Who are The Cadets?

The Cadets, a program of Youth Education in The Arts, are one of the oldest and most honored continuously operating drum and bugle corps in the world with performing members from all over the country and world. The corps will travel over 20,000 miles this summer entertaining hundreds of thousands of fans throughout the nation.

 

What is a Drum and Bugle Corps?

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 150 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.

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 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.

 

What are the benefits to the performers?

Drum corps is an activity which attempts to do much more than provide a performance opportunity for students or entertainment for an audience. Through the drum corps experience, students will learn useful life skills, leadership skills, goal setting, and conflict resolution skills among others. The Cadets curriculum includes opportunities for students to exercise their potential not only as musicians, but as complete human beings.

 

How can I learn more?

Begin by attending a drum corps production/competition in your area. You can find the performance closest to you by visiting Drum Corps International.