Railmen Drum and Bugle Corps (2013)

Last updated
Railmen Drum and Bugle Corps (2013)
Railmen Drum and Bugle Corps (2013) logo.jpg
Location Blair, Nebraska
DivisionSoundSport
Founded2013
DirectorWade Kellett
Website www.therailmen.org

The Railmen Drum and Bugle Corps (2013) is an all-age/alumni drum and bugle corps. Based in Blair, Nebraska, the Railmen compete as a SoundSport team and perform in exhibition at a Drum Corps International (DCI) competitions in and near the corps' home state of Nebraska. [1] The organization's intent is to build a complete drum corps organization with cadet, junior, and alumni/all-age drum and bugle corps along with Winter guard and indoor percussion ensembles. [2]

Contents

History

The Railmen were formed in 1939 as the Union Pacific Drum and Bugle Corps. a musical activity for children of employees of the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) under director Chris Jensen. The group was to perform in parades and other events as representatives of the UP, and it made its first appearance in Omaha during "Golden Spike Days," a four-day celebration of the world premiere of the Cecil B. DeMille film, Union Pacific . [2] Under Jensen, and his successor Ken Whittle, the corps continued as a combination corporate public relations device and activity for employees children for forty-eight years. [3]

Logo for the former corps. Railmen Drum and Bugle Corps (1939-1995) logo.jpg
Logo for the former corps.

When Whittle assumed leadership in 1971, the corps started a gradual to transition to a competitive junior field corps. In 1983, the corp began accepting non-UP members, and the corps made its competitive debut in 1983, performing at a single show in Omaha. Becoming a touring corps in 1984, the Railmen performed at seven Drum Corps Midwest (DCM) and DCI shows. They made their first DCI Championship appearance at Madison in 1985, placing seventh of nineteen Class A corps. [4]

The corps quickly became a crowd favorite, but the UP was dissatisfied with the corps' new identity. The budgets were cut back, and then the UP terminated its sponsorship in 1988. The corps converted to a non-profit youth organization under new director Scott Macklin. However, fundraising in the Omaha area was difficult, since the public perception was that the corps was still sponsored by the UP. By 1994, the corps became unable to field a junior corps and marched a senior corps in a much-reduced season. The junior corps returned in 1995, but the small corps was able to finish only 14th of thirty-two corps at DCM and 13th of forty-one Division III corps at the DCI World Championships in Buffalo. [4] With no funds and little success in raising more, the corps' board decided to fold the corps after the 1995 season. [2]

In 2013, as the corps' 75th anniversary approached, a group of Railmen alumni reorganized as the Railmen Alumni, intent on performing at DCI's 2014 Drums Across Nebraska. [5] A second group organized with the goal of putting the junior corps back on the field, along with other performance groups; their Railmen Winter Guard entered Winter Guard International (WGI) and Heartland Winter Arts Association competition in 2014 and 2015 and their Railmen Indoor Percussion also competed in 2014. [6] In January 2015, The Railmen Alumni and the new Railmen Drum and Bugle Corps merged. [7] The resulting group will march an all-age corps in DCI's SoundSport competition and in exhibition at the 2015 Drums Across Nebraska. This is planned as a recruiting tool for putting the junior corps back on the field at the earliest possible time. [8]

Sponsorship

The Railmen Drum and Bugle Corps is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that has a Board of Directors, Executive Director, and staff assigned to carry out the organization's mission. The Executive Director is Wade Kellett. [9] In addition to the drum and bugle corps, the organization also sponsors the Railmen Winter Guard and the Railmen Indoor Percussion; both 2014 Heartland Winter Arts Association Champions in their respective classes. [10] In addition the Railmen Indoor Percussion was a finalist at the Winter Guard International Percussion Championships.

Show summary (2014–2019)

YearThemeRepertoireScoreResult
2014Railmen 75th AnniversaryI've Been Working on the Railroad (Unknown) / I Can Cook, Too by Leonard Bernstein / Am I Blue? by Harry Akst and Grant Clarke /
Blue Skies by Irving Berlin / Great Big Rolling Railroad by Bill Fries [2]
2015Full Steam AheadI've Been Working on the Railroad (Traditional) /
The Ballad of Casey Jones by Wallace Saunders and Frank & Bert Leighton © by Eddie Newton and T. Lawrence Seibert /
Wabash Cannonball by J. A. Roff / Toot, Toot, Tootsie, Goodbye by Ernie Erdman, Ted Fio Rito, Gus Kahn, and Robert A. K. King		SoundSport
2016Full Steam AheadMusical selections N/ASoundSport
Gold		Best in Show
@ Indianapolis
2019Dreaming of the Sky"Dreaming of the Sky" Original Show by Jerbrel Bowens80.679th Place

Related Research Articles

Drum and bugle corps (modern) Marching group of brass and percussion instrumentalists

A modern drum and bugle corps is a musical marching unit consisting of brass instruments, percussion instruments, electronic instruments, and color guard. Typically operating as independent non-profit organizations, corps perform in competitions, parades, festivals, and other civic functions. Participants of all ages are represented within the corps activity, but the majority are between the ages of 13 and 22 and are members of corps within Drum Corps International or Drum Corps Associates.

