Hawthorne Caballeros Drum and Bugle Corps

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The Hawthorne Caballeros
Cabs logo.jpg
LocationHawthorne, New Jersey
DivisionOpen Class
Founded1946
DirectorJames J. Costello Jr.
Championship titlesDCA: 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1984, 1985, 1995, 2003, 2021
UniformWhite satin shirts with wide collar, red cummerbund and drop sash, black pants with red kickpleats, black shoes, and black sombrero

The Hawthorne Caballeros, sponsored by American Legion Post #199 in Hawthorne, New Jersey, is a drum and bugle corps entering their 76th season of competition.[1]

They have won the Drum Corps Associates (DCA) World Championship 10 times, the American Legion National Title 16 times, the National Dream Contest 17 times, and the New Jersey State American Legion Title 43 times. They have completed 5 undefeated seasons, consecutively in 1984 and 1985. They have placed in the Top 3 at the DCA World Championship 36 times in 56 appearances.

History[]

Founding years (1946-1966)[]

On March 20, 1946, the Caballeros were officially organized by a small group of recent veterans, former members of the St. George Cadets, including Jim Costello, his brother Bob, future brother-in law John McAuliffe Joe Scarber, and George Hayek. A few short weeks later, the corps made its first appearance.

In August of 1947, the Caballeros attended their first National American Legion Championship contest at Randall's Island Stadium in New York City, and placed eighth. In 1948, the corps attended the Nationals in Miami, finishing fifth; but a year later, they were disqualified because they had not finished in the top ten at the 1949 Nationals in Philadelphia. A month later, however, after regrouping and putting in some extra practice sessions, the Caballeros won their first Legion State Championship at Wildwood, New Jersey over the Jersey Joes of Riverside, the 1948 National Champions.

The Caballeros developed into a first rate contender, to which 1951 proved to be a pivotal year. The Caballeros went on to win their first Legion National Championship. While in Miami, were offered a trip to Havana by the State Department, which was declined. The Caballeros would win the Legion National Championship in 1953, 1954, and attained a seven year winning streak from 1958 to 1964. By the discontinuing of the American Legion Championship in 1980, the Caballeros had won 15 times. After the 1958 Nationals, the Caballeros accepted another offer to tour Havana.

Transition to DCA[]

In the late fifties and early sixties, there was a growing consensus among drum corps in rejecting the Legion Nationals as a legitimate championship, primarily because for more years than not, the contest was held in a distant city; generally convenient for Legionnaires attending the convention, but not for drum & bugle corps based in the Northeast. Unfortunately, the drum corps championship was one small event in the overall Legion convention, and most of the top corps, including the Caballeros, often found it difficult to make the considerable expenditure in money and time to attend an event in cities such as Los Angeles, Portland, or New Orleans. The logistics and costs involved in transporting and housing a large corps over such distances was simply far greater than it was worth, often taking a year or longer to recover from financially. In addition to the financial burden on corps in general, the Legion rules were based largely on military concepts and styles. As the war years faded further and further into history and senior corps became increasingly staffed with non-veterans, there was a general feeling that the Legion's rigid competition rules had become outdated and overly restrictive.

Frustrations which existed mainly from these two situations gave birth in 1965 to Drum Corps Associates (DCA), a sanctioning body founded by drum corps people to be focused on, and devoted exclusively to senior drum & bugle corps competition.

The Caballeros would continue to attend the Legion National Championships until the final championship in 1980, which the Caballeros won.

