 | |
| Location | Syracuse, New York |
|---|---|
| Division | Open Class |
| Founded | 1938 |
| Championship titles | AL: 1957, 1958 DCA: 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 |
The Brigadiers were an all-age drum and bugle corps operated by the Brigadiers Music Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Brigadiers were charter members of Drum Corps Associates and were based in Syracuse, New York.
The corps was founded as a junior drum and bugle corps sponsored by the Polish Legion of American Veterans (P.L.A.V.) Post #14 in Syracuse, NY. It performed as a parade corps until World War II. After World War II, the group was reorganized as an all-age drum and bugle corps and began field competition in 1947.
The Brigadiers competed in the American Legion National Championships from 1947 until 1964, making finals in every year. The corps captured American Legion National Championships in 1957 and 1958. In 1965, the Brigadiers became charter members of DCA, and they competed until 1973, when they ceased operations.
In October 1990, several alumni of the Syracuse Brigadiers met to discuss resurrecting the corps. After placing advertisements on television and radio, a parade corps was formed for 1991 and a field corps was formed in 1992. In their first year back in competition, the corps placed 11th at finals. In 1993, the corps placed ninth and regained full membership within DCA. The Brigadiers went on to win championships in 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002. The 2002 show earned the corps what was at the time the highest recorded score in DCA history, 98.6. In 2009 the corps became inactive due to lack of funding and declining membership.
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.
Classic drum and bugle corps are musical ensembles that descended from military bugle and drum units returning from World War I and succeeding wars. Traditionally, drum and bugle corps served as signaling units as early as before the American Civil War, with these signaling units having descended in some fashion from ancient drum and fife corps. With the advent of the radio, bugle signaling units became obsolete and surplus equipment was sold to veteran organizations. These organizations formed drum and bugle corps of civilians and veterans, and the corps performed in community events and local celebrations. Over time, rivalries between corps emerged and the competitive drum and bugle corps circuit evolved.
Drum Corps Associates (DCA) was a governing body for modern all-age and senior drum and bugle corps in North America. Its responsibilities included sanctioning competitions, certifying adjudicators, maintaining and enforcing rules of competition, and hosting an annual World Championship during Labor Day weekend. Historically, DCA members were referred to as "senior corps" in contrast to the "junior corps", who limit participants to a maximum 22 years of age. As DCA had no age restriction, the term "all-age corps" has come into common use.
Drum Corps International (DCI) is a governing body for drum and bugle corps responsible for developing and enforcing rules of competition and for providing standardized adjudication at sanctioned drum and bugle corps competitions throughout the United States and Canada. It is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps based in Madison, Wisconsin. The Madison Scouts are one of the thirteen founding member corps of Drum Corps International (DCI) and a two-time DCI World Champion. Entering the 2024 season, the Madison Scouts are currently the oldest continuously active junior corps.
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.
The Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps is an all-age drum and bugle corps based in Reading, Pennsylvania. The corps was a charter member of Drum Corps Associates, and is now a member of the Drum Corps International All-Age Class.
The Empire Statesmen Drum and Bugle Corps was an all-age or senior drum corps based in Rochester, New York, United States. They were the only all-age corps to place in the top four of the DCA finals for 24 years straight (1988–2011) including five first place finishes in that same span.
The Bushwackers Drum and Bugle Corps is an all-age drum and bugle corps that competes in the Drum Corps Associates circuit, It was founded in 1981 in Harrison, New Jersey. The corps is based in Princeton, New Jersey and is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. The corps' percussion section is the only one in either junior or senior corps to ever win six straight High Percussion Awards at Championships: 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991. The Corps has won the Drum Corps Associates Open Class World Champions six times.
The Seattle Cascades Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive drum and bugle corps. Based in Seattle, Washington, the Cascades is a member corps of Drum Corps International.
The Hawthorne Caballeros, sponsored by American Legion Post #199 in Hawthorne, New Jersey, is a drum and bugle corps entering their 76th season of competition.
The Sunrisers Drum and Bugle Corps is an all-age, or senior, drum corps from Long Island, New York. The corps is a member of Drum Corps Associates (DCA), and as of 2021 competes in Open Class.
The Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in Casper, Wyoming, the Troopers was one of the thirteen founding member corps of Drum Corps International (DCI).
Atlanta CV is an all-age drum and bugle corps that competes in the Drum Corps Associates circuit. It was founded in 1997 and is one of two competitive corps in the state of Georgia, alongside Spirit of Atlanta.
The Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps is an senior drum and bugle corps based in St. Peter, Minnesota, that competes in the Drum Corps International (DCI) All-Age class. Founded in 1927, the Governaires are considered to be the oldest continuously active drum and bugle corps. Prior to the dissolution of Drum Corps Associates (DCA), The Governaires won four DCA Class A World Champions.
The Minnesota Brass Drum and Bugle Corps is an all-age drum and bugle corps based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States, that competes in Drum Corps Associates (DCA). A consistent DCA Finalist, Minnesota Brass was the 2011 DCA Open Class World Champion.
The Racine Scouts(formally the Racine Explorer Scouts) Drum and Bugle Corps was a junior parade Drum and bugle corps. Based in Racine, Wisconsin, the corps marched parades in the Midwestern United States. The Racine Scouts, nicknamed the "Chrome Domes", was the oldest continuously active junior drum and bugle corps in North America until they ceased activity in 2016.
The Connecticut Hurricanes Drum and Bugle Corps, also known by their nickname the Hurcs, is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization based in Seymour, Connecticut existing as an all-age competitive drum and bugle corps. The Hurricanes reigned as the oldest, continually active organization in Drum Corps Associates until its merger with Drum Corps International.
White Sabers Drum & Bugle Corps is an all-age competitive drum and bugle corps based in Gates, NY. Founded in 1928, the corps has a long history as a parade corps. White Sabers is a two-time DCA Class A World Champion, a perennial DCA Open Class finalist - achieving 4th place in 2019. The Corps began competing in DCA's new World Class in 2022.