Dedicated to musicians and performers of diverse styles and backgrounds, Marching Music Day celebrates all varieties of the art forms bringing us “music on the move.” 2021 marks the fifth anniversary of the annual occurrence.

Drum Corps International founded Marching Music Day to celebrate and spotlight marching music as an engaging and ever-expanding art form around the world, and to help celebrate Music In Our Schools Month. As an ideal play on words, March Fourth was chosen.

Beginning in 2017, the registrar at National Day Calendar declared the day to #MarchForth into celebration annually.

“It’s been incredible to see how much this day has taken off over the last five years, not only among Drum Corps International performers and fans looking forward to the summer season ahead, but also with in-season winter guards and drum lines, as well as high school, civic, military and college marching bands and ensembles across the United States and around the world,” DCI CEO Dan Acheson said. “After the cancellation of our 2020 DCI Tour and marching music activities worldwide, this year’s March Fourth has an even greater sense of purpose as we all look and plan ahead to a time when we can safely reconnect and make music once again.”  

Bringing an additional focus to this year’s March Fourth celebration will be the kickoff of the #BeBandReady and #KeepPlaying campaigns presented by Ultimate Drill Book. The program is designed to stimulate and reawaken participation in marching music and the performing arts, as high schools and institutions of higher learning from coast to coast diligently work through what everyone hopes will be the end of the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the safe return to rehearsal rooms, performance fields and stages this summer and fall.

Other simple activities you can follow to celebrate March Fourth:

1. Rep your favorite drum corps or marching music swag

Dust off those corps jackets or break out your favorite marching group's T-shirt or sweatshirt. Take a selfie and post it as your profile picture. Be sure to add the official Marching Music Day frame to your Facebook profile photo.

2. Tell your marching music story

Dig out a photo from your marching band, winter guard or drum corps days and share it along with one of your fondest marching music memories on social media. Tag your posts with #MarchForth and #MarchingMusicDay.

3. Discover new forms of music on the move

From drum corps and marching bands, to SoundSport teams and winter guards, to military music groups, Mummers string bands, fife and drum groups, drill teams and step teams, marching musicians fall into a remarkable array of different styles, classifications and organizations. Spend time surfing the web to learn about the many unique musical ensembles around the world.

4. Support your favorite marching music groups

Whether making an important contribution to your favorite drum corps or lending support to your local high school, college or community marching performing arts ensemble, consider making an important financial donation or inquire about about any volunteer needs behind the scenes to foster future generations of marching musicians.

5. Make your plans to be on the screen, on the field or in the stands in 2021

After the cancellation of the 2020 DCI Tour due to the coronavirus pandemic, 2021 will certainly be a drum corps year like no other. Many corps have announced plans to offer exclusively online educational programs while others are gearing up to eventually offer in-person performance opportunities this summer ending with a three-day series of events in Indianapolis should conditions allow. Contact your favorite corps to learn more about audition and other educational opportunities. Sign up for email alerts to stay on top of the latest 2021 schedule and ticket developments.