Sep
What began as a very sketchy idea in the early 1980s went through a number of concepts, but was finally realized with the introduction of DCX — The Drum Corps Xperience through a 45-second promotional video shown on the video board during DCI Prelims at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 10. To see the video, click here — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGF0U7-UV2c&feature=youtu.be
First it was just a simple idea to establish a physical museum with drum and bugle corps as the centerpiece, with content on related groups including marching bands, drill teams, color guards, fife and drum corps and drum and bell units. Lack of funds and ways to raise millions of dollars thwarted the plan.
The concept evolved to a traveling museum built in a 53-foot semi-trailer (left and below), being displayed at drum corps shows in the summer, marching band competitions in the fall and music educator conventions during the winter and spring. This part of the idea was developed in 1999. Once again, financing the traveling display was a significant stumbling block.
More years went by until a small group of drum corps history buffs decided two years ago to finally bring the project to fruition, timed to correspond with the 45th anniversaries of Drum Corps International and Drum Corps World magazine, both founded in October 1971.
In addition to the video that debuted on August 10, 5,000 postcards (above) were distributed to fans attending the three-day series of championship events in Indianapolis during early August.
There was also an announcement about the DCX Web site through another 1,500 postcards that were handed out at the 2017 DCA Championships last weekend in Rochester, NY, at both the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame banquet and at the competitions held at Capelli Sports Stadium.
The “virtual” museum was the result of much discussion as the plan came into better focus during the last year. The individuals who made the project work includes Frank Dorritie, Bill ives, Bob Jacobs, Gail Langon, Chris Maher and Steve Vickers. All have had a great deal of interest in preserving the history of the drum and bugle corps activity that dates back to the first competition, held in 1921 at the American Legion National Convention in Kansas City, MO.
The Web site is actually built around the already-existing www.corpsreps.com that committee member Chris Maher created a number of years ago. He updated the content and look, adding galleries that include a wide variety of content, listed on the accompanying postcard (below).
The other key individual is Bill Ives who has accumulated an archive containing more than 16,000 drum corps items, including more than 200 historic uniforms from the junior and senior corps eras, dating back to the 1950s.
Bill Ives has systematically cataloged the collection, while he and Chris Maher prepared photographs of everything, which makes up the bulk of content currently added to the Web site for its initial trail run that has produced tremendous numbers of visitors since August 10. The project has been set up under the re-activated 21st Century Drum & Bugle Corps Foundation, Inc., an IRS-recognized 501-(c)(3) non-profit educational organization. After January 2, 2018, contributions will be accepted, either financial or through donations of material like uniforms, shakos, corps buttons and any other type of memorabilia that falls into one of the categories listed above.
There will eventually be video and audio recordings with discussions with many of the activity’s leaders in management, design, instruction and performers. What can be included is not limited to the list that is part of the initial launch. Did through your basements, attics, garages and closets, then consider adding your items to the collection. Whenever possible the source of the items is noted coming from individuals or organizations. Check out the 45-second spot that was shown at DCI on Thursday evening introducing DCX . . . https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5q_bPKtaunLSzNCUkZtcGJRMFU/view?ts=59b05954
After you’ve visited the Web site — www.dcxmuseum.org — consider what you can do to help this effort to preserve the history of this great activity. This is your chance to add to the archive and also to reminisce about your time participating, contributing, volunteering or cheering on the great drum and bugle corps that have existed over the last nearly nine decades.
If you have questions about the DCX “virtual” museum, please contact one of these individuals —
• Bill Ives — ivesbill@msn.com
• Chris Maher — chris@corpsreps.com
• Steve Vickers — svickers846@gmail.com
I am looking for information on two New Jersey Drum & Bugle Corps. The Sacred Heart Manville Crusaders and the Firesiders of Union, NJ.
I am interested in the Directors names Crusaders, I believe was John …………..
and the Firesiders was Ben …………… . My interest comes from the Association they were in, I believe was the Shore Circuit and our Drum Corps the Lamplighters from Lindenwold, NJ joined somewhere around 1965-1966. My father Burt Cook Sr. was the Lamplighters Director and was close friends of these two men.
Any information would be appreciated.
The Firesiders’ director was Benny Young. The Firesiders became the Bayshore Buccaneers around 1966. I marched one year with Bayshore Buccaneers before joining Blessed Sacrament. A good source of historical information about the Bayshore Buccaneers is George J. Sullivan, who you will find on Facebook. He now marches with the Skyliners alumni. He was a snare drummer in the Firesiders for many years. – Gary