DCA years (1966-present)[]

A member of DCA since 1966, the Caballeros have fielded a finalist corps every year since. The corps would be the first to distinguish themselves with a winning streak, winning DCA championships thrice from 1973 to 1975. In 1984 and 1985, the Caballeros completed two undefeated seasons. In 1989, during the DCA's twenty-fifth anniversary celebration, fans voted the Caballeros as their all-time favorite drum and bugle corps. In 2002, the corps would place outside of the top five for the first time in 34 years. The corps would place its lowest in recent years with the 2005 season. However, the corps would climb back into the top five in subsequent years, but fall back out top five for the 2018 season. In 2020, with the growing threat of COVID-19, the Caballeros would not perform a season for the first time since its founding. In 2021, the Caballeros completed an undefeated championship season. The Caballeros have won ten championships, the most recent being in 2021.[2]

Show summary 1951-2021[]

Source:[3]

Key
Pale Blue indicates DCA Open Class Finalist
Gold indicates DCA Open Class Championship
Year Theme Repertoire Score Placement
1951 Fanfare / Rio Rita by Harry Tierney / I Want to Be Happy (from No, No Nanette) by Vincent Youmans / America the Beautiful by Samuel A. Ward / Yankee Doodle (Traditional) / Avalon by David C. Wilson / When My Baby Smiles at Me by Harry Von Tilzer / Jealousy by Jacob Gade / Tango of Love by Natali / Begin the Beguine by Cole Porter / Blue Skies (from Alexander's Ragtime Band) by Irving Berlin / Valencia by Jose Padilla / Three Little Words (from Three Little Words) by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby / Who'll Take My Place When I'm Gone by Billy Fazoli /??/ March of the Toreadors (from Carmen) by Georges Bizet /??/??/ On the Road to Mandalay by Oley Speaks 93.150 American Legion 1st
1952 Fanfare / Rio Rita by Harry Tierney /??/ Yankee Doodle Dandy by George M. Cohan / Avalon by David C. Wilson / When My Baby Smiles at Me by Harry Von Tilzer / Jealousy by Jacob Gade / Tango of Love by Natali / Blue Skies (from Alexander's Ragtime Band) by Irving Berlin / Green Eyes by Nelson Mendoza / Valencia by Jose Padilla / Three Little Words (from Three Little Words) by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby / Who'll Take My Place When I'm Gone by Billy Fazoli /?? / March of the Toreadors (from Carmen) by Georges Bizet /??/ In Spain They Say Sisi by Ernesto Lecuona / Adios by Jimmy Webb 92.083 American Legion 2nd
1953 La Virgen de la Macarena by Bernardino Bautista Monterde / The Three Caballeros / A Gay Ranchero by Juan José Espinosa, Abe Tuvim, and Francia Luban / Finicule Finicula / America the Beautiful by Samuel A. Ward / Yankee Doodle Dandy by George M. Cohan / It Takes Two To Tango by Al Hoffman / Zena, Zena, Zena / Jealousy by Jacob Gade / Green Eyes by Nelson Mendoza / Valencia by José Padilla / Rio Rita by Tierney, Harry / Chiquita Banana by L. MacKenzie, G. Montgomery, W. Wirges, / Mambo Jambo by Damaso Perez Prado / In Spain They Say Sisi by Ernesto Lecuona / Adios by Jimmy Webb 91.833 American Legion 1st
1954 La Virgen de la Macarena by Bernardino Bautista Monterde / The Three Caballeros / A Gay Ranchero by Juan José Espinosa, Abe Tuvim, and Francia Luban / Finicule Finicula by Luigi Denza / American Fanfare / Of the Three I Sing Baby by George Gershwin / It Takes Two To Tango by Al Hoffman / Zena, Zena, Zena / Malaguena by Ernesto Lecuona / Taboo by Quintero Lecuona /?? / El Relicaro / Valencia by José Padilla / Rio Rita by Harry Tierney / Mambo Jambo by Damaso Perez Prado / In Spain They Say Sisi by Ernesto Lecuona / Adios by Jimmy Webb 90.366 American Legion 1st
