400 band students attended a Cadets' clinic in Indianapolis last summer.
Clinics for band students, where students watch a featured corps rehearse, and glean valuable behind-the-scenes information from corps directors and other staffers who openly address exactly what the corps is working on, are a popular feature at many drum corps shows during the summer season. Here is the schedule of which corps will be leading these workshops next summer: Cadets -- Louisville (June 21)
Cavaliers -- San Antonio (July 19), DeKalb (July 12)
Santa Clara Vanguard -- Murfreesboro (July 25)
Blue Devils -- Indianapolis (July 26)
Phantom Regiment -- Orlando (August 8) Jeff Fiedler, director of the Cavaliers, is a strong supporter of student workshops, and stressed the importance of such clinics. "I think it spreads the word about the drum corps activity, that there's something out there beyond their marching band experience," Fiedler said. "The members of the corps can share some of our 'secrets' with marching band kids to help to motivate the kids at home," Fiedler said. Noel Alvarez, a 16-year-old snare drummer from Kissimmee, Fla., said he attended a Cadets-led clinic in Indianapolis last summer for "a learning experience, for the excitement, and because it's cool." In addition to learning about leadership, performance and musicianship, some attendees came to learn more about their favorite corps. Cymbal player J.T. Barber, 16, of Land O'Lakes, Fla., said he went to the Indianapolis clinic last summer to learn "what the Cadets are all about." "Student workshops are an opportunity to showcase the amazing aspects of a drum corps performance from a grassroots point of view. Take off the uniform and we see the corps members are just like the band students watching the clinic, but trained and polished after countless hours of rehearsal and an outstanding commitment to excellence in marching music. Drum Corps International is very proud to work with the corps and band directors in each area to bring the drum corps experience closer to the students," said Drum Corps International Executive Director Dan Acheson.