It’s good . . . but is it Drum Corps?

// August 17th, 2007

(2 votes, average: 4 out of 5)

I was sitting in the press box at the recent DCI show in Indianapolis when the women to my left made the comment “now this is what I call drum corps”.  It was an innocent enough statement that I’m sure we have all made numerous times during any summer season. However, this time the thought really held my attention and got me to thinking what makes drum corps . . . well . . . drum corps?

With the Cadets continuing to push back the levels of conventional performance practice, this question seems to be bandied about more and more as the season goes on.  How does the spoken word fit into the drum corps experience?  What about pit amplification?  If we look forward, will we soon have a day when we see a show with lighting effects, electronic keyboards, or (Heaven forbid) woodwinds?!  Is the unthinkable happening?  Is drum corps as an activity evolving into . . . marching band?For better or worse, drum corps is slowly losing its hard core edge and morphing itself into a kinder and gentler activity.  The common phrases “on the field” and “the field is yours” have been replaced with “please welcome” and “tonight’s encore performance will be performed by”.  Members are now “students”, a corps is now staffed by “educators” and the Cadets were recently reprimanded for preventing non-cadets from breaking their ranks.  What happens next?  Every marching “student” receives a participation trophy just for putting on a uniform? 

Please don’t get me wrong, I’m not one of those crusty old vets that yearn for the days of the single valve bugle, compulsories and the tick system (although I do miss the balls of a horn line in G).  I’m just a former marching member and designer who laments the passing his beloved activity from its days of honoring its sub-culture status to one that seems more in-line with Madison Avenue and the corporate interests of the music industry.  

I guess this change is to be expected. In order to continue growing, DCI needs the two things all businesses need . . . money and a broad appeal.  As more potential customers play Bb trumpet than a G bugle, I guess I should be surprised that it has taken this long for DCI to move more into the mainstream of commercialism.  However, I don’t know if I will ever grow accustomed to lack of edge in both the performance and performer and I dread the day I hear Brandt Crocker utter the words “Remember, your all winners in life!”