The history of the Steel City Ambassadors Drum & Bugle Corps

Organized in October of 1980, the corps has worked very hard and progressed rapidly to become one of the countries top Senior Drum & Bugle Corps.  Evidence of the Progress of our corps was the very strong  showing at "The Serenade In Brass" Sr. Drum Corps' Top Indoor Concert, Saturday, March 21, 1981. The corps membership includes former Drum Corps, High School and College band members and directors from the western, PA area.

In their second year of competition, the Steel City Ambassadors will feature a program aimed at entertaining the audience.

Circuit:  Drum Corps Associates "Associate Member

• Finals - Mientown, PA.

International Corps Associates - "Undefeated Champs"

• Finals - Alliance, OH

PA V.F.W. State - "Champs", Pittsburgh, PA

Repertoire: "Bugle Blues", - featuring past D.C.I. soloist Pat Cavanaugh, Next 'Harry James Medley", with soprano soloists Ed Lewis and Curt Hawkins. Percussion feature, "Blue Rondo A La Turk" and the swing version of  National Emblem".

1982 - 11th place DCA

In their third year, Steel City had a rough start with their 5th place finish in their first field competition at the DCA Hershey Show.  But, 7 rehearsals and 14 days later, The Black and Gold turned that 5th place into a 2nd at the DCA Show in Latrobe. In the two ICA competitions held on July 2nd and 3rd at Midland, PA and Rochester NY., the corps pleased their fans with sweeping victories.

Circuit: Drum Corps Associates

• "Elite 10" Member Finals - Allentown, PA.

International Corps Associates - "Undefeatd' Champs"

• Finals - Baltimore, MD

International Corps Associates (North)

• "Champs"
• Guelph, Ontario

Empire State - 'Champs

• Rochester, N.Y.

Repertoire: National Emblem - Dixieland", "You Made Me Love You", - featuring award winning soprano soloist, Curt Hawkins followed by "2 O Clock Jump.   Introduction to a River', into Frank Zappa's 'Peaches and Regalia".  Exiting with "Somewhere in the Night" featuring another highly acclaimed soloist Pat Cavanaugh and a Mellophone solo by Frank Cicco.

1983 - 10th Place DCA

1983  - 1984

The Pittsburgh Metro area corps has run the gamut from a 1980 idea on the back burner of a few ex drum corps member's list of things to do, through to the 1981 season when they joined the International Corps Association and came in 2nd in the ICA Championships. In Philadelphia at the Drum Corps Associates Finals, Steel City placed 12th to finish it's first season. 1982 saw the corps march "undefeated" through the ICA contests and finished 11th in the DCA World Finals in Allentown, PA.  The summer of 1983 was a repeat performance in the ICA Circuit and gave the corps the momentum to gain full member status in the "Top 10" of  DCA's at the World Finals in Allentown, PA.

Circuit: Drum Corps Associates -"Top 7"

• Finals - Allentown, PA.

International Corps Associates "Champs"

• Finals - Baltimore, MD

Repertoire: Warm-up - "God Bless the Beasts and the Children", "No Moon At All", "Malaguena".  Earth/Wind/Fire - "In the Stone", to drum solo of "Get Away". Exit with Lionel Richie "All Night Long". The Corps re-enters the field with it's signature - "National Emblem March".

1984 - 7th place DCA

Now, long-established corps like the Thunderbirds, Archer Epler, the Hurricanes, and the Westshormen must watch out for this young, powerful corps from Pittsburgh. All of them but the Hurc's lost to Steel City last year.  And the Steel City Ambassadors placed 7th, right behind the Hurricanes, in the 1984 DCA World Finals. The corps' horn section has proved its strength.  At the '84 Senior Corps Championships, Steel City's brass executed well enough to score less than, half of a point behind the renowned Hurricanes horn line. This year's book shows off Steels' horns through the jazz idiom.

Circuit: Drum Corps Associates -"Top 5"

• Finals - Allentown, PA

Best Individual Showmanship Award

• Sandy McNeal  - AWESOME ALLEY
• Finals - Allentown, PA

Repertoire: Nat King Cole's version "NO Moon At All", "Malaguena" the Stan Kenton arrangement. Manhattan Transfer's "Why Not" and Quincy Jones'  "Stormy Weather". Exiting with "LA is My Lady" by old blue eyes, Sinatra.

1985 - 5th  place DCA

The Steel City Ambassadors 1986 Production is the most popular and spectacular in their history.  The corps had dedicated their hard work for the enjoyment of the crowd and are looking forward to performing for their many fans and followers the drum corps community. The corps is fielding the largest corps in their 5th year history. Placing 5th in DCA Finals last year has been a driving factor to present to you the best show possible for 1986. Pittsburgh's version of  "Metal -Mania 1986".

