Drum Corps Europe

Last updated

Drum Corps Europe
Drum Corps Europe (logo).png
TypeAssociation of Drum and Bugle Corps
Location
Founded2000;24 years ago (2000)
No. of corps13 (Premier & Junior Class)
ChairmanRob van Koningshoven
First championsWest Coast Sound, 2001
Current champions
  • 2023 Champions:
  • Beeches (Premier Class)
  • Jong Jubal (Junior Class)
  • Brass and Drum Corps Kriftel (Concert Class)
Website dceurope.org

Drum Corps Europe (DCE) is a governing body for all-age drum and bugle corps based in Biddinghuizen, Netherlands. DCE coordinates the European Music Games, including the annual European Championships, in cooperation with strategic partners from the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Germany. DCE also hosts the Dutch Music Games which were previously hosted by the defunct Drum Corps Nederland (DCN). [lower-alpha 1] Also known as European Drum Corps Association (EDCA).

Contents

The DCE European Championships have been hosted at Parkstad Limburg Stadion in Kerkrade since 2008. In January 2020, DCE announced it would not organize a Championship event in 2020 due to insufficient corps registrations. [1] Several European drum corps associations, including Drum Corps United Kingdom, jointly announced a substitute championships tentatively scheduled for September 2020. [2] The European Drum Corps Championship was hosted at Stadion Krommedijk in Dordrecht on 26 September 2022. [3] The first European championship in two years.

DCE was reorganized in 2018 following a brief closure in 2017. [4] The European Music Games (EMG) Judging Guide, utilized by other governing bodies within Europe, is developed and published by DCE's adjudicators.

History

DCE was founded in 2000 with the goal of developing the drum corps activity in Europe. Founding members opted to codify as few rules of competition as possible as a means of encouraging growth. [5] The first European Championships were hosted at the Arteveldestadion in Ghent, Belgium on 26 May 2001. West Coast Sound, from Haarlem, was crowned the inaugural European champion. [6]

European Music Games

In 2006, DCE announced it would cooperate with other drum corps associations in Europe to develop a standardized adjudication manual and adjudicator training. The result was the creation of the European Music Games format in 2008.

Affiliates

  • Dutch Music Games (DMG), formerly Drum Corps Nederland (DCN)
  • Drum Corps United Kingdom (DCUK)
  • Irish Marching Band Association (IMBA)
  • Rasteder Musiktage (Rastede Music Days Festival), Rastede, Germany
  • German Open, Hamelin, Germany

Reorganization

Following the 2017 European Championships, DCE executives announced the immediate suspension of operations. Reasons given were dwindling personnel, and the fiscal pressure of hosting an international event. [7] In December, a new association was established, the European Drum Corps Association (EDCA), with the intention of replacing DCE. [8] On 23 January 2018, the EDCA received approval to continue operations as Drum Corps Europe. [4]

Prior to the reorganization, DCE operated as a private foundation which limited the ability of participating drum corps to improve the adjudication and competitive attributes of sanctioned events. The new structure, as an association, is similar to other governing bodies in the activity, such as Drum Corps Associates (DCA) in the United States. Participating corps will have a "direct say" in governance and adjudication. [4]

In January 2020, DCE announced it would not organize a European Championship due to insufficient corps registrations. [1] Other European drum corps associations and presenting partners, including Drum Corps United Kingdom, jointly announced a substitute championship tentatively scheduled for September 2020. [2] After a two year delay due to world events, the European Drum Corps Championship was hosted at Stadion Krommedijk in Dordrecht on 26 September 2022. [3] The event was organized and presented by the Dutch Music Games. The championship included a new Concert Class, which is similar to DCA's Mini-corps Class.

Participating corps

Below is a list of competitors at the most recent European Championships (2018). The list includes Dutch Music Games (DMG) competing corps.

