All members of the corps except the front percussion ensemble march in intricate formations which are coordinated with the musical productions. Brass musicians in the Crossmen play on top-quality Yamaha instruments available to artists, amateurs and students all over the world, including trumpets, mellophones, baritones, euphoniums and tubas. Percussion instruments include marching snare drums, tenor drums often referred to as "quads" or "quints" , bass drums in five sizes and stationary front ensemble instruments including marimbas, vibraphones, various drums, cymbals, tympani, xylophones, chimes and electronic synthesizers.
The color guard adds color and drama through the coordinated use of flags, rifles, sabers, dance and theatrics. The modern color guard is as much a dance ensemble and storyteller as it is a precision marching unit. Drum corps is an activity that succeeds in doing much more than provide a performance opportunity for students or entertainment for the audience. As a longtime sports fan, I have always regarded "the game" almost as an art form. The technique, the hours of intense practice, honing the skills required to perform at a maximum: These are characteristics shared between athletes and artists.
Yet it seems too often that both fans and performers alike cannot draw the connections between their crafts and realize the true beauty of what they do, and why they appreciate the game or the art in the way they can. The stereotype plays out where the "band" is ridiculed by the football team. The quarterback is never in the band room, and the painter is never in the weight room, but the musician A little-known activity with a surprisingly large and active fanbase, Drum Corps International is a competitive marching arena in which 22 world-class marching ensembles square off in over events during the summer spread over 40 states.
The goal of each corps, comprised of brass instruments, percussion, and color guard, is perfection—not out of neurotic habit, but out of a necessity to be great, much like the drive of an NFL team to become Super Bowl champs. Each corps puts on a minute "show," which is generally a display of musicianship and body movement judged by a cast of eight specialists who critique and score a specific caption, such as music, color guard, visual, or general effect.
Much like many X-Games events or Olympic figure skating, Drum Corps International is an event in which each performance is judged one after another, the highest score at the end of the performances being the winner. On tour you live on a charter bus with the rest of the corps and sleep on the bus or gym floors. Oh, and get this; you pay the corps. The music is so moving and oh yeah, LOUD. The level of musicianship is so high, which makes it fun.
Just for fun check out these videos. This stuff means a whole lot to me. The music they play is so hard. Definitely a huge accomplishment Matt!
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