Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps
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Troopers
[[|Troopers]]
| Location | Casper, WY |
|---|---|
| Division | World Class |
| Founded | 1957 |
| Director | Mike Ottoes |
| Championship Titles | 1970 |
| Corps Uniform | Based on the uniform worn by the 11th Ohio Cavalry in the 1800s. Dark blue pants with black shoes, matching dark blue jackets with double row of brass buttons, black gauntlets and gloves with brass buttons and gold border, gold scarf, and black Stetson hats with crossed-saber pin. |
The Troopers are a World Class drum and bugle corps that competes in Drum Corps International. They are a founding member of Drum Corps International, and their operations are centered in Casper, Wyoming. They are the only active drum and bugle corps in Wyoming. The Troopers are often called "America's Corps", due to their US cavalry-inspired uniforms and their musical selections that frequently have a Western or American theme. The Troopers are currently under the direction of Executive Director Mike Ottoes.
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[edit] Corps History
The Troopers were founded in 1957 by James E. Jones in Casper, Wyoming to provide an activity for the youth of Casper. The corps spent its first year as a parade corps, and the following year took to the field for the first time.
Realizing that the corps would not be able to participate in the major drum corps competitions at the time due to their geographic remoteness, the Troopers began touring through the country on large charter buses. Because of this, the corps is widely credited with starting the tradition of the modern touring drum corps. The corps is also noted as being one of the first coed corps in existence.
[edit] Corps Operations
The corps offices are located in Casper, Wyoming, in the Troopers Center. The corps runs their Bingo operation in the same facility, as well as their fleet of charter buses, semi trailers, and auxiliary vehicles.
The organization oversees the drum corps itself (its primary program offering), and all the operations that go with such a program, including but not limited to the nine week long summer tour, monthly winter training camps, souvenir sales, and so on. Also under the organization is the Trooper Cadets, a summer band program.
[edit] Awards and Achievements
VFW National Champions - 1966, 1970
VFW National Silver Medalist - 1963, 1967, 1971
VFW National Bronze Medalist - 1969
VFW National Finals - 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971
VFW National Prelims - 1962
American Legion National Champions - 1969
American Legion National Championships - 1961, 1962, 1966, 1969
World Open Champions - 1965, 1969, 1970
World Open Silver Medalist - 1966
World Open Finals - 1965, 1966, 1969, 1970, 1971
World Open Prelims - 1964
CYO National Champions - 1968, 1969, 1970
North American Invitational Champions - 1968, 1969, 1970
North American Open Silver Medalist - 1970
National Jubilee Champions - 1968
DCI Silver Medalist - 1973
DCI Finalist - 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1979, 1981, 1985, 1986
DCI Semi-finalist - 1976, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1994, 1995
DCI Quarter-finalist - 1977, 1978, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007
[edit] Performances
The Troopers tour North America every summer for nine weeks while participating in DCI's Summer Music Games. The members travel between 10,000 and 15,000 miles during this time and visit 20-30 states. The summer tours include performing in around 30 shows, parades, and local community events. In the past the corps has competed in Drum Corps America, American Legion, VFW, and CYO circuits as well.
The Troopers have performed for several US Presidents, most recently in the Inaugural Parade in 2001 for George W. Bush, as well as for Vice President Dick Cheney (a Wyoming native), Presidents Johnson, Nixon, Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and Clinton, members of the US Congress, the World's Fair, and for the NATO Defense College. They were the first competitive drum corps to perform in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade.
[edit] 2008 Program and the 50th Anniversary
The title of the Troopers 2008 production is "The Ironhorse Express," which will feature the music of Eric Whitacre, Sean O'Loughlin, John Mackey, Richard Saucedo and William Gordon.
The corps 50th Anniversary is being commemorated with the creation of a corps history book, titled "Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps: Celebrating 50 Years of Honor, Loyalty, and Dedication". It may be purchased through the corps' "On-Line Sheepwagon". The Troopers will also be forming an alumni corps for the 50th Anniversary which will be performing with the A corps in Cheyenne, Wyoming on July 11, 2008. The Troopers Alumni Corps is expected to perform at the annual Troop Whoop in the Denver, Colorado area.
[edit] 2008 Summer Music Games Tour Schedule and Scores
June 21 - Toledo, OH
June 23 - Pt. Huron, MI
June 25 - Decatur, IN
June 27 - Racine, WI
June 28 - Madison, WI
June 29 - Coon Rapids, MN
July 1 - Des Moines, IA
July 2 - Milwaukee, WI
July 3 - Cedarburg, WI
July 5 - DCI Kalamazoo - Kalamazoo, MI
July 10 - Ogden, UT
July 12 - Drums Along the Rockies - Denver, CO
July 14 - Lincoln, NE
July 15 - Hutchinson, KS
July 17 - Houston, TX
July 19 - DCI Southwestern Championship - San Antonio, TX
July 20 - Denton, TX
July 21 - Broken Arrow, OK
July 22 - Wichita, KS
July 23 - Pittsburg, KS
July 26 - DCI Southeastern Championship - Atlanta, GA
July 28 - Sevierville, TN
July 29 - Centerville, OH
July 30 - Columbus, OH
August 1 - DCI Eastern Classic - Allentown, PA
August 2 - Schuylkill Haven, PA
August 3 - Hershey, PA
August 4 - Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival - Canton, OH
August 7 - DCI World Championships Quarterfinals - Bloomington, IN
August 8 - DCI World Championships Semifinals - Bloomington, IN
August 9 - DCI World Championships Finals - Bloomington, IN
[edit] External links
- The Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps
- Troopers On-Line Sheepwagon
- Corps' DCI Website
- Troopers Historical Repertoire at Corps Reps
- Drum Corps International
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