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.
Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps based in Rockford, Illinois, USA. The corps is a long-standing member of Drum Corps International (DCI), having been a DCI World Championship Top Twelve Finalist every year since 1974 and DCI World Champions in 1996 and 2008.
The Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps is a former World Class drum and bugle corps. Based out of Toledo, Ohio, the corps was a member of Drum Corps International (DCI) and was a sixteen time DCI World Championship Finalist.
Drum Corps Associates (DCA) is a governing body for modern all-age and senior drum and bugle corps in North America. DCA's responsibilities include 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. DCA has no age restriction. The term "all-age corps" has come into common use.
Drum Corps International (DCI) is a governing body for junior drum and bugle corps based in Indianapolis, Indiana. DCI is responsible for developing and enforcing rules of competition, and for providing standardized adjudication, at sanctioned competitions throughout the United States and Canada.
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."
Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps is a competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in Santa Clara, California, United States, the Santa Clara Vanguard is one of the thirteen founding member corps of Drum Corps International (DCI) and a DCI World Champion, having won the title for the seventh time in 2018.
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 DCI World Class champions.
The Esperanza Drum and Bugle Corps was a World Class drum and bugle corps based in San Diego, California and founded in the fall of 1999, and was a member of Drum Corps International (DCI).
The Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive drum and bugle corps. Based in Sacramento, California, the Mandarins is a member corps of Drum Corps International (DCI). Holders of eight DCI divisional championship titles, the Mandarins made its first World Class Finals appearance on August 11, 2018, with a tenth-place finish.
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 Kilties Drum and Bugle Corps was a competitive all age coed drum and bugle corps. Based in Racine, Wisconsin, the Kilties were members of Drum Corps Associates (DCA). From 1934 through 1982, the Kilties were a junior corps that won three VFW National Championships and were seven-time World Championship Finalists in Drum Corps International. The group was reorganized as an alumni corps in 1986, became a parade corps in 1993, entered competition as a senior field corps in 1994 and evolved into an "all-age" coed corps in 1999. They have been finalists at the DCA all-age world championships three times including obtaining Bronze Medal status in the 2015 season Class A division and awarded the 1997 Drum Corps Midwest senior corps championship.
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.
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 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.
BD Performing Arts is the corporate entity that manages several performance groups for young people in Concord, California. Included in these groups are the three Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corps, designated "A", "B", and "C"; the Blue Devils International Corps; the Blue Devils Open Class, A Class, and Special Needs Winter Guards; the Diablo Wind Symphony; and BD Entertainment.
The Guardians Drum and Bugle Corps is an Open Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in Seguin, Texas, the Guardians perform in Drum Corps International (DCI) competitions.
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.
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.
