DISCLAIMER:: Some of the facts, figures, dates mentioned below may be questionable due to the fact that at age 65, my memory isn't quite what it used to be. In any case you'll catch my drift and perhaps learn a thing or two about the SIMPLEX MINUTEMEN, a Corps that played itself into my life beginning around the age of 12, I joined at age 15., (they rehearsed in a parking log directly behind my house!) they were truly a Godsend and played a key role in my mentorship,growth and development as a youth. My passion for the Corps was stoked in my youth in the early 1960's by SIMPLEX MINUTEMEN and such legends as: 27th Lancers, Casper Wyoming Troopers, Aneheim Kingsmen to name a few,
I had the pleasure of marching with the SIMPLEX MINUTEMEN from 1965-1972. I played rudimental bass drum from 1965-1970, and 24" Concert Cymbals 1970-72. Highlights included: Our 9-day? Carribean Cruise Aboard Moore Lines: SS Argentina From NYC to Hamilton Island, Bermuda, Paradise Island and Nassau. Our Corps Represented Massachusetts in 1971 Miss America Pagaent Parade in Atlantic City, NJ, and represented Massachusetts/US in the Gold Cup Festival in Charlotteville, Prince Edward Island, Canada 1971? Upon being awarded the Gold Cup Parade's Best Marching/Muscial Unit they were extended three consecutive annual invites to participate in the Gold Cup Parade and concert performances within the Festivals Arena in the years that followed. Sadly, The Corps Disbanded I believe in 1981 upon the death of Wally Congram, the Corps long time Brass instructor and Corps Director which happen at about the the same time that the Simplex Time Recorder Company was sold.
The SIMPLEX MINUTEMEN, (Originally founded in 1945 as a "Fife and Drum Corps) was in fact the FIRST Fully corporately sponsored Drum & Bugle Corps (Simplex Time Recorder Company, of Gardner, MASS.) due particially in part to the fact that they were considered to have a "financial advantage" over other competing Corps the "SIMPLEX" MINUTEMEN, they were NOT allowed to "Compete on the Field" during my time with them. ) - : Rather at that time, we were considered a Parade and Exhibiton Corps". However, while the Minutemen may not had the opportunity to take to the "Field in Competition." They were easily one of the most internationally traveled Corps in the actvities history. The Corps served/traveled as the Simplex Company "all expenses paid!" musical ambassadors in all of the companies many international conventions: that included Multiplle trips to Canada, Trinidad/Tobago and a three week tour to Great Britain, (Where they were featured in a full length feature Film documentary Narrated by the legendary radio announcer, Lowell Thomas and simultanously released an LP record called "ON THE MARCH" with the Simplex Minutemen. Fortunately some years after my departure, I think around 1974 they were sanctioned to compete in DCI, US Open, Yankee Circuit regional competitions. Further information on the Minutemen can be found on Corps Reps and they also have SIMPLEX MINUTEMEN Corps and Reunion Facebook pages.
I've been involved with the Drum Corps Activity for over 50 years. Served on the Board of Directors for the now defunct, ARIZONA SUN of Phoenix from 1971-73. Since 2004, I have served as a Volunteer/Tour Co-Driver with THE ACADEMY, of Tempe, Arizona. THE ACADEMY, made its debut in 2004 as a "Division II" Corps. In 2006, after two undefeated, but shortened seasons, followed up with an undefeated full tour in its third season, they earned Division II Gold in their first DCI National tour culminating in the DCI World Championships at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. The followinbg year THE ACADEMY became the First Arizona Corps to be elevated to World Class in 2007. This past summer, they became the first Corps from the state of Arizona to ever achieve finalist status among the Top 12 World Class Corps. Their producttion of "DRUM CORPSE BRIDE" earned them an 11th place a score of 86.100, at Drum Corpse International World Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana this past August.
Both my brother and I were in the corp in the late 60's early 70's. My brother was a drum major and I was one of the banner girls with Tammy. I was also in the Miss America pageant in 71 and I know my father went on the cruise. My brother and I were sitting here reminiscing about our time and decided to do a google search and found a picture of us that Tyco had posted on Twitter and then I found you. We are very interested in finding old alumni and friends from our time with the corp.
SIMPLEX MINUTEMEN.....Gardner Mass
in Historical Junior Corps Discussions
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Both my brother and I were in the corp in the late 60's early 70's. My brother was a drum major and I was one of the banner girls with Tammy. I was also in the Miss America pageant in 71 and I know my father went on the cruise. My brother and I were sitting here reminiscing about our time and decided to do a google search and found a picture of us that Tyco had posted on Twitter and then I found you. We are very interested in finding old alumni and friends from our time with the corp.