Brooklyn, NY United States
Founded: 1949
CORPS Photos
The Carter Cadets were organized in the fall of 1949 by the Reverends Fitz and Miriam Carter, as an all-black parade corps from the Bedford Stuyvesant community and as the Glad Tidings Community Baptist church drum corps.
The Glad Tidings, consisting of primarily neighborhood children, captured many parade and standstill contests, contributing in many social and civic events, including the famous Brooklyn Day Parade. They won appreciation and respect by the many drum corps followers. The corps’ uniform consisted of royal blue uniform tops, a white sash and shakos with white plumes. In 1956, there was an attempt to convert the corps to field competitive group, but they were unable to accomplish the task. After the passing of Reverend Fitz Carter in 1958, the co-founder, Miriam Carter, his spouse, became the corps director and reorganized the unit as the Carter Cadets.
By 1960, the Carter Cadets had achieved all there was to accomplish, in parade and standstill competition, and consequently turned their attention to marching and maneuvering, sponsored by the George P. Davis American Legion Post 116, the Cadets made a second attempt at fielding and failed to assemble a drill for the 1962 American Legion State contest. Eager and ambitious, the clad blue and white Cadets struggled without instruction but fortunately they didn't lose their desire to rehearse. The following season, the Cadets engaged the services of Robert “Pepe” Notaro on brass, Albert D. Koch on visual and along with Nat W. Lewis on percussion, formed a great alliance. They rostered a 21 man horn line, 9 man drum line and a 15 girl color guard.
Once they had incorporated a field show, the Carter Cadets entered the newly organized Liberty Circuit and by June 30th were ready for their first field competition. They also competed at the NY state championships, placing 10th in the prelims and took top honors and won the 1963 Kings County VFW Liberty circuit championships, giving them a huge boost as a corps and much more notoriety within their community. This win was a huge accomplishment at the time, especially while establishing themselves outside of the political and racial boundaries that were still ingrained within both races, mostly due to conflicts of the previous decades that still had a slight lingering effect.
Starting in 1964, the corps was incorporated as they defended their Liberty circuit title when, in 1965, Mr. Nathaniel Lewis became corps director, building the membership to 40 brass, 20 percussionists and 26 in the color guard. That season saw the Cadets compete at the Greater NY (GNY) circuit championships, placing 11th. Financially, the members paid very little dues, collecting was hard enough, and just getting the parents to let the kids come to rehearsal was even harder at that time. The only prerequisite to be a member was the kids had to maintain their school work also. Throughout the year the corps would hold several fundraisers and receive numerous donations that significantly helped in keeping the organization on a positive financial note.
In 1966, the Carter Cadets placed 14th at the American Legion state convention preliminaries and repeated their 11th place finish at the GNY circuit, improving to an impressive 2nd place finish at the 1967 GNY circuit championships. The following year saw the corps participate in their first regional championships at the 1968 World Open “Class A” prelims, where they placed 11th, missing the finals by one position. They also finished runners up at both the NY state and GNY circuit championships. In 1969, the corps traveled extensively with contests at the NJ VFW state, placing 6th, the US Open “Class A” prelims, finishing 11th, once again one spot out of the elusive finals and made their first and only appearance at the 1969 VFW Nationals, placing 33rd in the prelims.
In the fall of 1969, the corps was temporarily disbanded due to members joining the Armed Forces, college, various businesses and raising families. “Project ‘70” was initialized to showcase talent in the Bedford Stuyvesant community and under the direction of John Spencer, assisted by Genghis Nor and Steven Ashley, proceeded to reorganize as a parade unit. The corps continued to perform within the local community in parades and exhibitions, even performing in a feature film title ““The Education of Sonny Carter” in 1974.
In 1981, the Carter Cadets merged with the St. Paul’s Baptist church corps, but the Carter Cadets Inc. functioned for several years as a facilitator, raising funds to purchase instruments and donating them to various musical organizations.
Wayne Chenault, Staff Secretary, prior to the 1964 season. (Submitted by Vaughn Cropper July 2012); Jim Claytor DCW Staff
Highest Score 68.810
Final show in DCX Archives September 8, 1963 Kings County VFW Brooklyn NY placed 1 with a score of 67.500
Highest Score 68.230
Final show in DCX Archives October 3, 1965 Greater New York Circuit Championship New York NY placed 11 with a score of 61.650
Highest Score 72.530
Final show in DCX Archives September 24, 1966 Greater New York Circuit Championships Milford CT
Highest Score 76.180
Final show in DCX Archives September 17, 1967 The Greater New York Circuit Championship New York NY placed 2 with a score of 76.180
Highest Score 67.700
Final show in DCX Archives August 31, 1968 World Open Prelims Lynn MA placed 11 with a score of 67.700
Highest Score 73.350
Final show in DCX Archives August 20, 1969 VFW Nationals-Preliminary Round Philadelphia PA placed 33 with a score of 73.350
Member Name | Section | Years Involved |
---|---|---|
Cropper (aka Barney), Vaughn | 1st and 2nd Euphonium | 1966 to 1969 |
Cropper, Vaughn | Baritone | 1966 to 1969 |
Fussell, Martin | Snare | 1963 to 1964 |
harrell, nate | baritone | 1965 to 1966 |
JOHNSON, CHRISTOPHER J. | SAPRONO | 1968 to 1969 |
Lewis, Nat | Director | 1965 to 1970 |
Lewis, Nathaniel (Junior) | percussion | 1975 to 1978 |
shepherd, gilbert | soprano | 1961 to 1969 |
Swain, Barry | Drum Major | 1967 to 1969 |
Swain, Barry | Color Guard - Drum Major | 1967 to 1969 |
Vaughn, William POO | Baritone Section | 1968 to 1969 |
Vaughn, William POO | Baritone | 1969 |
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