The Different Classes in Winter Drum Line

For the benefit of readers who are as "new" to drum line as I am, a brief explanation of the classes at last Saturday's Norwell Indoor Percussion Invitational might be in order.

Basically, there are two tyes of drum line - concert and marching.

Concert competition at Norwell was contested in classes PSCA, PSCO and PSCW, while marching was contested in PIA, PSA, PSO and PSW.

Note that the concert classes have an extra "c" in their class, indicating "Concert".

The "I" in PIA represents an independent group, as opposed to a group from one particular school, while the "S" in the other classes represents "scholastic". Although grouped separately, "I" groups compete according to the same criteria as their respective "S" counterparts. Norwell's competition only featured one independent class, but there could conceivably have been PIO, PIW or even PICA, PICO or PIOW groups present.

Concert drum lines concentrate on just the instrumental portion of the performance, while marching incorporates various types of movement (marching, dance etc), and marching bands also seem to have scenic backdrops (and colorful costumes). The two photos with this post show the difference with Fishers High School (orange crimson and black costumes) representing the marching ensembles at Norwell, while Goshen (Black and white "tuxedos") represent the concert ensembles.

There is very little movement involved in concert competition, apart from individuals moving between their different instruments. Marching performances can be all over the place, and as Norwell themselves displayed, at considerable speed!

Within these two "sub-groups", the "A", "O" and "W" classes indicate level of competitive ability/experience.

The "A" class (PSA, PSCA, PIA or PICA) represents, according to the official classification definition: "younger, less developed participants." The "O" class (PSO, PSCO, PIO or PICO) represents a more intermediate level ensemble, while the "W" (World - PIW, PICW, PSW or PSCW) class ensembles are expected to display a high degree of advanced development.

I hope this provides a simple explanation (and that I have got everything right!)