Red Hussars

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The Red Hussars were an all-girl Drum & Bugle Corps based out of Port Arthur (Texas) High School from 1929-1993.

1 History
2 Tradition
3 Trivia
4 See Also
5 External Links

[edit] History

The Hussars were created by Elizabeth Smith "Smitty" Brown who was the head of the girls physical education department at what is now Thomas Jefferson High School in Port Arthur, Texas. The inspiration came from a trip in 1929 to California, where Ms. Brown watched a corps perform. Impressed by what she saw, she decided that a drum and bugle corps would be an excellent way to involved a large number of girls in a physical activity.

The Red Hussars were a group of 24 girls, with two drum majors, eight snare drums, two bass drums and 12 bugles. They were taught to march and play the instruments by O.L. "Pop" Lantz, the school's band director. Hazel Dunham Baron was the corps' first head drum major. The corps would meet during school three times a week to work on learning to march and play.

The Hussars' first public performance was September 30, 1930. The corps was an immediate success. They performed at football games, parades, and various venues throughout the state of Texas. By the 1960's, the corps expanded to well over 80 members. Being a Red Hussar was a major honor at Port Arthur High School.

By 1993, corps participation and interest waned and the program was disbanded. In spite of this, over 250 alumni met in 1996 and marched in Mardi Gras. They have since formed an alumni organization that is very active and meets on a regular basis.

Corps performing in a 1961 parade

[edit] Tradition

The corps' uniforms were modeled after Russian Cossack Cavalry uniforms. They were red and white uniforms decked with gold buttons and braids. All was topped off with a tall plumed hussar hat and a long white cape.
They were noted for entering performing a shuffling double-time.
The corps played a entrance tune entitled "Here They Come" which also became a motto for the corps.
Corps members performed in majorette boots which led to the tradition of rookie members "Getting their Boots."

[edit] Trivia

The Red Hussars were the first all-girl drum corps in the state of Texas.
By the time the corps became inactive in 1994, The Red Hussars was one of the oldest active drum corps in existance at 64 years.
Famed rock star Janis Joplin auditioned for the corps but did not make it.^{[citation needed]}