DCE Close Up (18): Marcel Matthijsse

In the DCE Close Up series you will meet the DCE personnel. Who are these people behind the scenes who offer their leasure time to run drum corps events? In this episode we'll meet Marcel Matthijsse. In the DCE Close Up series you will meet the DCE personnel. Who are these people behind the scenes who offer their leasure time to run drum corps events? In this episode we'll meet Marcel Matthijsse.

Name: Marcel Matthijsse
DCE position: chairman
Age: 44
Residence: Oost-Souburg
Occupation: Policy Advisor for Zeeland Safety Region


Drum corps past: "I started drumming when I was four years old. I had my first real contact with drum corps in 1979, thanks to the World Music Competition in Kerkrade, a year earlier. It was there that the Largo Band of Gold, a high school band, performed. It was an eye-opener to see that you didn't always have to march in a square.

In 1980, I did winter guard for two years. I then belonged to Blue Spirit until 1996; initially as a percussion instructor, though I have also been drum major and was also Chairman in my last year with them."

With DCE since: "The beginning, in 2000."

Why? "In the late nineties, drum corps was dying out. I had, however, devoted a significant proportion of my life to that hobby. It was addictive and I thought it should not easily be relegated to a thing of the past. Together with Marco Janssen, I said at the time: Let's make sure that drum
corps doesn't disappear without a fight."

Do you enjoy being off the field? "It's great! I really enjoy having lots to organise and making sure that everything runs smoothly. Organising things which still have to be sorted out, that suits me down to the ground.

At DCE we first started with an indoor competition, as the corps were small and there weren't that many left anyway. Then someone once said on a forum, 'I miss the smell of grass'. We missed it too and this is what drew us outside.

Best drum corps moment: "All drum corps moments are at the top of my list. Whether finals or a contest, in Kortrijk, Sparta or Dordrecht... When you see everyone enjoying themselves and soaking up the wonderful atmosphere - those are the golden moments."

Do you want to be a DCE staff member yourself? Please contact us, and we'd be happy to welcome you in the DCE team!