Dr. Almo Sebastianelli - Co-founder of DCA - Passes

This evening, 2/25/09, DCA, The American Legion, Lackawanna County, PA and all of the drum corps world has just lost one of its biggest supporters and promoters. Dr. Almo Sebastianelli has died. I don't have his exact age yet or any other details, but suffice to say, he was well into his 90's. Doc was a walking encyclopedia of drum corps. He was huge in the American Legion and a major part of the Legion National Championships for decades... quite literally since he returned from World War II.

When the situation among contest sponsors, corps and the Legion began to reach critical mass in the very early 1960's, Doc was a bolt of energy determined to help drum corps survive as an activity - even if it meant at the expense of his beloved American Legion. The major meeting held in 1963 to consider forming Drum Corps Associates was hosted by Doc and held in Scranton. He quite literally was one of a hand full of giants of the activity who gave birth to DCA. In 1965 and 1966, DCA was in a struggle to survive. There were corps who had refused to participate. There were rivalries to be considered. Just when it seemed that DCA might fail, Doc stepped in and set up a meeting in CT between Jim Costello of the Caballeros and the other corps. His work that night saved DCA and began a heritage we are all so proud of.

Doctor Almo Sebastianelli - he will be dearly missed by all. Details will follow soon.