Ever since Drum Corp International (DCI) was founded, there have been many rule changes that revolutionized the way that each corp fields their 10-12 minute show. Whether it be the inclusion of trombones to not requiring corps to stay for the awards ceremony, each decision was met with supporters and opposers. However, the most controversial decision, the one to include electronic amplification and noises, caused an uproar in the drum corp community.
Older members of the community resented it, saying that the activity should “stick to its roots”, essentially appealing to tradition. Newer members and corps staff, however, embraced the new creative opportunities that this new ruling offered. Whether it be allowing a single person to blast their solo from across a football field to thousands of fans, or making it possible to have a drum feature by just using “drumspeak”, the possibilities are endless.
On the topic of endless possibilities, George Hopkins, the director of the famed corps Cadets, took this rule a bit too far when he employed multiple speaking parts into their 2014 show Promise: An American Portrait. Each of these quotes ended with the words “That is what he said”, which many fans found repetitive and boring. They all criticized the show for this, saying that if the esteemed Cadets used electronics for this, then every other corps would follow in their footsteps. This bandwagon statement had already been proven wrong, however, by another corps.
Carolina Crown’s 2013 production, E=mc^2, was an extremely well-recieved show by audiences and judges alike. This specific show was praised for using electronics in an artistic way that wasn’t too distracting. The corps used said electronics to explain a concept in physics, something that no instrument can do. The fact that this show won first place at finals really revolutionized the view of electronics.
Carolina Crown’s 1st place show “E=mc^2” at finals
As is real life, there will be supporters and opposers of every decision. The ongoing argument about the use of electronics in drum corps will always have good points on both sides, but in the end, drum corp’s main priority will be entertainment. And in my personal opinion, the use of electronics, when done correctly, can transform a boring show into an award winner.
I was in marching band in high school and I auditioned for a corps but I couldn’t do it because of time constraints.
I really liked the way you wrote this and I think this is very interesting. My high school has one of the top marching bands in New Jersey and this makes me wonder if they’ll start incorporating electronics into their performances.
A great and interesting post. I really liked how you introduced the DCI first so I could get a full understanding to the subject. Also a good story about the Cadets. I would’ve liked to see them perform.
I can somewhat relate to this post, because I was in a marching band in high school. I don’t know if you were too, but you brought up great points to describe the change that is going on in the world of drum corps. I liked that you brought up both sides of the argument, and that you gave your personal opinion.
Great post, Alec. Were you in a corp?