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Beatrix Drum & Bugle Corps has announced its new show programme. With ‘Bring On The Bad Guys’, the corps from Hilversum explores the dark side.

“Do you know that feeling that you are not alone in the street? That you’re being chased by someone? That fear that is palpable in the room that you are in?” Beatrix’ press release immediately sets the tone for the new programme. This year is not about the commonly contrast between good and evil, but just about the dark side. The ‘bad guys’.

The bad guys who come forward in Beatrix’ programme are guilty of mutual conflicts, are keen to achieve their goal, set up traps, and usually outsmart the police. “These bad guys are arrested or convicted to imprisonment, but never sit out their sentences because they can always find a flaw in the legal system by which they are released or manage to escape. Money is not the reason for their actions. It's about power and control, without thinking about human life. For them, only the ultimate goal is important.”

Music pieces for the programma have not been announced yet.

With just a couple of days to go to the UKs first ever SoundSport show in Bristol on Saturday, the excitement is really starting to build.

The Blue Barons from Glasgow will take to the competition floor again after an absence of many years, but with many experienced performers in their ranks. For the Tin Soldiers from Sheffield, it will be their first competitive performance but again the group is made up of some very experienced members from the Sheffield Drum Corps scene. The Essex Marching Corps have only competed in a contest once before some years ago, whilst Ireland's Inbhear Mor Performance Ensemble are veterans of IMBA and DCE competitions.

Unfortunately the Buccaneers have withdrawn from the show, but with 9 units performing it still boasts a strong line up. DCE Chairman Marcel Matthijsse said "With so many groups coming from completely different backgrounds and geographical areas, it promises to be a very entertaining night. We are also pleased to be able to welcome our friends from DCI who are flying in for this event."

Advance ticket sales have now closed, but are still available on the door. The event will take place at the SGS College Sports Hall and will start at 7.30 pm. Details can be found at www.dcuk.org.uk/soundsport.

The Blue Devils International Corps (BDI) will perform at the Cambuur Stadium in Leeuwarden on 27th June. The corps has been brought to Leeuwarden exclusively for the Netherlands by the new event concept Proud, which will be housing the Blue Devils for nearly a week in the Frisian capital. Proud works together with Drum Corps Netherlands. The second DCN contest, which usually takes place in Huizen, will move to Leeuwarden so that some of the top European drum corps will be present at the event.

Recently, the Blue Devils announced that they will travel to Europe this summer with an international corps consisting of 97 members. After Leeuwarden they will travel through to the UK, France, Italy and Switzerland for the Basel International Tattoo. The members were, until recently, all part of the Blue Devils or other top corps in the DCI World Class. BDI is an extension of the Blue Devils and will maintain the same excellence and performance qualities all have come to expect.

"Bringing this unique corps to Leeuwarden was an opportunity we could not pass up on," said artistic leader Piet van Houten of Proud. He came into contact with Blue Devils' corps director David Gibbs last summer at the DCI World Championships. "From that moment on, Leeuwarden was a very serious option in the tour schedule and we are pleased that we were able to bring them in. We will work together with DCN to make a fantastic event that you should not miss if you are a drum corps or marching band fan."

BDI will arrive in Leeuwarden around 24th June and will depart on 29th June to go to the UK. The various rehearsals leading up to the Proud Event / DCN contest are public. On Saturday morning there will be drum battles and a BDI showcase in the center of Leeuwarden. The event itself starts at 3 pm at the Cambuur Stadium, where the grandstand has space for 3,000 spectators. Besides the performance of BDI and the participants of the DCN contest, other top show corps from the region may also perform. On the Sunday after the event, clinics and master classes will be organised by BDI around Sports Hall Kalverdijkje.

The event serves as an official contest for Drum Corps Netherlands and is part of the European Music Games. These are music events throughout Europe, where participants are judged according to the same standards by the judges of DCE. The contests attract dozens of corps and thousands of spectators.

The organisations of Proud and DCE will use the coming weeks to put together the whole programme.

Dozens of new judges are waiting to make their appearance in the competition of Drum Corps International. This is according to Judge Administrator John Phillips in a video interview on the DCI website.

