appropriate changes. by Hans Kloppert Multiple toms and tuned bass drums were The competitive drum and bugle corps introduced, adding a activity in Europe was introduced on the sound that had been continent by the Dutch. The Netherlands has previously unknown in always had a rich amateur music Europe. Visits by culture. Today the country still American high school has a large number of marching bands to Europe were also e bands, showbands, ensembles, e a great influence on the (photo by Mike Shayes from the collection of community bands, percussion Avant )C. ourir, the Netherlands, 1985 Drum Corps Dutch marching (band) units and baton teams, most of World activity. p which are members of the KNFM p show aspect was gradually introduced. One of the other leading trendsetters of (Royal Dutch Federation for When Wim Schouten, a member of Jubal, the drum corps activity in Europe is

Amateur Music Groups). o and his wife, Willy, left their country to definitely Beatrix. The corps also originated The introduction of drum corps o immigrate to Akron, PA, in the 1950s, they as a drum and fife corps and adapted to field

was exactly the addition the r didn’t take much time to discover the shows early. Changing its name several times country had been waiting for to r American drum corps scene and attended from Beatrix Drum and Fife Corps to Beatrix complete the existing vivid several American Legion national and state Drumfanfare, Beatrix Band and later Beatrix u amateur music activity. The first u competitions. Wim was incredibly impressed Drum and Bugle Corps shows what progress official Drum Corps Holland with the level the drum (fife) and bugle corps the unit has gone through over five decades. Championships When Beatrix started entering band E were held in E competitions in the 1970s after having added 1981 in the valved instruments to their brass section, town of they were more successful than most other Bunschoten. units had ever been. They won the national Odilo from title at the Wereld Muziek Concours (World Hilversum was Music Championships) in Kerkrade in 1974. crowned the That same year Beatrix started an first DCH international exchange with the Edmonton champion. The All-Girl Corps from Canada. Taking a unit real from Europe to the United States back then introduction of was an almost unprecedented occasion. the drum corps After Jan Meijer and Jaap van Waveren, (photo by Ron phenomenon BWeaalltoricxh, tfhroem N eththee crolallnedcsti,o Jnu olyf 28, 2000, at Murfre)e. sboro, TN, during their U.S. tour the pioneers of Beatrix, spent a summer with goes back into Drum Corps World different Drum Corps International corps, history a lot further, however. activity in the United States had already Beatrix made a trip to Birmingham, AL, in The oldest Dutch corps by far is Jubal reached, especially by the corps that soon 1979 to perform at the DCI Championships. from Dordrecht. Originally founded as a became his favorite, the Hawthorne The impact this trip had was so strong that drum and fife corps in April of 1911, the Caballeros. there was no doubt in changing the unit into corps is still active today. Jubal and many Photographs he took at contests and notes a drum and bugle corps, even though their units in the Netherlands found their origins he made were sent back to the Netherlands to type of show already had all the ingredients. in the CJMV, the Dutch equivalent of the inform Jubal on the possible new YMCA. Most of the corps of today started out adventure they might consider as drum and fife corps. conquering. The G-bugle was a Following Jubal’s example, many groups totally unknown instrument in throughout the country were formed in the Europe and Wim Schouten years that followed. Among these were contacted Donald E. Getzen in 1960 Juliana from Amersfoort, formed in 1926; to buy a complete set for Jubal. Excelsior from Rotterdam (1928); De Pijpers The fifes, which had been a Jubal from Vlaardingen (1929); Excelsior from Goes trademark for 50 years, were (1930); Jong Jubal from Dordrecht (1932); partially replaced by bugles; horns Juliana from and baritones in the key of G. Jubal Middelburg became the first drum (fife) and (1933); De bugle corps outside the United Apeldoornse States and Canada to use this type of Pijpers from brass instrument and it was (photo by David Apeldoorn introduced to the European crowds RJuicbea lf,r othme tNhet hceorllleacntdiosn, Jouf ly 26, 2002, during )t.heir U.S. tour (1933); Beatrix and amateur music scene. Drum Corps World from Hilversum Reactions were diverse, but drum corps was The first drum corps contest in Europe (1946); Kunst born in Europe. was held on Dutch grounds, creating the en Genoegen Among the drum and fife corps, field birth of both national and international from Leiden shows evolved in the 1960s. Influences from competition in Europe. The Anglo-Dutch (photo by (1949); and DVS the United States were inevitable. Drill forms contest was held in Eemnes in May 1979. HBoarnsso lKinlop, pBeerltg firuomm, 1th9e8 9co llection of ). from Katwijk were still rather traditional. When the first The good relationships some Dutch units had Drum Corps World (1953). Super-8 films and recordings arrived in with corps and bands from England resulted About half of these eventually adopted the Europe, some units copied them. It took in the strong beginning of a series of annual drum corps style. In the 1950s, the so-called until the mid-1970s for more units to adopt contests well before both DCH and Drum “National Fife Days” were organized. At some the drum corps style. Most, however, still Corps United Kingdom were formed. The of these well-run events more than 1,000 played B-flat brass instruments. Anglo-Dutch contest continued until 1983. musicians gathered to perform. Also the field Field percussion underwent the Juliana won the first Anglo-Dutch contest. 120 Since the judges were mainly Jubal and feeder corps class title. Beatrix instructors, these two corps The first drum and bugle corps from performed in exhibition. Belgium, Borsalino from the town of Drum Corps Holland Auvelais, showed its talents at some of the The need for a national organization that regional DCH contests that season. The ran contests became stronger. Anton de corps was crowned the first DCBelgium Graaf, organizer of the first Anglo-Dutch champion at the end of the decade. Borsalino contest, was one of the co-founders of Drum was the pioneer of the corps activity in Corps Holland, which first started in 1980, Belgium. almost parallel to the founding of DCUK. In 1985, German corps started their own The first DCH Championships were held a organization, Drum Corps Deutschland. In year later. Surprisingly, both leading Belgium, drum corps fans slowly started pioneers for this activity, Jubal and Beatrix, thinking of building a national organization. did not compete. A total of five open class The competition season in the corps and two cadet class corps were present. Netherlands has always run from the second ö ö (photo by R.W. Harris from the Unfortunately, none of these seven corps is cWolllepcetrio L n owfe n, Germany, 1985 ). week of May through the last weekend of still active today. Drum Corps World September. This might sound long compared Champions Odilo from Hilversum stopped longer an all-girl unit. the DCA or DCI seasons, but the biggest competing after the 1985 season. Wesopa Oranje Nassau from Vlissingen and Bato difference is that the season in the from Weesp folded in 1984. Excelsior from from Haarlem joined DCH in 1983. Bato was Netherlands is split in two. Baarn and In Aethere Musica from Eemnes especially known for the fact that they All Dutch corps usually have their first merged in 1984, but are now only active in learned two different shows. Beside their public performance on the queen’s birthday, the winter guard circuit. For scores of all competitive performance, they also had a April 30, which is a national holiday in the DCH Championships, refer to pages 273-274 traditional Dutch show, complete with country. Then the contests run through the in “A History of Drum & Bugle Corps,” folklore costumes, cheese carriers, tulips and end of June when the activity takes an volume 1. everything else foreigners think Holland is all almost two-month summer break. This is An immediate growth in competition was about. because most Dutch families go on seen in 1982 when Jubal, Beatrix and Oranje The next three seasons were DCH’s best as summer vacation to sunny beach resorts far as the number of corps in competition is abroad. concerned. Sixteen corps performed at the In this period, corps would be too championships. One of the new corps in the incomplete and therefore the entire activity 1984 season was De Pijpers from Vlaardingen. lies still until the end of August. In They only performed one season under that September, DCH usually organized two name and later chose the more accessible contests before championships, traditionally name Avalance. held on the last Saturday of the month. Two corps from the same hometown of The weather has affected the DCH season Vlissingen entered competition as well: just about every year. Fall often starts early Juliana and Blue Spirit. It is no surprise that in the Netherlands. September has always there was a strong competition between these been a risky period. At many championships two units. Excelsior from Goes also joined the corps have had to perform in the rain. In DCH at about the same time. 1986, championships were even postponed to The most legendary addition to the the second weekend of October. (photo by Edward SWcehsot ltCeona fsrot mSo tuhned c, othllec Ntioenth oefr lands, 1998 ). competition field ever was Avant Courir, a Both Oranje and Odilo struggled with Drum Corps World merger between Excelsior and In Aethere membership and decided to join forces and from Huizen joined. Jubal took the open Musica. They managed to put a large corps come back as the merger Alliance, which class title at the championships in Hilversum. on the field with an innovative, challenging unfortunately was a one-season project. New Today, Oranje is also only active as a winter and highly entertaining program. Avant to the activity was Blue Wave from IJmuiden, guard called The Pride. They only competed Courir was able to work its way up to third a promising unit that would