For more than two decades, the Liberty Belles Majorette and Drum Corps of Howard County, Maryland, introduced hundreds of young people to baton twirling, marching, music and performance. The organization became a familiar sight at parades, community celebrations and competitions throughout the Mid-Atlantic, earning a reputation for disciplined marching, patriotic pageantry and competitive excellence. Former members remember the Liberty Belles not simply as a majorette corps, but as a second family that instilled confidence, teamwork and lifelong friendships.
Directed by Marlene Leyh, with Jim Leyh serving as coordinator and David Krauss leading the drum corps, the organization offered instruction in baton twirling, drum line, color guard and rifle line. Members traveled extensively to regional and national competitions while representing Howard County in parades and civic events. Like many independent majorette and drum corps organizations of the era, the Liberty Belles relied on parents and volunteers whose countless hours of fundraising and support made the program possible.
Revolutionary War-inspired Uniforms
The corps was known for its distinctive Revolutionary War-inspired uniforms, featuring navy blue and red jackets with white ruffled jabots, blue and white tricorne hats, white gloves and tall white boots. The patriotic appearance reflected the Liberty Belles’ name and made the corps instantly recognizable on parade routes throughout Maryland.
Although the organization is no longer active, its legacy lives on through former members who continue to preserve photographs, newspaper clippings and memories of their time with the corps. Today, the Liberty Belles remain an important part of Maryland’s marching arts history and a reminder of the community-based majorette organizations that introduced generations of young people to the performing arts before baton twirling evolved into the modern competitive sport.
I LOVED BEING IN THE LIBERTY BELLS FROM THE 1960 ‘S UNTIL THE 1970 ‘S ! MY PARENTS WERE WONDERFUL PARENTS ALWAYS SUPPORTING THE GROUP ! I MISS EVERYONE ! IWAS HONORED TO BE PICKED OUT OF THE WHOLE GROUP OF TWIRLERS BY THE PRIVATE INSTRUCTOR TO BE THE FEATURED TWIRLER FOR THE LIBERTY BELLS ! I STARTED TAKING LESSONS AND THEY WERE GREAT ! AS A YOUNG TEENAGER I LOST INTREST IN TWIRLING LIKE A LOT OF TEEN AGED GIRLS DO . BUT WHEN I WAS IN THE LIBERTY BELLS STARTING AT AGE 8 ! I ALWAYS LOVED THE CORP AND GAVE IT MY ALL AND WOULD PRACTICE AT HOME SO VERY MUCH ! TY TO MS. MARLENE AND MR. JIM FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK ! YOU WERE WONDERFUL TO ALL ! MY LOVE TO ALL THAT REMEMBER I , MY WONDERFUL PARENTS PEGGY , SANTO ALIMO AND MY BROTHER TIMMY ALIMO ! TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS YOU THROUGH JESUS CHRIST AND THE HOLY SPIRIT ! YOU ARE ALWAYS IN MY HEART !
Hi Tina – That’s a beautiful testimonial. Thank you so much for your comment. I love the pictures so much. Beautiful and outstanding effort made by The Leyhs. If you have any pictures you’d like to share I’d be happy to add them to this post. And, yes, God bless everyone!! =)
I WOULD ALSO LOVE TO THANK MY WONDERFUL PARENTS THAT DID A LOT FOR THE LIBERTY BELLS ! FROM MY MAMA CARRYING THE LIBERTY BELLS CORP BANNER IN PARADES AND BOTH MY PARENTS FOR ALWAYS WEARING RED , WHITE AND BLUE TO SUPPORT OUR GROUP , DRIVING FAR FOR PRACTICE EVERY WEEK AND DOING MANY FUNDRAISERS FOR THE LIBERTY BELLS MY PARENTS PASSED ON NOW BUT LOVED AND ALWAYS GAVE THEIR SUPPORT TO THE LIBERTY BELLS ! TY