Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps

Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps
Location	Nashua, New Hampshire
Division	Open Class
Founded	1955
President	Paul LaFlamme
Director	Anthony Montesion
Championship titles	DCI Open Class; 1997; 1998; 2004; 2005; 2007; 2019; 2023; 2024;
Website	www.spartansdbc.org

The Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps is an Open Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in Nashua, New Hampshire, the Spartans performs in Drum Corps International (DCI) competitions.^[1] The Spartans won the DCI Division II World Championship in 1997, 1998, 2004, 2005, 2007, and in 2019, 2023, and 2024 won the DCI Open Class Championship that replaced Divisions II and III in 2008.^[2]

History

Source:^[2]^[3]

The Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps was founded in 1955 by Albert LaFlamme. LaFlamme was succeeded as corps director by his son, Peter. Today, the corps is run by Albert's grandson, Paul LaFlamme.^[4]

A fire in 1999 destroyed nearly everything the corps owned: instruments, uniforms, equipment, vehicles. The dedication of the corps' members, staff, and supporters, as well as the greater drum corps community, kept the corps in operation and in competition, with the corps placing second that year at DCI Division II Finals in Madison, Wisconsin.

Despite being DCI Division II Champions five times, in 2009 the economic downturn forced the Spartans into bankruptcy. Bingo revenues had dropped off to a point where the corps discontinued that fundraising activity. Efforts to sell the corps hall had not been successful.^[5]^[6] The corps went through a year of inactivity and reorganized, including a change of management and sale of the corps hall.^[7]^[8] The corps then successfully returned to competition in 2010.^[9]

Since returning to the DCI competition field in 2010, the Spartans have never placed outside the top 5 in the Open Class championship. The corps has also qualified for World Class semi finals consecutively since 2012, regularly finishing above a number of World Class corps.

In 2019, ten years after the corps went inactive, the Spartans were crowned the champions of the 2019 DCI Open Class World Championship with a score of 81.050. They were also the only corps to go undefeated throughout the regular season before world finals week. This was repeated in 2023 and 2024 when the Spartans were consecutively crowned undefeated Open Class World Champions.^[10]

Sponsorship

The Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps is a registered non-profit 501(c)(3) musical organization. The president of the organization is Paul "PG" LaFlamme Jr. and the corps director is Anthony Montesion.

Show summary (1972–2024)

Source:^[2]

Key
Light blue background indicates DCI Open Class Finalist^[a]
Goldenrod background indicates DCI Open Class Champion^[a]
Pale green background indicates DCI World Class Semifinalist^[b]

^ ^a ^b From 1986–1991, the Spartans competed in Class A, from 1992–2007 in Division II, and have competed since 2008 in Open Class. These are the same tier, just renamed.
^ From 1997–2001, the Spartans also competed at the Division I championships, and since 2011 at the World Class championships. These are the same competition, just renamed.