come a long way as a drum and bugle corps for three seasons. place in its debut season. Unfortunately, the in competition. In their opening season, they The Boston Crusaders toured Europe in corps folded after the 1992 season. placed ninth, but soon worked their way up 1982 and presented part of their show at two Johan Friso, the feeder corps for Juliana to much higher placements. contests in the Netherlands, but were far took top honors in cadet class. Five contests A crown on their 75th anniversary was from ready that early in the summer. were held before all corps came together in the title Jubal gained at championships. In 1983, DIO from Dordrecht entered Dordrecht at the championships, which Also, their feeder corps, Jong Jubal, won in DCH competition. The group was Europe’s Beatrix won. their class. only active all-girl corps in competition. In Even though the 1985 season had the The 1987 season was straightforward, with 1957, the corps found its origin in a same record number of 16 corps in the few changes. Don Bosco from Rijswijk was gymnastics club carrying the same name. competition, it was the feeder corps division the new corps in the activity. They placed DIO was one of the first to add a color guard. that saw the biggest growth. The 10th (last) in open class, but greatly improved After having (photo by Edward Scholten from the collection of championships to fourth place the following year. Blue Wave competed in the first Starriders, German)y. , 1994 that year had also worked their way up the ladder. Anglo-Dutch contest Drum Corps World the largest DCH No drum corps fan in Europe will ever in 1979, the corps crowd ever. forget the 1988 season. Not only was the took some time The top six in competition strong and growing in before returning to open class popularity, but Beatrix, returning from a the field. finals placed in three-week tour to DCI, was the absolute DIO competed in the exact same strongest corps on the field at championships DCH for four years order as in and took top honors. and then left. Today 1984. In June an international contest was held the corps is still Jong Jubal in The Hague with the Madison Scouts as active, but is no took the special guests. They were touring Europe for 121 two weeks. The Scouts received a warm corps in the past. open class. welcome and were overwhelmed with The first Dutch members marched with Here’s That Rainy Day would have made compliments from Dutch corps members and DCI and DCA corps in the 1980s and shared an appropriate DCH anthem. Any outdoor crowds. Their stunning performance is still a their experiences with their own corps upon event in the country would have been and subject of conversation among the Dutch returning. Just about all DCH corps played probably was cancelled. On September 25, corps today. brass instruments in the key of G by then. 1993, the DCH Championships, however, did The only new corps in competition was Three-valve instruments had been accepted in not let the weather spoil the fun. The Premier from Krommenie. They took a the Netherlands well before this rule was heaviest rainfall, storms and strongest wind two-year recess right after their first season changed in the United States and England. ever at championships had to be tolerated by in competition. They are still active today, Since their entry in the Dutch the corps. but as a percussion corps with color guard. competition, Beatrix and Jubal both Units were literally marching in the mud Blue Spirit from Vlissingen decided to distinguished themselves from any of the by the time the evening program started. take a year off and the Sojobo corps from other competitors. The two corps were close Quite a few members slipped and glided Antwerp, Belgium, debuted at the rivals, always battling for first place. Every across the muddy grass. international contest. year the gap between second place and the New corps included Joint Adventure from rest of the field was immense. A spread of 12 Amsterdam and Con Fuoco from Leiden, to 14 full points was common. which surprisingly placed third in class A, It was only Blue Wave that was able to upsetting Belgian competitor Freeliners close the gap in the 1990s. This talented unit (formerly Sojobo), who did not accept their was run by a staff that was always up for score and left the organization. They folded another challenge. the following year. Belgium and Germany started showing Performing a standstill concert is what more interest in DCH. It was decided that some corps experienced at 1994 finals. Due foreign corps could not only enter the to the extreme weather, stadium officials regional contests, but also the DCH decided not every corps could march on the Championships. Sojobo was the first corps field that evening. This definitely was a big to profit from this disappointment for many. Starriders proved rule change and took to be making a lot of progress, topping class fifth place at finals in A. Since the number of open class corps had 1990. Unfortunately, gone down to a mere handful, DCH decided Interest in the DCH this was a one-year- to give the top corps from class A the activity from drum corps only experience for opportunity