OPEN arms
WHERE WILL YOU FIND Drum Corps International’s
longest
existing
corps? How about its newest? Try DCI’s Open Class—a diverse collection
BY MIKE LEVINE
DCI’s Open Class embraces a diverse array of groups, welcoming new members and fans by producing great entertainment and friendly—but fierce—competition.
of organizations that includes the Racine Scouts (founded in 1927) as well as units born in the 21st Century. Open Class groups come from all four corners of the U.S. You’ll find corps from small town America, major urban centers, and a couple from Canada. There’s even a group representing the capital of country music. The 2011 World Championship Prelims on August 11 will mark the first time in nearly a decade that this diverse array of corps will be able to compete head-to-head with their World Class counterparts. And while all eyes may be on the judges’ score sheets to see how Open Class units will fare against their larger brethren, there are plenty of other opportunities throughout the season to experience the sights and sounds of a division that’s known for combining a nurturing environment with incredible entertainment value. Whether you’re talking about the touring corps stepping onto the Lucas Oil Stadium turf or the smaller units performing closer to home, Drum Corps International’s Open Class is well named: It offers members and fans alike an open door to the drum corps experience.
Racine Scouts
49
p49-53_FeatureOpenClass.indd 1
5/31/11 8:49:38 AM
PARTICIPANT FRIENDLY
how a business with a staff of three
Open and World Class corps are alike in
will have very different dynamics
many ways. Both follow the same rules for
than one with 50, in terms of both
repertoire, show length, age requirements,
employee relationships and infra-
and instrumentation. Both are filled with talented members under the leadership of talented staffs.
structure,” Sodawalla adds. This smaller corps size can
The main differences are in the size of the groups and the
impact the type of recruits in Open
experience of their respective members. On average, Open
Class corps. “We find ourselves
Class groups have more high school kids than you’re likely
training more members, rather
to find in World Class, which tends to cater to college stu-
than having people that are already
dents—though many college-aged musicians also choose
proficient at their specific instru-
to march in Open Class. “Open Class usually attracts people
ment,” Sodawalla observes. “We
who are newer to the activity,” says Spartans director Rich
may have beginning college music
Rigolini. “It’s definitely a stronger training ground for kids to
majors [without marching experi-
promote to the World Class.”
ence] as well as folks who have
While it may be easier for a less experienced marcher to join an Open Class corps, there is no shortage of challenges
never really picked up much musical training and background.”
”This isn’t an easy activity, and the desire to be your best always comes with a little pressure attached.”
for musicians and guard members. As in World Class, mem-
Another big advantage to partici-
bers must pass an audition to be accepted. Once they’re in,
pating in Open Class is being able
however, they often come away with an encouraging learn-
to march close to home without
ing experience. Because the groups are smaller, Open Class
committing your entire late spring
members often find that they get more one-on-one instruc-
and summer. “Open class corps
tion in the basics. “Last year, our average Open Class corps
have limited touring and limited weekday rehearsals, which
size was 65,” says Legends director, Ibe Sodawalla. This con-
can allow people to work during the summer in addition to
trasts with World Class, where corps are frequently on the
having a drum corps experience,” says Key Poulan brass
north side of 100 members, and often have a lot more (150
arranger for the World Class Santa Clara Vanguard and the
is the max allowed for corps in either class). “It’s similar to
Open Class Vanguard Cadets. “Many members need to work during the summer to raise money for school.” Typically, World Class corps require their mem-
Spartans
bers to “move in” in the middle of May, and devote virtually all of their time to the corps through the World Championships in mid August. This also includes extensive time spent out of town on tour. The later start and less intensive travel makes Open Class especially attractive to high school kids, since they don’t usually finish their studies until sometime in June. There’s also a financial advantage to Open Class participation. Because it requires so much less time and travel than World Class, fees are typically lower. And for those who do want to march in a World Class group down the road, Open Class experience can help. “The Open Class is a perfect place for performers to develop and improve the fundamental
50
2011 DCI Souvenir Yearbook
p49-53_FeatureOpenClass.indd 2
5/27/11 8:25:12 PM
Music City
skills needed to perform in the World Class,” Poulan says.
just bowl you over. So they’re very resourceful and creative
Yet while the members’ time commitment may not be as
in the way that they design their shows. A lot of the Open
great, Open Class competition can still get the heart pump-
Class people will tell you, ‘We’re trying to go for that more
ing, especially for groups in title contention. “In many cases,
visceral [material], get them out of their seats, make them
I believe the staff has to work extra hard to make sure every
excited about our program.’”
