By 1980 the Pageantry Arts in the Greater Cincinnati area had dwindled into near non-existence. Where once as many as 7 drum and bugle corps had units competing in VFW, American Legion, DCI and even winter guard competition, only isolated pockets of hope remained that one day Cincinnati could support a world class competitive activity for youth interested in the traditions of marching and musical performance. Fortunately, things were about to change.

Dr. Robert Kuske, an intern at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and former member of the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps, had a vision to bring drum corps back to Cincinnati, bigger and better than ever! To make this dream a reality, Dr. Kuske knew that he would need help, and lots of it. Knowing the rich history of the activity in the area, Dr. Kuske began by contacting individuals, who had been involved with drum corps in the past, many from the Queen City Cadets organization. With enthusiasm building, an organizational meeting was arranged. The existing Board of Directors of the Queen City Cadets was invited and it was ultimately decided that the new organization would operate under the Not for Profit License already held by their organization. New board members were appointed and the name of the organization was officially changed to The Pride of Cincinnati.

In the late summer and early fall of 1980, the new Board of Directors of The Pride of Cincinnati traveled throughout the Tri-state to various marching band competitions, recruiting interest in the infant drum corps. As staff were being hired, auditions were planned. It was arranged for the first auditions to be held at the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. The turn out was large and enthusiastic! With the selection of the first members, The Pride of Cincinnati Drum and Bugle Corps was born!

As fall turned to winter, and winter into spring, preparations continued for the inaugural season of the new corps. With the staff and music selected, uniforms were designed and put into production. The first public performance of the corps took place at the Cincinnati St. Patrick’s Day Parade in March of 1981. As rehearsals continued and the season quickly neared, parents of members became involved and fund raising continued. Buses were secured to carry the corps on their first competitive tour. A preview show was scheduled at Fairfield High School in Fairfield, Ohio. The Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps was invited to perform, and a clinic for local band students was organized. Appearing with this DCI top 12 favorite, Pride was poised to begin a promising premier season.

The competitive and organizational accomplishments of the summer of 1981 were to be forever overshadowed by the tragedy, which occurred at the completion of Pride’s first tour. In a horrid twist of fate, an automobile crash took the lives of 5 members of the infant Pride Family. Lost forever was corps mom, Rosa Ventus, her daughter Terri Ventus, son and corps member George Ventus (bass drum), along with members Ella Bell (bass drum) and Phil Conley (rifle). Reeling from this disaster, the corps returned to Cincinnati. Perhaps born of this devastating event, is the tenacity and determination, which endures in The Pride of Cincinnati today, for it was then decided to continue the season, dedicating each performance to the memory of these individuals who had set out to be part of a world class drum corps.

The Pride of Cincinnati Drum and Bugle Corps competed in DCI competition for only four seasons, making small but steady competitive advances, finishing 30th in 1981, 29th in 1982, and 25th in both 1983 and 1984.

In spite of the relatively brief history of the Pride of Cincinnati Drum and Bugle Corps, the dream of world-class excellence, held by Dr. Kuske and those first involved, continues to propel our organization, today and into the future.