to compete in open class finals. fans in other countries of them. Reckendrees from Haarlem entered class A Europe had grown Sponsorship started competition. The biggest surprise of the immensely over the last playing a major role for event was Blue Wave placing second, few years. At the Don Bosco. They upsetting Beatrix, which had to settle for championships, more and found a fast food third. It’s a pity that was Wave’s last season. more fans company to support The centrally located city of Utrecht, from them. As a result, they which probably has the best stadium facilities Belgium, changed their name into -- DCH has ever used, was the site of the 1995 Germany believe it or not -- McDonald’s championships. The hard work the Starriders and even Drum and Bugle Corps. The put into their production paid off. They France corps folded after the 1991 placed third in their first season. drove to season. A new addition to the circuit was West Holland to Avalance had to leave the Coast Sound from Haarlem. DCH has had cheer for activity due to lack of members. quite a few different corps from Haarlem. In their Beatrix put another title to their fact, there were a lot of familiar faces favorite name and Jong Jubal topped whenever a new corps appeared. Beatrix corps. (Top to bottom) (photo by cadet class. was the first corps to take all captions at One of the Edward ScholtenC ofrno mFu tohceo c, othllec Ntioenth oefr lands, 1993 ); The number of corps in the finals. highlights (photoD bruy mR .CWo.r pHsa rWriso rflrd om the DCH circuit remained at about The competition got a stronger cAovlalelacnticoen, othf e Netherlands, 198)5; of the (photo by HaDnrsu Kmlo Cpopreprst fWroomrl dtheB cloulele Wctiaovne o, ft he Netherlands, 198). 9 12 for the next few years. In international flavor in 1996, when three 1989 Drum Corps World 1991, a novice class was added German corps chose to cross the border and season was the change of the championships for drum corps-oriented bands that wanted to compete in DCH. Starriders had already venue to the city of Nijmegen to better serve have a chance at the competition element. become a well-known face. Schlossgarde numerous German fans. The championships One of the units was Vermaat from Haarlem. from Frankfurt came out a few times, but returned to the Goffert Stadium in Nijmegen This class would be changed into class A the never took part in the championships. for another few years in the early 1990s. next season. Open class welcomed back Blue Their colleague, Wölper Löwen from The 1980s saw a coming and going of Spirit. Neustadt, joined them on their Dutch corps in competition. Corps folded or The 1992 season was the beginning of adventure with success. As more corps- merged, competed only one or two seasons continuous international participation at the oriented bands wanted to get a taste of the and then withdrew or chose other directions. DCH Championships. Throughout the last competition, another class was added to the It was especially the lower placed corps that few seasons, various corps from Belgium and list: corps style. New contenders were Jong disappeared. Rust Roest from Zierikzee was Germany traveled to the Netherlands for Holland from Zwijndrecht and Turnlust from welcomed in 1989, but only competed for regional shows. Den Helder. Surprisingly, Juliana stepped three seasons. The total number of Since Drum Corps Deutschland was down from open class to the corps-style class participating units had dropped back to 12. unable to hold a finals in 1991, the defending after having competed in open class for the Influences from the DCI and DCA activity DCD champion Starriders from Bad-Munder previous12 years. were noticeable in the Dutch corps scene. decided to officially enter DCH and competed In open class, the battle for first place Repertoires of various units contained some in class A in 1992. They placed second seemed to have been decided in favor of of the most popular tunes played by top DCI behind Blue Spirit. Jubal took first place in Jubal, which won all season. Then 122 unexpectedly and under loud dissatisfaction helped set a standard for the new little over 41,000 square kilometers with 16 of the crowd, the title was awarded to Beatrix. show-oriented marching units. million inhabitants -- the Netherlands has A week after championships, Jubal Only the Starriders kept traveling to more than 2,500 amateur music groups. The announced its retirement from DCH DCH from Germany. All other German most prominent are bands and corps. competition. The corps would still keep its units withdrew from the activity before the Beatrix, Juliana and Starriders continued membership, but no longer wished to 1999 season started. Plans were made to their contribution to this new competition compete. Numerous talks between the DCH have a revival of the Drum Corps structure and were the only open class corps management and Jubal board had no effect. Deutschland organization, but under a left. As far as the scoring and ranking, things As of that season, Jubal went its own way and different name. didn’t change much. The KNFM took over all opted for a full commercial season with Juliana and