The Kilties by Bob Cormack
Catherine
Society International, Summer 1997 issue, Volume XXV, Number 3
"The Kilties"
Official Clan Buchanan Drum & Bugle Corps
by Bob Cormack
During the 1930's the D piston was added to the G bugle which is ancestral
to the straight Army-type bugle used by the first American Legion Drum
Corps, Racine, Wisconsin, Post 76 (Boys of '76), in the post WW-Era. This
made it feasible to play simple melodies and harmony.
In 1933 at Camp Anokijig, Little Lake Elkhart near Plymouth, Wisconsin,
three men had a dream for a marching unit. Mr. Ray Vance, Youth Director of
the YMCA, Mr. Scott McCreedy and Mr. Bob Aspen were all original founders of
this unit. Back then, they marched with an assortment of drums, pipes, wood
flutes, harmonicas and other wind and percussion instruments.
In 1935, this unit replaced its assortment of wind instruments with bugles
allowing them to compete as a drum and bugle corps. They made their first
appearance as a Kiwanis Club project. It was a rough beginning and the
corps grew very slowly.
In the late 1930's, the Kilties became affiliated with the YMCA and
continued to prosper and grow in the Racine community as a drum and bugle
corps. About 1945, the Corps began to grow significantly and expanded under
the direction of its Business Manager, Joseph Teska, who was greatly
responsible for developing the group as a leader in the field by the early
50's.
In the early 50's, the City of Racine was declared the "Drum Corps Capital
of the World" by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, with the Kilties leading
the way.
One of the key elements in the early 50's Kilties contemporary musical sound
and music success was the writing, teaching and direction of Emil Pavlik, a
trumpeter and jazz band leader from Racine, who developed the Kilties'
unique musical style that soon caught the attention of the drum corps world.
The corps' first ever National Championship was achieved by the Kiltie Color
Guard in Washington D.C. at the American Legion Nationals Junior Competition
in 1954. The Kilties were also invited at that time to play their unique
musical style on the U.S. Capitol steps.
During this same early 50's era, the Kilties won many first places in
Midwest regional competitions against such great competitors as Madison
Scouts, Cavaliers, Racine Scouts, etc.
Also in 1954, the Kilts were invited to and competed in the Super
Invitational "DREAM CONTEST" reserved for the top five or six corps in the
nation at Bayonne, NJ, home of the St. Vincent's Cadets. As usual the
Kilties were a hit at the show although not winning that particular contest.
[author of this article] Bob Cormack, Drum Major during this era from
1951-1954, is presently Illinois Regent of the Clan Buchanan Society
International.
For decades the Kilties, comprised of 100 young men ages 14-21, have been
one of the most distinctive and popular drum corps in the U.S. The Mad
Plaid's fame soon spread to every corner of North America. Hundreds of
thousands of drum corps fans have watched, listened and cheered as these
talented musicians presented their unique show... "the best horn line in the
nation... a super percussion section... fantastic rifle work... a color
guard that adds a special touch to the majestic field show..."
The Kilties and their innovative staff have found no substitute for talent,
reinforced by dedication and hard work in presentation of a show that is
always exciting to spectators and highly competitive.
There have been five Kiltie uniforms worn over the years. The Junior Corps
originally wore the Stewart Tartan until about 1950 when they switched to
the McLeod Tartan. In the late 1960's or early 1970's, while under the
direction of Drum Major Carl Last (now Monsignor of St. Matthias Parish,
Milwaukee), the Anderson Plaid was introduced and used until the [junior]
Corps' demise in 1982.
Other major titles won by the Kilties during their history have included the
VFW Nationals in 1964, 1968 and 1969; the U.S. Open in 1969 and 1970; the
World Open in 1972; and finalist in (DCI) Drum Corps International from 1972
to 1978. The Corps was led during most of this era by Drum Major Scotty
Poulsen (1962-1972).
The 1981 season brought more changes with the disbanding of the Kilts feeder
corps, the "Kiltie Kadets", which was the lifeline for new musical talent.
