New USA drum corps: Jackson Generals
For the first time in history there is a drum & bugle corps in Jackson, Mississippi. The international drum corps community has benefited from the talent of the Mississippi area's brass, percussion and visual performers for many years. These veterans of the drum corps experience can now join others in Mississippi's own, the Jackson Generals Drum & Bugle Corps.
In 2004, a group of former drum corps members got together to perform "corps-style" music arrangements in local venues. The Jackson Generals Drum & Bugle Corps was born. The 2004 season saw the membership grow to include members from no less than fifteen DCI Division I finalist corps. After only two local exhibitions, the corps made an appearance at the Drum Corps Associates-South Regional Championship.
"The response from the crowd, judges and members of the other corps was overwhelming," said Nolan Jones, Executive Director and founder. "We are now making plans to compete in the upcoming season," said Jones. "With so many people in this area having marched in corps around the country and wanting to continue the experience, we have decided to enter the all-age drum corps competition circuit for 2005."
Although the 2004 edition consisted of mostly former drum corps members, the 2005 season will be open, by audition, to any performer over the age of twenty-one. Those over eighteen but under the DCI limit of twenty-one will be allowed to join as a conditional member. Those under eighteen must have a parent, guardian, or teacher involved in the corps in order to participate in the performances.
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