Starriders were close rivals aspects DCH had worked on, including performances throughout the country and far more than ever before. Only tenths of points contest rules and the judging manual. across the borders. Things were not the same, however. As of the 1997 season, there would be no Other classes were added to the doubt about where the open class trophy championship event, later named the went after finals. Beatrix won every single “National Championships Show.” One of the show. More bands had a try-out reasons quite clearly was the fact that the performance in corps-style class, which grew competition field had become small after the in popularity. Showcorps Gorkum only departure of quite a few units. performed during the 1997 season. Blue and The major highlight of the 2000 season White Stars from Nijverdal joined the was a three-week tour the Blue Devils took corps- style class and stayed with the through the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium organization for three years. and France. In Germany, the Blue Devils There were and still are showbands and performed in exhibition at the “German marching bands in the country that closely Open” in Hameln. In the Netherlands, an follow the DCI activity and adopt the drum exhibition show was organized in Breda with corps style to their programs and shows. seven of the top Dutch corps and bands. Most of them, however, lack the appropriate Several hundreds bands and corps staff members and are far behind in members attended clinics the Blue Devils technique. conducted. The corps performed in Northern Clinics over the years, given by many France, spent time sightseeing in Paris and American clinicians, have been of great help performed on the island of La Flotte. to the activity in Europe. Just about every Bands that in previous years had already year there are clinics for members, staff and competed in the regular KNFM circuit, but management. were well ahead of most of their competitors Blue Devils have shown and offered regarding the field-show concept now gained continuous support for the European activity. more credit in the new combined events. Numerous clinic sessions have been held over Tambourijnen from Eindhoven, the last two decades and Blue Devils have Federatieband from The Hague and Vaarbroek played an important role in these. They from Eindhoven were welcome additions to brought their winter guard in 1988 and part the competition field. In 2001, Tambourijnen of their corps in 1992 after they performed at topped the corps-style class. Empire the Carnival in Nice, France. Blue Devils Statesmen from Rochester, NY, represented again traveled to Europe in 2000 and are the United States at the World Music scheduled to return in 2004 and 2005. Championships in Kerkrade that year also. DCH ran a winter guard circuit parallel to The 2002 season wasn’t any different from the corps season from 1981 through 1995 the previous year. Some of the regional when the circuit operated under the name contests were unfortunately canceled after Color Guard Nederland, which became an too many corps that originally signed up independent organization in 1997. withdrew. The championships, however, were (Top to bottom) (photo by Toward the end of the 20th century, there R.W. de Graaf frIonm A eththee creo llMecutsioicna ,o ft he Netherlands, 198);4 another fantastic day with diverse styles. A wasn’t much progress. The number of corps (phDortuom b yC oErdpws aWrdo rSldchoJltoeint from parade division was a highly unusual addition tAhdev ceonltluerceti,o tnh eo fN etherlands, 1998 ); basically stayed intact. Excelsior was back, (photo fromD trhuem c Cololerpcsti oWn oorfl d Fidele Vogelsan)g. er, Germany, to the event. but Blue Spirit saw their membership 1986 Drum Corps World The KNFM is mainly focused on the band decrease and ended with the 1998 season. kept them apart. activity and twirling sections. The future of Cadet class had never counted more than For the first time, corps from France the drum corps section in their four corps, but these young kids, usually joined the Dutch corps in competition, organization is unclear, unstable and not coached by marching members of their including Blue Lions, a marching promising . senior corps, showed incredible talent. They percussion/color guard unit, and St. Fulgent, Other projects are the future of the activity. Johan Friso a drum and bugle corps that stunned Dutch Drum and bugle corps in the Netherlands took its fourth consecutive cadet class title. crowds with its rich bugle sound. Hardly don’t just compete. In fact, the commercial There has never been an age limit in DCH anybody knew of their existence in France. performances are extremely important for open class. Since the early 1980s, fans from France raising money for the corps. Corps perform Drum Corps Holland was entering its last have regularly attended the DCH at exhibition shows throughout the country season before the KNFM Federation adopted Championships, individually or with complete and most corps have an extended traveling the activity. DCH had had a short but bus excursions. France doesn’t have a very program through Europe. interesting history. It managed to build a strong amateur music culture. It’s not unusual for corps such as Beatrix strong team of volunteers, but was sometimes When DCH was taken over by the KNFM and Jubal to cross numerous borders every let down by the lack of assistance of and turned into a section “show” at the season and perform in countries like participating corps. The organization had organization’s regional contests, quite a few Switzerland, Germany, England, Norway, Italy gained a lot of respect from other national units withdrew, but also other new units and France, to name a few. Both corps have and international music organizations and joined. As small as the country is -- only a toured in the United States as well. 123 Drum corps in Europe is a weekend Blue Diamonds and Red Barons acquired conclusion of the 1992 season. Starriders, activity. Since there are no age limits, many DCD membership. Wölper Löwen and Höchter Schlossgarde had members have regular jobs. Schlossgarde from Höchster/Frankfurt already entered the DCH competition. Beatrix has gained a contract to perform progressed most of all German corps in the Since “drum corps never dies,” the corps at all the home matches of the Dutch mid-1980s and won the championships in continued their own activities and performed national soccer team and regularly performs 1986 and 1987. The corps was one of the at various events in Germany and abroad. in concert at gala company parties. largest units Germany had in those days. Starriders took a challenge in 1999 and Jubal has discovered the theater and, Mismanagement by the first DCD board organized another contest in Germany after a together with their feeder corps and big band, caused a total reorganization in 1987, when a seven-year absence: the “German Open” in produced a two-hour production on the completely new set of directors was Hameln. A large crowd turned out and gave occasion of their 90th anniversary in 2001. A appointed. Therefore, the start of the 1988 hope for the German corps scene. Ideas were new theater show is scheduled for 2003. season did not come without problems that shared about restarting a national drum The corps is also originated the year corps organization. featured in the before. New DCD Most corps in competition at the “German German movie/short Chairman Jürgen Open” were German corps and Dutch corps film “Karlchen’s Kunsemüller created a helped the events to become even more Parade,” which true metamorphosis successful. In 2000, the Blue Devils premiered at the within the DCD performed in exhibition at the “German Berlin World Film structure and helped the Open” during their European tour. Festival in March 1988 season be a more As expected, the German corps got 2003 and now than successful one after together in the discussion of a rebirth of the travels the world at all. Fidele Vogelsanger competitive season. In 2002, the new Drum major international took the title that year. Corps Germany organization was a fact. film festivals. Taking Three contests were scheduled this first One of the most matters season. Big plans for the future will help the challenging projects seriously German activity grow back to the strong field ever held in the Netherlands related to the were the it once had. corps scene is the Biggest All-Dutch Drum Starriders Belgium and Bugle Corps. This group was formed for from Bad The corps scene in Belgium has the one performance only at the World Games Munder. shortest history in Europe. Even though for the Disabled in Assen in 1990 and They built today there are still a large number of serious consisted of members brought together from their unit drum corps diehards in the country, Belgium all the drum and bugle corps in the country, into a real hasn’t had any competition since 1990. plus a large number of band members. drum and The first corps influences from the The 278-piece corps consisted of one Netherlands arrived in drum major, 80 color guard, 39 sopranos, 27 Belgium in the early mellophones/French horns, 34 baritones, 10 1980s. The country is contras, 19 snares, 11 tenors, seven bass divided into two parts: drums and visual cymbal line of 50. The the Flemish-speaking repertoire included Sing, Sing, Sing and a bugle corps and part and the French- medley of typical Dutch folk songs arranged their efforts paid off speaking part. in corps style. For drill, the corps formed the when they won the Borsalino Drum and logo for the games and included a sailboat on DCD Finals in 1989 Bugle Corps from the waves and a windmill. and 1990. Other French-speaking Germany corps disappeared (Top to bottom) (photo by Hans Auvelais was the first Two other countries on the continent have from the scene that Kloppert from thJeu clioalnleac, ttiohne oNfe therlands, 1994 ); unit to adopt the corps had competitions for drum corps. In year, causing (photo by EDdwruamrd C Socrhposl tWeno rfrldomP threem cioelrle,c ttihoe n of style, instruments and Netherlands, 1998 ); (photo by Hans Germany, Drum Corps Deutschland was problems. Even DKlroupmp eCrto rfrposm W thoerl d colSleocjtoiobno ,o Bf elgium, 1990 ). repertoire. The corps formed in December 1983. Founding corps former