Marching in DCi's Open Class

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

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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

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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

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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

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