Dundalk Cadets

The cannons of the American Civil War had been silent only 22 years when another boom, somewhat milder and more melodic in tone, reverberated through the streets of Baltimore, Maryland. This was the beat of the newly organized Independent Drum Corps of Baltimore. The year was 1887.

Truly independent, the corps supported itself, chose its own turnouts, and was a closed society, drawing all of its members from St. James Parish of the Catholic Church.

As the Independent Corps declined after several years, another group, also based in St. James Parish, arose. Led by drum major Fred Sparer, this was the Volunteer Drum Corps of Baltimore. Their first turnout was in 1897.

This early corps eventually became known as the St. James Cadets, and built themselves a reputation within Maryland, winning the Maryland Junior Open competition four times between 1944 and 1949, and twice taking the C. Maryland Kelly, Jr., Memorial Trophy. In 1957 they finished tenth in the American Legion National Finals in Atlantic City, and went on to become Maryland State American Legion champions in 1958, 1959, 1960, and 1961.

The St. James Cadets left the church in 1960 to become the Dundalk Cadets under later sponsorship by the American Legion Post 38. This group won the very first Eastern States Circuit championship in 1967. They remained active through at least 1969.

[Tim Downey; DCW, 6/22/90, p.14]

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