Theres a chance Tamaquas legendary girls bugle corps will return to march the streets of town. Turns out, a former instructor and member still lives in Tamaqua and has been mounting a drive to refortify ranks and create what would be, essentially, the Tamaqua Senior High School Girls Drum and Bugle Corps Alumni. We still had full ranks when we disbanded, said Yvonne Balliet Onushco. Onushco was a drummer for four years, graduating in 1961. She then became an instructor. I taught marching and was drum instructor and arranged the field shows, said Onushco on Monday. Onushco shed light on details of the groups sudden end in 1969. The Corps, she said, had not diminished in numbers but had full ranks and plenty of enthusiasm. But the program was a victim of an unfortunate decision. The school district didnt sanction the Corps. Instead, they sanctioned the band. We werent the school representatives, she said. As a result, Corps members had to work hard to raise funds for uniforms and equipment, but were successful and had just purchased fancy new drums. We sold candy bars with a picture of the Corps and then bags of Christmas bows. The girls worked hard for what they had, said Onushco. However, in 1969, a school official unilaterally made the decision to end the group. At the time, Onushco stepped forward to take over directorship but was turned down since she didnt possess necessary teachers certification. Over its 40 years of existence, thousands of young women marched with the Corps. Onushco said she regularly runs into many who have strong feelings and express interest in the group. Onushco would like to establish an alumni corps in time to march in the 2015 Tamaqua Memorial Day Parade. That includes majorettes, too, who were special in talent and daring in their performances. Our majorettes twirled fire, said Onushco. If interest is strong, the group might request to borrow the authentic bugle corps banner from the Tamaqua Historical Society. Youngest Corps members now would be approaching age 60, with most better than that. But 60 is the new 40 and theres apparently lots of spark left in the Bugle Corps gals. Former members of the Tamaqua Senior High Girls Drum and Bugle Corps are asked to email Onushco to touch bases. She can be reached at: shevs_61@yahoo.
Posted on: Mon, 03 Nov 2014 23:42:57 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015