 Columbus Saints Performing Arts | |
| Type | Drum and Bugle Corps |
|---|---|
| Location | Columbus, Ohio |
| Division | DCA Class A DCI All-Age |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Founder and CEO | Marshall Cheatham |
| Executive Director | Le Ron Carlton |
| Website | columbussaints |
Columbus Saints Drum and Bugle Corps is an all-age drum and bugle corps based in Columbus, Ohio. The corps is a member of Drum Corps Associates (DCA), and also competes in Drum Corps International All-Age Class.
Founded as the Saints Drumline in 2003 [1] by Marshall Cheatham; a social worker, and juvenile corrections officer, [2] [3] the corps began as an after-school musical outlet for kids. In 2012, the drumline expanded into a drum and bugle corps using a stock of G major bugles.
The corps partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Columbus in 2014 to provide free music programs for club members in the Franklinton neighborhood. The "BOOM" performance ensemble resulted from this partnership. [4]
The Saints completed a one-year residency at Flex High School, a charter school supported by the United Way of Central Ohio, in 2017. The residency allowed the corps to offer performance opportunities to students. [5] Later that year, the corps applied to compete as a member of Drum Corps Associates (DCA). [6] After an evaluation by DCA board members, the corps was approved for competition in Class A in June 2018. [7]
Beginning in 2019, the Columbus Saints was approved for competition in Drum Corps International's All Age Division, [8] which allows the corps to perform at a greater number of shows closer to Ohio, where DCA adjudicated shows are scarce due to the geographic location of the majority of DCA member corps. During the spring of 2019, the Columbus Saints equipment trailer was stolen, and with the assistance of local news, politicians, and law enforcement was recovered enabling the corps to continue its 2019 season. [9] [10]
As part of the 2021 non-competitive DCI season, the Saints performed at DCI shows, including the Indianapolis celebration, and livestreams. [11]
The corps is sponsored by the Saints Performing Arts, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization. Marshall Cheatham is the founder and CEO, and the LeRon Carlton is executive director of the Saints's programs including the corps. [12]
The corps' mission is "inspiring teamwork, discipline, and respect through the performing arts, in our Central Ohio community." [13] The corps recites the "Saint's creed" to build morale and camaraderie prior to performances.
Pale blue background indicates DCA Finalist.
A modern drum and bugle corps is a musical marching unit consisting of brass instruments, percussion instruments, electronic instruments, and color guard. Typically operating as independent non-profit organizations, corps perform in competitions, parades, festivals, and other civic functions. Participants of all ages are represented within the corps activity, but the majority are between the ages of 13 and 22 and are members of corps within Drum Corps International.
Drum Corps Associates (DCA) was a governing body for modern all-age and senior drum and bugle corps in North America. Its responsibilities included sanctioning competitions, certifying adjudicators, maintaining and enforcing rules of competition, and hosting an annual World Championship during Labor Day weekend. Historically, DCA members were referred to as "senior corps" in contrast to the "junior corps", who limit participants to a maximum 22 years of age. As DCA had no age restriction, the term "all-age corps" has come into common use.
Drum Corps International (DCI) is a governing body for drum and bugle corps responsible for developing and enforcing rules of competition and for providing standardized adjudication at sanctioned drum and bugle corps competitions throughout the United States and Canada. It is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps based in Concord, California. The Blue Devils are members of Drum Corps International (DCI). They have finished first or second since 2007, and have placed no lower than fifth since 1975. They also hold the record for the highest score in DCI history, winning the 2014 DCI World Championships with a score of 99.65. The Blue Devils are the current DCI Champions, with a record of twenty-one titles to date.
Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps is a competitive drum and bugle corps, based in Santa Clara, California. The Santa Clara Vanguard is one of the thirteen founding member corps of Drum Corps International (DCI) and a seven time DCI World Champion, winning the title most recently in 2018.
The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in Erie, Pennsylvania, The Cadets is one of the thirteen founding corps of Drum Corps International (DCI), is a ten-time DCI World Champion, and was the oldest continuously active junior drum and bugle corps in North America until they became inactive for the 2024 season. The corps remains the oldest active drum corps, with a history dating back to 1934.
The Star of Indiana Drum and Bugle Corps is a defunct competitive junior drum and bugle corps, based in Bloomington, Indiana. The corps was the 1991 Drum Corps International (DCI) World Champion.
The Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps, or simply The Bluecoats, is a World Class competitive drum and bugle corps. Based in Canton, Ohio, the Bluecoats are a member corps of Drum Corps International (DCI). The Bluecoats were the 2016 Drum Corps International World Class Champions.
The Raiders Drum & Bugle Corps is an Open Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in Burlington, New Jersey. The Raiders perform in Drum Corps International (DCI) competitions.
The Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in Diamond Bar, California and City of Industry, California, Pacific Crest is a member corps of Drum Corps International (DCI).
The Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps is an senior drum and bugle corps based in St. Peter, Minnesota, that competes in the Drum Corps International (DCI) All-Age class. Founded in 1927, the Governaires are considered to be the oldest continuously active drum and bugle corps. Prior to the dissolution of Drum Corps Associates (DCA), The Governaires won four DCA Class A World Champions.
The Legends Drum & Bugle Corps is an Open Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Legends performs in Drum Corps International (DCI) competitions.
The Cincinnati Tradition Drum and Bugle Corps is an all-age drum and bugle corps based in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. The corps is an active member of Drum Corps Associates (DCA), and two-time Class A champion.
Carolina Gold Drum and Bugle Corps is an inactive Open Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Formerly based in Rocky Mount and Greensboro in its earlier years, Carolina Gold is now based in Raleigh, NC.
The Racine Scouts(formally the Racine Explorer Scouts) Drum and Bugle Corps was a junior parade Drum and bugle corps. Based in Racine, Wisconsin, the corps marched parades in the Midwestern United States. The Racine Scouts, nicknamed the "Chrome Domes", was the oldest continuously active junior drum and bugle corps in North America until they ceased activity in 2016.
White Sabers Drum & Bugle Corps is an all-age competitive drum and bugle corps based in Gates, NY. Founded in 1928, the corps has a long history as a parade corps. White Sabers is a two-time DCA Class A World Champion, a perennial DCA Open Class finalist - achieving 4th place in 2019. The Corps began competing in DCA's new World Class in 2022.
The Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps, based in Austin, Texas. Genesis performs in Drum Corps International (DCI) competitions.
The River City Rhythm Drum and Bugle Corps is an Open Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps, based in Anoka, Minnesota. River City Rhythm performs in Drum Corps International (DCI) competitions.
FREE Players Drum and Bugle Corps is an American drum and bugle corps in Long Island, New York, made up of disabled people. With four sections – drumline, front ensemble, color guard, and brass – the corps has more than 70 members. The FREE Players regularly perform in parades, competitions, and festivals throughout the United States, and have performed at the Drum Corps International and at the Drum Corps Associates world championships, where they also competed in 2019.