1963

Due to the corps’ success in the 1962 season we found ourselves in shows of a much higher caliber. This year the corps found itself competing against the so-called “top guns” which included the Interstatesmen and Brigadiers, and Baltimore Yankee Rebels.

The Drum Corps banquet for 1962 was held at the South Side Lanes. Recipients of awards were: Doug Huber for the best rookie of the year and Leroy Thompson as Kingsmen of the year. As is the case when the Kingsmen gather at any affair, a good time was had by all!!

Corps Officers for 1963 were as follows:

President Marlin Goodheart
Vice President Gerald Miller
Secretary Bert Larson
Treasurer Sam Hutka
Senator Michael Trask
Commander Dick O’Dell
Business Manager Jack Keller
Bugle Sgt. Ricky Whalen
Drum Sgt. Ralph Trauser
Color Guard Sgt. Peter Brown
Field Director Dick “Mac” McClain
Drum Major Ira Chatley
Chaplain Dennis Bamberg
Custodians James Crawford
Ira Chatley
Publicity Agent James Kessler
Instructors
Bugle & Musical Arrangements Milton Shettler
Drum Instructor Doug Reynolds
M&M Dick “Mac” McClain

Competitions for 1963

Hamilton, Ont tied for 3rd place $450
Rochester (Tournament of Drums) 5th place $400
Kingston, Ont. 1st place $500
Guelph, Ont. 3rd place $300
Warren, Pa. 3rd place $300
Titusville, Pa. 3rd place $400
Helmuth, NY 1st place $300
Gowanda, NY (NY-Penn) 2nd place $150
Erie, Pa. 2nd place $400

Total prize money including Competitions and Parades amounted to $5,600.

The season was comprised of 9 field shows and 17 other public appearances which included parades and field exhibitions.

Some of the highlights of the 1963 season were:

June 29, 1963 -- Kingston, Ontario
After spending an enjoyable day with the inhabitants, we completed the evening with a 1st place victory over our old rivals the Jesters. After the scores were tallied we found ourselves 7 full points ahead of them.

July 6, 1963 -- “Tournament of Drums” Rochester
The Kingsmen performed quite well in the show in many captions. The score sheets indicated that we equaled if not excelled the results of the other corps in many captions.

July 27, 1963 – Hamburg, NY Fourth Annual “Music in Motion”
The corps was again rewarded with an overflow crowd due to the fine effort of the corps as a whole.

After our final appearance on Sept. 8, 1963 at Erie, Pa., the corps entered the “off season” looking forward to a more successful 1964 season.

Gerald J. Miller, Vice Pres. 1963

1963 con’t.

Nov. 1963
The Annual Drum Corps Banquet was held at the K. of C. Hall in Lackawanna. “New member of the year” award was won by Leo Manley. “Kingsmen of the year” was won by Pete Brown. It was another wonderful evening “on the town” for the corps members, their wives & girlfriends and honored Guests.

Added by Gene Forness to complete the 1963 season.