Castells Drum and Bugle Corps

Castells Drum and Bugle Corps (previously known as Liberty Bell Drum and Bugle Corps) is a Drum Corps based in the City of Barcelona, Catalonia. It operates under Llibertat Marching Arts, an organization that runs groups in all FMA circuits. Castells Drum and Bugle Corps is a current member of the League of Gentlemanly Drum Corps (LGDC). Due to it being one of few corps based in Europe, they are able to take recruits from all around the EU.

## General History

First founded in season 41, Castells Drum and Bugle Crops has a long history. Following their founding, Castells achieved minor success in division 3 drum corps. The performed for 2 season in which they placed 49th and 27th respectively. Following this, the corps ran into trouble with funding. The cost to fly the corps members and their equipment to the United States for a number of shows began to weight heavily on the groups financials. Over the next 73 seasons, the group was only able to perform in the FMA circuit a handful of times. During their season that they did not participate, they still performed locally. During these sporadic season, the highest place the drum corps received was 15th in season 72.

The corps was initial founded in Moscow, Russia, and it remained their hometown until season 102. Following the breakout of the war between Russia and Ukraine, the corps disbanded. Months later, they leadership of the corps, who had escaped, found their new hope in the city of Barcelona in the Spanish Region of Catalonia. It was in this new city that the Corps found new strength. Following the move to this city, they received a large amount of funding from the city and members of the community, which allowed them to participate in the upcoming season 114 of the FMA circuit. This funding in combination with access to new talent lead them to a record breaking season.

During season 114, Castells Drum and Bugle Corps placed first in Division III of the FMA drum corps circuit, with a score of 84.470, beating their previous record by over 23 points. This score also placed the Castells within the top 20 groups within all divisions. With such a record setting season, the Castells increased the effort put into show design.

The following season, the Castells was promoted to Division 2 for the first time. Their season 115 program was entitled *The Prince of Egypt* and featured music from the DreamWork's movie of the same name. Due to the success of their returning season, the Castells received considerably more interest from applicants. It is suspected that this new increase of talent from across Europe contributed to their further jump in scores. The Castells placed 2nd in Div II drum corps, with a score of 90.065, narrowly beating the 90 point barrier for the first time in the groups history. After leading in Div II Drum Corps for the majority of the season, South Star, a previous division I drum corps, was able to jump ahead of the Castells first during Day 3 of the League of Gentlemanly Drum Corps Championships, which was also South Star's first competition of the year. The Castells members have disclosed a newly discovered rivalry with South Star because the results of this season. Despite the results of the season, the Castells remained proud of their results, bolstered by the fact they won the fan favorite's competition for Div II Drum Corps.

Castells Drum and Bugle Corps remains in division II for season 116, with their show entitled *Change and Growth*, featuring music that reflects how it feels to go through changes in ones life. The Castells would end the season with a score of 90.690, which would place them at the top of Div II drum corps, This would make the first time that The Castells would win gold in Divisions II. The Castells would also receive their highest placement ever in All Divisions, with a placement of 13th.

The Castells would remain in Div II for season 117, being the only group in Llibertat Marching Arts to not move to Div I at the beginning of the season. The Castells first show following their name change would be entitled *Iberian Variations* which aims to honor the culture of the Iberian peninsula and features numerous pieces of music written by Iberian composers and also pieces inspired by the region. Castells would go onto earn their 2nd gold medal in Division II, finishing with a score of 91.990. They would also win the Fan Favorites for division II drum corps.

Following their 3 seasons of great success in division II, Castells were given the opportunity to perform as a division I drum corps in season 118. Their first season in division 1 was a great success, with the group able to make their first division I finals with a score of 93.640, placing 11th (12th out of all drum corps). Following the release of finals scores, Castells program *The Caged Bird* was given the honor of winning the Fan Favorites award for all Drum Corps. The program told the story of a girls quest for freedom after being trapped in a large bird cage for most of her life.

Castells season 119 program is entitled *A Tale Of Three Houses* and features music from the game *Fire Emblem: Three Houses*.

### Name History

The group adopted the name "Castells Drum and Bugle Corps" following season 116. Previously the group performed under the name Liberty Bell Drum and Bugle Corps. The name was chosen based on the Catalan tradition of *The Castell*, in which individuals create human towers and dismantle them. The name was chosen because both the marching arts and the castell require great teamwork and synergy in order to complete.

## Gallery of Previous Show Posters

Castells season 115 Program "The Prince of Egypt"Castells season 116 program "Change And Growth"Castells Season 117 program "Iberian Variations"Castells Season 118 Program "The Caged Bird"