| WELCOME TO THE 1930's BOYS OF 76 DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS PHOTO PAGE. The contents of this page, written or photos, are property of www.racinekiltiealumni.org and cannot be used without written permission from webmaster@racinekiltiealumni.org. |
| LEFT: This is the cover of the 1932 booklet entitled "Ludwig Drum Corps Guide" which was dedicated to the famous Racine, Wisconsin, American Legion Post 76 "Boys of '76" Drum and Bugle Corps, because it was the original modern drum corps. This photo's caption read: "The picture on the front of this guide shows the "Boys of '76" in the American Legion National Convention Parade at San Antonio in 1928. The artist took the liberty of changing Racine's uniform colors for purposes of display." "The "Boys of '76" drum corps started several years before the war (World War I), and enlisted as a unit, taking along their instruments to camp. Before going across, however, their instruments were sent home; the officials, evidently, feeling musicians were not necessary." "After the war they re-organized as an early American Legion Corps, and anyone who attended one of the early National Conventions of the American Legion well remembers the sensation this corps created with its snappy playing and its precise military maneuvering. Convention guests and delegates went home with glowing accounts of this new drum corps, and with ambition to organized a similar one. Soon more drum corps appeared at conventions and special prizes were offered. For four years the "Boys of '76" walked away with first prize, and each year every corps went back home with one ambition--to come back next year with a corps as good as Racine's." "Competition grew more severe, and the past masters of drum corps art now have severe competition." This little editorial about the tremendous impact that Racine's "Boys of '76" had as the catalyst for the beginning of our drum corps activity as we know it today cannot ever go unrecognized, for without this corps' dedication to excellence and the outstanding impression that they made at American Legion State and National Conventions, drum corps today may not even exist. Also, this corps was only able to travel to these early National American Legion Convention because of the generosity of the good citizens of Racine, without their donations, the "Boys of '76" would have never been able to travel anywhere. |
BELOW: Racine's Boys of 76
appearing in Racine's 1930 4th of July
parade. This photo was taken on
Monument Square facing East. The
parade used to proceed North on Main
Street, not like today where it proceeds
South on Main Street.
appearing in Racine's 1930 4th of July
parade. This photo was taken on
Monument Square facing East. The
parade used to proceed North on Main
Street, not like today where it proceeds
South on Main Street.
BELOW: The D.A.V. Drum Corps Contest Recaps from July 21, 1936. This contest was
held on Tuesday at 7 PM on July 21, 1936 at the lake front at Juneau Park during the
"Milwaukee Mid-Summer Festival" week of July 19 - 25th, 1936. It was the D.A.V. National
Convention Contest. 1st prize was $250, 2nd prize was $150 and third prize was $50.
held on Tuesday at 7 PM on July 21, 1936 at the lake front at Juneau Park during the
"Milwaukee Mid-Summer Festival" week of July 19 - 25th, 1936. It was the D.A.V. National
Convention Contest. 1st prize was $250, 2nd prize was $150 and third prize was $50.
BELOW: A rare photo taken of the Boys of 76 during a performance while the corps is wearing their original uniforms.
