32nd Hussar

Madison, WI United States
Founded: 1968

Inactive Junior

Year	Position	Score	Theme/Songs
1972	37	42.300	Evil Ways * Norwegian Wood * Coronation of Boris Godunov * The Phantom Regiment * Suicide Is Painless (from MAS*H)

Position 200+ indicates Division II, Position 300+ indicates Division III, Position 400+ indicates Mini Corps.

CORPS Photos

The 32nd Hussar drum & bugle corps was formed in the fall of 1968 and originally based out of Middleton. The death of Clarence Beebe in January 1968, corps director and leader of the Madison Scouts organization, created serious instability within the group and this crisis culminated in the formation of a splinter group from the Scouts, the 32^nd Hussar.

The corps adapted its name from two sources, both historical. In the State of Wisconsin, there was a famous and highly honored National Guard division; the 32nd. This division, the Red Arrow division, was active during World War I and II, the Korean conflict and the Cuban crisis.

They were the first U.S. unit to be called to active duty in each conflict. The Department of the Army has approved the use of the designation "32" to commemorate this much honored infantry division.A "hussar" was a Calvary man specially trained as a shock trooper. Hussar regiments were elite cavalry of the last century. They still appear as tank units in many European armies. Aside from their fighting abilities, hussars were noted for their distinctive uniforms. The 32nd has patterned its uniform after that of the Netherlands 6th Hussar circa 1825.

In their inaugural season, the corps officers were seasoned corpsmen led by Craig Redders as the corps' elected member of the Board of Directors. On the field, they were led by drum majors Frank Hilliard and Bill Schrack and color sergeants Jon Lindberg and Rick Carslisle.

The instructional staff included John Price, director; Richard Nalty, drum instructor; Vance Nelson, bugle instructor; Steve Yaskal, Ed Knesting and Dave Clarke, assistant bugle instructors; Bill Morris, assistant drum instructor; Milton Spyros, rifle instructor; Gary Johnson, special projects consultant and Jerry Stich, bugle consultant. The membership was from the area in and around the City of Madison. They played on all new Ludwig and Smith equipment and appeared in uniforms by Oswald.

The corps broke away from the dominant style of the area by having a completely new show written. Many members of the 32nd had previous corps experience. Others were beginners or from area bands. In 1969, the Hussar unit competed in the US Open “Class A” division, making the Finals with a 3^rd place finish, returning to the Finals the following season and finishing in 4^th place. They also participated in the World Open “Class A” division, finishing in 30^th position.

The corps enjoyed their most successful year in 1971 advancing to the “Open Class” division that included a tour to the Canadian Open, finishing in 10^th, the US Open, finishing in 36^th and the World Pageant of Drums, finishing in 15^th position.

32nd struggled financially throughout its brief existence and by the fall of 1971, began losing membership back to the Madison Scouts. In 1972, the corps competed in the World Open “Class A” division with a 27^thplace finish and participated at the first annual Drum Corps International championships, finishing in 37^th position.

The corps disbanded in 1973.