The United States Naval Academy Drum and Bugle Corps (D&B) with Andrea Howard '15 - Podcast Episode #035

Andrea Howard has already been a phenomenal guest on the Academy Insider podcast (Episode #014), but she’s back to offer a little more insight into another aspect of life at the United States Naval Academy.

Andrea Howard was Commander of the Drum & Bugle Corps (D&B) of her firstie (senior) year, in Fall 2014. 

With Grant, Andrea shares more background into what her role as Corps Commander was, and how she expanded the role. She details that the Corps, while musical in nature, really likens itself to a second company for its members.

You can also listen to the podcast episode with Andrea at Apple Podcasts at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/035-drum-and-bugel-corps-with-andrea-howard-15/id1463594323?i=1000476029055

During her time as Commander, she “really expanded the roles of academics and physical mission officers, to have internal mechanisms improve.”

She continues, “we had, for instance, Friday night tutoring sessions and Corps wide workouts to start some of our outdoor practices, and so we began to function as its internal family that acted as a supplement, and very much a second company for many of the midshipmen.”

The Drum and Bugle Corps plays at football and basketball games.

 They also play at noon meal formations.

 In addition they play in parades, concerts and events around the country and internationally too.

Andrea also clarifies the difference between D&B and the Naval Academy Band.

D&B is  “comprised entirely of midshipmen for midshipmen, whereas the Band has professional enlisted musicians whose Navy job is to provide the Naval Academy with a full ensemble of musical instruments.”

Incoming plebes with or without musical talent (yes, the D&B will teach you to play an instrument!), should certainly listen to Andrea talk about how to join D&B during Plebe Summer.

Class of 2024, this is an incredible opportunity! 

History

According to the Naval Academy website, the Drum and Bugle Corps was founded as the all-midshipmen corps in 1914, and serves the Academy in many capacities. It is the music and drill for noon meal formation and dress parades, as well as the pep band for athletic games, and halftime show for Navy football. The Drum and Bugle Corps is the oldest active drum corps in the nation. 

 

Grant is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy class of 2017. He is also the founder of Academy Insider LLC. You may reach out to Grant with questions at [email protected].  

To learn more about the Naval Academy through the perspective of a midshipman/recent graduate - subscribe to his podcast the Academy Insider Podcast with Grant Vermeer on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Stitcher and Spotify.

If you want to learn more about the United States Naval Academy, please follow the Academy Insider on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook and visit his website. 

Academy Insider LLC is not affiliated with the United States Naval Academy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and do not reflect those of the United States Navy or the Department of Defense.

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