I'm in my 50's and am now playing drum set for a DCA mini corps. It's not too late :-)

I’m sorry but bushwackers is a hilarious name

The female chicken name shall be Linda Jr

I'm in my mid-40's. I write the music for an all-age Corps. I also teach the horn line, write the drill, and teach the drill. My wife and I also play in the horn line. It is most DEFINITELY NOT the same as DCI, but the people are fantastic. My best friends are in the Corps and we have a great time doing what we do. I'd encourage anyone to do it, regardless of skill level. It's not about how good you are, it's about how hard you work.

I marched DCA with a british corps called Kidsgrove scouts in 2017. I think our oldest member was around 64 playing euphonium!

At 40 yrs old I just auditioned (and was offered a contract😱) for the guard after not spinning for 18 years. My experience with how kind and encouraging this group is was the exact same! What a great organization!❤

Fun fact about Bush....they won their first DCA title in1986. That was also the first show they EVER won.

Interesting, I was at Sunrisers in 2007. Also a friend of mine marched with you too. Our paths have definitely crossed several times.

Shannon.... that "chick" -en is definitely a shannon!

PLEASE ASK OTHER CORPS!!! It took almost a decade before Glassmen, one of my previous corps, to reach 4 tenors!!! (that were good enough)

Marched with carolina gold for the past 2 years, I was a soloist in 2019

Good morning . I just want you to now that you have taught me in like 3 hours worth of videos more than my middle school bans teacher in 3 years

1:21 I can actually explain all 4 right before he even releases the video. DCA: Like Eric said DCA (Drum Corps Associates) is all age drum corps that rehearses only on the weekend and their season typically ends in September. The price to do it is 50x cheaper than both Open and World class. Most if not all DCA corps are located in the New-England area with a few in the South-Eastern area. And while DCA does have “classes” in their circuit, it’s not as black and white as DCI Open and World class. DCI Open Class: The differences between Open and World Class are black and white but there are similarities. DCI Open Class has mostly high school kids with some college kids. The price to do it is pretty much a discounted WC tour price. The rehearsals are the same as WC but abridged if you will. The location of most OC corps can be found in California but a handful of them can be found all across the United States. Also OC tour typically ends a few days before WC does. DCI World-Class: DCI World-Class has mostly college kids with maybe a few seniors in high school. The price to do it is can go over 3,000 or more (But that depends on the place). The rehearsal and tour are longer. The location of WC corps can be found all over the United States. WGI: WGI (Winter Guard International) consist ‘s of either Color Guard or what you might know best for indoor Drumline. The rehearsals are that of DCA, that being on the weekends and the season ending in April. Just like DCI and DCA, there are classes BUT if you want to know what the differences between all the classes are, make sure this comment gets over 250+ likes and I will respond with a follow up comment.

I marched a year of DCA Senior Corps when I was 19. It was a great experience and I made several lifetime friends. I marched DCI the next year and when I aged out, I went back and marched DCA again. I'm 66 now and I'm still playing in an Alumni Corps. The heart of drum and bugle corps is people, no matter the age or style. Great video!

Mate, great video In 1990 I marched Bushwackers. I am English and this is pre net. So after a couple of calls, the next spring I hopped at a plane and rocked up to a whole country of strangers! Lol. They took me in, I stayed for six months.Best summer ever a championship and part of the first junior or senior drum five peat ever. Good times. In 07 you had Hans from Germany I believe?

I’m a Tenor player also. I auditioned for Jersey Surf but got cut, but now I’m contracted with Carolina Gold who were DCA but they’ve transitioned to DCI Open Class this year.

Good morning! I marched this past summer at Carolina gold and I have to say it was a fantastic time. I originally only did alchemy independent which is their winter group run by the percussion staff from gold (mostly with some add ons) so for years I would get hit up every summer to fill a hole and every summer I’d have to explain I blew all my money on indoor and couldn’t march dca, until I finally got a job and just did it, turns out my timing was great cause that year we ended up winning our second gold in a row, now I’ve moved back to Canada and have to find a new place to march, I’m in the Pacific Northwest so I’ve got cascades and columbians in area, hopefully I can get my ageout season in next year.

