Drum Corps International 2017 Yearbook

DRUM CORPS I N T E R N AT I O N A L YEARBOOK

yearsClassic Style. Innovative Design. 125 1892 2017 demoulin.com See The 2017 Cadets Program The Faithful. The Fallen. The Forgiven. This Summer in a Stadium Near You.



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WELCOME Anna Quenemoen A word from one of Drum Corps Drum Major International’s marching members Oregon Crusaders Family, friends, and fans—welcome!Welcome to a spectacular display of talent and passion.Welcome to the culmination of countless hours of hard work. Welcome to the 2017 Drum Corps InternationalTour. What’s brought us all together today is an appreciation for an art that is thrill- ing both to observe and to execute. For all the goosebumps we get down on the field, we hope you’re getting just as many up in the stands.That excitement is worth the nights spent sleeping upright on buses, the ever-peeling sunburns, and the 12-hour (or longer) rehearsal days. A little discomfort is also more than a fair tradeoff for experiencing the many other miraculous moments that come with being a marching member.We’ll never be able to verbalize the feeling of knowing we’ve made some of our lifelong best friends after only three months, the electricity of waking up on a show day, or the magic of seeing a standing ovation after that final downbeat. We do what we love for ourselves and for everyone who comes to cheer us on, but it wouldn’t be possible without everything that happens out of sight. Not a moment goes by in a DCI summer when someone isn’t working tirelessly behind the scenes. Instructors and staff members dedicate their time to better- ing the next generation of marchers. Administrators make sure that every corps has what it needs to function.Volunteers do whatever it takes so that we per- formers are able to enjoy our summer. Sometimes all we have time to say is “thank you” before we’re running off to the next rehearsal block, but those words will never encompass the gratitude we have for everyone who shares their time and toil with us. To the parents who give up their kids for the summer, to the band directors who kick start our passion for the marching arts, to my fellow corps members who share the unique struggles and triumphs of being a DCI performer, and to everyone supporting us today in the stands:Thank you! Please sit on the edge of your seat, stand when you’re excited, and cheer when you’ve enjoyed something! Audience members like you give us the chance to showcase what we’ve been perfecting since November, and we’re so happy to perform for you today. Sincerely, DCI 45th Anniversary 3

WELCOME Daniel E. Acheson Drum Corps International Executive Director/CEO Office of the Executive Director Drum Corps International 110 W. Washington St., Suite C, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 Greetings, drum corps friends! It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the 2017 Drum Corps InternationalTour and the celebration of DCI’s 45th anni- versary season. As a young participant in a corps appearing at the first DCIWorld Championship inWhitewater,Wisconsin, in 1972, I vividly recall the excitement around this then-new organization. I was too young to imagine what it would one day become. Now, after years of interaction with the founders, it is clear to me that they knew in their hearts what DCI would one day become.When I think of all who have been touched by the drum corps experience, and the countless hard-working volunteers, corps staff, judges, and DCI staff who have made that possible for 45 years, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. It took vision in 1972 to bring the concept of a self-governing entity to life for the drum corps activity. I am proud that the current directors of DCI’s participat- ing organizations continue that same bold leadership.The evolution of DCI is a result of the development of these organizations off the field as they grow and focus on sustainability.The commitment by the leaders of each organization to perpetuate our core values is absolute.Their resolve to pursue excellence in everything they do is an example of leadership we can take with us into the next evolution of drum corps. To those of you attending a DCITour event, we are pleased you could join us and grateful for your continued support. As you have your senses stimulated through every performance, keep in mind that you make the corps members’ experiences even more special through your enthusiastic applause. I am quite confident that they’ll wow you, but just because they make it all look and sound easy, don’t forget to acknowledge their skill. To the performers, thank you for sharing your talent and your amazing work ethic with marching music fans around the world.Your pursuit of the ultimate performance and the joy you bring to our lives will motivate us all for genera- tions to come. Enjoy what I promise will be the experience of a lifetime! Sincerely, 4 2017 Souvenir Yearbook



CONTENTS FEATURES DEPARTMENTS 32 A TIMELINE OF Welcome Championships Week .............. 26 EXCELLENCE To celebrate Drum Corps From the performers ............... 3 Open Class World Championship International’s 45th anniver- From the Executive Director Events and Score Sheet....... 27 sary, we’ve highlighted some of the most legendary perfor- of DCI...................................... 4 DCI Performers Showcase....... 28 mances of the past four-and- a-half decades: from the 1972 About Indianapolis World Championship Anaheim Kingsmen to the Events and Score Sheet....... 28 2016 Bluecoats, with a whole Drum Corps International....... 8 lot in between. BY MICHAEL BOO Past Champions 2017 Events & Scorecard 38 KEEP ON TRUCKIN’ Commemorating more than When drum corps go on the Events Table of Contents ......... 11 four decades of World road, they bring their meals Premier Events Scorecard ....... 12 Champion corps in all of DCI’s with them—on a major scale. Tour of Champions .................. 22 competitive divisions ........... 128 Dedicated, specially outfitted SoundSport/DrumLine Battle.. 24 food trucks have become an essential part of DCI corps culture, and these vehicles are continuing to evolve in exciting new ways. BY MICHAEL BOO 42 SHAPING UP Athletic trainers help drum corps members stay in top physical condition and avoid injuries. It’s the same basic job that trainers with professional sports organizations do, but there’s one big difference: These experts have to care for “teams” of 150 people at a time. BY SUSAN POLINIAK 46 IT’S A SOUNDSPORT WORLD In the four years since it was created, DCI’s SoundSport program has displayed an international reach, giving support to music ensembles in Europe, Asia, and South America. BY LAUREN VOGEL WEISS 6 2017 Souvenir Yearbook

THE 2017 CORPS SOUVENIR The programs, repertoires, YEARBOOK and staff members of corps competing on the Dan Acheson 2017 DCI Tour. Executive Director/CEO World Class ............... 52 Bob Jacobs Open Class ................ 99 Director, Marketing International.............. 127 All-Age ....................... 127 John DeNovi Director, Sales & Business Development Championship Awards Volunteers of the Year Chris Weber World and Open Class winners This year’s winners and past Sr. Manager, Communications from the 2016 season........... 134 recipients ............................... 140 Custom Published By: Hall of Fame Thank You! In Tune Partners, LLC Irwin Kornfeld 2017 Inductees......................... 136 Recognizing all those CEO Past Honorees .......................... 137 who helped make the 2017 Mac Randall DCI Tour happen....................... 142 Editor Friends of DCI Jackie Jordan Postscript Creative Director The Inner Circle of DCI’s Michael R. Vella most committed fans ........... 138 Brandt Crocker, the “Voice of Production Director DCI,” looks back on 45 years of Barbara Boughton drum corps history............... 144 Business Manager Photography Linda and Sid Unser, Johnny Gilbert, Tyler McCourt, Jolesch Enterprises, Drum Corps World Archives Contributors Michael Boo, Susan Poliniak, Lauren Vogel Weiss Assistant Editor Kate Koenig Drum Corps International is the leader in producing events for the world’s most elite and exclusive marching ensembles for student musicians and performers. Business contact: 110 West Washington St. Suite C Indianapolis, IN 46204 Phone: 317.275.1212 Web: www.DCI.org Editorial contact: [email protected] Advertising: [email protected] ©2017 Drum Corps International. All rights reserved. DCI 45th Anniversary 7

