Audubon Bon Bons

Audubon, NJ United States
Founded: 1938

Inactive All Girl

Year	Position	Score	Theme/Songs
1953	2		(Repertoire not available)
1955			When Johnny Comes Marching Home * I Got the Sun in the Morning (from Annie Get Your Gun) * They Say That Falling In Love Is Wonderful * Doin' What Comes Natur'lly (from Annie Get Your Gun) * They Say That Falling In Love Is Wonderful * Fanfare * Who * Look Sharp (Gillette Song) * There Is Nothing Like A Dame (from South Pacific) * After the Ball Is Over
1956	4	91.100	(Repertoire not available)
1957	7	90.150	The Billboard March * I've Got You Under My Skin * Carioca * Cha-Cha After Six * I'll Never Smile Again * Canadian Sunset
1959			French National Fanfare * All the Things You Are * National Emblem March * Time on My Hands * In the Good Old Summertime * Lights Out * Kiss The Boys Goodbye * Embraceable You
1960			The Birth of the Blues * National Emblem March * In the Good Old Summertime * Do-Re-Mi (from The Sound of Music) * All the Things You Are * I've Got You Under My Skin * Till There Was You (from The Music Man)
1963			Theme from Bewitched * I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair (from South Pacific) * I'm In Love With A Wonderful Guy (from South Pacific) * Some Enchanted Evening (from South Pacific) * Happy Talk (from South Pacific) * I'll Never Smile Again * You'll Never Walk Alone (from Carousel) * Hey There (from The Pajama Game) * People Will Say We're In Love (from Oklahoma!)
1971			(Repertoire not available)
1972			Wild Wild West * The Big Country * The Great Race March * Alexander's Ragtime Band * Ka-Boom-Boom * Consider Yourself (from Oliver) * High Noon * The Sons of Katie Elder * How You Gonna Keep 'em Down On The Farm
1973	23	66.450	(Repertoire not available)
1974	35	64.350	(Repertoire not available)
1976	34	65.550	(Repertoire not available)

Position 200+ indicates Division II, Position 300+ indicates Division III, Position 400+ indicates Mini Corps.

CORPS Photos

The Audubon All-Girl Drum and Bugle Corps, known universally as the Bon-Bons, formed in 1938, was an all-girl marching and maneuvering and parade corps based in Audubon, New Jersey. They were sponsored by Oaklyn-Audubon-Bettlewood VFW Post 4463. The corps’ colors were blue and white.

In early years, because there existed so few all-girl corps, the Bon-Bons had to compete, if they wished to compete at all, with all-male groups. They were the only female group to compete successfully in this venue, placing second or third in VFW Nationals several times. In 1957 they took high drums and GE at the American Legion Nationals, before placing second to the Holy Name Cadets. In 1960, their bugles defeated those of every other corps competiting in the American Legion Nationals in Miami.

The corps’ director, Mr. Joseph Bernert, Sr., known to all as "J.B.," instructed some 3000 girls through the years. He originated the signature phrase “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.”

That title was not entirely accurate, however, as the Bon-Bons were the 1969 and 1970 VFW All-Girl National Champions, among other awards. They participated in the Dream Contests of 1957-64 and in a Carnegie Hall concert with other corps in 1962. The corps was also selected for induction into the Drum Corps Hall of Fame in 1967. They appeared in Eastern States Circuit competition in 1977.

The Bon-Bons merged with three other corps in 1978, but the Bon-Bon Alumni Chorus continues to entertain into the 21st century.

[Encyclopedia of Drum and Bugle Corps, 1966; rec.arts.marching,drumcorps; Competitive Drum Corps, Popp, 1979; DCW, 6/29/93, p.9, 19]

Members (16)

Member Name	Section	Years Involved
Baldwin, Julie	Soprano	1972 to 1979
Bicking, Kristin	soprano and mellophone	1974 to 1977
Darcy, Debbie	CG bari dm	1970 to 1975
Dougherty, Coleen	soprano	1969 to 1977
Hammell, Bea	Soprano 76,77/mellophone 75	1974 to 1977
Hardy, Susan	drumline	1962 to 1965
Jenkins, Ethel	Soprano	1965 to 1973
Long, Kathy	tenor drum; drum majorette	1958 to 1967
McElroy, Ella	Horn Line, Baritone	1959 to 1965
McHugh, Kathy	Percussion	1974 to 1977
Merlie, Dolores	Color Guard	1956 to 1960
Miller, Marlene	soprano	1947 to 1956
Pennisi, Carol	Soprano/Drum Major	1959 to 1970
sullivan, martha	colorguard,soprano, mellophone	1967 to 1976
Van Leer, Darlene	Baratone	1970 to 1975
Yeager, Mariann	french horn	1963 to 1964

CORPS 25 items

Audubon Bon Bons

0 5 Photos

1951 1 Photos

1957 1 Photos

1959 1 Photos

1961 2 Photos

1962 1 Photos

1963 2 Photos

1964 1 Photos

1966 1 Photos

1973 1 Photos

Members (16)