The Enduring Legacy of the Hawthorne Caballeros: A History of Excellence

The Hawthorne Caballeros Drum and Bugle Corps, based in Hawthorne, New Jersey, stands as a beacon of excellence in the world of drum corps. Sponsored by American Legion Post No. 199, this all-age competitive corps boasts a rich history dating back to 1946. With ten DCA World Championships, sixteen American Legion National Titles, seventeen National Dream Contest victories, and forty-three New Jersey State American Legion Titles, the Caballeros have left an indelible mark on the marching arts. Their performances have graced prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and they have appeared for numerous professional sports organizations, including the New York Giants, New York Jets, New York Yankees, Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Commanders. The Caballeros have also performed at the inaugural parade of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and for Queen Elizabeth I, solidifying their place in American history and culture.

Origins and Formation

The story of the Hawthorne Caballeros begins in the 1930s with James J. Costello Jr., a young drummer who joined the St. George Cadets at the age of eleven. He remained with the corps until joining the United States Navy in 1942. Following the end of World War II in 1945, Costello, along with fellow veterans and former St. George Cadets members Bob Costello, George Hayek, Joe Scarber, and John McAuliffe, came together to form the organization that would become the Hawthorne Caballeros. In April 1946, the corps secured sponsorship from American Legion Post No. 199, marking the official beginning of their journey.

A Departure from Tradition: The Birth of a Unique Style

From its inception, the Hawthorne Caballeros sought to distinguish itself from traditional cadet-style drum corps. Inspired by the San Gabriel Dons of American Legion Post No. 442, the corps adopted a Spanish-style uniform featuring a white satin blouse, red satin sash, black bell-bottom trousers with red side pleats, and a black sombrero. This distinctive uniform, first debuted in May 1947, quickly became a trademark of the Caballeros, setting them apart from their competitors. The Dons, who won the American Legion National Championships in 1935 and 1937, served as the design inspiration for the new corps.

Early Competitions and First Championship

The Caballeros entered their first field competition in Trenton, New Jersey, on July 20, 1947. At the 1949 American Legion National Championships in Philadelphia, they were eliminated after placing 11th in the preliminary contest. However, their dedication and hard work soon paid off. In 1951, the Caballeros won their first American Legion National Championship, marking a significant milestone in the corps' history. While attending the event in Miami, the corps was offered an opportunity by the United States Department of State to travel to Havana for a performance, but prior commitments prevented them from accepting the invitation.

Continued Success and Recognition

The Caballeros continued their winning streak, capturing their second American Legion National Championship in 1953. In addition to performing at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, they were invited to march in the inaugural parade of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, further solidifying their national recognition. In 1955, the corps won the National Dream Contest in Jersey City, New Jersey. The Caballeros placed second in the National Dream Contest.

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The "Rumps" and Musical Innovation

In 1957, the Caballeros introduced an off-the-line and final fanfare arrangement of "España Cañí," commonly known as "the rumps" by the drum corps community. This iconic fanfare, arranged by Al Mura, has been a staple of Caballeros performances ever since, becoming one of the most recognizable themes in drum corps.

A Dynasty in the Making

The Caballeros continued to dominate the competition scene, winning their fourth American Legion National Championship at Soldier Field in 1958. During this period, Richard Blake’s Fleetwood Records in Revere, Massachusetts, featured the Caballeros on multiple albums. Their 1958 album "Off the Line", which prominently featured the corps, became Fleetwood’s best-selling record. In 1959, the corps won their fifth American Legion National Championship, solidifying their position as a powerhouse in the drum corps world.

Transition to Drum Corps Associates (DCA)

In 1966, the Caballeros joined Drum Corps Associates (DCA), a sanctioning body founded to promote and govern senior drum and bugle corps competition. This move marked a new chapter in the corps' history, as they transitioned from American Legion-sponsored events to a more specialized and competitive environment.

Challenges and Changes

In 1968, the Caballeros finished eighth at the DCA Championship Finals, their lowest placement in the competition’s history. The corps’ final standing at the American Legion National Championship is not available. During this period, the corps faced significant declines in membership and maintained a policy of admitting only male members, despite broader changes in the drum corps community regarding gender inclusion. In 1969, the corps placed seventh in the DCA Championships and second at the American Legion Nationals in Atlanta.

