Inside the Corps

What does it take to be a champion? Find out the character, the history, the traditions and the inside stories, told candidly by directors, members and alums of last year’s top five drum & bugle corps—The Cavaliers, Phantom Regiment, The Blue Devils, Bluecoats and The Cadets.

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One Time at Band Camp

For freshman Kyle Evans, the rigors of the USC Trojan Marching Band are just another way of tapping into the Spirit of Troy. Follow one particular freshman band member for two weeks, from check-in at band camp to the halftime show at the first football game.

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The Funniest ... Craziest ... Most Inspiring College Band Traditions

Stanford's crazy scatter drill. Northwestern's growling toilet. And University of Wyoming's beer serenade. Every band has countless traditions, both on and off the field. Some are serious, some are funny, and some are plain outrageous. These traditions create a timeless bond for band participants from each school as well as motivate fans and the community. This story will provide a lighthearted look at some of the well-known and not-so-well-known band traditions that will make you laugh, wince or even shed a tear.

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Marching Band in the Movies

Major films have brought national attention to the marching band endeavor. In 2001, “American Pie,” with its famous band camp joke, grossed $145.1 million at the box office and prompted three additional movies including “American Pie Presents: Band Camp.” In 2002, the movie “Drumline” grossed $56.4 million. Have these films improved interest--by participants and by the general public--in the activity or have they worsened the "band geek" image?

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