Drum Corps International

In this world there exists a thing that makes my heart jump every time I witness it. For the first time, it got it's due respect on cable television the other night.

This thing of which I speak is Drum Corps International. For all involved it is a passion to rival any sport, but it is far more than simply sport. It is a place where athleticism, art, and music intersect. Many of you will confuse what I am referring to as marching band... the type you might mock and ignore come half time at another sporting event. No, no, what I am talking about is Drum Corps.

The difference is that Drum Corps consists of brass instruments and percussion, as well as color guard (no woodwind instruments). The other difference is that these bands don't play because there is football, and they certainly don't take second seat to it. They fill NFL stadiums (at least one half - the direction to which the corps plays) for their own competitions.

This is athleticism at it's finest. It's about precision. It's about emotion. It's about winning. And of course, it's about music.

I have known about and appreciated Drum Corps since I played percussion for my high school's marching band, but now the world knows about it thanks to ESPN. They aired the DCI Championships on ESPN2 and did a spectacular job of exposing the world to Drum Corps.

What you saw on the program was amazing, but being there in person is an entirely different experience. The crowd is totally appreciative of the corps, fanatical about their favorites, and enthusiastic for the competition.

I am hoping, after gaining more exposure from television and the Internet, Drum Corps can become even more popular and gain the following it deserves. I'm not the only one who feel this way.

If you haven't checked out Drum Corps International before, you just have to see what you are missing. You will not be let down.