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. The Spartans won the DCI Division II World Championship in 1997, 1998, 2004, 2005, and 2007.
Video Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps
History
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The Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps was founded in 1955 by Albert LaFlamme as a way to keep at-risk youth off of the streets. Mr. LaFlamme was succeeded as corps director by his son Peter. Today, the corps is run by Albert's grandson, Paul "PG" LaFlamme Jr.
Over the corps' long history, it has performed for Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, and George H.W. Bush.
In 1990, the corps was gifted with a corps hall that also hosted their bingo operation.
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.
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, although payments were still due on the hall's mortgage.
The corps went through a year of inactivity and reorganized, including a change of management and sale of the corps hall for an amount large enough to pay off the corps' debts. The corps then successfully returned to competition in 2010.
Maps Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps
Sponsorship
The Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps is a registered non-profit 501(c)(3) musical organization which has a Board of Directors, director, and staff assigned to carry out the organization's mission. The president of the board is Paul "PG" LaFlamme, Jr., the operations director is Ann Prendergast, and the corps director is Richard Rigolini.
Show Summary (1972-2018)
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Gold background indicates DCI Championship; pale blue background indicates DCI Class Finalist; pale green background indicates DCI semifinalist; pale purple background indicates Open Class finalist (but not champion) and World Class semifinalist.
References
Traditions
Corps Song:
The Spartans Corps Song is "Fire of Eternal Glory" By Dmitri Shostakovich.
Pre-Show Hype:
Before a DCI competition or exhibition performance, the head drum major will yell "Spartans! Prepare for Glory!" Followed by 3 Chants by the rest of the Corps.
External links
- Spartans website
- Drum Corps International website
Source of article : Wikipedia