Marching my 2nd year of bush this season on Mello. I love it❤️

Name the Lady Chicken: 'Erica' You're welcome! Also, Eric, please could you explain why the US Marines Drum & Bugle Corps don't have a Colour Guard? Thanks 😊

Must be nice having DCA on your side of the country

Hey Eric. Love you man! Glad you are doing well and doing your part to educate and inspire. I think something you mentioned that’s important is that you went by yourself because none of your friends wanted to go. You see it all the time, where a group of kids talk about going to audition camps, and when a couple people decide to bail, they all follow suit. Too many people miss out on great opportunities because they don’t want to (or are afraid to) do things alone. The best experiences happen outside of your comfort zone. I’m very fortunate to have marched and taught with you!

Hah lol as a bush pit vet now marching hornline I can say that bush is pretty boppin 🌵🌵🌵

Go Bush!!! I’m marching my first year there this season as a vibe! They also still have spots for cymbals, the pit, and the hornline! You guys should check them out!

I really like the like incentives that you put on your videos. It reminds me to like your videos every time I watch them and it shows you have a lot of content lined up

I marched DCA, the Southern Knights from Birmingham, AL. I now have a contract in a world class DCI corps. DCA is better than a lot of people think, they teach you a lot in a weekend

Thanks for the video. I’m currently marching in a DCA corps because I don’t have enough money to march DCI for my age out season (which is this current season). I was self conscious about it at first but getting to march anywhere is really worth it. No matter where I’m at, getting experience and the chance to perform is worth it. Love these story videos. Keep me coming 👌

Good morning! Yay, some love for DCA!

This really feels like my first DCA audition back in December. I’m a high school senior and I’m glad I’ll still be playing this summer.

Good stuff. I marched at a few DCA corps for 20 years, including the Bushwackers.I t was a great experience but man has it changed a ton. If in doubt about marching DCA, just do it. They are all very welcoming and it's a great stepping stone to DCI, or a great place to keep in the activity when you age out.

Funny to find this video. I marched 2001 with the New York Skyliners (together with Rob as tech and marching member). Also I marched 2005 with the Syracuse Brigadiers. Well 2hours driving to rehearsel is easy. I flew over from Germany!!! In 2001 I was the very first german marching member in DCA. DCA is a great option doing Drum Corps. Met tons of great people, became friends for life. Till today I'm related to a lot of friends I marched these 2 years. So even if you come from Europe, DCA is a place to be marching Drumcorps.

I recently got a Contract for Atlanta CV in DCA. They rehearse at my Highschool so it was a pretty easy decision for me

Aww, this took me back to me first weekend with bush in May 2016. Good times 😌

That was very positive and informative. I don't know why I expected more mishaps. 😌 I echo all of these sentiments about auditioning and contacting corps! Never count yourself out before you ask! DCA is a great place to march if you have the itch.

Never seen older than 60? Then you haven’t seen govies in MN.

I literally live fifteen minutes from Ridgefield Park and I go to that movie theater all the time LOL

Didn’t know you marched Bush, that’s awesome! I was on the quad line at Alliance in 07 and a bunch of other years. Fun times!

Cool. I'm still learning snare and I love it. We need something for all ages. I believe it keeps people happy and healthy.🥁

Rookies, I need a place to sleep! Haha, you should have seen what DCA auditions were like in ‘93!

yay!! DCA!! i think i like all the corps. they are all different in a way and i like how you can still drum if to old for other venues or new and never had the privilege to play when younger. hey,some talent can come out later in years to!😁🥁🎶

Mentioned this in a reply, but I marched DCA for like 6 years (Cincinnati Tradition) and I think we were next to Bush during retreat for 2016, 2017, and 2019. My favorite memory is 2016 when all the Bush members constantly making "but I hardly know her" jokes all through awards, and very quietly losing their shit when they announced Bushwhackers and hearing all of them repeat "BuShWhAcKeR? BuT i HaRdLy KnOw HeR!" Over and over

Ayyy. I marched Atlanta CV 2019. It was amazing honestly

In SoCal Dream we basically took in anyone who had a pulse. In 06 -- my last year -- we had a flute player join who wanted to play mello. Worked hard at it during the practice season and by finals he was pretty good. Our 04 tymp player learned baritone for later years. I was soprano 3 years and DM 2.

