Drum corps, once known as drum and bugle corps, are marching musical groups that perform in parades, at football games, and in competitions. Unlike marching bands, drum corps do not use woodwind instruments and usually have large percussion sections. In addition, members pay to participate in drum corps, whereas most marching bands are school sponsored.
Drum corps perform arrangements of classical, jazz, and rock music, as well as original compositions, while marching in complex drills. The drills include rifle and flag work and dancing. The largest drum corps contain up to 60 bugle players, 30 percussionists, over 30 people in the auxiliary or color guard, and 1 or 2 drum majors. At competitions, judges rate drum corps on brass, percussion, and visual and general effect.
There are two levels of drum corps. Junior corps consist of members who are younger than 21. Senior corps have no age limit.
The first drum and bugle corps in the United States were sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion just after World War I (1914-1918). Until the 1940’s, corps used bugles with no valves. Over the years, valves and different-sized bugles were added so that more pitches could be played. In 1972, the various drum and bugle corps in the United States merged to form Drum Corps International.