1955 Fanfare /??/ Zabumba by Beatrice Ogden / America/Of Thee I Sing Baby / It Takes Two to Tango by Al Hoffman / Zena Zena Zena / Malaguena by Ernesto Lecuona / Taboo by Quintero Lecuona / El Relicario by Jose Padilla / Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White by Louiguy, Marcel Ageron, and Mack David / Babalou / Adios by Jimmy Webb 87.283 American Legion 4th
1956 Fanfare /??/ Guadalcanal March (from Victory at Sea) by Richard Rodgers / It Takes Two Tango by Al Hoffman / Babalou / Malaguena by Ernesto Lecuona / Taboo by Quintero Lecuona / El Relicario by Jose Padilla / Zabumba by Beatrice Ogden / Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White by Louiguy, Marcel Ageron, and Mack David / Frensi by Alberto Dominguez / Adios by Jimmy Webb
1957 España Cani by Pascual Marquina Narro / Guadalcanal March (from Victory at Sea) by Richard Rodgers / Sadie's Shawl by Nico Carstens / Babalou / Peanut Vendor (from A Star is Born) by Moises Simons / Zabumba by Beatrice Ogden / Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White by Louiguy, Marcel Ageron, and Mack David / Frensi by Alberto Dominguez
1958 España Cani by Pascual Marquina Narro / Guadalcanal March (from Victory at Sea) by Richard Rodgers / Sadie's Shawl by Nico Carstens / Peanut Vendor (from A Star is Born) by Moises Simons / El Relicario by Jose Padilla / Zabumba by Beatrice Ogden / Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White by Louiguy, Marcel Ageron, and Mack David / La Cumparsita by Gerardo Mato Rodriguez / Serenata by Isaac Albeniz / Spanish Fanfare American Legion 1st
1959 España Cani by Pascual Marquina Narro / Guadalcanal March (from Victory at Sea) by Richard Rodgers / Kings Cross Climax / Granada by Agustin Lara / La Virgen de la Macarena by Bernardino Bautista Monterde / Zabumba by Beatrice Ogden / Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White by Louiguy, Marcel Ageron, and Mack David / La Cumparsita by Gerardo Mato Rodriguez / Baia by Ary Barroso / Fanfare American Legion 1st
1960 España Cani by Pascual Marquina Narro / El Torero by Wayne Robinson / Cachita by Rafael Hernandez Marin / Siboney by Ernesto Lecuona / Theme from I Love Lucy by George A. Tipton / Cuban Pete by Jose Norman / Cha Cha Cha Flamenco by Mario de Jesus / See You September by Sherman Edwards and Sid Wayne American Legion 1st
1961 España Cani by Pascual Marquina Narro / Carmen by Georges Bizet / Cachita by Rafael Hernandez Marin / Siboney by Ernesto Lecuona / Theme from I Love Lucy by George A. Tipton / Cuban Pete by Jose Norman / Cha Cha Cha Flamenco by Mario de Jesus / Nightingale by Igor Stravinsky American Legion 1st
1962 España Cani by Pascual Marquina Narro / Carmen by Georges Bizet / El Cid by Miklos Rozsa / Cachita by Rafael Hernandez Marin / Siboney by Ernesto Lecuona / Theme from I Love Lucy by George A. Tipton / Cuban Pete by Jose Norman / Cha Cha Cha Flamenco by Mario de Jesus / See You September by Sherman Edwards and Sid Wayne / España Cani by Pascual Marquina Narro American Legion 1st
1963 España Cani by Pascual Marquina Narro / March of the Toreadors / La Habanera (both from Carmen by Georges Bizet) / Cha Cha Cha Flamenco by Mario de Jesus / Peanut Vendor (from A Star is Born) by Moises Simons / I Love You and Don't Forget it / Johnny One Note (from Babes in Arms) by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart / I'll Remember April American Legion 1st
