Bengal Lancers


Other Names: Trumbull Lancers

Trumbull, CT United States
Founded: 1974

Inactive Junior

CORPS Photos

The Bengal Lancers drum and bugle was originally formed in 1974 as the Trumbull Lancers; they reorganized as the Bengal Lancers in 1975 after a split in the original committee.

The corps’ instructors all hailed from the Brassmen of New York: Director Alex Casella Sr., brass instructor Hy Drietzer, drum instructors Jim Drost and John Otto, and marching instructor Teddy Swarsenberg. The Lancers took the field in 1975 with appearances at the World Open “Class B” preliminaries, placing 7th in their inaugural year and finished 6th in the Northeast circuit championships. By the next season, they had matured to the point that they were able to claim the 1976 World Open “Class B” championships.

Adding to their success, the corps participated at the American International Open (AIO) “Class A” finals, placing 2nd and the 1976 DCI “Class A” finals in Philadelphia, placing 4th. They culminated the year with a 14th place finish at the United Organization of Eastern Corps (UOEC).

As a result of their accomplishments, nearly all the membership returned in 1977 and the corps not only moved up to “Class A” competition at the World Open but became the first corps to win “Class B” championships one year and then compete in the “Class A” finals the next year, where they finished a creditable eighth. On a roll, the corps traveled to the 1977 DCI championships in Denver and came back as the newly crowned “Class A” champions, ending the season with a 6th place finish at the UOEC championships.

That same year, the Bengal's opener featured one bugler who played "Charge!" then collapsed flat on the field for the rest of the show, other corps members stepping over him. The bugler's bit was so convincing that a real ambulance rushed to his aid during one show, only to be convinced that the young man's horizontal posture was part of the act. In 1978, the corps competed at both the AIO “Class A” finals, finishing in 12th position and the World Open “Class A” preliminary round, missing out from the finals spot by one position, placing 11th. They closed out the season with a 2nd place finish at the Garden State Circuit championships.

After the ’78 season, membership declined and scores declined as well. In 1979, the corps competed at the World Open “Class A” prelims and the Drum Corps East championships, placing 15th at both and returned one last time to the DCI “Open Class” preliminaries, held in Birmingham, placing 41stIn 1980, the Bengal Lancers participated in the AIO “Open Class” championships, earning a 12th place finalist spot and an 8th place finish at the DCI East before their last appearance at the World Open “Class A” prelims, placing 14th.

The corps disbanded in 1981.


Jeffrey A. Amoroso; DCW, 2/04, p.3; Paul Legault (DCX)

Members (15)

Member Name Section Years Involved
1977, 1977 Solo Saprano 1977
Amoroso, Jeffrey Drum Line 1974 to 1976
Carriero, Chris Baritone 1978
cascella, alex cymbals brass color gaurd drum major 1974 to 1978
Chatlos, Rhonda Mid-Range 1978 to 1980
Jenkins, Margaret contra bass 1974 to 1977
McClinch , Kathy soprano 1975 to 1980
Michaud, Holly Cymbols 1974 to 1980
Peck, Cathy trumpet/french horn 1974 to 1977
racz, cornell solo saprano 1974 to 1977
rondyke, mark baritone 1979 to 1981
rondyke, mark baritone 1976
Ryan, Dennis Drumline 1977 to 1978
Spigarolo, Elliott Brass 1975 to 1978
Tvardzik, Tom Drum Line 1975 to 1978
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