California Dons

The California Dons drum & bugle corps was founded in the fall of 1983 by former Clovis high school band director, Mel Stratton, as the corps director. He was involved with the Blue Devils as an instructor and writer from 1965 to 1982.

The corps was organized through a weekly bingo and administrated by the Boosters Association. The Dons wore a custom designed 1830 Spanish style California dinner tuxedo as their uniform complemented with classical Spanish folk music and Latin jazz. In their inaugural season, the corps was a member of the Pacific Drum Corps Association (PDCA) and Drum Corps West (DCW) circuits. At the 1984 PDCA championships, they placed 8^th and competed at the DCI “Division II” finals with a 4^th place finish. They capped off the year by finishing 13^th at the DCI quarterfinals.

The following year, the California Dons went on a full tour that included stops at the Drums Along the Rockies contest, placing 8^th, the “Open Class” prelims of both the DCI East, where they positioned 23^rd and the US Open, finishing 15^th. Their season culminated with a “Top 25” at the 1985 DCI “Open Class” championships, placing 23^rd in the semifinals. This was a feat that was rarely accomplished by such a young newcomer to the activity. The 1986 was promising, however due to a lack of members and financial issues, the corps was unable to field competitively but remained active in 1986.

They disbanded in1987.

Paul Legault (DCX)

CORPS 1 items

California Dons

CaliforniaDons,Fresno,CA,Pin1(RE-2.25)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection

LOADING.....