Sacramento Freelancers
Encyclopedia
Since 1932 the Sacramento Freelancers have entertained audiences as a Senior Drum & Bugle Corps, an All-Girls Junior Corps, a World Class Junior Corps and now we have morphed into a World Class Winter Drumline.
The Sacramento Freelancers summer Drum and Bugle Corps
has been defunct since 1994. The Freelancers had once before gone inactive, returning to Drum Corps International
(DCI) in 1987. In 1989, the Freelancers returned to the Drum Corps International
Top 12, the first time a corps that went inactive had ever made it back into the Finals.
hats. The most distinctive items were the fold in the jacket and the buckle worn across the white triangle made by the fold. When one aged out of the Freelancers, the age-out was given their buckle to remind them of their time in the corps. In addition, when going to parade rest in the retreat block, the corps deliberately smashed their horns into the buckles, a sound that made other corps cringe, as horn repairs were expensive.
In 1989, the Sacramento Freelancers defeated the Velvet Knights
of Anaheim, California
, in Allentown, PA. From there, they went on to defeat them, once again, at the 1989 DCI Semi-Finals, and finally, in the DCI finals. In Arrowhead Stadium
, the Freelancers took 10th place, 1 spot ahead of the Velvet Knights. When the Sacrament Freelancers left the stadium during retreat you could hear the echo from the tunnel as the members chanted "Sac is back!"
, with Don Silva heading up the percussion. Paul Zimny headed up the visual program. Other influential staff members included Mark Dong, Ralph Hardimon, Mike Grogan, Karl Sarff, Mike Bellanca, Chris Nalls and brass technique instructor Ritchey "You all Suck" Hodge.
The Sacramento Freelancers summer Drum and Bugle Corps
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...
has been defunct since 1994. The Freelancers had once before gone inactive, returning to 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...
(DCI) in 1987. In 1989, the Freelancers returned to the 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...
Top 12, the first time a corps that went inactive had ever made it back into the Finals.
Image
The Freelancers had a distinct image, with a military bearing, and the ability to ignore all distractions. For example, the Freelancers were never seen in public areas (in the stadium, around the stadium) out of uniform. When mocked, either in jest or in anger by other corps, it was the nature of the corps to totally ignore the other corps. Once in formation, or in route to the stadium in uniform, all other persons, either spectators or other corps, were ignored as if they did not exist. This time was used to focus and prepare for the show that evening.Uniforms
The uniforms worn by the Freelancers from 1980 - 1984 and 1987 - 1992 were red "cadet" jackets. Although they wore black pants for most of this period, they did sport white trousers in some later seasons, spats, gauntlets, and traditional shakoShako
A shako is a tall, cylindrical military cap, usually with a peak or visor and sometimes tapered at the top...
hats. The most distinctive items were the fold in the jacket and the buckle worn across the white triangle made by the fold. When one aged out of the Freelancers, the age-out was given their buckle to remind them of their time in the corps. In addition, when going to parade rest in the retreat block, the corps deliberately smashed their horns into the buckles, a sound that made other corps cringe, as horn repairs were expensive.
History
In 1987, with only a handful of experienced members, the Freelancers placed 19th overall. The following year, the Freelancers took the southern tour of the United States for their summer tour. That year was one of the hottest on record. The corps was 15th in the overall DCI standings, and was therefore kept out of the finals, despite only 1.4 points dividing the 15th placing from the 12th place spot in finals. Competition between the Freelancers, Bluecoats, Sky Riders, Dutch Boy, and the Crossmen had been close all year.In 1989, the Sacramento Freelancers defeated the Velvet Knights
Velvet Knights Drum and Bugle Corps
The Velvet Knights is a former DCI World Class drum corps based in Anaheim, California.-Inception and early years:The Velvet Knights were born in 1963, a result of a split within the Anaheim Explorer Scouts that also resulted in the formation of the Anaheim Kingsmen...
of Anaheim, California
Anaheim, California
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
, in Allentown, PA. From there, they went on to defeat them, once again, at the 1989 DCI Semi-Finals, and finally, in the DCI finals. In Arrowhead Stadium
Arrowhead Stadium
Arrowhead Stadium is a stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri and home to the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs....
, the Freelancers took 10th place, 1 spot ahead of the Velvet Knights. When the Sacrament Freelancers left the stadium during retreat you could hear the echo from the tunnel as the members chanted "Sac is back!"
Staff
John Zimny was the brass arrangerArrangement
The American Federation of Musicians defines arranging as "the art of preparing and adapting an already written composition for presentation in other than its original form. An arrangement may include reharmonization, paraphrasing, and/or development of a composition, so that it fully represents...
, with Don Silva heading up the percussion. Paul Zimny headed up the visual program. Other influential staff members included Mark Dong, Ralph Hardimon, Mike Grogan, Karl Sarff, Mike Bellanca, Chris Nalls and brass technique instructor Ritchey "You all Suck" Hodge.