1964 España Cani by Pascual Marquina Narro / Sunday in Madrid by Helmut Bruesewitz / America (from West Side Story) by Leonard Berstein / City of Brass by Jerry Fielding / El Cumbanchero by Rafael Hernandez Marin / Johnny One Note (from Babes in Arms) by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart / I Wish You Love by Charles Trenet, Léo Chauliac and Albert A. Beach American Legion 1st
1965 España Cani by Pascual Marquina Narro / Sunday in Madrid by Helmut Bruesewitz / Johnny One Note (from Babes in Arms) by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart / Mambo #5 by Damaso Perez Prado / Tico Tico by Aloysio de Oliveria and Ervin Drake / I Wish You Love by Charles Trenet, Léo Chauliac and Albert A. Beach / España Cani by Pascual Marquina Narro
1966 España Cani by Pascual Marquina Narro / Malaguena by Ernesto Lecuona / Chim Chim Chiree (from Mary Poppins) by Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman / I Got Plenty of Nothin' (from Porgy and Bess) by George Gershwin / Granada by Agustin Lara / Valencia by Jose Padilla / Strangers in the Night by Bert Kaempfert and Charles Singleton 83.020 5th
1967 España Cani by Pascual Marquina Narro / Malaguena by Ernesto Lecuona / Sunday in Seville by Monty Kelly / Oye Negra by John Camacho / Granada by Agustin Lara / Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White by Louiguy, Marcel Ageron, and Mack David / Strangers in the Night by Bert Kaempfert and Charles Singleton 83.800 2nd
1968 España Cani by Pascual Marquina Narro / Sunday in Madrid by Helmut Bruesewitz / Sunday in Seville by Monty Kelly / Speedy Gonzales by Henry Mancini / Caravan by Juan Tizol / Mas Que Nada by Jorge Ben / La Bamba by Ritchie Valens 75.650 8th
1969 España Cañi by Pascual Marquina Narro / The Impossible Dream (from Man of La Mancha) by Mitch Leigh and Joe Darion / Limbo Rock by David Appell / El Relicario by José Padilla / Freak In by Larry Kerchner / Ted Meets Ed by John Keating / Hurry Sundown by Hugo Montenegro 67.950 7th
1970 Captain from Castile by Alfred Newman / Ted Meets Johnny / Sabre Dance (from Gayne Ballet) by Aram Khachturian / 1812 Overture by Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky / Samba de Orpheo by Luiz Bonfa 82.775 1st
1971 Captain from Castile by Alfred Newman / Cha Cha Cha Flamenco by Mario de Jesus / We've Only Just Begun by Roger Nichols and Paul Williams / 1812 Overture by Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky / Samba de Orpheo by Luiz Bonfa 90.625 3rd
1972 España Cañi by Pascual Marquina Narro / El Gato Mones by Enrique Calva / Captain from Castile by Alfred Newman / Theme from Patton by Jerry Goldsmith / Everybody's Everything by Carlos Santana, David Brown, and Tyrone Moss / Sabre Dance (from Gayne Ballet) by Aram Khachturian / Cha Cha Cha Flamenco by Mario de Jesus / SAmba de Orpheo by Luiz Bonfa 90.600 1st
1973 Man of La Mancha by Mitch Leigh and Joe Darion / South Rampart Street Parade by Ray Bauduc and Bob Haggart / Everbody's Everything by Carlos Santana, David Brown and Tyrone Moss / Sabre Dance (from Gayne Ballet) by Aram Khachturian / Cha Cha Cha Flamenco by Mario de Jesus / Harmonica Man by Sam White 89.850 1st
1974 Man of La Mancha by Mitch Leigh and Joe Darion / Sweet Gypsy Rose by Lawrence Brown / Soul Train by Alwyn Roberts / MacArthur Park by Jimmy Webb / Cha Cha Cha Flamenco by Mario de Jesus / Harmonica Man by Sam White 83.500 1st
1975 Conquest (from Captain from Castille) by Alfred Newman / TSOP (from Soul Train) by Alwyn Roberts / Opening Theme (from Chico and the Man) by Jose Feliciano / MacArthur Park by Jimmy Webb / Cha Cha Cha Flamenco by Mario de Jesus / Closing Theme (from Chico and the Man) by Jose Feliciano 91.110 2nd
