Our goal is to provide youth with performing arts programs that will enhance their musical appreciation and skills, teach self-disipline and self-confidence, as well as teach the importance of dignity and pride in their community; all through music education.
Gems Drum and Bugle Corps is a recently established drum corps in the Treasure Valley. Our goal is to provide youth with performing arts programs that will help make them more well-rounded individuals in both life and their performing arts pursuits.
We were founded in 2022 with the simple realization that Idaho was lacking this type of opportunity, and our founders wanted to provide our community and state with this type of program. Thus Gems were created, and will strive for excellence in all ways.
In 2023, we fielded our first corps, and toured to three cities in the northwest. These include Kennewick, Washington - Boise, Idaho - and Salt Lake City, Utah. We made our offical DCI debut at Corps Encore in Salt Lake City, and were proud to represent Idaho on the international stage. The 2023 program was entitled 'Esto Perpetua', which is also Idaho's state motto. It means 'may it be eternal' or 'may it last forever'. This is also the Corps motto, as we hope and work towards lasting far into the future. We scored a 78.33 in the Soundsport Division at Salt Lake this season, our highest score as of 2023.
in 2024, the Gems fielded a corps of over 80+ members from 8 diffferent states, some members coming from as far as Texas and North Carolina. The Gems 2024 Program was entitled 'Ghost Stallion', and consisted of music from The Rite of Spring, Mahler 5, and Symphony Fantastique, as well as original compositions and arrangements. The corps dawned a new look to fit this program, consisting of cowboy hats, dark cloaks, and cowboy-like uniforms. The 2024 Gems helped to revive the DCI Northwest tour, consisting of four stops - Hillsboro, OR - Seattle, WA - Tri Cities, WA - and concluded in Boise, ID. We were thrilled to travel the Northwest and show the world who the Gems are and who we are aiming to be. After four amazing performances, the Gems made history yet again and scored our highest score to date with a 80.33 in the SoundSport Divison. The Gems corps song also came into fruition this season, a piece entitled - With All Thanks - a combination of two hymns, Amazing Grace and Be Thou My Vision. This song is an homage to all who have come before us, who are with us, and who will come after us, including all of our amazing volunteers, donators, supporters, and sponsors, as we remember all they have done to allow us to even get to this point.
Executive/Corps Director, Founder
Austin is a Music Education student at Boise State University, and is also the founder of the Gems. He marched three seasons with Columbians Drum and Bugle Corps, as well as four seasons with the Blue Thunder Marching Band. He could not be more happy and passionate about helping to bring the DCI experience to Idaho.
Operations Director
Cole is a Music BA student at Boise State University, working in both Music Administration and Band Instrument Repair. He is from Las Vegas, Nevada, and though he never marched in a drum corps, he is very happy to be able to help bring a corps to Idaho by assisting with administrative work.
Administrative Director
Heidi has been an adminstrator professionally since 2020, with over six years of relevant experience. Heidi also marched for five years at the Columbians Drum and Bugle Corps. She is excited and passionate about helping provide the opportunity of drum corps to more students.
Admin
Logan, Originally from Lexington, Kentucky, has been involved in the marching arts as a performer and instructor for eleven years. He has instructed numerous marching ensembles across three different states: Kentucky, Idaho, and Oregon where he is currently a Band Director . He is excited to be returning to the Gems for his second season.
Admin
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Admin
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Composer/Arranger
Chris is a composer from Spokane who loves creating memorable music for both performers and listeners. With a love for creating synthesizers and spectral music, Chris is always looking for new ways to create evocative sounds in his music. He can't wait to continue writing new music for Gems.
Battery/Front Composer/Arranger
TBA
TBA
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Percussion Caption Head
Casey is a drumline instructor from Yakima, Washington, where he studied under some of Washington’s finest. He marched three years with the Columbians Drum and Bugle Corps, and enjoys helping more students fall in love with the activity. Marching band changed his life, and he loves paying it forward.
Front Ensemble Coordinator
Josh is a PhD student in Materials Science & Engineering at Boise State University. He previously performed with Music City Drum & Bugle Corps, Palmetto Percussion, and Equinox Percussion.
Battery Instructor
Christian is a battery instructor from Boise, Idaho. He has taught with and composed for Timberline High School, Mountain View High School, Rhythm Armada and Rhythm Armada Cadets. He has marched 4 seasons of DCI with the Battalion, 5 seasons of WGI with Rhythm Armada, and one season with the BSU Blue Thunder Marching Band.
Brass Caption Head
Steven is a Music Education student at Boise State University, studying tuba and brass pedagogy. He pulls from his experiences in music and using them as a tool to teach students how to better their playing on and off the field. He is very happy to be a part of the Gems, as he and the Corps director have discussed the possibility of the Gems since high school. He can't wait to continue to help Gems grow and develop.
Brass Instructor
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Brass Instructor
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Visual Co-Caption Head/Co-Arranger/Composer
Cooper has performed many competitive shows in the marching arts and is humbled to have learned from some of the best instructors in the world. His performing experience includes marching euphonium for the Concord Blue Devils, the Sacramento Mandarins, and the Madison Scouts. Cooper is currently a Finance student at Boise State University, where he was a member of the Blue Thunder Marching Band.
Visual Co-Caption Head
Kade is attended Boise State University, and marched three years with the Blue Thunder Marching Band. He also marched the two seasons with the Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps. Kade is excited to help continue the growth of the drum corps scene in Idaho.
Visual Instructor
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Co-Colorguard Caption Head
Jeana is a fourth year illustration student at Boise State University. They march color guard for Boise State’s Blue Thunder marching band, and also marched throughout high school in Reno, NV. Jeana has been with the Gems for three years!
Co-Colorguard Caption Head
Sage has been involved with color guard as a performer and instructor for eleven years and has trained dance in modern, jazz, and ballet. She marched five seasons of drum corps with Seattle Cascades and the Troopers and performed four winter guard seasons with Armada Winter Guard. Sage has been coaching throughout the valley since 2019, including three seasons with Armada Winter Guard. Sage is excited to return for her second season with the Gems.
Colorguard Insturctor
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