Year	Repertoire	World Championships
Year	Repertoire	Score	Placement
1972	Parade of the Charioteers (from Ben Hur) by Miklós Rózsa / Miami Beach / Colour My World & To Be Free by James Pankow / Miserlou (Traditional), adapted by Nicholas Roubanis / Love Theme (from Ben-Hur) by Miklós Rózsa	Did not attend World Championships
1973	Entrance to Sparta & Nonename by Albert LaFlamme / Soul Explosion by Gladys Bruce / Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?) by Jimmy Davis, Ram Ramirez & James Sherman / Air Mail Special by Benny Goodman, James Mundy & Charlie Christian / Miserlou (Traditional), adapted by Nicholas Roubanis / Love Theme (from Ben-Hur) by Miklós Rózsa
1974	St. Louis Blues March by W. C. Handy, adapted my Glenn Miller / 2nd Hungarian Rhapsody by Franz Liszt / Moonlight Serenade by Glenn Miller & Mitchell Parish / Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing) by Louis Prima / Bésame Mucho by Consuelo Velázquez & Sunny Skylar / Love Theme (from Ben-Hur) by Miklós Rózsa / Basin Street Blues by Spencer Williams
1975	2nd Hungarian Rhapsody by Franz Liszt / Finlandia by Jean Sibelius / Boys and Girls Get Together by Jim Peterik / Miserlou (Traditional), adapted by Nicholas Roubanis / Sunrise, Sunset by Jerry Bock & Sheldon Harnick / Hang 'em High by Dominic Frontiere
1976	2nd Hungarian Rhapsody by Franz Liszt / Hallelujah Chorus by George Frideric Handel / Two Minds Meet by L. Raub & Bill Chase / Poet and Peasant Overture by Franz von Suppé / Finale (from Firebird Suite) by Igor Stravinsky
1977	Flying Home by Benny Goodman, Eddie DeLange, Lionel Hampton & Sydney Robin / Parade of the Charioteers (from Ben-Hur) by Miklós Rózsa / Hallelujah Chorus by George Frideric Handel / Ol' Man River (from Showboat) by Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein II / Poet and Peasant Overture by Franz von Suppé / Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?) by Jimmy Davis, Ram Ramirez & James Sherman / Live and Let Live by Cole Porter
1978	Compendium / Chump Change (from The New Bill Cosby Show) by Bill Cosby & Quincy Jones / A Day in the Life by Lennon–McCartney / Instant Concert by James Swearingen / Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin / Love Theme (from Ben-Hur) by Miklós Rózsa / Hang 'em High by Dominic Frontiere
1979	Favourite Things / William Tell Overture by Gioachino Rossini / Sun Shower by Chuck Mangione / Night Journey by Doc Severinsen, Ernie Chapman & Fred Crane / Hill Where the Lord Hides by Chuck Mangione / Percussion Overture / Pegasus by Hank Levy
1980–85	No information available
1986	Repertoire unavailable	67.900	8th Place Class A
1987	Repertoire unavailable	70.400	5th Place Class A
1988	Liberty Mission (Unknown) / Carmen by Georges Bizet / I Have Dreamed (from The King and I) by Rodgers and Hammerstein / Poet and Peasant Overture by Franz von Suppé	71.900	12th Place Class A
1989	Camelot Overture, Parade, Guenevere, What Do the Simple Folk Do? & Before I Gaze at You Again All from Camelot by Frederick Loewe & Alan Jay Lerner	79.800	6th Place Class A
1990	Scheherazade Selections from Scheherazade by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov	76.700	7th Place Class A
1991	Scheherazade Selections from Scheherazade by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov	78.500	11th Place Class A
1992	Hook Selections from Hook by John Williams	84.000	7th Place Division II & III Finalist
1993	Aladdin Selections from Aladdin by Alan Menken	84.900	8th Place Division II
1994	Emerson, Lake, and Palmer Music by Keith Emerson, Greg Lake & Carl Palmer	82.600	9th Place Division II
1995	Rome: The Eternal City Ben-Hur by Miklós Rózsa / Bacchanale (from Samson and Delilah) by Camille Saint-Saëns / Roman Festivals & Pines of the Appian Way (from The Pines of Rome) by Ottorino Respighi	88.800	4th Place Division II Finalist
1996	Return to Rome Inzio (from Ben-Hur) by Miklós Rózsa / Cenotaph by Jack Stamp / Dance of Belkis at Dawn, Dream of King Solomon, War Dance & Orgiastic Dance (from Belkis, Queen of Sheba) by Ottorino Respighi	89.500	4th Place Division II Finalist
1997	Three Revelations Awakening, Contemplation & Rejoicing by Alfred Reed	94.200	1st Place Division II Champion
1997		69.800	23rd Place Division I
1998	Sinfonia Vocci: The Music of David Holsinger Sinfonia Vocci & Ballet Sacra by David Holsinger	97.100	1st Place Division II Champion
1998		73.000	22nd Place Division I
1999	Easter Symphony Kings, Deathtree & Symphonia Resurrectus All from The Easter Symphony by David Holsinger	95.300	2nd Place Division II Finalist
1999		73.700	22nd Place Division I
2000	Glorioso Glorioso, Oratio, Cantus III & Diofestos	80.750	8th Place Division II
2001	Gladiator The Battle & Barbarian Horde (from Gladiator) by Hans Zimmer & Lisa Gerrard / Ben-Hur by Miklós Rózsa	93.950	3rd Place Division II & III Finalist
2001		73.800	20th Place Division I
2002	Guardians Music from Gladiator by Hans Zimmer & Lisa Gerrard / Ben-Hur by Miklós Rózsa / Music from The Mummy Returns by Alan Silvestri / Bacchanale (from Samson and Delilah) by Camille Saint-Saëns	93.900	5th Place Division II & III Finalist
2003	The Divine Comedy Inferno, Ascension, Paradise & Finale All from The Divine Comedy, Symphony No. 1 by Robert W. Smith	94.450	3rd Place Division II & III Finalist
