Green Hornets
Other Names: Kent County Green Hornets
Comstock Park; Grand Rapids, MI United States
Founded: 1956
| Year | Position | Score | Theme/Songs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Victory For All * I've Got A Gal In Kalamazoo * In Paradise * America * You're a Grand Old Flag * The Stripper * Pigalle * Your Cheatin’ Heart * Green Eyes * Walking My Baby back Home * Never On Sunday |
CORPS Photos
The Green Hornets drum and bugle corps was formed in 1956 based in Kent County by Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy and sponsored by the 8th District VFW, American Legion (AL) Post 47, Plainfield-Alphine Jaycees and the Green Hornets Parents Club.
Its humble beginnings started with 21 boys outfitted in Explorer scout uniforms and borrowed 9 brass & 11 drums and made their first competitive appearance in the Michigan VFW state contest, placing 3rd. The following season, the corps competed in both the 1958 AL & VFW state championships and joined the newly formed Wolverine drum corps circuit. In 1959, sporting their new brilliant green & white uniforms, placed 2nd & 3rd respectively in the MI VFW & MI AL competitions. The Kent County group also won 3 consecutive Wolverine titles from 1959 to 1961, placing 2nd in 1962 & 1963 as well as the 1960 National Amvet & VFW state championships.
By 1961, new chrome brass instruments were purchased as they went on to a 6th place finish in the 1962 AL state convention and 4th & 6th positions in the 1963 & 1964 VFW state contests. Tragedy struck in November of 1964 when fire swept the Comstock Park AL Post, destroying all the corps’ instruments, uniforms and trophies. but the corps members and Boosters had more spirit than many had thought. The Hornets were back in competition in 1965, as they proudly returned to field competition with 4th place finishes in both the AL & VFW state championships. Over the next 3 years, the corps performed across the state and competed in several regional contests from 1966 to 1968. The group's feeder corps was called The Mosquitos and Edward Wysocki was influential in the corps’ development.
They disbanded in 1969.
Encyclopedia of Drum and Bugle Corps, 1966; DCW, 6/28/02, p.17; Bio from a program from the Mike Clark Collection; Paul Legault (DCX)
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"THE GREEN HORNETS DRUM & BUGLE CORPS
Organized in 1956 the Green Hornets entered competition in Drum Corps Contests in 1958. They were Junior Circuit Champions in 1959-60-61 and runner up in 1962 and 1963. In the years that followed the Hornets' rose to a top contender in Michigan and other areas. It appeared that the "Hornets" were finished when fire claimed all their equipment in November of 1964, but the corps members and Boosters had more spirit than many had thought. The Hornets were back in competition in 1965. Possibly set back a couple years from being a top corps, they have now put those two years behind them and are telling all, " Look Out for the Hornets in 1967".
Manager: Leon Growe
Music Director and Horn Instructor: Glen Sironen
Drum Instructor: Bill Rice
Marching Instructor: Bob Blackall".
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1962 5 scores
Highest Score 72.750
Final show in DCX Archives September 22, 1962 Fenton MI placed 4 with a score of 72.750
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1963 3 scores
Highest Score 78.400
Final show in DCX Archives July 4, 1963 Wyandotte MI placed 6 with a score of 67.850
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1964 4 scores
Highest Score 78.500
Final show in DCX Archives June 20, 1964 Michigan VFW State Championship Muskegon MI placed 6 with a score of 71.400
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1965 4 scores
Highest Score 70.090
Final show in DCX Archives September 11, 1965 Hudson Berkshire Circuit Championship Catskill NY placed 7 with a score of 43.250
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1966 1 scores
Highest Score 64.450
Final show in DCX Archives July 2, 1966 Freedom Festival Windsor ONT Canada placed 4 with a score of 64.450
Members (1)
| Member Name | Section | Years Involved |
|---|---|---|
| misner, jack | soprano | 1958 to 1969 |
CORPS 3 items
GreenHornets,GrandRapids,MI,Hat1-GreenSideCap(Site)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection
GreenHornets,GrandRapids,MI,Pin1-MIMap(RE-2.25)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection
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