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Frequently Asked Questions

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Category: FAQ
25 September 2025
Hits: 72
  • FAQ

GREAT AMERICAN DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Drum and Bugle Corps alumni and current marching members who will be at least 18 years old on or before June 1, 2026. THIS IS NOT A TEACHING ENVIRONMENT; YOU MUST ALREADY KNOW HOW TO PLAY YOUR INSTRUMENT, SPIN YOUR EQUIPMENT, MARCH, ETC…PROFICIENTLY!

The cut off for registration is January 4, 2026. This means your accounts with both GAD&BC and Peak Group Travel need to be created by then, and your $100 registration fee paid. *You will have until the end of April to make payments to Peak on your travel package.

$100 non-refundable fee helps with various administrative and operating costs, as well as part of your uniform. The package you purchase with Peak Travel covers your housing, transportation, meals for the week, along with a welcome party, medical staff on site at rehearsals and other support features. The cost varies based on room occupancy. (***Refer to graphic of pricing and tour specs***)

No, but each musician will be responsible for learning all the music and it MUST be memorized. Music will be made available for all as soon as possible. Guard members will also not need to audition but must be proficient in their area. The guard work will be learned via video on your own, at home and refined during rehearsals the week we are together.

G bugles are preferred. If you do not have a G bugle, music will be transposed to B flat.

You must provide your own instruments, aside from tubas / contra bass for that week. Silver or chrome, only.

2.4 miles

No, you must participate in all weekly activities.

No, it will be a stand still performance.

Percussion and brass videos will be made available as soon as possible on the website. Midi files will also be available. Music selections: Stars and Stripes, National Emblem, Rocky, Get Away, and Malaguena.

No, all participants (performers, volunteers, and staff) will be bussed from the hotels to rehearsals. Even if you are local and not staying at the hotel, you must meet there and get on a bus to travel to rehearsal; everyone (including guests) will be bused by motor coaches to the events. With trying to move a group this large daily, we cannot have folks driving themselves and risk getting lost, being late, etc. There will be millions of people in the area that week for all the events commemorating the birthday; we need to travel as a group.

No, you are responsible for learning your music or guard work via video at home. The fine-tuning will happen once we are all together for rehearsals during the week of July 4th.

Brass and Battery: American flag type of printed lightweight button-up camp shirt. White cowboy hat, blue lightweight pants, and white shoes or sneakers (shoes are provided by the member). Guard and drum majors: TBC

Flags / poles will be provided. You will need to bring your own rifle if you are spinning that equipment.

You are responsible for your own transportation to the Philadelphia area. During the week, GAD&BC provides all transportation to and from all events and rehearsals.

We cannot offer refunds.
There is an option with your travel package through Peak to choose travel insurance in case of an emergency, but the $100 registration fee is non-refundable.

When do I need to arrive in Philadelphia? Check-in at will be Monday, June 29th, 2026, with a welcome party that evening. Rehearsals will begin on Tuesday morning, June 30, 2026.

Yes

Yes, there will be vegetarian meals available.

Contact Kevin McDermott @ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Question: What is happening with horns? Do you need access to one to participate?

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Category: FAQ
17 July 2025
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Answer: We will be borrowing tubas/contrabasses for that week. Other than that, you need to arrange for your own horn.

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Question: How long is the parade?

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Category: FAQ
17 July 2025
Hits: 88
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Answer: 2.4 miles

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Question: Can you please clarify exactly how many nights hotel and how many/which meals are included for the cost listed?

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Category: FAQ
16 July 2025
Hits: 162
  • FAQ

Answer: view the information - click the Read more link

Read more: Question: Can you please clarify exactly how many nights hotel and how many/which meals are...

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Great American Drum & Bugle Corps
2955 Beulah Church Rd
Arrington, TN 37014

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