Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps

Last updated

Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps
SpartansDBC Logo.jpg
Location Nashua, New Hampshire
DivisionOpen Class
Founded1955 (1955)
President Paul LaFlamme
DirectorAnthony Montesion
Championship titles
  • DCI Open Class
  • 1997
  • 1998
  • 2004
  • 2005
  • 2007
  • 2019
  • 2023
  • 2024
Website www.spartansdbc.org

The Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps is an Open Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in Nashua, New Hampshire, the Spartans performs in Drum Corps International (DCI) competitions. [1] The Spartans won the DCI Division II World Championship in 1997, 1998, 2004, 2005, 2007, and in 2019, 2023, and 2024 won the DCI Open Class Championship that replaced Divisions II and III in 2008. [2]

Contents

History

Source: [2] [3]

The Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps was founded in 1955 by Albert LaFlamme. LaFlamme was succeeded as corps director by his son, Peter. Today, the corps is run by Albert's grandson, Paul LaFlamme. [4]

A fire in 1999 destroyed nearly everything the corps owned: instruments, uniforms, equipment, vehicles. The dedication of the corps' members, staff, and supporters, as well as the greater drum corps community, kept the corps in operation and in competition, with the corps placing second that year at DCI Division II Finals in Madison, Wisconsin.

Despite being DCI Division II Champions five times, in 2009 the economic downturn forced the Spartans into bankruptcy. Bingo revenues had dropped off to a point where the corps discontinued that fundraising activity. Efforts to sell the corps hall had not been successful. [5] [6] The corps went through a year of inactivity and reorganized, including a change of management and sale of the corps hall. [7] [8] The corps then successfully returned to competition in 2010. [9]

Since returning to the DCI competition field in 2010, the Spartans have never placed outside the top 5 in the Open Class championship. The corps has also qualified for World Class semi finals consecutively since 2012, regularly finishing above a number of World Class corps.

In 2019, ten years after the corps went inactive, the Spartans were crowned the champions of the 2019 DCI Open Class World Championship with a score of 81.050. They were also the only corps to go undefeated throughout the regular season before world finals week. This was repeated in 2023 and 2024 when the Spartans were consecutively crowned undefeated Open Class World Champions. [10]

Sponsorship

The Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps is a registered non-profit 501(c)(3) musical organization. The president of the organization is Paul "PG" LaFlamme Jr. and the corps director is Anthony Montesion.

Show summary (1972–2024)

Source: [2]

