Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps
Encyclopedia
The Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class drum and bugle corps
based in Boston, Massachusetts. They are a charter member of Drum Corps International
. Winter camps are currently held at Lakewood Ranch High School in Bradenton, FL. The Boston Crusaders are under the direction of Executive Director Thomas Spataro.
. The corps was also a very early adopter of electronic equipment, using a synthesizer
during their 1985 show (electronic amplification and electronic instruments were not legal in the DCI circuit until the 2004 and 2009 seasons respectively; the Crusaders willingly took a large penalty (2 points) for illegal equipment used in the show).
The Boston Crusaders have been consistent DCI finalists for the past decade, making their first break into finals in 1999. Their highest finishes in DCI were in 2000 and 2002, when they placed fifth. The corps' 2000 show, RED, was selected by popular vote to appear on the 2005 Classic Countdown, a movie theater showing of the twelve voted best shows of DCI history, with one show for each corps.
VFW National Bronze Medalist - 1953, 1954, 1966
VFW National Finalist - 1958, 1964, 1965, 1969, 1971, 1976
American Legion National Championships Silver Medalist - 1966, 1967
American Legion National Championships Bronze Medalist - 1977
American Legion National Championships - 1957
World Open Champions - 1966, 1967
World Open Silver Medalist - 1965, 1968, 1969
World Open Finalist - 1963, 1964, 1970, 1971, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982
World Open Prelims - 1973, 1974
CYO National Champions - 1964, 1966, 1967
CYO National Silver Medalist - 1965, 1968
CYO National Finalist - 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980
US Open Finalist - 1978
DCI Finalist - 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
DCI Semifinalist - 1977, 1978, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998
DCI Quarterfinalist - 1976, 1979
DCI Prelims - 1973, 1974, 1975, 1980, 1981, 1982
DCI Spirit of Disney award - 2000
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 in Boston, Massachusetts. They are a charter member of Drum Corps International
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...
. Winter camps are currently held at Lakewood Ranch High School in Bradenton, FL. The Boston Crusaders are under the direction of Executive Director Thomas Spataro.
Corps History
Founded in 1940, the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps is the third oldest drum corps still in existence today. Over the course of their history, the corps has been renamed twice, first called the Most Precious Blood Crusaders and then the Hyde Park Crusaders before becoming the Boston Crusaders. Showing a perseverance they later became known for, during a financially bleak period in the corps' history, the group competed only under the name Boston, returning to competition with their proper name after a return from near bankruptcyBankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a legal status of an insolvent person or an organisation, that is, one that cannot repay the debts owed to creditors. In most jurisdictions bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor....
. The corps was also a very early adopter of electronic equipment, using a synthesizer
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
during their 1985 show (electronic amplification and electronic instruments were not legal in the DCI circuit until the 2004 and 2009 seasons respectively; the Crusaders willingly took a large penalty (2 points) for illegal equipment used in the show).
The Boston Crusaders have been consistent DCI finalists for the past decade, making their first break into finals in 1999. Their highest finishes in DCI were in 2000 and 2002, when they placed fifth. The corps' 2000 show, RED, was selected by popular vote to appear on the 2005 Classic Countdown, a movie theater showing of the twelve voted best shows of DCI history, with one show for each corps.
Awards and achievements
VFW National Silver Medalist - 1970VFW National Bronze Medalist - 1953, 1954, 1966
VFW National Finalist - 1958, 1964, 1965, 1969, 1971, 1976
American Legion National Championships Silver Medalist - 1966, 1967
American Legion National Championships Bronze Medalist - 1977
American Legion National Championships - 1957
World Open Champions - 1966, 1967
World Open Silver Medalist - 1965, 1968, 1969
World Open Finalist - 1963, 1964, 1970, 1971, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982
World Open Prelims - 1973, 1974
CYO National Champions - 1964, 1966, 1967
CYO National Silver Medalist - 1965, 1968
CYO National Finalist - 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980
US Open Finalist - 1978
DCI Finalist - 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
DCI Semifinalist - 1977, 1978, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998
DCI Quarterfinalist - 1976, 1979
DCI Prelims - 1973, 1974, 1975, 1980, 1981, 1982
DCI Spirit of Disney award - 2000