The Sunrisers Drum and Bugle Corps is an all-age competitive drum corps based on Long Island, New York. The corps is a member of Drum Corps Associates (DCA) and Drum Corps International (DCI) and competes in the All-Age Class.
The Sunrisers have won six DCA World Class Championship titles, one DCA Class A World Championship title, and one American Legion National Championship title. The corps is historically notable for being the first in drum corps history to receive a perfect score in the General Effect Brass caption in 1978, for delivering a “tickless” snare performance in 1983, and setting a world record high Class A score in 2007. The Sunrisers also won the DCA Best Percussion award for five consecutive years and earned two consecutive DCA Best Color Guard titles.
The corps has been recognized for its role in advancing female participation in drum corps. The Sunrisers included the first DCA female color guard member, the first mixed-gender guard, the first DCA female instrumentalist and horn player, and the first DCA female lead soprano and soloist.Allard, R. (Host). (2012, July 16). Episode 041: Long Island Sunrisers (No. 041) [Audio podcast episode]. In The Drum Corps History Podcast. Diceman Radio. http://dicemanradio.com/dhp/?p=422
History
Pre-DCA/DCI (1950–1965)
Founding (1950) The Sunrisers Drum and Bugle Corps was founded in 1950 in Lakeview, West Hempstead, Long Island. Its origins trace to a meeting of a Marine Corps League, during which John Hodge, a World War II veteran and former U.S. Marine, proposed establishing a youth music program. Hodge’s proposal led to the creation of the Marine’s Memorial Drum Corps of Nassau County, initially operating as a junior parade corps.
The early corps acquired its first set of instruments from the Hempstead Fire Department for $140, a purchase that included four snare drums, two bass drums, fifteen G bugles, cymbals, and several additional instruments.
Transition to senior corps (1953) By 1953, the junior corps was struggling due to declining youth membership. In response, Hodge announced that the Sunrisers would be re-formatted as a senior corps. The change quickly boosted membership, attracting former players from pre-war corps who had relocated to Long Island. In the spring of 1953, bugle instructor Ray Nichols assembled a 20-man hornline. The instructional staff expanded to include drum instructor Herb Weir, bass drummer Harry Porffitt, and bass drummer Fred Rose, who would later become the corps’ manager. The surge in membership enabled the purchase of new valve horns, drums, and uniforms reflecting Nassau County’s colors—orange, blue, and white. To honor Nicholas's French compositional arrangement, blue berets became the new headgear for the corps.
Parade corps years (1954–1957) In 1954, the drum corps’ name was changed to the Sunrisers when Hodge, while listening to the radio, heard the song "The World is Waiting for the Sunrise" by Les Paul and Mary Ford. Nicholas arranged the theme for the corps and the song became the corps’ signature piece until it was later replaced with Battle Hymn of the Republic.Dorritie, F., & Haring, F. (2003). Sunrisers. In A history of drum & bugle corps: Volume 2. Drum Corps Sights and Sounds.
From 1954 through 1957, the Sunrisers were a prominent corps in the Long Island area, participating in numerous parades and exhibitions, competing in standstill competitions, and winning in all categories.
Competitive circuit years (1958–1965) Instructor Jack Dobson and the Sunriser management enrolled the corps in the Yankee Circuit, with their first show taking place in New Rochelle in 1958. The Sunrisers placed last with a score of 58.2, but nevertheless made a strong impression on other corps, who remarked Sun was a "nice corps," noting their appreciation of their "little French berets.” From that moment forward, the Sunrisers began transforming from a parade corps into a competitive field corps.
Over the next eight years, the corps competed across both the Yankee and Northeastern circuits. With limited junior corps opportunities in New York State, younger performers increasingly joined the corps, gradually shifting its traditionally military membership into a more traditional "all-age" corps. During this period, the corps also welcomed several legendary musicians—Steve Buglino, Brian O'Connell, Skip Heaney, and Paul Keglano—whose contributions would help define the Sunrisers’ developing sound.
In 1963, the Sunrisers performed on the stage of Carnegie Hall.Sunrisers Drum and Bugle Corps. (1964). 1963 Carnegie Hall [Photograph]. DCX Museum. https://www.dcxmuseum.org/viewfile.cfm?pictureid=425 Sunriser lead soprano Frank Dorritie, Grammy-winning artist, recounted his experience as he stepped onto the stage:"...the curtain opened and spots and footlights nearly blinded us. Squinting, I could make out the edge of the stage, boom stands holding Dick Blake's microphones and finally, the people in the balconies that seemed stacked one upon the other to the sky."Dorritie, F., & Haring, F. (2003). Sunrisers. In A history of drum & bugle corps: Volume 2 (p. 403). Drum Corps Sights and Sounds.A significant milestone came when the corps earned third place at the Roosevelt Stadium prelims, placing among top competitors. That performance—highlighted by a Billy Cobham–inspired drum solo—marked a major turning point for the organization and signaled the Sunrisers’ emergence as a rising force on the competitive field.