Key
Light blue background indicates DCI Open Class Finalist [lower-alpha 1]
Goldenrod background indicates DCI Open Class Champion [lower-alpha 1]
Pale green background indicates DCI World Class Semifinalist [lower-alpha 2]
  1. 1 2 From 1986–1991, the Spartans competed in Class A, from 1992–2007 in Division II, and have competed since 2008 in Open Class. These are the same tier, just renamed.
  2. From 1997–2001, the Spartans also competed at the Division I championships, and since 2011 at the World Class championships. These are the same competition, just renamed.
YearRepertoireWorld Championships
ScorePlacement
1972Parade of the Charioteers (from Ben Hur) by Miklós Rózsa / Miami Beach / Colour My World & To Be Free by James Pankow / Miserlou (Traditional), adapted by Nicholas Roubanis / Love Theme (from Ben-Hur) by Miklós RózsaDid not attend
World Championships
1973Entrance to Sparta & Nonename by Albert LaFlamme / Soul Explosion by Gladys Bruce / Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?) by Jimmy Davis, Ram Ramirez & James Sherman / Air Mail Special by Benny Goodman, James Mundy & Charlie Christian / Miserlou (Traditional), adapted by Nicholas Roubanis / Love Theme (from Ben-Hur) by Miklós Rózsa
1974St. Louis Blues March by W. C. Handy, adapted my Glenn Miller / 2nd Hungarian Rhapsody by Franz Liszt / Moonlight Serenade by Glenn Miller & Mitchell Parish / Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing) by Louis Prima / Bésame Mucho by Consuelo Velázquez & Sunny Skylar / Love Theme (from Ben-Hur) by Miklós Rózsa / Basin Street Blues by Spencer Williams
19752nd Hungarian Rhapsody by Franz Liszt / Finlandia by Jean Sibelius / Boys and Girls Get Together by Jim Peterik / Miserlou (Traditional), adapted by Nicholas Roubanis / Sunrise, Sunset by Jerry Bock & Sheldon Harnick / Hang 'em High by Dominic Frontiere
19762nd Hungarian Rhapsody by Franz Liszt / Hallelujah Chorus by George Frideric Handel / Two Minds Meet by L. Raub & Bill Chase / Poet and Peasant Overture by Franz von Suppé / Finale (from Firebird Suite) by Igor Stravinsky
1977Flying Home by Benny Goodman, Eddie DeLange, Lionel Hampton & Sydney Robin / Parade of the Charioteers (from Ben-Hur) by Miklós Rózsa / Hallelujah Chorus by George Frideric Handel / Ol' Man River (from Showboat) by Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein II / Poet and Peasant Overture by Franz von Suppé / Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?) by Jimmy Davis, Ram Ramirez & James Sherman / Live and Let Live by Cole Porter
1978Compendium / Chump Change (from The New Bill Cosby Show) by Bill Cosby & Quincy Jones / A Day in the Life by Lennon–McCartney / Instant Concert by James Swearingen / Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin / Love Theme (from Ben-Hur) by Miklós Rózsa / Hang 'em High by Dominic Frontiere
1979Favourite Things / William Tell Overture by Gioachino Rossini / Sun Shower by Chuck Mangione / Night Journey by Doc Severinsen, Ernie Chapman & Fred Crane / Hill Where the Lord Hides by Chuck Mangione / Percussion Overture / Pegasus by Hank Levy
1980–85No information available
1986Repertoire unavailable67.9008th Place
Class A
1987Repertoire unavailable70.4005th Place
Class A
1988Liberty Mission (Unknown) / Carmen by Georges Bizet / I Have Dreamed (from The King and I) by Rodgers and Hammerstein / Poet and Peasant Overture by Franz von Suppé71.90012th Place
Class A
1989Camelot
Overture, Parade, Guenevere, What Do the Simple Folk Do? & Before I Gaze at You Again
All from Camelot by Frederick Loewe & Alan Jay Lerner
79.8006th Place
Class A
1990Scheherazade
Selections from Scheherazade by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
76.7007th Place
Class A
1991Scheherazade
Selections from Scheherazade by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