[The 1981 Corps Director was Jim Schiebenes, formerly with the Starlites,
Mariners and the USAFA D&B Corps. The Horn Instructor was Jim Schatzman,
who marched in the Kiltie Kadets from 1969-1972, and in the Kilties from
1973-1976.]
The Kilties Junior Corps faded into history after 1982 due to lack of
support, but now has successfully returned as a senior corps after two
alumni exhibitions in 1986 and 1992. The Kilties Drum & Bugle Corps was
reorganized wearing the RCAF Tartan as a traditional Senior marching group
for male drum corps alumni. Future plans include competing at the Senior
level with plans for expansion to include their own Junior competitive Drum
& Bugle Corps in the future.
The Kilties Drum & Bugle Corps, Inc. is a not-for-profit, Senior (over age
21) marching musical organization which strives to be a fraternal,
patriotic, traditional and educational experience to all of its members,
supporters, and the community of southeast Wisconsin and beyond.
The Kilties are committed to providing a continuous, entertaining and
quality program which will perform at parades, civic functions, exhibitions
and competitions.
The Kilties now not only represent Racine and Wisconsin as a high-caliber
musical ambassador of goodwill, but as of 1997 have been formally recognized
as the official representative of the Clan Buchanan Society International as
their Clan Drum & Bugle Corps. The Kilties are proud to wear the beautiful
Buchanan Tartan and to promote the Clan in their travels and presentations.
Their battle cry "WEA WINNEA BEA DAUNTED", Scottish for 'WE WILL NOT BE
DEFEATED", reflects the personal pride, determination, spirit and
showmanship that distinguish the Kilties.
Their near term goal is to travel as Clan Buchanan Society International's
representatives to Scotland by the year 2000 hoping to perform in Glasgow,
Loch Lomond, Aberdeen and at the annual military tattoo in Edinburgh.
The present Senior Kilties organization is proud not only of the Kiltie
Alumni members but of other Senior Drum Corps alumni members who have joined
the Kilts from organizations such as: Anaheim Kingsmen, Black Shields,
Billy Mitchel Pipe Band, Black Knights, Blue Notes, Boys of '76, Brigadiers,
Cavaliers, Chordaliers, Chicago Vanguard, Cincinnati Traditions, Coachmen,
Colts, Crusader/Gladiators, Elks Youth Band, Falco Raiders, General Putnam's
Men, Golden Eagles, Green Hornets, Guardsmen, Lake Band, Long Island
Sunrisers, Lighthouse Brigade, Madison Scouts, Mariners, Militaire Cadets,
Ohio Brass, Phantom Regiment, Pioneer, Purple Knights, Queen City Cadets,
Racine Boy Scouts, Racine Explorer Scouts, Santa Clara Vanguard, Statesmen,
Steel City, St. Matthias Cadets, Sundowners, Unlimited Time, Velvet Knights,
U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps and the Westshoremen.
The 1997 instructional staff includes:
Music Arrangers - Ken Norman & John Arietano
Music Director - Jim Mertens
Percussion Director - Jeff Hoke
Color Guard Director - Alice Smith
Marching/Visual Design - Gary Kisting
Field Director - Norm Wheeler
Drum Majors are Dale "Mac" MacKinley and Gary "Lurch" Wright
Corps Director & Program Coordinator - Ed Bergles
Business Manager & Assistant Corps Director - Tony Reilly
Board President - Dennis Hagner
bill turner
one of my favorite corps!
Since there are several former Kilts that post to RAMD, I hope some of
you choose to "fill in the cracks" in this history; for instance, I'd
like to hear more about the movement to "modern" music from the mid-70's
through the demise of the junior corps (Kilts had some of the more
*radical* shows of that time); and especially the (must've been
traumatic!) introduction of "females" into their historically male-only
ranks. And the traditions and rituals! I've only heard 2nd- and 3rd-hand
stories of the many Kiltie rituals; I'd love to hear some 1st-hand
accounts (if ya won't be killed for sharing 'em!).