1976 Bully by Mike Simpson / Brazil (from The Gang's All Here) by Ary Barroso and Bob Russell / Echano by Chuck Mangione / Cha Cha Cha Flamenco by Mario de Jesus / Hill Where the Lord Hides by Chuck Mangione 92.500 1st
1977 Bully by Mike Simpson / Echano by Chuck Mangione / Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo / Closing Theme (from Chico and the Man) by Jose Feliciano 94.100 2nd
1978 España Cañí (Spanish Gypsy Dance) by Pascual Marquina Narro / Land of Make Believe (Drum Solo) by Chuck Mangione / Echano by Chuck Mangione / Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo / Salsation (Drum Solo) / Espirito del Toro 88.050 2nd
1979 Conquest (from Captain From Castile) by Alfred Newman / Conquistador by Jay Chattaway and Maynard Ferguson / Celebration Suite by Chick Corea / Night on Bald Mountain by Modest Mussorgsky / Bull Fever 89.250 2nd
1980 Malaguena by Ernesto Lecuona / Malaguena by Ernesto Lecuona / La Bamba by Ritchie Valens / Celebration Suite by Chick Corea / El Cid by Miklos Rozsa / Don't Cry for Me Argentina (from Evita) by Andrew Lloyd Webber / Hoedown (from Rodeo) by Aaron Copland 88.950 2nd
1981 Malaguena by Ernesto Lecuona / Late in The Evening by Paul Simon / La Fiesta by Chick Chorea / Marianne by Terry Gillkyson / Don't Cry for Me Argentina (from Evita) by Andrew Lloyd Webber / España Cañí by Pascual Marquina Narro 85.150 5th
1982 La Virgen de la Macarena by Bernardino Bautista Monterde / Faces by Larry Dunn and Verdine White and Maurice White and Bailey and Philip F / Land of Make Believe by Chuck Mangione / Don't Cry for Me Argentina (from Evita) by Andrew Lloyd Webber / España Cañí by Pascual Marquina Narro 87.450 4th
1983 La Virgen de la Macarena by Bernardino Bautista Monterde / Rio by Mack David and Oswaldo Santiago and Alcyr Pires Vermelho / El Toro Caliente by Joaquin Rodrigo / Frankenstein by Edgar Winter Group / Don't Cry for Me Argentina (from Evita) by Andrew Lloyd Webber / España Cañí by Pascual Marquina Narro 89.950 2nd
1984 Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquin Rodrigo / Nothing But D. Best by Denzel de Costa Best / Malaguena by Ernesto Lecuona / Don't Cry for Me Argentina (from Evita) by Andrew Lloyd Webber 92.400 1st
1985 Corre Nina byFlora Purim / Malaguena by Ernesto Lecuona / L.A. Is My Lady by Quincy Jones / España Cañí by Pascual Marquina Narro 92.500 1st
1986 Bully by Mike Simpson / Carnival by Maynard Ferguson / Echos by John Arietano / El Gato Triste by Chuck Mangione / España Cañí by Pascual Marquina Narro 90.900 3rd
1987 Man of La Mancha by Mitch Leigh and Joe Darion / Company (from Company) by Stephen Sondheim / Ritual Fire Dance by Igor Stravinsky / Georgetown (from St. Elmo's Fire) by David Foster / España Cañí by Pascual Marquina Narro / 93.240 2nd
1988 Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquin Rodrigo / 91.940 5th
1989 Artistry in Rhythm / Granada Smoothie / Malaga / Peanut Vendor / Reuben's Blues / 93.000 3rd
1990 Granada Smoothie / Maria (from West Side Story) / Malaguena / 96.200 3rd
1991 Pictures in Spain by Evgeny Svetlanov / Here We Are by Gloria Estefan / Get on Your Feet by John DeFaria, Clay Ostwald, and Jorge Casas / Echano by Chuck Mangione 96.300 2nd
1992 Symphonic Dance #3-Fiesta by Clifton Williams / One More Time Chuck Corea by Gene Purling / Don't Cry for Me Argentina (from Evita) by Andrew Lloyd Webber / España Cani by Pascual Marquina Narro 94.200 3rd
1993 One Hand One Heart / Prologue / Mambo / America / Somewhere (All from West Side Story by Leonard Berstein) 93.200 3rd
