Louisiana’s Drum and Bugle Corps

Joining the Drum Corps International Tour for the very first time in 2014, the Louisiana Stars come from the heart of Cajun Country. The organization is proud to represent the state of Louisiana while giving youth the opportunity to develop musical and social skills as part of its performing arts program.

In 2014, Louisiana Stars was founded by Neil Simon and 79 members. The show entitled The Lighter Side featured selections from Light Cavalry Overture, The Barber of Seville, The Marriage of Figaro, Carmen, William Tell Overture, and Infernal Gallop. Using the music of Battle Hymn of the Republic and words written by member Hannah Lafleur, the corps song was first sung. The logo with the outline of the state of Louisiana surrounded by stars was first used.

In 2015, Stars performed Universal Melodies featuring the music of Beethoven. The corps experienced their first DCI regional event by performing at both the Minnesota Regional and the San Antonio Regional.

In 2016, Stars performed In Suspense… featuring music from Night on Bald Mountain, Hands of Fate, Ice Dance, and There’s Always a Bigger Demon. Louisiana Stars was recognized as the Most Improved Open Class corps in 2016, during the group’s very first trip to the DCI World Championships. The corps placed 9th in Open Class and 31st in World Class.

In 2017, Stars performed Sanctuary featuring music from Consider the Birds, Blackbird, Freebirds, Free Bird, and Caged Bird. Louisiana Stars was also recognized as the Most Improved Open Class corps for the second year in a row. The corps placed 6th in Open Class and 28th in World Class.

In 2018, Stars performed Redemption featuring music from Temen Oblak, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Piano Etude #13, L’Escalier du Diable, Ode to Joy, and Hallelujah. The corps placed 8th in Open Class and 31st World Class.

In 2019, Stars performed Break featuring music from Daft Punk, Jacob Collier, Louis Cole and Genevieve Artadi in Knower, Paul Desmond, Panic! at the Disco, Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie, and Snarky Puppy. The corps placed 4th in Open Class and 26th in World Class.

In 2020 and 2021, the world was riddled with a global health crisis during the COVID-19 virus pandemic. During this time, Louisiana Stars made the decision to place the health and welfare of our members, staff, and volunteers first. The organization did not produce a competitive performance ensemble, but chose to use these two years as building years for the future.

The future is yet to be written…

The mission of the Louisiana Stars Drum and Bugle Corps is to provide a superior educational performing arts program, representing Louisiana throughout the United States, and to give youth an opportunity to develop musical skills, social skills, and partnership skills. Students will develop a greater sense of responsibility, teamwork, work ethic, sacrifice, dedication, respect, and loyalty.

All characteristics needed to succeed in family and career.