Atlanta, GA United States
Founded: 1976
CORPS Photos
The Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps based in Atlanta, Georgia.
In 1976, Freddy and Linda Martin and Bob Hoehn met with the management of WXIA, an Atlanta area television station to discuss starting an Atlanta-area drum and bugle corps. After a series of successful meetings, a corps originally named "Concourse" was founded. After a contest was held to find a new, more appropriate name, the corps was renamed, "Spirit of Atlanta."
With Freddy Martin as corps director, members were recruited, and a program with no particular musical style was worked up. In its inaugural season, Spirit of Atlanta was in contests in nine states in the South and Midwest. At the 1977 Drum Corps International (DCI) World Championships in Denver, Spirit finished a respectable twenty-third out of forty-five corps.
Spirit of Atlanta wanted to be more than just another also-ran corps. An all-out effort was made to secure the finest instructional staff possible. Two new caption heads were hired; brass head Jim Ott from the DCI Champion Blue Devils and percussion head Tom Float from Toronto's Oakland Crusaders, a corps renowned for their drumming. With these two hires and a group of top-flight specialist instructors, Spirit had put together an instructional staff which would take the corps to the upper tier of the drum corps activity. Adopting a style of "Southern Jazz," Spirit stunned the drum corps world in 1978 by vaulting into eighth place at DCI Prelims in Denver. Then at Finals, the corps rose even higher, finishing in sixth place and losing the High Brass title to the Phantom Regiment by 0.05 of a point.
With the brass and percussion among the best in the drum corps activity, Spirit moved up into a fourth-place finish at DCI in Birmingham, Alabama in 1979. The corps opened the program with the song that would become the corps' trademark tune, "Georgia on my Mind."
Two weeks into the 1980 season, Spirit was traveling from a show in New Orleans to another in Memphis. One of the corps' vans was in a traffic accident on Interstate 55 near Grenada, Mississippi. Brass arranger and caption head Jim Ott was killed. Spirit of Atlanta's emotional DCI Finals performance of "Georgia on My Mind," "Ol' Man River," "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," "Sweet Georgia Brown," and "Let It Be Me" has often been called the corps’ best show ever. It only placed fourth, but it was only 0.8 points behind the champion Blue Devils.
WXIA dropped the first corporate-sponsorship of a drum corps in DCI just before the 1981 season. With that, on top of Ott's loss, and then Float departing after 1981, Spirit remained a power but spent the next several years in the lower half of the Top 12.
Atlanta and Spirit hosted the 1984 DCI World Championships.The hometown favorites took sixth place with their program of music from "Porgy and Bess." Along with another 6th in '86, it was their best finish in the Eighties.
The 1987 edition of Spirit set an interesting record as the lowest ranked corps to defeat a DCI champion during the championship year. Three times, the Spirit of Atlanta beat the Garfield Cadets in head-to-head competition - in West Chester, Pennsylvania; Cary, North Carolina; and Orlando, Florida. But, it was three wins in ten meetings early in the season; in DCI Finals,Spirit was tenth, as Garfield won its fourth DCI title in five years.
In 1988, the decision was made to leave Spirit of Atlanta's' trademark "Southern jazz" theme behind. Although the program of Stravinsky's "Petrouska" was well-performed and finished in 9th at DCI, the corps' fan base felt that they had also been left behind. The following year's "Interstellar Suite" was met with equal fan apathy, and the corps was further plagued with new uniforms that used a non-colorfast dye that ran in the rain. 1989 was the first time Spirit of Atlanta missed DCI Finals since its inaugural season of 1977.
Music from "Gone With the Wind" and "The Color Purple" got Spitrit back into DCI Finals in 1990, but for only one season. Spirit was beset with management and financial problems in the early Nineties. After falling to 15th in 1982 and 16th in '82, the corps relocated to suburban Peachtree City in 1983 and was renamed the Spirit of Georgia. The change of locale did not help; the corps placed 17th. Financial woes continued, and before the start of the next season, it was announced that Spirit would be inactive in 1984.
