This essay culturally examines the subculture of drum corps and how the experience affects members personal and professional life outside of the activity. As a visual arts activity that crosses music and visual effect, the essay works to analyze the plentiful social effect drum corps has on its members. Specifically, I analyze the aspects of life that may be affected by the drum corps experience, including importance of relationships, work ethic, and teamwork.
With very little research on the drum corps community, there is a lack of true understanding of how lives after drum corps may be affected. However, we might expect that the dedication increases the quality of life due to the education focusing on individual success as opposed to competitive success (Chavez, 2016). Similarly, we might expect that personal and professional life will improve through the discipline and process that happens in choral groups, high school band, and orchestra settings (Vance, 2014).
Through an interview format, I will analyze the effect of drum corps on the member’s lives outside of the sport, asking questions that reflect on the effects of drum corps that reflect personal and professional growth. The questions will serve as guides in the interview process to allow participants to freely share experiences without constraint.
We see that the drum corps community carries subcultural significance with unique personal language, logistical understandings, and care for the activity. We also see that participation in any singular season with a drum corps has lasting effects on personal and professional growth. We are left with an understanding of a forgotten community and the lasting effect the subculture has on a wide variety of lives. With deep understandings in commitment, community, and cultural significance, drum corps provides an experience to young adults that will have lasting affects not only within music and performance education, but with the longer experience of life.