ABOUT DRUM CORPS INTERNATIONAL , PROFESSIONAL STAFF Marching Music’s Major League™, is the leader in producing events for Dan Acheson Scott Dixon Jeff King John Turner the world’s most elite and exclusive Executive Director/ Group Sales Operations Director Open Class Judge marching ensembles for student CEO and Community Sue Kuehnhold Coordinator musicians and performers. Founded Megan Benson Engagement Sr. Director of Events, Chris Weber in 1972, Drum Corps International Ticketing Coordinator Manager Community and Sr. Manager, has developed into a powerful, Michael Boo David Eddleman Corps Relations Communications nonprofit, global youth organization Staff Writer Open Class Connie Leide Katie Wietbrock with far-reaching artistic, educational Carla Bowman Coordinator Accounting Event Coordinator and organizational influence. Staff Accountant Liz Glass Administrator Seasonal Staff Chelsea Broekema Office Services Wayne Leide Madison Grunow DCI MISSION Event Operations Manager Chief Financial Officer Lyndee Stisher STATEMENT Manager Kathy Harcourt Jay Moore Elaine Toon Kacy Burns Customer Service Digital Marketing Carolyne Wilhelm To bring the life-enriching Staff Accountant Representative Manager Event Managers benefits and enjoyment Michael Cesario and Friends of DCI Jim Paxton Dale Antoine of marching music Artistic Director Coordinator Assistant Corps Pat Flynn performing arts to more Jeff Cox Jeff Hartowicz Housing Manager Mitch Huston people worldwide. Corps Housing Video Services John Phillips Julie Lakomek Manager Manager Judge Administrator Scott Litzenberg We do this by creating a stage for John DeNovi Eric Hjellming Jameson Rhodes Jill Moyer participating organizations to engage in Sr. Director, Global Business Development Technology Rene Perez education, competition, entertainment, Sales and Business Programs Manager Administrator Interns and the promotion of individual growth. Development Tom Hope Duffy Teague Kathy Asher Tony DiCarlo DCI Pacific Division Travel and Meetings Jeff Griffith Contest Director Representative Manager Destiny Lee Bob Jacobs Rich Trotman Daniel Lopez Sr. Director, Marketing Technology Manager Tyler McCourt Brian Keller Angel Mendoza Ticketing Manager Tina Pliagas Lauren Sergent Proper hydration when practicing makes your music program soar during performance. Make every moment count by staying hydrated with Sqwincher. Official Hydration Supplier of Drum Corps International Learn more at sqwincher.com/music 8 2017 Souvenir Yearbook



2017 Drum Corps International Tour ALABAMA CALIFORNIA (CONT.) ILLINOIS (CONT.) KENTUCKY MISSISSIPPI OKLAHOMA SOUTH CAROLINA WASHINGTON Millbrook • 7/14 Bakersfield • 7/14 Lebanon • 7/12 Alexandria • 7/15 Hattiesburg • 7/26 Chickasha • 7/5 Columbia • 7/7 Shoreline • 7/8 Birmingham • 7/27 Escondido • 7/15 DeKalb • 7/15 Broken Arrow • 7/18 TENNESSEE Tri Cities • 7/10 Dothan • 7/28 Bellflower • 7/16 Metamora • 7/28 LOUISIANA MISSOURI Mustang • 7/25 Martin • 7/14 WEST VIRGINIA COLORADO Oregon • 8/2 Lafayette • 7/24 Cape Girardeau • 7/26 Knoxville • 7/19 Charleston • 7/31 ARIZONA Denver • 7/15 MARYLAND OREGON Nashville • 7/28 WISCONSIN Mesa • 7/3 FLORIDA INDIANA Annapolis • 8/1 NEW JERSEY Hillsboro • 7/7 TEXAS Whitewater • 6/24 ARKANSAS Orlando • 7/8 Indianapolis • 6/22 MASSACHUSETTS Clifton • 7/2 PENNSYLVANIA Belton • 7/20 La Crosse • 7/2 Bentonville • 7/17 Jupiter • 7/10 Michigan City • 6/25 Harrison • 8/2 Pittsburgh • 6/27 Denton • 7/20 Cedarburg • 7/3 Little Rock • 7/26 GEORGIA Evansville • 6/28 Lynn • 7/4 NEW YORK Allentown • 6/30 Houston • 7/21 Wausau • 7/6 CALIFORNIA Atlanta • 7/12 Everett • 7/22 Rome • 8/6 Johnsonburg • 7/29 Madison • 7/9 Clovis • 6/23 Woodstock • 7/15 Muncie • 6/30 Lawrence • 8/3 Buffalo • 8/6 Pittsburgh • 8/2 San Antonio • 7/22 Waukesha • 8/2 Sacramento • 6/24 IOWA MICHIGAN Chester • 8/3 Dallas • 7/24 Oregon • 8/4 Stanford • 6/25 Powder Springs • 7/29 Three Rivers • 7/22 NORTH CAROLINA Sheffield • 8/4 UTAH WYOMING Santa Barbara • 6/28 IDAHO Johnston • 7/11 White Lake • 7/30 Winston-Salem • 7/30 Allentown • 8/4 Ogden • 7/12 Casper • 7/14 Oceanside • 6/30 Dubuque • 7/14 MINNESOTA Allentown • 8/5 VIRGINIA Pasadena • 7/1 Boise • 7/11 Oskaloosa • 7/29 Mankato • 7/3 OHIO Riverside • 7/2 ILLINOIS Cedar Rapids • 8/5 Minneapolis • 7/8 Massillon • 6/24 Erie • 8/7 Powhatan • 7/17 Sacramento • 7/8 Lisle • 7/1 Rochester • 7/9 Hamilton • 6/26 RHODE ISLAND Salem • 7/31 Pleasant Hill • 7/9 Rockford • 7/7 KANSAS Minneapolis • 8/1 Dublin • 7/31 Olathe • 7/17 Centerville • 8/1 Cranston • 7/3 El Dorado • 7/17 Avon Lake • 8/5 Massillon • 8/7 LIVE! in Cinemas 2017 World Championships DCI Tour Premiere • 6/22 Open Class Prelims - Michigan City, IN • 8/7 Open Class Finals - Michigan City, IN • 8/8 BIG, LOUD & LIVE Prelims – Indianapolis • 8/10 from Lucas Oil Stadium • 8/10 Semifinals – Indianapolis • 8/11 SoundSport International Music & Food Festival • 8/12 Finals – Indianapolis • 8/12 Order Tickets For Your Family Today! www.DCI.org ©2017 Drum Corps International Events and dates subject to change. rev 05/17

PREMIER EVENTS SCHEDULE & SCORECARD Use the following pages to find events near you and record the scores as a keepsake! 12I NSIDE Premier Events.................... 22Tour of Champions ............ 24DrumLine Battle & SoundSport ........................ 26Championships Week........ Michigan City .................... 27 Indianapolis .......................28 Denotes event with DrumLine Battle and SoundSport competition (see page 24). DCI 45th Anniversary 11

