Colonials

The Colonials drum and bugle corps was formed in 1927 as the Morristown American Legion (AL) Post 59 drum corps.

They participated in New Jersey AL state competitions, starting as a parade corps and in 1929, entered the field of competition, winning the 1930 and 1931 NJ AL “Class B” titles, placing 4^th in the 1932 state “Class A” division. They also appeared in the 1931 AL Nationals’ parade. That year, they amazed everyone by using a new type of synchronized marching and maneuvering which was performed by count or to the rhythm instead of being led by the drum major.

From 1933 to 1940, the Morristown Post competed in the AL National championships, where, for the exception of 1933 and 1937, ranked as a finalist in the convention every year. Their record included finishing between 9^th in 1934 all the way to 2^nd position in 1939, when they missed out by less than 4 tenths behind the championship title winner. Interestingly, the corps also missed out making the 1937 finals by the same margin. In 1940, after placing 7^th in the Nationals and accumulating another 3 state “Class A” championships in 1935, 1937 and 1939, they went inactive in 1941. 

After World War II, the Post regrouped in 1947, competing in the AL Nationals’ prelims, returning to parade status from 1948 to 1951. The following season, the Legion Post 59 reorganized as the Colonials and returned to the field, competing in the 1952 AL Nationals, placing 14^th in the prelims along with a 2^nd place finish in the NJ AL contest, finishing 3^rd the following year in the 1953 state convention. The corps took a year hiatus with little activity in 1954, resuming field competitions from 1955 to 1960, where they participated in the 1957 AL Nationals, ranking 9^th in the finals. 

They also placed 2^nd that year in the state championships and two 3^rd place finishes in both 1956 and 1959. The Morristown crew competed one last time in the 1960 Nationals event, making the finals with an 8^th place position. In 1961, under new sponsorship from the Robert C. Gullick VFW Post 5351 of Whippany, they performed in parades, reverting to field competition as members of the 1962 Northeastern circuit, placing 6^th in the 1963 tournament finals and pursued competition in both the 1964 and 1965 Northeastern championships.

They disbanded in 1966. 

Paul Legault (DCX)