Marksmen (CoC program)

Organized in 1957 with a 43 man Corps, the "MARKSMEN" of Springfield, Massachusetts have continuously grown in ranks, and made rapid advancements within the Drum Corps World. During the past two seasons, they have increased to a 70 man Corps, using a 17 man Color-Guard, carrying 14 beautiful flags, one of the largest Guards in the country. This fine organization is a self-supporting, non-profit Corps, with its members coming from Springfield and Western Mass. area and also from the entire Connecticut Valley.

Since their entry into the marching and maneuvering field, the "MARKSMEN" have steadily improved and grown to be one of the top-notch contenders within the Northeastern Circuit, winning the 1961 Northeastern Circuit Championship along with their Color Guard and Major. They also came in second at the V.F.W. Nationals held in Miami Beach during the 1961 season.

The Corps proudly carries the three religious flags of our great country, the Papal, Christian and Jewish, and reverently dedicate this part of their show, to the memory of the four Chaplains who lost their lives at sea, during World War II, abord the USS Dorchester, so that others might live and continue to compete on the contest fields, throughout this great country of ours, the United States of America. The patron for the "MARKSMEN" is SAINT JUDE THADDEUS.

The Corps again this year, is planning to attend the V.F.W. Nationals, to be held in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, and are working hard toward this goal.

Their 1962 show, is once again called, "STERO-IN-MOTION", featuring their off-the-line, written especially for them by Allan "Bid" Viera, of the U.S. Army, and is called, "THE MARKSMEN'S March In Stero". Their Color-Pre, is made up of the "Lord's Prayer" and "I Believe" written and arranged for the Corps by Dominick Del-Rea of Interstatesmen fame.

Instructors for this 1962 season are:
Music, Hy Dreitzer, of Long Island, New York and Darcy Davis, of Agawan, Massachusetts.
Drums, Earl S. Strutze, of New Haven, Connecticut
Drill, Vinnie Ratford, of Rochester, New York
Color Captain, Douglas White
Drum-Major, Hugh "Sweeney" Mackay
Field-Marshall, Romeo L. Malo
General Manager, Mr. Victor W. White