Competition

Overview

Fife and Drum corps compete in one of five different classes. The Combination class consists of modern corps. This class is divided into junior and senior corps. These corps perform music similar to that of a modern marching band. The Ancient class is very competitive. They play intricate traditional fife music. The Ancient corps are also divided into junior and senior corps. The last class is the Traditional Senior corps. These are corps that do not focus solely on the competitive aspect of the activity. Rather, they play more for the camaraderie and overall support of the activity.

The repertoire requirements vary among the competitions. At the Cromwell competition each corps is required to play a two minute long, single piece of music while standing. The Connecticut State Convention requires that each corps play a 2/4 and a 6/8 tune each lasting at least two minutes.

At the beginning of the competition, each corps completes a short parade past a reviewing stand. Both the corps and the drum major are judged on their marching ability. The corps and color guard are judged on alignment, and consistency of step. The color guard and drum major are judged on their salute to the main judge

After the parade, the corps is judged on “Main Stand.” This is a stand still performance of the corps required tunes. To rate the corps, there are two percussion and two ensemble judges. There are also appearance judges who note alignment, spacing, and stillness of the unit. The drum major is judged on how well s/he controls the corps in marching as well as music starts and stops.

Drum majors are judged individually. There are three basic classes: age, standard, and open. The Age class has four strata: 11 and under, 12 to 15, 16 to 21, and 21 and over. The Standard class has males competing against other males while all females compete against other females. The Open class has all drum majors competing against each other regardless of age or gender. The scores are based on marching and signal device ability.