Mighty Liberators Drum and Bugles Corps
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The Mighty Liberators Drum and Bugle Corps, one of the only all-black drum and bugle corps in history, burst onto the "Class A" (one step below the most elite "Open Class") scene of the late 70s.
Based in Rochester, New York, the group rose from the remnants of a local parade team of bugles and drums called Scott's Sabers, which was founded and led for decades by Lewis A Scott ("Scottie"). When the Scott's Sabers disbanded due to lack of funding, Mr. Emmitt Porter stepped forward. Emmitt had always credited the Sabers with helping to turn his life around. Now in his adulthood, Emmitt had become a leader in a federally-funded anti-poverty program (these were popular in the 70s) called Action for a Better Community (HERE to read the 2004 annual report, including a timeline of Liberators accomplishments. Emmitt was responsible for establishing a youth program geared to keep kids off the streets and teach them responsibility. Hence, the Mighty Liberators was born in 1972.
Starting from almost nothing, the Mighty Liberators grew to be over 100 strong, with support from parents, families, and organizations all over the Rochester area. The corps acquired new bugels (soprano, baritone, bass, and flugel), percussion, tailor-made uniforms, luxury touring buses, and eventually a building of their own to practice in. Some of the best instructors available in the Rochester area were bought in to write scores and teach skills.
In 1982, the corps disbanded due to ABC program cutbacks.
REBIRTH: In 2006, a group of Liberators alumni gathered together and started anew. Beginning with a color guard, the Mighty Liberators have begun their second generation. See the following article for more information.
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[edit] Competitive shows
Soon after forming, the Liberators began touring the northeast during the summer vacation season to perform in shows, performance competitions, exhibitions, and parades. In June 1977, the Liberators won the Rochester Tournament of Drums competition, beating other prestigious corps. By the time of the summer tour of 1977, the Liberators had become proficient enough that during their annual summer tour they traveled to the far west to compete in places like Ohio, Wyoming, and Nebraska. The summer culminated with a spot in the Drum Corps International (DCI) competition held in Boulder, Colorado.
On a hot summer night of August 17, 1977, high in the Rocky Mountains, the Mighty Liberators defied the odds by placing 6th in the finals. By reaching the finals to perform under the lights in this massive football stadium with the eyes of thousands on them, this group of inexperienced kids had already beaten nearly every other corps in their class.
Click here to listen to recording of Liberators 1977 DCI performance
1977 DCI Finals Scores Class A
- Bengal Lancers 74.20
- Renaissance 71.05
- Sky Ryders 66.35
- Imperial Regiment 65.40
- Northern Aurora 63.55
- Mighty Liberators 59.65
- Black Watch 54.40
[edit] DCI Championships Repertoire
- name?
- name?
- "Land of Make Believe", Chuck Mangione
- name?
- "You are the Sunshine of my Life", Stevie Wonder
[edit] Alumni Roll Call
[edit] Staff and volunteers
Administrative Staff
- Director
- Emmitt Porter
- Assistant Director
- David (Corky)Singleton
- Artistic Director
- Peter L. Bibby
- Secretary
- Shirley Taggart
- Equitment Managers
- Roy Jones
- Ed Washington
- Lewis Scott
- Charles (Slim)Hamer
Instructors and Staff
- M&M and Field Designer
- Fred Gebhard
- M&M and Color Guard
- Mike Linton
- Willie Roberts
- Color Guard
- Willie Moss
- Michael Williams
- Musical Arrangers
- David Martin
- Ed Cosolino
- Horns
- Bruce Lee
- John McFadden
- Nate Rawls
- Dick Bargy
- Donny Allen
- Percussion Arrangers
- Thomas Conti
- Bill McGrath
- J.W. Walton
- Michael Powell
- Dick O'Conner
- Michael Williams
- Rick Rogers
- Volunteers:
- Bus Drivers
- Lewis Scott
- John Van Horn
- Richard Byrd
- Fred Nash
- Eddie Flowers
- Chester Latrell
- Chaperones
- Mrs. Jackie Holmes
- Ms. A. Brown
- Ms. M. Lewis
- Ms. King
- Mrs. F. Washinhton
- Mr. O. Brown
- Ms. G. Tilley
- Mr. Sam
[edit] Drum majors
- Johnathon Scott
- Murray King
[edit] Horns
[edit] Soprano
- Pat Lathrop
- Kirk Holmes
- Teddy Thomas
- Harvey ?
[edit] Baritone
- Stacy Holmes
- Ed Washington, III ("Number III")
- Pete Love
[edit] Contrabass
- Orlando Roberson
- Randy Byrd
- Ruie Hannah
[edit] Other Horns
- Cynthia Whipple, French Horn
- Nancy Cox, Mellophone
- Rorie Trammel, Mellophone
- Dennis Jackson, French Horn
[edit] Drums
[edit] Snare
- Michael Holmes
- D. Scott Hampton
- Curtis Kendrick
- Brian Elmdorf
- Doug Young
- David Young
- Alfred Cox
- Peter Lewis
- Eric Jackson
[edit] Tri-tom's
- Arthur King
- Dennis McCummings
- Ronnie
- Franklin Lee
[edit] Bass Drum
- Anthony Roberson
- Cordel Stuart
- Dennis Jackson
[edit] Other Percussion
- Dallas Lee, Xylophone
- Christine Flowers
- Ronnie King
- Veronica Wilson, congas, xylophone
[edit] Color Guard
- Janice Ivery Adams (Captain)
- Janet Ivery (Captain)
- Michelle Bradford
- Natlyn ?
[edit] Rifles
- Sandra Lathrop
- Ernie ?
- Erol Simpson
- Morris Ducette
- Cynt Hill
