<p>Any responses from those who have graduated/are in the academy right now, regarding the pros and cons of joining the drum and bugle corps? From what I understand, it takes the place of the sports every day, (which could be good or bad,) it requires extra time management, and it could be awesome to go play at football games.</p>
<p>For your reference, (plus I feel rude not giving some sort of introduction,) I am a senior in highschool, I am scholastically, physically, and almost medically qualified; I have the principal nomination from my Congressman. I hope like crazy that I will receive an appointment.</p>
<p>I really appreciate those who take the time to reply to all of our (us candidates' and family members') questions.</p>
<p>Since my son is busy at the moment, partly with D&B, I will respond.</p>
<p>He signed up during Plebe summer. </p>
<p>I think he would say it has been great! It was, however, quite demanding time wise. Especially early in the year. Many, many practices. If I recall correctly, he did not enjoy a Saturday liberty until well into the school year. Once the basic music was learned, however, his practice committments have lessened. Nonetheless, he was busy or gone most weekends this past fall with D&B activities. </p>
<p>D&B does take the place of intra-murals. </p>
<p>The signficiant plus side is that he has been, courtesy of D&B, to Houston, Chicago [Notre Dame], and San Diego. [The brigade may be given an allowance to travel to away games but D&B members are considered on movement orders.] He may be going to Disney World in the spring. This has given him a solid group of friends that he has counted on during plebe summer/ac year. [D&B is considered a company on its own.]</p>
<p>I am D&B right now, so I'll give you my honest opinion. We have a big inter-service competition in the beginning of October. So, from late August to the beginning of October it's all intense practices. However, since that time, D&B has been really relaxed (one or two short practices a week), and all the perks you can imagine. It's definitely worth it during plebe summer. You get out of some chow calls, you get special treatment at times, you make friends with some upperclass, and you get to go to two baseball games when everyone else goes to one. During the year, being in D&B counts as a VARSITY sport, you get special rewards for your effort, this year we went/are going to Philadelphia, Texas, North Carolina, New Jersey, Virginia, Boston, and Disney World. D&B is a great experience if you know how to play an instrument.</p>
<p>If anyone has any additional comments, just post here and I'll answer back.
For those who are joining, I'll see you next year (finally a youngster!)</p>
<p><strong>D&B is not its own company, its a BSA (Brigade Support Activity)</strong></p>
<p>I found somewhere on the USNA website the D&B page...it included audition music, but a friend who is at USNA said he hadn't played since he was 12 and they let him on. I'm not the best player in the world (I'm not taking band this year because of schedule conflicts), but I would love to do D&B. Do I need to worry about building my lip back up before I-Day if I really want to do D&B? I'm a trumpet, if it makes any difference.</p>
<p>Any downsides to D&B? I love field marching and majorly regretted being a drum major junior year. D&B IS a field show, correct? I've seen some pictures and it looks like a lot of other college bands out there.</p>
<p>Do yall actually use bugles, or just regular trumpets? Bugles have a smaller diameter bore and that makes it alot easier for trumpet players like me to play high! (which is a good thing)</p>
<p>Bill0510 and GoNavy87, thank you for the information.</p>
<p>For GoNavy87 especially: You said that after the intense practices subsided, D&B became much more relaxed, and that it offered a bunch of perks. What kinds of perks are you talking about?</p>
<p>Also, are there other musical groups that a plebe can join? I play trumpet in jazz band and marching band and I solo for french horn, along with playing in my band and the local youth symphony.</p>