Ambassadors

In the fall of 1973, the Ambassadors drum and bugle corps was born in a city rich in the tradition of drum corps competition. Without equipment, sponsors or much experience, a handful of people dedicated themselves to the idea that Malden should once again be the home of a top-flight drum corps.

Seventy-five kids, ages 8 to 15, signed up and the work began to acquire horns, drums and uniforms. A goal was set to enter field competition in 1974. It meant a lot of hard work for everyone, especially the kids, but the goal was met. The corps was a member of the Eastern Massachusetts (E Mass) circuit throughout its’ history.

In their first three seasons, the corps competed in the E Mass “Class C” division, slowly improving year after year, culminating in a championship win in 1976. They also added the CYO “Junior Class” championship title that year. In 1977, the Malden unit competed at the World Open “Class B” preliminaries with a 22^nd place finish and toured in 1978 to the American International Open (22^nd - Class A), US Open (25^th - Class A) and returned to the World Open “Class B” championships, placing 15^th.

In 1979, the corps merged with the Heightsmen of Arlington to form the Royal Marquis. They fielded one year and the Ambassadors went inactive over the next two seasons. In the fall of 1981, Ambassadors reorganized and returned to E Mass “Class C” competition with a 2^nd place finish in 1982, winning the championship the following year and finished in 2^nd once again in 1984.

The following season, they moved up to the “Class B” division in the circuit, placing 8^th. Over the next three years, the corps went inactive for a second time returning to the field of E Mass “Class C” competition in 1989, improving each season, finishing in 4th place, 2^nd place and were crowned the 1991 “Class C” champions.

In 1992, the corps disbanded. Their heritage was influential in the evolution of East Coast Jazz.

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