Phoenix, Rochester

From DrumCorpsWiki

Phoenix is an inactive senior drum corps based in Rochester, New York.

1 History
2 Traditions
3 Trivia
4 External Links

[edit] History

The corps was formed as a parade corps in 1974.
In 1975 the corps was the Red Carpet Association champion.
The corps became inactive in 1976.

In the winter of 1974 A small group of friends elected to break away from the Rochester Crusaders Drum Corps, and start a new drum and bugle corps that could become a dynasty. The Rochester Phoenix Drum & Bugle Corps was born. This bird would rise from the ashes and become an institution for it's members for years to come. A drum and bugle corps powerhouse from Rochester NY. It was a wonderful and noble idea creating a drum and bugle corps from scratch. Much hard work, and many great times were by all. In 1974 the Phoenix marched many fireman parades and money gigs in t shirts and jeans just to make enough to pay rent on the equipment we borrowed and put a few bucks towards new drums and horns. During the winter months the corps hired a music director Al "Corky" Frabresio, and a full field show was put in motion for the 1975 marching season. Phoenix was not a member of DCA, so the corps marched the RCA show circuit. In home made uniforms from J.C.Penney's, The Phoenix lost only 1 show that summer, and won the RCA Championships. At the DCA preliminary in Rochester the Phoenix finished 4th, and finished 5th in the finals. The Phoenix had made it's mark on the drum corps world. In 1976 the corps produced a fantastic book unmatched by most other corps of the day and ahead of it's time with a progressive junior corps style. For reasons lost to the past, the Phoenix flame went out during the 1976 season never to be ignited again. The Rochester Phoenix Drum & Bugle Corps lives on only in a few recordings, photos, some home movies, and the minds of those who created and loved this drum corps.