Scott Johnson (sometimes referred to as ScoJo) is an American percussionist and music educator best known as the percussion director for the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps. [1] He is cited as one of the most influential members within the development of marching percussion. [2] In 2012, He was inducted into the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame and the Winter Guard International Hall of Fame. In 2015, he was inducted into the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame.
From Hayward, California, Johnson began drumming at the age of four before joining the snare drum line of the Blue Devils in 1976. He performed with the corps until 1979 and instructed the group as an assistant instructor until 1989. After leaving to teach at the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps, Johnson rejoined the Blue Devils to become the percussion arranger and director in 1994. [3] Alongside his role in drum corps, he was also an instructor for the Riverside City College drumline. [4]
He collaborated with Randy Newman to arrange the drumline tracks heard in the film Monsters University . [5]
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.
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 (tie) and 2008.
Marching percussion instruments are percussion instruments specially designed to be played while moving. This is achieved by attaching the drum(s) to a special harness worn by the drummer, although not all marching bands use such harnesses and instead use traditional baldrics to sling their drums.
The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps based in Rosemont, Illinois. The Cavaliers were one of the thirteen founding member corps of Drum Corps International and is a seven-time DCI World Champion. The Cavaliers are the only active all-male corps in the activity.
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 in first, second, or third place since 2006, and have placed no lower than fifth since 1992. 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 hold 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 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 are the current Drum Corps International World Class Champions, winning the title in 2016 and 2024.
Ralph Hardimon is a percussionist, teacher, composer, and clinician. He is best known for his work in the areas of marching percussion, rudimental drumming, drum & bugle corps, and marching band.
Fred Sanford (1947–2000) was a percussionist, teacher, composer, and clinician. He is best known for his work in the areas of marching percussion, drum & bugle corps, and marching band.
Jay Bocook is a professional composer and arranger, and also the Director of Athletic Bands at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. He was born in Clearwater, Florida in 1953 and received a Bachelor of Music degree from Furman University in 1975, and went on to receive a Master of Music degree from University of Louisiana at Monroe,. He is an alumnus of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the national men's music fraternity. Bocook became a Sinfonian at Furman University, joining the Gamma Eta chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia in 1972. He was also inducted into the Theta Lambda chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota as a National Arts Associate in 2006.
The University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band (UMMB) is the marching band for the University of Massachusetts Amherst known for its drum corps style and nationally renowned percussion section. The Minuteman Band is also known for its use of dance routines, vocalists, electronics, and overall showmanship.
Marty Hurley was an American percussionist, teacher, composer, and music clinician. He is best known for his work in the areas of marching percussion, rudimental drumming, drum & bugle corps, and marching band.
Thomas Patrick "Thom" Hannum is an American percussionist and music educator, known for being the former associate director of the University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band. He previously served as interim director after the sudden death of bandleader George N. Parks while the Minuteman Band was on a trip to Michigan, and served in this position until 2011, when Timothy Todd Anderson was named the new director.
Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive drum and bugle corps, based in Atlanta, Georgia. Spirit of Atlanta is a member corps of Drum Corps International (DCI).
Colonel Truman W. "Tru" Crawford (USMC) was a music arranger, composer, and conductor for drum and bugle corps. He was the long-time commander and director of "The Commandant's Own," the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps after having previously served as musical director of the United States Air Force Drum and Bugle Corps.
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.
James B. Campbell is a performer, pedagogue, and author within the realm of percussion and is a respected figure in the development of the contemporary percussion ensemble. Campbell has toured extensively throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia.
Myron Stewart Rosander was a performing member, visual instructor, and visual designer for the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps and later a visual designer for the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. He was inducted posthumously into the Drum Corps International hall of fame in 2016.
William F. Ludwig was an American percussionist, drum-maker, and founder of Ludwig Drums. He helped to create the National Association of Rudimental Drummers and is a member of the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame.
John Sterling "Jack" Pratt (1931–2020) was an American Army drum instructor at West Point as well as a celebrated rudimental book author. Pratt produced several volumes of rudimental solos and instructional materials and was also the founder of the International Association of Traditional Drummers (IATD), a member of the National Association of Rudimental Drummers (NARD), a member of the United States Association of Rudimental Drummers (USARD), and was inducted into the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) Hall of Fame and the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame.