Varies ages 14-21 through out the United States.
AMERICANOS ALUMNI, STAFF, VOUNTEERS!!!
Americanos Alumni.
For the past year we have been unsuccessful in the attempt of setting
up some type of Alumni Organization for the Americanos Drum And Bugle
Corps. However in the past week Sean has been in contact with Bill
Shultz a former Board Member/ director, who was active in the
organization during its peak years (50s-70s) and he has alot of
contacts. What does this mean. Bill has informed Sean that there are
quite a few Alumni out there that are serious about getting something
started and I personally would like to take advantage of this.
Sometime in mid April, Bill will returning to Appleton for the
summer and he has asked us if we could get together to chat about
this whole Alumni thing. Nick and I have volunteered. The current
plan is to have something ready by April 27th, the banquet for the
Americanos indoor and velocity wintergaurd.
As far as things are going with Americanos INC, formerly Americanos
Drum and Bugle Corps for those who don’t know they are doing good and
are competing in the WGI circuits with a Indoor drum Line and
wintergaurd.
We want to make it clear to everyone that I want this Alumni
Organization is to be separate from the Board of Directors that are
in charge of Americanos, INC. We will remain independent, and we will
be selfgoverned. This will make it easier for us to work with the
current board. A majority of the Board of directors are Alumni so
they to will have an opinion on what we do. However the rest of the
Alumni have the ultimate decision.
Nick and I encourage that Butch remains an active part in the Alumni
organization, but the decisions made by us will not be affected by
Americanos INC.
So we are asking for a favor. We are asking that you could take a
spare moment of your time, to write something up just saying what you
would like the The Americanos Alumni to do. From an Alumni Corps to a
reunion, We just need your thoughts on all of this. We dont want to
lose our only chance at making the History of our Drum and Bugle
Corps be known. We need your support. Any questions concerns
comments. You have a voice for the future of Our Organization. We
want everyone to be heard, so please speak up.
A few people have come to us saying that they want to hold some type
of picnic. Ironically enough one is held every year by a group of
alumni. Now we are willing to put forth the Idea of making a big
reunion out of this, but we need everyones support. Summer is rapidly
approaching fast so having it on flag Day is out the the question. If
we were to have a "get together", I would encourage it would be in
the middle to end of August. This will give us time to plan, and give
others time to get off of work. Now this isn’t for sure and nothing
has been set in stone. This is why it is so important that we hear
what you have to say. We are More than willing to extend proposals to
Bill, but you have to be willing to speak up.
We look forward from hearing from you all. Lets make this work.
As always,
VIVA
Sean Pecora swtrojan22@yahoo. com
Nick Blank
If you are interested in coming to the meeting please let us know. We
want to include as many opinions as we can.
***THIS PAGE IS RUN BY AMERICANOS ALUMNI, ANYTHING POSTED ON THIS SITE IS NOT AN OFFICAL STATMENT OF THE AMERICANOS DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS.***
The Americanos Drum and Bugle Corps traces its origins, as do many current corps, to post-World War I veterans' organizations such as the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The local American Legion organization, known as Johnston Blessman Post 38 of Appleton, Wisconsin, sponsored the Americanos' first incarnation in 1936. The corps was then an all-male group performing as the “Sons of the American Legion.” They began performing Spanish themed shows that year, the same theme that the corps proudly continues to this day. In 1957 the corps adopted the name Americanos Drum and Bugle Corps, and performed quite successfully under the sponsorship of private donations, personal fundraisers, and the most supportive parents organization in the activity. In 1963 the El Toros Drum and Bugle Corps was formed as a feeder unit for the now nationally recognized Americanos.
By 1968 the organization's membership had dwindled to a mere 15 marchers. The members were stunned when, after the 1968 VFW Finals, management announced that after 33 years the corps was opening its membership to females. The coed Americanos entered the 1969 season with nearly 80 members, and they returned to the ranks of the nation's most competitive corps. At the VFW Nationals in Portland they placed a proud sixth.
As the corps traveled through the 1970s, the burden of travel costs, equipment, and declining membership resulted in the decision to perform as a parade corps only. But a dedicated core of marching members, parents, alumni, and local volunteers took the initiative to re-build the corps. 1985 saw the El Toros take the field in a new beginning, leading to the Americanos organization of the present day. By 1989 the corps had once again claimed a spot with the most competitive units, winning divisional titles and numerous show titles.
By 1993 the Americanos had won the U.S. Open Division III Championship, and had earned a finalist position at both the Canadian Open and Drum Corps International Championship competitions. A spectacular 1994 secured the corps the prestigious DCI Division III title. Along the way they picked up additional honors with the Drum Corps Midwest Division III Title, Drum Corps East Division III Title, and a second-place finish in both the U.S. and North American Opens.
Americanos Drum and Bugle Corps's Friend Space (Top 30)
hey all the second Alumni meeting has been set! We will be meeting May 27th around 6:30 pm. We aer still looking at a location. If you are interested in the Meetings but can not attend Please let me know. Please come join us if you wish! Any questions email me.
I am happy to inform you that we had our first Alumni meeting on the 25th of April. We have begun planning for the second one in late May. This will take place, in the Menasha/Appleton area. If you have any questions or you would like to get involved Please contact me.
Also, I know that there are tons of websites out there, for the Americanos Alumni, but Corpsdata
is a important one for you to sign up to. This will allow us to keep in contact with everyone, and serve as our "active" database, seeing that we dont have one. I know things have been really confusing lately, but I assure you that we are trying to get everyone on the samepage. I look forward to talking with who ever wants to be involved. I will do my best to keep you informed on whats going on.
Hi there. It is great to see that you finally got something on here from the World Champion '94 Cano's! Too bad it was just our dress rehearsal. Keep up the good work with this!
What's up Cano's?? Just wondering if anyone on here has beaten my push up record from 97'? I only did about 300 a day cause I just could keep my opinions to myself. Hope everyone is doing good and wish I could see you all again. Anyone still talk to Val C.? I know she was there in 98'. If so ask her to send me a message. Love you all. Later.
Hey there.... Nikki "Tricky" Hansen. Canos Colorguard 1996-1999. Looking for anyone from those years and any info from what happened to Ashley Allen. Please get a hold of me... Talk to you all soon....
Well I guess I finally found this. Thanks to Timmy. Been a long time since I have heard anything drum corps related. Well have fun and don't do anything I wouldn't do. (and if you do take pictures)
Wow, it's crazy how I can miss Canos so bad by marching only one year there!!! Great time great beats, Canos '03 forever I will remember!
************VIVA************
http://www.dci.org/cinema/classic/
Just saw this on the DCI site.
Anyone notice something missing? Aren't some of the oldest corps' in the country located here? What the heck is going on around here?
hey tom hows it going! i dont think i marched with you!! my first year was 89, but i think you may remember my older brother karl liesch he marched in 88. i do live in appleton, and i do know how to get ahold of butch, he does own a bar in the area! anything i can do to help you out let me know!!
They began performing Spanish themed shows that year, the same theme that the corps proudly continues to this day. In 1957 the corps adopted the name Americanos Drum and Bugle Corps, and performed quite successfully under the sponsorship of private donations, personal fundraisers, and the most supportive parents organization in the activity. In 1963 the El Toros Drum and Bugle Corps was formed as a feeder unit for the now nationally recognized Americanos. 
