Continuing with the same personnel in 1950, the Corps captured first place 7 times and won the State Championship for the 4th consecutive year. In 1951, the Corps attended the National Competition in Miami, placing 4th.
Wayne Mounsey (snare drum, 1939 to 1951) writes about this period: "1950 was one of the peak years for the Corps, as they won almost every one of the contests they entered. Their fiercest competitor was the Austin Grenadiers. The State championships in 1950 brought about an unusual occurrence, as there were two ties for the top spots: Norwood Park and the Austin Grenadiers for the American Legion title and Logan Square and Gladstone Park for the Sons of the American Legion title. All four corps had to repeat their entire 15 minute drills. The tension was unbelievable. But Norwood and Logan Square were victorious."
Norwood was well-known for such songs as Summertime, Jealousy and The Barn Dance during that year.
In 1952, with the loss of many members joining the armed forces or aging out, the Corps was unable to regain its State Title. They also suffered another loss with the death of Willie Widmayer.
Dale Bowman (French horn, 1951 to 1956) recounted that at the start of 1953 only seven members remained, but some active recruiting and inclusion of former Cadet Corps members brought the Corps back. By 1954, they had regained their numbers and stature and in 1955 and 1956, they were able to regain their State Championship status, winning American Legion State both years.
During the mid-1950s, drum and bugle corps activity increased dramatically in the Midwest. Many more community and veterans groups wanted to sponsor drum corps as a youth activity. The Corps also became more involved in competitions and began to improve dramatically. Among the influences for growth and change was Frank Arsenault, a major drum instructor from the East Coast, who moved to Chicago in the mid-1950s and began instructing Norwood Park, the Chicago Cavaliers and the Skokie Indians. All of these corps would go on to produce excellent drum lines, featuring precision rudimental drumming, expanded use of tenor drums and new visual effects.
Tom Cushing (soprano, 1953 to 1959) says: "I wish I had a dime for every time we marched down Michigan Avenue in Chicago. One hot 4th of July, we stopped on the bridge over the Chicago River; when called to attention, you could hear 'schluck, schluck,' as our shoes had become one with the tar on the wooden planks. It was also not uncommon for drum corps to break step and 'route step' across the shaky bridges to prevent damage.
"Then there was the time in Miami (1957) during a tropical rain when we, the Imperials, played Moon over Miami. When we finished, from around the corner, the Cavaliers played Somewhere Over The Rainbow. The drums got deeper and deeper in tone, until the heads broke, BPH (before plastic heads)."
Norwood Park continued in national contention during the mid and late 1950s, with instructors such as Frank Arsenault, Dick Brown, Rick Maass, Eddie Riemer and Lee Dreuth. They also adopted the name "Imperials" in 1955.
During this time, they introduced some innovations to drum corps, such as the Star/Circle burst (1958, perhaps as early as 1951), the use of dance moves (Cha-Cha, 1959), and the use of "working" flags in the drill. These were the brainchild of M&M instructor Rick Maass. Typical of their music in the 1950s were: Moonlight and Roses and Moon Over Miami (1956 to 1957); 76 Trombones and Lida Rose from The Music Man (1958); the You'll Never Know Cha-Cha (1959) and Jealousy (1956 to 1960).
Dave Borck (snare drum, 1958 to 1963) describes the feeling of attending his first national contest (1958): "We left Chicago and drove to New York by bus. It seemed to take forever (before Interstate highways). We stayed downtown at the Henry Hudson hotel and could go to Times Square when we had free time. Practiced at a field on the Bay, looking out over the Statue of Liberty. This was the field the Bayonne corps, St. Vincent's Cadets also used. Following our practice, we went to their hall and listened to their music practice. The next day, all the corps were lining up for the dreaded INSPECTION, done in Central Park. It was interesting to see the corps doing this. The Cavaliers were near us, as were the Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights (Newark, New Jersey) and the Holy Name Cadets (Garfield, New Jersey). And what a feeling stepping onto the field for Finals at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. A great stadium, a great crowd and all those great drum corps to see! Unforgetable!"
As the Corps continued to grow in size and travel farther during the summer, they purchased their first equipment truck in 1960. This was a 1950 Ford panel truck and was used to carry uniforms and drums to turnouts. It was maintained by Frank Grana, Sr., an expert mechanic, and served the Corps well for about seven years, until it was too small for the Corps needs. (This indestructible little truck was sold to a local plumber and was seen on the streets of Norwood Park for many years later).
Dave Borck adds: "I drove this little truck a lot and while it drove like a truck, it ALWAYS ran. The worst part was unloading sweaty uniforms at the cleaners after a weekend of hot parades, etc. Mr. Glenn Wills worked a miracle to outfit the truck with comfortable seats too!"
1950 - Illinois State American Legion Champion
1951 - 4th at American Legion Nationals, Miami, score 86.61
1952 - 11th at American Legion Nationals, New York, score 84.00
1953 - 12th at American Legion Nationals, St. Louis, score 76.25
1954 - 14th at American Legion Nationals, Washington, score 73.48
1955 - Illinois State American Legion Champion, 7th at AL Nationals, Miami, score 86.98
1956 - Illinois State American Legion Champion, 2nd at VFW Nationals, Dallas, score 92.65
1957 - 6th at VFW Nationals, Miami, score 90.40 (4th at prelims, score 91.85)
1958 - 7th at VFW Nationals, New York, score 84.05 (tied with Boston Crusaders) (6th at prelims, score 87.10); 7th at AL Nationals, Chicago, score 87.56
1959 - 6th at American Legion Nationals, Minneapolis, score 79.44