Freak injuries in drum corps

[KVG_DC]

Do injuries to tubas count?  


Asking for a Phantom Regiment tuba friend.

[year1buick]

There was also a freak, accidental (drumstick related) chipmunk death at Beyer field during a rehearsal in 92. A small service was held. RIP little dude.

There were also multiple chipmunk hole related sprained ankles that summer as well. But there’s no crying in drum corps.

[OldCorpsGuy]

Not drum corps related, but I’m looking at major knee surgery right now (possible torn meniscus and torn AcL and/or MCL) after tripping over my cat. 

[wolfgang]

Has scaffolding staff may stand on ever fallen or malfunctioned, or a prop broke?

[cixelsyd]

The ultimate freak injury in drum corps was from the 1948 Michigan American Legion state preliminary contest.  As the AP described it:

"Thomas A. Edison post from Detroit took second place despite the accidental shooting of two trumpet (sic) players."

Apparently, they were using a signal cannon instead of the typical timing pistol.  But you need to be careful where you point that thing, as even with blank cartridges there is some material expelled.  In this instance, two marchers were both hit in the head by that material.  As one newspaper described it, the two soprano players "were felled by the shots but got up and resumed the drill".  How old-school is that?

[Jeff Ream]

former judge Bob Jacobs died of a heart attack at a show in the early 80's i believe.

 

several judges over the years got clocked by guard equipment and had bloody noses, foreheads etc

Edited October 14, 2025 by Jeff Ream

[waliman4444]

I remember when"clocking" a judge was considered  merit badge worthy..particularly if your corps felt he'd screwed you the week before..lol..peace

[FormerXyloWhiz]

I've seen a mellophone player take a saber to the head in rehearsal on a bad throw into the wind.  

I've seen a Pit member trip over a gong stand and bust his nose/face wide open (he was in the ambulance before we got to Part 3 of the show).

Both were remarkable bloody affairs (everybody ended up fine though).

[ranintothedoor]

My favorite inspirational marching band story that I always told the kids at camp (with permission):

Also Sax kid, 8th grader, marching backward, first day of band camp ever. 

Fell backward and caught herself with her arm.  Got back up and marched the rest of rehearsal; seemed okay but shed some tears.

She comes back the next day in a cast.  Apparently, after rehearsal, they went to the ER; her forearm bones had completely snapped.  They set it, cast it, and told her not to go back for a while.  She did anyway.  That girl was one of the most hard-core kids I ever had in my 16 years.  She ended up being an incredible leader throughout her high school years.  🙂  

[Chief Guns]

21 hours ago, KVG_DC said:

Lot outside the school.  Not camp.  That story involved a field infested with wolf spiders...that jump.  

Summer of 2003, Yokosuka Navy Base in Japan, Change of Command Ceremony. 

Member of the 7th Fleet Navy Band had a flying cockroach land on him during the ceremony. Anyone that lived in Japan, knows about the flying cockroaches lol.

I was standing in ranks when it happened. 

This video pretty much sums up what that poor Third Class Petty Officer Musician did when that flying mutated creature landed on him, DURING THE TWO STAR ADMIRAL'S SPEECH....................