- Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps
The Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class (formerly "Division I")
drum and bugle corps based inMilwaukee, Wisconsin , the corps is a member ofDrum Corps International andDrum Corps Midwest . The corps has competed in Division I since 1997, with its highest placements coming in 1999 (17th place) and 2000 (16th place).Pioneer has won 3 DCI world championships as a member of
Divisions II/III (now "Open Class") and 9 DCM championships. Pioneer is the only corps to have won a Midwest championship at every division level.Pioneer was founded in 1973 with the merger of two corps, the Mercury Thunderbolts (founded in 1953) and the Imperials of Saint Patrick (founded in 1961), which is the source of the green uniforms and shamrock logo. The naming of the corps came after the corps' initial sponsorship by the Pioneer Container Corporation.
The corps was founded by Roman Blenski, who continues to be the Director of the organization. Roman is a member of the
DCI Hall of Fame and theWorld Drum Corps Hall of Fame .2006 competitive season
In 2006, the corps' show was entitled "Emeraldscapes." The source music for the show was the traditional "
Be Thou My Vision " and a contemporary string piece "Tarantella " written byPhil Kline and made popular by the string groupEthel .Pioneer was the sole DCI Division I corps to use G bugles in its horn line. All other Division I/World Class corps utilize Bb (B-flat) horns. The music for the 2006 show was a slight departure from more recognizable Irish music which the corps had featured in the past, but the show was a crowd-pleaser.
The corps finished the season with a 71.55, good for 23rd place in Division I.
External links
* [http://www.pioneer-corps.org/ Official website]
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