Ryanashland56 Posted November 19, 2025 Posted November 19, 2025 I'm writing for a new SoundSport corps, and to keep costs low we decided to do a retro theme for our show with our theme being "The Ghost of Drum Corps Past" the closer I wrote is the 27th Lancers Danny Boy/First Suite because it's very recognizable. We are taking an almost velvet knights approach to it. What are some classic drum corps pieces in the public domain? Pieces that are able to be connected to a corps without explanation or done so many times that it's almost synonymous with drum corps, I need some ideas. Quote
ironlips Posted November 20, 2025 Posted November 20, 2025 Battle Hymn (Troopers, any everybody else), When Johnny Comes M arching Home...I'm reasonably certain those are PD. Hallelujah Chorus is also a drum corps chestnut. Quote
CenterTimp Posted November 20, 2025 Posted November 20, 2025 (edited) Off the top of my head: 1812 An American in París Beethoven 9th Finale Firebird (early versions) Flight of the Bumblebee Hava Nagila Malaguena (but not certain, specific arrangements) Marche Slav Miserlou (see Malaguena, above) Nessun Dorma Nimrod (Enigma Variations) New World Symphony Finale Pagliacci Peer Gynt Pines of Rome The Planets Rhapsody in Blue Ritual Fire Dance Simple Gifts (but not Appalachian Spring) Swan Lake Symphonie Fantastique William Tell Overture I suggest looking through Wikipedia's historic repertoire listings for Phantom and SCV, identifying anything composed before 1925, then Googling its PD status. Edited November 20, 2025 by CenterTimp Made additions. Quote
ironlips Posted November 21, 2025 Posted November 21, 2025 "...identifying anything composed before 1925, then Googling its PD status." Good advice. Quote
TomKaye Posted November 25, 2025 Posted November 25, 2025 As an East Coast Dinosaur, I'm kinda partial to : Great Gate of Kiev, 1970 Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights American Salute , 1971 Blue Rock. Both I believe are public domain. Quote
Tim K Posted December 5, 2025 Posted December 5, 2025 Something to keep in mind: the source music may be in the public domain, but the specific arrangement used by a corps may be copyright protected. 1 Quote
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