-- bill
In article <%f0y8.4963$8p3.4...@newsread1.prod.itd.earthlink.net>,
Greg Small
Glasgow Blue Barons were taught by ex kilties during the early 80's culminating in
the Corps (Blue Barons) winning the DCUK championships in September 1985. The
Kilties were Jim Mertins (Mertz), Fred Hoppe, Tom (percussion- dam my memory).
These guys also toured with the Barons on their 1984 tour of Belgiam & Holland.
Greg Small
Kilties2002
>Glasgow Blue Barons were taught by ex kilties during the early 80's
>culminating in
>the Corps (Blue Barons) winning the DCUK championships i
>Tom (percussion- dam my memory).
..Tom Sorenson!!...present percussion caption head, writes outstanding
charts!!!
Bill
Kilties
Jim Insanity Schehr
> you choose to "fill in the cracks" in this history; for instance, I'd
> like to hear more about the movement to "modern" music from the mid-70's
> through the demise of the junior corps (Kilts had some of the more
> *radical* shows of that time); and especially the (must've been
> traumatic!) introduction of "females" into their historically male-only
> ranks. And the traditions and rituals! I've only heard 2nd- and 3rd-hand
> stories of the many Kiltie rituals; I'd love to hear some 1st-hand
> accounts (if ya won't be killed for sharing 'em!).
> -- bill
Bill,
When I was a member of the Kilties during the early and mid 70's we
were still a all male corps, so it is the only vision I have of the
corps. Yes we had many traditions and rituals within our organization.
No one could just walk into that corps and want to become a member. We
were a corps of quality not quanity and would not stand for
mediocrity. The word "try" or "think" was not in our vocabulary. It
was do or do not, know or know not. Our success came from being
competitive within ourselves and not others. The fans loved us because
we were unique. For the most part, when those who were responsible for
the very sole of the corps, became no longer involved in the
organization it faded away. The lost of the feeder corps, the Kiltie
Kadets had the most impact on the Kilts, followed by distance between
opinions and decisions of those associated within the management. The
recipe has always been there and is still there today, but some
decided to throw it out in the rain and it took so long to make it.
Later...
Jim "Insanity" Schehr
Catherine
news:dc3f89fc.02042...@posting.google.com...
<snip>
> The lost of the feeder corps, the Kiltie
> Kadets had the most impact on the Kilts,
The Kiltie Kadets were quite the feeder corps. As I have written to my
fellow VK alumni, there was as much pride, talent and development there as
most of the better years of the VK's feeder corps, the Squires.
I have met some people who just marched the Kiltie Kadets. It's quite
unusual in today's world, wherein so many won't consider anything "less"
than the "top 6", to see people who were thoroughly thrilled with the sole
corps experience - in a feeder corps.
Insanity is correct when he speaks about the abilities necessary to march in
the Kilties. Young men would remain in the Kiltie Kadets until they were
adjudged as "ready" by the staff, and then promoted. Emil Pavlik required
all in his horn line to learn to read music - and they would usually send
the horn player to take private lessons in the Racine community (usually
with John Hemkes) and then invited back once their skills were up to speed.
> followed by distance between opinions and decisions of those
> associated within the management. The recipe has always
> been there and is still there today, but some decided to throw
> it out in the rain and it took so long to make it.
I've heard a great deal about the George Lindstrom effect, and that of
others on the corps as well.
Good luck this Sunday, Insanity. Do come and meet Emil, will you?
-- Catherine
Mike Duffy
>
>
> Bill,
>
> The loss of the feeder corps, the loss of the Kiltie Kadets had the most impact on the Kilts!
The loss of the Trooper Cadets had the same impact on F- Troop!!
Jim Insanity Schehr
>
> -- Catherine
Thank you, I would very much like to meet this man.
Later...
Jim "Insanity" Schehr