1994 Pictures of Spain by Evgeny Svetlanov / El Borojol by Ramon Reyes / Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquin Rodrigo / España Cani by Pascual Marquina Narro 95.400 2nd
1995 Spanish Fantasies Malaguena by Ernesto Lecuona / Conquistador by Jay Chattaway and Maynard Ferguson / Spanish Fantasy by Chick Corea / Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquin Rodrigo / España Cani by Pascual Marquina Narro 97.770 1st
1996 Celebration D'Oro Entrance to Reality / Bully / Concierto de Aranjuez / Malaguena / Spanish Fantasy / Evita (from Evita) / España Cañí   96.800 2nd
1997 La Virgen de la Macarena / My Spanish Heart / En Fuego   95.400 3rd
1998 El Corazon de Toro / El Toro Caliente / Concierto de Aranjuez / Lateen / Malaga   95.000 3rd
1999 The Mask of Zorro The Plaza of Execution (from The Mask of Zorro) / The Legend - Zorro's Theme (from The Mask of Zorro) / The Tornado Ride (from The Mask of Zorro) / The Mask/Espana (from The Mask of Zorro)   94.500 5th
2000 Fiesta de España Fantasia de Espania / La Cumparsita / La Fiesta / Beautiful Maria of My Soul (from The Mambo Kings) / España Cañí 95.700 2nd
2001 En Vuelo / When She Loved Me / Spain / Perfidia / España Cañí 95.350 3rd
2002 1975 Muchachos Pictures De Espana / Pines of Rome / La Fiesta / Marianne / Concierto de Aranjuez 91.150 6th
2003 El Toro Nuevo El Toro Rojo (from El Toro Nuevo) / The Prayer / El Toro Furioso (from El Toro Nuevo) 97.375 1st
2004 Pamplona: - Fiesta de San Fermin - The Running of the Bulls Chupinazo y Fiesta (from Pamplona!) / San Fermin (from Pamplona!) / Encierro (from Pamplona!) / Corrida de Toros (from Pamplona!) 95.100 4th
2005 Passage to the Pyramid The River Nile (from Passage to the Pyramid) / Sandstorm (from Passage to the Pyramid) / The Riddle and Passage to the Great Pyramid (from Passage to the Pyramid) 89.688 7th
2006 Reflections Through the Future! Fuego (from Reflections Through the Future!) / Malaga / Spain / Reflections of El Toro (from Reflections Through the Future!)   95.000 4th
2007 Carmen 2007 96.650 2nd
2008 Sketches of Spain El Camino Real / Spanish Fantasy / My Spanish Heart / Malaguena   93.625 5th
2009 Ritmos de Pasión España Cañí / Amparito Roca / Time To Say Goodbye (Con Te Parto) / El Diablo Rojo! (drum solo) / A Mis Abuelos   94.328 5th
2010 Behind the Mask; Spanish Heritage Behind The Mask 93.963 5th
2011 Heritage: The Days of Future Past Memoriam / Malaguena / Call To The Bulls   93.130 5th
2012 ¡Alegria! Shades of the Heart Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring / Alegria / Bolero   94.780 3rd
2013 unRavel! Bolero / Rhapsodie Espagnole / Time To Say Goodbye / Paint it Black   96.980 2nd
2014 Entrapment Seduction (from Entrapment) / Allure / Pursuit (from Entrapment) / Hypnotized (from Entrapment) / Entrapped (from Entrapment)   95.530 3rd
2015 Unchained Bound (from Unchained) / Restrained (from Unchained) / Unchained Melody / Free (from Unchained)   94.880 4th
2016 Red, White & Black Malaguena / Million Years Ago / Original Composition   94.280 4th
2017 The Pathway of Remembrance La Fiesta Mexicana / Stairway To Heaven / Zambra / La Fiesta   94.380 4th
2018 DuEal España Cani / Asturias / Original Music / Nights in White Satin / Main Theme from (Green Hornet   91.950 6th
2019 Out of the Box La Ruptara / Mombozart / Northern Lights / Reduce, Reuse, Recycle / Trio Saxiana / Viego Nuevo   95.200 3rd
2020 Season Cancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic
2021 At the End of the Tunnel Arrival of the Birds / Oscillation / Milonga del Angel / Renewal   94.650 1st

