I am not currently in a drum corps, nor have I ever marched in one. This article is based off the illogical rantings of one of the few high school students, Will Kraus, who has done both drum corps and high school marching band in the same season.

What is drum corps? The Wikipedia definition lists it as "a musical marching band consisting of brass instruments, percussion instruments, synthesizers, and color guard. It is open for anyone under the age of 21, but most members are in college or have just graduated high school. Corps have a membership limit of 150, so most of them require people to audition, meaning that those with more experience (i.e. not high schoolers) make up most of the drum corps.

In order to gain some insight into this fascinating subculture of marching music, I've conducted an interview with Will as he made the transition back into high school marching band after returning from an exciting summer touring the country with Pioneer, a drum corps based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Question 1: Do you agree with the commonly used definition of drum corps, as written above?

Will: "I would say no, because the word "band" suggests that drum corps uses all instrument families when in fact we only use brass and percussion. The more acceptable term would be "marching music ensemble" or simply "corps."

Question 2: What were some of the biggest differences you noticed between drum corps and marching band?

Will: "The intensity. In drum corps, you don't complain about being tired or hot; you only do what you're told when you're told to do it. Every single rep (or runthrough of the performance) you have to give 110%. No excuses. Also, everyone runs back to set. No excuses. There is a lot more discipline in drum corps than in marching band, and the staff has the freedom to punish you however they please."

Question 3: Drum corps is all summer long. Is it hard to go away from your family and friends for so long?

Will: "At first it can be pretty difficult, but the corps becomes a family to you. We spend every hour of every day together, working towards the same thing and sharing the same goals."

Question 4: What was an average day like for you?

Will: "Wake up, four hours visual block, lunch, four hours music block, dinner, two hours ensemble, snack, and then sleep."

Question 5: Were the competitions comparable to high school marching band competitions?

Will: "In the respect that you walk on the field, perform, and then walk off? Yes. In the skill level? No."

Question 6: How would someone who's interested in drum corps join one?

Will: Find one that you're interested in. Most corps have audition camps in November and December that last all weekend. It's really that simple."

Question 7: What are some iconic DCI shows that you'd recommend for anyone new to the DCI scene?

Will: "Spartacus- Phantom Regiment 2008. Mad World- Cavaliers. Les Miserables- Santa Clara Vanguard. Jesus Christ Superstar- Madison Scouts. West Side Story-Garfield Cadets. Roman Images- Star of Indiana.

Question 8: And finally, how you you describe your DCI experience in 5 words or less?

Will: "Goodbye snap streaks!"