Drum and Bugle Corps to compete in Drums in the Heartland at Orrville stadium Aug. 4
ORRVILLE − Percussion and brass instruments alongside twirling flags, rifles, and other performers will march in a unique event called Drums in the Heartland.
Wayne County will witness, for the first time, the Drum Corps International (DCI) Drum and Bugle Corps competition at Orrville football stadium on Friday.
Six corps from around the states including two locals competing in an intense performance.
The show combines elements of a Broadway musical and a marching band performance.
“Drum Corps, often referred to as marching band on steroids,” said Chris Jones, music educator at Orrville Schools and DCI Show chair.
The Drum & Bugle Corps competition blends the artistic merits of a brass band concert with the physicality and pageantry of gymnastics or figure skating. Usually, participants are students between the ages of 16 and 21. However, some Corps include members of all ages.
Classical to pop, jazz to original compositions
Corps start the cycle with auditions in November whether virtual or in person. They range between 50 and 161 members in each corp, including staff and volunteers.
Then, during summer camps they work on a themed performance. In addition, they provide musical education for learners to enhance their musical or muscular skills.
In nationwide tours, Corps perform on a wide site like a stadium or school gym. Each Corp has between 8 and 12 minutes to perform and at the end, judges give them a score and their comments about what to improve.
The music performed can range from classical to pop, jazz, or original compositions. Most shows revolve around an underlying theme, and percussion instruments usually take center stage in a section of the performance.At the end of the season, the Corps perform their finals at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
As an alumnus of the Drum and Bugle Corps, Jones saw an opportunity to promote the arts in the area. “My hope is that young men and women will be inspired by what they see and hear and want to get further involved in the arts,” Jones said.
Rogues' Hollow Regiment from Doylestown performing
The Corps performing at the Drums in the Heartland are Raiders (Princeton, New Jersey); Columbians (Tri-Cities, Washington); 7th Regiment (New London, Connecticut); Guardians (Houston); Rhythm in Blue (Canton) and Rogues' Hollow Regiment (Doylestown).
Jones said he is proud there have been a total of 14 previous Orrville Band alumni, from when he was the band director, that are or have marched with the Rogues Hollow Regiment, the Corps from Doylestown.
Wil Myers is one of the previous Orrville Band alumni who have marched with the Rogues' Hollow Regiment, the corps from Doylestown. His passion for music grew during high school and continued to his college where he studied music education. He joined it when it was first created in 2015.
Myers travels with his corps to perform in different states such as New York, Indiana, and West Virginia. His personal goal is to entertain and educate others.
“Drum and Bugle Corps is a professional marching band,” Myers said. “Our group competes in the ‘All age’ division and we usually rehearse on weekends,” he said.
Myers said he is thankful Jones gave him the opportunity to play different instruments during high school band. He plays 5rombone and bass guitar, but his favorite is the tuba.
This year, he is excited Orrville will host Drums in the Heartland.
“I am from Orrville it’s an exciting opportunity to go back to our hometown and do this,” he said.
The event will start with gates opening at 6 p.m. The first performance will begin at 7:10 p.m. Each Corp will have about a 10-minute performance.
Tickets range from $15 to $20 and can be purchased online through the DCI website.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Doylestown group to be part of Drum and Bugle competition in Orrville
