By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer contributor

FAIRFIELD - Nine of the nation's top drum and bugle corps will bring their special brand of music to the Fairfield Senior High School Stadium Tuesday for the Summer Music Games 2003.

More than 1,200 youth ages 14-21 will converge on the city for the Drum Corps International competition, each trying for a perfect score of 100.

Each of the competing corps will be critiqued by eight judges in several categories. The corps are made up of three performing ensembles: brass, percussion and color guard. Top groups will end the season at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando, where the DCI World Championships will be Aug. 4-9.

"One of the most challenging tasks is finding housing," said Bruce Brown, contest director.

More than 24 motor coaches, 12 tractor-trailers and support cars will be used to bring the teams to Fairfield. They will spend most of the morning sleeping in area schools and churches before beginning afternoon rehearsals. Competition begins at 7 p.m.

This is the fourth year the games have been in Fairfield but the 19th year the marking band and Tempo Club have hosted the event. Teams competing:

• The Cadets, Bergenfield, N.J.

• Boston (Mass.) Crusaders

• Crossmen, Newark, Del.

• Glassmen, Toledo.

• Bluecoats, Canton.

• Carolina Crown, Fort Mill, S.C.

• Marion (Ohio) Glory Cadets

• Memphis (Tenn.) Sound

• The Eklipse, Murray, Ky.

If you go

The contest: The Drum Corps International competition begins at 7p.m. Tuesday at the Fairfield High stadium, 8800 Holden Blvd.

Gates open: 5:30 p.m.

Ticket info: Advance tickets are $10-$16. Tickets purchased at the gate are $12-$18. To order ticket, call 858-3788.

E-mail suek@infionline.net