THIRD REGIMENT DRUM CORPS emerged from the combined ROYAL LANCERS and the HAWKS DRUM CORPS. May 1975 these two corps decided to merge and form one large drum corps from the Portland area. 

The Spartan Cadets served as the feeder corps for the Spartans of Vancouver, Washington. In 2003, the Cadets changed their named to Apollo The new name gives the corps its own identity while retaining the link with ancient Greece. [DCW, 2/3, p.8]

History The corps was formed in 1974. Traditions Getting Lost on way to Contest sites! Trivia The Argonauts won the VFW National Championship in 1975, were NWDCA and DCW Champions respectively in both 1976 and 1977, became DCI associate members in 1976 placing 23rd in 76' and 21st in 77' [From drumcorpswiki.com]

THE MARINERS Organized in 1960 The Mariners were organized in Astoria and were sponsored by Clatsop Post No. 12 of the American Legion. The Corps had 21 horns and has attended many parades and Competitions, placing 1th in the American Legion Nationals at Las Vegas in 1962. Business Manager, George J. Bingham.

THE BAKER SCOUTS Baker, Oregon Corps Director, David Mathews - Bugle Director, David Mathews Drum Director, Bob O'Dell - M & M Director, Marie Tatlock. The BAKER SCOUTS Drum & Bugle Corps has been an active parade Corps since its founding in 1952.

As an active Explorer Post in the Blue Mountain Council the members maintain a full scout program in addition to the Drum & Bugle Corps activity. The Corps is sponsored by the Baker Elks Lodge who handle all finances. They are one of the few Elks sponsored Corps in the country and were very well received when they represented the Oregon Elks Association of the Elks National Convention in San Francisco in 1963. The BAKER SCOUTS entered their first Drum and Bugle Corps Competition at the American Legion State Competition at Pendleton in 1963 where they placed fifth. A bugle quartet received a first place medal at Opti-rama, (1964).

[From the Spartans of Vancouver, WA Sat July 8th 1989 Drum Corps Spectacular Program.]

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BLACK WATCH HIGHLANDERS Auburn,Washington Organized September of 1971.

In 1972 our records show that the Executive Director was Daniel C. Anderson (Danny), Director was Carl Guinn, Music Director, Lee Engle, Color Guard Instructors, Carl Swanson, and (Carn) Anderson, Musical Arrangements by Keith Markey and M & M Instructor, Dan Anderson.

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[From the Spartans of Vancouver, WA Sat July 8th 1989 Drum Corps Spectacular Program.]

The Buddhist Scouts, formed in 1954, was a junior parade corps based in Seattle, Washington. They were sponsored by the Boy Scouts Explorer Post 252 and the Seattle Buddhist Church. The corps’ colors were green, white, and red. Awards included eight first-place trophies for parade competition in 1963. The primarily Asian Buddhist Scouts may have eventually become the Seattle Imperials. [Encyclopedia of Drum and Bugle Corps, 1966; rec.arts.marching.drumcorps 8/12/99]

DRIFTERS DRUM & BUGLE CORPS Surrey, B.C. Canada The Drifters Drum Corps was started in January 197 with membership consisting of boys and girls from the lower Mainland of British Columbia. Last year the Drifters became the N.W.D.C.A. C" class Champions in their first year of competition. 1972 Drum Major was Alan Dyck - Director Stewart Liddell, Business Manager Bill McKeigan, Asst. Manager Glenn Young, Music Director Dan MacKenzie, Drum Instructor Vic Bidnik, Drill Instructor Stewart Liddell, Corps Coordinator Joyce Liddell. In a 1978 program it shows the Drifters are made up of 5 members, 16 Brass, 16 Percussion, 12 Silks, and a national party of four, plus two field leaders. Their 1978 repertoire: Opener: Birdland by Weather Report - Drum Solo: Night Streets by Chick Korea - Into Concert: Chain Lightning by Steely Dan - Concert: Ponteio by Pat Williams - Drum Solo: Salsation from Saturday Night Fever - Re-Entry: Birdland by Weather Report. Director-Earl England, Brass Arranger - Rodger Breakfield, Percussion Arranger - Alan Kristensen, Drill Design - Mark Hopper & Earl England. Instructors: Brass - Steve McCarty, Percussion - Sheryl Windson, Marching - Brenda Grey." [From the Spartans of Vancouver, WA Sat July 8th 1989 Drum Corps Spectacular Program.]

