Greetings,
As someone new to heraldry I believe I just had a moment of discovery and clarity. As I am watching the national drum corps and color guard competition, the martial and heraldic legacy seems evident. The participants’ jackets seem to represent the field with various tincture and divisions, the hat is clearly a helm with crest attached, they display their flag and the competition awards the winner with a medal.
Is the apparent connection between heraldry and drum corps clear and intentional? Can someone provide a brief history and/or modern relevance?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/MMCDHoward/Santa_clara_vanguard_logo.jpg
DCI is descended from Napoleonic color bearers, consisting of a flag and its honor guard, a bugle group and a drum group. This descended from earlier groups that did the same thing. Their uniforms reflect the old colorful uniforms of the Napoleonic armies, which descended from the armies of medieval lords. They are related. Also, many have coats of arms, as the Santa Clara Vanguard (personal favorite) above shows.
Great background…Thank you.
I have watched these competitions in the past oblivious to the legacy, history and meaning.
My daughter participates in high school color guard and although we have always supported her activities this provides an additional bridge of interest.
I have never heard her acknowledge any understanding of this history…do you know if the connection is explicit at the collegiate level. Do the leaders make the connection for the participants? Even beyond the educational value it seems it would contribute to building identity and pride.
Best,
Rob
Well, most Drum Corps in existance today have no connection beyond tradition, none outside of official military groups can claim a connection beyond an emulation of traditions. Colleges and high schools certainly won’t bother making this connection for the students, they’re generally too busy trying to teach them how to march.
I doubt DCI teaches that either, but it is possible to research the connection. For example, many corps use the West Point-style uniforms, which are based on the West Point dress uniforms, which are in turned descended from earlier models, all the way back to West Point’s inception. The uniforms used then were slightly before Napoleon, but the connection to earlier times is still there.
All modern uniforms descend from the medieval heraldry, which is why armies, corps, divisions, and other military groups use specific markings that are related to heraldry.
Very interesting. I watched them too, and this thought didn’t enter my mind. I did think of this at the last harness race I attended (no, I don’t bet). Each person has their color or silks. Most of them, at least in harness racing, could easily be a coat of arms. For example:
Or, on a Bend Azure five Mullets Or.
http://www.customsilks.com/jpg_gallery/DTX.jpg
Azure a Pile Or.
http://www.customsilks.com/jpg_gallery/MDW1X.jpg
Gules three Chevronels Sable.
http://www.customsilks.com/assets/images/db_images/db_Dhfb1.jpg
