Photo courtesy of Luyi Cheng

You hear them drumming every day by the basketball courts. The clash and echoes of percussion instruments played with power, spirit and to the sixteenth note (a short musical note) — your heart can’t help but tremble with excitement. At rallies, the sharp sweet clanging of a xylophone keeps time with the drums, along with enthusiastic shouts from the drummers. But who are these individuals in the crisp, white uniforms that stare straight ahead with stern expressions? That would be the Lowell High School Drum Corps, known as LDC1.

A drum corps is a marching unit containing many different brass and percussion instruments, similar to a marching band. Hailing from military drum and bugle corps in the Civil War, drum corps were initially used as a signaling mechanism to alert soldiers of the proximity of an enemy.

Reflecting these roots, LDC1 members are disciplined individuals within our school community who regard their team duties with extreme dedication and honor. It is a co-ed branch of the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, more commonly known among Lowell students as JROTC.

Being on the drum corps is a unique way for students to feel pride for the school and themselves. According to Team Commander and drummer senior Luyi Chen, these two things are exactly what bring in recruits. “The more public parts of Drum Corps are the performances for school, but another reason people are drawn to the team is the sense of family that is gained,” Chen said.

Usually seen performing at rallies and fundraisers, the team specializes in invigorating the crowd, never failing to stimulate school pride. Lowell Drum Corps has also performed at more public venues and for much larger audiences. At the Veteran’s Day Parade, people lining the street viewed the team’s annual performance as they energetically marched down Market Street. Cadets kept their tight coordination while spectators held up children and applauded.

Parades are not uncommon for the team. Having performed in many recently, they have nailed down a way to make their routines different for each event. “We pull beats from all past routines, and combine them together for the parades,” Chen said.

Where does all the inspiration come from, you may ask? Although they are similar to a traditional marching band with its martial music, as teens their musical muses are current tunes. “The music we listen to every day greatly influences and inspires our routines.” Chen said. However, some members have a less conventional way to think of beat patterns. “Video games inspire me to come up with beats for performances,” big bell player senior Simon Zheng said.

Behind their precise playing and structured performance is the groundwork laid by constant practice, rain or shine. “Our daily practices are grueling, but totally worth it,” freshman drummer Jacob Hagen said.

When the annual Fall Liberty Championship was held on Nov. 16, the Cardinals took home the trophy, confirming a stellar performance of their self-choreographed routine. “LDC1 has performed outstandingly at the fall competition,” drummer Snare Section Leader sophomore Andrew Chen said. “However, we’ve come a long way since the spring by improving our playing. We’ve also grown closer.”

The values of JROTC are embodied by all seven of its branches. According to the JROTC website (www.usarmyjrotc.com), the organization has a tradition of loyalty, patriotism, leadership and the will to improve which fosters cadets’ efforts towards school, work and their future. Lowell alumnus William Hewlett, co-founder of the Silicon Valley giant Hewlett-Packard, was the JROTC battalion commander in 1930. Hewlett went on to improve his country with his knowledge of modern-day technology.

Tryouts for LDC1 are rigorous, but help the team assess prospective teammates for musicality and dexterity. “We are given a set of beats, and whoever can memorize and perform them quickly is accepted onto the team,” drummer freshman Cory Wong said. Drum Corps members recruit freshmen at the Freshman Orientation, held each year before school starts. Two rounds of cuts are held before the final team is chosen for the fall.

Behind the crisp white uniform and drum is not just an ordinary person, but someone who can turn on a dime, pound out a beat and entice thousands, all while making it look effortless.

A version of this article first appeared in the Jan. 27, 2012 print edition of The Lowell.