About Drum and Bugle Corps

A drum and bugle corps, also known as a drum corps, is a musical marching unit (similar to a marching band) that consists of brass, percussion, and color guard. Often referred to as "marching music's major league," Drum Corps International (DCI) is the non-profit governing body for junior drum and bugle corps. DCI is responsible for developing and enforcing the rules of competition and is the sanctioning body for junior corps competitions. The Battalion Drum & Bugle Corps was approved to compete in DCI's Open Class in May of 2016.

 

Each year, more than 8,000 students ages 14-21 audition for DCI member corps hoping to earn the chance to compete and perform for the more than 400,00 fans that attend live DCI events throughout the summer.

 

For Parents

When your child decides to be part of a drum corps, he/she is making a choice that requires a deep personal commitment that will require strength and focus. Facing new levels of responsibility, discipline and self-knowledge, they will gain values that will help them succeed in life. Every student has personal reasons for wanting to be part of a drum corps. Your son or daughter is no different. It may simply be to become a better performer or meet new people. Students often view membership in a drum corps as a key rung in their climb to be professional performers or arts educators. For many students, it is a way to challenge themselves to become the best they can be. For more information on the activity, check out our Parent Information Page. 

 

Mission Statement

The mission of The Battalion Drum & Bugle Corps is to provide learning and performance opportunities for young adults that develop their character, leadership skills, artistry, selflessness, and spirituality in a Christian-values-based environment.

 

Corps Identity

Music is an essential part of the human experience, and opportunities to create music, especially in the drum corps activity, should be available to all. We welcome all who have qualified themselves through the development of their character and talent to audition for and perform with The Battalion Drum & Bugle Corps.

 

In order to create the most inclusive and accepting environment possible, we aim to facilitate an instructional and performance climate that allows as many qualified individuals in our community as possible to participate in the drum corps activity. We know that many in our community come from religious backgrounds, and it is in this spirit that The Battalion Drum & Bugle Corps will allow those members to attend worship services while on tour if they so choose.

 

To further cater to our recruitment base, The Battalion Drum & Bugle Corps will not compete on Sundays in order to allow corps members take part in preplanned community outreach and service projects where the corps is housed while on tour.

 

Regardless of religion, race, color, gender, or orientation, we invite, encourage, and welcome students from every background to experience the magic of drum and bugle corps in the inclusive, wholesome environment we aim to create. We are excited to bring the magic of marching music's major league to an underserved community.

Join us by registering for our BEX clinic and audition events and experience drum corps through some of the best clinicians and instructors in the activity.