Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps

The Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps is an Open Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in Nashua, New Hampshire, the Spartans performs in Drum Corps International (DCI) competitions.[1] The Spartans won the DCI Division II World Championship in 1997, 1998, 2004, 2005, and 2007, and in 2019 won the DCI Open Class Championship that replaced Divisions II and III in 2008. [2]

Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps
LocationNashua, New Hampshire
DivisionOpen Class
Founded1955 (1955)
DirectorRichard Rigolini
Championship titlesDivision II –1997, 1998, 2004, 2005, 2007
Open Class – 2019
Uniform(2019) Jumpsuit with red to black ombré (top to bottom, respectively), with red and black swirl patterns.
Black shoes
No headgear
Websitewww.spartansdbc.org

History

Source:[2][3]

The Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps was founded in 1955 by Albert LaFlamme as a way to keep at-risk youth off of the streets. Mr. LaFlamme was succeeded as corps director by his son Peter. Today, the corps is run by Albert’s grandson, Paul "PG" LaFlamme Jr.[4]

Over the corps' long history, it has performed for Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, and George H.W. Bush.

In 1990, the corps was gifted with a corps hall that also hosted their bingo operation.

A fire in 1999 destroyed nearly everything the corps owned--- instruments, uniforms, equipment, vehicles. The dedication of the corps' members, staff, and supporters, as well as the greater drum corps community, kept the corps in operation and in competition, with the corps placing second that year at DCI Division II Finals in Madison, Wisconsin.

Despite being DCI Division II Champions five time, in 2009, the economic downturn known as the "Great Recession" forced the Spartans into bankruptcy. Bingo revenues had dropped off to a point where the corps discontinued that fundraising activity. Efforts to sell the corps hall had not been successful, although payments were still due on the hall's mortgage.[5][6]

The corps went through a year of inactivity and reorganized, including a change of management and sale of the corps hall for an amount large enough to pay off the corps' debts.[7][8] The corps then successfully returned to competition in 2010.[9]

Since returning to the DCI competition field in 2010, Spartans have never placed outside the top 5 in the Open Class championship. The corps has also qualified for World Class semi finals for the past 8 consecutive seasons, 2012–19.

In 2019, ten years after the corps went inactive for a season, Spartans were crowned champions of the 2019 DCI Open Class championship, scoring 81.050. They were also the only DCI corps to go undefeated for the 2019 regular season.

Sponsorship

The Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps is a registered non-profit 501(c)(3) musical organization which has a Board of Directors, director, and staff assigned to carry out the organization's mission. The president of the board is Paul "PG" LaFlamme, Jr., the operations director is Ann Prendergast, and the corps director is Richard Rigolini.[10]

Show Summary (1972-2020)

Source:[2]

Gold background indicates DCI Championship; pale blue background indicates DCI Class Finalist; pale green background indicates DCI semifinalist; pale purple background indicates Open Class finalist (but not champion) and World Class semifinalist.