The Spirit of Atlanta was returned in 1995. The "All on a Southern Afternoon" show placed 20th at DCI. The next year's "Rhapsopdy in Blue" placed 23rd.
In 1997 through 2001, Spirit qualified for DCI semifinals and had finishes of 17th, 14th, 16th, 15th, and 13th. The corps changed uniforms along the way, abandoning the traditional baby blue for a navy blue top with cream pants.
Spirit and Jacksonville State University (JSU) in Jacksonvlle, Alabama have had a long relationship. Seventy-five miles from Atlanta down the Central of Georgia Railroad track, Jacksonville State has had many students marching in the corps from day one. Spirit has had camps at JSU and has hosted shows at JSU Stadium.
In 2000, Spirit was in camp at JSU just before the start of tour, when the corps director tried to fold the drum corps. The move was strongly opposed by corps members and alumni, parents, staff, and other members of the drum corps community. Spirit of Atlanta got through the season and finished in fifteenth place at DCI Finals.
In the reorganizing from the chaos of the spring of 2000, Spirit moved west and became Spirit, from Jacksonville State University. Official sponsorship by the university gave the corps the stability it had lacked for more than a decade. With members receiving college credit for marching, the corps' talent level rose. In 2001, the music of Eric Whitacre's "The Ghost Train Triptych" celebrated the move to Jacksonville, and Spirit was once more wearing baby blue. At DCI, Spirit was 14th in quarterfinals, and they passed Blue Knights for 13th in semis, the corps' best finish since 1990.
In 2002, Spirit returned to DCI Finals for the first time in a dozen years, placing 10th. In seven years of JSU sponsorship, the corps was a DCI Top 12 Finalist five times. One tenth place finish, four 12ths and two 13ths seeminglly was not enough for the school to continue paying the bills, and the association was essentially dissolved. Once more independent, the corps became the Spirit Drum and Bugle Corps from Jacksonville, Alabama, when the corps continued to operate out of Jacksonville for the 2009 season..
Spirit surprised the drum corps community in 2010 by announcing that the corps was returning home to Atlanta. Spirit Drum and Bugle Corps marched a show called, "Forging a Icon" which resulted in the presentation of the corps' "Delta" logo to the crowd.
Spirit of Atlanta reclaimed its given name in 2011 and began a three year run in DCI Finals,
The corps has since been a solid performer, advancing to semifinals every year through 2017. Only the recent overall growth in the strength of nearly every other corps has prevented Spirit from being more successful.
The 2020 season was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The corps returned to the field for the non-competitive 2021 season but again went inactive for 2022 to try to bolster its resources.
Highest Score 76.350
Final show in DCX Archives August 18, 1977 DCI World Championships - Prelims Boulder CO placed 22 with a score of 76.350
Highest Score 86.500
Final show in DCX Archives August 18, 1978 DCI World Championships Denver CO placed 6 with a score of 86.500
Highest Score 90.300
Final show in DCX Archives August 18, 1979 DCI World Championships Birmingham AL placed 4 with a score of 89.900
Highest Score 89.800
Final show in DCX Archives August 16, 1980 DCI World Championships Birmingham AL placed 4 with a score of 89.800
Highest Score 83.850
Final show in DCX Archives August 22, 1981 DCI World Championships Montreal QUE Canada placed 9 with a score of 83.850
