Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps

Raiders Drum And Bugle Corps

The Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps is a Drum Corps International Open Class drum corps based in Burlington, New Jersey and founded in 1990. Started as a continuation of the Bayonne Bridgemen, the Raiders have since created their own identity, consistently appearing in Division II/III and Open Class Finals.

The corps first made Division III Finals in 1996, and have in total made Finals 14 times. In 2001, the corps took the Division III Silver Medal, finishing just .05 behind the Blue Stars. The Raiders won their first Division III World Championship in 2005, with a program based on the music of Jesus Christ Superstar, which was a notable step up from the sixth-place finish the corps in 2004. Following their title, the Raiders captured the Division III Bronze Medal in 2006 with their show entitled "Coast to Coast," expressing traveling from a busy New York, through a calm Midwest to a finish in California. In Division II, the corps highest placement was 6th in 2007 with their show, "West Side Story."

Since the inception of the Open Class format in 2008, the Raiders have continued to make Finals appearances. Their 2008 program, "Deep Blue," placed the corps in 9th, and included the corps' first ever original compositions. In 2009, the corps rebounded with their show "Isle of Hope," jumping from the 8th spot in Semifinals to tie Revolution for 6th place. With 2010 marking the corps' 20th Anniversary, the Raiders celebrated their history with "Platinum Celebration," taking 5th with their highest score ever (89.15). The 2011 corps presented a new direction for the Raiders, moving from their longtime home in Wayne, NJ to Burlington, NJ, and presenting a contemporary jazz program entitled "BlueEccentric." Despite fielding a largely rookie corps, the corps went on to finish 10th and took 5th in Percussion. In 2012 the Raiders attempted to push the boundaries of the drum corps activity with their "Warped" program. Drawing extensive expertise from their staff involved in the winter guard and percussion activity, they covered the field with three massive green tarps designed to "warp" the field with zig-zagged, looping, and curved yard lines and complete with a red-bricked road harking to the mysterious adventurism of the Wizard of Oz. The innovative performance became a fan-favorite over the course of the season, leading to a 10th place finish.

The corps song is "One More Time", which is sung by the entire corps just before taking the field. The corps also makes it a tradition to play "Right Now" by Van Halen just before warming up for a performance.