The roots of our corps go back 50 years. We are actually the product of two corps; The Imperials of St. Patrick Drum & Bugle Corps and The Mercury Thunderbolts.
1953- A group of Cedarburg High School students approached their band director with an idea of starting a corps. The corps soon became reality and was named after a line of outboard motors, The Thunderbolt.
1961- The Imperials of St. Patrick were formed with the "Luck of the Irish!"
1973- The Imperials of St. Patrick and Thunderbolts Drum & Bugle Corps merged to form a corps which, because they lacked a sponsor and a name, was called THE THING.
1974- "The Pioneer" name was adopted when the group received a sponsorship from the Pioneer Container Corporation.
1989- The Pioneer became finalists at Drum Corps Midwest (DCM) and the US Open and finished an the top 10 Drum Corps International (DCI) A-60 Division. New Irish military uniforms were added to the visual arsenal.
1990- The Pioneer win their first DCM A-60 Championship title. They also become the third best DCI A-60 Drum Corps.
1991- National recognition was prominent, with the Pioneer defending the DCM A-60 title successfully, and they also took top honors at the US Open and DCI, winning the A-60 World Championship.
1992- Once again, the Pioneer win the DCM Division III title, and in addition a US Open and Canadian Open Championship Title.
1993- Pioneer moves up to Division II competition and takes the transition smoothly by taking a fourth DCM Championship title, this time in Division II.
1994- Pioneer continues its winning ways by winning yet another DCM Division II title and continued to be undefeated DCI Division II World Champions.
1995- The Pioneer takes its first full DCI tour, the 95 member corps included young adults from 11 states and the nations of Holland and Japan. Pioneer defended the DCM and DCI Division II status successfully. In addition, the Pioneer received the Spirit of Disney Award.
1996- Pioneer wins its seventh straight DCM championship, and also won the Canadian Open. Pioneer becomes a full voting member of DCI as it achieves DCI membership status for the third consecutive year.
1997- Pioneer made the next step and continued to be "Better Every Day". The next being that the Pioneer competed solely in Division I competition this year. For our inaugural year in Division I, we were just 5 members short of being a "full" 128 members. The corps climbed to 19th place in the DCI Quarterfinals.
1998- The corps returned to an emphasis on "Audience Appeal" and our niche, our Irish Heritage. With a program entitled "Irish in Your Face", written by a group of East Coast Sr. Corps writers, the corps energized the crowd with its loud brass and large drum line. Adding to the corps heritage, Pioneer introduced new uniforms consisting of khaki pants, with a black jacket, and lots of green, orange, and white to go with it. The corps finished 18th at the DCI Quarterfinals in Orlando, FL... but the crowds enthusiasm for our show energized the organization for the necessary challenges that 1999 would bring.
1999- Reminiscent of the Celtic warriors of the 9th and 10th century who roamed in small bands throughout the countryside doing battle with larger forces, Pioneer carried on that valiant tradition and ventured forth with its smallest corps in several years to compete in Division I for the third consecutive year. Under the direction of William Strube, our small corps of warriors took the field in competition and proved that if you believe in yourself, work hard, and strive to be "Better Every Day", you can make dreams come true. Our "Field of Dreams" became Camp Randall when the corps of 81 members achieved a spot in DCI semifinals, placing 17th.
2000- Back to Back Semifinalists! Not to mention 16th in the World, best that Pioneer has ever finished. The corps became one of the most exciting, entertaining, and crowd pleasing corps of 2000 with their production of Brigadoon. Once again, another season that exemplifies our corps motto, "Better Every Day".
2001-Pioneer continued to entertain crowds with another Irish program entitled "Irish in the Civil War". The program portrayed the struggle that Irish settlers faced as they were forced into battle during the Civil War. The corps posted strong results throughout the season. The day at DCI Quarterfinals proved to be disappointing. With the addition of new sashes to the uniform, the corps looked sharp on the field. The performance, however, fell just short of what was necessary to take the corps back to semifinals for a third straight year. Still, it was a season to remember!
2002-With a smaller corps than in previous years, Pioneer took to the field and used a unique design to put on the production "Oliver". Under the direction of new corps director John-Michael Hines, the corps used benches to outline the field and placed the pit at the rear of the field. The original show left fans whistling tunes from the show as they headed for their cars after the show. The corps placement, however, left many fans and members disappointed. The corps slipped to 22nd at DCI and missed making the year end CD's for the first time since 1994.
2003-Pioneer ventured off into the unknown with a show based on the music of David Holsinger. Under the direction of John-Michael Hines the corps brought an enjoyable show to the field and entertained fans with numerous uniform changes throughout the season. Most notable was the addition of new United States Marine Corps style caps for the corps in July! The corps rounded out the season with a strong performance at DCI.
2004-Fielding the largest corps in years, Pioneer took to the field for the 43rd year with a notable return to Irish flavored music. The corps also made a memorable return to the days of the "Great Entertainer" by returning to Mardi Gras in mid-February! The corps was honored at Mardi Gras as the best unit in the Napoleon Parade and the members took away memories that will last a lifetime. The corps achieved 5 first place finished in DCM competition and rounded out the DCM season with its first ever DCM Division I championship. The season continued and the corps breezed through the DCI season right into Denver, CO where they were nearly blown off the field during their Quarterfinals performance. Bad weather and all, the corps finished off the season with a strong performance and left fans eager to see the corps continue to grow in 2005!
Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps's Friend Space (Randomized)
Pioneer I never really said how much this past summer meant it was the experience of a lifetime and I could never forget anyone or anything it was undiscribable and I just wanted to say thank you because you had alot to do with it the staff and even the members I always try to get........ "Better Every Day" :) (_) (_)!(_) / Does it Look Like a Shamrock? I hope
Hey Pio. It was an absolute fucking pleasure to drive yall last year. Just thought I'd share. Ronicka! Roman! Rose Bowl! Las Vegas! Party! Good luck next year!
hey pio!!! wuts up i will see u all at michigan city i hope...... just look for the only one in a uniform in the croud lol.....(not in the middle{it was sold out})sad balls..
Good luck Pioneer especially to all the rookies and rook-outs! Enjoy it!! Someone should put up a calender of the corps' shows this summer so we can follow along. Hopefully I'll get to see you guys in the EAST! Much love,
Anthony 06 age out
Hey Good luck in 2007...much love from a Pioneer alumni from way back in 1975 and my son marched in 96 and 98 Anyone Remember a soprano player named 'Sonic" Well good luck this season. See ya out there somewhere. Thanks for the add.
