ImmacuIate Conception (I.C.) Queensmen

The Immaculate Conception Queensmen drum and bugle corps was organized in 1948 under the direction of Darcy Davis, Jr. and the leadership of Father Driscoll, who was known affectionately as "Herbie the Derby" because of his penchant for Derby hats which he wore at all outings.

In their primary years, the corps was a member of the CYO association and frequently topped their division. The corps joined the Eastern Massachusetts circuit in 1951, placing 3^rd and was crowned the “Junior” champions for 3 years in succession, 1952, 1953 and 1954. In 1952, they also competed at the National level for the first time, finishing in 9^th position at the American Legion (AL) Nationals championships. They returned to National prominence in 1954 with a 7^th place finish in the VFW Nationals.

The 1955 season saw the corps less competitive in the “Class A” division, ultimately choosing not to defend their Eastern Massachusetts title that year. In 1956, the Queensmen was inactive for a very short span of time but reorganized in 1957 and was ready to continue their hard work and practice.

The corps returned to field competition in 1959 in the “Class B” division of the Eastern Massachusetts circuit. They were a finalist in the “Class B” division the following two seasons, placing 3^rd and went undefeated all year in 1962, finished a disappointing 2^nd in the E-Mass championships. In 1963, the Queensmen advanced to the “Class A-1” division of the circuit and remained very competitive, although they didn’t qualify in the “Top 3” over the next 3 seasons, placing 5^th in 1964 and competed in a shortened season the following year.

In 1966, the corps resumed National competition for the first time since 1954 with an appearance in the VFW Nationals, finishing tied for 29^th position. The next year, the IC Queensmen placed 11^th in the finals in the 1967 World Open championships and capped off their great season with a 21^st place finish in the AL Nationals. In 1968, led by longtime and age-out member Danny Holland as drum major, the group returned to the World Open “Class A” championships, finishing 26^th. That same year, they were recorded by Fleetwood Records for the first time at the "Drums in the Night" contest in Fitchburg, a first for the unit. From 1966 to 1968, the IC Winchester unit placed 4^th each year in the E-Mass “Class A-1” division. In 1969, another first for the corps occurred when they incorporated girls in both the brass and drum lines. They went on to compete in the E-Mass circuit before going inactive from 1970 to 1974.

The I.C. Queensmen were brought back into action thanks to the hard work and dedication of Father Cummings, and a group of volunteers called the "Fund Raisers." Even before reaching their fundraising goal of $35,000, they decided to hold a registration for new members. Over 100 boys and girls registered for a 2-day sign-up. The first parade of the new Queensmen was held on Memorial Day, in Winchester in 1975.

In 1977, the Queensmen returned to field competition, where they competed in the CYO circuit. In 1978, the corps returned to the World Open championships, their first appearance in 10 years and finished in 16^th position in the “Class B” division. The following season, the corps extended their tour to include the 1979 American International Open (AIO), finishing in 10^th place, one position out of the “Class A” finals. The IC unit competed once again in the World Open “Class B” championships, where they also finished in 10^th place.

Returning to the AIO championships in 1980, the Queensmen finished in 18^th place in the “Class A” preliminaries and 11^th & 15^th in the 1980 & 1981 World Open “Class B” prelims, respectively. The IC Winchester group traveled to Montreal over the next two seasons to compete in the DCI “Class A” prelims, finishing 32^nd in 1981 & 39^th in 1982. The corps also competed within the Catholic Youth Organization circuit “Prep” division, placing 3^rd (1977) & 4^th (1978, 1981& 1982) and the E-Mass circuit “Class A-2” division, finishing 3^rd (1979), 4^th (1978), 5^th (1981) & 8^th (1982).  

In 1983, the corps disbanded, ending a history that spanned, on and off, for close to 35 years.

Jim Hodgson (11/19/01), Corps Member; Paul Legault (DCX)

Members (4)