Americanos


Other Names: Johnston S.A.L. Squadron Post 38; Johnston Blessman Post 38; Fox Valley Americanos

Appleton and Menasha, WI United States
Founded: 1936

Inactive Junior
Division II/III
YearPositionScoreTheme/Songs
1971 Armandos Rhumba * Make Me Smile * Taste of Honey * Mexican Hat Dance * Goin' Out Of My Head  
1973 31 59.200 Bolero * America * El Capitan * Amparita Roca * Conga * Mexican Hat Dance * Chove Chuva * Manana  
1974 29 68.050 Carmen * El Rancho Grande * Johnny One Note (from Babes in Arms) * Bugler's Holiday * Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White * Manana  
1975 Valencia * Peanut Vendor * Bugler's Holiday * Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White * Manana  
1976 Valencia * Tijuana Taxi * Land of Make Believe * Holiday for Things (Strings) * Brazil * Portugese(Irish) Washer Woman * Adios * Manana  
1980 39 50.750 Waltz of the Mushroom Hunters * Dancing Men * Slaughter on Tenth Avenue (from On Your Toes) * Be Free * My Way  
1981 45 44.250 Spanish Fantasy * Be Free * Slaughter on Tenth Avenue (from On Your Toes) * La Cucaracha * Manha de Carnaval * Malaguena  
1982 Malaguena * Late in the Evening * All That Jazz * Love Theme (from El Cid)  
1987 312 58.300 (Repertoire not available)  
1988 304 74.600 (Repertoire not available)  
1989 304 84.400 Gitano * Dance, Sister, Dance * Hot, Hot, Hot * Promises  
1990 29 64.400 Gitano * La Bamba * La Isla Bonita  
1991 306 72.400 Oye Mi Canto * La Bamba * All Night Party * La Isla Bonita  
1992 308 76.700 Presentacion Latino * Amor de un Dia * Margarita * Carnival Medley  
1993 307 79.200 (Repertoire not available)  
1994 23 64.100 Tradition * Mambo Caliente * Music from the Mambo Kings * Beautiful Maria of My Soul (from The Mambo Kings)  
1995 308 83.100 Latin Carnival * Brazil * Make Believe Mambo * Girl From Ipanema  
1996 209 82.500 Tres Deseos * Mi Tierra * Mas Alla * Tradition (from Fiddler on the Roof)  
1997 205 81.100 Turning the Beat Around - You'll Be Mine (Party Time) * Turn the Beat Around * Don't Wanna Lose You * Conga * Rhythm Is Gonna Get You * Reach * Get On Your Feet  
1998 208 85.000 Spanish Eyes - A Night in Tunisia * Late in the Evening * Spanish Eyes * Spain  
1999 204 91.600 The Adventures Of Zorro - Music from the Mask of Zorro * Selections from Zorro, the Gay Blade * Original Compositions  
2000 302 87.900 Landscapes of the Heart - Selections from Carmen  
2001 303 86.800 Twisted in Time - Twisted in Time - Opus I * Twisted in Time - Opus II * Twisted in Time - Opus III  
2002 305 83.550 Polaris - La Fiesta Mexicana * Symphonic Dance No. 3 - Fiesta  
2003 309 77.600 Zorro Rides Again - Selections from The Mask of Zorro  
2004 307 78.900 Dimensions of Latin Rhythms - (Da Le) Yaleo * Rhythm of Our World (from Hot House) * Groove da Baiana  
Position 200+ indicates Division II, Position 300+ indicates Division III, Position 400+ indicates Mini Corps.

The Americanos drum and bugle corps was initiated in late 1935 with a meeting by the Oney Johnston AL Post 38 of Appleton to generate interest in forming a SAL Squadron unit.

The Kaukauna SAL Squadron, the 1935 SAL State champions, were invited to perform at the Johnston Legion to promote the formation of the corps. This would prove to be the Americanos' first incarnation in 1936. Edward Arndt Sr. and Clarence Baetz among other Post members. The corps was then an all-male group performing as the Sons of the American Legion.

In their inaugural season, the SAL Squadron finished in 2nd place in the SAL State championships, ironically ahead of Kaukauna SAL. The following year, they finished in 3rd position. The corps began presenting a Spanish theme in 1938, the same theme that the corps proudly continued throughout their history and won their first SAL State championship. Although the corps participated in the 1939 State parade, they opted out of defending their championship title to march in the National Fraternal Congress parade in Detroit. They did, however, compete at the AL Nationals SAL class, placing 11th.

The following year saw the Appleton unit return to the State convention with a 2nd place finish and captured the 1941 and 1942 SAL State championships. After the second World War, the corps returned to form with a third consecutive State championship in 1946. In 1947, the newly renamed Oney Johnston and Edward Blessman AL Post 38 hosted the State convention and as such, could not compete to defend their title that year.

