It’s a Femininomenon!: The History of All-Female Scottish Drum and Bugle Corps in Springfield
Community, Feature October 8, 2025, Comments OffIn the mid-1920s, Dr. R. Richie Robertson had a revelation: there was a stark difference between the activities offered to male and female students at Central High School. While the men had a variety of activities to choose from–football, baseball, basketball, etc.–the women were only really given the option of home economics. Robertson had immigrated to Springfield from Scotland in 1916 and had an extensive musical history, founding the first official Boy Scout Band of Springfield. Using his musical knowledge and his Scottish background, Robertson founded the Kilties Drum and Bugle Corps, the first all-female Scottish Drum and Bugle Corps in the nation.
The Kilties have gone on to perform in many high-profile parades, including London’s New Year’s Parade in 2000, both of George W. Bush’s inaugural parades in 2001 and 2005 and the World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Hot Springs, Arkansas in 2023. Since the founding of the Kilties, four more sister corps were founded as secondary schools were established in Springfield. The Kilties were the Parkview Lassies in 1956, the Hillcrest Highlanders in 1958, the Glendale Scotties in 1963, and the Kickapoo Bonnies in 1971. Today, only two of the corps remain: the Central Kilties and the Parkview Lassies. The Bonnies disbanded in the early 1980s, the Scotties in the early 2000s, and the Highlanders in the early 2010s. The Lassies were briefly disbanded in the mid-1990s, but were revived in 2012 and have been marching strong since.
As the Lassies grow in numbers, they are performing in more parades each year. This year, the Lassies are led by Majorette Madison Holte, who has been in the Corps for two years.
“My favorite part about Lassies… as simple as it is, [is] seeing my friends–and new friends from our recent clinic week–interact. I’ve determined my success off of how well I’m able to help others. It’s how I’ve always been. Seeing how my friends have grown individually is an experience I’m very grateful for,” said Holte. What was once just an activity for women in schools has evolved into something much larger: a sisterhood. The bond between the Corps and the members within each Corps is as strong as their drums are loud.
“Oh boy… the impact [of the Lassies] is something I will never be able to forget. Though in some cases, it’s not just about the girls, but our sponsors and alumni as well… [they] are truly people I hope to have in my life for as long as possible,” said Holte. In many ways, the alumni of not just the Lassies and Kilties, but the disbanded Corps as well, are their biggest supporters. Many alumni work to support the Corps through donations, fundraising projects, silent auctions, and just showing up to see them perform. The sisterhood of the Corps doesn’t just extend to current members, but spans generations and generations of Kilties, Lassies, Scotties, Bonnies, and Highlanders alike.
“My favorite part of Kilties is the sisterhood within the Corps. I’ve met so many people who marched six years ago, to people who marched sixty years ago. To be a part of something spanning 100 years and seeing how a lot of the things are still the same after 100 years is amazing. The tradition of the Kilties is unmatched,” said Alyssa Kurth, the Assistant Majorette and Tenor Captain of the 100th Kilties Drum and Bugle Corps. Kurth has been a Kiltie for three years now and has been both a snare and a tenor player in her time.
“Kilties has given me a family. I never really felt like I fit in, and I wasn’t very social before I joined the Kilties. I’ve bonded and grown great friendships with people I would’ve probably never interacted with if it wasn’t for Kilties. It’s given me an opportunity to leave my comfort zone and connect with so many amazing people,” Kurth shared.
For many, these Corps are like a second family. With parades and performances nearly every weekend in addition to practices throughout the week, Corps members create unforgettable memories and bonds with each other. Anyone can show their support for both the Lassies and the Kilties by donating, attending their fundraisers, or watching them perform. The Lassies anticipate performing in the annual Rountree Halloween Parade, as well as different festivals throughout southwest Missouri. As far as the Kiltie’s fall performances go, Kurth clearly has a favorite.
“I’m so excited for Apple Butter Makin’ Days! ABMD is by far the best festival we perform at. There’s always so many people excited to see us, and the food is legit. You can get spicy jelly, homemade cakes, fried pickles, root beer off the tap, and the list just goes on. No matter where you live, the drive is always worth it.”
For questions about donations or information about performances, follow and message the Lassies and Kilties Instagram pages @phs_lassies and @chs.kilties, and make sure to support them at their performances!
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