Holiday Gift Ideas for Marching Fans

The Drum Corps International online store offers one-stop shopping for official DCI merchandise including t-shirts, caps, accessories and audio/video products. Browse deep in each category for some great stocking stuffers, including a drum key chain, a stress relief orange cone and legacy DVDs dating back to 1974.

Buy For $3 and Up at DCI.org/store >>

Related photo gallery on Marching.com: 2017 DCI World Championships Photos

Give the music students in your life the best week of their year with a gift registration to the Music for All Summer Symposium. Produced by the same folks who bring us the Bands of America Championships, this gigantic "band camp" draws 1,700 students and teachers with focused tracks for marching band, percussion, color guard, drum majors and more.

Register by January 31 for Super Saver rates at MusicForAll.org/camp >>

Related photo gallery on Marching.com: 2017 Bands of America Grand National Championships Photos

Performers AND designers can develop their skills with educational videos from WGI. Each video focuses on a specific topic such as movement, technique, show design or electronics. Titles include "Amplification" and "Sampling" for indoor percussion and "Across the Floor" and "Toss" for color guard. All modules are available as digital downloads and some as physical DVDs.

Buy For $10.00 - $29.95 at shop.WGI.org >>

Related galleries on Marching.com: 2017 WGI Percussion Photos, 2017 WGI Color Guard Photos, 2017 WGI Winds Photos

Available in both print and digital formats, Halftime Magazine will brighten your recipient's mailbox (or electronic device) six times per year. The colorful magazine has reached its tenth year of publication and continues to cover all facets of the marching activity, including high school, college, drum corps, guard and percussion.

Buy Digital ($4.99) or Print ($14.95) at HalftimeMag.com >>

Related story on Marching.com: Halftime Magazine celebrates the spirit of marching band

The popular Band Nerds book series melds author DJ Corchin's humorously inspiring observations with spot-on illustrations from Dan Dougherty. New this year, a hardcover volume titled BAND = LIFE incorporates all four individual books along with 50 pages of bonus material. Autographed copies are available through the author's website the13thchair.com.

Buy Individual Paperbacks ($12.95) or Hardcover Collection ($59.95) at Amazon.com >>

Related story on Marching.com: Poetry book delivers humorous observations of band life

Also see: DJ Corchin's "13th Chair" columns on Marching.com

Hearing protection is essential ... not only for band members but also for directors and staff who are frequently in close proximity to the marching unit. Earplugs from vendors such as Earasers, Etymotic Research and Vic Firth reduce noise to safe levels while preserving the clarity of speech and the richness of music.

$10-$50 at local and national retailers

Buy earplugs online at Amazon >>

Follow along in the full-color program book as you watch the Rose Parade on New Year's Day, and show your spirit with Tournament of Roses memorabilia. Official merchandise is available through multiple sources, including the Petal Pushers organization which coordinates 4,000 volunteers who help decorate the floats.

Buy Program Book for $10 at PetalPushers.org (Order by December 20) >>

Advances in digital printing have made it possible to apply your favorite photos to just about anything. A good place to start is with a customized mobile phone case. If you're not sure of the recipient's phone model, consider other custom printed items such as magnets, ornaments or water bottles.

$10 and up at in-store and online photo centers
 
 

Holiday shopping should not be complete without a stop at your local music store, which is likely to be a big supporter of music events in your community. Gift cards are a great choice to let recipients choose something useful. For stocking stuffers, consider these items which are top sellers at Progressive Music in McKeesport, Pennsylvania: 3-packs of reeds, mouthpiece pouches, compact metronomes and folding music stands.

$10 and up at local music retailers

Fundraisers are an essential source of income for marching units. Check the website and social media of your favorite group to see current offerings, such as fruit baskets, clothing, wreaths or scrip gift cards. You might find some creative items: The band boosters for Plainfield North H.S. (Illinois) are selling pillows crafted from old uniforms.

Various price ranges from local booster organizations

With the continuing popularity of Star Wars films, this clever t-shirt featuring iconic Star Wars characters in marching band formation will always be in style. Available in five color options and sizes S-XXL. Product reviews suggest the shirts run small, so you may want to buy one size bigger than usual.

Buy For $19.99 to $21.99 at Amazon >>

Developed by professional trumpet player Dan Gosling, ChopSaver is formulated to relieve chapping, swelling, soreness, fatigue and inflammation of the lips caused by playing brass or woodwind instruments. Makes a great stocking stuffer ... save when you buy a multi-pack.

Buy For $4.95 (Single) to $25.74 (Pack of 6) at Amazon >>

This fantastic documentary earned multiple awards on the film festival circuit and touched audiences with its triumphant story of brotherhood, unity and overcoming adversity. Scouts Honor: Inside A Marching Brotherhood presents the drum corps world through in-your-face sound and compelling stories.

Buy For $17 to $27 at ScoutsHonorMovie.com >>

For something completely different ... here's a marching figurine designed by pop art sensation Romero Britto. This high-end Disney figurine stands 8.5 inches tall and depicts Mickey Mouse in colorful attire worthy of any parade. There's no question he's the leader of the band.

Buy For $34.99 at Amazon >>

With roots in the drum & bugle corps activity, Blast! was the thrilling stage show that played Broadway and thrilled thousands as a touring production. The DVD does a great job capturing the magical energy of the show, and the productions of Bolero and Malaguena are among the best you'll find anywhere.

Buy For $19.99 at Amazon >>