DCA World Class (1966–1999)
Transitional years (1966–1969)
1966 The corps joined Drum Corps Associates (DCA) in 1966 after rising through the Northeastern and Interstate circuits. In their inaugural DCA season, the corps placed second to the Hawthorne Caballeros Drum and Bugle Corps by 1.10 points at J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown, Pennsylvania.Drum Corps Associates (1965–1969). Drum Corps Associates championship history – the 60s. DiceMan Radio. http://dicemanradio.com/SrCorps/dca1960.htm
1968 – American Legion National Championship title In 1968, the Sunrisers won the American Legion National Championship. Their show was remembered for its development of a new movement style based on a relaxed, controlled 25-inch stride. The Sunrisers also performed at the Macy's Day Parade.Sunrisers Drum and Bugle Corps. (1968). Sunrisers at Macy’s Day Parade [Photograph]. DCX Museum. https://www.dcxmuseum.org/viewfile.cfm?pictureid=86751
1969 Although the corps did not receive any major awards, the 1969 season is generally considered the Sunrisers’ finest of the decade. Highlights included their notable performance of “Procession of the Nobles,” the first DCA corps to introduce a female guard member as well as a mixed-gender guard, and the incorporation of G-F bugles into the corps. This year was also significant as John Sasso, former principal horn of the New York Philharmonic, began integrating ensemble etudes, exercises, and chorales into brass training. Rookie lead soprano Wayne Downey would later adapt the studies he learned at Sunrisers for use with the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps.
Formative struggles (1970–1974) From 1970 to 1972, the corps experienced a changing of the guard in staff, management, and overall direction. As DCA competition became increasingly competitive, the corps—despite being considered strong and popular—did not contend for first place. Drum Corps Associates (1970–1979). Drum Corps Associates championship history – the 70s. DiceMan Radio. http://dicemanradio.com/SrCorps/dca1970.htm
In 1974, Mike DeLorenzo was appointed as the corps’ new director. The Sunrisers began to attract an influx of younger members from New Jersey, New York City, and Westchester County, New York. However, the corps struggled with a small hornline and ultimately finished in eighth place.
First wave of success (1975–1979)
1975 The corps experienced a dramatic shift toward promise in 1975. Gene Bennett--Sunriser guard captain, drum major, and drill technician--designed the Sunrisers’ visual program, while John Sasso led the brass program. Ray Fallon--widely recognized as one of the most creative brass arrangers in the drum and bugle corps community--joined John Arietano—a Sunriser brass veteran since 1966 and arranger—in taking on larger roles as brass instructors and arrangers. The corps also hired several of the most prominent percussion staff in the scene, including Dennis DeLucia, Dave Francischina, Brian Callahan, Rich Sassani, and Jim Mellon.
1976 In 1976, at their first show of the season in Teaneck, New Jersey, the corps adopted Aussie-style hats. They performed their opener "Procession of the Nobles" as a reference to famous 1969 season and finished third at DCA finals.
1977 – DCA World Class Championship title The 1977 DCA season featured a closely contested title battle between the Sunrisers and the Hawthorne Caballeros. Throughout the season, both corps consistently placed ahead of all other competitors, with the Sunrisers defeating the Caballeros in several shows and narrowly losing in others.
The Sunrisers’ 1977 show design and arrangements were led by Bennett, Arietano, and DeLucia, with additional staff support from Dave and Pete Francischina, Sassani, Tom McCarthy, Ted Sasso, and Ted Human. Tom Hart served as drum major.
At the DCA Prelims held at J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown, Pennsylvania, the Sunrisers finished three points ahead of the Caballeros.
At finals, the Sunrisers were awarded first place over the Caballeros by only five-hundredths of a point, scoring 94.15, earning the corps its first DCA World Championship.
1978 – DCA World Class Championship title In 1978, the corps won first place by nearly three points and earned caption awards for horns, percussion, color guard, and general effect. The Sunrisers also received the first-ever perfect score in the General Effect Brass caption.
1979 The Sunrisers entered the 1979 season with a large brass section, a highly regarded drum line, and a strong color guard. Despite these strengths, the corps was unable to secure a third consecutive championship, finishing third at finals while winning the percussion caption award.
Rebuilding the Corps (1980) The 1980 season was a rebuilding year for the Sunrisers following the departure of several longtime members and the retirement of staff members Mike DeLorenzo and Gene Bennett. Veteran member Len Herring Jr. assumed the role of corps director, while Bobby Hoffman, formerly of the Bayonne Bridgemen, was hired to design the drill for the season. Brass arranger John Arietano introduced a version of "Send in the Clowns" that would become a signature piece for the corps, and Dennis Dewey joined as brass coordinator. The corps was awarded with the percussion caption award and placed sixth with a score of 83.150.Drum Corps Associates (1980–1989). Drum Corps Associates championship history – the 80s. DiceMan Radio. http://dicemanradio.com/SrCorps/dca1980.htm
The season also featured a memorable incident involving the Westshoremen at finals: after their performance, the Sunrisers released a flock of birds that were expected to fly away but instead remained on the field, delaying the Sunrisers’ start. DCA judge Walter Kelly allegedly fired a pistol in an attempt to scare the birds away.
Second wave of success (1981–1989)
1981 In 1981, the Sunrisers debuted a bright new uniform featuring orange tunic-style tops and blue pants, alongside a show incorporating pop, jazz, and Broadway tunes. The Sunrisers’ battery won the percussion trophy at DCA Finals, and the corps placed second overall.
1982 – DCA World Class Championship title In 1982, the corps overcame a slow start to capture the DCA Championship, winning by two points. The percussion section again received top honors.
1983 – DCA World Class Championship title