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So musters are the main gathering point for the drum corps classified as " Ancient", which in the competition world means 110 bps, 2/4 and 6/8 time signatures. The corps preserve the martial music from the french and indian through the Civil wars. Most wear some approximation of uniform from those time periods.
The basic corps consists of fife, snare drum, and bass drum, as well as color guard.
The drums are wooden, with rope tension adjusted with leather ears, calfskin heads, and on the snares, catgut. The snare drums are tall, the bass are wide. The bass is played with 2 sticks, and both use rudiments to create the patterns.
As i sat to grab a burger before the 12:30 kickoff, a couple at the table asked me what this muster-thing was as they had stumbled upon it. I gave them what i just detailed. They asked if it was a competition. I said no, .... but ... you want to look better than everyone else.
It starts with a parade, which ends at a ballfield. After the last corps is in, the exhibition starts. Each corps marches onto the infield and plays 2 - 4 songs. Each receives a ribbon for attending, then march off to be followed by the next corps.
The host corps usually provides a muster meal for all participants. It really is a shared experience type of event. I see people there that I've known for 20+ years ... that i see once or twice a year at musters.
At the conclusion of the last corps presentation, the jam session begins and runs to 11 at night.
The corps share a large set of standard songs that lend themselves to being played enmasse
The drumming will vary between being played straight/traditional, and being tweaked in many directions in order to be a little unique.
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