Bleu Raeders Drum and Bugle Corps
Encyclopedia
The Bleu Raeders were a drum corps
based out of New Orleans from 1971-1981.
The Raeders made their DCI
Finals debut in their first year of competition (1972). Their performance in the Finals was only the 18th in their history; this remains the quickest ascent ever to a DCI Finals position. They were also the first Southern
corps to reach Finals.
In 1974, the organization merged with Stardusters splitting with that group and re-establishing the Raeders name in 1975 only to merge with the Stardusters again in 1981 to become the Louisiana Southernairs. (This name was taken from a New Orleans corps from the 1950s).
Ricky and Ronnie Chapagral and Richard Flagg, while marching with East Jefferson High School and the Bleu Raeders, wrote the drumline
cadence "Bleu Raeders", which was brought by members of the line back to their college
lines at LSU
and Ole Miss, both of which still use it as their primary cadence. David Arthur, also of E.J.Hs., wrote the melodic parts to this cadence. Many high school drumlines across the N. Gulf Coast from Texas to the Florida Panhandle still play this cadence, or derivatives thereof.
Drum and bugle corps (modern)
A drum and bugle corps, also known as a drum corps, is a musical marching unit consisting of brass instruments, percussion instruments, and color guard. Typically operating as independent non-profit organizations, drum corps perform in competitions, parades, festivals, and other civic functions...
based out of New Orleans from 1971-1981.
The Raeders made their DCI
Drum Corps International
Drum Corps International , formed in 1972, is the non-profit governing body operating the North American drum and bugle corps circuit for junior corps, whose members are between the ages of 14 and 21. It is the counterpart of Drum Corps Associates which governs senior or all-age drum corps...
Finals debut in their first year of competition (1972). Their performance in the Finals was only the 18th in their history; this remains the quickest ascent ever to a DCI Finals position. They were also the first Southern
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
corps to reach Finals.
In 1974, the organization merged with Stardusters splitting with that group and re-establishing the Raeders name in 1975 only to merge with the Stardusters again in 1981 to become the Louisiana Southernairs. (This name was taken from a New Orleans corps from the 1950s).
Ricky and Ronnie Chapagral and Richard Flagg, while marching with East Jefferson High School and the Bleu Raeders, wrote the drumline
Drumline
A drumline is a section of percussion instruments usually played as part of a musical marching ensemble. High school and college marching bands, drill and drum corps, drum and bugle corps, indoor percussion ensembles, and pipe bands usually incorporate drumlines; however, drumlines can exist...
cadence "Bleu Raeders", which was brought by members of the line back to their college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
lines at LSU
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
and Ole Miss, both of which still use it as their primary cadence. David Arthur, also of E.J.Hs., wrote the melodic parts to this cadence. Many high school drumlines across the N. Gulf Coast from Texas to the Florida Panhandle still play this cadence, or derivatives thereof.