champion Drum Corps World originated as a were Schlossgarde, Fidele Vogelsanger, Fidele Vogelsanger had to quit after they lost showband in 1975, but quickly made the Schaumburger Herolde, Wölper Löwen, about 80 percent of their members. Only five change, led by drum corps pioneer Thierry Showcorps Birstein and Starriders. corps were able to complete the 1990 DCD Plume. Plume’s positions with Borsalino Contrary to the situation in the season. A major clinic weekend held in Fulda included snare drummer, percussion arranger Netherlands, where many of the original DCH brought 600 participants together, however. and instructor, drill designer, drum major corps have folded, all of the founding The DCD management and board of and corps director. members of DCD are still active today, despite directors made the unfortunate decision that On the other side of the country, several the fact that some of them had several there would be no 1991 competitive season members of Showband WIK worked hard to inactive seasons in the 1990s. and the year would be used to reorganize and promote the corps activity as well. National The opening contest of the corps activity create a new appropriate judging manual and, organizations for amateur music were hardly in Germany took place in Gevelsberg. During most importantly, form an extra division interested and didn’t know what to expect. the first two years of existence, only regional which would make it easier for new units to François Deschacht was the initiator of shows were held and DCD spent a lot of time take the step into the corps scene. forming the Korpsen Foundation, aimed at building its structure and creating its own All contests were co-hosted by the local the promotion of drum corps in Belgium, and contest rules and judging manual. DCD corps. Championships in 1992 were published Korpsen Magazine . profited from the expertise that already scheduled to be hosted by the Blue Showband Sojobo from Antwerp had also existed in the Netherlands. Diamonds. Only two weeks before the event, slowly introduced the corps style. It took The first DCD Championships were held the corps announced it was unable to host until 1987 before the first meeting was held in Fulda in 1985. Fidele Vogelsanger made finals, which were cancelled as a result. between Korpsen Foundation, Borsalino and history by putting the first title to their Financially, DCD was struggling at the Sojobo, and Drum Corps Belgium soon name. The organization grew rapidly. Corps time and to everyone’s regret the DCD became a fact. such as Golden Lions, Stadthaegen Cowboys, organization stopped its activities at the The first DCB Championships took place 124 in 1988 in Auvelais. When the sponsorships from Evans, Innovative international field of competitors Percussion arrived, they were surprised to see the and main championships were to be held on the sponsor marketplace in front of the town church. Dynasty will Borsalino became the first DCB help the Champions. Jubal took top honors in organization (photo by Edward Scholten from the the total ranking. Scoclhlelocstisogna ordf e, Germany, 1992 ). put drum In 1989, championships were held in Drum Corps World and bugle an Antwerp soccer stadium. Again a large Their name says enough. They’re a band, but corps back field of competitors represented Germany, with true corps resemblance. It would be on the map England and the Netherlands. Belgium still great if they joined international in Europe only had two corps. This time Sojobo swept competition. where it enough captions to take the title. Drum Corps Europe belongs -- (photo by Unfortunately, loss of membership also It was time for a change on the continent. in BElduwea Srdp iSritc, htohlete Nne ftrhoemrl athned sc,o 1lle9c9t8io n of struck Borsalino, which had to go inactive Since many units were losing more members CAPITALS. ). and returned several years later as a than recruiting new ones, most decided to Drum Corps World non-competitive corps. Sojobo switched their stop competing among the larger units or Hans Kloppert was born in name to Freeliners and joined DCH for were even unable to field a decent size corps. Dubbeldam, the Netherlands, in another few years. This decrease among the Dutch corps was 1964 and joined Jubal Drum A marching percussion unit was pretty one of the occasions that led to the and Bugle Corps at the age of much the only corps-related unit that made formation of the new Drum Corps Europe 11. He played soprano in their its appearance a number of years later in organization in 2000. feeder corps, Jong Jubal, from Belgium: the Coastliners from Oostende, run Several former members of Blue Spirit 1975-1981 and has marched in by Johan Delacauw. They even took their started a new challenge and created an the Jubal senior corps since 1982. He served unit to the United States in 1992 to march in organization for indoor drum corps. Two as the corps’ drum major from 1995-1999 the DCI anniversary parade in Madison. seasons of indoor competitions were held and has been part of the brass staff since Different countries with regional shows in the Netherlands and 1987. From 1983-1985 Kloppert also Up until 2003, the