PREMIER EVENTS DCI TOUR PREMIERE Presented by DeMoulin Bros. and Co. Thursday, June 22 LUCAS OIL STADIUM Indianapolis, IN This opening event of the 2017 DCI Tour will also be broadcast live in movie theaters across the country. Blue Stars La Crosse, WI SCORE DCI CENTRAL INDIANA Bluecoats Canton, OH Presented by Woodwind and Brasswind The Cadets Allentown, PA __________ Carolina Crown Ft. Mill, SC __________ Friday, June 30 The Cavaliers Rosemont, IL __________ Crossmen San Antonio, TX __________ BALL STATE UNIVERSITY Muncie, IN __________ __________ This DCI Tour stop will once again be a highlight of the Music For All Summer Symposium, a camp for high school musicians, with Carolina Crown serving as the drum corps in residence. DCI WEST Blue Stars La Crosse, WI SCORE Presented by Lone Star Percussion Bluecoats Canton, OH Sunday, June 25 Boston Crusaders Boston, MA __________ Carolina Crown Ft. Mill, SC __________ STANFORD UNIVERSITY Stanford, CA The Cavaliers Rosemont, IL __________ Madison Scouts Madison, WI __________ Rockford, Illinois’ Phantom Regiment heads for the Pacific Music City Nashville, TN __________ to square off against a strong West Coast lineup. Pioneer Milwaukee, WI __________ Troopers Casper, WY __________ The Academy Tempe, AZ SCORE __________ Blue Devils Concord, CA __________ Blue Devils B Concord, CA __________ Blue Devils C Concord, CA __________ DRUM CORPS AT Blue Knights Denver, CO __________ THE ROSE BOWL Golden Empire Bakersfield, CA __________ Presented by Pacific Crest Youth Arts Mandarins Sacramento, CA __________ Organization and Lone Star Percussion Pacific Crest Diamond Bar, CA __________ Saturday, July 1 Phantom Regiment Rockford, IL __________ Santa Clara Vanguard Santa Clara, CA __________ ROSE BOWL STADIUM Pasadena, CA SCV Alumni Santa Clara, CA __________ Vanguard Cadets Santa Clara, CA __________ World and Open Class corps usher in the month __________ of July in a return to an iconic California venue. __________ The Academy Tempe, AZ SCORE Blue Devils Concord, CA Blue Knights Denver, CO __________ Gold San Diego, CA __________ Golden Empire Bakersfield, CA __________ Impulse Buena Park, CA __________ Incognito Brea, CA __________ Mandarins Sacramento, CA __________ Pacific Crest Diamond Bar, CA __________ Phantom Regiment Rockford, IL __________ Santa Clara Vanguard Santa Clara, CA __________ Watchmen Riverside, CA __________ __________ __________ 12 2017 Souvenir Yearbook

PREMIER EVENTS DCI ORLANDO Presented by Lone Star Percussion Saturday, July 8 CAMPING WORLD STADIUM Orlando, FL The DCI Tour makes its triumphant return to Camping World Stadium (formerly the Citrus Bowl), a four-time home to the DCI World Championships that has recently undergone a $200 million renovation. Boston Crusaders Boston, MA SCORE DCI SOUTH FLORIDA The Cadets Allentown, PA Monday, July 10 Carolina Crown Ft. Mill, SC __________ The Cavaliers Rosemont, IL __________ JUPITER HIGH SCHOOL Jupiter, FL Colts Dubuque, IA __________ Heat Wave Cape Coral, FL __________ A return to this southern Florida venue brings the Jersey Surf Camden County, NJ __________ Cavaliers and Colts back to the Sunshine State for Spirit of Atlanta Atlanta, GA __________ especially overdue appearances. __________ __________ DCI MINNESOTA Boston Crusaders Boston, MA SCORE Presented by the U.S. Marine The Cadets Allentown, PA Drum and Bugle Corps The Cavaliers Rosemont, IL __________ Colts Dubuque, IA __________ Saturday, July 8 Jersey Surf Camden County, NJ __________ Spirit of Atlanta Atlanta, GA __________ TCF BANK STADIUM Minneapolis, MN __________ __________ Santa Clara Vanguard makes one of its first Midwestern appearances of the summer, as an impressive lineup of Open, World, and All-Age Class corps march through the University of Minnesota. The Academy Tempe, AZ SCORE DCI ST. LOUIS Blue Stars La Crosse, WI Monday, July 12 Bluecoats Canton, OH __________ Colt Cadets Dubuque, IA __________ MCKENDREE UNIVERSITY Lebanon, IL Crossmen San Antonio, TX __________ Genesis Austin, TX __________ The Madison Scouts make their McKendree University debut Govenaires St. Peter, MN __________ as the DCI Tour takes its annual trip through St. Louis. Legends Kalamazoo, MI __________ Madison Scouts Madison, WI __________ Genesis Austin, TX SCORE Minnesota Brass St, Paul, MN __________ Legends Kalamazoo, MI Phantom Regiment Rockford, IL __________ Madison Scouts Madison, WI __________ Pioneer Milwaukee, WI __________ Music City Nashville, TN __________ River City Rhythm Anoka, MN __________ Phantom Regiment Rockford, IL __________ Santa Clara Vanguard Santa Clara, CA __________ Pioneer Milwaukee, WI __________ Shadow Oregon, WI __________ Santa Clara Vanguard Santa Clara, CA __________ Troopers Casper, WY __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ DCI 45th Anniversary 13

PREMIER EVENTS DCI MARTIN Friday, July 14 HARDY M. GRAHAM STADIUM Martin, TN This brand-new stop on the DCI Tour brings an exciting lineup of World Class corps to the University of Tennessee at Martin. Boston Crusaders Boston, MA SCORE DRUMS ALONG THE ROCKIES Carolina Crown Ft. Mill, SC Jersey Surf Camden County, NJ __________ Saturday, July 15 Madison Scouts Madison, WI __________ Spirit of Atlanta Atlanta, GA __________ SPORTS AUTHORITY FIELD AT MILE HIGH Denver, CO __________ __________ It’s a gold and silver medal showdown in the hometown of the Blue Knights, as the 2016 World DCI NORTHERN KENTUCKY Champion Bluecoats face off against the Blue Devils Presented by Lone Star Percussion for the first time since last year’s DCI Finals. Saturday, July 15 The Battalion Salt Lake City, UT SCORE Blue Devils Concord, CA CAMPBELL COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Alexandria, KY Blue Knights Denver, CO __________ Bluecoats Canton, OH __________ The day after DCI Martin, the action shifts from Tennessee Columbians Tri-Cities, WA __________ to Kentucky, with the addition of a guest appearance by local Mandarins Sacramento, CA __________ All-Age Class corps Cincinnati Tradition. Oregon Crusaders Portland, OR __________ Pacific Crest Diamond Bar, CA __________ Boston Crusaders Boston, MA SCORE Seattle Cascades Seattle, WA __________ Carolina Crown Ft. Mill, SC Troopers Casper, WY __________ Cincinnati Tradition Cincinnati, OH __________ __________ Jersey Surf Camden County, NJ __________ __________ Madison Scouts Madison, WI __________ Spirit of Atlanta Atlanta, GA __________ __________ __________ DCI CENTRAL TEXAS Presented by FloMarching Thursday, July 20 UNIVERSITY OF MARY HARDIN-BAYLOR Belton, TX After seven years in DCI’s Open Class, Austin’s Genesis will make its World Class debut on Texas soil in this annual event at Crusader Stadium. The Academy Tempe, AZ SCORE Blue Stars La Crosse, WI Boston Crusaders Boston, MA __________ Carolina Crown Ft. Mill, SC __________ Colts Dubuque, IA __________ Crossmen San Antonio, TX __________ Genesis Austin, TX __________ Jersey Surf Camden County, NJ __________ Madison Scouts Madison, WI __________ Mandarins Sacramento, CA __________ Troopers Casper, WY __________ __________ __________ 14 2017 Souvenir Yearbook



