Editing Front ensemble (section)

== Instrumentation ==
Instrumentation for the front ensemble is not completely standardized, and not all ensembles have access to certain instruments; high schools may not have even one of each mallet instrument. The three main voices of the front ensemble are the wooden instruments (marimba and xylophone), the metallic instruments (vibraphone, glockenspiel, crotales, and tubular bells), and the auxiliary instruments (synthesizers, timpani, and non-pitched percussion).<ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Giachetti |first=Jason J. |date=2022 |title=A Qualitative Analysis of Front Ensemble Arrangements for Drum Corps International Finalists and Applications to Marching Band Programs |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2714144718 |type=DMA dissertation |pages=40–75 |publisher=[[Five Towns College]]|id={{ProQuest|2714144718}} }}</ref>
[[Image:Bluecoats drum corps 2007 pit.JPG|thumb|348x348px|The front ensemble for the [[Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps]] rehearsing their 2007 show, "Criminal" |alt=]]A typical front ensemble is made up of about 13–18 players:<ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Dunbar |first=Leah Meredith |date=2020 |title=Musical Identity and Arranging Styles of Drum Corps Front Ensembles |url=https://www.pas.org/docs/default-source/thesisdissertations/musical-identity-and-arranging-styles-in-drum-corps-front-ensembles-by-leah-dunbar.pdf?sfvrsn=8e19d43a_0 |type= BA thesis |publisher=[[Kenyon College]] |page=5 |via=[[Percussive Arts Society]]}}</ref> 

=== Pitched Percussion ===
* 4–6 [[marimbas]]
* 4–6 [[vibraphones]]
* 1 [[glockenspiel]]
* 1 [[xylophone]]
* 1 set of [[timpani]] (4 or 5 drums) 

=== Non-Pitched Percussion ===
* 0–1 [[Drum kit|drumset]]
* 0–2 racks{{Efn|Rack players are responsible for the [[auxiliary percussion]] within the ensemble. The unique name derives from the specialized frame that such instruments are mounted on.}}

=== Electronic Instruments ===
* 1–2 [[synthesizers]]/[[Sampler (musical instrument)|samplers]]