YearThemeRepertoireScoreDCI Placement
1972Parade of the Charioteers (from Ben Hur) by Miklós Rózsa / Miami Beach (Undetermined) /
Colour My World & To Be Free by James Pankow /
Miserlou (Traditional) adapted by Nicholas Roubanis / Love Theme (from Ben Hur) by Miklós Rózsa		Did not attend
1973Entrance to Sparta & Nonename by Albert (?) LaFlamme / Soul Explosion by Gladys Bruce /
Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?) by Jimmy Davis, Ram Ramirez, and James Sherman /
Air Mail Special by Benny Goodman, James Mundy, and Charlie Christian /
Miserlou (Traditional) adapted by Nicholas Roubanis / Love Theme (from Ben Hur) by Miklós Rózsa		Did not attend
1974St. Louis Blues March by W. C. Handy adapted my Glenn Miller / 2nd Hungarian Rhapsody by Franz Liszt /
Moonlight Serenade by Glenn Miller and Mitchell Parish / Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing) by Louis Prima /
Besame Mucho by Consuelo Velázquez and Sunny Skylar /
Love Theme (from Ben Hur) by Miklós Rózsa / Basin Street Blues by Spencer Williams		Did not attend
19752nd Hungarian Rhapsody by Franz Liszt / Finlandia by Jean Sibelius / Boys and Girls Get Together by Jim Peterik /
Miserlou (Traditional) adapted by Nicholas Roubanis / Sunrise, Sunset by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick /
Hang 'em High by Dominic Frontiere		Did not attend
19762nd Hungarian Rhapsody by Franz Liszt / Hallelujah Chorus by George Frideric Handel /
Two Minds Meet by L. Raub and Bill Chase / Poet and Peasant Overture by Franz von Suppé /
Finale (from Firebird Suite) by Igor Stravinsky		Did not attend
1977Flying Home by Benny Goodman, Eddie DeLange, Lionel Hampton, and Sydney Robin /
Parade of the Charioteers (from Ben Hur) by Miklós Rózsa / Hallelujah Chorus by George Frideric Handel /
Ol' Man River (from Showboat) by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II / Poet and Peasant Overture by Franz von Suppé /
Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?) by Jimmy Davis, Ram Ramirez, and James Sherman / Live and Let Live by Cole Porter		Did not attend
1978Compendium (Undetermined) / Chump Change (from The New Bill Cosby Show) by Bill Cosby and Quincy Jones /
A Day in the Life by Lennon–McCartney / Instant Concert by James Swearingen / Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin /
Love Theme (from Ben Hur) by Miklós Rózsa / Hang 'em High by Dominic Frontiere		Did not attend
1979Favourite Things (Undetermined) / William Tell Overture by Gioachino Rossini / Sun Shower by Chuck Mangione /
Night Journey by Doc Severinsen, Ernie Chapman, and Fred Crane / Hill Where the Lord Hides by Chuck Mangione /
Percussion Overture (Unknown) / Pegasus by Hank Levy		Did not attend
1980
thru
1985		No information availableDid not attend
1986Repertoire unavailable67.9008th Class A
1987Repertoire unavailable70.4005th Class A60
1988Liberty Mission (Unknown) / Carmen by Georges Bizet /
I Have Dreamed (from The King and I) by Rodgers and Hammerstein / Poet and Peasant Overture by Franz von Suppé		71.90012th Class A
1989CamelotOverture, Parade, Guenevere, What Do the Simple Folk Do? & Before I Gaze at You Again
All from Camelot by Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner		79.8006th Class A
1990ScheharazadeSelections from Scheharazade by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov76.7007th Class A
1991ScheharazadeSelections from Scheharazade by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov78.50011th Class A
1992HookSelections from Hook by John Williams85.600
84.000		5th Div. II
7th Div.II/III
1993AladdinSelections from Aladdin by Alan Menken84.9008th Div. II
1994Emerson, Lake,
and Palmer		Music by Keith Emerson, Greg Lake, Carl Palmer, and unspecified others82.6009th Div. II
1995Rome -
The Eternal City		Ben Hur by Miklós Rózsa / Bacchanale (from Samson and Delilah) by Camille Saint-Saëns /
Roman Festivals & Pines of the Appian Way (from The Pines of Rome) by Ottorino Respighi		88.8004th Div. II
1996Return to RomeInzio (from Ben Hur) by Miklós Rózsa / Cenotaph by Jack Stamp /
Dance of Belkis at Dawn, Dream of King Solomon, War Dance & Orgiastic Dance
From Belkis, Queen of Sheba by Ottorino Respighi		89.5004th Div. II
1997Three RevelationsAwakening, Contemplation & Rejoicing by Alfred Reed94.200
69.800		1st Div. II
23rd Div.I
1998Sinfonia Vocci -
The Music of
David Holsinger		Sinfonia Vocci & Ballet Sacra by David Holsinger97.100
73.000		1st Div. II
22nd Div.I
1999Easter SymphonyKings, Deathtree & Symphonia Resurrectus
All from The Easter Symphony by David Holsinger		95.300
73.700		2nd Div.II
22nd Div.I
2000GloriosoGlorioso, Oratio, Cantus III & Diofestos (All undertermined)80.7058th Div.II
2001GladiatorThe Battle & Barbarian Horde (from Gladiator) by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard / Ben Hur by Miklós Rózsa93.950
73.800		3rd Div.II
20th Div.I
2002GuardiansMusic from Gladiator by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard / Ben Hur by Miklós Rózsa /
Music from The Mummy Returns by Alan Silvestri / Bacchanale (from Samson and Delilah) by Camille Saint-Saëns		93.9005th Div.II
2003The Divine ComedyInferno, Ascension, Paradise & Finale
All from The Divine Comedy, Symphony No. 1 by Robert W. Smith		94.4503rd Div.II
