Drum and bugle corps (modern)
Typically operating as independent non-profit organizations, corps perform in competitions, parades, festivals, and other civic functions.
Modern drum and bugle corps stems from a rich American and Canadian military history, separate from other marching musical activities.
Towards the end of World War I, advancements in radio technology rendered using drum and bugle corps for communication obsolete.
The veteran's initial goal was finding ways to engage with their communities while maintaining a connection to military traditions and values.
Drum and bugle corps became the perfect vehicle for adapting military musical traditions to civilian life.
At the same time costs for the increasingly complex field shows mounted and creative and instructional demands rose leading many competitive corps to falter and become inactive.
Freed from the traditional and more-restrictive judging rules of the late 1960s, corps began making innovative changes such as the use of B♭ brass instruments, wide-ranging tempos, intricate asymmetric drill formations, elaborate guard costumes and props, and the use of stationary orchestral percussion instruments.
Modern corps' programs have become increasingly conceptual and programmatic, with overarching show themes rather than loosely related musical selections.
While brass bugles in these competitive drum corps began as military signaling devices, successive modifications made them capable of greater ranges of music.
These traditionally valveless, key-of-G bugles evolved to include pistons and rotors, gaining notes beyond a single harmonic series.
Due to the size of these instruments, the pit typically remains stationary, positioned directly in front of the field and centered on or around the 50-yard line.
In modern drum corps, the color guard has become a crucial part of each group's visual and thematic program.
Standard equipment includes silk flags, non-functioning rifles, and sabres, and other objects like bare poles, hoops, balls, windsocks, and custom-made props are sometimes used to create visual effects that enhance the show.
Traditional blocks, company fronts, and symmetrical formations — while still utilized occasionally for impactful moments — have largely given way to more abstract and artistic designs.
Drill writing at large is meant to keep instrumental sections together, put featured members at the center of attention, and visually reinforce the choreography.
Although most horn players are able to follow this technique, members of the battery must keep their entire bodies facing forward at all times due to the nature of their equipment.
This has led to the invention of the "crab walk" or oblique, where the legs cross over one another to facilitate sideways motion; the technique is used mostly by battery, but in rare instances by the hornline.
The most common backward marching technique requires balancing on one's platform (visually seen as the 'toes' and keeping the heels off the ground), which is especially effective at faster tempos.
As an alternative, there are four major groups which utilize a bent leg technique (Santa Clara Vanguard, Madison Scouts, Pacific Crest, and Guardians), in which the feet come off of the ground and move in a bicycle type motion.
Terminology from ballet and high school band is used to describe foot placement and positioning, and members of the color guard and hornline often jazz run in order to maintain upper body stability when moving at fast tempos with large step sizes.
Months in advance of next season's first camp, corps begin assembling their staffs, choosing their musical repertoires, writing drill, etc.
By spring, the members have been chosen and camps are held more frequently as the beginning of the summer touring season approaches.
For most of May and into June (as college and high school classes end), full-day rehearsals are held virtually every day so members can finish learning the music and marching drill of the show.
Corps practice their shows for as long as possible each day before getting ready to leave for that night's competition if scheduled.
Competitions are usually held at college or high school football stadiums or similar venues, and are scored by circuit-approved judges.
They create the long-term vision and strategy for the organization, handling the financial, operational, and organizational issues to keep the corps running.
They create the concept of the show, choose and arrange the music, write the drill, and instruct the members on their technique.
