Rule Britannia and Greensleeves
The memory of these two songs can foster the image of no
other organization than the Guardsmen from Schaumburg, IL. For those who wore
the unique British-themed uniforms or played those now-familiar tunes, the memories
have not faded.
The Guardsmen gained the majority of its members from a core
area, the suburbs of Chicago. Hailed as the "Cinderella" corps of 1976 due
to its remarkable leap in score to make DCI Finals for the first time in the corps'
history, its members enjoyed their experiences in small competitions in Illinois
and Wisconsin as well as national contests in major cities.
During its 33-year existence (1961-1993), this corps not
only made DCI Finals four times (1976, 1978, 1979 and 1980), but also filmed a commercial
for Kentucky Fried Chicken in 1976 that aired across the nation.
The Beginnings
The Guardsmen were founded in 1961 by a local VFW post in
Mt. Prospect, IL. Following in the steps of many young corps of the era, the
goal of the organization was to provide a youth activity that promoted music, good
citizenship and proper moral character.
The corps participated in local civic activities such as
parades, fund-raisers and community appearances. During the 1960s, the corps
grew and started competing in local competitions throughout the Midwest, occasionally
participating in VFW contests.
The British are coming!
The British are coming!
In the early 1970s, the corps adopted a marked British theme
that was further exemplified in their music. Rule Britannia was first played
by the Guardsmen in 1972 and quickly became a favored warm-up piece that identified
and unified the corps.
The theme to the popular television show "Masterpiece Theater"
was played in 1973, further delineating the British image the corps was developing.
In 1974, Rule Britannia returned as part of the field show along with Procession
of the Nobles, a regal tune that delighted audiences.
A Fallen Angel
During the winter of 1975-1976, when the corps was gearing
up for one of its most successful seasons, tragedy struck. Denise Tomaszewski,
a young color guard member with a vibrant personality and quick smile, died of cancer.
It was a shock to everyone involved with the corps. Members of the Guardsmen
stood at attention on either side of the casket during her entire wake and she was
buried in her uniform with the corps playing softly in the background.
The 1976 season was dedicated to her, and before every competition,
the members of the corps gathered for prayer and remembrance.
The Cinderella corps of 1976
Placing no higher than 31st in previous DCI Prelims, it was
a stunning achievement when the corps finished 12th at the 1976 show in Philadelphia.
A local paper in Illinois reported the good news: "The Guardsmen of Hoffman Estates-Schaumburg
has been acclaimed the 12th best corps of its kind in the nation. The honors
came Saturday night in Philadelphia where 26,000 people jammed the stands to watch
the 1976 Drum Corps International Finals.
"In 1975, the Guardsmen took 31st place in DCI. Of
almost 2,000 drum corps in the United States and Canada, 232 competed in the two-day
preliminary trials. The Guardsmen scored an 83.75 in the prelims, tying for
10th place.
"Channel 11 (PBS) carried the four-hour spectacular in the
Midwest, allowing millions of people to hear and see the Guardsmen for the
first time as they took the field with the top echelon in the drum and bugle corps
world."
Kentucky Fried Chicken
During 1976, the corps was contacted by the Leo Burnett Advertising
Agency to star in a Kentucky Fried Chicken commercial. The agency's representatives
said the orange color of the Guardsmen uniforms complimented the color scheme of
the company and, when a commercial was written that featured a "marching band,"
the Guardsmen Drum and Bugle Corps was a perfect choice.
On a tree-lined estate in Barrington Hills, IL, the corps
spent two days in the hot sun running drill sets over and over again to perfect
the moves needed for the advertisement. All eyes were on Col. Sanders as he
signed one of the corps' bass drums after the filming was complete.
Featured on national television, the commercials aired in
15-, 30- and 60-second time slots. Most of the members used the small checks
they received for performing to help with dues that year. The actors who starred
in the commercial received significantly more!
Championship guard
With the competitive winter guard circuit flourishing, the
Guardsmen found their niche among the best of the activity. Transferring their
unmistakable British marching style and precision guard work from the field to the
gymnasium floor, the Guardsmen quickly became known as the guard to beat on the
WGI Midwest circuit.
Parade of the Wooden Soldiers and the Olympic Theme were
soon associated with the guard in the black busbies who held their heads high.
The Little Brits
The corps was also successful in supporting a feeder corps.
The Guardsmen Cadets competed in the local Midwest circuit with their counterparts
from the Cavaliers, Kilties, Madison Scouts and Phantom Regiment. As the older
corps gained success in the 1976 through 1979 seasons, so did their little brothers
and sisters. A winter guard also blossomed out of the cadet corps.
Continued success at DCI
After the exciting year in 1976, the corps failed to make
1977 DCI Finals in Denver, CO. Taking 16th in prelims, the corps left Denver
feeling down, but not out. The corps returned to DCI in 1978 with a field
show re-dedicated to their British image and with their second uniform makeover
in as many years. They were determined to prove the 1976 appearance in Philadelphia
was not a fluke. They bettered 1976's 12th-place finish by one spot, placing
11th in 1978. It was also that year that the now-famous, extra-tall shakos
replaced the white helmets previously donned by the corps.
In 1979, the Guardsmen hit their peak, placing seventh at
DCI Finals. The corps wowed audiences with a blazing rendition of Tiger of San Pedro
and Greensleeves. In 1980, the corps returned to the 12th- place spot.
Despite attempts to return to the national ranks, the Guardsmen placed 15th in 1981
and 32nd in 1982.
Financial Strains Prove Too Much
Unfortunately, the Guardsmen could not keep up with the financial
commitments necessary to remain a competitive corps and marched their last season
in 1990. The cadet corps enjoyed a brief rebirth in 1992-1994, but it ultimately
folded as well.
With the help of colorful streamers swirling around a maypole
with strains of Greensleeves played in true "old drum corps closer" fashion, the
Guardsmen found their way into the hearts of the crowds. Those who marched
in the orange and black will always remember friendships and wonderful times.
Even today, when they hear the beginning chords of Hail Britannia they can't help
but think, "The British are coming! The British are coming!"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
(This article was originally published in volume 2 of "A History of Drum & Bugle
Corps," produced by Drum Corps World newspaper in June 2003. The 432-page
book is still available by going to the DCW Web page at
WWW.DRUMCORPSWORLD.COM.