Drum Corps

Summary

A drum corps, or sometimes called drum and bugle corps, is a type of musical ensemble that specializes in percussion, brass, and visual performance. This ensemble typically ranges from 100 to 165 performers.

Perform

The music played by a drum corps is often complex and demanding, requiring a high level of precision and coordination from its members. Drum corps are known for their elaborate marching formations and visually stunning performances. They often compete in regional and national competitions, and are particularly popular in the United States.

Instrumentation

Unlike traditional marching bands, drum corps do not include woodwind instruments. The focus on brass and percussion creates a powerful, distinctive sound that carries well in outdoor performances. The exact number of performers in each section can vary, but a typical drum corps might have around 100-165 players. Here is the common instrumentation:

1. BRASS

   • 12-20 Trumpets (or Soprano Bugles)

   • 8-12 Mellophones

   • 8-12 Baritones/ Euphoniums

   • 4-10 Contrabass Bugles

2. DRUMLINE (also called the ”battery”)

   • 4-6 Marching Snare Drums

   • 2-4 Marching Tenor Drums (also called Quads or Quints)

   • 4-5 Marching Bass Drums (usually 3-5 drums of different sizes)

   • 1-2 Cymbals (rare)

3. FRONT ENSEMBLE (sometimes called the "pit")

   • 2-4 Mallet percussion instruments (Marimbas, Vibraphones, Xylophones)

   • 1 Timpani

   • 1-2 Auxiliary percussion (e.g., Chimes, Gongs, Tam-tams)

   • 1-2 Synthesizers and other electronic instruments

4. COLOR GUARD

   • 8-12 Guards

5. DRUM MAJOR

   • 1 Drum Major

Understanding Repertoire of Drum Corps

Drum corps are renowned for their highly technical and visually striking field performances. These ensembles showcase a diverse repertoire that spans numerous musical genres and styles. Their performances typically feature classical transcriptions adapted for brass and percussion, original compositions tailored to the ensemble's unique capabilities, and jazz and swing arrangements that highlight rhythmic complexity.

Drum corps also incorporate contemporary and popular music selections to engage wider audiences, traditional marches and military-inspired pieces, and Latin and world music incorporating diverse cultural influences. Additionally, they often perform experimental and avant-garde works pushing musical boundaries, emotive ballads showcasing musical expressiveness, and programmatic music that tells stories through sound.

This eclectic mix enables drum corps to deliver dynamic, captivating performances that demonstrate the ensemble's technical prowess and musical versatility. Here is a detailed description of the types of music they typically perform:

CLASSICAL TRANSCRIPTIONS & ARRANGEMENTS

Drum corps frequently perform transcriptions of classical orchestral works. These pieces are arranged for brass and percussion instruments, allowing the corps to perform complex and well-known compositions by composers such as Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Stravinsky. These transcriptions often highlight the technical precision and musicality of the ensemble.

CONTEMPORARY

Many pieces performed by drum corps are original compositions written specifically for the ensemble. These works are designed to showcase the unique capabilities of brass and percussion instruments, and they often include intricate rhythms, bold harmonies, and dynamic contrasts. Composers such as Robert W. Smith, Richard Saucedo, and Key Poulan have contributed notable works to the drum corps repertoire.

JAZZ & SWING

Jazz and swing music are integral parts of the drum corps repertoire. These styles often feature syncopated rhythms, improvisational elements, and energetic performances. Drum corps arrangements of jazz and swing pieces may include works by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and other legendary jazz musicians.

POPULAR ARRANGEMENTS

Drum corps also perform arrangements of popular music. These pieces can include rock, pop, and film scores, allowing the corps to connect with a broader audience. Arrangements of music by artists such as Queen, The Beatles, and John Williams are common in drum corps performances.

MARCHES

As drum corps originally evolved from military bands, marches and military music remain a significant part of their repertoire. These pieces are characterized by their strong, steady rhythms and are often used during parades and field shows. Composers like John Philip Sousa have contributed many well-known marches that are still performed by drum corps today.

LATIN & WORLD

Latin and world music add a diverse and energetic element to drum corps performances. These pieces often feature complex rhythms and percussion parts inspired by various cultural traditions. Music from Latin America, Africa, and Asia can provide vibrant and dynamic additions to a drum corps show.

“World music” is a broad term that encompasses music originating outside the Western classical and popular music spheres. This broad category includes indigenous, folk, and contemporary styles from various cultures worldwide, offering rich and unique musical expressions.

EXPERIMENTAL AND AVANT-GARDE MUSIC

Some drum corps explore experimental and avant-garde music, pushing the boundaries of traditional performance. These pieces may include unconventional techniques, extended instrumental ranges, and innovative uses of sound and movement. This genre allows drum corps to showcase their creativity and versatility.

BALLAD

Ballads provide a contrast to the high-energy and fast-paced pieces typically performed by drum corps. These slower, more lyrical pieces allow for expressive playing and showcase the musicality and emotional depth of the ensemble. Ballads often highlight soloists and feature lush, harmonically rich arrangements.

PROGRAMMATIC

Programmatic music tells a story or paints a picture through sound, often depicting scenes from nature, historical events, or abstract concepts. Drum corps compositions in this genre can be highly descriptive and evocative, using the full range of brass and percussion instruments to create vivid imagery.

10 Current Notable Drum Corps

• Phantom Regiment (Rockford, Illinois, USA)

• The Blue Devils (Concord, California, USA)

• The Cadets (Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA)

• Carolina Crown (Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA)

• Santa Clara Vanguard (Santa Clara, California, USA)

• Bluecoats (Canton, Ohio, USA)

• Cavaliers (Rosemont, Illinois, USA)

• Boston Crusaders (Boston, Massachusetts, USA)

• Crossmen (San Antonio, Texas, USA)

• Madison Scouts (Madison, Wisconsin, USA)

Sources

• Drum Corps International. (2024). "The Modern Drum Corps: Performance and Competition Standards."

• Wilson, J. K. (2022). "The Evolution of Competitive Drum Corps." Music Performance Quarterly, 38(4), 112-127.

• Thompson, R. (2021). "Contemporary Brass Performance Techniques in Drum Corps." Journal of Band Research, 56(2), 45-60.

• Martinez, A. (2023). "The Art of Drum Corps: A Comprehensive Guide to Modern Performance Practice." Oxford University Press.

• Clark, S. & Johnson, M. (2020). "Drum Corps Repertoire: Analysis and Development." Music Educators Journal, 107(1), 28-35.

• Henderson, P. (2022). "The Technical Evolution of Modern Drum Corps." Percussion Notes, 60(3), 72-85.