Connecticut Hurricanes Drum and Bugle Corps
The Connecticut Hurricanes, also known by their nickname the Hurcs, is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization based in Seymour, CT existing as an all-age, co-ed, competitive drum and bugle corps. The Hurricanes reign as the oldest, continually active organization in DCA, with some of the most extensive history of any senior corps. Mission statement. ""The mission of the Hurricanes Drum and Bugle Corps is to provide a competitive platform on which members can build successful healthy lifestyles through music and performance, as well as to promote artistic excellence. Emphasis is  placed on development of self-esteem, self-motivation and self-reliance. It encourages team work, sportsmanship, civic pride and contributions of one's personal best to a group effort geared toward individual achievement of common goals. It is an education designed to help members become the best they can be."" History. The extensive history of the Hurricanes can be divided into three distinct periods as follows; 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 (DCA), 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 three DCA Championship titles (1967, 1969 and 1981) and have failed to reach the finals in the DCA championship contest but three times (1986, 1989 and 2003). The Hurricanes have finished in the coveted  top five in DCA finals competition a respectable twenty-four times. Identity. There are several distinguishing characteristics the give the Hurricanes their unique identity: Championships. Major titles garnered by the Hurricanes;