ESCADRILLE DRUM & BUGLE CORPS SALEM, OREGON The Escadrille Drum & Bugle Corps of Salem, Oregon was born in the spring of 1972 and is the feeder corps or training camp" for the Flamingos. Instructors : Brass - Bill Tebeau & Jim Bocock, Color Guard - Sybil Chesley, M & M - Richard Kibbey & Dave Hunter, Percussion - Lloyd Young & Ian Brown, Director - Stan Hamilton. " [From the Spartans of Vancouver, WA Sat July 8th 1989 Drum Corps Spectacular Program.]

The Blue Knights, formed in 1945, was a senior marching and maneuvering and parade corps based in Everett, Washington. They were sponsored by the Earl Faulkner American Legion Post 6. The corps’ colors were red, white, and blue. Awards included second and third places in American Legion state competition, and various parade trophies. The Blue Knights had a wives auxiliary unit in 1962, the Blue Knightees. [Encyclopedia of Drum and Bugle Corps, 1966; DCW, 6/6/3, p.3]

The Falcons, formed in 1959, was a junior marching and maneuvering corps based in Athena, Oregon. They were sponsored by the American Legion Post 13. The corps’ colors were red, blue, and white. Awards included several parade trophies and top ten finishes in American Legion state competition. [Encyclopedia of Drum and Bugle Corps, 1966]

GOLDEN SKYLINERS JUNIOR DRUM & BUGLE CORPS Great Falls Montana Director/Manager, Del Thurber. The Corps, this year, (1972) is made up of 66 members ranging in age from 11 to 17 and coming from all schools in the city of Great Falls, Montana. The Corps is presently Montana American Legion Junior Champions and will defend its state title in July in Butte, Montana at the annual American Legion Convention there. The Corps received a single honor on May 19th when it was named official Montana marching organization for the 1973 Presidential Inaugural parade on January 2, 1973 in Washington, D.C. A proclamation wherein the Skyliners performed was given the corps on that date by Governor Forrest Anderson in Helena, Montana. [From the Spartans of Vancouver, WA Sat July 8th 1989 Drum Corps Spectacular Program.]

The Guardsmen were formed in 1967 as a feeder corps to the Bellevue Sentinels of Bellevue, Washington. The director for the first year was the director of the Sentinels at the time, Duane C. Andrews of Bellevue, Washington. Throughout 1967 the corps performed in parades throughout the Pacific Northwest primarily as a money making entity to help support the Sentinels. In 1968, James C. McCormick was named as director and they entered field competition in the "C" class. The Guardsmen existed for three years under his leadership. At the end of the 197 season James C. McCormick was named director of the Sentinels due to the retirement of Duane C. Andrews. The Guardsmen were temporarily deactivated because of this as well as for financial reasons. The Guardsmen were reactivated in 1974 by Mr. & Mrs. Bowers of Renton, Washington the parents of Jerry Bowers the current Drum Major for the Sentinels. The corps only lasted through the remainder of the 1974 season though and folded. Submitted by Richard W. Rice (11/17/4) Charter Member 1967

The Hawks was a junior marching and maneuvering corps based in Portland, Oregon. The Hawks, though coed, had the distinction of being led by an all-woman marching instructional staff, composed of Judy Scroggins, Martha Belmore, and Betty Infinger.  

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Organized in March 1959 In 1964 the following were officers : Business Mgr. Phil York, Asst. Bus. Mgr. Ross Johnson, Corps Director, Clete Smith; Music Director, Del Reeder; Drum Director, John Parkhurst; Drill Instructor, Jim VanVlack; Bugle Instructor, George Stell; Color Guard Ins. Marty Brauwer. The Portland Hawks were sponsored by the Parents Club formed in January 1961 which has responsibility for fund raising and operating of the corps, together with Portland Police VFW Post #287 and Leathernecks American Legion Post #169. As the only officially sponsored VFW corps for the state of Oregon, plans are underway to arrange a VFW competition for 1964 in Oregon. This was taken from a 1964 Program. " [From the Spartans of Vancouver, WA Sat July 8th 1989 Drum Corps Spectacular Program.]

IMPERIAL CADETS DRUM & BUGLE CORP PORTLAND, OREGON This corps was incorporated in October 1966. The Imperial Cadets are sponsored by post NO 1442 VFW, Prip Tent NO. 1, Military Order of the Cooties, and Southeast Post NO. 1 American Legion. Its officers in 197 are : Director, Don Worth, Business Manager - Ross Johnson, Assistant Business Manager - Rich Afolter, Parent Rep. - Lyle Wirf, Bugle Instructor Gary Guthman, Drum Instructors - Don & Melba Worth, Drill Instructors - Earl England & Sgt. Toni Rizzuto, USMC, Color Guard Instructors - Susan and Judy Schindele. [From the Spartans of Vancouver, WA Sat July 8th 1989 Drum Corps Spectacular Program.]

