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Frequently Asked Questions
- What's a drum and bugle corps?
- What is DCI?
- What's a DCI corps?
- What is the Summer Music Games Tour?
- Who sponsors the corps?
- Do members get paid?
- How much money does it take to run a corps?
- How is a winner determined?
- How much time do corps rehearse?
- How do corps eat while traveling?
- How do I get in touch with DCI?
What's a drum and bugle corps?
The drum and bugle corps activity had its origins after World War I when veterans groups formed corps to participate in patriotic-oriented performances, such as parades. Over the past six decades, drum and bugle corps have evolved from quasi-military units to competitive music and marching units. Today, they have reached the performance, design and competitive levels comparable to the highest levels of Olympic competition, using the football field as their arena and stage.
A drum and bugle corps consists of a brass section, percussion section and color guard. The brass instruments (bugles) are more like regular brass instruments than they are military bugles. They have three valves (ala a trumpet), can be in any key, but are designed for outdoor performance. The percussion section plays traditional marching instruments such as snare and bass drums. Additionally, corps often include a concert percussion section that includes mallet instruments, such as marimbas and timpani. The color guard performs using equipment (flags, rifles and sabers) and choreography that is coordinated with the musical program. All sections perform while moving around the field.
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What is DCI?
DCI stands for Drum Corps International. It is a mission driven, non-profit organization that provides organization and leadership for the drum and bugle activity for people 21 years old and younger. A key component of its mission is to promote, develop and preserve the operational and artistic standards of competitive musical sports. DCI organizes a series of competitive drum and bugle corps events called The Summer Music Games tour that culminates in a World Championship event each August.
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What's a DCI corps?
DCI corps are comprised of members 21 years old and younger. The maximum number of performing members in a DCI corps is 135. There are nearly 250 DCI level corps competing around the world today. Approximately 80 of these units participate in DCIs competitive circuit - The Summer Music Games.
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What is the Summer Music Games Tour?
This is DCI's competitive drum and bugle corps circuit which begins in mid-June and culminates in a championship in mid-August. The Summer Music Games tour includes more than 150 events in 39 states and two Canadian provinces.
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Who sponsors the corps?
Most drum and bugle corps are independent, community based organizations, not affiliated with any school. They are self-funded, raising money through traditional non-profit methods such as seeking grants, sponsorships, etc. Some corps have such a strong commitment to music education that members may be able to apply their drum and bugle corps experience toward college credits.
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Do members get paid?
Corps members do not get paid. In fact, they generally pay tuition fees that range from a few hundred dollars to nearly $1,000. Each corps, based on its funding requirements, sets tuition rates.
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How much money does it take to run a corps?
The annual budgets for top level DCI corps range from $250,000 to more than $750,000. Of that, more than $50,000 is spent on food for the corps and $75,000 for uniforms and flags and equipment.
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How is a winner determined?
Each corps performs a show lasting between 10 and 11.5 minutes on a football field. A set of even judges, placed in the stands and on the field, evaluate the corps relative to how well it plays its brass and percussion, and how well it maneuvers. Additionally, macro level evaluations, called "General Effect" are made for these three (brass, percussion and movement) categories. Once all the judges have completed their evaluations, the scores are totaled to determine an overall score. The maximum score is 100 points.
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How much time do corps rehearse?
Corps start rehearsing the preceding fall for that summer's performances. The average DCI corps will spend more than 800 hours rehearsing its 11 and a half-minute performance. This is nearly 70 hours per minute. Some of the top-flight corps rehearse more, some may rehearse less.Back to Top
How do corps eat while traveling?
DCI's top corps spend up to ten-weeks touring the United States and Canada. Corps travel in buses and have a convoy of support vehicles, including trucks that are specifically designed to haul equipment and uniforms. Additionally, corps usually have a mobile kitchen. Having a mobile kitchen allows the corps to make more efficient use of its time. Corps members and staff eat three-four times a day, with meals and snacks prepared by their mobile kitchen. The average corps will spend about $5.00 per day per person on food.
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How do I get in touch with DCI?
Please Contact:
Drum Corps International
470 South Irmen Drive
Addison, IL 60101
630-628-7888