Highest Score 84.400
Final show in DCX Archives August 21, 1982 DCI World Championships Montreal QUE Canada placed 12 with a score of 81.650
Highest Score 83.600
Final show in DCX Archives August 20, 1983 DCI World Championships Miami FL placed 7 with a score of 83.600
Highest Score 93.100
Final show in DCX Archives August 18, 1984 DCI World Championships Atlanta GA placed 6 with a score of 93.100
Highest Score 91.500
Final show in DCX Archives August 17, 1985 DCI World Championships Madison WI placed 7 with a score of 91.000
Highest Score 94.200
Final show in DCX Archives August 16, 1986 DCI World Championships Madison WI placed 6 with a score of 94.100
Highest Score 91.900
Final show in DCX Archives August 15, 1987 DCI World Championships Madison WI placed 10 with a score of 87.600
Highest Score 92.600
Final show in DCX Archives August 20, 1988 DCI World Championships Kansas City MO placed 9 with a score of 89.300
Highest Score 86.200
Final show in DCX Archives August 18, 1989 DCI World Championships Semi Finals Kansas City MO placed 14 with a score of 82.200
Highest Score 86.900
Final show in DCX Archives August 18, 1990 DCI World Championships Buffalo NY placed 11 with a score of 83.400
Highest Score 82.500
Final show in DCX Archives August 16, 1991 DCI World Championships Semi Finals Dallas TX placed 15 with a score of 82.500
Highest Score 84.700
Final show in DCX Archives August 14, 1992 DCI World Championships Semi Finals Madison WI placed 16 with a score of 78.800
Highest Score 80.700
Final show in DCX Archives August 20, 1993 DCI World Championships Semi Finals Jackson MS placed 17 with a score of 77.900
Highest Score 72.100
Final show in DCX Archives August 10, 1995 DCI World Championships Quarter Finals Buffalo NY placed 20 with a score of 72.100
Highest Score 70.200
Final show in DCX Archives August 15, 1996 DCI World Championships Quarter Finals Orlando FL placed 23 with a score of 68.000
Highest Score 78.100
Final show in DCX Archives August 15, 1997 DCI World Championships Semi Finals Orlando FL placed 17 with a score of 76.500
Highest Score 84.000
Final show in DCX Archives August 14, 1998 DCI World Championships Semi Finals Orlando FL placed 14 with a score of 83.100
Highest Score 78.800
Final show in DCX Archives August 13, 1999 DCI World Championships Semi Finals Madison WI placed 16 with a score of 76.900
Highest Score 80.650
Final show in DCX Archives August 11, 2000 DCI World Championships Semi Finals College Park MD placed 15 with a score of 80.650
Highest Score 84.500
Final show in DCX Archives August 10, 2001 DCI Championships - Div I Semi-Finals Buffalo NY placed 13 with a score of 84.050
Highest Score 87.200
Final show in DCX Archives August 10, 2002 World Championships Finals Madison WI placed 10 with a score of 85.450
Highest Score 85.600
Final show in DCX Archives August 9, 2003 DCI Championships - Div I Finals Orlando FL placed 12 with a score of 84.400
Highest Score 86.300
Final show in DCX Archives August 6, 2004 DCI World Championships - Div I Semi Finals Denver CO placed 13 with a score of 86.300
Highest Score 86.075
Final show in DCX Archives August 13, 2005 DCI World Championships - Div I Finals Foxboro MA placed 12 with a score of 86.075
Highest Score 86.525
Final show in DCX Archives August 12, 2006 DCI World Championships - Division I Finals Madison WI placed 12 with a score of 84.825
Highest Score 85.925
Final show in DCX Archives August 11, 2007 DCI World Championships Finals Pasadena CA placed 12 with a score of 84.500
