6 1 r Drum & Bugle Corps e t p a h in music literature C A selective, annotated bibliography of drum and bugle corps articles compiled by Sharon Walbridge Washington State University Libraries As drum and bugle corps gained exposure Specific drum corps publications such as The author records his progressive injury and popularity from the mid-1970s on, an Drum Corps World, Drum Corps News and that ultimately led to arm surgery. He had to increasing number of articles related to the Drum Corps America are not covered in this learn to play drums all over again. This is an drum and bugle corps activity began to appear bibliography, but readers need to know that important article for all drummers, especially in music publications. these publications cover specific corps and those in intense environments such as This bibliography is indicative of that. Most specific events. They are invaluable resources competitive drum and bugle corps. of the citations have been taken from the Music for those interested in drum corps from a Index. Some of the articles are on the drum current or historical standpoint. • Ancona, Jim. “Tips on Auditioning for a and bugle corps activity, while others relate to Drum Corps World continues to be the DCI Pit.” Percussive Notes 37, no. 4 (August marching bands and the influence that drum active publication of the field. Drum Corps 1999) : 40-42. and bugle corps have had on that activity. News is defunct, but is available in microfilm This is “a how to do it” article that gives Some of the articles are instructional in from University Microfilms in Ann Arbor, MI. specific instructions on applying and nature. Readers will notice that many more Drum Corps America is no longer published. auditioning for seven of the top 12 DCI corps. articles deal with percussion than with brass. For information on all of the other drum The seven corps include: the Blue Devils, Blue In preparing this bibliography, all of the and bugle corps publications that have existed Knights, Cadets of Bergen County, Carolina articles were read and the annotations since the end of World War II, see chapter ___ Crown, Crossmen, Phantom Regiment and the summarize the content. It should also be noted on page ___. Santa Clara Vanguard. that this is just a sampling of available articles. Such publications as Modern Drummer and Citations • Anderson, Robert. “Woodwind Crisis in Modern Percussionist also carry articles about Corps-Style Bands.” The Instrumentalist 37, the drum and bugle corps activity -- these are • Allen, John. “An Experience with Injury.” no. 4 (November 1982) : 13. not included in this bibliography as I was Percussive Notes 38, no. 4 (August 2000) : 50- Anderson writes about the weakening of unable to personally inspect the issues. 51. woodwinds as bands emphasize power brass and 373 spriNgfield marksmeN alumNi, Springfield, MA (1989). marquis, Fond du Lac, WI (1985). Nighthawks, Houston, TX (1988). Photo from the collection of Drum Corps World. Photo by Donald Mathis from the collection of Drum Corps World. Photo by Dale Eck from the collection of Drum Corps World. percussion in corps-style bands. The Bakers illustrate their point by blend work outdoors. Woodwind players frequently end up in discussing drum and bugle corps shows such as He notes that drum and bugle corps and auxiliary units in corps style bands -- Suncoast Sound’s “Symphonic Dances for the bands have different roots and functions. Corps weakening the individuals’ technique for Contemporary Child.” How to reward such are often the focus of events in which they concert season and disturbing their identity as creativity in the competitive arena is a participate while people do not usually come to a section. Anderson suggests five alternatives challenge that the activity may not yet have a stadium to see the band -- they come to see a regarding woodwind players and the met. football game. development of corps-style auxiliary units. Bilik offers suggestions on what bands can • Baldwin, John, ed. “News: Chapter News learn from drum and bugle corps, remembering • Arrowood, Chris. “Drums Corps and Membership News (Poland - Chapter that bands go on and on for years with the same International Announces Winners of Solo and News).” Percussive Notes 28, no. 3 (Spring audience. The Troopers are on the cover of this Ensemble Competition.” Percussive Notes 21, 1990) : 87. issue. no. 2 (January 1983) : 8. News of the first-ever drum corps parade The solo and ensemble competition at the held in Poland is reported by Stanislaw • Bissell, Paul. “Tenor Madness – Crosses.” DCI Championships is a popular event for Skoczynski. The parade was a part of the third Percussive Notes 35, no. 2 (April 1997) : 25-27. participants and spectators. Arrowood describes annual “International Percussion Workshop” Tenor drum performers, especially in the competition and introduces the percussion held in the city of Bydgoszcz. The parade was competitive drum and