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Our History
The Marksmen Drum and Bugle Corps started in 1957 as a senior drum corps. Drum corps had been developed during the 1920’s and 30’s as veterans’
groups spawned organizations for their conventions and parades. They also sponsored junior drum corps, such as Sons of Legion or VFW and this branched
out into CYO and Boy Scout sponsors over the years. The Marksmen tradition blossomed during the 1960’s, using the theme of the Springfield Armory and
representing the City of Springfield. The Marksmen Senior Drum and Bugle Corps appeared in many parades throughout the northeast and competed in
drum corps competitions in the Yankee Circuit, winning many awards and top honors. The Marksmen also successfully competed in national competitions,
with appearances up and down the east coast, including New York’s Carnegie Hall and Shea Stadium. During the Vietnam War of the 1960’s, many members
of The Marksmen were called to duty and, because of the great number of members entering military service, the corps was forced to disband in 1969.
In 1989, the corps held a reunion and interest among members was rekindled. It was decided that an alumni corps would be formed with former
members of The Marksmen and former members of other drum corps in the area. Performances would be limited to shows and parades but not for
competition purposes, which takes a great deal of rehearsal time. However, The Marksmen Alumni have still managed to secure titles. We were voted
America’s Alumni Drum Corps and were named The Show Corps of the ‘90s for three years running by Drum Corps World magazine.
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