| What is a Drum and Bugle Corps? |
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While it would appear that a drum and bugle corps (or "drum corps") might be easily defined, it is much more than drums and bugles. The modern drum corps is comprised of 135 amateur performers, under the age of 22. The compliment of performers includes brass musicians, percussionists and "auxiliary" or color guard. They perform a 9-11 minute program on a standard football field. Programs are extravaganzas of musical excellence, marching precision, color, drama, dance, humor and emotion. All members of the corps (except the front percussion ensemble) are required to march intricate patterns, formations and transitions which are coordinated with a musical production. Although many corps still play the traditional specialized bugles in the key of G, brass musicians in The Cadets play standard Yamaha bell front band instruments, including trumpets, mellophones, baritones, euphoniums and tubas.
 The Hornline Percussion instruments include marching snare drums, tenor drums (often referred to as "quads" or "quints"), bass drums in five sizes and non-marching "front ensemble" instruments including various drums, cymbals, tympani and mallets (marimba, vibraphone, xylophone, chimes).
 The Drumline The color guard, or auxiliary, adds color and movement through the coordinated use of flags, rifles, sabers and dance. The modern color guard is as much a dance ensemble and storyteller as it is a precision marching unit.
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