DUBUQUE DRUM CORPS

DUBUQUE DRUM CORPS. On May 10, 1855 word was received in Dubuque that the Dubuque Drum Corps won the gold medal the previous day in the Inter-State Drill Contest held in Mobile, Alabama. The Mobile Rifle Corps presented a floral drum with M.R.C. in "golden immortelles" on one head and D.D.C. in red geraniums on the other as a token of good will. (1)

They were welcomed back to Dubuque on May 18, 1885 by well-wishers including the HENDERSON DRUM CORPS. After several speeches, the procession marched to the corp's headquarters in the St.Cloud block of Main Street between Ninth and Tenth. The band members brought with them cotton balls, live alligators, and scores of badges given by every organization in attendance at the contest. In the evening the Drum Corps members were met at their headquarters in the Eagle Building and asked to "fall in line" at 8:00 p.m. The procession included the Drum Corps, the DUBUQUE CORNET BAND. the Third Regiment band of Muscatine, the Henderson Drum Corps, and the "sasafras" (burlesque) band of eight musicians who copied Gilmore's famous band with many different instruments. The procession was led by three large flambeau torches. Along the side was a brigade to other light bears with an estimated fifty more bring up the rear. Fireworks accompanied the procession until it reached WASHINGTON PARK. (2)

Back in Dubuque, the Drum Corps was asked to perform at military ceremonies around the county and provided necessary accompaniment to "battle scenes" staged at the GRAND OPERA HOUSE. (3) In 1878 twenty-one of the Corps attended the "international encampment" held in Chicago and compete. (4)

In 1891 the Corps practiced in the armory at the DUBUQUE CITY HALL on Thursdays. (5)

The Dubuque Daily Herald reported on July 27, 1892 that with the exception of a few new members the Dubuque Drum Corps reorganized the previous evening. Under the direction of "Doc" Guilbert, the group performed a drill on the corner of Ninth and Clay. The article mentioned that the Corps had a national reputation and planned to perform at the world's fair. (6)

In 1933 a large committee headed by Harvey M. LANGE headed the American Legion campaign soliciting the general public by selling tickets for fifty cents each (with a bit more for box seats) to see the state-wide drum and bugle corps contest held at the Municipal Athletic field on August 6-9. More than twenty-five corps were expected to attend. All the groups were scheduled to appear on the field at one time for a massed performance. From those which performed on the first night of the contest (August 7th), eight were selected by regular army officers to perform the second night. The Dubuque drum corps did not perform since they were acting as hosts. (7)

As late as 1954, the Drum Corps was performing in eastern Iowa at such events as the Jackson County Fair. (8)

In 1937 the American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps placed second in the state championship contest. In losing to Valley Junction, the Dubuque Corps saw the state championship trophy they had donated go to the team which had won twice before. (9)

See: COLTS DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS

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Source:

1. "The Mobile Encampment," The Dubuque Herald, May 10, 1885, p. 8

2. "Welcome Home," Telegraph Herald, May 19, 1885, p. 4

3. "Caught on the Fly," The Dubuque Herald, February 13, 1886, p. 4

4. "Local News in Brief," The Herald, June 9, 1887, p. 4

5. "Municipal Molecules," The Herald, March 25, 1891, p. 4

6. "Dubuque Daisies," Dubuque Daily Herald, July 27, 1892, p. 4

7. "Legion Drive for Drum Event Starts," Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal, July 19. 1933, p. 2

8. "Maquoketa Band to Play Concert at County Fair," Telegraph-Herald, August 4, 1954, p. 6

9. "Dubuque Drum Corps is Second in Contest," Telegraph-Herald, August 4, 1937, p. 1