Circuit: Drum Corps Associates -"Top 2"

• Finals - Allentown, PA.
• High General Effect Award

Finals - Allentown, Pa.  Best DCA Soloist -Curt Hawkins

Finals - Allentown, Pa. Second time winner

• Best Individual Showmanship Award
• Sandy McNeal  - AWESOME ALLEY

Repertoire: Warm-up to Striesands "Somewhere", to "Nutville". Concert -"One More Time Chuck Corea", to "Stormy Weather". Drum Solo using brake drums to Manhattan Transfer "Why Not" into Sinatra's-"After You're Gone".

1986 - 2nd place DCA

The corps has improved it's National Ranking every year, and is currently ranked 2nd in the World. This year promised to be an even better year, with the Ambassadors fielding the largest corps to date; with early-season estimates at 64 Horns, 31 Percussion, 28 Colorguard. Steel's show will once again focus on entertainment as the corps plays a variety of Contemporary, Big Band and Latin Jazz numbers.

Circuit: Drum Corps Associates - Top 4"

• Finals - Allentown, PA.
• Repertoire:  'Somewhere Out There", Buddy Rich - "Nutville", Billy Cobham's "Mozaik", featuring Steel's unique scaled automobile brake drums. "One More Time Chuck Corea", and 'Come Rain or Come Shine".

1987 - 4th place DCA

Senior Corps are getting used to seeing the Steel City Ambassadors finish on Top. In their eighth year, this Pittsburgh powerhouse has already established itself as a Top DCA contender.  Last year, the corps placed first or second in all of its shows right up to the DCA World Championships.  There on a muddy field, the corps wallowed to a 92.86, less than two points out of first place!  The three last years Steel City has finished in the Top Five at Championships.

In 1986, the corps barely missed winning it all -by only five tenths of a point.

Now, dynastic corps like the Buccaneers, Skyliners, and Sunrisers must look over their shoulders for the young Ambassadors. All of them lost at least once last season to the Pittsburgh Steel City Ambassadors.

Circuit: Drum Corps Associates - 'Top 8'

• Finals - Hershey, PA.
• Repertoire:  "How High the Moon", "Love For Sale", 'LaFuerza", and "Here's that Rainy Day"

1988 - 8th place DCA

D.C.A.'S (25TH) SILVER ANNIVERSARY

STEEL!!!  Get ready for an exciting show when you hear the Steel City Ambassadors exclaim 'STEEL' with charged-up emotion as we take the field!  You'll FEEL THE SOUND as Steel City kicks off this show with a brassy horn line featuring highlights by DCA award winner soprano soloist Curt Hawkins; two-time DCA Entertainer of the year award winner, Sandy McNeal on Congos, and Baritone soloist Walt Street.

Steel City is proud to be a part of DCA's Silver Anniversary in 1989, and wishes to say THANKS TO ALL THE CORPS AND FANS who have kept Senior Corps in an existing part of Drum Corps for these past 25 years.

Circuit: Drum Corps Associates -"Top,7" - Tied w/Rochester Crusaders

• Finals - Allentown, PA.
• Repertoire:  Pete Spadaro's arrangement of "Brass Machine" ala Scream Machine - soloist by Curt Hawkins. Scott Koter's percussion arrangement with the high-energy brass along with "The Pit" and Sandy McNeal on Congos, in an arrangement of "Malaga", Next, featuring Baritone soloist Walt Street In "Blue Bosa", leaving the field with "Conga".

1989 - 7th place DCA

S.C.A'S (10Th) SEASON!!!

This year marks the 10th Year of The Steel City Ambassadors. Created in 1981 by a group of people who dedicated themselves to the return of DCA Senior Drum Corps to the City of Pittsburgh, the Steel City Ambassadors are once again performing the entertaining 'up-beat music that marks their style; "Suite for Jazz", done in three parts, and Maleguena. This 10th Year also is one of the extensive travel, with performances in Paterson N.J., Albany N.Y., Waterbury CT, St. Johns MI, Rochester N.Y., as well as In the cities of Cumbreland MD, Reading, Erie, Scranton, Columbia, Canonsburg, and Allentown, PA . With new uniforms and renewed enthusiasm, Steel' City is fielding one of the largest DCA Corps, with over 50 horns, 34 percussion, and 18 colorguard. Lead by Corps Director and Drum Major, Mike Symonds, and with solos by Dan McGrogan, Walt Street, and John Gilliand.  Steel City is aiming for an audience-entertaining show and a "No. # 1" Finish in DCA at Allentown.

Circuit: Drum Corps Associates -'8th Place'

• Finals - 88.9
• 1990 Repertoire:  "Suite for Jazz" and "Malaguena".

1990 - 8th place DCA

S.C.A'S (10TH) ANNIVERSARY Of FIRST COMPETITION!!!

