GPAA History
1927
The St. Peter Legion Corps is founded in St. Peter by local meat market owner Ruben Siebert. During this era, the corps is composed mainly of World War I veterans who were also members of the William R. Witty American Legion Post 37 in St. Peter. Highlights from these early years of the corps include many parades, festivals, state competitions, and a trip to Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1944
With Cliff Hermel as director, the corps changes its name to the St. Peter Drum and Bugle Corps.
1950s and ’60s
The corps wins 10 VFW drum corps circuit state championships under the direction of Hermel.
1961
The corps changes its name to the Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps to honor the five Minnesota governors that have hailed from St. Peter.
1960s
Nancy Hanson, Margaret Mayer, and Lois McCarron become the first women to join the Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps as performing members. Pat Mayer and Billy Stangler begin their presence as leaders within the corps during this time.
1964
The Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps takes fourth place in the national American Legion championships in Dallas, TX as the representative of Minnesota.
1976
The Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps performs in the national American Legion Championships in Seattle, WA. As the only corps in their class, there is no champion officially crowned.
1977
The Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps takes second place at the national American Legion Championships in Denver, CO.
1982
The Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps joins the Drum Corps Midwest (DCM) competitive circuit.
1980s
The Govenaires begin performing holiday music as part of St. Peter, MN’s “The Big Turn On” event where, on the day after Thanksgiving, holiday lights strung all over businesses on Minnesota Avenue are simultaneously illuminated. When this town festival ceases operation, the Govenaires shift to performing their carols in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. 40 years later, this annual outreach activity is still a tradition for the organization.
1985
The Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps competes in the American Legion national Championships in New Orleans.
1990
John Mayer, son of Pat and Margaret Mayer, takes over as director of the Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps. The number of performers in the corps grows from 19 members in 1990 to 57 in 1995.
Late 1990s
To transport their membership to performances, the Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps begins utilizing their iconic green buses with a white and black racing stripe. This pattern becomes an identifying feature of the corps, of which is now portrayed on Govenaires souvenirs, the corps website, and the now-famous “Govie buttons” that are displayed on the corps’ uniforms and distributed to fans.
2001
The Govenaires form their first Winterguard, performing in the North Star Circuit.
2002
The Govenaires Winterguard wins their first NSC Independent World Class title. Following this season, the Winterguard goes inactive.
The Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps wins Best Colorguard at Drum Corps Midwest Championships.
2004
The Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps begins competing in the Drum Corps Associates (DCA) national circuit, taking second place in DCA’s A-Class (for drum and bugle corps smaller than 65 members).
2006
While performing during the remnants of hurricane Ernesto, the Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps captures its first DCA A-Class Championship in Rochester, NY, with a show called “On the Road Again.”
2008
The Govenaires Winterguard is reborn, and is crowned the winner of the Independent World Class at NSC Championships.
2009
The Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps wins their second DCA A-Class Championship with their production “Summer of Seduction,” taking top honors in Brass, Effect, and Colorguard.
2010
The Govenaires Winterguard competes for the last time, again winning the Independent World Class crown at NSC Championships
2011
A production titled “What happens in Vegas” earns the Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps their third DCA A-Class Championship.
2014
The Govenaires Alumni Group is founded.
2015
The Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps wins their fourth DCA A-Class Championship with a western themed show titled “Outlaw.”
2016
The Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps reaches its all-time peak of 70 performers, and thus their show “Sherlock” competes in DCA’s Open Class, placing 10th. This marks the first time the corps places in the top 10 while competing in the highest level of national competition.
Govenaires Parade and Concert Corps is founded, a group created to perform locally and travel internationally. The first international performances of the organization occur as the corps represents the United States in the Shanghai Tourism Festival in Shanghai, China.
2017
Molly Mayer, daughter of Pat and Margaret Mayer and sister to John Mayer, is named the first director of the Govenaires Parade and Concert Corps.
In order to more accurately represent the recent expansion of the organization, the Govenaires reorganized as the Govenaires Performing Arts Association (GPAA).
2019
Govenaires Parade and Concert Corps performs regionally for the first time in Winthrop, MN in addition to performances in Obermarkersdorf, Retz, and Roschitz, Austria.
2022
Govenaires Parade and Concert Corps’ season includes 8 performances in rural Minnesota and returns to Austria for performances in Obermarkersdorf and Retz.
2024
The Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps wins their fifth world championship at the inaugural Drum Corps International All-Ages A-Class competition with a show titled “Woodstock: This is the Dawning.”
The Govenaires form their first Indoor Winter Percussion Ensemble, performing in the Minnesota Percussion Association (MPA) circuit.
For even more historical information about our programs, go to The Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps, Govenaires Parade and Concert Corps, or Alumni Group.
