OUR HISTORY
In 2000, alumni of the defunct New London Surfers Drum and Bugle Corps held a reunion. It was the dream of a few Surfers Alumni to bring back junior drum corps in Connecticut. In 2002, 7th Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps was created, founded by the Surfers Alumni Association (SAA). The corps was named in commemoration of the 7th Regiment, one of the last units to leave for the American Civil War from Fort Trumbull in New London, CT.
In 2014, the organization changed its name to the 7th Regiment Youth Performing Arts Organization (7RYPAO) in order to more closely align with its mission.
That summer, the 36 member corps made five appearances in DCI competitions in Massachusetts and New Jersey.[2] 7th Regiment made its DCI Division II/III World Championships debut at Brockton, MA in 2005, finishing 17th of 20 Division III corps. The corps traveled to DCI in Madison, WI in 2006, where they placed 15th of 17 Div. III corps. The corps stayed close to home in 2007, passing on attending DCI championships in Pasadena, California. In 2008, the corps attended DCI Open Class Championships in Michigan City, IN, advancing to semifinals and placing 17th of 23 corps. 7th Regiment rose to new highs in 2009, placing 12th of 19 Open Class corps at Michigan City, advancing to semifinals in Indianapolis, and finishing in 11th place in the Open Class finals. 2010 saw further improvement, with the corps winning its first shows, defeating five other Open Class corps at Groton, CT and Warrenton, VA. The 7th finished 7th of 16 corps in Open Class quarterfinals at Michigan City, then placed 8th in semifinals and 7th in finals at Indianapolis. With preliminaries rained out, 7th Regiment advanced directly to 2011's Open Class finals in Michigan City, repeating the previous year's 7th-place finish. The corps then advanced to World Class prelims in Indianapolis, finishing 31st of 41 corps. 2012 saw the corps win three shows before moving up to 5th place in Open Class at Michigan City and then finishing 28th of 35 corps in World Class prelims in Indianapolis. In 2013, 7th Regiment won two early season shows, placed 7th of 14 Open Class corps in Michigan City, and finished 30th of 36 corps in World Class prelims. For 2014, the 7th marched its largest corps ever, with 96 members. The corps' tour took them to performances in ten northeastern and midwestern states. They placed 5th in Open Class and advanced to the World Class semifinals, earning 25th place and full membership in DCI.[3]
Our Impact
7th Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps made its debut in 2004 at the St. Patrick's Day parade in New Haven, CT. With just 36 members in the corps, 7th Regiment made five appearances in DCI competitions throughout the northeast. Since then, 7th Regiment has provided it's members an exceptional experience every summer, touring across the northeast and midwest, performing for thousands, and creating a culture of inclusion and growth.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to create an organization that builds and supports young performers who will become great leaders and exceptional citizens. We strive to build lifelong friendships and aspire to success at the highest level for our supporters and fans.
To continue to grow with the evolving Drum Corps activity, we need ongoing support from family, friends, and fans.
Your donation will provide:
Sponsorships for Low-Income Students
Quality Instruments, Equipment, and Uniforms
Meals, Transportation, and Housing for Our Members
Anyone is welcome to apply to join our Board of Directors!
Check out our current Board Members.
Vision and Values
Our vision is to create an organization in the performing arts that builds and supports young performers who will become great leaders and exceptional citizens. We strive to build lifelong friendships and aspire to success at the highest level for our supporters and fans.
Excellence
Our Students are the reason we exist. Excellence is our underlying goal. Staff creates the visual, sound and/or team of former students, parents, Corps enthusiasts and other volunteers, as well as our valued supporters. Together, they are the strength behind our success. No one can be successful without the other.
The Journey
Although we strive for excellence in everything we do, it is "The Journey" that makes us successful in life. We encourage our students to pursue their journey with purpose and tenacity. To strive through the adversities with a mind of fortitude. Never give up and see life AWAKE!
Honesty and respect for one another, trust in team members, and open communication are the keys to a successful journey.
Our Supporters
We value and respect the resources shared with us by our supporters, and thus our endeavor is to use them wisely and efficiently.
Only through maximum effort and commitment can our goals be achieved!
Moving forward
To continue to grow with the ever-changing Drum Corps activity, we need ongoing support from family, friends, and fans. Support from you will provide:
Sponsorships for Low-Income Students
New Instruments
Meals and Transportation for our Members
New Uniforms
Looking to get involved? We are always accepting applications for our Board of Directors!