This year marks the 10th Year Anniversary of The Steel City Ambassadors. Created in 1981 by a group of people who dedicated themselves to the return of DCA Senior Drum Corps to the. City of Pittsburgh, the Steel City Ambassadors strive to survive thru the omen in the Pgh. area of "...A drum corps life expectancy Is 10 yrs, then it goes under."  The corps almost, but did not die. In late January 1991, (6) out of the (8) Board of Directors resigned all at once. An emergency meeting was conducted and over 350 letters were sent out to past, present, future members to help and par-take in a Re-Election that was held in February. The overall co-tents, emotions, teary-eyed speeches that were given resulted in one final comment.... STEEL MUST SURVIVE, MUST LIVE!  KEEP IT GOING. That being the case, the results of the re-elections were positive and all the Board positions are occupied for the new season. With many, many, new ideas, and a lot of un-tied strings hanging in the air, the present Board of Directors are proud to present to you the STEEL CITY AMBASSADORS.

Circuit: Drum Corps Associates -"Associate Member

• 12th Place" Prelims
• 73.4 Finals - Scranton, PA
• Repetoire: The Steel City Show include a Fine baritone solo in the intro ballad "A11 In Good Time", their hard-driving Latin production of Louie Belson's "Santos" (with a strong percussion solo within it); the musicality and beautiful nuances of "If I Loved You", and the upbeat jazz sounds of "People Alone" with a wide spectrum of feelings, a brass quintet and a smashing ending!!

1991 - 12th place DCA

1992 - 14th place DCA

The Corps Stayed Together As A Parade Corps

The Corps went inactive due to problems recruiting.

Alumni Corps

1998  - Was the beginning of the Steel City Ambassador Alumni Corps era. Most competition Corps in the area were getting smaller, due to members getting older and few new young people getting into Drum Corps. People did not have the time to put into Competition Drum Corps anymore.

Before the spring of 1998, the Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps scene in Pittsburgh was represented by two groups, the Steel City Ambassadors and the Westmoreland Esquires. Both groups were having trouble recruiting and retaining members. Frank Cicco, Denny Graham, Bernie Halgas, Don Kretzer, and Dominic Mignogna sat down at the Italian Club in Pitcairn, PA and hatched a plan. They would combine the forces of the Steel City Ambassadors and the Westmoreland Esquires to form the West Penn Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps, to represent the alumni corps activity to the Pittsburgh, PA area. The corps first performances were at July 4 parades in Ligonier, PA and Jeannette, PA on July 4, the Steel City Alumni marched in many more parades that summer, forming a nucleus of membership.

Following a successful inaugural summer, the Steel City Alumni built on their success and expanded their performances to local Drum Corps Midwest and Drum Corps International contests. The SCA performed exhibitions at the Butler, PA show in June, 1999 as well as the Bethel Park, PA show in August. Another significant activity in the summer of 1999 was performing the Firemen's state convention parade in Greensburg, PA. The corps marched with the "Washies" of the Washington Fire Department in Conshohocken, PA, and was able to help them to win the best of their class for marching with music. The spring and summer of 1999 also saw the forging of a very very successful partnership with the Springdale Veteran's Association in Springdale, PA, who continue to very graciously provide the corps with a regular rehearsal facility.

After heavily recruiting members in both the horn line and the drum line in the "off-season", the Steel City Alumni stormed into the 2000 with their first performance at the Boardman, Ohio St. Patrick's Day parade. Their performance their earned them first place in the "Marching Band" category and the means to pay for the transporation to their first Alumni Drum Corps performance at the Archer-Epler Musketeers Brass Reunion in Upper Darby, PA. On the way to the performance, the corps was able to visit their new friends at the Washington Fire Department in Conshohocken, and give them a rousing preview of their show that evening. After that successful start, the corps also performed exhibitions at two Drum Corps Associates shows, in Warren, PA and Cumberland, MD, both of which were very warmly received.

The season started with a return to Boardman, where they won "Grand Champion" of the parade, improving on the previous year. The spring season took the corps to the Dixie Stinger in Baltimore, MD, the Serenade in Brass at the fabled Forum in Harrisburg, PA and a return to the Brass Reunion in Upper Darby, PA. Following the successful spring season, the corps marched in parades all over the western Pennsylvania region, with returns to many parades as well as all new crowds for the corps. The busy parade season led up to the two most important performances of the corps to date: the Pro Football Hall of Fame parade and the opening of Heinz Field. Most of the members of the corps are huge Pittsburgh Steelers fans, so when the opportunity to represent Lynn Swann in the Pro Football Hall of Fame parade came along, the corps jumped at it. The corps marched directly in front of Lynn Swann and played the "Steeler Fight Song" down the parade route. Following that opportunity, the Steelers called on the corps again. This time, it was for the inaugural game at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. The Steel City Alumni were one of the first musical groups to perform at the stadium.

