Drum corps to do battle
The Brass Spectacular Drum and Bugle Corps Show will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Carnie Smith Stadium at Pittsburg State University.
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Drum corps are similar to marching bands in that they march on a football field and play music, but there are also some key differences.
For example, Whitten said a marching band usually provides entertainment at sporting events. In contrast, a drum and bugle corps is the main event.
This distinction allows drum corps to strive for more artistic performances. Instead of performing chants, cheers and traditional marches, a drum corps is more likely to perform classical music or jazz or stage a 10-minute, Broadway-style musical.
One of the biggest differences between a marching band and a drum and bugle corps, Whitten said, is the amount of time a corps invests in perfecting its show. It is not uncommon for a drum corps to rehearse more than 12 hours a day.
Whitten said the drum corps are made up of musicians between the ages of 14 and 22 who come from across the United States, Canada and other countries.
The seven corps competing Tuesday will be the 11-time world champion Blue Devils from Concord, Calif.; the Blue Knights from Denver; the Capital Regiment from Columbus, Ohio; the Colts from Dubuque, Iowa; the Glassmen from Toledo, Ohio; Pioneer from Milwaukee; and the Cavaliers from Rosemont, Ill., the current world champions.
Corps members will rehearse throughout the day, he said. The Blue Devils will rehearse at PSU, while the Capital regiment will rehearse at Pittsburg High School. Pioneer will rehearse at Girard High School.
