NEW BEDFORD — After 22 years without the presence of a Drum and Bugle Corp in the city, community members have joined together to revitalize the tradition as an outlet for the city’s youth.

Starting in the new year, youth ages 11 to 20 are welcomed to join the Diamond Warriors Drum and Bugle Corps at 6 p.m. Wednesdays in the Verdean Veterans Hall, 561 Purchase St. in New Bedford. No prior musical experience or knowledge is required, and lessons in music will be taught by coordinators and alumni from drums corps past.

Leslie Barrett, one of the visionaries behind the group along with her brother, Tyrone Barrett, and Lisa Sylvia, explained that her experience on the Golden Knights Drum and Bugle Corp left a profound impact on her life, and she wanted to provide today’s youth with the same opportunity.

“It saved our lives,” Barrett said. “It taught us structure, discipline, how to work as a unit, and how to bring the sound. What we want to do here is take children who are at risk and vulnerable and give them the opportunity that we had.”

Drum and Bugle Corps were once prominent in the area and are distinct from typical marching bands in that members only use brass instruments (hence, “drum and bugle”). Typically, Drum and Bugle Corps act as nonprofit institutions and take an active role in the community through their participation in parades and festivals.

“It gets kids off the streets and allows them to be part of something,” said Ross Grace Jr., who is assisting Barrett with recruitment for the group. “When they are part of a team and realize how good they are, they develop a passion, and that passion can help shape them into leaders later on in life.”

“The idea of starting a drum corps is to give our youth something positive to be a part of, where they can learn to play an instrument, learn discipline, and have fun,” said Sylvia, who emphasized that groups like this also enhance the community. “We want to show these kids what it’s all about, and give them a sense of pride.”

Community is a major component to the goals of the Diamond Warriors Drum and Bugle Corps. “What’s great about it being at the Cape Verdean Vets, is that it gives kids a since of pride in their history,” said Grace, who added that music is valuable as it brings communities together.

Though groups like this have dwindled, the organizers believe it is needed now more than ever. “In this technical age, we are losing who we are as a community,” said Grace, noting that technology can hinder "presentness" and the communal aspects of passion and creativity.

“In the past, there would always be a drum and bugle corps at a parade or city function, and it would be great to bring that back,” said Grace. “By starting this thing, we can help foster togetherness and community, as well as help kids feel good about themselves.”

As the group grows, the organizers have goals to see the corps participate in parades, city festivities, and even competitions. Grace explained he would like to see the group become a nonprofit, but deems their work successful so long as it makes a difference in just one child’s life.

“A lot of people who used to run the corps are getting older, and now that there’s fewer and fewer groups, we came together and thought, let’s get this going again,” said Sylvia. “Once we spark an interest, and tap into out youth’s talents, it will expand and grow.”