2004MedusaMedusa Lures Poseidon, Athena's Rage, Serpents & The Gorgon's Pursuit
All from Medusa by Key Poulan		96.325
96.550		1st Div.II
1s Div. II/III
2005VizierWisdom, Experience, Conceive, Meditation, Ascendant & Vizier: The All-Seeing Eye
All from Vizier by Key Poulan		96.275
97.150		1st Div.II
2nd Div.II/III
2006Advent RisingBounty Hunter, Stolen Transport, Glorious Human, Aurelian Conflict & Canyon Encounter
All from Advent Rising by Tommy Tallarico		94.0253rd Div.II
2007TarotFortune Teller; The Emperor and Strength; The Fool; The Magician & The Sun, Death, and Judgment
All from Tarot by Key Poulan, Peter Furnari, and Eric Putnam		96.1501st Div.II
2008Metallic
Soundscapes		KIngfishers Catch Fire, Turning & Turbine by John Mackey82.70014th Open Class
2009Corps inactive
2010Fire DanceInferno (from The Divine Comedy) by Robert W. Smith /
Caronte, Ferryman of Souls; Entrance Into Hell; Interview of Ulysses & La Giudecca (all from Inferno di Dante) by Key Poulan		93.6003rd Open Class
2011MidnightMidnight by Key Poulan / Bella's Lullabye & Other music from Twilight by Carter Burwell91.500
69.350		4th Open Class
26th World Class
2012RenewalInfernal Dance, The Princess Game with the Golden Apples & Dance of the Princesses (from The Firebird Suite) /
Dance of the Earth (from The Rite of Spring) / Berceuse & Finale (from The Firebird Suite)
All by Igor Stravinsky		91.150
70.750		4th Open Class
24th World Class
2013Live FreeMusic from Swan Lake by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky / Music from The Matrix by Don Davis / Naqoyqatsi by Philip Glass90.500
72.850		4th Open Class
24th World Class
2014OlympusOlympus Intro by Jeff Boulduc, Matt McGuire, and Michael Moore / Symphony for Brass and Percussion, Mvt. II by Alfred Reed /
You Are So Beautiful by Bruce Fisher, Billy Preston, and Dennis Wilson (uncredited) /
Symphony #2 Mvt. III & There Will Be Rest by Frank Ticheli		77.025
74.050		4th Open Class
24th World Class
2015Spartans...
At The Gates!		Prelude to War–Original music by Key Poulan, Michael Moore, and Matt McGuire /
Spartan Warrior To Victory–To Victory (from 300) by Tyler Bates /
Defending the Gates–Piano Concerto #1, 3rd Movement: Toccata Con Fuoco by Keith Emerson /
Empyrean Mercenaries–From Trailerhead by Immediate /
Battle–The Battle (from Gladiator) by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard /
Glory, Honor & Immortality–Lauds (Praise High Day) by Ron Nelson		76.025
71.500		3rd Open Class
23rd World Class
2016TotemGabriel's Oboe by Ennio Morricone / Ome Kayo (from Cirque du Soleil's Totem) by Guy Dubuc and Marc Lessard /
Conflict (Original music) by Key Poulan, Michael Moore, and Matt McGuire /
Crazy in Love by Beyoncé Knowles, Rich Harrison, Shawn Carter, and Eugene Record /
Sacrifice (Original music) by Michael Moore and Matt McGuire / Adiemus Chorale VI (SolFa) by Karl Jenkins		74.750
71.475		5th Open Class
25th World Class
2017ConnectedWe Are Here to Connect / Missed Connections / ReConnected / We Are All Connected
All original music by Key Poulan, Michael Moore, and Matt McGuire
Angel by Sarah McLachlan		75.935
73.475		5th Open Class
25th World Class
2018Da Vinci’s WorkshopMeet Leonardo & The Vitruvian Man by Key Poulan, Matt McGuire, and Michael Moore /
The Artist: Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy, arranged by Key Poulan and Michael Moore /
The Workshop by Matt McGuire and Michael Moore /
The Flying Machine: Sogno di Volare by Christopher Tin, arranged by Key Poulan, Matt McGuire, and Michael Moore		75.713
74.250		5th Open Class
25th World Class
2019Experiment XAct I: Balkan Dance by Etienne Crausaz / Egyptic by David Satori, Zoe Jakes, Tommy "Sidecar" Cappel (Beats Antique) /
Act II: Libertango by Astor Piazzolla /
Act III: Shallow by Stefani Germanotta (Lady Gaga), Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando, and Andrew Wyatt /
Act IV: Gretel & Shofukan by Michael League (Snarky Puppy)		81.050
80.350		1st Open Class
19th World Class
2020Season cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic

Traditions

Corps Song

The Spartans Corps Song is "Fire of Eternal Glory" By Dmitri Shostakovich.

Pre-Show Hype

Before a DCI competition or exhibition performance, the head drum major will yell "Spartans! Prepare for Glory!" Followed by 3 chants by the rest of the Corps.

References
  1. "Corps". Drum Corps International. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  2. "Spartans". DCX: The Drum Corps Xperience. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  3. Carlson, Michael; Vickers, editor, Steve (2003). A History of Drum & Bugle Corps, 2 Vols. Volume 2. Drum Corps World.
  4. http://www.spartansdbc.org/about/
  5. http://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_11441758
  6. https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/20/us/20bankrupt.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
  7. http://drumcorpseurope.org/article.php?news=7384?&Lang=IT
  8. http://www.newhampshire.com/article/20120908/NEWHAMPSHIRE/709089969/0/services04
  9. http://homenewshere.com/tewksbury_town_crier/article_11102d6b-2221-50f1-a3e7-5e937028f498.html
  10. http://www.spartansdbc.org/about/staff/
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