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History of the Corps
- 48th Field Squadron
- Flying Dutchmen Sr.
- Flying Dutchmen Jr.
- Dutch Boy Cadets
- Northstar
- 1977 Cadets of Dutch Boy
- Dutch Boy 1980-1993
- 1980 Cadets of Dutch Boy
- Dutch Boy 1998-2009

John Robins
- J.R. - 50 Years of Dedication
- J.R. - Words from Al Tierney
- John Robins Roast - 1986
- Memorial Video
- Tribute Video

Northstar Centre

Video
NYO 30th Anniversary
NYO 2007 Reunion
Recruitment Video 2008

PDF Brochure
CDCA 1934-1984
"Salute to 50" Years


CDCA Salute to 50

THE DUTCH BOY DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS 1980 - 1993

Dutch Boy Drum Corps
The Dutch Boy Drum and Bugle Corps entered International "A" Class competition with a new sound and a new look. From their original dirndls and lederhosen representative of the German heritage of Kitchener, Waterloo and Oktoberfest Country, Dutch Boy's new uniform was designed to recognize the evolving maturity of the Corps membership while maintaining the corps colours of forest green, red and white.

The Corps under the direction of John Robins, 1980 repertoire included: Miserlou; Sing, Sing, Sing; Cocktails for Two; Eli's Coming and Hill Where The Lord Hides. Dutch Boy won the Great Lakes Championship in Windsor, and the Ontario Provincial Drum Corps Championships. They were finalists in both the U.S. Open and the American International Drum Corps Championships.

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In 1981, the Corps competed in "A" class and "Open" class events internationally and won both the 1981 Ontario Provincial and Canadian National Drum Corps Championships and was a finalist in the U.S. Open, the American International, the Key to The Sea, and DCI, Montreal. They appeared in many parades, exhibitions, including Argo half-time shows and appeared in the television series "Circus" in November.

The repertoire included Meadowlands, Devil Came Down From Georgia, Chicago Medley, Elks Parade and Music finale.

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1982 was Dutch Boy's most successful competitive season so far, winning the "A" class championship for the third straight year both Nationally and Provincially. Major international titles included Toledo Key to the Sea, the Butler Pennsylvania American International Championship, the Whitewater Wisconsin Drum Corps Mid-West Championship and the much coveted World "A" Class Championship in Montreal, over a field of 50 other North American Drum & Bugle Corps. The 1982 repertoire included Meadowlands, Coo Coo U, You Are My Sunshine, Rampart Street Parade and One Voice.

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1983 Dutch Boy competed "Open" class and many people watched wondering how the Corps would fare making the tough transition from "A" class to "Open" class. Fielding a Corps of over 100 members their repertoire included Rocky, drum solo From Tears of Joy, the ballad from Silence and I and Rentry of Elgodo. Dutch Boy won the Great Lakes and Canadian Open Championships and were finalists in DCI East, Canadian DCI, Toledo Key To The Sea, and the U.S. Open. They were finalists at DCI Miami, finishing 23rd.

It was decided in 1984 to go in the direction of Movie Themes including excerpts from Rocky and Raiders of the Lost Ark. The Corps used many props and flag changes throughout the show and although they started the season slow they came on very strong to upset their competition by once again placing in the Top 25 at the DCI Championship in Atlanta, Georgia, with an inspirational program which brought tears to the eyes of the instructors and members.

Dutch Boy started the 1985 season off with a reduced membership which finally resulted in a meeting of the Corps members to decide if they would compete during the season. The Dutch Boy members voted unanimously to continue with the seasons schedule. The drill was rewritten for the smaller membership and resulted in many long hours on the drill field preparing for their first show which was one week away.

Trouble plagued the Corps all summer with a series of vehicle breakdowns which resulted in missed parades and competitions and numerous hours on the side of the road with no housing available. Dutch Boy marched 50 members and appeared small compared to the numbers their competitors fielded.

Reprinted from Drum Corps World, 1985:

June 28,Towson, MD. Dutch Boy -from Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario utilized a smooth and flowing drill which was we 11-designed for this smaller corps.

July 3, Macon, GA. With about 25 horns and around 15 flags, Dutch Boy was just limited in what effects it could produce. What they did play, found favor with the audience and some of their brass soloists did a fine job. It's hard to put up the numbers when you just don't have the bodies.

August 2, Canton, OH. Their performance was highlighted by the dramatically different appearance of their color guard. Their new uniform consisted of a soft pink skirt, white blouse with a gold and silver vest, white tights and a pink hat, all of which created a very soft and feminine look.

August 5, Altoona, PA. Overcoming transportation problems, Dutch Boy, from twin cities of Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, entered the field with fun-filled action-packed music of John Williams movie themes. Excerpts from Superman, Jaws and selections from ET along with visuals were included as well as the very feminine ballet-style of the guard. Despite being a much smaller group, Dutch Boy earned the respect of their competitors within the Drum Corp community. Although the season was a very tough one, 1985 developed a sense of pride in the marching members.

The 1985 season ended with Dutch Boy winning "The Best Band In The 1985 Oktoberfest Parade."

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The End of an Era - John Robin's "First" Retirement from the activity.

1985 was John's last season as the leader of Dutch Boy Drum Corps. From the advancement of a cadet class corps to world class "A" champions to an "Open" class Corps has been made by Dutch Boy through John's belief in the kids that are marching, his leadership qualities and his understanding of working with kids of all ages.

Dutch Boy like all Corps have had their share of good times and success, as well as the rough times, but, John was always there. He seemed to make himself less visible during the good or successful times. John could be seen standing back while members, parents and staff reveled in the excitement, but during the rough times John was right there with his kids.

The needs of the marching members had always been a most important part of John's life. Although Dutch Boy had lost their main link, the qualities John had instilled in the members would continue to be passed on to any one joining the organization.

Please continue to Page 2 - Dutch Boy - The Al DiCroce Era 1986-1993

Jump to a year by year look at this corps including synopsis, repertoire, photos, video and audio CLICK HERE.

 
 
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