After a period of uncertainty, co-founder and former Vice President of the corps Alex Schott took the directorship and a new path forward was forged again by former early 90's era director Rich Zamperini and several of the corps dedicated alumni, who successfully re-launched the group as a summer parade and performance unit that performed in the Small Drum Corps Association (SDCA)in 2013.

 

With new energy and a new staff, Rich's energy and passion caught fire with new members and the corps had a great summer or mostly local performances. The pattern was again repeated with tension between the board and director that led to Mr. Zamperini leaving his position in August that same year.

The board once again turned to Dave Campbell, who had been involved in the 2013 summer again teaching percussion and asked him to return to the director position. The summer of 2014 was again filled with parades and local performances with a very small group of talented young men and women. Mr. Campbell is hoping to build upon last summer and to work towards the corps once again entering the field of competition in the not too distant future.

 

Throughout their history, the Vagabonds have participated in field contests and parades in 38 states in the USA and Canada. They were voted the best marching and playing military unit at the Baltimore National VFW Parade in 1990, in the New Orleans 1991 parade, in Indianapolis in 1992, and in Dallas in 1993.

During their long history, the Vagabonds have been unique in many ways. First, there was never a tour fee. Amazingly enough, Corps Director Andrew Yaracs built a successful financial operation through hard work and shrewd business maneuvers. The Vagabonds owned two corps halls at one time. One devoted to bingo and fundraising, and the other for rehearsals called the Vagabonds School Of Music. In addition, the corps maintained a fleet of buses and trucks that at one time provided transportation to the Butler Community at large.

 

The Vagabonds also never suffered the often rumored "peanut-butter and jelly" diets that some corps endured. The Vagabonds ate well, had excellent instruments, uniforms and rehearsal spaces thanks to excellent work of the Board of Directors.

 

The bingo hall, once a huge part of the corps fund raising efforts has seen a steady decline in patrons since casino gambling has been made legal in the state. The current board of directors is working to increase attendance and is, once again, renting the facility for weddings and other events in an attempt to fund the corps in a more meaningful way.

 

With such a long and varied history, the only remaining active Junior corps in the Pittsburgh area is still a work in progress. We hope you have enjoyed this brief look at the organizations history!