Sentinels

"THIS MONTH I would like to deviate from my usual coverage and give you an inside report on the very fine Sentinels Drum and Bugle Corps of Bellevue, Washington. I had the pleasure of attending one of their practices last week and was quite impressed with what I saw. This is by far the largest drum corps organization in the northwest, for you see the Sentinels are the only corps in the area augmented by a fine feeder corps, the Guardsmen. The Sentinels were formed in 1966 and have grown to be one of the most colorful corps in the northwest. In addition to playing members, the corps includes an all girl color guard and rifle squad, cape twirlers and majorettes. Their distinctive Spanish-style uniforms which I understand were all made by their parents, are quite unique in the area.
The Sentinels won many major parades last year, and placed quite high in almost all competitions held in the area. In addition to all the local contests, the Sentinels participated in the "World Open" in Lynn, Mass., the Heritage Days Parade in Salem, Mass., and the V.F.W. Nationals in Philadelphia. Many miles were traveled last year and the experience gained by the corps was their reward."
"The Sentinels have a very fine repertoire this year including their OTL of "Spanish Rogue"; flag will be "2001" and "One Hand, One Heart". Going into concert they will retain "Flamenco", one of their better hold-over numbers from last year. They hadn't decided on a concert number as of last week but will play "Man, Horse And A Gun" as a production number. Their exit number is another question mark at this time. Tim Chambers, drill and music supervisor, and drum major, Gail Hurlbert informed me that the corps would be going out with 36 to 40 horns with 18 in the percussion section and a large guard of 35. I personally look for this corps to go places in '70 and to place high at Legion Nationals in Portland, Oregon."

[Edited from the North West Corps-ner article by Will Schillen in the July 1970 DCD.]

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The Bellevue Sentinels, formed in 1966, was a junior marching and maneuvering corps based in Bellevue, Washington.

In 1969, the Sentinels crossed the country to take part in the VFW Nationals in Philadelphia, only to have so many corps members brought low by illness that they were unable to compete.

The corps competed in DCI once, in 1973, where they finished 43rd.

[A History of Drum & Bugle Corps, 2002; DCW, 4/03, p.3]

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