Top Secret Drum Corps
Encyclopedia
Top Secret Drum Corps is a precision drum corps
based in Basel, Switzerland. With 25 drummers and colorguard members, the corps became famous for its demanding six-minute routine performed at the Edinburgh Tattoo in 2003. With its invitation to Edinburgh, Top Secret became one of the first non-military, non-British Commonwealth acts to perform on the Esplanade at Edinburgh Castle.
Since its success in 2003, Top Secret was invited to return to Edinburgh in 2006 with a new and improved routine. They were invited a third time in 2009. Under the leadership of Erik Julliard, the band is also responsible for the founding of the Basel Tattoo, a military tattoo
show similar to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo
, now held annually in Basel.
, and various parades associated with the city's guilds. A Trommelkönig (Drummer King) competition is also held every year by the city's Fasnacht Committee.
Basel drumming style is militaristic, derived from the military drumming drills of Swiss soldiers dating back to the Middle Ages. Top Secret in many ways adheres to the military nature of Basel drumming, but differs in many respects. Its drummers play at a much faster rate. Also, while traditional Basel drumming is somber and favors traditional marching tunes (accompanied by fifes during the Fasnacht), Top Secret's drumming style is upbeat and playful. Segments of their routines feature a "rhumba", a drummer's duel, drumstick juggling, exploding flagpoles, and other humorous details. Perhaps because of their 18th Century uniforms and precision work, the Corps is often referred to as a military band or a part of the Swiss Army, but it is not affiliated with any military unit.
During the 2005 Fasnacht, Top Secret made local headlines with a prank meant to poke fun at the stringent rules of the Basel carnival. At issue was a policy which forbids foreigners from marching in the Morgestraich. Top Secret circulated news that it had invited a band from Dubai to march at the event. The "Dubai band" then appeared in costume at a press conference where angry carnival bolsters expressed their outrage. When the "Dubai band" revealed itself as Top Secret members in disguise, many Fasnacht participants and organizers were not amused.
They are the subject of a documentary film by Swiss television which recounts their rise to fame at the Edinburgh Tattoo. A feature film based on the Edinburgh endeavor is currently in the works with Insert Films, Switzerland.
Drum and bugle corps (modern)
A drum and bugle corps, also known as a drum corps, is a musical marching unit consisting of brass instruments, percussion instruments, and color guard. Typically operating as independent non-profit organizations, drum corps perform in competitions, parades, festivals, and other civic functions...
based in Basel, Switzerland. With 25 drummers and colorguard members, the corps became famous for its demanding six-minute routine performed at the Edinburgh Tattoo in 2003. With its invitation to Edinburgh, Top Secret became one of the first non-military, non-British Commonwealth acts to perform on the Esplanade at Edinburgh Castle.
Since its success in 2003, Top Secret was invited to return to Edinburgh in 2006 with a new and improved routine. They were invited a third time in 2009. Under the leadership of Erik Julliard, the band is also responsible for the founding of the Basel Tattoo, a military tattoo
Military tattoo
The original meaning of military tattoo is a military drum performance, but nowadays it sometimes means army displays more generally.It dates from the 17th century when the British Army was fighting in the Low Countries...
show similar to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Edinburgh Military Tattoo
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is an annual series of Military tattoos performed by British Armed Forces, Commonwealth and International military bands and display teams in the Scottish capital Edinburgh...
, now held annually in Basel.
Drumming style
Top Secret has its roots in the rich drumming traditions of the band's home city, Basel, Switzerland, which is known for its annual carnival called Fasnacht. The city is said to have over 3,000 active drummers at any one time. These drummers perform at traditional events such as Fasnacht, the Vogel Gryff, CharivariCharivari
Charivari is the term for a French folk custom in which the community gave a noisy, discordant mock serenade, also pounding on pots and pans, at the home of newlyweds. The loud, public ritual evolved to a form of social coercion, for instance, to force an as-yet-unmarried couple to wed...
, and various parades associated with the city's guilds. A Trommelkönig (Drummer King) competition is also held every year by the city's Fasnacht Committee.
Basel drumming style is militaristic, derived from the military drumming drills of Swiss soldiers dating back to the Middle Ages. Top Secret in many ways adheres to the military nature of Basel drumming, but differs in many respects. Its drummers play at a much faster rate. Also, while traditional Basel drumming is somber and favors traditional marching tunes (accompanied by fifes during the Fasnacht), Top Secret's drumming style is upbeat and playful. Segments of their routines feature a "rhumba", a drummer's duel, drumstick juggling, exploding flagpoles, and other humorous details. Perhaps because of their 18th Century uniforms and precision work, the Corps is often referred to as a military band or a part of the Swiss Army, but it is not affiliated with any military unit.
Members
Top Secret's members are highly dedicated drummers with diverse day jobs—bankers, civil servants, factory workers, etc. They give up their free time to practice nearly every day of the year. Due to the demanding nature of the work, its membership is frequently changing.Controversy
Traditional drumming society in Basel initially frowned on Top Secret's style of drumming but came to accept the Corps after its success in Edinburgh. Yet many stalwart Basel drummers still do not consider the band's drumming to be "Basel drumming" and are careful to make the distinction.During the 2005 Fasnacht, Top Secret made local headlines with a prank meant to poke fun at the stringent rules of the Basel carnival. At issue was a policy which forbids foreigners from marching in the Morgestraich. Top Secret circulated news that it had invited a band from Dubai to march at the event. The "Dubai band" then appeared in costume at a press conference where angry carnival bolsters expressed their outrage. When the "Dubai band" revealed itself as Top Secret members in disguise, many Fasnacht participants and organizers were not amused.
Ongoing success
Since its 2003 performance at Edinburgh, Top Secret has enjoyed worldwide success. They have performed at various venues in Europe, the United States, Australia and at the 2008 South African Tattoo held from 11 - 14 September 2008. In 2011, they performed at the Quebec Military Tattoo.They are the subject of a documentary film by Swiss television which recounts their rise to fame at the Edinburgh Tattoo. A feature film based on the Edinburgh endeavor is currently in the works with Insert Films, Switzerland.
External links
- Official Web Page of Top Secret Drum Corps
- http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Top_Secret_DrumCorps.html website featuring a video of Top Secret at the 2003 Edinburgh Tattoo.