Research Papers

Research Papers

Today is:

           American Legion Jr. Drum & Bugle Corps, part 2

I. 1936 Contest

After the trip to Topeka the next event was the American Legion convention convention in Omaha

The Kearney American Legion Junior drum and bugle corps now numbered 56 with 3 baton-twirlers, and a 4-piece color guard

There were two junior divisions in the contest – 16 and under; and under 20
        Since Kearney included 17 & 18-year olds, they were in the second group

Kearney won over Columbus, apparently the only two groups in the up to age 20 division.

II. 1937 Contest

The Jr. Drum & Bugle Corps did their usual round of appearances during the summer at the various towns in the county when they held their celebrations

Then the headed off to the state American Legion convention in the last week of August

This time there were 6 drum & bugle corps in the competition – Kearney, Holdrege, Broken Bow, Chadron, Mitchell, and Columbus

The Kearney Junior Drum and Bugle Corp were champions for the second consecutive year

III. 1938 Contest

Roster: Head instructor (Bob Dean); assistant instructor; 4 color guard members; 4 bass drummers; 26 buglers; 10 snare drummers; 2 cymbals; and 2 tenor drummers

Pre-contest Program

As in previous years, there was a fund raising program the week before the American Legion state convention, which this year was held in Fremont.

Also appearing in the fund raising program
        Holdrege senior drum & bugle corps
        Holdrege junior drum & bugle corps
        State Industrial School drum & bugle corps

The Kearney American Legion Jr. Drum & Bugle Corps presented the program they would perform in Fremont.

        The intricate drill maneuvers and playing the bugle and drum numbers was all done without direction as their drill
        master, Bob Dean, stood at attention on the sidelines.

The Contest

Kearney won for the third year in a row.

They now had permanent possession of the championship plaque. [Wonder whatever happened to it]

In fact, the Kearney post took most of the honors in the drum and bugle corps competition.
        In the individual drum contest Dallas Donaly of Kearney scored first
        In the individual bugle contest Richard Billings of Kearney was second.

Return to Kearney

Their two buses arrived from Fremont shortly before 8 pm.

They paraded down Central from the railroad to the monument.

In each block they performed their intricate drill maneuvers.

Then Bob Dean resigned as director
        He had accepted a teaching position in Wells, Nevada

Dallas Donaly replaced him
        Dallas had graduated from high school the previous May

IV. What happened in 1939?

Financial problems – In May the corps was facing severe financial difficulties and would have it disband unless the community came to its rescue with a $1000.

        By the end of the month over $900 had been raised

        At the first July meeting, the drum and bugle corps visited city council meeting.
                This was the Council’s budget adoption meeting.
                They voted to provide $600 for the municipal band and $600 for the drum and bugle corps.

Missing shirts – an equipment check revealed 25 shirts missing. It was thought former members had kept theirs and were asked to return them

Practice, practice, practice

The corps received special instruction weekly by a member of the Hastings National Guard and by a Hastings college
        instrumental music instructor to prepare their numbers for the state contest

They were meeting weekly through June & July for practice

Then they got to practice some more by appearing in various nearby towns in the first two weeks in August
        Calloway Pioneer Days picnic
        Gibbon potato festival
        Shelton fall festival
        Elm Creek fall festival
        Ravenna

Downtown Kearney practice
        A new city hall was being constructed

        It was noted that as the corps was giving its concert on the downtown streets, the carpenters were unconsciously
        hammering in time with the drummers

Painting the drum - Friday, August 18, 1939 –
        The next night the corps was going to have a parade to advertise the annual pre-contest exhibition at the college
        athletic field

        But it was cancelled because the drums were being repaired and the sides repainted

The contest

        The Kearney team came in third, behind Auburn and Holdrege.

        The teams were separated by 1.08 points between first and third.

        Last year’s director, Bob Dean, said they played just as well as last year
                The other two teams were just a shade better

        Dallas Donaly was again named champion drummer, Ted McMichael was second in bugler’s contest

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Revised: 11/26/2019