Rebuilding and Renewed Success

In the pre-season winter of the 1970 championships, the Caballeros implemented several significant organizational changes, including the hiring of Larry Kerchner- a Berklee College of Music graduate and former Blue Rock junior corps member- as music arranger and instructor, and the appointment of Jim Russo as permanent drum major. These changes revitalized the corps, leading to a resurgence in their competitive success. In 1970, the Caballeros won the National Dream Contest at Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City, New Jersey. In 1972, the corps won their second DCA Championship. They also performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, performing "Everybody’s Everything" in Herald Square. In September, the corps performed before a crowd of 78,000 at the opening day of Giants Stadium.

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Continued Excellence in DCA Competition

The Caballeros continued to be a force to be reckoned with in DCA competition. In 1990, the Caballeros placed third at the DCA Championships. The corps placed second at the 1996 DCA Championships. In 2000, the Caballeros placed second at the DCA Championships. In 2004 and 2006, the corps placed fourth at the DCA Championships. In 2010 and 2011, the Caballeros placed fifth at the DCA Championships. In 2016 and 2017, the Caballeros placed fourth at the DCA Championships.

The Hawthorne Muchachos and Alumni Corps

The Hawthorne Muchachos were formed in 1959 under the leadership of Caballeros drum major Ralph Silverbrand. In their first two competitive seasons, the Muchachos achieved undefeated records in local entry-level circuits. In 1961, they advanced into national competition, joining the junior circuit that would later become part of Drum Corps International (DCI). Years later, an alumni-led organization revived the Muchachos name with a smaller ensemble based in Manchester, New Hampshire. This group continued performing until announcing its “retirement” from DCI after the 2023 season. The Hawthorne Caballeros Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps was established in 1994 by a group of former members of the Hawthorne Caballeros. Designed as a non-competitive ensemble, the alumni corps performs exclusively in exhibitions, parades, and special events. The musical program is arranged by Frank Pisillo, a former Caballeros member and horn instructor, who also leads the horn line with assistance from Jim D'Amico. The ensemble includes approximately one hundred performers representing multiple states, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts, Delaware, Virginia, Florida, and California. Membership spans five decades of Caballeros history and has included four members of the original 1946 corps: Joe Scarber, George Hayek, Joe Doran, and founder of the Hawthorne Caballeros James J. Costello.

Adapting to Changing Times

In 1968, the Sunrisers Drum and Bugle Corps became the first Drum Corps Associates (DCA) corps to incorporate women into their ranks. Although initially seen as a notable departure from tradition, most other senior corps followed suit shortly thereafter. In 1981, the New York Skyliners Drum and Bugle Corps ended their male-only policy and began accepting women. During the early 1980s, the Caballeros faced growing challenges in fully staffing their color guard, and internal discussions regarding gender inclusion intensified. As the postwar decades progressed and senior drum corps became increasingly staffed by non-veterans, many participants and administrators viewed the competition rules of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) as outdated, inflexible, and overly restrictive. The Hawthorne Caballeros, as one of the American Legion’s most successful and visible senior corps, were often perceived as emblematic of the Legion’s traditional framework.

The Uniform: A Symbol of Tradition and Excellence

The Hawthorne Caballeros initially wore traditional military-style uniforms throughout 1946. The design was inspired by the San Gabriel Dons of American Legion Post No. 442, a California-based corps that Jim Costello Sr.-father of Jim Costello Jr., Caballeros founder-had admired. The Dons, winners of the American Legion Nationals in 1935 and 1937, wore a Spanish-style uniform featuring a white satin blouse, red satin sash, black bell-bottom trousers with red side pleats, and a black sombrero. From the beginning, the one facet that “sold” the Caballeros show and brought it all together more than any other single visual feature was the classic uniform. While the competing corps has moved away from wearing this classic look during their competitive performances, we honor this uniform by wearing it during special occasions, like parades and during the occasional full retreat. Additionally, our alumni corps wears the traditional uniform proudly during their performances.

