Ishpeming, MI United States
Founded: 1957
Year | Position | Score | Theme/Songs |
---|---|---|---|
1963 | This Could Be the Start of Something Big * Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart * Over the Rainbow (from The Wizard of Oz) * Battle Hymn of the Republic * El Capitan * The Sound of Music | ||
1964 | 25 | 74.300 | (Repertoire not available) |
The Blue Notes drum & bugle corps began in Ishpeming on Halloween night in 1957 as an all-boy junior corps. The corps was founded by two very dedicated young men, Joe Mayrand and Jim Medlyn and was sponsored by the Ishpeming American Legion (AL) Post 58.
The corps competed in the Badgerland Drum and Bugle Corps Association. Their colors were red, white and blue. They performed in local parades for the first time in the summer of 1958. In 1959, an all-girl color guard was added, under the direction of Marvin Blight, entering the field competitive arena, placing 3rd at the Upper Peninsula AL championships. The following year, girls were accepted into the horn line as the corps finished 2nd at the 1960 MI AL state championships.
Over the next few years, with the tremendous support of hard working parents and the community, money was raised to purchase new uniforms and instruments. In 1961, the corps finished once again in 3rd position at the Upper Peninsula championships, improving to a 2nd place in 1962, along with a 3rd place finish at the AL state championships.
Awards included the Lake States Loggers Congress 1963 and '64 and the 1963-1964 Michigan American Legion and 1964 VFW championships. The corps participated in their first National championships with a 25th place finish at the 1964 VFW Nationals in Cleveland, returning the following season in Chicago, finishing 29th in the preliminary round. They were also crowned, for a third year in a row, the 1965 AL state champions.
From 1966 to 1971, the corps continued their strong showing within the Midwestern circuits by winning the 1967 MI state championships and the 1970 and 1971 Upper Peninsula titles. In 1972, the Blue Notes returned to the National scene, placing 23rd in the prelims of the American Legion Nationals held in Chicago, and won three consecutive state championships between 1973 to 1975. They also captured a finalist spot at the 1975 AL Nationals, placing in 4th position.
In 1976, their final season of competition, the corps competed in the US Open “Class A” finals, placing 8th and topped the AL state championships one last time. The corps disbanded in 1977.
An alumni corps was formed in 1984, celebrating the corps’ 60th anniversary in 2017.
Encyclopedia of Drum and Bugle Corps, 1966; DCW, 4/02, p/23; Paul Legault (DCX)
Highest Score 76.250
Final show in DCX Archives August 3, 1962 Michigan State American Legion Championships Lansing MI placed 3 with a score of 72.311
Highest Score 83.500
Final show in DCX Archives September 5, 1963 Ontonagon MI placed 1 with a score of 79.400
Highest Score 83.350
Final show in DCX Archives August 5, 1964 VFW Nationals Preliminaries Cleveland OH placed 25 with a score of 74.300
Highest Score 88.500
Final show in DCX Archives August 16, 1965 VFW Nationals Prelims Chicago IL placed 29 with a score of 69.200
Highest Score 67.050
Final show in DCX Archives August 20, 1966 Drums In The Night Rhinelander WI placed 1 with a score of 67.050
Highest Score 74.200
Final show in DCX Archives August 12, 1967 Munising MI placed 3 with a score of 74.200
Highest Score 67.400
Final show in DCX Archives August 17, 1969 Marion WI placed 2 with a score of 55.600
Highest Score 69.200
Final show in DCX Archives July 11, 1970 Iron Wood MI placed 2 with a score of 69.200
Highest Score 52.950
Final show in DCX Archives June 13, 1971 Appleton WI placed 3 with a score of 52.950
Highest Score 68.700
Final show in DCX Archives July 25, 1972 Michigan State American Legion Championships Detroit MI placed 2 with a score of 68.700
Highest Score 66.550
Final show in DCX Archives July 29, 1973 Racine WI placed 2 with a score of 62.450
Highest Score 57.100
Final show in DCX Archives September 2, 1974 Merrill WI placed 4 with a score of 57.100
Highest Score 58.200
Final show in DCX Archives July 20, 1975 Michigan Open Flint MI placed 2 with a score of 58.200
Highest Score 56.800
Final show in DCX Archives August 28, 1976 Fascination' Rhythms Waupun WI placed 6 with a score of 56.800
Highest Score 67.500
Final show in DCX Archives August 5, 1995 Bugler's Holiday Ishpeming MI placed 3 with a score of 67.500
Member Name | Section | Years Involved |
---|---|---|
Duesterbeck, Wayne | Percussion Arranger | 1968 |
Perry, David | Soprano | 1963 to 1973 |
Tyza, Walter | percussion | 1966 to 1969 |
Waters, Tim | Percussion | 1970 to 1976 |
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