Spring has sprung at Drum Corps International! Corps are in high creative mode putting together new shows for the upcoming summer tour – conditioning, rehearsing, and planning. And although it’s hard to believe, the new competitive season will be here before you know it.
Meanwhile, other great things are happening in “Marching Music’s Major League.”
A New Initiative
DCI’s Board of Directors recently announced the launch of a program created to support the participation by women in all facets of DCI and marching music performing arts. “IN STEP: Women in DCI” will promote opportunities and achievement for performers, instructional and administrative staff members, and organizational leaders.
Chaired by DCI at-large board member, attorney Kathy Black of Albuquerque, New Mexico, the committee will support women by sponsoring events, highlighting women participating at all levels in DCI programs, providing training and educational resources, identifying and eliminating barriers to increased participation and leadership, and encouraging policy development consistent with the core values of DCI.
“The ‘In-Step’ phrase links this project to the marching arts, but also conveys the message that we are in-step with women in a changing society,” Black said. “We want to focus our efforts on developing programs and opportunities which are timely and future-focused as Drum Corps International enters its next phase of growth, global relevance, and leadership.”
The initiative celebrated its official launch on March 8 – International Women’s Day. IN STEP will also add a new event to the DCI World Championships Week festivities in Indianapolis.
New in 2018
Planning also continues for some bold new additions to the summer tour schedule.
This year’s Summer Tour Premiere event will travel to the Motor City and its newly renovated Ford Field. An impressive lineup of six of last season’s top-12 corps will kick off 2018’s season of competition which promises to be more sensational than ever. Drum Corps fans nationwide will also be able to be a part of the opening action again through the live “DCI Tour Premiere” broadcast from Detroit to select movie theaters across the country.
Midway through the tour on July 15, corps will arrive in St. Louis for a brand new regional event. The DCI Midwestern Championship presented by DeMoulin Bros. and Co. is expected to field 20 World and Open Class corps at The Dome at America’s Center (formerly the Edward Jones Dome). The event promises to be a spectacular new addition to the tour.
Although not in a new city, the DCI Southeastern Championship presented by Lone Star Percussion will be DCI first appearance in Atlanta’s brand new $1.6 billion, state-of-the-art Mercedes- Benz Stadium. The atmosphere will be nothing short of electrifying.
World Championships
There’s always something new during finals, and this year will be no exception. In addition to the “IN STEP” inaugural event, the 10th anniversary of hosting the season’s culminating events in Indianapolis will also feature even more excitement at the expanded SoundSport and DrumLine Battle competition at 3rd Annual SoundSport International Music and Food Festival in downtown Indianapolis on Saturday, August 11.
More, More, More
In 2018 there will be more to see, more places to see it, and more performers than ever. Start planning now. Tickets are already on sale through the DCI Box Office and Ticketmaster including tickets to the 2018 DCI World Championships.
Visit DCI.org to view the complete summer tour schedule and to order your tickets today. It won’t be long now!