THE LEATHERNECK Drum & Bugle Corps was formed in 1956 by a nucleus of 2 members with the goal of having the best music and drill team possible to represent their American Legion Post NO. 169. Membership is from all branches of the services but the corps truly maintains the motto Semper Fidelis" with regards to Drum & Bugle Corps activities and traditions. The Corps grew to 4 men and is very active in Parades, Civic Affairs and Competitions. The Corps is planning one of the largest drum corps shows in the Northwest when it co-sponsors with the Portland Rose Festival Association its First Competition, DRUMKHANA, June 6 and 7, 1964. The 1964 Corps officers were: Manager, John Parkhurst, Asst. Manager, Jim Van Vlack - Secretary, Ron Clayton - Treasurer, Dick Graue - Public Relations Director, Tom Phelan - Quartermaster, Harry Henry - Music Master, Bill Steiner. Drum Major, Doc Hickman - Color Guard Commander, Martin Brouwer. Members of Color Guard: John Arton, Norm Bland, Bill Jolly, Bill Kaiser, Ron Rust, John Sietert and Bob Tubbs. Corps Members: Rudy Bouwman, Ron Clayton, Harry Henry, Walt Moore, Jim Rennie, Jim Van Vlack, Gene Brosterhaus, Ray Crawley, John Lovell, John Parkhurst, Jim Schramm, Ron Van Vlack, Gordon Buckles, Dave Doleman, Joe Marcroft, Fred Pellum, Bill Steiner, Mert Wilson, Cliff Carpenter, Dick Graue, Bob McEnany, Chuck Price and Vic Vance. " [From the Spartans of Vancouver, WA Sat July 8th 1989 Drum Corps Spectacular Program.]

The Marauders, formed in 1951, was a junior marching and maneuvering corps based in Longview, Washington. The Marauders, True to their name, tended toward shows based around pirates and vampires. The corps took 1989 off to retire a debt of $25,, but then returned for five more years of competition. Their highest DCI finish during that period was 17th, in 1992. The corps disbanded after the 1994 season. [DCW, 2/3, p.3; DCW, 6/29/9, p.19]

MARKSMEN Seattle, Washington The Marksmen Drum and Bugle Corps was the result of a 1975 merger of two Seattle area corps. The unit demonstrated its potential by placing fourth in the DCI Class A Championship the same year they were formed. Staff: Scott Hansen, Show Designer and Color Guard Instructor. [From the July 8th 1989 Spartans of Vancouver, Washington's Drum Corps Spectacular Program]

Northwest Venture was being formed in 23. It's plans are to perform in exhibition in its formative year and create a field corps for 24. [DCW, 3/3, p.1]

The Oregon Crusaders, formed in 1973, is a junior marching and maneuvering corps based in St. Helens, Oregon. Participating in Division III, the 6-member corps made its first lengthy tour and trip to DCI finals in 24 with new uniforms and a show featuring visual themes of metals: bronze, silver, and gold. That inaugural DCI appearance in Denver netted the Crusaders a seventh-place finish, with a score of 87.425, in the combined Division II/III Finals. Two nights earlier, however, the corps had topped all Division III corps. [DCW, 7/9/4, p.6]

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The corps still exists, but is inactive for the 2019 season.

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The Rangers were formed in the fall of 1963. A large influence on the corps formation came from an exhibition of the Casper Troopers in downtown Pendleton, Oregon earlier during the summer (they made the stop over either going to or coming from the Seattle VFW Nationals). The Rangers were never totally successful in competition rankings but provided the same drum corps experiences that one would have also experienced in the larger and better corps. The peak year for the corps was in 1967. Even though the corps was not ranked the best corps in Oregon, they were able to outscore all other Oregon corps in one show or another that year. As members graduated from high school or moved on to other cities, former Rangers became members of other Northwest and National corps: Northwest Corps: Salem Flamingos, Portland Royal Lancers, Portland Hawks, Tri-city Columbians, and Seattle Imperials. National Corps: Casper Troopers, Santa Clara Vangard, Anaheim Kingsmen, Racine Kilties, and a percussion staff member for the Concord Blue Devils. An ex-Ranger also won the DCI individual snare title for two years in a row. Rangers folded in 1974. All the other Oregon corps except for one in Salem was gone by 1979. [Submitted by Tom January 214]

History The original Oregon Crusaders was founded in 1971 by brothers David and Ron Jones, ages 15 and 16, who had previously participated in the Seattle Sentinels and the Imperial Cadets. They wanted to have a Willamette Valley drum corps and originally wanted it to be named the “First Militia Oregon Crusaders” after the historical First Militia of Oregon, but only “Oregon Crusaders” stuck as a name.

