The Connecticut Hurricanes Drum and Bugle Corps, also known by their nickname the Hurcs, is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization based in Seymour, Connecticut existing as an all-age competitive drum and bugle corps. The Hurricanes reigned as the oldest, continually active organization in Drum Corps Associates until its merger with Drum Corps International.
History
Pre-competitive years, 1932–1954 The Hurricanes were formed in 1932 in Derby, CT and were originally known as the John H. Collins Post Fife Drum & Bugle Corps. Members were predominantly veterans from World War I. They thrived as a parade corps for twenty three years accompanying the John H. Collins American Legion Post in local parades as well as to the American Legion's State and National Conventions throughout the U.S.A. In the post World War II years of the 1940s the ranks were swelled by returning vets, as well as many new members, and the interest began shifting towards competitive field competition, an activity rapidly gaining in popularity. The fifes were phased out beginning in 1949 as the corps transformed to drums and bugles only.
Pre-DCA, 1955–1963 The Corps officially transformed into a competitive field corps in 1955 and became a member of the Yankee Circuit, and subsequently the Northeastern Circuit. Though the corps was unofficially known by the nickname Hurricanes since 1951, Hurricane Diane and Hurricane Connie, powerful back to back storms that devastated the Naugatuck Valley of Connecticut in 1955, served as the inspiration to permanently change the name of the corps to the Connecticut Hurricanes in February 1956. The fledgling corps endured the expected growing pains that accompanied the transition in those first few years, but a top notch instructional staff and gritty determination propelled the Corps towards new heights and they would eventually become one of the premier corps of the Northeastern Circuit, where they competed through 1963, garnering two championships.
Modern years, 1964–present In 1964 on the heels of a successful rise to prominence in the Northeastern Circuit, the Hurricanes became a charter member of Drum Corps Associates (DCA). Since that inaugural year of DCA competition, they have captured five DCA Championship titles (1967, 1969, 1981, 2022, and 2023) and have failed to reach the finals in the DCA championship contest five times (1986, 1989, 2003, 2016, and 2017). The Hurricanes have finished in the coveted top five in DCA finals competition a respectable twenty-six times. Starting in 2024, due to DCA merging with DCI, the Hurricanes will now be competing in the new DCI All-Age Class.
Show summary (1972–2024) YearThemeRepertoireScorePlacement196584.3602nd Place Open Class Finalist196684.4002nd Place Open Class Finalist196785.5831st Place Open Class Champion196878.4506th Place Open Class Finalist196979.4751st Place Open Class Champion197080.9503rd Place Open Class Finalist1971If My Friends Could See Me Now (from Sweet Charity) by Cy Coleman & Dorothy Fields / I'm a Brass Band (from Sweet Charity) by Cy Coleman & Dorothy Fields / Stars & Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa / Malaguena by Ernesto Lecuona / Hallelujah Chorus by George Frideric Handel / They Call the Wind Maria (from Paint Your Wagon) by Frederick Loewe & Alan Jay Lerner / Hang 'em High by Dominic Frontiere / The Magnificent Seven by Elmer Bernstein / Also Sprach Zarathustra (from Space 2001: A Space Odyssey) by Richard Strauss87.9304th Place Open Class Finalist1972Fanfare for the New * Fiddler on the Roof * Malaguena * The Impossible Dream (from Man of La Mancha) * America the Beautiful * Rule Britannia * La Marseillaise * Fanfare for the Common Man * Hang 'Em High * Magnificent Seven * Sprach Zarathustra (from 2001: A Space Odyssey)88.2004th Place Open Class Finalist (Tie)1973Circus Medley; Entry of the Gladiators, Ballyhoo March, Barnum and Bailey's Favorites & Billboard March * Theme from Shaft * Rhapsody in Blue * Journey for Peace * America the Beautiful * Rule Britannia * La Marseillaise * Fanfare for the Common Man * The Impossible Dream (from Man of La Mancha) * What the World Needs Now * Hang 'Em High * Magnificent Seven * Billboard March (reprise)85.3003rd Place Open Class Finalist1974Stormy Weather (from Stormy Weather) * Don't Rain on My Parade (from Funny Girl) * Rat Tat Tat * Margie * Circus Medley; Entry of the Gladiators, Ballyhoo March, Barnum and Bailey's Favorites & Billboard March * The Way We Were * Tropical Heatwave * They Call the Wind Maria (from Paint Your Wagon) * Magnificent Seven * Stormy Weather (from Stormy Weather)66.7006th Place Open Class Finalist1975I Got Rhythm (from Girl Crazy) * Walk on the Wild Side * Hallelujah Chorus * Jesus Christ Superstar * Hang 'Em High * Magnificent Seven * Circus Medley; Entry of the Gladiators, Ballyhoo March, Barnum and Bailey's Favorites & Billboard March * My Way86.9804th Place Open Class Finalist1976I Got Rhythm * Ease on Down the Road * Tropical Heat Wave * Hallelujah Chorus * Yankee Doodle * Stars and Stripes Forever *79.9506th Place Open Class Finalist1977 Light Cavalry Overture * Watch Closely Now (drum solo) * Mighty High * Stormy Weather * Oklahoma Crude * Velvet Green (drum solo) * Nadia's Theme * Magnificent Seven78.6508th Place Open Class Finalist1978Cantina Band (from Star Wars) * Main Title (from Star Wars) * Throne Room (from Star Wars) * Antares, the Star * Princess Leia's Theme (from Star Wars) * Sanctus (from The Mass) * Agnus Dei (from The Mass) * Chorale Almighty Father (from The Mass) * Offertory (from The Mass) * Saturday Night Fever Medley * Salsation * My Way * Magnificent Seven82.8005th Place Open Class Finalist1979Children of Sanchez * Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band * "Got to Get You into My Life" * Nowhere Man * Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band * My Way * Magnificent Seven78.6505th Place Open Class Finalist1980Les Preludes Overture * Queen of Sheba March * Swing, Swing, Swing (from 1941) * Spirit of America Medley * Magnificent Seven86.3503rd Place Open Class Finalist1981Les Preludes Overture * Queen of Sheba March * Swing, Swing, Swing (from 1941) * Salute to Freedom * Devil Went Down to Georgia * It's My Turn * Magnificent Seven89.6501st Place