Bushwackers are awesome! Saw you guys at finals in 2007 and 2008. I marched Lakeshoremen in Class A.

As a DCA member and previous open class member, I can say that certain DCA corps are definitely better than certain open class corps.

You know, I was actually thinking of trying out for the Reading Buccaneers on snare and this video encouraged me to get the packet! I appreciate the enthusiasm EMC

Thanks for this, I’m auditioning for DCA next Sunday, and this helped me feel a little more confident

I love this video!! I used to march a DCA Corp called the Lehigh Valley Cheiftans. Allentown Pa. they no longer exist I believe the Cadets currently practice where we used to.

Eric, I laughed at this! I marched snare in 1992 Bushwackers (then in Harrison, NJ), and the rehearsal “field” was a parking lot in a chemical factory complex. The smells were incredible, especially in the Jersey summer heat! Great story, bro!

Just marched my first parade on tuba with Bush today! Remembered this video and decided to rewatch it.

A friend of mine went and auditioned for Crown, didn’t make it was told about Carolina Gold. I got a call from him one night they need a third bass, learned as much as I could of the warm ups and got the spot. So definitely don’t give up if you ever wanted to join a corps.

Sound sport is also a great option I have a bunch of friends who marched compass then filled spots at guardians and now a lot of guys here at BAC have sound sport experience

I marched Renegades '09-'12. It was fun 'cause I had not marched since '79-'80 with SCV. Renegades required a lot of energy for a chubby dude in his late 40s. I threw down though. Baritone. Good stuff. I miss it. Deciding whether or not I should do my annual duty and march the Chinese New Year parade in SF with 'Gades. Have not played all year.

Please keep telling stories these are extremely entertaining!!!!

Did you hear that they arrested the Energizer Bunny? He was charged with battery.

Driving 45min to 2hrs in New Jersey without GPS and getting to your destination without missing a turn or driving the wrong path? That itself is a win

I wish that there were more DCA and DCI teams out in the fly-over states. There are so many people that would jump on that.

Open Class corps are actually super underrated. I'm contracted with River City Rhythm, and most of our staff have been with top 12 corps for a while. It really is a crazy experience. Now, that may not go for every Open Class corps, but I feel that they're where you get more of the fun side of DCI. Still auditioning for Phantom Regiment though haha

I did DCI/ODCA from '93-'95 then in '97 at the ripe age of 13 I joined a DCA corps which became my marching marching home every summer until 2005. Kingston Grenadiers. I was a tenor player there after my first two seasons. '97 was in the front pit ensemble and '98 was on 3rd bass. But after that I was hooked on tenors and wanted more. DCA was a great experience for me and I'll never forget it.

It so weird hearing you talk about the meeting place seeing as I used to go to that movie theater all the time lmao

KZfaq is drunk, no views, 9 likes, and 3 comments.

The way you described first showing up to the rehearsal site and the trailer is stock DCA. I came to DCA after aging out and having a big gap of 'retirement' but there are plenty of reasons I enjoy it more than DCI.

Currently marching DCA with Cincinnati Tradition on quads... would be great to see you at finals 👀!!

I loved that parking lot.

Totally appreciate the Banished Beyond cut

My entire life: "pretty much 100% positive of experience, except for like the nervousness of getting there at the beginning". Yup. Preach! I'm 48 and it's still holding true for just about everything.

This needs less than 7,000!

There is more than just drum corps after high school. It never hurts to look and apply to lots of things

Hoping he comes back to here to explain the different types of corps soon.

You’re not wrong Eric, I as a non drummer have a better chance of sight reading the Jig 2 tenor part than traversing Jersey without GPS.