They attended West Linn High School, had the strong support of their parents and drew 4 kids that first year, mostly from West Linn and Oregon City. The brothers’ dedication was matched by their skill in performance; David was Oregon State rifle twirling champion in 1971. That 1971 corps included only drumline and colorguard, with 15-year-old David serving as Corps Director and Ron as composer, arranger and drill designer. Unfortunately, their bus broke down in Roseburg, Oregon, on their way to their only competition that summer – an indoor colorguard competition to be held in Watsonville, California. They had to cancel their only planned competition, and thus ended the very first year of the Oregon Crusaders.

The next year, David and Ron bounced back in 1972 and with the help of their father secured a large donation from the Dickinson’s Gourmet Preserves company, now owned by Smuckers. The Dickinson’s chairman, Mr. Phillips, had a son who joined OC as a baritone player, and helped to provide a donation that bought two buses that season. Painted blue to match their blue uniforms with its white cross, and in the spirit of the newly renamed “Dickinson’s Oregon Crusaders,” the buses were named “Pacific Mountain Strawberry” and “Willamette Blackberry.” By 1973, the group had grown and merged with the Imperial Cadets to field a corps of 115 members. But by 1974 the groups split and OC went its own way once again. In those early days OC was one of the first drum corps to do extended touring beyond the Northwest region, traveling to Alberta, Calgary, Edmonton and Northern California. David and Ron have both been involved with OC since those early days, with David’s son Scott performing with the 24 corps in the front ensemble and Ron lending his compositional skills to the 23 show.

Ron Jones married Laree Kenzel, a Milwaukee (Oregon) student and an OC member, and has since become a music celebrity, with three Emmy nominations and a Grammy nomination for his compositional work which includes The Family Guy, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Ducktails, among many others. See his IMDB Page. Ron performs with the renowned Influence Jazz Orchestra, is the founder of a worldwide music education company called Compose Yourself, and currently resides in LA with his wife Laree. David Jones is the Vice President of a large premium travel service based in Texas and continues to follow OC with great interest.

Both David and Ron attribute their career choices to their early drum corps experience; Ron with composition and Dave with getting the buses from point A to point B. As the years went by and Ron and David aged out, the corps went dormant, but the designation “Crusaders” was again picked up in 1999 by Rick Wise who, re-founded what was then called the “Southern Oregon Crusaders” based out of Medford, Oregon. Dan Perry was also instrumental in this re-starting of the Oregon Crusaders. Bill Perkins relocated the corps to the Portland Metro area in 22 and officially renamed the corps the “Oregon Crusaders” after the original Clackamas-based corps.

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Renaissance was a junior marching and maneuvering corps based in Spokane, Washington. They were active in the mid-197s. The corps placed as high as second in Class A competition, at the 1977 DCI Championships in Denver. Renaissance was active through at least 198. "The Renaissance Drum & Bugle Corps Spokane, Washington On September 14, 1975,Renaissance started with a small group of dedicated parents and young people. The following January, of 1976 with 35 members, Renaissance Drum and Bugle Corps staff includes, Lee Shook, Executive Director, Dave Tippett, Brass, (Percussion instructor, is Dave Wakely,) Rifles, Sue Wakely and Flags, Shelly Hutchinson." [From the July 8th 1989 Spartans Drum Corps Spectacular Program]

Back in 1938, a youngster of 11 named Bruce Plumb joined the Sons of American Legion Drum Corps in Villa Park Ill; carrying a flag while he learned to drum. 1943 witnessed a most important family trek from Illinois to Portland, Oregon . . . One which was later to alter the drum corps manner of the Pacific Northwest. After helping in the formation of the Leathernecks Senior Corps in Portland in 1955 and aiding the Hawks of Oregon Junior Corps to win two state legion championships, Bruce found himself sidelined with a case of pneumonia in 1963. He took advantage of the time to aid the Flamingo's from Salem, Oregon a bit and to figure out how to do something special for his family. He had a daughter who was one of the best french horn players in the Northwest, a couple of boys who played soprano and bass bari, a little guy who showed interest with drumming and a little gal with inclinations towards guard work .....