Highest Score 83.450
Final show in DCX Archives August 8, 2008 World Class Semi-Finals Bloomington IN placed 15 with a score of 83.175
Highest Score 82.650
Final show in DCX Archives August 7, 2009 DCI World Championships World Class Semifinals Indianapolis IN placed 17 with a score of 80.450
Highest Score 82.850
Final show in DCX Archives August 13, 2010 World Class Semifinals Indianapolis IN placed 16 with a score of 81.450
Highest Score 86.550
Final show in DCX Archives August 13, 2011 DCI World Championship Finals Indianapolis IN placed 12 with a score of 85.350
Highest Score 85.650
Final show in DCX Archives August 11, 2012 DCI World Championship Finals Indianapolis IN placed 11 with a score of 84.400
Highest Score 86.750
Final show in DCX Archives August 10, 2013 DCI World Championship Finals Indianapolis IN placed 11 with a score of 86.400
Highest Score 82.300
Final show in DCX Archives August 8, 2014 DCI World Championship Semifinals Indianapolis IN placed 17 with a score of 81.550
Highest Score 78.850
Final show in DCX Archives August 7, 2015 DCI World Championship Semifinals Indianapolis IN placed 18 with a score of 78.125
Highest Score 77.500
Final show in DCX Archives August 12, 2016 DCI World Championship Semifinals Indianapolis IN placed 21 with a score of 76.675
Highest Score 80.075
Final show in DCX Archives August 11, 2017 DCI World Championship Semifinals presented by Earasers Indianapolis IN placed 18 with a score of 80.075
Highest Score 85.588
Final show in DCX Archives August 10, 2018 DCI World Championship Semifinals Indianapolis IN United States placed 13 with a score of 85.588
Highest Score 86.050
Final show in DCX Archives August 9, 2019 DCI World Championship Semifinals Indianapolis IN United States placed 13 with a score of 85.588
Highest Score 0.000
Final show in DCX Archives August 14, 2021 DCI Celebration - Indianapolis Indianapolis IN United States
Highest Score 84.838
Final show in DCX Archives August 11, 2023 DCI Semifinals Indianapolis IN United States placed 15 with a score of 83.625
Highest Score 83.875
Final show in DCX Archives August 9, 2024 DCI World Class Semi-Finals Indianapolis IN placed 16 with a score of 83.875
Member Name | Section | Years Involved |
---|---|---|
Abney, Jeff | tenors | 1980 to 1981 |
Akey, Josh | Snare | 1999 |
Anderson, Jim | baritone | 1978 |
Andujar, Colleen | Colorguard | 2007 |
Armstrong, Alan | Soprano | 1982 to 1985 |
Armstrong, Alan | Member/Staff | 1986 |
Armstrong, Alan | Staff | 1987 to 1997; 2000 to 2001 |
Armstrong, Craig | Visual Tech | 1999 |
Bailey, Derek | Baritone | 2002 |
Bailey, Derek | Euphonium | 2003 |
Bailey, Susan | Cymbals | 1977 to 1980 |
Bertram, Mark | Visual Staff | 1992 |
Bierce, Hal | Percussion/Tenors | 1977 to 1981 |
Blair, Patrick | Contra Line | 1993 |
Bornstein, Jack | Roadie | 1982 |
Bornstein, Jack | Bass Drum | 1983; 1985 |
Bornstein, Niel | flugel horn | 1982; 1984 |
Bough, Roland | Front Ensemble | 1999 |
Bough, Roland | Contra Bass | 2000 |
Coggin, Greg | Soprano | 2009 to 2010 |
Cook, Drogheda | PIT | 2002 to 2005 |
Coppola, Matt | Mellophone | 2008 |
Davidson, Brandon | Mellophone | 1995 |
Dawson, James | Soprano Bugle | 1983 |
Dawson, Willard | Flugelhorn | 1983 |
DeJournett, Bill | French Horn | 1986; 1988 |
Drouillard, Nicholas | Soprano | 1998 to 1999 |
Duncan, Kelly | Contrabass | 1992 |
Eden, Martha | Contra | 1999 to 2001 |
Ellender, Cindy | Color Guard | 1982 to 1985 |
Elrod, Brian | French Horn | 1984 |
Frederick, Benjamin | Soprano | 2004 |
