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 or Drum Corps Associates.
Classic drum and bugle corps are musical ensembles that descended from military bugle and drum units returning from World War I and succeeding wars. Traditionally, drum and bugle corps served as signaling units as early as before the American Civil War, with these signaling units having descended in some fashion from ancient drum and fife corps. With the advent of the radio, bugle signaling units became obsolete and surplus equipment was sold to veteran organizations. These organizations formed drum and bugle corps of civilians and veterans, and the corps performed in community events and local celebrations. Over time, rivalries between corps emerged and the competitive drum and bugle corps circuit evolved.
The Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in Madison, Wisconsin, the Madison Scouts was one of the thirteen founding member corps of Drum Corps International (DCI) and is a two-time DCI World Champion. Until the Madison Scouts in 2018 featured a female performer for only the fourth time in the corps' history, naming her the "first female full-member" of the corps, they had remained one of only two all-male corps, the other being The Cavaliers. On July 7, 2019, The Scouts made it official, adopting a "non-discrimination policy that expands membership to both genders to participate in the Madison Scouts, effectively opening the way for women to become members of the corps."
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) Open Class (now World Class) World Champion.
The Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps is a competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, the Boston Crusaders are a charter member of Drum Corps International.
The Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the Blue Stars was one of the thirteen founding member corps of Drum Corps International.
The Pioneer Drum & Bugle Corps was a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Pioneer is a former member corps of Drum Corps International (DCI). The unit current operates as three different winter ensembles.
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 501c3 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.
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.
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), and as of 2021 competes in Open Class.
The Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in Casper, Wyoming, the Troopers was one of the thirteen founding member corps of Drum Corps International.
The Brigadiers were an all-age drum and bugle corps operated by the Brigadiers Music Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Brigadiers were charter members of Drum Corps Associates and were based in Syracuse, New York.
Atlanta CV, originally known as The Atlanta CorpsVets is an all-age drum and bugle corps that competes in the Drum Corps Associates circuit, and is a 501c3 Not-For-Profit Organization based in Atlanta, Georgia. It was founded in 1997 and is one of two competitive Drum Corps in the state of Georgia.
The Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps is an all age drum and bugle corps based in St. Peter, Minnesota (USA) that competes in Drum Corps Associates (DCA). Founded in 1927, the Governaires are the oldest continuously active drum and bugle corps. The Governaires are four time DCA Class A World Champions.
The Crusaders Senior Drum and Bugle Corps of Boston is an alumni drum and bugle corps from Boston, Massachusetts founded in 1991. It is a not-for-profit, music organization with members ranging in age from 23 to 73. They march in parades and shows and concerts in 6 different states. The Senior corps also works very closely with the junior corps, with many of the alumni volunteering to help their younger counterparts thrive both on and off the field. The corps has a color guard with a full American Section, who use rifles, sabers, as well as flags. The drum line contains 5 base drum players, 4 tenors, 7 snare players, and 3 cymbal players. There are approximately 50 members in the Horn Line. Though many alumni corps will only allow former junior corps members to march with them, the Crusader Seniors corps consists of members from dozens of former drum corps and bands.
The Racine Scouts(formally the Racine Explorer Scouts) Drum and Bugle Corps is a junior parade Drum and bugle corps. Based in Racine, Wisconsin, the corps marches parades in the Midwestern United States. The Racine Scouts, nicknamed the "Chrome Domes", is the oldest continuously active junior drum and bugle corps in North America.
The Connecticut Hurricanes, also known by their nickname the Hurcs, is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization based in Seymour, CT existing as an all-age, co-ed, competitive drum and bugle corps. The Hurricanes reign as the oldest, continually active organization in DCA, with some of the most extensive history of any senior corps.
White Sabers Drum and Bugle Corps is an all-age competitive drum and bugle corps based in Dansville, New York. Founded in 1928, the corps has a long history as a parade corps. White Sabers is a two-time DCA Class A World Champion, and a four-time DCA Open Class finalist.
The Railmen Drum and Bugle Corps (2013) is an all-age/alumni drum and bugle corps. Based in Blair, Nebraska, the Railmen compete as a SoundSport team and perform in exhibition at a Drum Corps International (DCI) competitions in and near the corps' home state of Nebraska. The organization's intent is to build a complete drum corps organization with cadet, junior, and alumni/all-age drum and bugle corps along with Winter guard and indoor percussion ensembles.
