A team of instrumental conducting students at Eastern Kentucky University is participating in a research project coordinated between EKU and Bands of America and Drum Corps International – two of the premier associations in the marching competition world.

Members of this year’s Research Team are James Adams, Manchester; Jeremy Britt, Erlanger, Chris Collins, Fairfield, Ohio; Heather Coombs, Smithfield; Andrew Easley, Erlanger; Brad Howard; Florence; and Michael Wooley, London.

The project, now in its second year, includes researching the measurable attributes of competitive marching activity to further the understanding and effectiveness of its practices and processes. Its purpose is also to provide EKU students an enhanced experience that prepares them for effective careers in music education and promote marching music activity as a valid and effective performance-based educational pursuit.

EKU Music Professor Joe Allison, who advises the Research Team, expects the project to be ongoing for several years.

“We have unprecedented cooperation from the two principal entities in the marching activity and there is much excitement about the potential of the research,” he said. “There is a considerable market for the information gleaned from these studies – literally dozens of professional journals and periodicals are devoted all or in part to the marching music movement. The effects of this activity are felt far and wide in such things as instrument manufacturing, uniform and accessory production, healthcare, the travel industry, as well as commercial food services.”

Photo: from left, EKU music students Heather Coombs, Chris Collins, Michael Wooley, Andrew Easley, James Adams, Jeremy Britt and Brad Howard attended the 2009 DCI World Championships in Indianapolis in early August as part of a research project examining the measurable attributes of competitive marching activities.