The 2008 Blue Stars.

The Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class (formerly Division I) drum and bugle corps based in La Crosse, Wisconsin and founded in 1964. The corps was one of the original members of the "Combine" (along with the Troopers, the Cavaliers, the Scouts, and the Vanguard), which was the precursor to Drum Corps International.

The Blue Stars were one of the most successful DCI open class corps in the 1970s, placing second at the inaugural DCI Championships in 1972, and appearing as a DCI finalist every year from 1972 through 1979. The corps was also the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Champion in 1977. After reorganization in the early 1980s, the corps became one of the most consistent corps in Division II/III (now Open Class) history, never placing lower than 5th in its division from 1987 to 2005, and winning Division III titles in 1989, 1993, 2001, and 2003. The 2006 season marked the Blue Stars' return to Division I (now World Class) competition.

[edit] History

[edit] 2003-2005

In 2004, following an undefeated season and championship in Division III the previous year, the corps saw growth in membership that it had not seen in years. In 2004 and 2005, the corps began a plan to expand to the then-maximum drum corps size of 135 members, and return to Division 1 competition. In 2004, the corps placed 5th in Division II competition, and then achieved 3rd in 2005.

[edit] 2006-2007

In 2006, the Blue Stars returned to Division I competition for the first time since 1982. Presenting a program entitled "The Gift of Freedom," their comeback was well-received at the quarterfinals and semifinals in Madison, Wisconsin. The 30,000 member audience was said to have cheered so loud that the corps members could not hear their own playing.^{[citation needed]} The corps returned to DCI Division I (now World Class) competition, placing 14th place in the semi-finals.

In 2007, the corps debuted a more contemporary uniform design. Gone were the cross-straps and buckle used for the majority of its existence, though the trademark helmet design was retained. The new uniform featured a split color on the pants, where the right half of the right leg was white, and the rest of the pants were blue. The jacket featured a silver north-star symbol, and the helmet donned a white plume. The corps has a solid white appearance when marching toward the side-2 endzone, and solid blue when marching toward side-1. This color contrast was incorporated into the "Power & Grace" program.

The corps continued its growth in 2007, placing 14th at DCI semifinals at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, with the drumline achieving 12th and the hornline placing 11th musically.

[edit] 2008, 2009 Seasons - Return to Finals

2008 continued the growth and improvement of the corps that was initiated several years earlier. The new Blue Stars uniform featured a return of the blue and white split jackets. However, this year the pants were completely white. Halfway through the season, going into the Atlanta regional competition, the corps changed from their helmets to new shakos. The shakos are navy blue with a silver north star in the center with white plumes. The corps made this change after 30 years of wearing helmets. This change brought mixed feelings among the corps alumni.^{[citation needed]}

In 2008, the Blue Stars presented a program entitled “Le Tour: Every Second Counts”, with visuals intended to exemplify the passion, intensity, endurance, and teamwork required to compete in the Tour de France cycling event. The musical repertoire featured arrangements based on familiar melodies by the French composers Fauré, Satie, Debussy, Saint-Saëns, Widor, and Ravel.

Le Tour proved to be a highly competitive program. The Blue Stars placed 9th at the 2008 World Class quarterfinals in Bloomington. Indiana, in close contention with three other corps. Only .8 of a point separated the Blue Knights in 8th place and the Glassmen in 11th. All four moved to the semifinals, where the Blue Stars earned 8th place with a score of 90.575. This was the highest score in Blue Stars Division 1/World Class history. The Blue Stars finished their season at 8th place with a score of 90.425. This was the first time the Blue Stars had competed in the Division 1/World Class finals since the 1979 season.

After the return to finals in 2008, the corps carried its momentum into 2009 with their program, "The Factory". The corps entered the season from the beginning with a competitive show that many described as a show designed with finals in mind. Visually and musically the corps competed for the hotly contested 7-9 spots, trading blows with the Boston Crusaders and the defending world champions, Phantom Regiment. In quarterfinals, the Blue Stars received 9th place with a score of 89.950. A mere .75 separated the three corps in the 7-9 positions. Semifinals night arrived, and the corps placed 9th for the second night in a row with a score of 90.4, only .25 behind the 8th place corps, Phantom Regiment. After an inspired finals performance, the corps was able to jump into 8th place to overtake Phantom Regiment. The corps scored a 90.050.

[edit] Alumni Corps

The Blue Stars Alumni Corps began in 2005, and marches annually in the Oktoberfest parade in La Crosse.

[edit] External links

• Blue Stars homepage
• Blue Stars Repertoires at Corpsreps
• Blue Stars Fan Network