Source: [9]

Premier Class

UnitAffiliateCity /RegionCountryURL
BeechesDCUK Great Barr United Kingdom beechespe.org.uk
Blue DiamondsDMG Nienhagen Germany
CadenceDCUK Guildford United Kingdom cadencedrumcorps.org
Inbhear MórIMBA Arklow Ireland
JubalDMG Dordrecht Netherlands jubal.org
JulianaDMG Middelburg juliana.org
Jong HollandDMG Zwijndrecht jongholland.nl
Kidsgrove ScoutsDCUK Kidsgrove United Kingdom kidsgrovescouts.com
The Company Performance EnsembleDCUK Chesterfield United Kingdom theco.org.uk
Spirit of '52DMG Rastede Germany showbandrastede.de
StarridersDMG Bad Münder starriders.eu
Stormarn Magic Bad Oldesloe stormarn-magic.de
RevolutionDCUK Queensbury United Kingdom revolutionshowcorps.org.uk
The VikingsIMBA Tallaght Ireland tallaghtyouthband.com

Junior Class

UnitAffiliateCity /RegionCountryURL
Blue Diamonds CadetsDMGNienhagenGermany
Jong JubalDMG Dordrecht Netherlands jubal.org
Johan FrisoDMG Middelburg juliana.org
Rastede Youngstars Rastede Germany showbandrastede.de

Inactive corps

UnitAffiliateCity /RegionCountryURL
CadenceDCUK Guildford United Kingdom cadencedrumcorps.org
CalypsoDMG Zwevegem Belgium showbandcalypso.be
The CompanyDCUK Stanfree United Kingdom theco.org.uk
Jong Holland JuniorenDMG Zwijndrecht Netherlands jongholland.nl
Kadoudal Quiberon France kadoudal.fr
MillenniumItaly
West Coast SoundDCN Haarlem Netherlands

Classification and adjudication

Classes available at DCE sanctioned competitions are broadly defined, keeping with the founding ideology of "as few rules as possible". [5] Competitions that utilize DCE's adjudication manual are often billed as "European Music Games" (EMG).

Classes

Premier Class corps are groups who compete at the national, or international, level. There is no age limit for this class.

A Class corps are groups with inexperienced participants. [lower-alpha 2]

Junior Class corps are groups with young participants, and is limited to groups whose participants are no older than sixteen years of age. [10]

Concert Class corps are groups who wish to compete in a concert setting, similar to DCA's mini-corps format. [lower-alpha 3]

Adjudication

DCE's adjudication manual is based on three broad categories: Music, Visual and Effect. [11] Each of the categories are further subdivided into reference criteria, or captions. All sanctioned competitions require nine adjudicators, including an adjudicator responsible for Timing & Penalties.

CategoryCaption+Caption+Points
Music
Field Music (20) / 2
+
Ensemble Music (20) / 2
=
30.00
Field Percussion (20) / 2
Visual
Field Visual (20) / 2
+
Ensemble Visual (20) / 2
=
30.00
Color Guard (20) / 2
Effect
Music Effect (20)
+
Visual Effect (20)
=
40.00
Subtotal
100.00
Timing & Penalties
- 0.00
Total
100.00

The adjudication manual in use by Drum Corps Associates (DCA) prior to 2001 was adapted for use by DCE. DCA's manual was also adapted for use by Drum Corps United Kingdom (DCUK) and Drum Corps Nederland (DCN) between 2001 and 2004. Each governing body made changes to better reflect the state of competition among their members corps. By 2006, the accumulated changes prevented corps from competing across the continent, as the reference criteria were no longer compatible, nor were the posted scores easily comparable.

In 2006, DCE developed a "European Music Games" adjudication manual, with input from other European judges associations. [12] The name was inspired by Drum Corps International's "Summer Music Games" moniker. In 2010, DCA modified its adjudication manual removing the analysis captions, rendering it incompatible with the DCE manual. [13]

Past champions

DCE realigned its class system in 2001, 2007, [14] [15] and in 2022. [16]

