Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps
Encyclopedia
The Crossmen are a World Class (formerly Division I) drum and bugle corps
from San Antonio
, Texas
. Founded in 1975, they are a member of Drum Corps International
. The Crossmen have had various geographic homes over the years, beginning in the southeastern Pennsylvania
and Delaware Valley
areas. Their longest stays were in West Chester
, Pennsylvania and Newark
, Delaware
.
The corps was created as a merger between two suburban Philadelphia drum corps, the Keystone Regiment and the 507 Hornets. The name "Crossmen" was chosen by the members of the newly created corps, and can be traced back to American Legion
Post 507, which was named in honor of war veteran John Welsey Cross.
In the winter of 1996, the corps became an official program offering of Youth Education in the Arts (YEA), an umbrella organization which also includes the Cadets
drum corps and the United States Scholastic Band Association
. In the autumn of 2006, the corps relocated to San Antonio and made their official return to independent status in late August 2007.
In addition to numerous Eastern States Circuit Championships, the 1977 American Legion Championship, and the 1981 VFW National Championship, the Crossmen have been consistent finalists in the Drum Corps International circuit, finishing in the elite top 12 twenty-two times. Their official corps song is Russian Christmas Music
by Alfred Reed
.
Part of the mystique surrounding the Crossmen are references to "Bones." Bones is considered to some people as a mascot
and apparent fan of the corps. Bones appears at the top of the back stands or in other prominent places to help inspire the Crossmen before a big performance. Dressed in a 1978 Crossmen uniform
with ankle-length red cape
and a skull mask
, Bones arrives as the corps enters the field, spreads his cape to audience approval, and then vanishes once the Crossmen begin their performance. He is there to pass the torch from previous generations of Crossmen to the current corps. Bones is also the nickname for the corps, and for the members who have marched there. The corps' most prominent motto is "When all else is gone, the Bones always remain."
Fred Morrison is the Executive Director and acting corps director.
Drum and bugle corps (modern)
A drum and bugle corps, also known as a drum corps, is a musical marching unit consisting of brass instruments, percussion instruments, and color guard. Typically operating as independent non-profit organizations, drum corps perform in competitions, parades, festivals, and other civic functions...
from San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Founded in 1975, they are a member of Drum Corps International
Drum Corps International
Drum Corps International , formed in 1972, is the non-profit governing body operating the North American drum and bugle corps circuit for junior corps, whose members are between the ages of 14 and 21. It is the counterpart of Drum Corps Associates which governs senior or all-age drum corps...
. The Crossmen have had various geographic homes over the years, beginning in the southeastern Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
and Delaware Valley
Delaware Valley
The Delaware Valley is a term used to refer to the valley where the Delaware River flows, along with the surrounding communities. This includes the metropolitan area centered on the city of Philadelphia. Such educational institutions as Delaware Valley Regional High School in Alexandria Township...
areas. Their longest stays were in West Chester
West Chester, Pennsylvania
The Borough of West Chester is the county seat of Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 18,461 at the 2010 census.Valley Forge, the Brandywine Battlefield, Longwood Gardens, Marsh Creek State Park, and other historical attractions are near West Chester...
, Pennsylvania and Newark
Newark, Delaware
Newark is an American city in New Castle County, Delaware, west-southwest of Wilmington. According to the 2010 Census, the population of the city is 31,454. Newark is the home of the University of Delaware.- History :...
, Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
.
The corps was created as a merger between two suburban Philadelphia drum corps, the Keystone Regiment and the 507 Hornets. The name "Crossmen" was chosen by the members of the newly created corps, and can be traced back to American Legion
American Legion
The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
Post 507, which was named in honor of war veteran John Welsey Cross.
In the winter of 1996, the corps became an official program offering of Youth Education in the Arts (YEA), an umbrella organization which also includes the Cadets
The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps
The Cadets are a Drum Corps International World Class drum and bugle corps based in Allentown, Pennsylvania...
drum corps and the United States Scholastic Band Association
United States Scholastic Band Association
The United States Scholastic Band Association was formed in the Fall of 1988 to provide high school band programs with a competitive circuit featuring top judges from across the continent and a venue for the US Scholastic Band Championship....
. In the autumn of 2006, the corps relocated to San Antonio and made their official return to independent status in late August 2007.
In addition to numerous Eastern States Circuit Championships, the 1977 American Legion Championship, and the 1981 VFW National Championship, the Crossmen have been consistent finalists in the Drum Corps International circuit, finishing in the elite top 12 twenty-two times. Their official corps song is Russian Christmas Music
Russian Christmas Music
Russian Christmas Music is a musical piece for symphonic band, written by Alfred Reed in 1944. It is one of the most popular and frequently performed pieces of concert band literature....
by Alfred Reed
Alfred Reed
Alfred Reed was one of North America's most prolific and frequently performed composers, with more than two hundred published works for concert band, wind ensemble, orchestra, chorus, and chamber ensemble to his name...
.
Part of the mystique surrounding the Crossmen are references to "Bones." Bones is considered to some people as a mascot
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
and apparent fan of the corps. Bones appears at the top of the back stands or in other prominent places to help inspire the Crossmen before a big performance. Dressed in a 1978 Crossmen uniform
Uniform
A uniform is a set of standard clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization's activity. Modern uniforms are worn by armed forces and paramilitary organizations such as police, emergency services, security guards, in some workplaces and schools and by inmates...
with ankle-length red cape
Cape
Cape can be used to describe any sleeveless outer garment, such as a poncho, but usually it is a long garment that covers only the back half of the wearer, fastening around the neck. They were common in medieval Europe, especially when combined with a hood in the chaperon, and have had periodic...
and a skull mask
Mask
A mask is an article normally worn on the face, typically for protection, disguise, performance or entertainment. Masks have been used since antiquity for both ceremonial and practical purposes...
, Bones arrives as the corps enters the field, spreads his cape to audience approval, and then vanishes once the Crossmen begin their performance. He is there to pass the torch from previous generations of Crossmen to the current corps. Bones is also the nickname for the corps, and for the members who have marched there. The corps' most prominent motto is "When all else is gone, the Bones always remain."
Fred Morrison is the Executive Director and acting corps director.