Indoor percussion ensemble

An indoor percussion ensemble or indoor drumline is type of marching ensemble consisting of the battery and front ensemble instruments. It differs itself from a traditional percussion ensemble by not only on musical performance, but on theatrics and marching. Although most indoor percussion ensembles are affiliated with high schools, there are also many independent groups that draw participants from a large area and are independently funded. Independent groups typically start rehearsing in October, while high school groups typically start after their fall marching band season ends. Because of this, the activity is often called winter percussion or winterline.

Winter Guard International

Winter Guard International (WGI) is an American performing arts association, governing body, and the producer of regional championship events for three activities: color guard, percussion ensembles, and small marching bands. WGI's competitive season is January to March, ending with an annual World Championships in April; hence, "winter" in the association's name.

Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps Junior drum and bugle corps based in Madison, Wisconsin

The Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in Madison, Wisconsin, the Madison Scouts was one of the thirteen founding member corps of Drum Corps International (DCI) and is a two-time DCI World Champion. Until the Madison Scouts in 2018 featured a female performer for only the fourth time in the corps' history, naming her the "first female full-member" of the corps, they had remained one of only two all-male corps, the other being The Cavaliers. On July 7, 2019, The Scouts made it official, adopting a "non-discrimination policy that expands membership to both genders to participate in the Madison Scouts, effectively opening the way for women to become members of the corps."

The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps Junior drum and bugle corps based in Rosemont, Illinois

The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps based in Rosemont, Illinois. The Cavaliers were one of the thirteen founding member corps of Drum Corps International and is a seven-time DCI World Champion. The Cavaliers are now the sole remaining all-male corps in an activity that once was predominantly made up of "all boy" groups.

Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps California competitive drum and bugle corps

The Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps based in Concord, California, United States. The Blue Devils are members of Drum Corps International (DCI). The corps has finished first or second for the past 13 seasons (2007–19) and has placed no lower than fifth since finishing third in 1975. They also hold the record for the highest score in DCI history, winning the 2014 DCI World Championship title with a score of 99.65. The Blue Devils are the current DCI Champions, with an unmatched record of 19 titles to date.

The Anaheim Kingsmen Drum and Bugle Corps, commonly referred to as the Anaheim Kingsmen, were a competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in Anaheim, California, the corps was a charter member corps of Drum Corps International (DCI) and the first DCI World Champion.

The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps

The Cadets Drum Corps is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, The Cadets was one of the thirteen founding corps of Drum Corps International (DCI), is a ten-time DCI World Champion, and is the oldest continuously active junior drum and bugle corps in North America.

The Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in Denver, Colorado, the Blue Knights are a member corps of Drum Corps International.

The Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the Blue Stars was one of the thirteen founding member corps of Drum Corps International.

Color guard (flag spinning)

Color guards or flag corps are teams of performers who perform choreographed dances and routines with various equipment to enhance and interpret the music of a marching band or drum and bugle corps show. Color guard teams can be found in American colleges, universities, high schools, middle schools and independent drum corps. They use various equipment including flags, non-functioning rifles, and sabres, along with other props. Most Color Guard groups are of mixed gender but some may also be single gender.

Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps

The Pioneer Drum & Bugle Corps was a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Pioneer is a former member corps of Drum Corps International (DCI).

Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps

The Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in Diamond Bar, California and City of Industry, California, Pacific Crest is a member corps of Drum Corps International (DCI).

Legends Drum and Bugle Corps Musical organization

The Legends Drum & Bugle Corps is an Open Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Legends performs in Drum Corps International (DCI) competitions.

Carolina Gold Drum and Bugle Corps

Carolina Gold Drum and Bugle Corps is an Open Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Formerly based in Rocky Mount and Greensboro in its earlier years, Carolina Gold is now based in Raleigh, NC.

Racine Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps

The Racine Scouts(formally the Racine Explorer Scouts) Drum and Bugle Corps is a junior parade Drum and bugle corps. Based in Racine, Wisconsin, the corps marches parades in the Midwestern United States. The Racine Scouts, nicknamed the "Chrome Domes", is the oldest continuously active junior drum and bugle corps in North America.

BD Performing Arts is the corporate entity that manages several performance groups for young people in Concord, California. Included in these groups are the three Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corps, designated "A", "B", and "C"; the Blue Devils International Corps; the Blue Devils Open Class, A Class, and Special Needs Winter Guards; the Diablo Wind Symphony; and BD Entertainment.

The Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in Austin, Texas, Genesis performs in Drum Corps International (DCI) competitions.

River City Rhythm Drum and Bugle Corps

The River City Rhythm Drum and Bugle Corps is an Open Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in Anoka, Minnesota, River City Rhythm performs in Drum Corps International (DCI) competitions.

References

  1. ↑ "Find A Team". SoundSport. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Union Pacific Railmen celebrate 75th Anniversary, plan start-up of alumni and junior corps". Drum Corp World. August 20, 2013. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  3. ↑ A History of Drum & Bugle Corps, Vol. 2; Steve Vickers, ed.; Drum Corps World, pub.; 2003
  4. 1 2 "Score History Listing for Railmen". Maher Associate, Inc. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Railmen Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps". Facebook. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  6. ↑ "WGI Sport of the Arts". Winter Guard International. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  7. ↑ "We've Merged". Facebook. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  8. ↑ "All-Age Drum and Bugle Corps". Railmen Drum and Bugle Corps. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  9. ↑ "About Us". Railmen Drum and Bugle Corps. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Past Champions". Heartland Winter Arts Association. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.