2004	Medusa Medusa Lures Poseidon, Athena's Rage, Serpents & The Gorgon's Pursuit All from Medusa by Key Poulan	96.325	1st Place Division II & III Champion
2005	Vizier Wisdom, Experience, Conceive, Meditation, Ascendant & Vizier: The All-Seeing Eye All from Vizier by Key Poulan	96.275	1st Place Division II & III Champion
2006	Advent Rising Bounty Hunter, Stolen Transport, Glorious Human, Aurelian Conflict & Canyon Encounter All from Advent Rising by Tommy Tallarico	94.025	3rd Place Division II & III Finalist
2007	Tarot Fortune Teller; The Emperor and Strength; The Fool; The Magician & The Sun, Death, and Judgment All from Tarot by Key Poulan, Peter Furnari & Eric Putnam	96.150	1st Place Division II & III Champion
2008	Metallic Soundscapes Kingfishers Catch Fire, Turning & Turbine by John Mackey	82.700	14th Place Open Class
2009	Corps inactive
2010	Fire Dance Inferno (from The Divine Comedy) by Robert W. Smith / Caronte, Ferryman of Souls; Entrance Into Hell; Interview of Ulysses & La Giudecca (all from Inferno di Dante) by Key Poulan	93.600	3rd Place Open Class Finalist
2011	Midnight Midnight by Key Poulan / Bella's Lullabye & Other music from Twilight by Carter Burwell	91.500	4th Place Open Class Finalist
2011		69.350	26th Place World Class
2012	Renewal Infernal Dance, The Princess Game with the Golden Apples & Dance of the Princesses (from The Firebird Suite) / Dance of the Earth (from The Rite of Spring) / Berceuse & Finale (from The Firebird Suite) All by Igor Stravinsky	91.150	4th Place Open Class Finalist
2012		70.750	24th Place World Class Semifinalist
2013	Live Free Music from Swan Lake by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky / Music from The Matrix by Don Davis / Naqoyqatsi by Philip Glass	90.500	4th Place Open Class Finalist
2013		72.850	24th Place World Class Semifinalist
2014	Olympus Olympus Intro by Jeff Boulduc, Matt McGuire & Michael Moore / Symphony for Brass and Percussion, Mvt. II by Alfred Reed / You Are So Beautiful by Bruce Fisher, Billy Preston & Dennis Wilson / Symphony No. 2 Mvt. III & There Will Be Rest by Frank Ticheli	77.025	4th Place Open Class Finalist
2014		74.050	24th Place World Class Semifinalist
2015	Spartans... At The Gates! Prelude to War – Original music by Key Poulan, Michael Moore & Matt McGuire Spartan Warrior To Victory – To Victory (from 300) by Tyler Bates Defending the Gates – Piano Concerto No. 1, 3rd Movement: Toccata Con Fuoco by Keith Emerson Empyrean Mercenaries – From Trailerhead by Immediate Battle – The Battle (from Gladiator) by Hans Zimmer & Lisa Gerrard Glory, Honor & Immortality – Lauds (Praise High Day) by Ron Nelson	76.025	3rd Place Open Class Finalist
2015		71.500	23rd Place World Class Semifinalist
2016	Totem Gabriel's Oboe (from The Mission) by Ennio Morricone / Ome Kayo (from Cirque du Soleil's Totem) by Guy Dubuc & Marc Lessard / Conflict by Key Poulan, Michael Moore & Matt McGuire / Crazy in Love by Beyoncé Knowles, Rich Harrison, Shawn Carter & Eugene Record / Sacrifice by Michael Moore & Matt McGuire / Adiemus Chorale VI (SolFa) by Karl Jenkins	74.750	5th Place Open Class Finalist
2016		71.475	25th Place World Class Semifinalist
2017	Connected We Are Here to Connect, Missed Connections, ReConnected & We Are All Connected (all by Key Poulan, Michael Moore & Matt McGuire) / Angel by Sarah McLachlan	75.925	5th Place Open Class Finalist
2017		73.475	25th Place World Class Semifinalist
2018	Da Vinci's Workshop Meet Leonardo & The Vitruvian Man by Key Poulan, Matt McGuire & Michael Moore / Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy, arranged by Key Poulan & Michael Moore / The Workshop by Matt McGuire & Michael Moore / Sogno di Volare by Christopher Tin, arranged by Key Poulan, Matt McGuire & Michael Moore	75.713	5th Place Open Class Finalist
2018		74.250	25th Place World Class Semifinalist
2019	Experiment X Act I: Balkan Dance by Etienne Crausaz / Egyptic by David Satori, Zoe Jakes, Tommy "Sidecar" Cappel (Beats Antique) Act II: Libertango by Astor Piazzolla Act III: Shallow by Stefani Germanotta (Lady Gaga), Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando & Andrew Wyatt Act IV: Gretel & Shofukan by Michael League (Snarky Puppy)	81.050	1st Place Open Class Champion
2019		80.350	19th Place World Class Semifinalist
2020	Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021	Opted out of competition for the season
2022	On the Edge Act I: Mustard Gas by Casey Crescenzo, Andy Wildrick, Erick Serna, Nick Crescenzo & Nate Patterson (The Dear Hunter) Act II: Backlash by Simon Dobson Act III: Retrograde by James Blake Act IV: Spark by Hiromi Uehara, Anthony Jackson & Simon Phillips	81.025	4th Place Open Class Finalist
2022		76.600	23rd Place World Class Semifinalist
2023	Surreal Zambra by Ojos de Brujo / Redemption for the Pain Endured by The Dear Hunter / Fables of Faubus by Charles Mingus / Playing God by Polyphia / Tragic Kingdom by No Doubt	82.263	1st Place Open Class Champion
2023		81.275	19th Place World Class Semifinalist
2024	Youtopia Frontier by Holly Herndon / Sweet Release: Church: Renewing Vows by Wynton Marsallis / Alfonso Muskedunder by Todd Terje / What Was I Made For? by Billie Eilish O'Connell & Finneas O'Connell / Air Waltz by Oliver Davis / Original music by Aaron Goldberg, Mark Sachetta, Bryson Teel & Brian	82.963	1st Place Open Class Champion
2024		81.525	19th Place World Class Semifinalist

