Guardsmen Drum And Bugle Corps

The Guardsmen was a junior Drum & Bugle Corps, based in Schaumburg, Illinois. The corps was formed in 1961. Active in Drum Corps International (DCI), the Guardsmen's best finish was seventh place in Finals competition in 1979. They continued to compete as late as 1994. The corps holds the distinction of achieving the biggest jump in standings from one year to the next, from 31st to 12th from 1975 to 1976. The Guardsmen was actually one of the most widely seen drum corps in history, because they appeared in a 1975 television commercial for Kentucky Fried Chicken. The spot showed a family enjoying the Colonel's best at a picnic table in a park when over the hill behind them came a drum corps, horns, percussion and guard strutting across a grass lawn without benefit of yardlines. This commercial was the first time some viewers had ever seen sideways marching, or a piccolo in a drum corps. The Chicago Cavaliers were originally lined up for that commercial, but the Guardsmen stole their place because they had the KFC colors of orange, black, and white. (The inpossibly high shakos for which the corps became known later did not appear until 1977 or 1978.) (Originally published in Drum Corps World, 4/7/89, p20; John Haliotis, RAMD, 7/18/97; Dave McBurney, RAMD, 1/31/98; Spencer Maguire, RAMD, 5/3/94; A History of Drum and Bugle Corps, 2002; Gary Cuzzocrea, RAMD, 3/9/99;Alan Maas). 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 Chicago Cavaliers, Kilties Drum & Bugle Corps, Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps and Phantom Regiment (2). 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).