Les Diplomates is a non-profit organization open to all those who have experienced the joy of being part of a Drum and Bugle corps.
The year 2008 introduced the mandate of being a purveyor of a unique cultural happening. No longer is performance and competition for a small group of cognoscenti of marching brass and percussion permitted to limit the spectacle, Les Diplomates wish to reach a more diverse audience.
Members of Les Diplomates commit themselves to a minimum of rehearsals and time to fellow members to assist in each others’ theatrical and musical development. Active members follow a code of ethics established by the elected executive committee. There are also inactive members who just want to be part of this unique group, but who do not participate in an active role.
Members are men and women of all ages and from various locations in the province and beyond. They are attracted by the common values of sharing, friendship, openness and accommodation and, of course, the love of music and theatre.
Consequently, the rehearsals move about the province to better reflect the geographical location of the members.
Les Diplomates can count on some 12 very high calibre instructors/educators, in the fields of choreography, brass and percussion.
To reach these lofty objectives, Les Diplomates have organized themselves with a Board of Directors (Executive Committee) that sets the broad directions for the organization and a management team that administers the day-to-day affairs. The values of integrity, fairness, transparency, participation, effectiveness and accountability are core to our activities.
Do you recall when Drum and Bugle Corps were omni-present in parades and as entertainment during halftime at football games? Among those groups the DIPLOMATES de Québec stood out as different from the others.
Following 1st place positions at the 1962 Quebec Drum & Bugle Corps Championship and the 1965 Canadian Drum & Bugle Corps Championship, Les DIPLOMATES were invited to the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City. Les DIPLOMATES ended their activities in 1973, in Rochester N.Y, at the Drum Corps Associates World Championships, with a 4th place position in the overall standings and a gold medal for best percussion.
Les DIPLOMATES are back after thirty four years of inactivity with a show to please today’s crowd and former fans. Les Dips will leave the competition aspect to the younger generation. Following a year and a half of preparation, on September 2nd 2007, the 140 members, consisting of brass, percussion and colour visual units, made a remarkable come back in Rochester N.Y.
To achieve our goal every member has vested a thousand dollars for the acquisition of instruments, uniforms and other show paraphernalia. Naturally, hundreds of hours of practice and rehearsal were also invested!
Today the ensemble consists of musicians (men and women) and colour and flag visual units. Our first show was performed in Montreal June 24th 2007.
A large part of our membership is from the Quebec City area, the remaining members residing in the regions of Montreal, Laval, le Saguenay, la Mauricie and Drummondville.
Today’s DIPLOMATES are projecting a cultural image of music and visual effect that is inspired by the Drum and Bugle Corps idiom, but driven by the passion for music.
Les DIPLOMATES are capable of presenting concerts, choreographed field playing and parades.
For more information, contact : Jacques Plante.