PREMIER EVENTS DCI NORTH TEXAS Thursday, July 20 C.H. COLLINS STADIUM Denton, TX The Guardians of Houston will be the sole representatives of DCI’s Texas corps in this lineup that will march through the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Blue Knights Denver, CO SCORE DCI SOUTHWESTERN Bluecoats Canton, OH CHAMPIONSHIP The Cadets Allentown, PA __________ Presented by Fred J. Miller, Inc. The Cavaliers Rosemont, IL __________ Guardians Houston, TX __________ Saturday, July 22 Oregon Crusaders Portland, OR __________ Pacific Crest Diamond Bar, CA __________ THE ALAMODOME San Antonio, TX Phantom Regiment Rockford, IL __________ Santa Clara Vanguard Santa Clara, CA __________ The keystone event of 2017’s “Texas Tour” returns Seattle Cascades Seattle, WA __________ to the indoor confines of the venerable Alamodome, Spirit of Atlanta Atlanta, GA __________ featuring the biggest lineup of corps to date. __________ __________ The Academy Tempe, AZ SCORE Blue Devils Concord, CA Blue Knights Denver, CO __________ Blue Stars La Crosse, WI __________ Bluecoats Canton, OH __________ Boston Crusaders Boston, MA __________ The Cadets Allentown, PA __________ Carolina Crown Ft. Mill, SC __________ The Cavaliers Rosemont, IL __________ Colts Dubuque, IA __________ Crossmen San Antonio, TX __________ Genesis Austin, TX __________ Guardians Houston, TX __________ Jersey Surf Camden County, NJ __________ Madison Scouts Madison, WI __________ Mandarins Sacramento, CA __________ Oregon Crusaders Portland, OR __________ Pacific Crest Diamond Bar, CA __________ Phantom Regiment Rockford, IL __________ Santa Clara Vanguard Santa Clara, CA __________ Seattle Cascades Seattle, WA __________ Spirit of Atlanta Atlanta, GA __________ Troopers Casper, WY __________ __________ __________ 16 2017 Souvenir Yearbook

PREMIER EVENTS DCI DALLAS Presented by North Texas Festival of Drums and Bugles Monday, July 24 LAKE HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOOL Dallas, TX A formidable lineup of World Class corps get one more shot in front of a Texas audience in this final 2017 stop in the Lone Star State. Blue Devils Concord, CA SCORE DCI SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI Bluecoats Canton, OH Wednesday, July 26 Boston Crusaders Boston, MA __________ The Cadets Allentown, PA __________ THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI Carolina Crown Ft. Mill, SC __________ Hattiesburg, MS Colts Dubuque, IA __________ Crossmen San Antonio, TX __________ Competitors will no doubt be looking to unseat the Jersey Surf Camden County, NJ __________ Blue Devils in this Mississippi showdown. The California corps Mandarins Sacramento, CA __________ has finished first at this event for each of the last nine years. Troopers Casper, WY __________ __________ Blue Devils Concord, CA SCORE __________ Blue Knights Denver, CO Blue Stars La Crosse, WI __________ DCI ARKANSAS The Cavaliers Rosemont, IL __________ Wednesday, July 26 Genesis Austin, TX __________ Jersey Surf Camden County, NJ __________ WAR MEMORIAL STADIUM Little Rock, AR Madison Scouts Madison, WI __________ Oregon Crusaders Portland, OR __________ The second of two 2017 DCI Tour events in the state of Pioneer Milwaukee, WI __________ Arkansas features a return to an iconic Little Rock stadium. Troopers Casper, WY __________ __________ Bluecoats Canton, OH SCORE __________ Boston Crusaders Boston, MA The Cadets Allentown, PA __________ DCI BIRMINGHAM Colts Dubuque, IA __________ Thursday, July 27 Crossmen San Antonio, TX __________ Mandarins Sacramento, CA __________ SAMFORD UNIVERSITY Birmingham, AL Phantom Regiment Rockford, IL __________ Santa Clara Vanguard Santa Clara, CA __________ The DCI Tour comes back to Birmingham for Seattle Cascades Seattle, WA __________ a second season, this time at a different venue. __________ __________ The Academy Tempe, AZ SCORE Blue Stars La Crosse, WI Boston Crusaders Boston, MA __________ Crossmen San Antonio, TX __________ Jersey Surf Camden County, NJ __________ Madison Scouts Madison, WI __________ Mandarins Sacramento, CA __________ Oregon Crusaders Portland, OR __________ Southern Knights Birmingham, AL __________ Spirit of Atlanta Atlanta, GA __________ __________ __________ DCI 45th Anniversary 17

PREMIER EVENTS DCI SOUTHERN ALABAMA Friday, July 28 DOTHAN HIGH SCHOOL, Dothan, AL A new event on the DCI Tour schedule marks the final stop of 2017 in the state of Alabama. Blue Stars La Crosse, WI SCORE Colts Dubuque, IA Genesis Austin, TX __________ Madison Scouts Madison, WI __________ Pacific Crest Diamond Bar, CA __________ Pioneer Milwaukee, WI __________ Seattle Cascades Seattle, WA __________ Spirit of Atlanta Atlanta, GA __________ Troopers Casper, WY __________ __________ __________ DCI SOUTHEASTERN CHAMPIONSHIP Presented by Lone Star Percussion Saturday, July 29 MCEACHERN HIGH SCHOOL Powder Springs, GA With the Georgia Dome scheduled for demolition to make way for the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, this key Atlanta-area competition finds a temporary new home. Alliance Atlanta, GA SCORE SOARING SOUNDS 38 Atlanta CV Atlanta, GA Tuesday, August 1 The Academy Tempe, AZ __________ Blue Devils Concord, CA __________ CENTERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Centerville, OH Blue Knights Denver, CO __________ Blue Stars La Crosse, WI __________ This popular Dayton-area drum corps showcase has Bluecoats Canton, OH __________ longstanding roots nearly 40 years in the making. The Cadets Allentown, PA __________ Carolina Crown Ft. Mill, SC __________ Blue Stars La Crosse, WI SCORE The Cavaliers Rosemont, IL __________ The Cavaliers Rosemont, IL Genesis Austin, TX __________ Colts Dubuque, IA __________ Jersey Surf Camden County, NJ __________ Genesis Austin, TX __________ Oregon Crusaders Portland, OR __________ Mandarins Sacramento, CA __________ Pacific Crest Diamond Bar, CA __________ Oregon Crusaders Portland, OR __________ Phantom Regiment Rockford, IL __________ Pacific Crest Diamond Bar, CA __________ Pioneer Milwaukee, WI __________ Seattle Cascades Seattle, WA __________ Santa Clara Vanguard Santa Clara, CA __________ Troopers Casper, WY __________ Seattle Cascades Seattle, WA __________ __________ Spirit of Atlanta Atlanta, GA __________ __________ __________ __________ 18 2017 Souvenir Yearbook



PREMIER EVENTS DCI EASTERN CLASSIC Friday, August 4 J. BIRNEY CRUM STADIUM Allentown, PA The entire complement of 23 DCI World Class corps take the field over two days, joined by a visitor from across the Atlantic: England’s The Company. Blue Devils Concord, CA SCORE Blue Stars La Crosse, WI Bluecoats Canton, OH __________ Colts Dubuque, IA __________ The Company Chesterfield, England, UK __________ Mandarins Sacramento, CA __________ Pacific Crest Diamond Bar, CA __________ Phantom Regiment Rockford, IL __________ Pioneer Milwaukee, WI __________ Spirit of Atlanta Atlanta, GA __________ Troopers Casper, WY __________ __________ __________ Saturday, August 5 DCI PITTSBURGH The Academy Tempe, AZ SCORE Presented by Three Rivers SUMMER MUSIC GAMES Blue Knights Denver, CO Boston Crusaders Boston, MA __________ Wednesday, August 2 The Cadets Allentown, PA __________ Carolina Crown Ft. Mill, SC __________ BALDWIN HIGH SCHOOL Pittsburgh, PA The Cavaliers Rosemont, IL __________ Crossmen San Antonio, TX __________ On the way to the legendary DCI Eastern Classic, World Class Genesis Austin, TX __________ corps make a stop in the western part of the Keystone State. Jersey Surf Camden County, NJ __________ Madison Scouts Madison, WI __________ Oregon Crusaders Portland, OR __________ Santa Clara Vanguard Santa Clara, CA __________ Seattle Cascades Seattle, WA __________ __________ __________ Blue Stars La Crosse, WI SCORE The Cavaliers Rosemont, IL Colts Dubuque, IA __________ Crossmen San Antonio, TX __________ Mandarins Sacramento, CA __________ Oregon Crusaders Portland, OR __________ Pacific Crest Diamond Bar, CA __________ Troopers Casper, WY __________ __________ __________ 20 2017 Souvenir Yearbook