References

^ "Corps". Drum Corps International. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Spartans". DCX: The Drum Corps Xperience. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
^ Carlson, Michael (2003). Vickers, Steve (ed.). A History of Drum & Bugle Corps, 2 Vols. Vol. 2. Drum Corps World.
^ "About Us | Spartans Drum & Bugle Corps - Nashua, NH".
^ "Drum-and-bugle corps files for bankruptcy". 13 January 2009.
^ Strom, Stephanie (20 February 2009). "Charities Now Seek Bankruptcy Protection". The New York Times.
^ "TransIP - Reserved domain".
^ "Cash reward: Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps is Chase-ing money award | New Hampshire NewHampshire.com". www.newhampshire.com. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014.
^ "Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps". 16 October 2010.
^ "DCI Open Class World Championship Finals".

External links

Official website

[Open_Class-11] From 1986–1991, the Spartans competed in Class A, from 1992–2007 in Division II, and have competed since 2008 in Open Class. These are the same tier, just renamed.

[World_Class-12] From 1997–2001, the Spartans also competed at the Division I championships, and since 2011 at the World Class championships. These are the same competition, just renamed.

[1] "Corps". Drum Corps International. Retrieved 24 February 2018.

[DCX-2] "Spartans". DCX: The Drum Corps Xperience. Retrieved 8 August 2019.

[3] Carlson, Michael (2003). Vickers, Steve (ed.). A History of Drum & Bugle Corps, 2 Vols. Vol. 2. Drum Corps World.

[4] "About Us | Spartans Drum & Bugle Corps - Nashua, NH".

[5] "Drum-and-bugle corps files for bankruptcy". 13 January 2009.

[6] Strom, Stephanie (20 February 2009). "Charities Now Seek Bankruptcy Protection". The New York Times.

[7] "TransIP - Reserved domain".

[8] "Cash reward: Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps is Chase-ing money award | New Hampshire NewHampshire.com". www.newhampshire.com. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014.

[9] "Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps". 16 October 2010.

[10] "DCI Open Class World Championship Finals".

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