Musical Selections

Over the years, the Hawthorne Caballeros have performed a wide range of musical selections, showcasing their versatility and musical talent. Some notable pieces include:

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España Cañí
Amparito Roca
Time To Say Goodbye (Con Te Parto)
El Diablo Rojo! Alegria!
La Virgen de la Macarena
The Three Caballeros
A Gay Ranchero
Fanicule Fanicula
America
Concierto de Aranjuez
Nothing But D.
Corre Nina
Upstart
Malaguena
L.A. Man of La Mancha
Company (from Company)
Ritual Fire Dance
Georgetown (from St. Elmo's Fire)

James J. Costello, Jr.: The Heart and Soul of the Caballeros

As incredible as the story of the Caballeros might be, however, it is not so much the story of a drum and bugle corps as it is the story of one man: James J. Costello, Jr., and his half century dedication to a single purpose. Born in Paterson, NJ on February 20th, 1921, Jim grew up in a drum corps family. His father, James Sr., was a member of the Pellington Post corps and the East Orange Post before joining the St. George Cadets in Paterson. At the age of eleven, Jim Jr. Joined the St. George Cadets as a drummer, and continued to play with that corps until entering the Navy in 1942. Serving as a fire control-man, Jim learned the electrical trade, the skill that would be his livelihood once back in civilian life. The Second World War ended in August 1945, and Jim, along with nearly twelve million other servicemen, returned home to take up life where they had left off; to start a career, to get married, to buy a house, and to raise a family. The idea of forming a senior drum & bugle corps, for most, was well down on the list of priorities, but there were those who remembered the fun, thrills, and camaraderie of being in a drum corps, and it was still very much in their blood. On March 20th, 1946, the Caballeros were officially organized by a small group of recent veterans, former members of the St. George Cadets, including Jim Costello, his brother Bob, John McAuliffe (later to become Jim Costello's brother-in-law), Joe Scarber, and George Hayek. A few short weeks later, the corps made its first appearance. If you had been in Bayonne, New Jersey on that morning in May, 1946, and had walked up to Jim Costello, a twenty-five year old drummer getting ready to march in the Memorial Day parade, and told him that fifty years from then, he would still be the director of this drum & bugle corps, and that for the next half century it would be the most famous and successful senior corps of all time, he would undoubtedly have told you that you were crazy! But, of course, that is exactly what happened. The men that marched in the Memorial Day parade that inaugural year, dressed in various military uniforms, just wanted to get back into playing in a drum corps, but to a man, there were no aspirations whatsoever of becoming internationally famous.

A Timeline of Key Moments

March 20, 1946: The Caballeros are officially organized.
July 20, 1947: The corps competes in their first field competition in Trenton, New Jersey, wearing the Caballero uniform.
August 1947: The Caballeros attend their first National American Legion Championship contest at Randall's Island Stadium in New York City, placing eighth.
1951: The Caballeros win their first Legion National Championship.
July 1976: The Hawthorne Caballeros play for Queen Elizabeth I during her visit to the U.S. for the Bicentennial.
1982: Women are allowed into the drum corps for the first time, joining the color guard.
1989: During DCA's twenty-fifth anniversary celebration, fans vote the Caballeros their all-time favorite drum & bugle corps.
1994: The Hawthorne Caballeros Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps fields for the very first time.

Life in 1946: A Glimpse into the Past

To understand the context in which the Hawthorne Caballeros were founded, it's helpful to consider what life was like in the United States in 1946. There were only 48 states, Harry S. Truman was the president, and people listened to Amos and Andy, and Ozzie and Harriet on the radio. Television programming was still a year or two away. A house cost well under $10,000, and a new Chevrolet was about $900. Many of the things we take for granted today, such as computers, cloths, dryers, dishwashers, and microwave ovens, were non-existent. The first crude Rock & Roll was still nearly 10 years off. The population of the United States was about 140,000,000, roughly half of what it is today. There were no Big Mac's, no Corvettes, no Dallas Cowboys. Life was simpler, and in so many ways vastly different.

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