McCall Bluebirds
American Legion National Champions 1947
Howard C McCall American Legion
Post No. 20
Philadelphia, Pa
The Music you hear, are Excerpts from Corps
recordings obtained from Glenn
"OldSopPlaya" at the following website.
http://PreserveOurCorpsMemories.com
Corps History
This corps was organized in 1929 by the McCall Post as a part of the Legion sponsored youth activity and Americanism programs. With headquarters at the Post Home, 4104 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, the corps has been continuously active since its beginning, and is recognized as one of the top junior corps in the country. In Drum and Bugle Corps circles McCall's well trained Drum section has become particularly well known as having turned out several National Title drummers. The Drum line is instructed by Bill Reamer. The Bugle Line by Herbert Mann. The Corps is headed by a nine girl Color Guard and three snappy drum Majorettes, whose marching ability and rifle work respectively won the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Association Championship in April 1952. During its 23 years the Corps has traveled far and wide attending Parades and Field Competitions and building up a long record of proud achievements; some of the more recent are as follows:
State Champions, American Legion, 1946
South Jersey Open Class Champions, 1947
National Champions, American Legion, 1947
Mason-Dixon Championship, Maryland, 1948
State Champions, American Legion, 1948
State Champions, American Legion, 1950
State Champions, American Legion, 1952
A competent six member corps committee assists the Director, Mr E. J.(Bud) Johnston, who, it is interesting to note, was formerly a youth in the Corps, having joined in 1935. He is also the drill instructor.
Director: E.J. (Bud) Johnston
Bugle Instructor: Herbert Mann
Drum Instructors: Bill Reamer
Drill Instructors: E.J. (Bud) Johnston
Music Repetoire:
Bluebird of Happiness
Manhattan Beach
Isle of Capri
Bicycle built for two
This is my Country
Fascinating Rhythm
In France they say Oui, Oui
A small Cafe, Mamselle
So Long for a While
1949 Coaldale, Pa
New York City, 1949
1949
1952
Helen Matter second from the Right
1952 Competative Color Guard
Jack and Helen Matter at Hershey, Pa Eastern States Championship 1952
1948
1947
1944 Old McCall Uniform
Coat was Bright Red with Gold trim
Pants were Bright Blue.
A practice in the Phila, Pa area in 1950 (Note the rope drums)
Corps History
This corps was organized in 1929 by the McCall Post as a part of the Legion sponsored youth activity and Americanism programs. With headquarters at the Post Home, 4104 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, the corps has been continuously active since its beginning, and is recognized as one of the top junior corps in the country. In Drum and Bugle Corps circles McCall's well trained Drum section has become particularly well known as having turned out several National Title drummers. The Drum line is instructed by Bill Reamer. The Bugle Line by Herbert Mann. The Corps is headed by a nine girl Color Guard and three snappy drum Majorettes, whose marching ability and rifle work respectively won the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Association Championship in April 1952. During its 23 years the Corps has traveled far and wide attending Parades and Field Competitions and building up a long record of proud achievements; some of the more recent are as follows:
State Champions, American Legion, 1946
South Jersey Open Class Champions, 1947
National Champions, American Legion, 1947
Mason-Dixon Championship, Maryland, 1948
State Champions, American Legion, 1948
State Champions, American Legion, 1950
State Champions, American Legion, 1952
A competent six member corps committee assists the Director, Mr E. J.(Bud) Johnston, who, it is interesting to note, was formerly a youth in the Corps, having joined in 1935. He is also the drill instructor.
The Following pictures of Bill Reamer were donated by Bill Maling
Bill was McCalls Drum instructor as well as Archer Epler and the Audubon Bon-Bons!
He is one of the All-time great Rudimental Drummers and Drum instructors!
Also a member of the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame
Bill Maling presenting Bill Reamer with the Certificate of his induction into the
American Patriots Rudimental Drum Club Hall of Fame in April 2005.
