| Welcome to the Kiltie's Highlights page. Here you will find the most comprehensive listing of the major accomplishments of the Racine Kilties Jr. Drum and Bugle Corps ever presented. For a more in depth history of the the Racine Kilties Drum and Bugle Corps please visit the Kiltie History page. Copyright 2005. |
| RACINE KILTIE HIGHLIGHTS: COMPILED BY GEORGE FENNELL COPYRIGHT 2005 "Here they come!" A thrill of pride was experienced by the mothers and fathers of the Racine, Wisconsin Kiwanis Kilties Drum and Bugle Corps on the 4th of July, 1936, as they watched their boys marching down Main Street in Racine in their initial public appearance. They made a picturesque group in their colorful Royal Stewart plaid kilts and tartans. Proudly erect, with drums beating and bugles blaring, resplendent in all the regalia of Scottish Highlanders on parade, the Kilties established a winning tradition by being named the best appearing unit in this, their first parade. It also marked the fulfillment of a vision, conceived in 1931 by a group of three men, Ray Vance, John McLaren and Ed Gere. Lack of funds, however, prevented its immediate realization. Throughout the following years, the Racine Kilties traveled far and wide, becoming one of the most popular and successful drum and bugle corps of its era. The Kilties, also known as the "Mad Plaid", won their first contest in their history on August 19, 1950 at the Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis, WI. The Kilts won their last contest in Indianapolis, IN, on August 4, 1979. In between these years, the Kilties won many local state and national titles. Always a contender, often a winner! Major accomplishments and highlights include: 1951 Numerous performances at the Centennial International YMCA Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. 1954 American Legion National Junior Color Guard Champions. 1961 Wisconsin VFW State Color Guard Champions. 1961, 1962 and 1964 VFW National Convention Parade Champions. 1964, 1968 and 1969 VFW National Champions, 3rd place in 1965, 2nd place in 1972. 1969 U. S. Open Champions, 2nd place in 1970 1969 and 1970 Shriner's International Champions, 3rd place in 1968 1970 American Nationals 2nd place 1971 North American Champions 1972 Performance between baseball games at the Brewers/White Sox doubleheader at Milwaukee County Stadium. 1972 World Open Champions, 2nd place in 1974. 1972 Danny Thomas Invitational Champions. 2nd place at both the 1973 Blue Grass Nationals and the 1973 DCI Preview. 3rd place at the 1974 Bluegrass Nationals, 1974 DCI Midwest and 1974 CYO Nationals. Drum Corps International (DCI) finalists: 1972 - 1975, 1977 and 1978. Drum Corps Midwest (DCM) finalists: 1978 and 1979. Winter Guard International (WGI) Color Guard finalist in 1979. Midwest Color Guard Circuit finalist: 1964, 1969, 1970 and 1973. Badgerland Color Guard Circuit Champions: 1970 and 1971. Green Bay Packer Halftime performances: 1941, 1955, 1963, 1965 and 1968. Minnesota VFW State Champions: 1957 Wisconsin VFW State Champions: 1951, 1952, 1955, 1965, 1968, 1969 and 1970, 2nd place: 1956, 1959-1961, 1967, 1972, 1978, 3rd place: 1957 and 1971. Wisconsin American Legion State Champions: 1955, 1963 and 1974, 2nd place: 1959-1961, 3rd place: 1966. Illinois Association Champions: 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1973. Spectacle of Music Champions : 1972 and 1973, 2nd place: 1950-1953, 1964, 1965, and 1969, 3rd place: 1949, 1968, 1971 and 1975. First Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps to perform at a DCI Finals in 1992. Milwaukee's Schlitz Circus Parade: 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1971. Financial problems silenced the Kilties for 1983 as they decided to sit the year out. The Kilties couldn't continue to pay its bills and field a corps at the same time. They fully intended to field a corps again in 1984, however, it was again decided not to field a corps. The Kilties junior drum and bugle corps never did field a corps again. |
| This Kiltie drummer logo was designed by Kiltie Butch Ryan in the early 1960's. It was used extensively by the Kilties for many years after. It is also known as the "Sornie" logo, named after Tom Sorensen, long-time Kiltie snare drummer, Kiltie percussion instructor and 2004 Kiltie Hall of Fame inductee. |