History

Saints History

The Legacy of the Saints

The Founding: Saints Drumline Inc. (2003-2012)

  • Inspiration & Genesis:
    • Founded in 2003 by Marshall Cheatham, an alumnus of the St. Andrews Hornets’ Drum & Bugle Corps of Chicago.
    • Inspired by the life-changing impact of drum corps and the 2003 film “Drumline,” Marshall aimed to bring the excitement of music performance to underserved youth in Central Ohio.
    • Began with just six kids and a picnic table, growing into a preeminent independent HBCU-style drumline in the US.
  • Early Achievements & Growth:
    • The Saints Drumline traveled and competed in hundreds of HBCU showcases, consistently winning trophies and medals for nine years.
    • In 2008, the Angels drill team was established, adding dance elements to the drumline and enhancing performances across the US.
    • Performed at numerous NFL and NBA games.
    • Traveled extensively to locations such as Washington D.C. (including Howard University), Fisk University, St. Louis, Chicago, and Atlanta, consistently earning top honors.

Evolution and Expansion (2013-2020)

  • Transition to Hybrid & Corps Style:
    • 2013: Entered the initial DCI Drumline Battle.
    • 2014: Made the pivotal decision to create a hybrid style drum corps, blending HBCU elements with a brass line.
    • 2015: Fully converted to a drum & bugle corps, competing in SoundSport and SDCA.
      • Won bronze and silver medals with their highly popular show, “The Age Of Swing,” featuring their first-ever color guard.
      • The corps entered into an agreement with the Boys & Girls Club Franklinton, providing a long term rehearsal location and new music programs including a new club drumline and more.
  • Winterguard & Continued Growth:
    • 2016: Liz Steele, the Saints color guard caption head, founded the Saints Winterguard, which competed in OIPA and won a Bronze Medal in Regional A Class.
    • The corps continued to expand, reaching its largest size of 49 members.
    • Won a Gold medal in DCI SoundSport, traveling across the US to Atlanta, Whitewater, and other locations.
  • DCI Open Class & MACBDA:
    • 2017: Applied for DCI Open Class but was not approved after evaluation.
    • Decided to continue their season, becoming members of the MACBDA circuit while also competing in DCI SoundSport and SDCA.
    • Won high drums in MACBDA Class A and a silver medal in DCI SoundSport.
  • DCA Era & Finals Debut:
    • The board and directors prioritized affordability, leading to the decision to apply for and gain approval for Drum Corps Associates (DCA).
    • 2018: Completed their first DCA season, placing 7th in Class A.
    • The corps entered into an agreement with Columbus State Community College Athletics, provided the first ever pep band for home basketball games
    • Continued to compete in MACBDA and as affiliate members in the DCI All-Age division.
    • The corps hosted a DCA Competition at Watkins Memorial HS welcoming 3 local corps.
    • 2019: Made finals for the first time with their show “Heart Of Steam,” securing 4th place in DCA Class A.

Recent History & Anniversary (2021-Present)

  • Post-Pandemic Return:
    • 2021: Following the pandemic season pause, the corps returned.
      • Participated in the DCA Virtual season.
      • Performed at DCI Celebration at Lucas Oil Stadium with an entertaining funk show.
    • 2022: Returned to the DCI tour and DCA World Championships in Rochester with the show “Mixtape,” once again placing 4th in DCA Finals.
      • The corps entered into an agreement with the Wilberforce University Marching Band, which allowed Saints members to join the band with their audition waived, and qualify for a $10,000 scholarship.
  • New Endeavors & 20th Anniversary:
    • 2023: Saints alumni Bretton Jones, Josh Sipe, and Hazel Grace helped establish a new ensemble, the Saints Indoor Percussion Ensemble (SIPE).
      • Competed in the MEPA circuit, winning the championship in Class A.
    • 2023: Marked the Saints’ 20th anniversary.
      • The corps’ participated in many HBCU Band events including the spring showcase at Wilberforce University, and Linden-McKinley HS
      • The corps’ titled “Homecoming” a unique blended show combining HBCU and corps elements, offering an exciting experience for DCI audiences.
  • Continued Growth & DCI All-Age:
    • 2024: The corps made finals in the first full season of DCI All-Age, securing a 4th place spot in Class A with their show “Lennox Avenue: Midnight,” based on the same poem by Langston Hughes.
      • Saints Indoor Percussion Ensemble secured a 12th place spot making WGI Finals for the first time, with their show “Join Us”.
    • 2025: The corps continued with DCI All-Age, completing their longest tour of five days over the 4th of July.
      • They performed in two parades and hosted a community clinic at the Major Adams Center, helping reconnect with the corps’ roots.
      • The corps is at its largest size since the pandemic, close to its 2018 numbers, with plans for a larger corps in the future.

Photos