In the past year, training sessions have started with nearly 40 candidates. About half did not make it, but the other 20 have been prepared to judge both the musical and visual captions next summer. Phillips says that he is happy and excited with the large number of new colleagues.

The judging system of Drum Corps International has undergone several changes in recent years. For example, Music Effect and Visual Effects merged into a single Effect component, and the Percussion caption is judged by two judges. The entire interview with John Phillips can be watched below.

The Dutch corps Jubal from Dordrecht and Juliana from Middelburg, and the Celtic Crusaders from Mullingar, Ireland, have registered for the Woking show on Saturday 4th July. The show is hosted by Cadence Drum & Bugle Corps, in association with Drum Corps United Kingdom, and they are proud to present the 'International Summer Spectacular' - a European Music Games Regional.

DCUK and DCE have been working hard to make this international event possible and it is the first time that corps from three countries meet prior to the DCE Championships, including all current European top 4 corps. On behalf of DCUK, MPAUK's Chairman Alan Thompson commented: “I am really pleased we have been able to bring all these parties together for what should be an exciting day of drum corps and thank the corps from Holland and Ireland for making the commitment to come to the UK in July – we look forward to welcoming you all.”

Marcel Matthijsse, Chairman of Drum Corps Europe, is also delighted: "It has always been a pleasure to see corps crossing borders and compete at European Music Games across Europe. This International Summer Spectacular is not only a great opportunity for British fans to have a fantastic drum corps day, but also a unique moment for the corps from different countries to see each other during the season."

Paul Riddell of Cadence added "Cadence are proud to be returning to Kingfield Stadium, Woking once again in 2015 to host the "International Summer Spectacular". We look forward to welcoming our friends from the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland and hope they all play to a packed house in the superb Leslie Gosden Stand. We hope this event will be a big part of the on-going resurgence of all forms of Drum & Bugle Corps in the United Kingdom."

More details about this event will be released nearer the date but keep Saturday 4th July free for a great drum corps experience.

DCE has announced the names of the judges who will adjudicate the first DCI SoundSport Bristol show on Saturday 21st March at SGS College.

The judges are Tony Hendle (Music), Helen Bassett (Visual) and Mark Bassett (Overall Impression). All three judges are very experience with Mark being the Adjudication Manager for DCE. Helen judges the visual caption for both drum corps and winter guard, whilst Tony has been a stalwart music judge for DCE, DCUK and BYBA for many years.

DCE secretary Marco Jansen said "We are pleased to be able to provide such a strong panel of judges for this prestigious event. I'm sure that the competitors will find their feedback useful." The show will also feature another familiar face on the microphone with BYBA's Jay Howard acting as Master of Ceremonies for the evening.

Tickets for SoundSport are still available through the DCUK website.

There are seventeen participants for the European Individuals & Ensembles for percussion, which will be held on Sunday 29th March. That's more than ever for Indoor Percussion Europe.

The Individuals & Ensembles will be held on the day of the IPE European Championships. Because that event features sicteen groups, it is a packed programme at event hall De Schelp in Wevelgem, Belgium. “It seems like this year everything has fallen into place,” says Erwin van Gemert from Indoor Percussion Europe. “We are happily surprised by the momentum that seems to be taking place at the moment. It’s a positive development for IPE, the spectators and the performers.”

This year, Indoor Percussion Europe has partnered up with music association Concordia from Wevelgem to put the event on the regional map and to support the organisation on the day of the European championships. “With the partnership, the new hall and the growing interest of participants we can professionalise IPE further. We see this edition as the crown on eight years of hard work”, says Van Gemert.

The American Bret Kuhn, whose roles have included percussion caption head for the Cavaliers, is one of the judges at the IPE contest in Sweden today. The contest will kick off the season for Indoor Percussion Europe.

As well as caption head for the Cavaliers, Kuhn also worked as a consultant for Design and Percussion at the Bluecoats. He will be judging the contest at the Wallenstamhallen in Mölnlycke along with DCE/IPE judges Erwin van Gemert and Mathieu Meulenare. Kuhn currently arranges music for a large number of high school bands. Fourteen years ago, Kuhn was also a judge at the very first DCE contest in Antwerp.

