Psychosocial change across a drum corps season

Abstract

Drum corps is a marching arts (MA) activity that combines movement, music, and visual performance. Education in the MA emphasizes performance, endurance, and group cohesion. However, research on the psychosocial effects of participation in MA education is rare. In the current study, we measured resilience, self-efficacy, goal orientation, and flow, over the course of a season of drum corps, hypothesizing significant change in these constructs. A total of 74 young men ( Mage = 19.16) from a world-class drum corps participated in an online longitudinal study involving five surveys with repeated measures across their 2017 competitive marching season. We found a statistically significant curvilinear change over time in general self-efficacy, marching self-efficacy, mastery goal orientation, and flow, but no pattern of change in ego goal orientation. The pattern of change was similar for all outcomes: participants first declined, and then rebounded up, but only some outcomes returned to baseline or higher levels. Findings may inform MA participants and educators about dynamic psychosocial change throughout a season for which they should be prepared, as well as future research on MA.

Racial-ethnic minority participants in the marching arts: Intergroup experiences, perceptions of inclusion, and well-being.

“…Items were adapted to ask participants about how they feel about their ability to “march” their show (e.g., “I have confidence in my ability to march show”). This adaptation has been used previously with samples of MA participants (Young et al, 2022). The scale ranged from 1 ( strongly disagree ) to 6 ( strongly agree ).…”

“…MA are physically intensive musical activities in which members of the band hold musical, visual, and dance responsibilities (Young et al, 2022). Musicians in the group are not only responsible for playing music, but also their positions on the field (known as drill) and visual/dance movements, such as bringing instruments up in specific ways or creating shapes with their bodies (Dagaz, 2012; Young et al, 2022).…”

“…The marching arts (MA), such as indoor percussion, indoor winds, outdoor drum corps, and outdoor marching band involve the playing of ensemble music in tandem with a fully synchronized and coordinated visual performance by the ensemble. MA are physically intensive musical activities in which members of the band hold musical, visual, and dance responsibilities (Young et al, 2022). Musicians in the group are not only responsible for playing music, but also their positions on the field (known as drill) and visual/dance movements, such as bringing instruments up in specific ways or creating shapes with their bodies (Dagaz, 2012; Young et al, 2022).…”

“…Drum Corps International (DCI), also known as “Marching Music’s Major League,” and Winter Guard International (WGI), also known as the “Sport of the Arts,” are two of the most notable MA organizations in the world (DCI, n.d.a; WGI, n.d.). World Class groups in DCI and WGI are the highest level of competitive MA education and engagement recognized by the MA community (Young et al, 2022). Though each organization holds nondiscrimination policies, such organizations were relatively uninvolved in the development of diversity and inclusion in the activity.…”