Edmonton Strutters Drum & Bugle Corps
Encyclopedia
The Edmonton Strutters Drum & Bugle Corps is a modern style youth drum & bugle corps
in Edmonton, Alberta
that was founded in 1963. They have competed on and off over the years in Drum Corps International
and Winter Guard International
events. Currently, they are rebuilding their program in an attempt to return to Drum Corps International competition.
To provide an environment in which all participants can become successful; Create an organization accessible and rewarding to all young people; Educate youth in musicianship and athleticism through the performing arts; Create unique and dynamic performance opportunities; Promote citizenship through community involvement.
To be Canada's leading performing arts organization, instilling athleticism, musicianship and passion for the arts into its membership. An innovative and progressive program that engages the community promoting family values, excellence, and education to transform today's youth into the leaders of the future.
Ltd.” The band toured playing half time games, at Edmonton Eskimos
Football games, and various parades. The Green and Gold colors of the uniforms were a direct influence of the football teams colors.
In 1968, the Wink Strutters Drum and Bugle Band reorganized, and were founded as a non-profit organization, becoming the Edmonton Strutters Drum Corps. This would prove to be a drastic change, in not only profile, but in members' discipline and competitive drive. From the very start, the Corps took the image of the “Drum Corps” to heart.
Composed of talented young men and women ranging from age 12 to 21, the Corps averaged around 80 members. The Corps included a horn section, drums, color guard
, rifles, and drum majors. Sopranos, mellophones, French horns, baritones and contrabass made up the brass section; while bass, snare, triplets, timpanis, and cymbals made up the drum section. Together the Corps had a powerful sound.
The first tours as a Drum Corps took the group to British Columbia
, Washington, Idaho
, Oregon
, and back into Alberta
, were they were a favorite during the Klondike Days festivities. The Northwest Drum Corps Association provided most of their competition during touring dates.
They had a winning season in 1972 and 1973, but the summer of 1974 was a banner year for the Edmonton Strutters. With an extensive competition schedule, they traveled to Vancouver (Washington), Bellevue (Washington), Seattle (Washington), Hillsboro (Oregon), St. Albert, Red Deer, Calgary, and Edmonton (Alberta), Kerkrade (Holland), Rastede (Germany), and then to Great Falls (Montana), for the Northwest Drum Corps Association Class ‘B’ Championships.
Taking 10 first places, 3 second places and 1 third place, the Edmonton Strutters proved to be true contenders in a span of two months.
The Edmonton Strutters continued to tour and compete throughout the USA and Canada. In 1976, they reorganized once again, leaving their Green and Gold roots to dawn a new uniform and image. In 1977 the Edmonton Strutters Drum Corps, dressed in Red, Black and Chrome, marched on the field as the 1st Canadian Regiment
.
Throughout the 1980s, the Strutters continued to perform their energetic and entertaining shows on the Drum Corps International circuit, to the delight of audiences everywhere. In 1984 the corps merged with the Calgary Cavaliers to become the 1st Canadian Cavaliers for one competitive season.
In 1988, The Strutters name was once again adopted, and the corps began rebuilding with a new image and much more casual style.
The competitive spirit of the group maintained, and the Corps' experienced a banner year at Drum Corps International World Championships in 1990, where they earned a 9th place finish.
Immediately after their exceptional 1990 season, The Strutters organization began to work toward maturity in their performance programs, resulting in increases to their overall score in DCI competition each year from 1992–1999, when they earned their highest score on record at Drum Corps International Finals.
To prepare for the new millennium, the 1999 Strutters took on a new look yet again, as they left their shiny green blazer uniforms of the past behind and took on a more professional image of Modern white, green and black Uniforms. In 2004, the Edmonton Strutters joined with Allegiance Elite of Calgary to temporarily form a group called "Fusion".
This "Fusion" of the two groups brought The Edmonton Strutters great success as they made their way into DCI World Championship Finals for the first time in their history.
In Spring 2005, the Strutters organization went temporarily inactive on the DCI circuit. Beginning immediately afterward, re-organization began to facilitate a return to competition again in the coming years.
