The Eau Claire Boys Drum and Bugle Corps
Wherever They Perform, They Win the Hearts of the Audience, Praise of Judges

by Jenny Lind
(Eau Claire Leader Telegram, September, 1964)

Since entering the contest field in 1961, the Eau Claire Boys Drum and Bugle Corps has won 38 trophies, and ranks fifth among the 54 corps in Badgerland, which includes Wisconsin, upper Michigan, Minnesota and Iowa.

The Eau Claire Boys range in age from nine to 20 and are ranked in A Class. Most of the contests the boys enter are open contests, which means they compete with senior corps with members over 21 years old. There are four classes of competition: A, B and C, in Junior division, and Senior class.

“If you have never witnessed a drum and bugle corps contest you have missed one of the most colorful spectacles offered to the public. The time and effort expended by these teenagers in perfecting their music and maneuvers is exhausting. And the different colored uniforms all displayed against a green background under the lights of the competing field is worthy of your fullest attention. Here is a beautiful picture of our youth at its very best.”

You will have a chance to see this when the Eau Claire Boys Drum and Bugle Corps present their fifth annual DRUMS ON THE CHIPPEWA, Sarurday, September 12, at 7:30 p.m. at Carson Park football field.

Four corps will be in competition: the St. Paul Scouts, St. Matthias Cadets (Milwaukee), Austin Lancers (Austin, Minn.) and the Cedar Rapids Cadets (Cedar Rapids, Iowa.)

In addition, the Blue Star Color Guard of Brice Prairie and the Eau Claire A Corps and Prep Corps are listed as exhibition units. The host corps cannot compete in their own town.

The corps chosen are all close to each other in contest standings during the past summer. Each corps will have an excellent chance of winning the first place money. Each person will be fighting with all his might to impress the judges and audience to award the coveted first place to their corps.

Tickets may be purchased from corps members or at the gate. In case of rain, the contest will be held at the Memorial auditorium.

Walter Brown Corps Founder

Walter Brown, 3265 Locust Lane, founded a Boy Scout band in 1953. In 1959, the band changed to a drum corps. Then in 1960, they purchased new uniforms and left scouting, because it was impossible to do justice to both organizations. The next year, the new Eau Claire Boys Drum and Bugle Corps entered their first contest.

The boys have made over 400 appearances since then and have traveled 35,000 miles. They have appeared as far away as Clinton, Iowa and Houghton, Mich.

This year, the Corps earned the championship of Viroqua, June 20, and the Appleton Fiesta Musicana chempionship, August 29.

They have been chosen to represent the state at the Minnesota Sate Fair in 1963 and 1964, and have appeared twice on national television, at the Vikings-Rams football game in 1962, and the same year at the St Paul Winter Carnival.

Two years in a row, the boys have won the championship of the LaCrosse Oktoberfest.

The Clinton, Iowa Herald carried this item: “... The white uniformed Eau Claire Boys ... were the crowd’s favorite, marching off the field amid cheers and applause ... The Eau Claire corps wore the uniform of the Australian schools and carried the British flag beside the American banner.”

The Corps is open to any boy. The A Corps members are chosen for their ability and serve a probation period.

The Prep Corps members are under 14 years of age, and are inexperienced. After a period of time, many try out and make the A Corps. There are 54 in the Prep Corps and 60 members in the A Corps. Since its founding, the corps has had 500 members, who are now living across the world, many serving in the armed services.

LaMont Page is the director of the A Corps. Anthony Ring is his assistant. Allan Lorentz is the drum major who heads the Corps in parades and competition.

Mike Lippold serves as the color sergeant. Wayne Duesterbeck is the percussion director.

Michael Brown directs the prep corps. Richard Flynn assists. Scott McRoberts is the instructor of the color guard.

Don Willette is the business manager, and Fred Underwood is the treasurer. Bert Duesterbeck is the publicity director. Mrs. Duesterbeck acts as uniform chairman.

All but two on the staff are former members of the corps.

The boys make about 40 appearances a year and will hold their second annual concert in March, here. They hold five concerts per year in other cities.

After the Drums On the Chippewa, the boys will take part in the Blair Egg Festival, and appear at Prescott, Osceola, LaCrosse, St Paul, and Winona.

The only fee for the boys is one dollar a year. Their uniforms and instruments are furnished, and city businesses often sponser the boys on the road, covering their expenses.

The boys practice three to five times a week in summer. In early spring, they practice up to 10 hours a day getting ready for the summer season.

During winter, two practices per week are required. Group practices are held amost every day at the Corps building, 1004 Menomonie St. “The building is owned by the boys - almost,” said Mr. Brown.

The Corps print a monthly newspaper, which is sent to 800 people, former members and those interested in the Corps. Anyone interested in the Eau Claire Boys Newsletter may contact Walter Brown, executive director.

The Corps is entirely self-supporting. The very active Parents’ Group assists in the Corps bottle dirve, candy sales, and helps with the booths at Bazaar Days and at the Chippewa Fair. Bake sales and thrift sales are also held.

Money is also raised by parade fees and prize money. Since the boys are ranked as a top corps, they may charge for parade appearances. One weekend, they won $600 in prize money.

The other corps have been in business for over 20 years and are sponsored by a group or organization and therefore have unlimited resources. Our boys do it on their own, and consequently, the balance rarely covers the debts.

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