Brass Spectacular returns to Pitt State

Tickets for the 2008 Brass Spectacular drum and bugle corps show at Pittsburg State University go on sale May 1. The show, which features seven of the nation’s top drum and bugle corps, will take place at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23, in Carnie Smith Stadium.

The Pittsburg show is part of the Drum Corps International (DCI) Summer Music Games tour that concludes with the world championships in Indianapolis, Ind. The corps are made up of musicians between the ages of 14 and 22 from the U.S., Canada and around the world. The corps perform precision marching and formations while playing both original and well-known compositions.

“A drum corps show is the ultimate expression of power and pageantry,” according to Doug Whitten, director of Athletics Bands at Pittsburg State University. “Some people have described drum corps performances as a cross between a Las Vegas show and a symphony orchestra.”

Whitten said that drum corps are similar to marching bands in that they march on a football field and play music, but there are some key differences. A marching band usually provides entertainment at sporting events. In contrast, a drum and bugle corps is the main event. This distinction allows drum corps to strive for more artistic performances, according to Whitten. Instead of performing chants, cheers, and traditional marches, a drum corps is more likely to perform classical music, jazz, or stage a 10-minute Broadway style musical.

Perhaps the biggest difference between a marching band and a drum and bugle corps, Whitten said, is the amount of time a corps invests in perfecting their show.

“It’s not unusual for a corps to rehearse more than 12 hours a day,” Whitten said.

The drum and bugle corps scheduled to compete at PSU on July 23rd are: The Academy, from Tempe, Arizona; the Boston Crusaders, fom Boston, Mass.; the Colt Cadets, from Dubuque, Iowa; the Colts, also from Dubuque, Iowa; the Crossmen, from San Antonio, Texas; the Santa Clara Vanguard, from Santa Clara, Calif.; and the Troopers, from Casper, Wyo.

Tickets for the show range from $10 to $25 and are available through the Pitt State ticket office at www.pittstate.edu/tickets or by phone at 620-235-4796. For more information visit the show’s website at www.pittstate.edu/tickets

---Pitt State---