Six groups are participating in the IPE contest today: GOT Motion (Open Class), Mölndal Drum Corps (A-Class), Göteborg Drum Corps, Hule Sharks, Gislaved Drum & Drill Corps and Mölnlycke Drum Corps (Concert Class).

DCI SoundSport Bristol has reported that over half of the centre block tickets have now been sold. Other seats are also selling well for the event at the SGS College Sports Hall on Saturday 21st March.

Show organiser Andy Hewlett said "I'm particularly pleased to see a large amount of local support from the Bristol drum corps/marching band community. There are a number of people attending who haven't seen a show in many years and it will be great to welcome them to this historic event."

The show also promises to be a great social occasion with many people planning on staying on for a social event in the bar after the show. With groups coming from as far a field as Scotland, Ireland and Yorkshire, as well as DCI and DCE guests from the USA and Holland, most of them are planning on staying over in Bristol for what promises to be quite a night.

Tickets are available on the DCUK website: www.dcuk.org.uk/soundsport.

After 23 consecutive seasons the Black Knights will be indefinitely withdrawing from summer marching band competitions with immediate affect. The corps has published an announcement on their Facebook page.

"Over recent years it has became apparent that committing to the summer circuits seriously hinders progress towards the long term goals of the group. Instead of dedicating the financial and human resources to continuing to compete these resources will be put towards developing a more local community focused organisation and developing performance opportunities for local kids", the organisation states.

In its competition history the corps has won BYBA Novice, Contest, Championship and back to back Premier Class Championships, DCUK Open Class and A Class Championships as well as nine consecutive appearances in DCE Finals competition. This is the next stage of the evolution of the organisation which will ensure its continued success.

Black Knights will continue to produce and perform drum corps style productions in an arena format at DCI Soundsport, winter guard and other events throughout January - March each year. Rehearsals for these performances will take place between October and December with rehearsals starting October of this year. This will leave the spring and summer months available for recruitment and to increase awareness of the group locally opening up performance opportunities for our Junior Band and our Brass and Percussion Ensembles.

The Black Knights and parent organisation Knights Academy of Music and Performing Arts are very excited about this next stage in the evolution of the group.

The Blue Devils International Corps will travel to the Netherlands, United Kingdom, France, Italy and Switzerland this summer. The tour will be from 24th June until 26th July.

The Blue Devils International Corps (BDI) is made up of recent performers of the 16-time world champion Blue Devils, as well as over eight other World Class corps throughout the United States. Over 1,000 performers applied to perform in BDI and 96 were selected for their vast experience and talent. BDI is an extension of The Blue Devils and will maintain the same excellence and performance qualities all have come to expect.

BDI is made up by 55 brass performers, 20 percussion, 16 guard, 4 electronic pit ensemble and 1 drum major. The show will be designed by Scott Chandler, Karl Lowe, Dave Glyde and Jay Murphy. Arrangements by Wayne Downey, John Meehan, Scott Johnson, Jim Wunderlich and Jaime Holly. This design team is the same group that creates the World Champion Blue Devils productions. The show will be a 7 minute production.

The final stop will be at the Basel Tattoo in Switzerland from 17th until 25th July. More information on all performances in Europe will be published soon.

The website of Drum Corps Europe has been off the air for more than a day. This was caused by an unexpected (and persistent) problem that occurred whilst moving to another server.

The intention was to move the DCE website to a less crowded server in order to improve the speed of the website. Users should not even have noticed the move, but a mistake with the 'name servers' caused a problem with the site on Friday. This also meant that no items could be added to the news page.

Despite the hard work of the web host and the DCE web team, the website could only be restored on Saturday. Meanwhile, the problems have been solved and the website is now fully operational again.

If you emailed Drum Corps Europe between Thursday and Saturday and still haven’t received a reply, please resend the email, as it is possible that your first email did not arrive. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Groups participating in or coming to watch the IPE Championships in Wevelgem can earn money by selling tickets for the event themselves. IPE will reimburse part of of the sale price per ticket.