78.50011th Place
Class A
1992Hook
Selections from Hook by John Williams
84.0007th Place
Division II & III
Finalist
1993Aladdin
Selections from Aladdin by Alan Menken
84.9008th Place
Division II
1994Emerson, Lake, and Palmer
Music by Keith Emerson, Greg Lake & Carl Palmer
82.6009th Place
Division II
1995Rome: The Eternal City
Ben-Hur by Miklós Rózsa / Bacchanale (from Samson and Delilah) by Camille Saint-Saëns / Roman Festivals & Pines of the Appian Way (from The Pines of Rome) by Ottorino Respighi
88.8004th Place
Division II
Finalist
1996Return to Rome
Inzio (from Ben-Hur) by Miklós Rózsa / Cenotaph by Jack Stamp / Dance of Belkis at Dawn, Dream of King Solomon, War Dance & Orgiastic Dance (from Belkis, Queen of Sheba) by Ottorino Respighi
89.5004th Place
Division II
Finalist
1997Three Revelations
Awakening, Contemplation & Rejoicing by Alfred Reed
94.2001st Place
Division II
Champion
69.80023rd Place
Division I
1998Sinfonia Vocci: The Music of David Holsinger
Sinfonia Vocci & Ballet Sacra by David Holsinger
97.1001st Place
Division II
Champion
73.00022nd Place
Division I
1999Easter Symphony
Kings, Deathtree & Symphonia Resurrectus
All from The Easter Symphony by David Holsinger
95.3002nd Place
Division II
Finalist
73.70022nd Place
Division I
2000Glorioso
Glorioso, Oratio, Cantus III & Diofestos
80.7508th Place
Division II
2001Gladiator
The Battle & Barbarian Horde (from Gladiator) by Hans Zimmer & Lisa Gerrard / Ben-Hur by Miklós Rózsa
93.9503rd Place
Division II & III
Finalist
73.80020th Place
Division I
2002Guardians
Music from Gladiator by Hans Zimmer & Lisa Gerrard / Ben-Hur by Miklós Rózsa / Music from The Mummy Returns by Alan Silvestri / Bacchanale (from Samson and Delilah) by Camille Saint-Saëns
93.9005th Place
Division II & III
Finalist
2003The Divine Comedy
Inferno, Ascension, Paradise & Finale
All from The Divine Comedy, Symphony No. 1 by Robert W. Smith
94.4503rd Place
Division II & III
Finalist
2004Medusa
Medusa Lures Poseidon, Athena's Rage, Serpents & The Gorgon's Pursuit
All from Medusa by Key Poulan
96.3251st Place
Division II & III
Champion
2005Vizier
Wisdom, Experience, Conceive, Meditation, Ascendant & Vizier: The All-Seeing Eye
All from Vizier by Key Poulan
96.2751st Place
Division II & III
Champion
2006Advent Rising
Bounty Hunter, Stolen Transport, Glorious Human, Aurelian Conflict & Canyon Encounter
All from Advent Rising by Tommy Tallarico
94.0253rd Place
Division II & III
Finalist
2007Tarot
Fortune Teller; The Emperor and Strength; The Fool; The Magician & The Sun, Death, and Judgment
All from Tarot by Key Poulan, Peter Furnari & Eric Putnam
96.1501st Place
Division II & III
Champion
2008Metallic Soundscapes
Kingfishers Catch Fire, Turning & Turbine by John Mackey
82.70014th Place
Open Class
2009Corps inactive
2010Fire Dance
Inferno (from The Divine Comedy) by Robert W. Smith / Caronte, Ferryman of Souls; Entrance Into Hell; Interview of Ulysses & La Giudecca (all from Inferno di Dante) by Key Poulan
93.6003rd Place
Open Class
Finalist
2011Midnight
Midnight by Key Poulan / Bella's Lullabye & Other music from Twilight by Carter Burwell
91.5004th Place
Open Class
Finalist
69.35026th Place
World Class
2012Renewal
Infernal Dance, The Princess Game with the Golden Apples & Dance of the Princesses (from The Firebird Suite) / Dance of the Earth (from The Rite of Spring) / Berceuse & Finale (from The Firebird Suite)
All by Igor Stravinsky
91.1504th Place
Open Class
Finalist
70.75024th Place
World Class
Semifinalist
2013Live Free
Music from Swan Lake by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky / Music from The Matrix by Don Davis / Naqoyqatsi by Philip Glass
90.5004th Place
Open Class
Finalist
72.85024th Place
World Class
Semifinalist
2014Olympus
