Allegiance Elite were a Division II & III (known as Open Class) competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Allegiance Elite has developed a rich tradition of excellence in the Calgary and international marching music scene.
History[]
From 1986 to 2005 Allegiance Elite was recognized as one of Calgary's premier youth marching music programs. Before Allegiance Elite, there was Allegiance, which was formed in 1986 by a former staff member of the Calgary Cavaliers and a dedicated group of marching music enthusiasts. Allegiance Elite made their first uniformed appearance at the famous Calgary Stampede Parade, moving on to compete at DCI Class A for three years and merging with the Calgary Cavaliers in 1990 to make Allegiance Elite. In 2004, Allegiance Elite and the Edmonton Strutters made a temporary merger to become Fusion and placed ninth with their show called "Essence of Spirit." at DCI Division II Finals in Denver. Fusion disbanded in 2005 making Allegiance Elite and the Edmonton Strutters going their own separate ways with Allegiance Elite returning to competition under its original name.
In 2006 Allegiance Elite did not have enough members to field a corps and withdraw from competition and performed theatre-style shows across Alberta. By April of 2007 Allegiance Elite made its newest production called, "Active Youth", a music and athletic program all in one, introducing Drum & Bugle Corps, a unique youth program available in Calgary, Alberta, "Active Youth" was disbanded in October of 2007. During the same time, Allegiance Elite announce that they're returning to Drum Corps for their 2008 Summer Tour "The Return of Drum Corps to Western Canada!", it's unsure whether or not they did go on their Summer Tour for DCI. On October 16th the year 2010, Allegiance Elite hosted an “Open House” for all new or old drum corps & marching band fans to preview Allegiance Elite spectacular new facility. A “Kick-Off” Celebration designed to showcase Allegiance Elite upcoming 25th Anniversary and the introduction of Allegiance Elite all-new AIM "Allegiance Institute of Music" program. Allegiance Elite new home boasts over 7500 square feet of space dedicated to making a great music experience for everyone from age 12 to adults. In 2010 after a three-year self-imposed hiatus, Allegiance Elite was reorganized as an all-aged brass and percussion ensemble with membership ranging in age from 16 to 60. Allegiance Elite now provides a place to play for anyone who enjoys the acceleration that comes from performing with a marching band or drum and bugle corps, despite their three-year hiatus. The Allegiance Elite Drumline composed of alumni performed their 2010 show entitled "An Anthology of Rudimental Drumming." on May 30, 2010, at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. However, Allegiance Elite's all-age group was disbanded after a short period of operating. By May of 2011, Allegiance Elite or Allegiance Institute of Music launched an exciting new program designed to provide a concept of musical excellence for adults. By September of 2011, Allegiance Elite or Allegiance Institute of Music launched music lessons for students aged 12 - 18, "Learn how to "Play". Learn how to "Perform". 3 Times Faster than Standard Methods, Guaranteed! Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced Classes for Brass, Woodwinds & Percussion." In early 2015, operations of Allegiance Institute of Music slowly shut down.
On January 13, 2018 a meeting comprised of alumni, fans of drum corps, members or staff of Allegiance, Allegiance Elite, 1st Canadian Regiment, Canadian Knights, Dutch Boy, Ventures, Valley Fever, Troopers, Santa Clara Vanguard and others, held a meeting for "The FATE or FUTURE of Allegiance Elite!" discussing expertise, ideas, opinions about Allegiance Elite and what its future or fate was going to be.
During the years 2015 - 2020, Allegiance Elite was mostly ran through a high school during those years. Instruments, and uniforms still lying somewhere.
In September of 2019, plans of reforming and rebuilding the corps were made, these plans included purchasing new instruments and designing new uniforms. Allegiance Elite was expected to be back and running by 2020. Unfortunately, the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic halted all operations for Allegiance Elite causing Allegiance Elite to dissolved in late 2020.
Achievements & Awards[]
- Performed (every night) at the 1988 Winter Olympic Medal Ceremonies
- “Official Band” of the Calgary Stampeders Football Club (CFL)
- Grey Cup half–time performance
- Canadian National Champions (3 times)
- World Association Show Bands Champions
- Calgary Stampede Parade Champions (multiple)
- ATCO Cup Champions (multiple)
- Edmonton Klondike Days Champions (multiple)
- Walt Disney Entertainment Award Winner
- U.S. Coast Guard Open Champions
- Canadian Open Champions
Trivia[]
- Allegiance Elite would be one of the last active corps in Western Corps during the early 2000s.
- Many members of the Calgary Stampede Showband would join Allegiance Elite after their season with the Calgary Stampede Showband was finished.
- After several meetings with parents and the Board of Directors, the Calgary Cavaliers agreed that for the good of the members the merge with Allegiance Elite should happen. The name of the new organization would be "Allegiance Elite". This kept the name Allegiance and took the name Elite from the name "Alberta Elite" which was to be the new name of the Calgary Cavaliers.
Traditions[]
See Also[]
External Links[]
- Allegiance Elite official web site
- www.activeyouth.ca recruitment web site
References[]
- Drum Corps Calgary Style! - Drum Corps Planet article
- Allegiance Elite goes inactive for 2006, gears up for summer theatre-style show dci.org