second is utilized to the highest degree,” says Poulan, who
World Class corps sometimes choose complex and even
helped the Vanguard Cadets win a silver medal in 2009. “I
obscure material in order to show off their skills. In Open
also think the musicians face pressure to perform well. This
Class, with less time to practice and fewer marchers, the
isn’t an easy activity, and the desire to be your best always
corps are more likely to lean on the familiar. “It doesn’t
comes with a little pressure attached.”
make sense to get out there with 50 or 60 kids and play something that nobody knows,” Turner says. “And they’re
IN THE STANDS
not going to necessarily try to do something that’s two or
Maybe it’s the intensity that comes from being in a smaller
three steps over their heads, just to [show off] from a diffi-
unit, or the enthusiasm that people who are developing
culty perspective. They’re going to do things that are in their
their drum corps skills feel when they step on the field, but
sweet spot, so that they can display their abilities rather than
whatever the reason, Open Class shows
inabilities.”
always seem to strike a chord with fans.
The groups themselves are as diverse
“They spend more time in the front half
as their memberships. Four Open Class
of the field, and more towards the cen-
corps—Blue Devils B and C, Colt Cadets,
ter. I think their shows have traditionally
and
been more audience oriented,” says John
affiliated with World Class groups, but
Turner, Drum Corps International’s Open
most are independent organizations.
Class judge administrator.
And while some members, and even
Vanguard
Cadets—are
directly
This attitude can impact the repertoire
groups, do switch classes, Eddleman
and show design. “Open Class program-
points out that the Open Class is not
mers are putting together some very
really a feeder organization. “Some
clever ideas,” says DCI’s Open Class coor-
Open Class corps might be equivalent
dinator Dave Eddleman. “They know they don’t have the power of 70 brass to
to a AAA baseball team,” Eddleman says. Gold
“But, there are some really hot players 51
p49-53_FeatureOpenClass.indd 3
5/27/11 8:25:25 PM
on that AAA Buffalo
experience, those groups will be
team. And there are
highly competitive. So it will be
some really hot play-
really exciting on Thursday [Aug
ers and performers
11.], to throw those top Open Class
in those Open Class corps.” Rather than the major league/ minor league analogy, Sodawalla
groups in with the World Class
Open Class Coordinator Dave Eddlman (left) with Vanguard Cadets at the 2009 World Championships
Quarterfinalists and see how they all mix. It will be the first time that
likens the two classes to NASCAR. “You’ve got two different
those Open Class corps will be actually judged on a World
cups: the Sprint Cup and the Nextel Cup,” he says. “One set
Class score sheet. It could be very exciting.”
of drivers is definitely what you would perceive as the pre-
Poulan adds you only have to look at history to know that
mier drivers. But then you have this second series that have
Open Class corps can match—and even beat—their larger
really great drivers, still with really cool cars, and still on the
brethren. “The Magic of Orlando were in the old Division II at
same raceways and doing the same things.”
the time, but they made the Division I Finals in 2002,” Poulan
Either way you look at it, Eddleman says, Open Class offers plenty of opportunities for outstanding performers to shine. “An Open Class corps might have a dozen or so older kids who are really accomplished players and guard members,” he
”Every year they’re better, and every year more people come to check them out.”
recalls. “That was an amazing feat! The Open Class can be competitive if their performances are on par with World Class standards.” For a listing of all Open Class corps with contact information, visit DCI.org/corps.
explains. “And while there may not be as many players at the level you’d find in a top World Class group like the Blue Devils, they’re still performing at a very high level of achievement—and the end result can be just as satisfying.”
LEVEL PLAYING FIELD So, what will happen when the two divisions meet on the field? As a judge, Turner has seen the quality of Open Class competition rise to a new level. “The groups that come out year after year, I’ve seen an increase not only in their individual skills, but also the design quality of the shows,” he says. “And that translates into a growing audience. Especially when we get to the World Championships. It’s been a consistent rise over the last three or four seasons: Every year they’re better, and every year more people come to check them out.” When the new format was announced for the 2011 season, it set many fans buzzing. Can an Open Class corps actually beat a World Class unit on the field? “There are four or five Open Class corps that are perennially at the top of our heap,” says Eddleman. “I don’t want to forecast where they’re going to be [this year]. But based on past 52
Legends
2011 DCI Souvenir Yearbook
p49-53_FeatureOpenClass.indd 4
5/27/11 8:26:03 PM