Inside the Circle: Technique, Gear, and Community Culture
Your first marching snare drum probably came as part of a package deal. Maybe it was included with a school rental, or a parent grabbed the cheapest option online. It got you started, and that matters…
Read moreEvery drum corps fan has their favorite championship performances burned into memory. But some of the most rewarding shows never finished near the top. They didn’t win trophies or become the next vira…
Read moreThe 1990s were a decade of creative upheaval for Drum Corps International. The old guard of militaristic precision and G bugle dominance slowly gave way to something new. Designers started taking risk…
Read moreYou signed your contract. You survived auditions. Now the real work begins. Standing at your first spring training block under the blazing June sun, you will quickly realize that the difference betwee…
Read moreYou are writing a cue for a car chase scene. The music is jagged, syncopated, full of sharp staccato hits. But when you watch the footage, the hero’s car glides in a long, sweeping arc. Something feel…
Read moreYou are not alone. That lopsided sound in your double stroke roll, where the second note either disappears or bounces too hard, is one of the most frustrating hurdles for any snare drummer. You can he…
Read moreNothing spoils a drum corps show faster than a brass section that can’t stay together. You know the feeling: the battery is locked in, the pit is grooving, but the horn line rushes the release or drag…
Read moreYou used to have to wait for a parking lot, a rainy day, or a cramped gym to visualize your drill. You had to memorize coordinates from a sheet of paper and hope your muscle memory kicked in when the …
Read moreYou are sitting in the stands at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The lights dim. The announcer calls the next corps. The first chord hits you in the chest. Instantly you know this is something spec…
Read moreStriking precision and confident movement on the field start with solid fundamentals. Many marching arts members find themselves stuck in routines that lack focus or fail to target key technical weakn…
Read moreStriking the perfect balance between sharpness and fluidity on the marching field is essential for any drum corps or marching band member. Transition drills are the backbone of achieving that seamless…
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