“The true beauty of music is that it connects people. It carries a message, and we, the musicians, are the messengers.” -Roy Ayers

PREMIER EVENTS The Tour of Champions takes a number 1 Northern Illinois 5 NightBEAT of DCI’s top groups beyond their stan- dard competitive productions. In this Northern Illinois University Wake Forest University entertaining series, some of marching DeKalb, IL Winston-Salem, NC music’s best performers give fans an exclusive look inside the drum corps SATURDAY, JULY 15 SUNDAY, JULY 30 experience while interacting directly with audience members and showing 2 Oklahoma 6 Pennsylvania off their creativity in special pre-show and intermission performances. presented by Drums of Summer Talen Energy Stadium Broken Arrow Memorial Stadium Chester, PA Broken Arrow, OK TUESDAY, JULY 18 THURSDAY, AUGUST 3 3 Texas presented by Band Shoppe 7 NewYork & THE exSIGHTment OF SOUND New Era Field Buffalo, NY The Berry Center Houston, TX FRIDAY, JULY 21 SUNDAY, AUGUST 6 4 The Masters of the Summer 8 Pro Football Music Games presented by Hall of Fame Enshrinement Jupiter, Mapex, & Majestic Festival Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN FRIDAY, JULY 28 Paul Brown Tiger Stadium Massillon, OH MONDAY, AUGUST 7 1 SCORE 2 SCORE 3 SCORE 4 SCORE 5 SCORE 6 SCORE 7 SCORE 8 SCORE The Cadets Phantom Regiment Bluecoats Carolina Crown Santa Clara Vanguard The Cavaliers Blue Devils Crossmen Blue Knights Blue Stars The Academy Boston Crusaders Colts Mandarins Troopers Madison Scouts Music City 22 2017 Souvenir Yearbook



PREMIER EVENTS Railmen MUSIC: More than 35 ensembles from the U.S., Canada, and around the world will compete during the Festival. Groups vying for the SoundSport championship perform five- to sev- en-minute programs; SoundSport events welcome perform- ers of all ages and on all instruments, so fans may experience anything from a full marching band to a tin whistle ensemble. Meanwhile, the percussion units looking to become DrumLine Battle champion pack plenty of virtuosity into their two-minute sets. In both cases, showmanship is key. You can also expect special appearances by the Santa ClaraVanguard Alumni Corps and the INpact Band, an all-star outfit drawing nearly 550 members from middle schools across Indiana. NOW INTHEIR FIFTHYEAR, Drum Corps International’s 2017 SOUNDSPORT SoundSport® and DrumLine Battle™ programs continue to MEMBER TEAMS grow at a rapid pace, both in the United States and interna- tionally (see feature article on page 46). Designed to be The Rocketeers The Surftones fan-friendly, flexible, and economical for the groups involved, Huntsville, AL Camden County, NJ SoundSport and DrumLine Battle provide opportunities for Phenom Arsenal Drum & Bugle Corps drum corps organizations, school ensembles, and other per- Tempe, AZ Albuquerque, NM forming groups to add to their competitive schedules—while Sacramento Freelancers Rhythm IN BLUE making room for new groups to begin competing for the first Sacramento, CA Canton, OH time.These exciting initiatives are also proving to be a spring- Spirit of Sunnyvale Rogues Hollow Regiment board for new and re-emerging drum corps organizations SoundSport Doylestown, OH that wish to join the DCI SummerTour. Sunnyvale, CA Mon Valley Express D&BC Central Florida Pittsburgh, PA The culmination of the SoundSport/DrumLine Battle Sounds of Freedom Cutting Edge summer season will be the second annual SoundSport Band & Colorguard Fort Worth, TX International Music & Food Festival, held on Saturday, August Orlando, FL Bayou City Blues 12 in downtown Indianapolis, preceding the DCIWorld IMPACT Drum Houston, TX Championship Finals. In a family-friendly atmosphere, with & Bugle Corps Horizon Drum & Bugle Corps food vendors and entertainment galore, an eclectic range of Orlando, FL Odessa, TX performers will show their stuff in close proximity to festival- Solaris Drum Corps Sonus Brass Theater goers. It’s the closest thing to a Super Bowl fan fest in the Orlando, FL Woodbridge, VA drum corps universe. Appalachian Sound Colonial Brigade Atlanta, GA Yorktown, VA WHERE IT’S AT: The Festival takes place at three Indy Armada Drum MadBrass locations: Pan Am Plaza, nearby Georgia Street (insider tip: & Bugle Corps Madison, WI find a spot on the Georgia Street parking garage for an over- Boise, ID Racine Scouts head view of the action), and the Pavilion at Pan Am, a 900- Southeast Sound Racine, WI seat indoor venue that houses all the SoundSport perfor- New Albany, IN Jim Ott Brass Ensemble mances. DCI broadcast veteran Steve Rondinaro hosts the NEC Winds Third Coast Wonewoc, WI Pavilion events. Feeding Hills, MA Edmonton Sabers Thunder Brigade Marching Band Gaithersburg, MD Edmonton, AB LakeShoremen Optimists Alumni Brownstown, MI Toronto, ON Carolina Thunder The Diplomats Drum & Bugle Corps Drum & Bugle Corps Charlotte, NC Windsor, ON Railmen Drum Les Titans de Quebec & Bugle Corps Quebec, QC Omaha, NE Teams as of May, 2017 24 2017 Souvenir Yearbook

PREMIER EVENTS For the latest schedules, rules and more, visit: soundsport.com and drumlinebattle.com Saturday, July 8 Orlando, FL Saturday, July 15 Alexandria, KY Saturday, July22 San Antonio, TX 7th Regiment Saturday, July 29 FOOD: The Indianapolis food scene has grown significantly Atlanta, GA in recent years, and that growth is on full display at the SoundSport International Music & Food Festival. An array of VIRTUAL CONTEST: Turn Saturday, August 5 vendors, from local restaurants to some of the city’s finest your eyes to the Jumbotron to gourmet food trucks, will offer a wide variety of mouth-water- see the winners of the Allentown, PA ing cuisines. SoundSportVirtual Championships. Ensembles of Saturday, August 12 HANDS-ON EXHIBITS: This year’s options include a spe- all types anywhere on the plan- cial play zone for kids and families, an exhibit devoted to the et can enter this competition by SoundSport International Indiana Pacers basketball team, health and wellness areas, submitting performance videos Music & Food Festival mini-drum lessons with representatives from local music online to DCI judges, who give Indianapolis, IN stores, and an interactive drum circle. scores and commentary just as Fall 2017 International Series Japan, Guatemala, Thailand, Indonesia, Lithuania they do for top corps on the field.This year’s lineup includes groups from Japan, China, Indonesia,Thailand, and Brazil. McMaster Marching Band GRAND FINALE: During the awards ceremony at the end of the Festival, all musical participants will join forces to play “RaiseYourVoice” by Irish composer Brendan Breslin.This anthem, specifically written to be played at all SoundSport events and scored for every conceivable instrument, will pro- vide a rousing send-off. PRICE: Free. Every part of the SoundSport International Music & Food Festival is open to the general public, and no tickets are required. DCI 45th Anniversary 25