The ticket price for the IPE European Championships on Sunday 29th March is twelve euros. Groups that sell tickets themselves will receive a commission of two euros per ticket sold from Indoor Percussion Europe. Because groups already incur enough expenses on things like clothing, instruments, rehearsals space and travel, IPE decided to introduce an offer that should not only ensure a full stand in Wevelgem, but also rewards the sellers financially.

Tickets are available until 22nd March by sending an email to info@indoorpercussioneurope.org specifying the number of tickets required. Single tickets are only available at the door on the day of the IPE Championships.

This year's IPE European Championships will be the biggest indoor percussion event ever held in Europe. No less than sixteen indoor percussion units from six different countries throughout Europe will compete at the event on Sunday 29th March in Wevelgem.

"We have been on a tidal wave for years now", says Erwin van Gemert of Indoor Percussion Europe. "I don’t remember so much direct communication with the staff and units before the new winter season. Questions about our new venue, judges and the IPE rules. We can say that the IPE European Championships are a unique event, on which indoor percussion units have set their sights on. This winter is going to be hot."

The European indoor percussion Individuals & Ensembles are held on the same day at the same venue, with six competitors so far. It is still possible to register for the I&E at www.indoorpercussioneurope.org.

Drum Corps International’s growing SoundSport programme will offer an expanded competitive schedule in 2015, with events taking place across the United States and internationally beginning this spring in Europe.

This year’s schedule includes five competitions in the U.S. and seven others around the globe, as far reaching as South America, Europe and Asia. "We have seen a growing demand for SoundSport events all over the world in the last two years, and we are gradually expanding our capabilities to serve all interested teams," said John DeNovi, Sr. Director of Global Business Development for Drum Corps International.

Europe will experience its first SoundSport events in March with the debut of competitions in Ireland and England that will feature a wide variety of performing ensembles. "SoundSport is the perfect vehicle for inactive corps to re-launch themselves and for new corps to start up," said Andy Hewlitt, event organizer for SoundSport Bristol England. “It’s all about entertainment without a large number of strict rules and regulations, which definitely appeals to other types of musical ensembles that might not normally take part in marching events."

Asia will have its share of events this year with the return of three popular SoundSport competitions in Taoyuan, Taiwan and Shanghai, China in May, and Okayama, Japan in the fall.

The full schedule of 2015 SoundSport events can be found here.

Tickets for the DCI SoundSport Bristol show on 21st March 21 are now on sale through the DCUK website. A late entry of the 37th Kingswood Percussion battery has resulted in a total of 10 groups.

Initially the show intended to sell tickets on the day only, but interest has been so high that it has been decided to sell them in advance, as the venue may well sell out. If any remaining tickets will be sold on the day. Each seat is individually numbered so spectators will have set seats for the evening, including centre block tickets for the best possible view.

The show has been further enhanced by the late entry of the 37th Kingswood Percussion battery, which brings a real local feel to the show as the group are based just a few miles from the venue. Alan Thompson, on behalf of DCUK, said “It’s great to see a 10th unit added to the event, especially as they are such a local group, and we are pleased to be able offer the facility for on-line presales to help promote this exciting evening of entertainment”

Tickets can be ordered through www.dcuk.org.uk/soundsport. All featured acts and a map of the area are also available on that page.

Steeds meer Italianen lijken de weg te vinden naar Drum Corps International. Dit jaar maakt de 17-jarige Susanna Camerlo de oversteek naar het drum corps mekka om zich in de competitie te storten bij het korps 7th Regiment.

Camerlo speelt bij de General Vincent Marching Band uit Turijn en droomt al jaren om de Atlantische oceaan over te steken en het DCI-avontuur aan te gaan. Ze was al fervent toeschouwer van DCI en verruilt die rol nu voor het veld. Na veel zelfstudie, het insturen van een video-auditie en lang wachten kreeg de 17-jarige het verlossende mailtje dat ze was toegelaten tot de brass van het Open Class korps 7th Regiment.

Ze is veruit de jongste Italiaanse muzikant ooit die haar weg vindt naar 'Marching Music's Major League'. Camerlo vertrekt in mei naar New Londen om bijna drie maanden te repeteren en te reizen. 7th Regiment eindigde in 2014 als zesde in de Open Class.