bugle corps, are being winners for 1982. A brief biography seen as evidence of “political changes in Poland called upon to play more difficult material each accompanies a photo of the individual winners. that allowed this manifestation of freedom.” year. Cross sticking is a major part of that and the author provides tips and exercises to help • Aungst, Thomas. “Rehearsal Techniques • ______. “News.” Percussive Notes 24, no. the performer with technique. Ten musical for Marching Percussion.” Percussive Notes 33, 2 (January 1986) : 10. examples accompany the text. no. 1 (February 1995) : 24-25. Two unrelated news items on drum and The rehearsal philosophy and regime of the bugle corps appear on this page. The first • ______. “Tenor Madness – Sweeps.” Garfield Cadets is discussed, following the reports on winners of the 1985 DCI Solo and Percussive Notes 35, no. 3 (June 1997) : 28-30. percussion section through a typical day. Such Ensemble percussion competition. The second Part two in the author’s three-part set of topics as balance and blend, tempo, rhythmic is a photograph of the U. S. Coast Guard articles helps the tenor drum player in moving interpretation, sound quality, listening skills Academy Windjammers Drum and Bugle Corps from drum to drum. Text and musical exercises and clarity are covered. that accompanies results of that organization’s are included to help with technique. Although not much more than one to three annual marching band competition. paragraphs each, the subjects are addressed • ______. “Tenor Madness – Sweeps and clearly and substantially. • Bands of America. “Ideas from Cross Combinations.” Percussive Notes 35, no. Whitewater.” BD Guide 5 (May/June 1991) : 4 (August 1997) : 26-28. • Baggs, Bernard. “Self-Directed Graduate 8-14. The final segment of Bissell’s trilogy on Training for Judges.” Today’s Music Educator This report pulls together highlights of the tenor drum technique is a natural extension of 5, no. 1 (Spring 1992) : 24-26. 1990 summer workshop held by BOA in the first two articles, combining the two skills One of the most renowned judges in drum Whitewater, WI, annually. Familiar participants to produce a sophisticated performance. Eight and bugle corps history shares his views on include Michael Cesario, Rob Carson, Tim musical examples accompany the text. quality judging. He discusses attitudes and Lautzenheiser, George Parks and Ken Snoek. philosophies and includes comments about Topics covered briefly include show design, • “Blue Devils Win 4th Championship.” critiques. He offers practical advice as well as choice of music, teaching techniques, drum Percussive Notes 19, no. 1 (Fall 1980) : 20-22. opinions on the judge’s role and major commands and recruiting. A review of the 1980 DCI Championships responsibilities. held in Birmingham, AL, includes complete • Bilik, Jerry H. “The Corps Versus the repertoires of the top 12 corps. Scores and • Baker, Keith and Baker, Kent. Band.” The Instrumentalist 29, no. 11 (June comments about the corps are included in a “Programming in the Pageantry Arts.” Today’s 1975) : 41-43. paragraph on each as the article traces the Music Educator 5, no. 1 (Spring 1992) : 10-12. Bilik discusses drum and bugle corps’ championship field from bottom to top. Show design is communication and as precision and percussion expertise as the two Winners of the individual and ensemble design has become increasingly complex and elements that make the activity so attractive. percussion competitions are also given. sophisticated, communication has become Time and money are key to successful drum more difficult. Finding meaning, defining and bugle corps. • Bocook, Jay. “Performing Corps-Style success, then rating a show becomes harder and It is his opinion that bands have a better Music.” The Instrumentalist 32, no. 11 (June harder as shows exhibit creativity and blend of sound, but many show designers and 1978) : 32-3. innovation. band directors do not know how to make that As the author notes, corps-style marching 374 marauders, Longview, WA (1988). ChiCago VaNguard, Chicago, IL (1988). demoiselles du que, Laval, QUE (approx. 1980). Photo by Orlin Wagner from the collection of Drum Corps World. Photo by Dale Eck from the collection of Drum Corps World. Photo by Dick DeGraaf from the collection of Drum Corps World. came quickly to bands in the mid-’70s and he author cites various uses of guard and their and philosophy. The article makes the reader counsels a smooth transition rather than an equipment -- if the reader wants to actually see want to obtain Buck’s book. abrupt change that can be unpopular with band the guards, he or she will need to find the DCI members and audiences. videos. • Buecker, Glen A. “Contemporary Bocook gives sound advice on the adaptation It is unfortunate that the author or the Marching Bass Drum Techniques.” Percussive of the “designed for impact” style of publisher did not devote several pages to the Notes 33, no.