The Strutters maintained their program offering drum lessons and a competitive Winter Guard International program throughout 2005–2007. In the fall of 2008, the Strutters introduced a new WGI program called "Movado" and competed for the first time at WGI's Power Regional in Nashville, TN, where they received 9th place, missing a finalist position by 2 spots.
Also in 2008, the Strutters experienced a change of leadership in their organization and an overhaul of their programs, resulting in a more modern organization. They began building by temporarily introducing a "Junior Corps" program, aimed at a younger audience to begin growing their programs again. Strutters' "Junior Corps" was well received in their city, winning a number of parades, and increasing in membership throughout the season.
In 2009, the Strutters returned to their youth oriented programming, beginning with youth ages 10–16, in the hopes of eventually returning to the Drum Corps International "Summer Music Games" competitive circuit.
The Edmonton Strutters performed at the World Music Festival in Kerkrade, Holland in 1974.
The Edmonton Strutters once hosted Drum Corps shows in Edmonton that included Corps such as the Santa Clara Vanguard, Madison Scouts, and Blue Devils
.
The Edmonton Strutters drumline were the stadium drummers who performed at the 2001 IAAF World Track & Field Championships in Athletics, hosted in Edmonton, AB. This event was broadcast to over 200 countries.
The Edmonton Strutters performed for the Queen of England and the Duke of Edinburgh during the royal visit for Alberta's centennial celebration in 2005.
Drum and bugle corps (modern)
A drum and bugle corps, also known as a drum corps, is a musical marching unit consisting of brass instruments, percussion instruments, and color guard. Typically operating as independent non-profit organizations, drum corps perform in competitions, parades, festivals, and other civic functions...
in Edmonton, Alberta
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
that was founded in 1963. They have competed on and off over the years in Drum Corps International
Drum Corps International
Drum Corps International , formed in 1972, is the non-profit governing body operating the North American drum and bugle corps circuit for junior corps, whose members are between the ages of 14 and 21. It is the counterpart of Drum Corps Associates which governs senior or all-age drum corps...
and Winter Guard International
Winter Guard International
Spawning from the organization Drum Corps International , Winter Guard International was founded in 1977. WGI is a visual performing arts organization that hosts regional and national competitions for color guard and indoor percussion ensembles. Contests are held in the U.S...
events. Currently, they are rebuilding their program in an attempt to return to Drum Corps International competition.
Mission statement
The Mission of the Strutters is:To provide an environment in which all participants can become successful; Create an organization accessible and rewarding to all young people; Educate youth in musicianship and athleticism through the performing arts; Create unique and dynamic performance opportunities; Promote citizenship through community involvement.
Vision statement
The Vision of the Strutters is:To be Canada's leading performing arts organization, instilling athleticism, musicianship and passion for the arts into its membership. An innovative and progressive program that engages the community promoting family values, excellence, and education to transform today's youth into the leaders of the future.
History
The Edmonton Strutters began in 1963, and originally operated as the Wink Strutters Drum and Bugle Band, named after their only sponsor, “Wink (soft drink)Wink (soft drink)
Wink is a primarily grapefruit-based soft drink, although it also contains other citrus flavours. It is currently owned and manufactured by Canada Dry in North America, a subsidiary of the Dr Pepper Snapple Group. It was introduced by Canada Dry in 1965....
Ltd.” The band toured playing half time games, at Edmonton Eskimos
Edmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
Football games, and various parades. The Green and Gold colors of the uniforms were a direct influence of the football teams colors.
In 1968, the Wink Strutters Drum and Bugle Band reorganized, and were founded as a non-profit organization, becoming the Edmonton Strutters Drum Corps. This would prove to be a drastic change, in not only profile, but in members' discipline and competitive drive. From the very start, the Corps took the image of the “Drum Corps” to heart.
Composed of talented young men and women ranging from age 12 to 21, the Corps averaged around 80 members. The Corps included a horn section, drums, color guard
Color guard
In the military of the United States and other militaries, the color guard carries the National Color and other flags appropriate to its position in the chain of command. Typically these include a unit flag and a departmental flag...
, rifles, and drum majors. Sopranos, mellophones, French horns, baritones and contrabass made up the brass section; while bass, snare, triplets, timpanis, and cymbals made up the drum section. Together the Corps had a powerful sound.
