Our History:
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 performin
g as the Sons of the American Legion. They began presenting a Spanish theme that year, the same theme that the corps proudly continues to this day. In 1955 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 in the activity. In 1963 the El Toros Drum and Bugle Corps was formed as a feeder unit for the Americanos. However, by 1968 the organization's membership had dwindled to a mere 15 marchers. After the season was over, management announced that after 33 years the corps was opening its membership to females but they could only be in the color guard. 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 American Legion Nationals in Portland, Oregon where they placed a proud sixth place. The corps traveled through the 1970s with the Americanos averaging 110 members starting in 1973 through 1976 up about a third from 1970 - 1972. But by the end of the 1976 season the burden of travel costs and equipment along with a debt that caught up with the corps took an adverse effect on the members. In the fall of 1976 the corps started practicing for the 1977 season with sixteen horns and no drummers and by March 1977 because of the low number of members the board made the decision to suspend activities for that year. During the year a dedicated core of marching members, parents, alumni, and local volunteers took the initiative to re-build the corps with the first step by making the Americanos a parade corps starting in 1978. 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. 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. The Americanos spent a few seasons in Division II, capturing titles in various regional events including the Division II DCM Title in 1999. 1999 also saw the corps finish fourth overall in Division II, capturing the high brass award in the preliminary round. This is their highest DCI finish to date. In 2000, the corps returned to Division III to narrowly miss out on another world championship title, capturing the Silver Medal. They finished third in Division III in 2001, and fourth in 2002, as well as claiming the "Spirit of Disney" Award as most entertaining corps for both years. In 2003, the 47-member corps finished 18th in Division II/III Prelims. The 2003 show, 'Zorro Rides Again,' ended with Zorro running his opponent through with a sword, stretching the blackguard out on a sweltering Florida stadium floor. Paramedics, watchful for marchers overcome from the 94-degree heat, were halfway onto the field to revive the fallen before they realized that his demise was just part of the act. The Americanos' 2004 program was called 'Dimensions of Latin Rhythms,' and the corps finished seventh in Division III Finals. One of the longer-lived Division III corps, the Americanos have participated in DCI competition 22 times, including every year since 1987.
