Color Guard In Drum and Bugle Corps

Competive drum and bugle corps emerged from an activity that had its beginnings after World War I, when veterans formed corps to perform in parades as a way to celebrate patriotism. Many of these units, playing traditional no-valve bugles and rudimentary drums, were attached to the VFW, American Legion, Catholic Youth Organizations, and Police Athletic Leagues. The groups soon developed into more advanced musical units, and in became more and more competitive. Drum corps evolved from military style groups and began to integrate jazz, classical, pop, and Broadway music and dance. Instrumentation evolved to include a wide range of multi-valve brass horns and sophisticated drums and percussive instruments, including keyboards. The nature of the color guard as visual musicians evolved with the music itself to incorporate dance, drama, and traditional color guard equipment into a visual display that not only interprets the music, but tells a story.

Competitive Drum Corps

The drum corps season begins with camps in the winter and spring, with competitions taking place during the summer months. There are two main competitive associations: Drum Corps International (DCI) and Drum Corps Associations (DCA)

DCI corps are also known as "junior corps". Members of junior corps may not be older than 22. These corps operate an intense schedule where performers are "on tour" with the corps the entire summer. This intense rehearsal and performance schedule allows the corps to create an incredible display of pageantry.

DCA corps are also known as "senior corps". There are no age limits for senior corps and many corps have a range of performers from 14-60 or more. These groups tend to be very family oriented and it's not uncommon to see fathers, mothers, and their children marching in the same corps. DCA corps also rehearse and perform in the summer, but these corps tend to operate on a "weekend only" schedule.

A senior corps color guard member performs on rifle.