Americanos Alumni Association

We are the former members, staff & volunteers of the Americanos Drum and Bugle corps of Appleton Wisconsin. By 1993 the Americanos had won the U.S.

Our History:

The Americanos Drum and Bugle Corps traces its origins, as do many current corps, to post-World War I veterans' organizations such as the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The local American Legion organization, known as Johnston Blessman Post 38 of Appleton, Wisconsin, sponsored the Americanos' first incarnation in 1936. The corps was then an all-male group performin

g as the Sons of the American Legion. They began presenting a Spanish theme that year, the same theme that the corps proudly continues to this day. In 1955 the corps adopted the name Americanos Drum and Bugle Corps and performed quite successfully under the sponsorship of private donations, personal fundraisers, and the most supportive parents in the activity. In 1963 the El Toros Drum and Bugle Corps was formed as a feeder unit for the Americanos. However, by 1968 the organization's membership had dwindled to a mere 15 marchers. After the season was over, management announced that after 33 years the corps was opening its membership to females but they could only be in the color guard. The coed Americanos entered the 1969 season with nearly 80 members, and they returned to the ranks of the nation's most competitive corps. At the American Legion Nationals in Portland, Oregon where they placed a proud sixth place. The corps traveled through the 1970s with the Americanos averaging 110 members starting in 1973 through 1976 up about a third from 1970 - 1972. But by the end of the 1976 season the burden of travel costs and equipment along with a debt that caught up with the corps took an adverse effect on the members. In the fall of 1976 the corps started practicing for the 1977 season with sixteen horns and no drummers and by March 1977 because of the low number of members the board made the decision to suspend activities for that year. During the year a dedicated core of marching members, parents, alumni, and local volunteers took the initiative to re-build the corps with the first step by making the Americanos a parade corps starting in 1978. 1985 saw the El Toros take the field in a new beginning, leading to the Americanos organization of the present day. By 1989 the corps had once again claimed a spot with the most competitive units, winning divisional titles and numerous show titles. Open Division III Championship, and had earned a finalist position at both the Canadian Open and Drum Corps International Championship competitions. A spectacular 1994 secured the corps the prestigious DCI Division III title. Along the way they picked up additional honors with the Drum Corps Midwest Division III Title, Drum Corps East Division III Title, and a second-place finish in both the U.S. and North American Opens. The Americanos spent a few seasons in Division II, capturing titles in various regional events including the Division II DCM Title in 1999. 1999 also saw the corps finish fourth overall in Division II, capturing the high brass award in the preliminary round. This is their highest DCI finish to date. In 2000, the corps returned to Division III to narrowly miss out on another world championship title, capturing the Silver Medal. They finished third in Division III in 2001, and fourth in 2002, as well as claiming the "Spirit of Disney" Award as most entertaining corps for both years. In 2003, the 47-member corps finished 18th in Division II/III Prelims. The 2003 show, 'Zorro Rides Again,' ended with Zorro running his opponent through with a sword, stretching the blackguard out on a sweltering Florida stadium floor. Paramedics, watchful for marchers overcome from the 94-degree heat, were halfway onto the field to revive the fallen before they realized that his demise was just part of the act. The Americanos' 2004 program was called 'Dimensions of Latin Rhythms,' and the corps finished seventh in Division III Finals. One of the longer-lived Division III corps, the Americanos have participated in DCI competition 22 times, including every year since 1987.

03/19/2026

Both the Brillion and the Flag Day parades are coming up on June 12 & 13 respectively. If any of you are interested in marching with the Americanos parade corps, let us know. This is also the Americanos 90th anniversary of its founding. It's always a great time followed by the reunion gathering afterwards. VIVA!

08/31/2025

Our sympathies and condolences go out to alumni Rob Wink and his family whose father, Dean Wink who passed away on August 29, 2025. I will post an obituary one it becomes available.

06/14/2025

Its Parade day!

Nearly a quarter of a century being involved in the Appleton Flag Day Parade. Drum corps once thrived on College Ave, we are thrilled to be doing it again this year.

May the tradition contine...

VIVA!

06/13/2025

Reminder of some changes this weekend! See you there! Viva!

06/12/2025

Just a quick update on a few things.

We are not meeting at Erb Park before the parade on Saturday.

Due to a swim meet being held there at the same date and time as the parade.

We will now be meeting at Zion Lutheran Church which is located at
912 N Oneida St.

Parking in the back of rhe church

Our start time has not been determined yet but it will be between 11:00-11:30.

Subs (Lunch) is at 12:15

Spread The Word

More times and information coming tomorrow.

Chip

Photos from Americanos Alumni Association's post

06/01/2025

Our sympathies go out to Todd Schievelbein's family who passed away earlier this month. Todd was an alumni of the Americanos from 1973-76 first playing the flugel and moved to the mellophone in his second year. From his brother Jay:
Todd Schievelbein recently passed away in Long Island, NY after a battle with cancer.
Todd was born January 29, 1961 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton. Todd attended Roosevelt Junior High School, Appleton West High School and graduated from Lawrence Conservatory of Music before attaining a Masters Degree from Ithaca College in Ithaca New York. He went on to teach as a music educator for 30 years in Long Island. Todd was heavily involved in the Americanos Drum and Bugle Corps as was the entire Schievelbein family throughout his adolescence. He started in the Toros in 1972 and graduated to the Americanos in 1973 until the early 80's. Todd played flugelhorn, mellophone and soprano. The Americano family was a big part of his life and he often reminisced and enjoyed all those wonderful drum corps memories.
Todd was preceded in death by his twin brother Ted. He is survived by his two children, Tatsu, a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps and daughter Mika who is working on her doctoral thesis at Notre Dame University.

Lorri Groeneveld Obituary (1957 - 2025) - Oshkosh, WI - Oshkosh Herald

04/29/2025

Sympathies go out to the family of Lorri Groenveld who passed away on April 24. Lorri was a rifler with the Americanos from 1974-76.

Lorri Groeneveld Obituary (1957 - 2025) - Oshkosh, WI - Oshkosh Herald View Lorri Jean Groeneveld's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

Stephan L. Chady Obituary 2018 - Wichmann Funeral Homes

10/19/2024

A request by Jon Swalby was made to post Stephan Chady's obituary who passed away in 2018. Stephan was an alumni of the Americanos in the 1960's. Our sympathies to his family and friends.

Stephan L. Chady Obituary 2018 - Wichmann Funeral Homes View Stephan L. Chady's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

09/15/2024

Sympathies go out to the family of David Theobald who passed away. David is the husband of Jake Theobald, a member of the Americanos parade corps. David cheered on the Americanos in the last Flag Day parade. https://www.tristatecremationcenter.com/obituary/david-j-theobald/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFUFcFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHUVYWTKGEHjKMuo4A4I4nXdDi_3XK4yfgIXCldg2elud7I-Ola0zN5X7Rw_aem_3FgMyXglw5wI9RG0cbA6DA

David J. Theobald David J. Theobald, age 52, of Dubuque, IA, completed his earthly journey on September 4, 2024, at home, while surrounded by his loving family. To honor David’s life, a private family Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. The Tri-State Cremation Center is humbly serving David’s fa...

Delano "Del" Worden Obituary 2024 - Wichmann Funeral Homes

09/05/2024

Our sympathies go out to the family of Wendy Childs whose father Delano "Del" Worden passed away on August 22, 2024. Wendy is an alumni of the Americanos from the late 1970's into the 1980's.

Delano "Del" Worden Obituary 2024 - Wichmann Funeral Homes View Delano "Del" Worden's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

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http://www.americanosalumni.org/

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Appleton, WI

Americanos Alumni Association

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