Dave Richards - DCI Hall of Fame

Dave Richards

Inducted in 1996

Dave Richards' life in drum corps began in the 1950s as a member of the Milwaukee Militaires. Soon after completing his career as a marching member, Richards instructed numerous corps, including The Boys of '76, Imperials of St. Patrick, Des Plaines Vanguard, Starlites, Yankee Rebels, Spectacle City Mariners, Racine Scouts, Madison Scouts and several others.

Richards, however, is best known for his work as an adjudicator. Having been involved with Drum Corps International since its first year, Richards has judged many of the finest corps ever to exist. As DCI Hall of Fame member Joseph Colla acknowledged, "Richards has been chosen at one time or another to be on the panel of every major drum corps contest, including all the DCI Championship panels from 1972 to 1982 (except 1977)," and says, "As an adjudicator of brass, Dave is without doubt in a class by himself."

Besides being a mainstay as a Drum Corps International judge, Richards judged with Central States Judging Association, All-American Judging Association, Wisconsin Federation of Contest judges, Drum Corps Midwest and Drum Corps Associates.

The late Col. Truman Crawford, a fellow DCI Hall of Famer, said, "The greatest compliment I can pay this worthy individual is to state that I've never found him to be anything but totally dedicated - totally committed - committed to those he instructed, judged and, most importantly, to sustaining the proud traditions of this magnificent activity."

Richards passed away October 6, 2024.