Sebastianelli, Almo*

Sebastianelli, Almo*

At age 90, Dr. Almo J. Sebastianelli served as the local chairman for the 2005 Drum Corps Associates (DCA) world championships in Scranton, PA. He has served as the chair of the Parade of Champions contest for 43 years. His proposal in 1963 to hold discussions to help eliminate problems facing contest sponsors and competing corps led to the formation of DCA. The first talks with corps directors were held Sunday, August 25, 1963, the morning after one of the first Parade of Champions contests he organized. Those attending focused on five key issues: to secure contest dates not in conflict with other contests; establish adequate prize money levels; secure improved judging; improve the organization and presentation of contests; promote better relations between corps. At a second meeting a month later, the name Drum Corps Associates was chosen for the new organization. The first championship contest was held in Milford, CN, on September 11, 1965. He is also a member of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

*Deceased