Netherlands, Germany Belgium. Indoor competition, with marched in the corps’ winter guard. and Belgium are the only countries on the performances on a much smaller arena than On an international level, he has marched continent where drum corps has really had a a football field, was an extremely successful with the Rhode Island Matadors, Reading name. The United Kingdom has had by far formula for the smaller groups. The sound of Buccaneers and Empire Statesmen and the most extensive competition in Europe, to the small horn lines projected better and was taught and consulted with Borsalino and which a separate chapter has been dedicated. not affected by strong winds. Sojobo/Freeliners, the only two drum and In countries like France, Switzerland and DCE did not attract large crowds, which bugle corps in Belgium, for several seasons in Sweden, units have wanted to adopt the corps was nothing new compared to most regional the late 1980s. He served as brass caption style, but haven’t come a long way. There has DCH shows in the old days. The corps, head for the DIO all-girl corps from never been a competition field for drum and however, were enthused and performed with Dordrecht from 1986-1995, brass instructor bugle corps in those countries. Most bands pride. At this point, it didn’t matter much to with Jong Jubal from 1982-1990 and was on and units competed in other national circuits. them that they didn’t have as many members staff with the Biggest All-Dutch Drum and Some of them were marching percussion as they used to have. Bugle Corps in 1990 on the occasion of the only; others were corps-oriented bands. Even though the competition field World Games for the Disabled. Officially, France had a Drum Corps consisted of primarily Dutch units, interest His passion for the activity has appeared France organization, formed in 1997, with from foreign countries has gradually grown in his writing and photography for various five member corps/bands. Competition has and the first units from Belgium signed up. publications. He has been on the Drum never really come off. The Blue Lions and St. A typically European attitude is that one first Corps World staff since 1984, covering the Fulgent once competed in the Dutch circuit. wants to see how things go before European scene. In Europe, he has written Showband Edelweiss from Tours had an participating in a new venture. and photographs for the Dutch Off the Line exchange program with the Belgian Borsalino Göteborg corps from Sweden even came magazine and Belgian Korpsen magazine. corps and learned a lot. all the way to the Netherlands for a five- He was publisher of Music in Motion Today, marching bands have a real corps minute show. Drum Corps Europe proved to magazine in the Netherlands in the 1990s, look and full marching percussion. If only provide exactly what had been expected: a published several DCHolland yearbooks and they had a horn line and guard. Most units vivid, well-structured competition. co-published Drum Corps Nieuws. in France that tend to the corps style are By popular demand from some In 2000, Kloppert helped the Blue Devils percussion-only, in some cases with a color participating DCE corps and other units that coordinate part of their European tour and guard such as Evolutionkorps from Hem. wished to join the circuit that felt their shows his two biggest corps projects were The only unit in Switzerland that has had would project better outdoors, DCE decided organizing and coordinating Jubal’s three- anything to do with the corps activity is Swiss to move the activity outdoors. This was week USA tour in 2002 and the corps’ 90th Pioneer, run by former Jubal member warmly welcomed by a number of corps that anniversary theater show in 2001. Herman Colijn. It’s another percussion-only were dissatisfied with the KNFM situation. Kloppert teaches English and French. He unit that tries to attend as many corps events The 2003 season has three contests on the and his wife, Nanda, live in Dordrecht. They as it can on the continent, but unfortunately agenda, including the championships in late met in drum corps. She was a member of only as supporters. September. Nearly 20 corps and bands have the Jubal color guard and also served as the In Sweden, the corps activity is led by already signed up to participate, in five corps’ guard captain and caption head. Strangnas drum corps, which had a different divisions. Apart from all the entries Drum corps is in the family. Hans’ successful tour to the United States in 2001 from the Netherlands, foreign corps will brother, Marcel, is a snare drummer, his and competed in division III. Another represent Germany and England. DCE also father is a driver for the corps and his marching percussion and color guard/drum has an independent French division, which mother is on the uniform committee. corps, Göteborg, performed at two Drum will host its first title event in 2003. Nanda’s father used to march contra with Corps Europe indoor events in 2002. DCE is looking to have a promising Jubal and is now a brass instructor. Her Italy has its Millennium Marching Band. future. Assistance from DCI and sister plays soprano with Jubal. 125