CHAMPIONSHIPS WEEK This August, Drum Corps International returns to Indiana to crown its 2017 World Champions. The week begins with the Open Class World Championship in Michigan City (Aug. 7-8), followed by four days of action in Indianapolis climaxing with the World Championship Finals on Aug. 12. INDIANAPOLIS WILL ALSO BE THE LOCATION for a STREET BEAT 5K: Kick off Saturday morning in range of special events, including the DCI Performers Showcase (see page 30), the Kickoff Party and Hall of Indy with a 5K run/walk, starting at Military Park Fame Induction (Wednesday, Aug. 9), and two daytime (601 W. New York St.) and ending at Lucas Oil Stadium. events on Saturday, Aug. 12: the fourth annual Street Beat Go to streetbeat5k.com for more details. 5K run/walk and the SoundSport International Music & Food Festival (see page 26). But the heart of the tourna- ment will once again be Lucas Oil Stadium. At Thursday’s World Championship Prelims, Open and World Class groups contend for a spot among the top 25 advancing to the Semifinals. The field is then narrowed down to 12 Finalists, who compete for the World Championship title on Saturday night. Kickoff Party and Hall of Fame Induction THE WARMUP ZONE: Come to historic Military Park to see all your favorite drum corps in rehearsal as they pre- pare to take the Lucas Oil field each day during the World Championships. Corps generally start their warm-ups about an hour before show time. FESTIVAL MARKETPLACE: As soon as they enter Lucas Oil Stadium, fans will find themselves in the midst of the Festival Marketplace. Check out the Drum Corps InternationalTeam Store, featuring DCI and Championship merchandise and apparel. All of the individual corps and DCI sponsors will have their own booths lining the con- course that leads to all of the stadium’s seating areas. 26 2017 Souvenir Yearbook

MICHIGAN CITY AMES FIELD, MICHIGAN CITY OPEN CLASS FINALS Tuesday, August 8 AMES FIELD Michigan City, IN 1. _______________________________________ SCORE 2. _______________________________________ 3. _______________________________________ __________ 4. _______________________________________ __________ 5. _______________________________________ __________ 6. _______________________________________ __________ 7. _______________________________________ __________ 8. _______________________________________ __________ 9. _______________________________________ __________ 10. _______________________________________ __________ 11. _______________________________________ __________ 12. _______________________________________ __________ __________ __________ THE OPEN CLASS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: Two days of intense competition will take place in Michigan City on August 7-8. Open Class corps will also be eligible to compete in Indianapolis beginning with the World Championship Prelims on August 10. OPEN CLASS PRELIMS OPEN CLASS CAPTION AWARDS Monday, August 7 BEST BRASS PERFORMANCE AMES FIELD Michigan City, IN ___________________________________________________________________ BEST GENERAL EFFECT 1. _______________________________________ SCORE ___________________________________________________________________ 2. _______________________________________ BEST VISUAL PERFORMANCE 3. _______________________________________ __________ ___________________________________________________________________ 4. _______________________________________ __________ BEST PERCUSSION PERFORMANCE 5. _______________________________________ __________ ___________________________________________________________________ 6. _______________________________________ __________ BEST COLOR GUARD PERFORMANCE 7. _______________________________________ __________ ___________________________________________________________________ 8. _______________________________________ __________ MOST IMPROVED CORPS 9. _______________________________________ __________ ___________________________________________________________________ 10. _______________________________________ __________ (SEE PAGE 134 FOR 2016 WINNERS) 11. _______________________________________ __________ 12. _______________________________________ __________ DCI 45th Anniversary 27 13. _______________________________________ __________ 14. _______________________________________ __________ 15. _______________________________________ __________ 16. _______________________________________ __________ __________ __________

INDIANAPOLIS Wednesday, August 9 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PRELIMS INDIANA CONVENTION CENTER Indianapolis, IN Thursday, August 10 PRESENTED BY SYSTEM BLUE, the educational arm of the Blue Devils organization, the DCI Performers LUCAS OIL STADIUM Indianapolis, IN Showcase comes to the Indiana Convention Center in 2017 to kick off the World Championships Week action in 1. _______________________________________ SCORE Indianapolis. World, Open and International Class corps 2. _______________________________________ members, and even DrumLine Battle and SoundSport 3. _______________________________________ __________ teams, have the opportunity to come together to demon- 4. _______________________________________ __________ strate their individual and group talents by performing 5. _______________________________________ __________ solo and ensemble pieces perfected outside of their 6. _______________________________________ __________ normal rehearsal schedules. Thanks to the inclusion of 7. _______________________________________ __________ vocal and woodwind categories, members wishing to do 8. _______________________________________ __________ so can display their talents on instruments that are not 9. _______________________________________ __________ normally used on the field in drum corps competition. 10. _______________________________________ __________ 11. _______________________________________ __________ INDIVIDUALS Visual: Flag, Auxiliary, Dance 12. _______________________________________ __________ Brass: Trumpet, ENSEMBLES 13. _______________________________________ __________ Mellophone, French Horn, Brass, Percussion, Cymbal, 14. _______________________________________ __________ Trombone, Baritone/ Bass Drum, Woodwind, 15. _______________________________________ __________ Euphonium, Tuba Auxiliary, Flag, Dance, 16. _______________________________________ __________ Percussion: Snare, Multi- Vocal, Mixed 17. _______________________________________ __________ Tenor, Timpani, Keyboard, EXHIBITION 18. _______________________________________ __________ Multi-Percussion For instrumentation or 19. _______________________________________ __________ Woodwind: Flute, Clarinet/ ensembles not covered 20. _______________________________________ __________ Double Reed, Saxophone under DCI Performers 21. _______________________________________ __________ Vocal Showcase rules. 22. _______________________________________ __________ 23. _______________________________________ __________ 28 2017 Souvenir Yearbook 24. _______________________________________ __________ 25. _______________________________________ __________ 26. _______________________________________ __________ 27. _______________________________________ __________ 28. _______________________________________ __________ 29. _______________________________________ __________ 30. _______________________________________ __________ 31. _______________________________________ __________ 32. _______________________________________ __________ 33. _______________________________________ __________ 34. _______________________________________ __________ 35. _______________________________________ __________ 36. _______________________________________ __________ 37. _______________________________________ __________ 38. _______________________________________ __________ 39. _______________________________________ __________ __________ __________

INDIANAPOLIS LUCAS OIL STADIUM, INDIANAPOLIS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 11. _______________________________________ __________ SEMIFINALS 12. _______________________________________ __________ 13. _______________________________________ __________ Friday, August 11 14. _______________________________________ __________ 15. _______________________________________ __________ LUCAS OIL STADIUM Indianapolis, IN 16. _______________________________________ __________ 17. _______________________________________ __________ 1. _______________________________________ SCORE 18. _______________________________________ __________ 2. _______________________________________ 19. _______________________________________ __________ 3. _______________________________________ __________ 20. _______________________________________ __________ 4. _______________________________________ __________ 21. _______________________________________ __________ 5. _______________________________________ __________ 22. _______________________________________ __________ 6. _______________________________________ __________ 23. _______________________________________ __________ 7. _______________________________________ __________ 24. _______________________________________ __________ 8. _______________________________________ __________ 25. _______________________________________ __________ 9. _______________________________________ __________ 10. _______________________________________ __________ __________ __________ DCI 45th Anniversary 29