DCA championship seasons[]

1970[]

Score: 82.775

Repertoire: Captain From Castile / Ted Meets Johnny / Sabre Dance (from Gayne Ballet) / 1812 Overture / Samba de Orpheo

1972[]

Score: 90.600

Repertoire: El Gato Montes / Captain From Castile / Theme from Patton / Everybody's Everything / Sabre Dance (from Gayne Ballet) / Cha Cha Cha Flamenco / Samba de Orpheo

1973[]

Score: 89.850

Repertoire: Man of La Mancha / South Rampart Street Parade / Everybody's Everything / Sabre Dance (from Gayne Ballet) / Cha Cha Cha Flamenco / Harmonica Man

1974[]

Score: 83.500

Repertoire: Man of La Mancha / Sweet Gypsy Rose / Soul Train / Mac Arthur Park / Cha Cha Cha Flamenco / Harmonica Man

1976[]

Score: 92.500

Repertoire: Bully / Brazil (from The Gang's All Here) / Echano (from Children of Sanchez) / Cha Cha Cha Flamenco / Hill Where the Lord Hides

1984[]

Score: 92.400

Concierto de Aranjuez / Nothing But D. Best / Malaguena / Don't Cry for Me Argentina (from Evita)

1985[]

Score: 92.500

Repertoire: Corre Nina / Upstart / Malaguena / L.A. Is My Lady / España Cani

1995[]

Score: 97.700

Repertoire: Malaguena / Conquistador / Spanish Fantasy / Concierto de Aranjuez / España Cani

2003[]

Score: 97.375

Repertoire: El Toro Rojo (from El Toro Nuevo) / The Prayer / El Toro Furioso (from El Toro Nuevo)

Additional Notes: The 2003 season led to the Caballeros' 9th DCA World Championship and 16th American Legion National Championship. The show's music was written by Key Poulan with percussion by Gary Gill. The drill was designed by Rich Templin. Entitled El Toro Nuevo, it was divided into three separate movements: El Toro Rojo, The Prayer and El Toro Furioso. Both the first and third movements were original compositions while The Prayer was an arrangement of the award-winning song popularized by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli. Notable highlights of the show included a formation of a sombrero during the soprano cadenza in the first movement and a "water drum" feature leading into the third movement. The season was a nearly undefeated one as the only loss came in East Providence, RI to the 4-time defending champions Syracuse Brigadiers by 0.3 points. A few weeks later, the Caballeros succeeded in breaking the Brigadiers historic winning streak in West Haven, CT. 2003 was also the last season under the baton of Jimmy Russo who had been drum major of the Caballeros for 33 years.

2021[]

Title : At the End of the Tunnel

Score: 94.650

Repertoire: Arrival of the Birds / Oscillation / Milonga del Angel / Renewal

Traditions[]

Uniform and show design[]

A primary goal of the newly formed corps was to be different from all the others. The concept of Latin, or Spanish style uniform was agreed upon and the corps appeared for the first time in the trademark Caballero uniform competing in their first field competition in Trenton, New Jersey on July 20, 1947. Jim Costello's father, the late James Sr., was responsible for the design, largely inspired by a small corps in San Raphael, California with a similar uniform.

