Drum Corps can be described as one of the most challenging activities on the planet, both physically and mentally. Like any such challenge, the effects are felt not just during the season but also post-season. 

One of those effects drum corps vets have to learn to handle is the reintegration into their marching programs back home.

Whether it’s your high school band or a college band, switching gears from drum corps can be a challenge.

Here are a couple of tips to make this transition smoother for the vets and everyone in those programs at home.

DON'T BE THAT GUY

Everyone understands that the overall temperament and ferocity of drum corps can be abrasive. As a result, members become much more thick-skinned and are used to being pushed beyond their capabilities daily for the last three months.

But, those around you may not have the same drive you do AND probably have totally different expectations for what they want from their band experience.

For your local high school band, you'll want to avoid diminishing everyone else's efforts with the typical "well when I was marching corps…blah blah blah.”

You now represent all drum corps as a veteran of the activity. Grow the activity by having positive, supportive interactions with younger members of the band. Use your experience to nurture theirs, because like it or not, you were in their shoes just a short time ago.

If you’re coming back to a college band, test the waters to understand how serious the members of the band take their participation. Get a feel for the culture. At certain programs, you may find the expectations to be reminiscent of a drum corps. At others, you'll find the expectations are much more related to having fun and supporting the athletics of your school.

Understand that most college bands are run by the athletic departments of the university and that there is probably a large portion of the band who are there simply to attend football and basketball games.

There’s nothing wrong with that, just don’t be that guy who’s yelling and angry all the time because people may not be running back to their set between reps, which leads us to the next tip.

KEEP IT IN PERSPECTIVE

Understand what the goals are for the entire band program—have very transparent and clear discussions with the directors and leadership within the band.

Are they looking to build the program? Are there important competitions this season? Or is it just to support the athletics program and get the crowd hyped? 

If your personal goal is to be as clean as SCV, but the program's goals are to get 50,000 students on their feet on college gameday, then you may be in for a long season. 

If you have your own personal goals of excellence, you can still work to achieve those individual goals. But don’t let those cause issues for the ensemble's overall goals. Find ways to be a great member of the organization while pushing yourself to become better.

LEAD BY FOLLOWING 

When you return home, you may be the head drum major, section leader, or you may not be in a leadership position at all, but, because you are a veteran of drum corps, you will be viewed as a leader because of your experience.

The way you carry yourself, rehearse, practice, perform, and interact with ALL of the members of the band, will all be examined by ALL other members. Those interactions will inevitably be associated with, “they marched drum corps.” 

If you’re acting like a raging-tyrant as a section leader or a member who is constantly fighting with section leaders, it will be associated to drum corps.

Be supportive, positive, and willing to be a great follower. If you are a teachable and approachable member of the ensemble, others will be more likely to replicate that type of behavior.

Learning how to be a great follower is just as important as learning how to be a great leader.