We have had some posts about what (junior) drum corps used to be and what they (mostly) DCI are doing now. Note that the senior corps and alumni corps arenas are considerably different.

All this made me wonder: just what is the PURPOSE (or goal) of junior drum corps today?

In the 1950s and 1960s (maybe even the 1970s) the focus was on providing a positive youth activity... often with the assistance of local VFW and AL posts, local churches and other youth organizations. This was one reason that a lot of corps rose to greatness in the East... corps like Blessed Sacrament, St. Vinnies, St. Kevins, Holy Name (Garfield) and others. They took a lot of 'rough' and or idle kids and taught them music and discipline - giving them a positive experience.

The same held true in Chicago .. with corps such as the Windy City Cadets, Austin Grenadiers, Mel Tierney, St. Michaels, Jackson Raiders,
Cavaliers, Imperials and more.

But, what is the NEW purpose of drum corps? It doesn't seem to be anything like a youth activity, aimed at helping local kids as they grow up in our world.

Nope, it seems to be more focused on providing well to do youth, those with musical education and experience, the opportunity to gain (college ) credits and to have fun for a summer.

This seems to be a much more narrow (and even self-serving) focus.
Of course, with the touring focus, costs have risen dramatically.

Anyone want to comment on this?
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What did you do in the Corps? drummer; quartermaster 1964-66; asst. drum instr. 1964-70

What years were you a Corps member? 1958-63

I think the purpose is simply to entertain the audience and have some healthy competition. It has grown beyond the local influence it used to have because the world has changed. The time and effort required for drum corps is beyond what today's teenagers - for the most part - are willing or able to give. So it's been turned over to music majors and the like to keep it alive at all. As much as we might miss what is used to be, the alternative might have been the end of drum corps completely. I think DCI has reacted to changing times and kept the activity viable, if different than it was before. And face it, those churches you referred to aren't doing so well either! They have also changed to remain relevant in a changing world.

The interesting thing that came out of my day last Saturday is that, after talking to some corps members, they really aren't that different than we were in drum corps. They may come from different backgrounds, but they are getting a similar experience, at least during the summer.

What did you do in the Corps? Snare; Drum Major; Drum Instructor/Arranger

What years were you a Corps member? 1970-73; 78-79

Good points, Bob. Others have said similar things to me as well.

1. The 'neighborhood corps' activity is GONE, replaced by the semi-professional groups we see.
2. The new groups still provide valuable experiences for their members
3. The technical proficiency level of current drum corps is far above that of the past
4. The newly emerging 'all-age' and 'alumni' corps activities provide some hope for having more locally based corps.

After all is said and done, would we be happier with NO corps instead of the evolved activity?

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What did you do in the Corps? drummer; quartermaster 1964-66; asst. drum instr. 1964-70

What years were you a Corps member? 1958-63

I don't think this change in drum corp that you are focused on is that rear of an occurrence.

If you look at most youth sports programs (whether traditional or niche sports) they have pretty much evolved over the past 20 years from small neighborhood inter-leagues to more competitive travel teams. And just like drum corp the kids playing these sports play at a higher level than we ever did and are more highly skilled than we ever were thanks to special camps and better training.

Like drum corp and anything else that evolves, there are good things and bad things that come out of the evolution process. The surviving corps have more money to fund the corp, the kids are better musicians, are better fed, and travel in better conditions. On the down side, they have more dancers and even guitar players!!:)

As far as who is better off or who is having a better experience or who has better relationships or which system was better, I don’t think you can really compare them definitively as there are pros and cons to both and a lot of it comes down to the individual experience.

I agree with Peter.

Relative to the youth sports programs, my son who is now 30 played baseball from the time he was 5 through college. He played in local leagues through grammar school, local American Legion teams (junior and senior levels)in high school, and local semi-pro in junior college--the 4 year program was pretty much focused on the university's program (Team captains ran offseason program to keep within NCAA Division 2 rules). Anyway, he says that today, the guys he works with have sons who are traveling teams from about age 12 and above. Those programs can cost from $1000 to $5000 depending on the level and amount of travel. They are competitive and the kids have to try out to make the teams (sounds like DCI). These programs have pretty much killed off the American Legion baseball programs, at least in the Bay Area. (Sort of sounds like the veterans organization sponsored programs.)


I would say that the kids in the corps today, make as many friends as we did. Even though they are from different parts of the country and go home or to school after the season, they communicate by iphone, Droids, texting, email, facebook and other social sites.

I forgot to mention that one of the Cavalier members I talked to was their drum major - son of Scott Rhebergen, former Norwood member! He is marching his sixth year, which is very rare these days.

And speaking of cell phones - the Cavaliers are not allowed to have them during the season, so their focus stays on drum corps. Jeff Fiedler started this when he was directing the corps, and apparently they have continued the policy.

Good to see you back out here, Pete!

What did you do in the Corps? Snare; Drum Major; Drum Instructor/Arranger

What years were you a Corps member? 1970-73; 78-79

Wow, no cell phones!!?? That's amazing given the times and with all that traveling. Shows the commitment I guess.

Then again we never brought our phones with us:)

The cords weren't long enough...

What did you do in the Corps? Snare; Drum Major; Drum Instructor/Arranger

What years were you a Corps member? 1970-73; 78-79

The purpose is to generate cash for the butt heads that turned it into a bussiness, and like a bussiness cutting out all the small mom and pop Corps means mo money for them. Remember in any situation when something is not right always follow the money.

Based on the results of first couple of weeks of DCI seems that Cavaliers need to do more than ban cell phones. Madison beat them the other night. DCI rankings have them 9th and falling.

Well, as Peter and John have said, it is really evolution .. due to our social environment. Things change .. and there are a lot of other interests for young folks. This has affected the drum corps activity as well.

But, nobody seems to care about the youngsters without musical education. Those without a lot of money to be in a "big' drum corps. Or, to help those at risk in bad environments by helping with a positive experience.

Drum corps USED to do this. Not any more, it seems.
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What did you do in the Corps? drummer; quartermaster 1964-66; asst. drum instr. 1964-70

What years were you a Corps member? 1958-63

"there are a lot of other interests for young folks" Dave do you mean sitting for hours on end playing video games as other interest? Kids are desensitized by violence,shooting each other is worse now. Need localDrum Corps now more than ever.

Good point Greg .. BOTH arguments are true. But, it takes people willing to do this .. and money to make it happen.

There are just a few examples here in the Chicago area .... the South Shore Drill team and the Jesse White Tumblers (neither are drum corps, of courser). There IS a new drum corps in the city .... can't remember the name off hand.

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What did you do in the Corps? drummer; quartermaster 1964-66; asst. drum instr. 1964-70

What years were you a Corps member? 1958-63