Central Kilties

From DrumCorpsWiki

The Central Kilties (or the Central High School Kilties) are a junior all-girl parade corps based in Springfield, Missouri. They are organized and supported by Central High School. All members are girls in grades 10 through 12, with a select group of 9th grade girls.

[edit] History

The Central High School Kilties were founded in 1926 by Dr. R. Ritchie Robertson, and are the first all girl drum & bugle in the United States. The corps made its first public performance in 1926 at the Rotary Convention in Springfield, MO. The corps was originally called Ritchie's Scotch Lassis, with the name the Kilties being formally adopted in 1939.

The high standards of personal conduct and musical performance have distinguished the Central High School Kilties as an outstanding parade unit. For over 80 years, the Kilties have traveled all across the U.S. performing for countless crowds. The Kilties have performed at many notable events including: marchingin Kansas City for the St. Andrew Society of Scotsmen, the Sedalia State Fair, in front of President Harry S. Truman and President Gallegos of Venezuela, in the televised coverage of the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C., the 1961 Orange Bowl Parade, President George Herbert Walker Bush’s inaugural parade in Washington D.C., the 1996 Magic Music days at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, and in 2003 The Kilties, as well as the Hillcrest Highlanders, marched in London’s New Year’s Day Parade in front of England’s Queen Elizabeth II and the rest of the Royal Family.

The Kilties have proudly represented Springfield and the Ozarks all over the United States for over eighty years. The Kilties perform year round in numerous parades and events, in addition to countless school functions.