Over the next three seasons, the corps would finish as bridesmaid for the SAL title and would go on to be crowned the SAL State champions from 1951 to 1954. In 1955, the corps adopted the name Americanos and performed quite successfully under the sponsorship of the Johnston Blessman AL Post 38 along with private donations, personal fundraisers, and the most supportive parents in the activity.

By 1962, the corps remained active but didn’t field a competitive corps that season. Returning to the field of competition, the Appleton unit would participate mostly in “Class C” competition from 1963 to 1966 before reverting back to a parade in 1967. By 1968 the organization's membership had dwindled to a mere 15 marchers. The members were stunned when that fall, management announced that after 33 years the corps was opening its membership to females.

The coed Americanos entered the 1969 season with nearly 80 members, showing great promise for the years to come. The following year, they didn’t disappoint, proudly placing 6th at the AL National championships. In 1971, the corps participated in the World Pageant of Drums, finishing in 12th position and competed at their first VFW Nationals the following season with a respectable 23rd place finish.

Another first for the corps occurred in 1973 with an appearance at their first DCI championships, placing 31st as well as competing in the “Open Class” division at the American International Open and US Open preliminaries. The 1974 season resulted in a 29th place finish at the DCI Worlds and a finalist position at both the DCI Midwest and US Open championships. The following year, the Americanos attended the American Legion Nationals, finishing in 2nd position as well as preliminary appearances at the DCI Midwest and the US Open.

The 1976 season was one of the most successful years for the corps post SAL, when they finished 15th at the DCI Midwest preliminaries. Unfortunately, by season end, the corps had lost several members which forced the organization to go inactive in 1977. The burden of travel costs, equipment, and declining membership resulted in the decision to perform as a parade corps only in 1978. But a dedicated core of marching members, parents, alumni, and local volunteers took the initiative to rebuild the corps.

In 1979, the corps returned to field competition, expanding its membership throughout the Fox Valley and renaming the corps “Fox Valley Americanos”. In 1980, an influx of members from the Green Bay Northmen parade corps joined for two seasons as Fox Valley made an appearance once again at the DCI “Open Class” championships, with a 39th place finish and also making the VFW finals, placing 7th.

They returned to DCI “Open Class” competition in 1981 with a 45th place finish and missed out of the American International Open finals by one position, placing 13thIn 1982, the corps competed regionally within the DCM circuit before going inactive from 1983 to 1986 for the second time in their storied history. 

In the interim, their feeder corps, the Toros continued performing during this period and in 1986, they took the field of competition in a new beginning, building a lasting foundation for the future of the Americanos organization. In 1987, the Toros were converted back to the Americanos and joined the DCI circuit “Class A/60” division with a 12th place finish that year. The two following seasons saw the corps as an “A/60” finalist, placing 4th both years.

By 1990, the corps had once again claimed a spot with the most competitive units, climbing up to the DCI “Class A” division and finished 3rd in the finals. They also qualified for the “Open Class” preliminaries, placing 18thOver the next two seasons, the Appleton group went back to DCI “Class A/60” action and were a finalist in 1991 (6thand finished 8th in the “Division III” class the following year.

By 1993, the Americanos had won the US Open “Division III” championship and had earned a finalist position at both the Canadian Open and DCI championships, placing 5thA spectacular1994 secured the corps the prestigious DCI “Division III” title. Along the way they picked up additional honors with the Drum Corps Midwest (DCM) and Drum Corps East “Division III” titles, and a 2nd place finish in both the US and North American Opens.

The Americanos returned to a 5th place finish in 1995 before ascending to “Division II” activity for the next four seasons, alternating years between the finals (1997 & 1999) and prelims (1996 & 1998). 1999 also saw the corps finish fourth overall in “Division II”, capturing the high brass award in the preliminary round. This was their highest DCI finish to date, capturing titles in various regional events including the “Division II” DCM title in 1999.

In 2000, the corps returned to “Division III” and narrowly missed out on another DCI championship title, capturing the Silver Medal. They finished third in “Division III” in 2001, and fourth in 2002, as well as claiming the "Spirit of Disney" Award as most entertaining corps for both years. In 2003, the 47-member corps finished 18th in the “Division III” prelims and returned to finalist status the following year, with a 7th place finish.

The corps disbanded in 2005.

