History of Drum and Bell Corps

Fifty years ago, Father George Johnson, Director of St. Mary's Chinese Mission, discussed with John Yehall Chin the possibility of forming the first all girls drum corps for the Mission. Mr. Chin recruited a group of girls from the school, who greeted the idea enthusiastically, especially the plan for having uniforms in Chinese motif with unique artistic headdresses and colorful red slippers.

On August 23, 1940, the first formal meeting was held. Discussions were held on practice routines, schedules, miscellaneous equipment, and instructors. As only three members of this group of girls had ever had any drumming experience, there were asked to be the instructors.

The first practice was held on Saturday, September 7, 1940, at 7:30 am before classes in the school auditorium, using the cafeteria tables and chairs as drums. Some old drums were found, but they had lost their original vibrancy. It was decided that new drums and cymbals, batons, and other paraphernalia would be purchased.

In the meantime, Father Johnson secured financial backing from the Paulist Fathers at Old St. Mary's Church for a set of uniforms. With this financial support, Mr. Chin wrote a letter to Dr. Chu Chew Shong, Principal of the Chinese Language School, who was fortunately in Hong Kong at the time, and he graciously consented to obtain the uniforms. Within a few weeks Father Johnson was reassigned to another parish and Father Charles Donovan became the Director of the Mission in September 1940. Father Donovan gave the Drum Corps full support and saw to it that nothing would interrupt the plans in progress.

The practices were getting more precise and smooth. Marching routines were added. After seven months of hard work and intense practices, the girls were well prepared for their first performance in San Francisco's St. Patrick's Day Parade held on March 16, 1941. In their sparking new uniforms and drums, these energetic and enthusiastic young ladies so captivated the crowds and judges of the parade that they were awarded the coveted trophy for being the "Most Outstanding Unit."

After this first parade the Corps was invited by over a dozen Chinese communities in California to perform in their local Rice Bowl Festivals to raise funds for China's War Relief. To help the communities with their fund raising, the Drum Corps found assistance from the St. Mary's Chinese Musical Club to present fashion shows in ancient Chinese costumes.

In 1942, lyra bells were added as part of the musical equipment. The three instructors bought some records, played them over and over on an old fashioned Victrola and made up the drum beats and tempo for three marching songs - "Chinatown, my Chinatown," "The Bells of St. Mary's," and "Over There." The bells brought out a new vitality and character.

The Corps was invited to perform in local parades and in over 40 cities in California, including participation in the State Fair, the Rose Parade in Pasadena, the East-West Football Game at Kezar Stadium. They also performed for England's Queen Elizabeth when she toured San Francisco and for the National Democratic Convention in 1984. Invitations were received and accepted for out-of-state performances: in the World's Fair in Seattle, Washington; the Rose Festival in Portland, Oregon; the centennial celebration in Salt Lake City, Nevada; and the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The most memorable of all their performances took place when the Drum and Bell Corps was selected as one of only two units to represent the entire State of California in the Inauguration Parade honoring President John F. Kennedy in Washington, D.C. in January, 1961.

In addition, the Corps traveled out of the United States to participate in the Independence Day Parade in Tijuana, Mexico, and in the Inauguration Parade of President Chiang Ching Kuo in Taipei, Taiwan.

Their reputation and fame had spread so widely that the San Francisco Visitors and Convention Bureau began to list the St. May's Chinese Girls Drum and Bell Corps in their publicity brochures as one of the "must see" attractions to be appreciated in the City. Because of this exposure, invitations are frequently received from business and professional organizations to perform at their San Francisco conventions.

During this 57-year span, the Corps was the has received over three hundred first place prizes and sweepstakes awards. There accomplishments have far exceeded any expectations of those pioneer days of drumming on the tops of cafeteria furniture. Over the years, many people have sacrificed and contributed in many ways to the success and continuity of the Drum and Bell Corps. These include instructors, moderators, chaperones, chauffeurs, and equipment managers. Their names are too numerous to mention here, but we salute them all and thank them warmly.

From the start their uniforms have been chosen to represent their Chinese heritage. Those we are used to seeing now look gorgeous but the girls are painfully aware that they are held together with safety pins and that raveling old fringe must be trimmed with manicure scissors before every wearing. New outfits have now been ordered from the company that creates Canton Opera costumes.