Then there was Mrs. Plumb, Mary Helen, who could sew like a dream and alter any type of clothing. He had a built-in drum corps, so why not enlarge his family and start his own corps? So Bruce had a little talk with the boys down at his Legion Post and wrangled Post # 1, Post # 165, and Post # 6 (Hillsboro) into lending their good names and financial help to start the ROYAL LEGION LANCERS DRUM & BUGLE CORPS in September of '63. These three posts can now claim to be the sponsors of the Oregon State Legion Champions for 1964, '66, '67, & '68. Of all corps in the Northwest, there is possibly only one other corps that has risen to such heights in such a short period of time, namely, the Bellevue Sentinels. But even the Sentinels, although they face competition tougher than that of the Lancers' past, has yet to win a contest in the A Division of the NWDCA. The Lancers did accomplish this last July, at the Water Festival in Pasco, Wash. The Lancers was the first corps to move up from the B Division to the A Division in the NWDCA. They were the first corps to win the B Division Western Canadian International Championships, the win that placed them in the A Division. They are Oregon's largest corps, and Oregon's ONLY A Division corps in the NWDCA, a fact which just may change in 1969, as the Flamingos and Hawks seem to be on the move again. The drum line of the Lancers was last year's largest in the NWDCA, and they won above the average numbers of first place trophies for proficiency.

The horn line developed into the second best in the region, topped only by the champion Shamrocks. 1969 saw the emergence of a totally new style of M & M for the Northwest, with the Lancers' drill being acclaimed as the highest G.E. scored throughout the season." [From the February 26, 1969 DCN article Northwest Comments by Fred Lopez. From Duane C.]

The Seattle Hurricanes, formed before 1937, was a senior marching and maneuvering and parade corps based in Seattle, Washington. They were sponsored by the American Legion University Post 11. The corps’ colors were black and white. Awards included American Legion State Champions for the years 1937-38, 1951-53, and 1959-64. [Encyclopedia of Drum and Bugle Corps, 1966]

HURRICANES American Legion Drum & Bugle Corps University Post #11, Seattle, Washington The 1964 Program states the Corps officers are: Manager, Warren Bagby - Music Director, John Broderick. In 1963 they were State of Washington VFW Senior Champions and also State of Washington American Legion Seniors Champions. The Hurricanes were organized in 1927 and have been State Senior Champions eight times, including four of the last five years. They have participated in hundreds of ceremonies, parades and competitions around the State and find many friends wherever they go. The Hurricanes are probably the most devoted and active of the senior corps and its members have aided in the formation of Junior Drum & Bugle Corps. This Corps could well be called the "daddy" of the Seattle Junior Corps. [From the Spartans of Vancouver, WA Sat July 8th 1989 Drum Corps Spectacular Program.]

The Seattle Imperials appear to have arisen out of the ashes of the Seattle Buddhist Scouts. [rec.arts.marching.drumcorps, 8/12/99]

The Seattle Thunderbirds, formed in 1958, was a junior marching and maneuvering and parade corps based in Seattle, Washington. They were sponsored by the Lake Washington American Legion Post 123, Blackburn VFW Post 334, Fletcher Daniels VFW Post 4137, Thunderbirds Naval Air Reserve, and the Academy Organ and Piano Centre. The corps’ colors were green, white, and red. Awards included 1963 VFW State Championship and 1964 American Legion State Championship. The Thunderbirds' soloist Frank Minear went on to play with Stan Kenton. The Thunderbirds were active through at least 1968. [Encyclopedia of Drum and Bugle Corps, 1966; rec.arts.marching.drumcorps 3/3/99]