The first tours as a Drum Corps took the group to British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Washington, Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, and back into Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, were they were a favorite during the Klondike Days festivities. The Northwest Drum Corps Association provided most of their competition during touring dates.
They had a winning season in 1972 and 1973, but the summer of 1974 was a banner year for the Edmonton Strutters. With an extensive competition schedule, they traveled to Vancouver (Washington), Bellevue (Washington), Seattle (Washington), Hillsboro (Oregon), St. Albert, Red Deer, Calgary, and Edmonton (Alberta), Kerkrade (Holland), Rastede (Germany), and then to Great Falls (Montana), for the Northwest Drum Corps Association Class ‘B’ Championships.
Taking 10 first places, 3 second places and 1 third place, the Edmonton Strutters proved to be true contenders in a span of two months.
The Edmonton Strutters continued to tour and compete throughout the USA and Canada. In 1976, they reorganized once again, leaving their Green and Gold roots to dawn a new uniform and image. In 1977 the Edmonton Strutters Drum Corps, dressed in Red, Black and Chrome, marched on the field as the 1st Canadian Regiment
1st Canadian Regiment
The 1st Canadian Regiment, was raised by James Livingston to support Colonial efforts in the American Revolutionary War during the invasion of Quebec...
.
Throughout the 1980s, the Strutters continued to perform their energetic and entertaining shows on the Drum Corps International circuit, to the delight of audiences everywhere. In 1984 the corps merged with the Calgary Cavaliers to become the 1st Canadian Cavaliers for one competitive season.
In 1988, The Strutters name was once again adopted, and the corps began rebuilding with a new image and much more casual style.
The competitive spirit of the group maintained, and the Corps' experienced a banner year at Drum Corps International World Championships in 1990, where they earned a 9th place finish.
Immediately after their exceptional 1990 season, The Strutters organization began to work toward maturity in their performance programs, resulting in increases to their overall score in DCI competition each year from 1992–1999, when they earned their highest score on record at Drum Corps International Finals.
To prepare for the new millennium, the 1999 Strutters took on a new look yet again, as they left their shiny green blazer uniforms of the past behind and took on a more professional image of Modern white, green and black Uniforms. In 2004, the Edmonton Strutters joined with Allegiance Elite of Calgary to temporarily form a group called "Fusion".
This "Fusion" of the two groups brought The Edmonton Strutters great success as they made their way into DCI World Championship Finals for the first time in their history.
In Spring 2005, the Strutters organization went temporarily inactive on the DCI circuit. Beginning immediately afterward, re-organization began to facilitate a return to competition again in the coming years.
The Strutters maintained their program offering drum lessons and a competitive Winter Guard International program throughout 2005–2007. In the fall of 2008, the Strutters introduced a new WGI program called "Movado" and competed for the first time at WGI's Power Regional in Nashville, TN, where they received 9th place, missing a finalist position by 2 spots.
Also in 2008, the Strutters experienced a change of leadership in their organization and an overhaul of their programs, resulting in a more modern organization. They began building by temporarily introducing a "Junior Corps" program, aimed at a younger audience to begin growing their programs again. Strutters' "Junior Corps" was well received in their city, winning a number of parades, and increasing in membership throughout the season.
In 2009, the Strutters returned to their youth oriented programming, beginning with youth ages 10–16, in the hopes of eventually returning to the Drum Corps International "Summer Music Games" competitive circuit.
Trivia
The Edmonton Strutters were originally a competitive Class B Drum and Bugle Corps with over 100 members, and toured through Europe in the 1970s.The Edmonton Strutters performed at the World Music Festival in Kerkrade, Holland in 1974.
The Edmonton Strutters once hosted Drum Corps shows in Edmonton that included Corps such as the Santa Clara Vanguard, Madison Scouts, and Blue Devils
Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps
The Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class drum and bugle corps based in Concord, California and founded in 1957 as a Drum and Bell corps, and is a member corps of Drum Corps International...
.
The Edmonton Strutters drumline were the stadium drummers who performed at the 2001 IAAF World Track & Field Championships in Athletics, hosted in Edmonton, AB. This event was broadcast to over 200 countries.
The Edmonton Strutters performed for the Queen of England and the Duke of Edinburgh during the royal visit for Alberta's centennial celebration in 2005.