Chessmen

The Chessmen drum and bugle corps was originally formed in 1953 as the Palmer Township Youth parade corps, a youth activity sponsored by the Palmer Township police, under the direction of Howard A. Hoffman.

They were a parade corps until 1956, when they intergraded a field show and became a parade and exhibition unit. In 1961, the corps was renamed the Palmer Township Chessmen and entered the field of competition as members of the South Jersey circuit, sporting a red and white uniform. In the fall of 1962, the Township no longer supported the corps as they felt the membership consisted increasingly of youth from other regions.

In 1963, the parents of the Palmer group solicited sponsorship from the Lieutenant Elbert Curtis Baker VFW Post 1290 of Easton and renamed the corps the Chessmen. That year, they moved from the South Jersey circuit to the National Association circuit, a change that would provide a competitive arena with less travel distances and costs. Jim Prime Sr. was also added to the instructional staff as musical director, brass arranger and visual writer. In their first year under new sponsorship, the corps was crowned both the PA American Legion and VFW state champions, the only time they would win both conventions in the same season.

In a year of rebuild, the Chessmen traveled to the 1964 VFW Nationals, placing 45^th in the prelims as well as the World’s Fair in New York, where they finished in 15^th position. They returned the following season to the 1965 VFW Nationals, finishing in 48^th place in preliminary action and competed one last year in the National Association and placed 3^rd at the 1966 PA VFW championships. The corps returned to the 1967 VFW Nationals, placing 22^nd in the prelims along with a 5^th place finish at the PA VFW state convention. They also became members of the Eastern States Circuit (ESC).

In 1968, the corps continued its gradual ascent within the ESC and participated at the 1969 VFW Nationals, placing 49^th in the prelims and finished 5^th once again at the PA VFW state championships. The 1970 season was a turning point for the organization as they began a streak of success by placing 28^th in the prelims at the VFW Nationals and were bridesmaid at the ESC championships. The following year saw the Chessmen, sporting their new uniform consisting of a gold top with a red stripe over black pants,  compete for the first and only time at the US Open championships, where they finished 28^th in the “Open Class” prelims. They also won their 2^nd PA VFW state title and were crowned the 1971 Eastern States champions.

They successfully defended their 1972 ESC title before the corps had an exodus of members that prevented them from fielding competitively in 1973. However, they did remain active as a parade and exhibition corps. The Chessmen returned to ESC competition the next year, placing 8^th in the prelims and moved up to an impressive 3^rd place finish at the 1975 ESC championships. In their final season, the corps performed one last time at the 1976 VFW Nationals, placing 37^th in the prelims.

The sustaining spirit of the Chessmen was eroded when the majority of the corps members reached the age limit. Some of them included future DCI Hall of Famers Jim Prime Jr. and Donnie Van Doren. The corps went inactive until 1980, when Craig A. Weidaw helped revive the organization as a parade unit.

Unfortunately, due to a lack of financial and membership support, the corps, even though valiant efforts were made by Mr. Weidaw, disbanded in 1981.

Encyclopedia of Drum and Bugle Corps, 1966; DCW, 6/212/90, p.14; rec.arts.marching.drumcorps 8/20/98; Paul Legault (DCX)

CORPS 4 items

Chessmen

Chessmen,Easton,PA,Hat1-SideCap(Site)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection

Chessmen

Chessmen,Easton,PA,Patch1-VFW1290(Site)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection Contributed by UNKNOWN

Chessmen

Chessmen,Easton,PA,Pin1Knight(Site)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection

Chessmen

Chessmen,Easton,PA,Pin2-R&WStripe(BJA)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection

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