The Syracuse Brigadiers : History

"A Walk through Drum Corps History"

The Syracuse Brigadiers Drum & Bugle Corps is a precision musical/marching Organization that is historically significant to the City of Syracuse and the Central New York Region. The Corps proud history began in 1938 when a Junior Drum & Bugle Corps was organized by the Polish Legion of American Veterans (P.L.A.V.) Post #14 in Syracuse, NY.. After a few years of dormancy during World War II the original Corps was reorganized into an all age Drum & Bugle Corps in 1947. At this time, the corps entered into the realm of field competition. This corps won every title as P.L.A.V. National Champions every year that the event was held.

The year 1954 brought about an expansion of the Corps when "The Boys From Syracuse"," The Cortland Moose" and "The Sons of American Legion Post#41 all merged under the present title of "The Syracuse Brigadiers". This was the first step in their climb to international fame.

The Syracuse Brigadiers won the coveted title of New York State American Legion Champion for the years 1955 through 1960 and again in 1964 and 1967. Under the sponsorship of P.L.A.V. Post#14 and American Legion #1677, the Syracuse Brigadiers were finalists in the American Legion National Championships every time they entered. They have been runner-up to the National Champions three times. The Brigadiers were International Champions in 1957 and 1958. During the 1968 season, in which they were a few tenths of a point from being crowned DRUM CORPS ASSOCIATES (DCA) WORLD CHAMPIONS, the members of the "brigs" were devastated by the tragic deaths of two of their members caused by an automobile accident after a rehearsal.

The quality of their performance diminished during the ensuing years. The corps was inactive in 1972, but made a sterling comeback attempt in 1973. Where other Corps had the luxury of eleven months of preparation for the DCA World Championship, the Brigadiers endured an intense rehearsal schedule for a mere five weeks before entering field competition a few weeks before the 1973 DCA World Championship. This group of Brigadiers had embarked on an endeavor unheard of within the drum corps activity. They carried the pride and the tradition of the Syracuse Brigadiers with them into the 1973 Championship. Sadly, because of a judging penalty for undersized flags at the preliminary competition, the "brigs" missed inclusion at the DCA finals by five hundredths of a point. The community and the Drum Corps World lost one of the most exciting Drum and Bugle Corps that day.

Rebirth

However , fate intervened 17 years later on August 11, 1990 when the "Crusaders" from Rochester, NY sponsored the "Pageant of Drums" competition at MacArthur Stadium in Syracuse, NY, this show featured many of the top Drum and Bugle Corps in the country. At the time of this event, the Rochester Crusader instructional staff included some former members of the Syracuse Brigadiers. The "Crusaders" had decided to award the First Place Trophy in honor of the late Charlie Ragonese, one of the previous Corps Directors of the Syracuse Brigadiers.

At the awards ceremony following the competition, the stadium announcer asked if there were any "Brigadier" alumni in the audience who wished to join the other drum corps on the field for the awards ceremony. About fifty former "Brigadiers" came from the grandstand and formed as a parade unit on the field. They then proudly marched around the stadium to the strains of familiar "Brigadier" music of the past. The crowd rose to there feet and cheered. The rebirth of the Syracuse Brigadiers had begun.

Being inspired by this night, a small group of former "Brigadiers" and fans met in October, 1990 to discuss the possibility of resurrecting the "Brigadiers". Cable TV and newspaper advertisements began to test the waters of interest in a new corps. The interest was immense, but interest alone could not form the corps. To re-equip a large Drum and Bugle Corps the cost would exceed $40,000 for just the essential percussion and brass instruments. Uniforms, banners, rifles, sabers, accessory instruments would make the costs soar. So, this undaunted group of organizers had to beg, borrow and almost "steal" equipment before they were able to put a Parade Corps on the street in 1991.

Since then, membership in the Corps has grown greatly. Personal loans, second mortgages on homes and membership fees were needed to finance the future success of the corps. The Syracuse Brigadiers once again entered field competition in 1992.

"The Brigs were back"

This refrain echoed throughout the Drum Corps World. At many competitions, the Brigadiers received applause from other competing corps. It was if they believed an old friend had returned home after a long absence. The "brigs" had, after all, been away for 19 years.

The Brigadiers immediately began to recapture past glories, as well as establish new standards of excellence. With audience entertainment being the traditional priority for the "brigs", standing ovations were received at every performance. Show sponsors began competing with each other to have the Syracuse Brigadiers included in their shows. The 1992 season ended in Scranton, PA at the DCA World Championship where the Brigadiers garnered an eleventh place finish at the finals and earned Associate DCA membership. The year 1993 brought even greater successes. This second season of the Corps culminated with a ninth place finish and full DCA membership status at the DCA World Championship.

Heading into the 1994 season, the Syracuse Brigadiers have come full circle. They have combined the elements of the new breed of "Brigadiers" with the elements of there historical, past. They have added to there instructional staff "Mr. Brigadier" himself, Al "Corky" Fabrizio (former soloist, Drum Major, and music arranger of the Brigadiers of the 50's, 60's, and the 70's) along with several other former "brigs". Steadily growing in consistency and in organizational structure, The Brigs placed 7th in 1995 and 5th in 1996. Finally, The Brigadiers were on the road to further successes, finally sharing the 1997 World Championship with the Empire Statesmen. They were 2nd in 1998, 1999 brought them the undisputed World Championship by one of the "Largest" margins of victory in history. They then claimed the championship for a third time in 2000 and a 4th time in 2001 and their 5th Championship in 2002 (another record high score year for DCA).

Tradition of Excellence

With the establishment of Brigadier Hall and a reorganization and rededication to a sound organizational structure, the Brigadiers slowly began to find success.  The Brigadiers finished their 2004 season with a second place finish at the DCA World Championships after being a long standing title holder and record breaker.

The 2005 season again brings new challenges in musical and visual performance, with the hopes and expectations of quality performances throughout the summer. As always, the Brigadiers will continue its number one mission, the "Tradition of Excellence".

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