INDIANAPOLIS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS Saturday, August 12 LUCAS OIL STADIUM Indianapolis, IN 1. _______________________________________ SCORE 2. _______________________________________ 3. _______________________________________ __________ 4. _______________________________________ __________ 5. _______________________________________ __________ 6. _______________________________________ __________ 7. _______________________________________ __________ 8. _______________________________________ __________ 9. _______________________________________ __________ 10. _______________________________________ __________ 11. _______________________________________ __________ 12. _______________________________________ __________ __________ __________ WORLD CLASS CAPTION AWARDS Determined by the average scores in each category over the three days of World Championship competition. GEORGE ZINGALI AWARD for Best Color Guard ___________________________________________________________________ JOHN BRAZALE AWARD for Best Visual Performance ___________________________________________________________________ DON ANGELICA AWARD for Best Overall General Effect ___________________________________________________________________ JIM OTT AWARD for Best Brass Performance ___________________________________________________________________ FRED SANFORD AWARD for Best Percussion Performance ___________________________________________________________________ (SEE PAGE 134 FOR 2016 WINNERS) 30 2017 Souvenir Yearbook

Indianapolis is proud home to the Drum Corp International World Championships. Make the most of your visit. Take in the pageantry of competition, then get out and see the city. Better yet, add a day or two to your trip. The city offers a collection of museums and attractions to keep you entertained all day, and a food scene with options to please every palette. For what to see, do, and eat, go to VisitIndy.com | FOLLOW US: @VisitIndy

A TIMELINE OF JAWS DROPPED, EYEBROWS ROSE, ANDTHE GAME CHANGED WHENTHESE 1972 1975 1976 1978 1980 OVER THE PAST 45 YEARS, one class. It appeared that that DCI was becoming, thousands of memorable Santa Clara Vanguard was innovation was a prime con- moments have collec- well on its way to taking cern; every corps was look- tively defined the drum home the first DCI trophy, ing for something … any- corps idiom. But some until the Anaheim Kingsmen thing … that no other corps of those moments jumped from third place had. In 1975, 27th Lancers stand out more than provided just that, captivat- others. Here, in chrono- after delivering a spirit- ing audiences with single logical order, are some ed Finals performance flags that magically became of the legendary shows, now known as “the hype double flags, a technique the surprising scores, and to victory.”The Kingsmen never before seen. the amazing feats that fans heard they had won while are still talking about years, huddled in the confines of 1976 Bridgemen, a corps even decades later. their buses, having fled that placed 26th in 1974 and the field when a sudden del- finished the 1975 season 1972 Drum Corps uge descended upon early, came out totally International’s inaugural Whitewater, Wisconsin’s repackaged and placed sixth season was short, consisting Warhawk Stadium during with long yellow trench only of the World Champion- the massed corps finale. coats, a brash urban atti- ship Prelims and Finals, with tude, and psychedelic flags all 39 corps competing in 1975 As corps staffs tried said to represent the flotsam to figure out the creature 32 2017 Souvenir Yearbook

EXCELLENCE INDELIBLE MOMENTS IN DCI HISTORYTOOK PLACE. BY MICHAEL BOO 1984 1985 1991 and jetsam under the remaining standing through 1984 Not content to let Suncoast Sound defied pro- Bayonne Bridge in the the show’s last minute. another corps push the gramming expectations. It corps’ hometown. On the Nothing like that has been boundaries of drill design was DCI’s first show based show’s last note, all corps witnessed since. alone, Garfield Cadets entirely on original music, members fell to the ground shocked audiences with written specifically for the emulating a faint, and “any- 1980Thumbing its nose at “flex drill,” formations that corps by the prolific thing goes as long as it’s the established convention of mutated like droplets of water American composer Robert legal” became the mantra of drill formations symmetrical spreading out on a flat sur- W. Smith. show designers. to both sides of the 50-yard face. Many said the Cadets’ line, Santa Clara Vanguard is West Side Story show was 1991 Santa Clara 1978 For its second sea- often credited for introducing impossible to march, and so Vanguard’s Miss Saigon son, Spirit of Atlanta picked asymmetrical drill in its 1980 the corps doubled down and show began with an assort- up some talented corps program. Many didn’t know won the title.The surprise ment of drums and drum- instructors and surged to what to make of this appar- company front in the closer heads spread across the sixth place with a horn line ent sacrilege, and the corps of “Tonight” seemed to field, aurally choreographed that redefined the meaning fell out of the top three for the come out of nowhere, no in such a way that one swore of “loud.” During the corps’ first time in DCI history. But matter how many times one real helicopters were about closer of “Let It Be Me,” a SCV had led the way in creat- viewed the show. to swarm the stadium. And big company front push ing a blank canvas for visual Star of Indiana’s remarkable brought the entire audience designers—and next year 1985 By performing the show-ending cross-to-cross to its feet, with everyone they won it all. sprawling Florida Suite, maneuver has been featured DCI 45th Anniversary 33

1992 1993 1994 1995 1999 in countless retrospectives sneakers. Poking fun at architectural roof cussion, it was as of the greatest on-field drum corps’ increasingly moments ever.The latter artsy demeanor, VK threw at trusses, and if the crowd could was the late drill designer the audience Brazilian George Zingali’s final mas- Carnival costumes, the music in which finally exhale for terpiece, spontaneously Energizer Bunny playing a imagined and taught one bass drum, Godzilla, the fall the silences the first time in 11 night during the corps’ tour. of the Soviet Union, a After the first cross set up on Russian bear, the opera diva were as import- minutes. an angle, small squads cata- Brünnhilde, and a mock pulted across the field every “Bottle Dance” salute to ant as the notes. which way in a flurry that Santa Clara Vanguard’s 25th would make any humming- anniversary. The capper was Audiences may have 1995 Madison Scouts bird proud. When a mirror when an opera-critic shark, image of the first cross burst saved for Finals, ate the diva scratched their heads, turned the volume up to into view, the audience and caused a stadium full of erupted. fans to spontaneously erupt. but the Medea show 11 with A Drum Corps went on to be recog- Fan’s Dream, a relentless nized as one of the barrage of testoster- greatest produc- one-laden energy that tions ever to 1993 triggered screams from shake up the sta- Star of the audience on par tus quo. Indiana with those heard when the Beatles 1994 It was Blue played on The Ed Devils’ (and DCI’s) first Sullivan Show. In essence, 1992 The ’92 edi- 1993 For its last sea- undefeated season since the Scouts turned thousands tion of Velvet Knights son competing on the 1982, thanks to My Spanish of adults into shrieking reminded us there was DCITour, Star of Heart. Based on Chick groupies. still a place for humor on Indiana staged a Corea’s Latin jazz album of the field. Magical controversial the same name, the ’94 1999 The ’99 Mandarins Mystery Tour, Part 3 show, utilizing show was universally loved reversed a loss in the was a comic tour extensive and unusu- by fans. When the final color Division III Prelims competi- de force for the al choreography, guard couple on the field tion to capture top honors in corps that wore color guard props embraced with a simple and the Finals. In the process, red Converse 1992 Velvet Knights that looked like quiet “ding” from the per- the corps earned the first and 34 2017 Souvenir Yearbook

