Connecticut Classics

The Connecticut Classics drum & bugle corps was formed in the fall of 1964 as a self-supporting organization. Raymond E. Long was one of the original founders.

In their inaugural year, they performed as a parade and exhibition unit, entering the field of competition in a big way, competing at the 1966 World Open “Class A” preliminaries, placing 34^th. Over the next two seasons, the Classics competed as members of the Yankee circuit, returning to the World Open “Class A” prelims, placing 25^th in 1967 and 33^rd in 1968.

In 1969, the Classics joined the Greater New York (GNY) circuit, where they finished in 8^th position and appeared once again in the World Open “Class A” prelims, finishing 34^th. The corps participated in the 1970 VFW Nationals, placing in a familiar 34^th place along with 14^th place finish at the GNY circuit championships. The 1971 season proved to be a rebuilding year for the corps, joining the Northeast circuit, where they competed for all of the 70’s, for the exception of 1978.

The Connecticut group
placed 7^th in the 1972 Northeast circuit championships, returning to
the 1973 VFW Nationals, their final appearance, finishing 15^th in
the preliminary round and 9^th in the Northeast contest. The Classics
appeared at the 1974 World Open championships, this time in the “Class B”
division, placing 9^th in the prelims and a 7^th place
finish in the Northeast finals. Over the next two
years, enjoying very successful seasons, the Connecticut crew earned a finalist
position in the 1975 and 1976 World Open “Class B” championships, with 6^th
and 2^nd place finishes respectively, 4^th (1975) and 2^nd
place (1976) rankings in the Northeast circuit and participated in the DCI
“Class A” prelims, placing 9^th (1975) and 12^th (1976).

Not to be outdone from their previous achievements, the corps traveled on tour, which saw them compete as finalists in the American International (AIO) and US Open regionals in both 1977 and 1978, placing 9^th and 8^th (AIO) and 9^th and 5^th (US) respectively. The Classics also competed in the 1977 World Open “Class B” prelims, with an 11^th place finish, 3^rd place in the Northeast circuit contest and their only appearance at the United Organization of Eastern Corps, where they placed 17^th in preliminary action.

In 1978, the corps also competed as a finalist in the World Open “Class B” contest, placing 7^th and as previously mentioned, finished 4^th in Garden State Circuit (GSC) competition. Although they had declined in membership the following year, the group managed to finish 18^th in the “Class B” prelims at the World Open and returned to the Northeast circuit, where they placed 3^rd. In 1980, the corps organized an alumni reunion but was unable to generate enough interest to field a corps that season.

They returned to the field of competition in 1981, participating at the World Open “Class B” prelims, once again placing 18^th, returning the next year to an 8^th place finalist position as well as participating in the 1982 DCI “Open Class” championships, where they finished in 48^th. They capped off the season with a 10^th place finish in the GSC “Open Class” contest, concluding their final season with an 11^th place finish at the 1983 GSC “Open Class” championships.

They disbanded in 1984.

Paul Legault (DCX)

CORPS 4 items

Connecticut Classics

Connecticut Classics Bumper Sticker from the Bill Ives Collection

Connecticut Classics

Connecticut Classics from the Bill Ives Collection

Connecticut Classics

ConnecticutClassics,EastHaven,CT,BS1-We LoveThe(BIV)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection

Connecticut Classics

ConnecticutClassics,EastHaven,CT,Pin1-MembersOverState(BIV-3.0)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection

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