Freak injuries in drum corps

[wolfgang]

Here's a twist to the topic:  Regarding freak injuries, how many freaks have been injured in drum corps?

[Super Don-O]

Have to mention 2010 Crown finals. One of the mellophone players snapped his leg while hitting the final company front. He had to be helped to the sidelines by judges and staff while the corps finished their show.

Edited October 14, 2025 by Super Don-O

[IllianaLancerContra]

4 hours ago, Jeff Ream said:

former jidge 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

And then there was Lothar…

RIP

[Jeff Ream]

37 minutes ago, IllianaLancerContra said:

And then there was Lothar…

RIP

#### yeah how could i forget that......oof.

 

for those that don't know, in 2005, the Kilties were performing the show of a lifetime at DCA prelims. Lothar....a baritone i think....had a heart attack right there on the field. they had to pull the corps off the field, and eventually a doctor came down from the stands, as for whatever reason buried in threads in the all age forum, the ambulance wasn't there....but from all i remember reading, even the ambulance being there would have been too late.

[Old Corps Guy]

Pioneer circa 1979/80 rifle to the face caused lock jaw.  She was the person that first convinced me to try drum corps.  

Mine was taking a flag to my horn on the step off of the show and having a fat lip by the time I had to play my solo.  Not my best performance.

Edited October 14, 2025 by Old Corps Guy

[Old Corps Guy]

We won't talk about rehearsals for Cavies in 1980 with the rifle toss over the hornline during Sing, Sing, Sing..

[Hook'emCavies]

I can tell yall something that happened to me. UIL marching contest 2007... a flute player was marching too far back and hit the bell on my clarinet. What I didn't know at first is that the reed cut the inside of my mouth (the reed didnt chip). I keep marching and during the ballad I noticed blood on my reed. I had blood on my mouthpiece... I scared my directors to say the least lol!!!. I finished the show without anything getting on my uniform.

[perc2100]

5 hours ago, waliman4444 said:

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

Oh man, not just merit badge worthy: it was an actual sport!  We had vis staff who would tell us places where the drill writer wrote 'judge traps' where they hoped to ensnare a judge.  I won't say said vis staff offered bounties for any judges who got clocked by a horn or drum (PURELY accidental, and not an intentional extrajudicial swipe)...but I'll say there might've been 😏

[perc2100]

8 hours ago, OldCorpsGuy said:

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. 

Speaking of knee surgery and other long-term issues, I've heard of some former members of some corps that were incredibly physically active in the late 90's/early-mid 00's before body movement choreography became the norm, that have had long-term back and knee issues that may or may not have been related to specific show choreo moves

[KVG_DC]

8 hours ago, wolfgang said:

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

@Iron Lips Can tell a story from the same parking lot of my story about a cherry picker and some wind.  [no one was harmed in the end]