Des Plaines, IL United States
Founded: 1930
CORPS Photos
The corps was born under the sponsorship of the International Order of the Svithiod which, happily, did not lend its name to the new group. When sponsorship was taken over by the Logan Square Post 405 of Chicago, the corps' name became "Logan Square." The Mel Tierney American Legion Post took over the sponsorship in 1951, with which came the corps' expected name change to "Mel Tierney." By the time the Skokie Valley VFW Post 3854 took over the corps, it was known as the Skokie Vanguard, then the Chicago Vanguard, although there was never an official connection with the Windy City. Finally, with a relocation to Des Plaines, under sponsorship of the Des Plaines VFW post and the IAMAW (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers), the corps' best-known handle, Des Plaines Vanguard, became official.
At the peak of their competitive power, the Vanguard won the U.S. Open Championship in 1967 and the World Open in 1968. These they did with an eclectic repertoire ranging from "Man of La Mancha" to "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy." The corps participated in the very first DCI championship competition in 1972, finishing seventh.
The Vanguard is credited with being the first drum corps to carry tri-toms, back in 1968; the first use of finger cymbals, in 1968; was one of the first to use bass drums with different pitches and sizes in 1966; and, for the specialist, the first corps to use "a multi-tempo, non-snare focused percussion feature [1969], the tymp-focused transitional solo from 'Bali Hai' concert to 'Let the Sunshine In.'"
In 1968, the Vanguard used props on the field, in a presentation of "The Planets." That may be yet another first among drum corps.
Finally, this innovative corps had the distinction of performing one of the odder-titled selections in drum corps repertoire in 1970: "The Oracle Speaks."
The corps competed in DCI through 1976, and a senior version of the corps competed in DCA in 1987.
[DCW, 6/8/90, p.3; 6/29/90, p.20; A History of Drum and Bugle Corps, 2002; Jim Nevermann, RAMD, 10/20/99; Paul Herzog, RAMD, 3/8/95; Jay McGuffin]
Highest Score 90.600
Final show in DCX Archives October 28, 1950 2nd Annual Cavalcade of Corps Chicago IL
Highest Score 93.700
Final show in DCX Archives August 26, 1951 3rd Annual Cavalcade of Corps Chicago IL placed 1 with a score of 92.300
Highest Score 93.000
Final show in DCX Archives September 6, 1952 Military Day Contest Polo IL
Highest Score 92.400
Final show in DCX Archives August 30, 1953 American Legion National Championships (Junior competition) St. Louis MO placed 10 with a score of 83.333
Highest Score 77.350
Final show in DCX Archives August 21, 1954 Gladiolus Festival Momence IL placed 7 with a score of 76.150
Highest Score 84.850
Final show in DCX Archives October 9, 1955 American Legion National Championships Miami FL placed 11 with a score of 80.120
Highest Score 79.060
Final show in DCX Archives August 18, 1956 Gladiolus Festival Momence IL placed 4 with a score of 76.660
Highest Score 75.610
Final show in DCX Archives August 17, 1957 Gladiolus Festival Momence IL placed 7 with a score of 60.500
Highest Score 79.950
Final show in DCX Archives August 30, 1958 American Legion National Championships - Junior Contest Chicago IL placed 16 with a score of 78.780
Highest Score 86.500
Final show in DCX Archives August 22, 1959 American Legion National Championships Minneapolis MN placed 12 with a score of 74.620
Highest Score 85.050
Final show in DCX Archives August 24, 1960 VFW Nationals (junior prelims) Detroit MI placed 8 with a score of 83.750
Highest Score 82.200
Final show in DCX Archives September 17, 1961 Bataan Memorial Pageant of Drums Maywood IL placed 3 with a score of 73.400
Highest Score 79.750
Final show in DCX Archives August 18, 1962 Drums Under the Stars (finals) Chicago (Norwood Park) IL placed 4 with a score of 67.950
Highest Score 79.350
Final show in DCX Archives August 24, 1963 2nd Annual Concourse of Champions Kenosha WI placed 2 with a score of 67.000
Highest Score 84.500
Final show in DCX Archives September 13, 1964 Bataan Memorial Pageant of Drums Maywood IL placed 3 with a score of 74.550
Highest Score 86.450
Final show in DCX Archives September 6, 1965 Rockford IL placed 1 with a score of 74.280
Highest Score 87.400
Final show in DCX Archives September 11, 1966 Bataan Memorial Pageant of Drums Maywood IL placed 3 with a score of 76.280
Highest Score 90.000
Final show in DCX Archives September 4, 1967 Rockford IL placed 1 with a score of 84.170
Highest Score 90.400
Final show in DCX Archives September 2, 1968 Rockford IL placed 1 with a score of 78.720
Highest Score 86.400
Final show in DCX Archives August 23, 1969 The North American Invitational Championships Toronto ONT Canada placed 2 with a score of 77.950
Highest Score 83.300
Final show in DCX Archives September 5, 1970 Festival of Music & Motion Kewanee IL placed 3 with a score of 70.500
Highest Score 81.350
Final show in DCX Archives August 21, 1971 Lions Club Spectacular (Little Nationals) Delavan WI placed 4 with a score of 76.100
Highest Score 82.700
Final show in DCX Archives August 18, 1972 DCI World Championships Whitewater WI placed 7 with a score of 81.250
Highest Score 73.800
Final show in DCX Archives August 16, 1973 DCI World Championships - Prelims Whitewater WI placed 20 with a score of 70.400
Highest Score 56.400
Final show in DCX Archives August 24, 1975 West Chicago IL placed 4 with a score of 52.100
Highest Score 68.550
Final show in DCX Archives August 20, 1976 DCI World Championships - Prelims Philadelphia PA placed 31 with a score of 68.550
Highest Score 76.700
Final show in DCX Archives June 26, 1977 Oshkosh WI placed 1 with a score of 76.700
Member Name | Section | Years Involved |
---|---|---|
Achuff, Gayle | Rifle Squad | 1962 to 1964 |
Agnello, Sam | Solo (Lead) Soprano | 1961 to 1968 |
Bevill, David | French Horn | 1971 to 1972 |
BOYLE, JERRY | Contra Bass | 1969 to 1971 |
Buck, Bill | Drum Line | 1970 to 1973 |
Buck, Bill | Drum Line | 1971 to 1972 |
Burkett, Dave | Bass Baritone, Contra | 1957 to 1964 |
Burkett, David | Color Guard, Bass baritone, Contra | 1957 to 1964 |
Burton, Terry | percussion | 1973 |
engram thomas, michelle | colorguard | 1970 to 1972 |
Hawley, Howard | Brass | 1962 to 1965 |
McGuffin, Jay | Drum Line | 1964 to 1970 |
McGuffin, Jay | drums | 1965 to 1970 |
O'Connell-Letourneau, Cathy | guard, then drumline | 1969 to 1975 |
Violett, Edward | contra | 1966 to 1969 |
Washington, Devin | Mellophone | 1973 to 1976 |
Wojcik, Danny | Drum Line | 1972 to 1975 |
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