Carmelites

The Carmelites drum and bugle corps was originally organized in 1947 by Father Peter Torretta as a fife and drum corps. They were based at Our Lady of Mount Carmel church in the Italian south end of Springfield.

Over the years, the corps reorganized and transitioned into a winter guard unit. In the fall of 1963, with Hall of Famer Joe Genero as musical director, the church added a third unit to their congregation, the Carmelites drum and bugle corps. The corps colors were maroon and gold, and the guard carried unique pastel-colored flags.

In their inaugural year, they performed as a parade and exhibition corps before fielding competitively from 1965 to 1968. The group competed in the Yankee circuit, in the  “Class A-2 ”, participating in the 1965 prelims and earned a finalist position in 1966, with a 3^rdplace finish in the “Class A-2” finals. The corps also competed at the 1966 World Open preliminaries, placing 32^nd.  In 1967, the Carmelites finished 4^th at the Yankee circuit “Class A-2” championship finals, adding Mayflower circuit competitions. At the 1968 Yankee circuit championships, the corps placed 6^th in the prelims before reorganizing as a fife and drum corps until 1974, when the Mount Carmel church could no longer support them. 

The winter guard unit was successful, competing in the NEIPA Circuit during the 1960s & 1970s. In 1975, the group reorganized as the Springfield Ambassadors, with several key members migrating to the Centurions of Enfield.

Paul Legault (DCX)

LOADING.....