Freelancers

In the fall of 1969, Parker Silva, director of the Manhart Capitalaires “All-Girls” corps, opened participation to males and formed the Capitalaires, dropping the word “Manhart” and was sponsored by the George W. Manhart American Legion Post 391 of Sacramento supporting the drum corps activity since 1932.

In their inaugural season, the corps placed 2^nd in the California State Legion contest and participated in the 1970 American Legion Nationals, where they finished 11th in the preliminary round. Over the next 2 years, The Capitalaires continued participation in the state Legion contests and placed 4^th in the 1972 California State Open and was renamed the Capital Freelancers, as they separated from their American Legion sponsorship in 1973. The following year, the corps would remain active as members of the Drum Corps West circuit, where they finished in 4^th position in the 1974 championships.

The corps toured nationally for the first time in 1975. Caravanning all the way to the East Coast, they earned A finalist position in the North Tonawanda Open, placing 2^nd, the US Open, finishing in 7th position & an 8^th place finish in both the American International Open (AIO) and DCI Midwest regionals. The Freelancers managed to gain DCI membership by placing 18th in the DCI championships, although it took a personal loan from a parent booster to get them home again.

In 1976, the corps set out once again on a National tour with determination, but cash flow was still an issue. Part of the members' motivation on the tour was to do well enough in the shows so that they could eat and move on to the next show with the prize money. The corps returned to 4th place finishes in both the US Open & Key to the Sea Open, a 7th place finish in the DCI Midwest regional and was crowned the AIO champions. The precarious journey reached a climax on prelims day at the DCI championships, when an empty kitchen and wallet spurred the Capital Freelancers to an incredible 11^th place finish. It was the corps’ first placement in DCI's elite “Top 12”.

Soon after, the organization was able to establish the Bingo Hall as a more stable source of funding. The Freelancers used financial security effectively in 1977, remaining in the western region, participating in the DCI West regional, where they placed 4^th and improved to an impressive 8^th place finish in the DCI “Open Class” championships. They followed up the next season with a 9^th place finish in the 1978 DCI Midwest, a 3rd place finish in the DCI West contest and just missed out qualifying for the DCI finals, finishing in 13^th position in the prelims. In 1979, the Freelancers traveled back east to compete in the World Open “Class A” championships, where they placed 4^th, the prestigious CYO Nationals, with a 5^th position finish and the DCI East regionals, finishing in 9^th place. At this DCI championships the core placed 14th overall in the preliminaries and 3rd in the newly created “Associate” contest.

Another milestone occurred in 1980, as the corps changed its name to the Freelancers, returning back east to the DCI East and AIO regionals placing 12th and 5th respectively, the US Open, where they finished in 4^th position and completed the season in the DCI “Open Class” preliminary round, placing 19^th. From 1981 to 1985,the Freelancers consistently finished in the DCI “Top 12”, placing 11^th (1981), 9^th (1982), 8^th (1983), 9^th (1984) and 12^th (1985). Over this same period, the corps captured the 1981 and 1983 AIO titles and participated in several other regionals that included DCI Canada (4^th - 1981), (3^rd - 1982) & (6^th - 1984); DCI North (4^th - 1981 & 1982); DCI Midwest, (14^th - 1981), (11^th -1982), (9^th -1983 & 1984); US Open (5^th - 1982) & (3^rd - 1983); DCI South (7^th - 1984).

In 1986, the first time in over fifty years, the organization would not field a corps. Due to financial struggles, the members of the board of directors decided to take the corps inactive in hopes of establishing a stronger future. Their courageous decision, despite concerns that the corps might never revive, ensured the Freelancers future. "Sac Is Back!" was the battle cry in 1987 as the they came roaring back from the year‘s hiatus. The corps returned to an 8^th place finish in the US Open and a 12^th place in the DCI East preliminaries, culminating the season in 19^th position in the DCI “Open Class” semifinals.

Between 1988 and 1994, the Freelancers would go on to place in the “Top 12” in 1989 (10^th), 1991 (10^th) and 1992 (12^th) along with 4 semifinalists’ rankings that included 14^th (1990), 15^th (1988 & 1993) and 16^th (1994). Participation in other regionals over those years included the US Open 3^rd (1989); DCI South 7^th (1988 & 1993); DCI Midwest 7^th  (1988); DCI East 5^th (1985), 7^th (1990 & 1992) & 11^th (1994 prelims); DCI Canada 5^th (1989) & 6^th (1991); DCI South 6^th (1990) & 7^th (1993); DCI Mid-America 6^th (1991); DCI Southwestern 7^th (1993) and DCI North 8^th (1994).  

The drum corps disbanded in 1995 but did produce a competitive winter guard and Open independent percussion, where in 1998 both units won their respective classes in the world guard international championships. In 2008, the Freelancers alumni was formed as a competitive  “Mini-Corps” as they participated in the annual Drum Corps Associates (DCA) championships, winning the 2023 title and placed 2^nd from 2015 to 2018 and again in 2022. In 2024 the core joined the DCI SoundSport circuit, once again placing in 2^nd position.

As of 2025, the corps remained active as modern Freelancer members have a proud history on which to draw for inspiration. Their eagerness to try, determination to achieve, and tradition of pride is rooted in an appreciation of the pain of those who preceded them. 

1994 Sound Expo Show Souvenir Program; Dave Strickler; Paul Legault (DCX)

Members (80)