I went to the Cadets 2007 audition camp too! That’s the closest I ever got to actually being a member lol.

DCA kind of sounds like a lot of fun. Maybe the only way to get "that" feeling back...

I went through the exact same thing when I showed up to my first dci camp!!! Everyone heard about a new drum set player coming after looking for one for a while 😂😂😂 it was pretty strange them already knowing me sorta

im thinking for trying out for Atlanta CV. its about 5 hours away though, but the closest Ive found to Jacksonville FL. i already have friends in ATL that I can stay with.

Your crazy set of tenors remind me of the tenors that Spirit marched in 1977.

Bushwackers are great, also love Caballeros and Hurricanes (Being from Connecticut).

Mapquest outside Manhattan in 2007 was sketchy AF , I was already working in my industry but that damn map wuest did me dirty - especially trying to get into Jersey from ny

I've always seen the DCA andim like, holy shit who are these men.

Congrats on making Bush. They're pretty competitive.

Yes, it never hurts to ask. In 2002, I auditioned for SCV’s timpani spot and made it through a few rounds up until January, but then got cut because they went with their existing vet. I was super bummed and didn’t know what to do next. I still really wanted to march because I was going to age-out, having never marched before. Last chance. After getting cut I randomly flew to the East Coast to visit a cousin in NYC. While sitting there forlorned in his Manhattan apartment overlooking the Hudson and Jersey, I thought of my buddy who marched snare for The Cadets the year before, and they won drums, so I figured they must be pretty good, and I knew they were somewhere on the East Coast. I did a shot-in-the-dark email to The Cadets, and they said, “We’re doing final-cut auditions tomorrow in Teterboro, NJ. Come audition if you can make it.” “Ah gee,” I thought, “where the heck is Teterboro, NJ?” I typed it into MapQuest and then soon figured out what I was seeing out the window next to me WAS Teterboro, NJ, and the rest is history. Go Cadets!!

Your channel is very inciteful to everyone regardless of age or talent . Name for the new member either flam draggette or pair o ddidles ( Yes as in double DD's) or paris odiddles. Before anyone says anything yes I know how to spell paradiddles lol.

I’m gonna say “cocky locky” for the chicken 🐔

Raiders has Brass spots open! come join us!

It's NEVER too late till Labor Day weekend

I had an opportunity to marched DCA, WGI & DCI too. 1998 Americanos (Div 2, now Open Class), 1999-2000 Boston Crusaders (Div 1, now World Class), 2000 & 2002 South Florida Percussion Company (WGI) & 2008 Alliance (DCA).

Fun story: My dad did marching band in high school as a snare (they were apparently one of the best bands in the state) and the two best players in the band were a mellophone player and a trumpet player. Some time, they saw a bus for the cadets that read something along the lines of “Looking for a mellophone and a trumpet player”. They got their instruments, they met the people, and they got on the bus and marched with them. They learned the whole drill and all the music in a few months.

#CHOOSEBUSH ALL DAY BABY

Do something on soundsport, or soundsport corps like my current corps Compass💪

Bush is still looking for a tuba and some baritones this year, but I don't know if I can do all of the driving required to get to rehearsals. I would be a nervous wreck. There are a few people at my school that march there so. I really want to march in a corps but idk if it will ever work out.

welcome to DCA

You marched with some friends of mine 07bsnare line.

Entertaining, quality video, as always. The chicken name should be called Little Linda

I hope to one day be as good as you on the tenors

Do a percussion Iq test on quads and snare.

Nice video 👍

@3:44 is facing south on N Humphreys Street at the intersection of Historic Route 66 in Flagstaff, AZ. That NJT was really screwing with you that day. 😆

2 hour drive across the whole state??!!!! must be nice i live in texas

Rob looks just like my Percussion Director, AND HE HAS THE SAME NAME!!!!

The signs at 3:45 are in my hometown

The female chickens name should be Bumquisha

Ayeeee bush wackers also like sun risers and Phantom. What are your thoughts on top secret drumline