27th Lancers Drum and Bugle Corps

In 1983-5 I played the snaredrum for a Drum and Bugle Corps called the 27th Lancers, from Revere Massachusetts. 27th Lancers were founded in 1967, absorbing some members from a folding local corps called the IC Reveries, and gathered strength to go on to become a charter member of Drum Corps International (DCI) and perennial New England champions.

The corps' name was chosen when its founder, George Bonfiglio, of Revere MA discovered the "27th Lancers" while watching the Errol Flynn movie "Charge of the Light Brigade". This choice was to flavor 27th's look, and sound over many years of competition. Many an audience was wowed by 27th's renditions of Crown Imperial, Niner Two and Danny Boy, and their military bearing.

In 1980, the Lancers brought televised, world-wide exposure to the drum corps idiom, performing at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. It was in 1980 that the Lancers went on to place second at the DCI championship, a show that will be etched permanently in the minds of many corps fans.

A Drum and Bugle Corps is not your grandpa's oompah marching band, nor do they usually (if ever) perform at the half time festivities at sporting events - many units of about 130 members under the age of 22, and yearly budgets of US$500,000 compete all across the US in the summer culminating in a championship show in August. Drum Corps are quintessential examples of athletic artistry in motion, playing modern, classical or jazz music while marching in competition in constantly-changing drill formations, at very fast tempos, on football fields all over the country.

Innovation in all aspects of Drum and Bugle Corps including drill, color guard, percussion and brass notwithstanding, in 1986, when financial hardships faced the corps, the 27th Lancers folded. The Lancers may be gone, but there are many other innovative, competitive Drum and Bugle Corps to choose from - a summer or perhaps many summers in this activity will have a formative, educational impact on any youth's development - check out our community, then join a Drum and Bugle Corps today.