Heightsmen

The Heightsmen drum and bugle corps was formed in early 1973 and based in Arlington Heights, under the leadership of Robert “Bob” Doneski.

The corps entered the field of competition as members of the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) right out of the gate, placing 5^th in the 1973 “Senior Class” circuit, adjusting to the “Prep Class” the following year, where they finished 2^nd & won the 1975 CYO title. That same year saw the Arlington group make their first appearance in the World Open championships, placing 27^th in the “Class B” preliminary round and finished in 3^rd position in the Eastern Massachusetts (E-Mass) “Class A2” circuit.

Over the next 3 years, the Heightsmen showed great progression, improving to 16^th & 8^th place finishes in the World Open “Class B” prelims in 1976 & 1977 respectively, moving up to the “Class A” preliminaries in 1978, placing 17^th. After another 3^rd place finish in the 1976 E-Mass “Class A2” contest, the corps was crowned the 1977 champions and performed in the American International Open “Class A” regionals, ranking 11^th in the 1977 prelims & 6^th in the 1978 finals.

In 1979, the management teams of both the Ambassadors of Malden & Heightsmen of Arlington agreed to a joint venture in the formation of the Royal Marquis. At the conclusion of the summer competitions, both corps agreed to separate and in early 1980, the Heightsmen agreed to a new merger with the Spectra of Weymouth to form the Spectra-Heightsmen Alliance, who eventually became known as the Alliance of Greater Boston, a successful “Top 25” DCI unit.

During this same time, the Heightsmen reorganized as a feeder corps to preserve their history & tradition, competing as members of the E-Mass circuit, participating in the “Class C” division in 1980, winning the 1981 “Class C” title, moving up to the “Class A2” division, placing 10^th in the 1982 contest. In their last season of activity, the corps made appearances in the prelims of the 1983 Drum Corps East & DCI “Class A” championships, finishing 17^th & 13^th respectively, culminating with a 5^th position finish in the E-Mass “Class A2” circuit.

They disbanded in 1984.

Michael Merrett; Paul Legault (DCX)