Drum Corps as an artform

[adam0408]

I think sometimes the dislike of drum corps comes from disliking the rabid and undying devotion of many of the members. I have been in contact with a lot of people that have been involved in some really good corps at varying levels, (including caption heads) and they are just like musicians that have not played in Corps. Some are good, and some are not so good. Also, some of them are normal and well adjusted, and others are abrasive and odd.

Speaking from experience, it is VERY difficult to understand the phenomena of drum corps. Listening to people talk about drum bore (oops, corps) not having been involved in it is a bit like listening to people who have been in the military and are REALLY into it. It is definitely a cult following and is really foreign to people who have not done it.

People can be turned off by things that they don't fully understand, especially when the members display such fanatic and sometimes hard to understand emotions about the activity.

So maybe the statement that Drum Corps is not art or music comes from people that were completely freaked out and annoyed by an over-zealous fan, and do not fully understand or simply don't approve of what it appears to be.

Art is in the eye or ear of the beholder. If you like it, great.

[GJDavis1]

Drum bore? Good one, I haven't heard THAT before

In all seriousness though, I understand why you feel the way you do. I don't blame you for how you feel about corps. Many people here are EXACTLY right...drum corps is NOT as artistic as orchestra or band...of course you can't be as spur of the moment and expressive as you can in those ensembles, but to say the groups don't have artistic qualities or aren't playing real music is absurd. Thats why I do BOTH, so that I can get the experience of both groups.

However, I will say that there have been many times that I think about what my summer would have been like had I practiced instead of marching corps. I even think about that now as well.

Yes, there are corps fantatics. If I was a corps fanatic, I would be telling you that orchestra and band don't compare to drum corps or some other random garbage that isn't true. Why do you think I even posted on here? Simply to find out the majority opinion of the question I asked.

[adam0408]

Yes, there are corps fantatics. If I was a corps fanatic, I would be telling you that orchestra and band don't compare to drum corps or some other random garbage that isn't true. Why do you think I even posted on here? Simply to find out the majority opinion of the question I asked.

I didn't mean to accuse you of being a fanatic. Also, my personal jury is still out on wether or not I like drum corps. I just really don't like talking about it for hours, and you are clearly NOT the individual who gave me that feeling.

Drum Corps can be a really positive thing musically for some people.

[THE TUBA]

...drum corps is NOT as artistic as orchestra or band...of course you can't be as spur of the moment and expressive as you can in those ensembles, but to say the groups don't have artistic qualities or aren't playing real music is absurd.

That pretty much sums up my view on drum corps. Yes, it is art (particularly most DCI World Class corps), but not on the same level as professional classical ensembles. Is performing 1812 with a drum corps the same as with an orchestra? Absolutely not. That said, there is a level of artistry involved with the activity. Although I never decided to march, I have great respect for the activity and those who choose to participate in it.