Since 1927…
Established in rural St. Peter, Minnesota in 1927, the all-age Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps has served as an ambassador of the marching arts to southern Minnesota and beyond for 97 years. Referred to affectionately as “The Govies,” the corps generates connection with its audiences and fans through entertainment based on the corps motto:
“Dedication to Performance,
Pride in the Corps,
Fun with the People.”
Each summer, the corps performs a newly-created competitive field show at Drum Corps International (DCI) shows locally, regionally, and nationally. The Govenaires entertaining style within these performances aligns with contemporary trends in the marching music activity while resting upon the shoulders of the long history of American Legion-based marching music in the United States. Through their approach to performance and competitive success, the Govenaires have built a reputation as a small but mighty and crowd-pleasing corps.
After joining the Drum Corps Associates (DCA) circuit in 2004, the corps won the A-Class championship — for groups with 65 members and fewer — 4-times, and placed second 9 times. Over the years, the corps’ musical repertoire has ranged from traditional American marches to jazz standards to classical to pop/rock, including the music of notable composer/performers such as John Phillip Sousa, Beyonce, George Gershwin, Mike and the Mechanics, Chick Corea, Sia, Stevie Wonder, Phish, and Duke Ellington, as well as Minnesota-based artists Lorie Line and 3-MInute Hero, to name a few. This year, the corps will compete in the newly-formed DCI All-Age Class, culminating August 10, 2024 at DCI Championships at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Benny Jo Serrato rehearses the 2011 championship production “What Happens in Vegas…” in Rochester, NY
Join us at our winter rehearsals as we work to create our 2025 production!
Beyond field show competitions, the Govies perform in parades, concerts, and events in and around St. Peter, MN, often in conjunction with the Govenaires Parade and Concert Corps. These events include performances at the annual St. Peter St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Memorial Day commemoration, a parade and concert in St. Peter on the 4th of July, as well as appearances as part of Oktoberfest and the annual holiday caroling outreach.
Isaiah Steiger and members of the drumline perform at DCA Championships in Rochester, NY
Michael Hanzelka performs during the 2011 production, “What Happens in Vegas …”.
The professional staff of the Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps are all educator-designers with significant experience in the marching music activity, many of whom have been a part of championship programs within and outside of the Govenaires organization.
The group is age-inclusive, composed of performers as young as 16 and as mature as 76, and has an average age of 28. Although the corps encourages performers with past marching music experience to join its ranks, the Govenaires includes those learning the fundamentals of their craft all the way to those with professional performance experience. Join us!
Alumnus Lindsey Beyer encourages you to become a Govenaire!