YearOpen ClassA ClassCadet ClassPercussion
2001
(1st)
West Coast Sound
(Netherlands)
No championJong Axel
(Netherlands)
Blue Lions
(United Kingdom)
2002
(2nd)
West Coast Sound (2)No championBlue Lions (2)
(tie)
Percussion Theater [upper-alpha 1]
(Netherlands)
2003
(3rd)
Jubal
(Netherlands)
Northern Star
(United Kingdom)
Encore Cadets
(United Kingdom)
Harpe Davids
(Netherlands)
2004
(4th)
Beatrix
(Netherlands)
Distant Thunder
(United Kingdom)(tie)
Strängnäs(2)
Jong Beatrix
(Netherlands)
Rhythm Stars
(Netherlands)
2005
(5th)
Beatrix (2)Strängnäs (3)Jong Beatrix (2)DrumSpirit
(Belgium)
2006
(6th)
Jubal (2)No championJong Jubal
(Netherlands)
DrumSpirit (2)
2007
(7th)
Senators
(United Kingdom)
Jong Jubal (2)DrumSpirit (3)
YearPremier ClassJunior Class
2008
(8th)
Senators (2)Jong Jubal (3)
2009
(9th)
Jubal (3)Jong Jubal (4)
2010
(10th)
Kidsgrove Scouts
(United Kingdom)
Johan Friso
(Netherlands)
2011
(11th)
The Company
(United Kingdom)
Johan Friso (2)
2012
(13th)
The Company (2)Jong Jubal (5)
2013
(14th)
Jubal (4)Jong Jubal (6)
2014
(15th)
The Company (3)Jong Jubal (7)
2015
(16th)
Kidsgrove Scouts (2)Johan Friso (3)
2016
(17th)
The Company (4)Jong Jubal (8)
2017
(18th)
The Company (5)Jong Jubal (9)
2018
(19th)
Jubal (5)Jong Jubal (10)
2019
(20th)
Kidsgrove Scouts (3)Jong Jubal (11)
2020
(—)
No championships
2021
(—)
YearPremier ClassJunior ClassConcert ClassMarching Percussion
2022
(21st)
Jubal (6)Jong Jubal (12)Spirit of 52
(Germany)
No champion
2023
(22nd)
BeechesJong Jubal (13)Brass and Drum Corps Kriftel
(Germany)
Showband Explosion
(Belgium)
  1. Percussion Theater won the 2002 Concert Percussion championship.

See also

Notes

  1. Often written as Drum Corps Netherland, or Netherlands, by English speaking fans.
  2. A Class is available almost exclusively at Dutch Music Games competitions.
  3. Concert Class is almost exclusively available at the Rasteder Musiktage or the German Open competitions.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drum and bugle corps (modern)</span> Marching group of brass and percussion instrumentalists

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drum Corps Associates</span>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drum Corps International</span> Governing body for junior drum and bugle corps

Drum Corps International (DCI) is a governing body for drum and bugle corps. Founded in 1971, DCI develops and enforces rules of competition and judges at sanctioned drum and bugle corps competitions throughout the United States and Canada. It is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2023, Drum Corps Associates (DCA) and DCI joined to become the sole governing body for drum and bugle corps in North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Winter Guard International</span> Governing body for competitive winter guard, indoor percussion, and indoor wind ensembles.

Winter Guard International (WGI) is an American governing body that sanctions championship events for three competitive performing arts activities: winter guard, percussion ensembles, and indoor wind ensembles. WGI was founded in 1977 in response to inconsistent adjudication and rules of competition which made it difficult for color guards to compete nationally. Today, WGI publishes and maintains an adjudication handbook, with an accompanying "Rules & Regulations", that has been widely adopted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drum Corps United Kingdom</span>

Drum Corps United Kingdom (DCUK) is a governing organization for drum and bugle corps in the United Kingdom. DCUK operates the British drum corps circuit which holds drum and bugle corps competitions for corps across the country. It is part of the national charity Marching & Performing Arts UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bands of America</span> Marching band competition organization

Bands of America (BOA) is a music education advocacy organization and promoter of high school marching band competitions in the United States, such as the annual Grand National Championships. Established in 1975 as Marching Bands of America (MBA), founder Larry McCormick's goal was to provide educational opportunities for music students nationwide. McCormick organized the first annual Summer Workshop and Festival in 1976. Renamed Bands of America in 1984, the organization became an independent, tax-exempt entity in 1988. In 2006, Bands of America merged with the Music for All Foundation, a music education advocacy organization, becoming the flagship program of the combined organization. Bands of America has received numerous awards from IFEA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Halton Stadium</span> Sports stadium in Widnes

The Halton Stadium is a multi-purpose rugby league, football and American football stadium in Widnes, Cheshire, England. It is the home of Rugby League side Widnes Vikings of the Betfred Championship, football team Widnes Football Club of the Northern Premier League who play their home games at the stadium, and also the American football side Halton Spartans of the BAFA National Leagues, the Halton Spartans having competed in the BAFANL national American football league since 2015. The stadium is all seater and has a total capacity of 13,350.