I would like to deviate from my usual coverage and give you an inside report on the very fine Sentinels Drum and Bugle Corps of Bellevue, Washington. I had the pleasure of attending one of their practices last week and was quite impressed with what I saw. This is by far the largest drum corps organization in the northwest, for you see the Sentinels are the only corps in the area augmented by a fine feeder corps, the Guardsmen. The Sentinels were formed in 1966 and have grown to be one of the most colorful corps in the northwest. In addition to playing members, the corps includes an all girl color guard and rifle squad, cape twirlers and majorettes. Their distinctive Spanish-style uniforms which I understand were all made by their parents, are quite unique in the area. The Sentinels won many major parades last year, and placed quite high in almost all competitions held in the area. In addition to all the local contests, the Sentinels participated in the World Open" in Lynn, Mass., the Heritage Days Parade in Salem, Mass., and the V.F.W. Nationals in Philadelphia. Many miles were traveled last year and the experience gained by the corps was their reward." "The Sentinels have a very fine repertoire this year including their OTL of "Spanish Rogue"; flag will be "21" and "One Hand, One Heart". Going into concert they will retain "Flamenco", one of their better hold-over numbers from last year. They hadn't decided on a concert number as of last week but will play "Man, Horse And A Gun" as a production number. Their exit number is another question mark at this time. Tim Chambers, drill and music supervisor, and drum major, Gail Hurlbert informed me that the corps would be going out with 36 to 4 horns with 18 in the percussion section and a large guard of 35. I personally look for this corps to go places in '7 and to place high at Legion Nationals in Portland, Oregon." [Edited from the North West Corps-ner article by Will Schillen in the July 197 DCD.] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Bellevue Sentinels, formed in 1966, was a junior marching and maneuvering corps based in Bellevue, Washington. In 1969, the Sentinels crossed the country to take part in the VFW Nationals in Philadelphia, only to have so many corps members brought low by illness that they were unable to compete. The corps competed in DCI once, in 1973, where they finished 43rd. [A History of Drum & Bugle Corps, 22; DCW, 4/3, p.3]

Spartans Drum & Bugle Corps Vancouver/Portland Metropolitan area This year marks the 21st year for the Spartans. The corps was founded in 1968 by current executive director, Bill Steiner, Sr... Bill Steiner, Jr. handles the corps now while Bill Sr. works with the Cadets. The Spartans have gone many miles in lots of years with lots of wonderful people helping every inch of the way. Without all of the help it probably would have folded years ago. The current Corps Director, Bill Jr., has taken the Corps into the DCI competitions and has made the Corps truly competitive. Like all the rest of the DCI corps, they have traveled and competed in many states, going from coast to coast on buses, sleeping in them and on gym floors, practicing every day in the hot sun, eating corps food, hoping for hot showers, and maybe there will be time for a day just lazing around. The 1989 tour will take the corps from the cool Northwest over 1, miles from Alberta, Canada to Utah, Minnesota, Alabama, North Carolina and plenty of stops on the way to the DCI Championships in Kansas City. This year marks a return to the Jazz style for which the Spartans were known for many years. Their performance is sure to be high in audience appeal. 1989 Repertoire: -Arrangements from the vocal jazz group, Manhattan Transfer -Kafka -Blee Blop Blues -Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square -Killer Joe Program Coordinator:-Bill Steiner Jr, Instructors: Drill Design: Jay Murphy Arrangements: Larry Kerchner Marching: Ron Barnett Richard Kibbey Color Guard: LaVonne Steiner Kurt Jull Lynette Hagen Brass: Bill Steiner Craig Stringfellow Gene Joner Tim Wells Dave Komanecky Percussion: Gary Gimmestad Mike Bruce Nathan Beck Pat Fitzgerald Kristen Loveall Guard Captains: Julie Snyder & Dawn Pool Drum Major: Joe Fahoum Asst.Drum Major: Kurt Kowalski [From the July 8th 1989 Spartans Drum Corps Spectacular Program] _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Spartans, formed in 1968, was a junior marching and maneuvering corps based in Vancouver, Washington. One of the corps' more successful seasons was 199, when they finished sixth in DCI Class A competition, bolstered by the membership of their successful feeder corps, the Spartan Cadets. Their final DCI appearance was in 1991. [DCW, 6/29/9, p.2]

Spokane Thunder is a junior marching and maneuvering corps based in Spokane, Washington. Legend has it that business partners Tony LeLateur and Ken Meredith decided to form a drum corps in western Washington in January, 24. In late June of that same year, a 64-member corps fielded for exhibition, pulled from local band programs. In LeLateur's words, they not only brought a corps into existence, they brought it into the open in the same year. From the corps' mission statement: "The mission of the [Spokane Drum Corps] Association is to develop musical skills and entertaining programs and a healthy, safe atmosphere for young people. Its members are not only given the very best instruction but also directed to know and practice values which support family, church, school and community. The Association hopes that these programs will grow and continue over the years and that they will embrace any young person in our area interested in learning and growing in the skills and values we espouse." Drill teams are more popular than color guards in western Washington, so Thunder is waiting to develop a guard. [DCW, 7/9/4, p.6; http://www.spokanedrumcorps.org/about.html]