As of May 7, 2002), the corps has already made it through it's spring season. A name change back to the "Ambassadors" moniker has brought the corps full circle.

Spring shows this year took the corps back to Upper Darby once again for the Brass Reunion, and to a completely new crowd for the corps at the Mighty St. Joe's Classic in Rochester, NY.

October 2005 we moved our practice site to the Trafford Polish Club in Trafford Pa.

After a 10 year run at the Trafford Polish Club, we were informed that the club wanted to re-model the hall and our storage room was going to be a small banquet room, so we had to move.

August 2015 we purchased a 24 ft Trailer and September 2015 we moved everything into the trailer, so now we were mobile and could have a rehearsal anywhere.

Our new Rehearsal Site will be Winchester Thurston School in Shady Side part of Pittsburgh, which brings us back to the City of Pittsburgh.

The Corps remained active as an Alumni Corps and continued to entertain crowds across PA. NY, OH and WV always culminating our season at the DCA Alumni Spectacular.

In the fall of 2023 the corps underwent major restructuring with the Corps Directors and Board President and Vice President Bill and Luann Ringler resigning as Corps Directors and passing the torch to Benjamin Karic as Corps Director and Charles Lisella as Corps Assistant Director to continue the corps legacy.

The restructuring that the Corps underwent lead to a new age for SCA with bright new minds at the helm with the support of their predecessors the new leadership brought SCA into The DCI SoundSport International Class for the 2024 season.

December 2023

• The corps admin team held a meeting with the Drum Corps International New member committee to discuss the corps future in DCI.

January 2024

• The SCA Admin team attended the DCI annual Meeting in Indianapolis IN, where with a unanimous vote SCA was approved to start the onboarding process to join the newly formed DCI All Age Class in 2025.

January - March

• The Corps continues rehearsals and announces their 2024 production titled “The Construct of Time” featuring music by Charlie Puth, Nathaniel Ratliff & The Night Sweats and 3 Doors Down. Performing in the annual Pittsburgh St. Patrick's Day Parade the corps took the title of Best Drum & Bugle Corps.

April - May

• The Corps Continues working towards getting their 2024 production on the field while gaining momentum in recruitment and almost completely filing out their Percussion Section. Performing in the West Virginia Strawberry Festival Parade the corps Closed out the month of may as it gears up for a packed summer season!

June-July

• The Corps Continued to work on the field show adding Drill and Memorization to the group who hasn't been on the field in 32 years. Also Performing in the Warren and Brockway PA 4th of July parades. Later in July performing in the Phillipsburg PA Parade.

July 27th 2024

• Steel Performs its first field show in 32 Years as a standstill with 6 Brass and 7 Percussion "The Construct Of Time" at War Memorial Field in Warren Pennsylvania, and they were the first group to perform!

Score 76.333, Silver Rating

• Music Performance 77
• Visual Performance 75
• Overall Impression 77
• Sub Total: 229.000
• 2nd place with Sonus Brass Theater in 1st

August

• With three rehearsals to improve before the last week of DCI Finals they gained a Mello Player and Bass Drum which learned the show in that very short time.

August 5th 2024 DCI Pittsburgh

Held at Baldwin High school the 2nd group to perform. Due to time constraints they did an exhibition at DCI Pittsburgh, getting a very reactive crowd with this performance involving movement new drill and an electric energy of performing in Pittsburgh again!

August 10th 2024 DCI Finals Indianapolis IN

Held outside Lucas Oil Stadium the Soundsport International Music and Food Festival starting at 10:00am and 21 competing groups performing with Drumline Battles in-between to break up the festival Steel Performed at 1:30pm with a very warm welcome back to Drum Corps from the announcer and crowd praising the rich history of Steel In the 80s DCA days.

Score 82.667 Silver Rating- a 6 point jump in 2 weeks!!!

• Music Performance 77
• Visual Performance 85
• Overall Impression 86
• Sub Total 248.00
• 12th Place out of 21

Circuit: Soundsport, Performance Ensemble

• Show Repertoire: Let's Marvin Gaye and Get It On (Charlie Puth, Meghan Trainor), I Need Never Get Old (Nathaniel Ratliff & The Night Sweats), Kryptonite ( 3 Doors Down)
• SOLOS: Soprano Solo by Charles Lisella, Baritone Solo by Ryan Lucas

Parade Music

• America The Beautiful
• Boogie Shoes
• Everybody Have Fun Tonight
• Hot, Hot, Hot
• I Need Never Get Old
• Kryptonite
• Let's Marvin Gaye and Get it On
• Londonderry Air
• National Emblem Swing
• Pittsburgh Polka
• Tipperary
• Tuxedo Junction
• When Irish Eyes are Shining