The Bushwackers Drum and Bugle Corps is an all-age drum and bugle corps that competes in the Drum Corps Associates circuit, It was founded in 1981 in Harrison, New Jersey. The corps is based in Princeton, New Jersey and is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. The corps' percussion section is the only one in either junior or senior corps to ever win six straight High Percussion Awards at Championships: 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991. The Corps has won the Drum Corps Associates Open Class World Champions six times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hawthorne Caballeros Drum and Bugle Corps</span> Drum and bugle corps

The Hawthorne Caballeros, sponsored by American Legion Post #199 in Hawthorne, New Jersey, is a drum and bugle corps entering their 76th season of competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northwest Association for Performing Arts</span> High-school band circuit in Portland, Oregon, US

The Northwest Association for Performing Arts (NWAPA) is a governing body and competitive circuit of high school marching bands, color guards, and percussion ensembles based in Portland, Oregon. The association was founded in 1997 as the Northwest Marching Band Circuit (NWMBC). A majority of the current member high schools are based in Oregon, with others from Washington, Idaho, and California. The first circuit marching band championship was hosted in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunrisers Drum and Bugle Corps</span> Drum corps from Long Island, New York

The Sunrisers Drum and Bugle Corps is an all-age, or senior, drum corps from Long Island, New York. The corps is a member of Drum Corps Associates (DCA). After not fielding for two years, the corps has returned under the DCI corporation in the “A” all-age class.

Atlanta CV is an all-age drum and bugle corps that competes in the Drum Corps Associates circuit. It was founded in 1997 and is one of two competitive corps in the state of Georgia, alongside Spirit of Atlanta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps</span>

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 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mid-America Competing Band Directors Association</span>

The Mid-America Competing Band Directors Association (MACBDA) was a governing body and summer high school marching band competition circuit based in the Upper Midwest.

The Minnesota Brass Drum and Bugle Corps is an all-age drum and bugle corps based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States, that competes in Drum Corps Associates (DCA). A consistent DCA Finalist, Minnesota Brass was the 2011 DCA Open Class World Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Racine Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps</span>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White Sabers Drum and Bugle Corps</span>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Columbus Saints Drum and Bugle Corps</span> Drum and bugle corps based in Ohio, US

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skyliners Drum and Bugle Corps</span> Drum and bugle corps from New York City

The New York Skyliners Drum and Bugle Corps(formerly the Raymond A. Garbarina Memorial Corps, and Garbarina Skyliners) are a competitive all-age drum and bugle corps from New York City, and currently rehearsing in Broome County, New York.. The Skyliners were one of the original founding corps of Drum Corps Associates (DCA) and have won every major title available to an all-age drum & bugle corps. The Skyliners are sponsored by the Raymond A. Garbarina Memorial American Legion Post #1523 in New York City. They have won the DCA World Championship three times, the DCA A Class Championship twice, and the American Legion National Title twice.

References

  1. 1 2 "No European Music Games Finals in 2020". Drum Corps Europe. 23 January 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  2. 1 2 "Euro Partners to organise 2020 European Championships :". Drum Corps United Kingdom . 24 January 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  3. 1 2 "Jubal, Spirit of 52, Jong Jubal earn 2022 European championship titles". www.dci.org. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 "EDCA will continue under the name of DCE". drumcorpseurope.org. 23 January 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  5. 1 2 "About Us". drumcorpseurope.org. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  6. "Scores 2001". drumcorpseurope.org. Archived from the original on 12 August 2008. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  7. "Drum Corps Europe cease operations". www.dcuk.org.uk. 19 October 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  8. Schamma, Andy (8 December 2017). "Drum Corps Europe Reborn As EDCA". FloMarching. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  9. "Scores 2018". drumcorpseurope.org. 29 September 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  10. "DCE Contest Manual Version 11.0" (PDF). dcuk.org.uk. 24 April 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  11. "Guide to the Judging System 2017" (PDF). www.dcuk.org. 2 April 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  12. "European judging fraternity closer to common ground". drumcorpseurope.org. 13 February 2007. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  13. Hinton, Tim (4 September 2013). "Judging DCA". Marching Roundtable (Podcast). Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  14. "Ranking EMG 2018". drumcorpseurope.org. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  15. "Scores and Recaps". www.drumcorpseurope.org. Archived from the original on 4 October 2008. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  16. "2022 Finals Recap". dceurope.org. Retrieved 26 September 2022.