Many elements combine to make up the huge impact that the Caballeros have on an audience. The compelling high caliber of performance is certainly a primary ingredient, as is driving Latin-style music, and horn lines and percussion arrangements. From the beginning, however, the one facet that has "sold" the Caballeros show, that has brought it all together more than any other single visual feature, is that uniform. More of a costume than a uniform, it consists of a black sombrero, a white satin shirt with bloused sleeves, a bright red satin sash, black bell bottom pants with large red pleats on the sides that open and sway as the corps moves through its patterns; black shoes, and white gloves. The uniform has remained virtually unchanged all these years; testimony to a timeless design. It is one of the corps' most notable trademarks.

"The Rumps"[]

Another trademark is the short, but dramatic introduction and finale that have been played in one form or another for nearly thirty years. Undoubtedly the most recognized theme music in all of drum corps, it can still be heard in subtle form in the corps' 1996 presentation. España Cani, played in its entirety beginning in 1957 and as an off-the-line introduction for many years thereafter, was originally arranged by Al Mura, and has been affectionately known through the years to corps members and their many fans as "The Rumps".

The Hawthorne Muchachos[]

The Hawthorne Muchachos, the Caballeros' famous junior corps, was formed in 1959 by the renowned Caballero drum major, Ralph Silverbrand. The impetus for forming the corps was primarily to extend the great world of drum corps to younger players in Hawthorne and surrounding communities, but a secondary benefit was to create a ready pool of talent which would eventually "graduate" into the Caballeros once members reached the age of twenty-two and "aged out" of the junior corps. The Muchachos wore the same basic uniform as the senior corps except for minor trim differences, and shared the instruction staff and rehearsal facilities with the Caballeros

The Muchachos were instantly successful, totally dominating the entry-level circuit they initially competed in with two undefeated seasons their first two years out. From there they moved into a more challenging circuit.

One of the most popular and sought after junior corps, the Muchachos were eventually a member of DCI, the top junior circuit, and placed as high as fourth in 1974, a considerable achievement, given the incredible competition within that organization. Unfortunately, the Hawthorne Muchachos were disqualified during the 1975 season due to allowing an over-aged snare drummer to participate in their program. After a placement of 21st in the 1976 season the corps folded.

The Hawthorne Caballeros Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps[]

The Caballeros have maintained a strong alumni association for many years. In 1994, the Association spawned another unit, the Caballeros Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps. Organized by a small but enthusiastic group of former corps members, the Alumni Corps quickly grew and continues to grow, currently numbering close to one-hundred members. The corps has been in great demand from the start, but unlike the competition corps, the Alumni Corps maintains a somewhat less rigorous schedule, and is strictly an exhibition and parade corps.

In addition to assisting the competition corps wherever and whenever possible, one of the purposes for launching the Alumni Corps was to return to some of the great music from the fifties, sixties and seventies; bringing back memories for older players and fans, and exposing younger fans to the music that made the Caballeros famous in earlier years.

Unlike other so-called "alumni" corps which are open to anyone, membership in the Caballeros Alumni Corps is open only to former playing members of the competition corps.

Famous alumni[]

James Russo: Drum major of the Caballeros for 33 years before his retirement in 2003. Inducted into the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame in 1993.

Frank Ponzo: Lead soprano and soloist, formerly a member of the Long Island Sunrisers, switched affiliation to the "Cabs" after the 1989 DCA season. Inducted into the Buglers Hall of Fame in 2005, the New Jersey Drum & Bugle Corps Hall of Fame in 2006, and the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame in 2014.

Louie Storck: Former drum major and staff coordinator of the Caballeros, World Drum Corps Hall of Fame member.

Chris Bernotas: Former member, soloist, arranger and brass captain head. World-renowned band composer.

References[]

  1. ^ O'Connor, Ian (23 April 1989). "Championships Are Second Nature to Drum and Bugle Corps". The New York Times.
  2. ^ History of the Hawthorne Caballeros
  3. ^ "DCX - Drum Corps Xperience".

External links[]

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