One of the longest-lived junior corps in the activity, the Americanos, from its inception was a SAL Squadron, winning 7 State “SAL” championships between 1936 to 1954 and appeared in DCI competition 22 times, including every year since 1987.



http://www.angelfire.com/wi2/americanos/; Dave Strickler, inter alia; Paul Legault (DCX)


Members (72)

Member Name Section Years Involved
Ahlers, Jacqueline French Horn / Flugal Horn 1980 to 1982
Ambrose, J. Adam Pit 2004
Basten, Jon Mellophone/soprano 1980 to 1981
Basten, Jon Brass Caption/Trumpet 2010 to 2011
Baumann, Walter Cymbal Line 2002
Baumann, Walter Pit 2003 to 2004
Baumann, Walter Cymbal Line 2002
Baumann, Walter Front Ensemble 2003 to 2004
Blank, Nick pit, bass 2001 to 2002
Bonslater, Bobby Soprano 2004
Brown, Jennifer Color Guard 1996
Brown, Kat Soprano 2001
Carstensen, Bryan Baritone 2001
Carstensen, Bryan Hornline--Baritone 2001 to 2003
Cooper, Shea Soprano, Mellophone 1992 to 1994
Daniele, Nick Bass 2004
Estep, Dawn Soprano 2000
Estep, Dawn Contra 2001
Hoolsema, Matt Soprano 2001 to 2003
Hoolsema, Matt Soprano 2001 to 2002; 2004
Hoolsema, Matt Mellophone 2003
Humes, Scott Brass 2002
Ingmundson, Eric Soprano 1969 to 1976
Jordan, Joshua Baritone 1996
Kangas, Gabe Soprano 1999
Kelly, April CG 1996
Klawitter, Mike Percussion-keyboards 1980 to 1981
Klawitter, Mike Percussion Instructor 1986 to 1987; 1993 to 1995
Klawitter, Mike Program Coordinator 1996
Kogan, Lea Guard 1999
Locke, Brandon Baritone 2001 to 2002
Locke, Brandon Baritone 2001 to 2002
Loos, Brian Sop. 2004 to 2005
Loverude, Woody Guard 2000
Low- Underwood, Amanda Snare/Front Ensemble 1996
Maas, Jill Drum line ( Cymbals) 1994
Markel, Amanda Baritone 1999 to 2000
McGehee, Michael guard 1996
McGill, Lauren Pit 2003
McGill, Lauren Pit 2003
McKenna, Michael Tenors 2001
McKeown, Phillip Bass Line 1996 to 1997
Melson, Drake Bassline 2003
Mielke, Dave Baritone 1975 to 1976; 1979 to 1980; 1982
Milanov(Goof), Rob(Goof) Contra 1996 to 1997
Milanov, Robert Contra 1996 to 1997
Miller, Eric Soprano 1997 to 1998
Miller, Eric Mellophone 1999
Mooney, Chris Soprano 1998
Morales, Brian Pit 2004
Nelson, Dave soprano 2000 to 2003
Otto, Emily Color guard 1997 to 1998
Pearson, Hilary pit 2003 to 2004
Peters, Dave Bass Drum 1997 to 1998
Petrie, Bryon Percussion 1980 to 1982
Presley, Scott baritone 1991
Proulx, Maxime Snare line 2003
Quigley, John Mellophone 1978 to 1981
Quigley, John Brass Staff 1989
Redfield, Jason mellophone 2002
Rooney, Tim Front Ensemble 2001 to 2002
Sagar, Carl Pit 2004
Schneide, Cliff Soprano 1973 to 1976
Shannon, Derrick Bass 2004
Shannon, Derrick Bass 2004
Sierra, Martin "Muff" Contra 1997 to 1998
Stevenson, Rob Drumline-Tenors 1998
Thede, Tara Percussion 1984 to 1986; 1990 to 1994
Urbanowicz, Todd Soprano 2004
VanderPas, Tony Hornline (Baritone) 1994 to 1995
burk, tim front line 1998 to 2000
maddox, cassidy percussion 1996

CORPS 12 items

Americanos

Americanos Appleton WI from the Bill Ives Collection
Americanos

Americanos,Appleton,WI,BS1-White(BCA)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection
Americanos

Americanos,Appleton,WI,LP1-Pedro(DST-1.0)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection Contributed by Donn Stroh
Americanos

Americanos,Appleton,WI,Patch1-Multi-Color(Site)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection Contributed by UNKNOWN
Americanos

Americanos,Appleton,WI,Patch2(RE-4.0x2.25)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection Contributed by Richard Elmquist
Americanos

Americanos,Appleton,WI,Pin1-Viva(RE-1.75x2.75)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection
Americanos

Americanos,Appleton,WI,Pin2-Red(RE-2.5)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection
Americanos

Americanos,Appleton,WI,Pin3-Reflector(RE-2.25)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection
Americanos

Americanos,Appleton,WI,Pin4-Bandito(RE-3.5)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection
Americanos

Americanos,Appleton,WI,Pin5-DancingParrot(RE-2.25)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection
Americanos

Americanos,Appleton,WI,Pin6-1986-50thAnn(RE-2.25)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection
Americanos

Americanos,Appleton,WI,Pin7-ProudVolunteer(RE-2.25)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection

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