A new drumline has been launched in Sheffield: A-Plus. It is Europe's first special needs percussion ensemble, a partnership between Autism Plus and Concord Youth Music.

Inspired by Free Players, a similar unit based in New York city and the world’s first such group, A-Plus will provide a musical performance opportunity for young adults with autism and other learning difficulties. The drumline includes snare drums, bass drums and tenor drums, together with marching cymbals. Eventually other percussion instruments may be added. No experience is necessary and all equipment will be provided free of charge. A-Plus has already received some donations of equipment and other negotiations are under way.

Autism Plus is a registered charity that works across the North of England supporting people with autism and other complex needs. They have almost 30 years experience. Founded by parents, they have built their services around choice and independence. Concord Youth Music, based in Sheffield, will provide experienced leaders and volunteer instructors to prepare and deliver training programmes that will help encourage learning and socialisation and develop self-confidence and discipline as well as provide enjoyment.

"There is a lack of opportunities for young adults with autism to take part in musical and visual performances", says Autism Plus. "We know from our own experience that people with autism have some very valuable skills which can be very useful in a drum-line ensemble These include good attention to detail, and sticking to routines and timetables. A-Plus Drumline will help individuals to develop musical skills, improve their confidence and build relationships. It will also help to reduce anxiety levels, so that participants take better control over their lives."

Studies have shown that drumming boosts the immune system and helps control chronic pain as well as reduce tension, anxiety and stress. It also creates a sense of unity and self-worth, in a fun creative environment. Other benefits include the understanding of self-discipline and team-building skills. Drumming improves focus and provides multiple skills training, e.g. eye-to-hand co-ordination and most of all it encourages self expression and creativity.

A-Plus Drumline will rehearse at Autism Plus headquarters in central Sheffield on Tuesday evenings.

14 contests are scheduled this summer as part of the European Music Games. The contests will take place in four countries and across six music organisations.

As always, the start is at the end of May: on Saturday the 23rd of May, Drum Corps Netherlands will kick off the season with a contest in Roosendaal. This is followed by shows of Drum Corps United Kingdom, Rasteder Musiktage, Irish Marching Bands Association and the German Open. The season will end on Saturday the 26th of September with the DCE European Championships in Kerkrade.

The complete calendar is as follows:

23-05-2015 - DCN Roosendaal
14-06-2015 - DCUK Featherstone
27-06-2015 - DCN Huizen
27-06-2015 - Rasteder Musiktage
04-07-2015 - DCUK Woking
19-07-2015 - DCUK Leicester
19-07-2015 - IMBA Arklow
23-08-2015 - IMBA Clonmel
05-09-2015 - German Open Hameln
05-09-2015 - IMBA Championships Dublin
06-09-2015 - DCUK contest Yhurrock
12-09-2015 - DCN Championships Dordrecht
19-09-2015 - DCUK Championships Widnes
26-09-2015 - DCE Championships Kerkrade

After four contests, the Southern Knights are in the lead in the Open Class of Winter Guard United Kingdom. However, the differences in scores are very small in this class.

On Sunday, the Southern Knights were awarded 72.60 points in Colchester, while a week earlier the Kidsgrove Scouts scored 71.50 points in Halifax. A week before that, Oracle earned 71.80 points in Crawley. The three guards seem to be very evenly matched. With its highest score so far (61.80), the fourth participant in the Open Class, Avengers, has still work to do to close the gap with the top three.

This year, Mayflower is the only guard to enter the World Class, scoring 74.80 points in Colchester. Mayflower is also doing well in the A Class. The guard won the A Class with 69.78 points in Colchester, just below the score of Northern Academy a week earlier in Halifax (69.94). Northern Academy, also doing extremely well in the A Class, did not participate in Colchester.

In addition to the Open Class, the Southern Knights also won the Junior Class (75.44) and the Cadet Class (71.33) on Sunday. In the Cadet Class, the Anchormen appear to be their biggest competitor. That guard was not present in Colchester but scored 73.82 points in Halifax last week.

This year, there are 37 participants in the WGUK competition. The next contest in the British winter guard season is the WGI Regional on 21 February in Grantham. Scores and recaps can be found on www.wguk.org.uk.