Geraci, Billy | Soprano | 2002 to 2003 |
Golus, Gary | Snare | 1992 |
Greer, Brian | Euphonium | 1993 |
Greybill, David | Euphonium | 2001 to 2003 |
Guest, Michelle | Mellophone | 2006 to 2007 |
Hearn, Patrick | Mellophone | 1997 to 1998 |
Henshaw, Jen | Guard/Flag | 2001 |
Hill, Paul | Bass Line | 1997 |
Hopkins, Gary | mellophone/drum major | 1977 to 1979 |
Hopkins, Gary | Color Guard Caption Head | 1980 |
Hopkins, Gary | Brass Staff | 1991 to 1992 |
Howard, Julian | Tuba | 2001 |
Hughes, Jim | Bass Drum | 1998 |
James, Marquilla | Color Guard | 1999 |
Jenner, Bryan | Management Team | 1995 to 1997 |
Jenner, Bryan | Management Team | 1995 to 1997 |
Jones, Scott | Soprano | 1989 to 1990 |
Judice, Jesse | Euphonium | 2002 |
Kearney, Jimmy | Contra | 1979 |
Knapp, Vicki | Color Guard | 1997 |
Kunkel, Matthew | Baritone | 1995 to 1996 |
Lamb, Jason | Soprano | 2003 |
Lary, Ben | pit | 2000 to 2001 |
Lasley, Caryn | Color Guard | 2005 |
Leonard, Christian | Baritone | 1987 |
Litzsinger, Matt | Euphonium | 2015 to 2016 |
Long, Christopher | Soprano | 1993 |
Marshman, Scott | Color Guard | 1986 to 1987 |
Matthews, Josh | Baritone | 1999 |
McBrayer, John | Contra Bass | 1989 to 1992 |
McIntosh, Jason | colorguard staff | 1993 |
McLendon, Richard | Pit Arranger | 1985 |
Mercado, Cristian | Trumpet | 2023 |
Mercer, Amanda | Guard | 2000; 2002 |
Milano, Paul | Corps Manager | 1978 to 1980 |
Milano, Paul | Vice Chairman of the Board | 2001 to 2003 |
Morgan, Joey | Soprano, GA Soloist | 1986; 1988 to 1989 |
Morgan, Joey | Staff | 1990; 1995 |
Morton, Drew | Baritone | 2005 |
Muncher, Mike | Front Ensemble | 1999 |
Muncher, Mike | Percussion | 1999 |
Nayman, Josh | tenors | 1999 |
Nelson, Jeff | snare | 1979 to 1981 |
Newman, James | DIRECTOR | 1994 to 1999 |
Nichols, David | Soprano | 2001 to 2002 |
Palmer, Steven | contrabass | 2002 to 2003 |
Poulan, Key | Brass Arranger | 1992 to 1993 |
Poulan, Key | Brass Arranger | 1992 to 1993 |
Propes, Mark | Drumline | 1979 |
Quiram, Lea | Trumpet | 2004 |
Reed, Jim | Snare | 1996 |
Reichardt, Debbie | Colorguard / Rifle | 1978 to 1979 |
Ritchie, Andy | Snare | 1982 |
Roberts, Micky | Soprano | 1980 |
Robichaux, Josh | Percussion/ Front Ensemble | 2001 to 2002 |
Robichaux, Josh | Pit tech | 2003 to 2007 |
Ruiz, Maricelie | Drumline | 1997 |
Schmidt, Michael | contra, soprano | 1981 to 1982 |
Shreffler, Bob | Snare | 1980 |
Skinner, Jason | Contra | 1998 to 1999; 2001 |
Smelser, David | Percussion | 1989 to 1992 |
Smith, Jared | Contra | 2001 to 2003 |
Smith, Michael | Mellophones | 1998 |
Snell-Wisner, Deanna | Front ensemble | 1997 |
Stepson, Steven | Baritone (soloist) | 1993 to 1994 |
Stevens, Jesse | Front Ensemble | 2010 to 2012 |
Story, Scott | Mellophone | 1993 |
Taylor, Mario | Cymbals | 2003 |
Taylor, Sean | bass/tenors | 1994 to 1995 |
Thomas, Craig | Tenors | 1991 to 1992 |
Tilley, Timothy | Soprano | 1988 |
Vasquez, Ramon | Brass Staff | 2006 |
Vasquez, Ramon | Brass Caption Head | 2008 |
Weidenthal, Weedy | Soprano | 2007 |
Weyer, Christopher | Baritone/Drum Major | 2000 to 2001 |
Weyer, Christopher | Baritone/Drum Major | 2000 to 2001 |
White, Matthew | Trumpet | 2008; 2010 |
Wolfford, Bryan | Soprano | 2002 |
gulliford, kassi | euphonium | 2001 to 2007 |
krempasky, matt | caption head/music arranger | 1997 to 2000 |
lopez, ryan | colorguard | 2010 to 2012 |
mckenzie, teresa | color guard | 1983 |
murphy, molly | mellophone | 2004 |
outz, jeff | lead sop. | 1978 |
wise, chip | Soprano | 1989 |
CORPS 74 items
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