Olympus Intro by Jeff Boulduc, Matt McGuire & Michael Moore / Symphony for Brass and Percussion, Mvt. II by Alfred Reed / You Are So Beautiful by Bruce Fisher, Billy Preston & Dennis Wilson / Symphony No. 2 Mvt. III & There Will Be Rest by Frank Ticheli
77.0254th Place
Open Class
Finalist
74.05024th Place
World Class
Semifinalist
2015Spartans... At The Gates!
Prelude to War – Original music by Key Poulan, Michael Moore & Matt McGuire
Spartan Warrior To Victory – To Victory (from 300) by Tyler Bates
Defending the Gates – Piano Concerto No. 1, 3rd Movement: Toccata Con Fuoco by Keith Emerson
Empyrean Mercenaries – From Trailerhead by Immediate
Battle – The Battle (from Gladiator) by Hans Zimmer & Lisa Gerrard
Glory, Honor & Immortality – Lauds (Praise High Day) by Ron Nelson
76.0253rd Place
Open Class
Finalist
71.50023rd Place
World Class
Semifinalist
2016Totem
Gabriel's Oboe (from The Mission) by Ennio Morricone / Ome Kayo (from Cirque du Soleil's Totem) by Guy Dubuc & Marc Lessard / Conflict by Key Poulan, Michael Moore & Matt McGuire / Crazy in Love by Beyoncé Knowles, Rich Harrison, Shawn Carter & Eugene Record / Sacrifice by Michael Moore & Matt McGuire / Adiemus Chorale VI (SolFa) by Karl Jenkins
74.7505th Place
Open Class
Finalist
71.47525th Place
World Class
Semifinalist
2017Connected
We Are Here to Connect, Missed Connections, ReConnected & We Are All Connected (all by Key Poulan, Michael Moore & Matt McGuire) / Angel by Sarah McLachlan
75.9255th Place
Open Class
Finalist
73.47525th Place
World Class
Semifinalist
2018Da Vinci's Workshop
Meet Leonardo & The Vitruvian Man by Key Poulan, Matt McGuire & Michael Moore / Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy, arranged by Key Poulan & Michael Moore / The Workshop by Matt McGuire & Michael Moore / Sogno di Volare by Christopher Tin, arranged by Key Poulan, Matt McGuire & Michael Moore
75.7135th Place
Open Class
Finalist
74.25025th Place
World Class
Semifinalist
2019Experiment X
Act I: Balkan Dance by Etienne Crausaz / Egyptic by David Satori, Zoe Jakes, Tommy "Sidecar" Cappel (Beats Antique)
Act II: Libertango by Astor Piazzolla
Act III: Shallow by Stefani Germanotta (Lady Gaga), Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando & Andrew Wyatt
Act IV: Gretel & Shofukan by Michael League (Snarky Puppy)
81.0501st Place
Open Class
Champion
80.35019th Place
World Class
Semifinalist
2020Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021Opted out of competition for the season
2022On the Edge
Act I: Mustard Gas by Casey Crescenzo, Andy Wildrick, Erick Serna, Nick Crescenzo & Nate Patterson (The Dear Hunter)
Act II: Backlash by Simon Dobson
Act III: Retrograde by James Blake
Act IV: Spark by Hiromi Uehara, Anthony Jackson & Simon Phillips
81.0254th Place
Open Class
Finalist
76.60023rd Place
World Class
Semifinalist
2023Surreal
Zambra by Ojos de Brujo / Redemption for the Pain Endured by The Dear Hunter / Fables of Faubus by Charles Mingus / Playing God by Polyphia / Tragic Kingdom by No Doubt
82.2631st Place
Open Class
Champion
81.27519th Place
World Class
Semifinalist
2024Youtopia
Frontier by Holly Herndon / Sweet Release: Church: Renewing Vows by Wynton Marsallis / Alfonso Muskedunder by Todd Terje / What Was I Made For? by Billie Eilish O'Connell & Finneas O'Connell / Air Waltz by Oliver Davis / Original music by Aaron Goldberg, Mark Sachetta, Bryson Teel & Brian
82.9631st Place
Open Class
Champion
81.52519th Place
World Class
Semifinalist

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References

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  4. "About Us | Spartans Drum & Bugle Corps - Nashua, NH".
  5. "Drum-and-bugle corps files for bankruptcy". 13 January 2009.
  6. Strom, Stephanie (20 February 2009). "Charities Now Seek Bankruptcy Protection". The New York Times.
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  10. "DCI Open Class World Championship Finals".