Mello-Dears


Other Names:Apalachin Mello-Dears

Owego, NY United States
Founded: 1960

Inactive All Girl
YearPositionScoreTheme/Songs
1970 Maggie Flynn * I'll Walk with God (from The Student Prince) * If My Friends Could See Me Now (from Sweet Charity) * Maria (from West Side Story) * Somewhere (from West Side Story) * My Heart Belongs to Daddy * Love Theme (from Romeo and Juliet) * Manhattan Tower  
1972 Alexander's Ragtime Band * South Rampart Street Parade * Victory at Sea * A Place For Us  
1974 51 49.650 (Repertoire not available)  
1976 307 54.300 (Repertoire not available)  
1977 306 50.650 (Repertoire not available)  
1979 305 53.000 (Repertoire not available)  
1981 308 44.650 (Repertoire not available)  
1982 307 29.400 (Repertoire not available)  
1983 214 24.950 (Repertoire not available)  
Position 200+ indicates Division II, Position 300+ indicates Division III, Position 400+ indicates Mini Corps.

CORPS Photos

The Mello-Dears, found in 1960, was an all-girl marching and maneuvering corps based in Owego, New York. This enthusiastic outfit couldn’t wait for their instruments to start performing. They hummed and sang their way through their first parade, smartly attired in black slacks and white shirts.

The corps, nicknamed “The Sweethearts of the Southern Tier,” appeared primarily in the northeastern United States, and traveled twice to Canada. One of their proudest moments was being presented a Canadian flag by the mayor of Perth, Ontario, in 1965.

In 1966 the corps, by now armed with instruments, went undefeated in 19 consecutive parades, and became champions of the first International All-Girl Contest. Honors continued in 1967 when the Mello-Dears took the titles of Sixth District American Legion Champions and VFW New York State Champions. The VFW championship was successfully defended in 1968. That year the corps also gained increased status among all-girl corps at the VFW National Competition held in Detroit .

By 1969 the corps ranks were filled by 85 girls who, they calculate, put in a combined 19,000 hours of rehearsal and competition. Their repertoire that year included
"Maggie Flynn," "I Walk with God," “If My Friends Could See Me Now," "West Side Story," "My Heart Belongs to Daddy," and "Manhattan Towers" as the finale fanfare.

In August 1970, the Mello-Dears captured second place at U.S. Open National Championship in the All-Girl Division, as well as fourth place in the Class A All-Girl World Open Championships. And in 1972 the group captured the World Open All-Girl Championships.

In DCI competition, the Mello-Dears participated from 1974 through 1983. Their highest finish was fifth in the All-Girl division in 1979.

The corps disbanded after the 1983 season.

[Colleen Marshall; Susan Thompson; scvandy@aol.com, RAMD, 8/31/97]

Members (14)

Member Name Section Years Involved
Burch, Colleen Drumline 1969 to 1974
Clark, Michelle baritone 1970 to 1974
Depew, Carole baratone 1969 to 1974
Dunham/Woodward, Patty Horn Line 1961 to 1966
Gauss, Susan Contra-Bass 1976 to 1979
Gauss, Susan Brass (Contra) 1975 to 1979
Nacarato, Michele Drumline 1979 to 1986
Planck, Susan Soprano 1971 to 1975
Stockdale, Linda drum line 1968 to 1972
Tiffany, Rhonda Drum Line 1970 to 1974
Van Wie, Ginny Color Guard 1975
Van Wie, Ginny Baritone 1976 to 1978
Vanderpool, Sue Snare 1973 to 1980
Wiggs, Cathleen (Koons) color guard 1968 to 1971

CORPS 6 items

Mello-Dears

MelloDears,Owego,NY,BG1(Site)AG_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection
Mello-Dears

MelloDears,Owego,NY,Hat1(Site)AG_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection
Mello-Dears

MelloDears,Owego,NY,LCP1-1965Booster(Site)AG_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection
Mello-Dears

MelloDears,Owego,NY,Pin1-1974(RE-2.25)AG_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection
Mello-Dears

MelloDears,Owego,NY,Pin2-Apalachin,NY(RE-2.25)AG_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection
Mello-Dears

MelloDears,Owego,NY,Pin3-SweetheartsOfTheST(BJA)AG_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection

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