. For the 2000 of musical pageantry. Drum Corps World . He lives in Nutley, NJ. 55