DMA Remix project - Then and Now (Traditional to Contemporary)

  

  
    My traditional to contemporary remix project is based on the evolution of percussion in DCI (Drum Corps International). In the beginning of this activity percussionist carried all the instruments they played, from the keyboard instruments to the Timpani. In the 70's DCI's Championships became viewable on PBS allowing fans who couldn't be there in person to see the top Corps in the country compete. Even in this short video  you can't really grasp the evolution of how far along the percussion sections have come in DCI. For that matter, the whole activity has evolved in leaps and bounds... but, my focus is just the percussion at this point.
    Besides marching all the instruments, most of the uniforms were pretty plain and simple, the ensemble would usually stand still and play their feature - referred to as "Park and Play". As time went on ensembles placed all the keyboard, timpani, and auxiliary percussion instruments at the front of the field in a stationary set across the front sideline of the football field. This would then split the percussion ensemble into two sections. The marching drums on the field would be called the "Battery" and the other on the front sideline would be called the "Pit" or " Front Ensemble". Some uniforms would drastically change and some would stay the same for historic value. Ensembles would also start to add some visual movements to their featured "solo" sections instead of just standing still.