Beginning 29 years ago, Yamaha sponsored its first drum and bugle corps within Drum Corps International activity (DCI). Over the years, the company has deepened its relationship with other successful corps and expanded the range of instruments and musical equipment it supplies. From 1985 on, corps that depend on Yamaha have won almost half of the DCI World Championship titles.
DCI drum corps using Yamaha instruments have achieved great success, collecting thirteen Fred Sanford High Percussion Awards and seven Jim Ott High Brass Awards, more than any other manufacturer in each category. Drum corps’ affiliated with Yamaha have also won 15 DCI World Championship titles since 1985, representing almost half the titles during that time period.
Marking a new trend in drum and bugle corps performance practices, 81 percent of all World Class Drum Corps use Yamaha Pro Audio equipment to augment their sound, including the 01V96 digital mixer, P Series power amps and Club VC loudspeakers. Several corps also perform with Yamaha synthesizers and the DTX Multi-12 Electronic Percussion Pad system, which features more than 1,200 drum, percussion and effects, including the Madison Scouts, The Cavaliers, The Cadets and The Bluecoats, among others.
Looking Back on 2025: A Year of Controlled Chaos (Emphasis on “Controlled”)