Debonnaires Work All The Way Up To Top Competition-This Day In Norwood History-August 20, 1964

The Norwood Debonnaires, an all-girl drum and bugle corps, has had a busy summer competing in the various music festivals throughout the state. Although it started as a fife and drum corps for the youth of St. Catherine some forty years ago, it is now sponsored by the Norwood American Legion Post, No. 70, and the Norwood Lodge of Elks, No. 1124.

In 1957 it became an all-girl drum and bugle corps. The Debs take girls, from the ages of 12 to 21 years. A recruiting drive is now being planned for September. That year the Debs captured the Class C championship in both Eastern Massachusetts and the C.Y.O. circuits. They moved, then, into Class B to compete against more experienced and polished, units.

In 1960 the Debs had a good stiff fight with St. Kevin’s Emerald Gems for the C.Y.O. championship, but were unable to conquer the Gems, The most heartbreaking feat about that finals was the Debs first were announced the Circuit Champions, and were presented the Championship banner. But lost due to a tabulation error. They rushed back to Norwood to start a parade through town to inform the townspeople of the news. As ‘they were marching around the town, the Gems drove up and infromed the Debs of the mistake. Although the Debs were disappointed they handed the banner over to the Gems and continued the parade.

In 1961 the young ladies had their best year. They entered 16 contests, received 14 firsts and two seconds, and won both the Eastern Mass and CYO Circuit championships in Class B. They moved up to class A to compete against the best corps in the circuits.

Then at the end of the 1962 season, Janet Rosata, who had been their Drum Major since -1957 left to attend the University of Massachusetts.

Maureen Folan was elevated to the position of Drum Major. This year Janet has returned while Maureen was visiting in Ireland with her mother. She stayed on as -the assistant Drum Major.

Color Guard Captains are Patty Sheehan and Gail Delaney. Soloists are Sandra Sutherland, Alice Murray and Mary Ellen Doyle.
At present the Debs belong to the Eastern Massachusetts and Mayflower Circuits.

The Debs repertoire this year consists of the theme from “Gypsy” “Some People,” “More” (from the theme of Monda Cane), “I enjoy Being a Girl” (Flower-Drum Song), “Blues in the Night” (Harold Aarlen), “Venus” (Popular Songs), “Alexanders Ragtime Band” (Berlin), and “Bye Bye Baby’ (Gentlemen prefer Blondes). The Debs were the winners of the Mayflower Class A Championship last year and are planning to repeat their performance this year.

The staff of the corps includes Wallace MacDonald, Manager; Albert Johnson, Assistant Manager: Joseph Wap-pel, John Burke, Francis Connolly, Walter Aspinwall, and Joe Corbett Quartermasters.

The Debs have a Junior Corps which feeds new girls up to the Debs as they are needed. The staff of this corps includes James Trainor, Manager; Bob Paquette, Assistant Manager; Dan Sullivan and Joe Curran Quartermaster.”

Wallace MacDonald is Coordinator for both corps.

Instructors are Richard Davis on marching, George Day on bugles, John Allen on drums, and on Color Guard Rita Allen.