2000 2002 2004 2005 2007 only World Championship advanced to the Division I of the Division II & III Finals. 2004 four-peat ever achieved in Quarterfinals and breezed The options marked on the Jersey any of DCI’s divisions. into the Finals, in which the device were for the corps to Surf Cavaliers posted a record end the show as normal or 2000 The 2000 season high score of 99.150.The to take a penalty. After a At the end, she was spit out marked the first shift away highwater mark capped an drum major spin, it landed of the door wearing the uni- from G-keyed bugles, undefeated season and on the penalty option, and form of a DCI adjudicator, although only the Blue three straight gold medals corps members charged the and calmly went about Devils and Cadets took for the Green Machine. stands, playing their way “judging” the corps, as if advantage of the landmark across the front boundary to nothing unusual had rule change in instrumenta- 2004 Seeking out a pen- the amazement of the audi- occurred. tion. For many, the moment alty?That’s unique. Already ence—and the judges. of the year was Boston notable for donning Elvis 2007 Carolina Crown’s Crusaders’ rendition of headdresses, the ’04 Jersey 2005 The ’05 Cadets Triple Crown told the story “Time to Say Goodbye.” Just Surf pulled out a giant wheel matched the Cavaliers’ of a captured wild horse that one year after the corps first of fortune at the end record score from three was trained to race. In one of placed in DCI’sTop 12, this years earlier with a peculiar the most charming endings magical selection tugged at production oriented around to any DCI show, the color the heartstrings. a revolving door. Near the guard members became start of the show, a member 2002 Coming off a two- ringing a doorbell ignored year hiatus, Magic of the plea of the audience to Orlando made up for that go through the entryway. absence, returning to the Once inside, she found her- field as a Division II corps in self in a drum corps “twilight 2002. Less than a point away zone,” where uniforms and from a perfect score to win shakos appeared the same the Div. II title, the corps both forward and backward. DCI 45th Anniversary 35

2016 2008 2013 2014 racehorses, wearing the peaking at the right the announcement of Among the saddle towel colors of the moment, placing third at the scores, when he came alive corps’ finalist competitors. World Championship to accept the victory. many highlights Crown’s own horse wasn’t Quarterfinals, moving up to doing so well until the big second in Semifinals, and 2013 It would have been were 40 trumpets race went into slow motion, eking out a Finals victory by easier to comprehend the track announcer shout- the narrowest possible mar- Einstein’s theory of relativity playing an articu- 2016 ing out the final moments. gin. At the end of the Finals than to figure out how late fanfare, an Bluecoats When the horse surged past performance, a convert to Carolina Crown’s horn line its competitors to take the the mission of the slain title pulled off the blistering original com- roses, one might have arrangements of E=mc2, or thought that every character picked up a how its rotating 3-D prism position by member of the spear, jumped over drill form was conceived audience had a equipment on the and taught.The show was a jazz great winning ticket. quantum leap in program- front sideline, offed ming that left fans reeling— Gordon 2008 The the Roman general and left other corps wonder- roaring elec- atop the podium, and ing if anyone noted the Goodwin, and tric guitars fea- license plate of the space- tured in Teal Sound’s conducted the time continuum that ran an elaborate tambourine The Velvet Rope final few them over. shocked even those moments of the feature performed by who were okay with the show.The slain 2014 Blue Devils’ newfangled electronics drum major was Felliniesque redefined the color guard members. now allowed on the dragged off the field concept of drum corps field by DCI rules. And excellence by shattering the 2016 More than just a with Spartacus, and dragged previous record score of paradigm shift, Bluecoats’ Phantom Regiment back on for 99.15, placing the corps just Down Side Up moved the redefined the concept of 0.35 of a perfect 100 points. whole drum corps world off its axis. Minimalist body- suits. No headwear. Members continuously slid- ing down giant ramps in for- mation. Our expectations were indeed turned down side up.This show is proof that there will always be something new for design- ers and performers to dis- cover and exploit. 36 2017 Souvenir Yearbook

Congratulates the 2016 DCI World Champions www.stanbury.com

Keep On TrByMichaelBoo “Miss Amana” in action in 1979 Blue Knights’ new food truck will hit the road in 2017 ACCORDINGTO NAPOLEON BONAPARTE, “an army From Southwind’s converted library on wheels to modern marches on its stomach.” Napoleon could easily have been tractor-trailers whose appointments might fill Gordon talking about a DCI drum corps, whose members and staff Ramsay with envy, food trucks have become a major compo- consume as many as 800 meals each day on tour, plus a nent of drum corps culture. Much like Drum Corps late-night snack. International, they’ve evolved over time, thanks to the efforts of many committed people. How best to satisfy their hunger? Ordering dozens of piz- zas at a time quickly gets both boring and expensive, and it “Miss Amana” isn’t the greatest nutritional option.The most efficient solu- tion for a corps is to travel with a vehicle that’s dedicated to Before DCI corps had fully functional food trucks, meals for preparing meals. One striking example is the super-custom- members largely consisted of doughnuts and juice for ized food truck that Mobile, Alabama’s Southwind corps calls breakfast, something easy to prepare like peanut butter and the “SWoogen”—which started its life as something else jelly sandwiches for lunch, and McDonald’s for dinner.To entirely. trace the development of the modern food truck back to its roots, one has to acknowledge the foresight of the Santa “The logistics of feeding a drum corps are really difficult,” ClaraVanguard organization. Southwind director Lawrence LeClaire explains. “We were trying to think of how we could cook and be economical Back in the mid-1970s, something caughtVanguard about it.Well, [corps manager] Dave Bryan calls me up one equipment chairman Bud Romo’s eye at a high school drum day and says, ‘Check your email, there’s a picture I want you corps contest. “An all-girl corps was being served out of a to look at.’ And it was of a bookmobile for sale in Fort big-box truck,” he remembers. “I peeked in and I saw a stove Lauderdale.” Southwind’s management bought the book- and a refrigerator.The kids were being fed assembly line- mobile, tore out its shelves and carpeting and put in a three- style. From that, I got the idea that we should have some- foot flat grill, two-burner propane stove, deep-freeze refrig- thing similar.” And so the corps purchased a 38-foot trailer, erator, and three-basin sink.The SWoogen’s features contin- attached it to a pickup truck, and added all the appliances ue to be tweaked; convection ovens are a new addition for needed to feed an ensemble on tour. Named “Miss Amana” this summer. by SCV founder Gail Royer for the brand of appliances 38 2017 Souvenir Yearbook

When drum corps members hit the road, so does their food—in vehicles specially uckin’ outfitted for fueling the masses. Cavaliers members line up for a meal in 2007 Blue Devils volunteers prepare lunch in 2006 onboard, it was the first dedicated food truck for a DCI corps. Cadets recently replaced their 15-year-old vehicle, obtaining Although the reasoning behind Miss Amana was excel- a new mobile kitchen with an array of contemporary appli- ances that better serve members’ tastes, along with lent, the vehicle itself proved less so. “No one knew about improved venting for the carbon monoxide produced by food prep or laying out a mobile kitchen,” Romo says.The propane appliances. truck was soon found to be lacking in refrigeration capacity and other storage. Its generator was so loud that it was an “We got the new truck to solve some age-old problems annoyance to people living nearby.Veronica Flores, a corps that many corps face,” director George Hopkins says. parent volunteer, adds that “she [the truck] was always “Refrigeration systems need to be professionally designed breaking down, so the members nicknamed her ‘Miss-a- and installed to meet a drum corps’ unusual needs—like Meal Amana.’” having to cook meals inTexas in July.”The Cadets received technical support from the food crews of Blue Devils and Vanguard’s board decided to purchase a better unit in the Santa ClaraVanguard, whose knowledge from operating late ’70s, a 48-foot trailer pulled by a diesel tractor.The corps their own trucks proved invaluable in planning and budget- paid for the rig to be designed, built, and equipped by a pro- ing for the new rig. fessional manufacturer of mobile kitchens. It sported a walk- in refrigerator, walk-in freezer, and restaurant-style stoves. Blue Knights also bought a 53-foot semitrailer this year, The original Miss Amana was retired but not forgotten; each tapping hundreds of donors to help replace the truck that successive SCV food truck has been known by the same served over 1.6 million meals and traveled over 250,000 miles name. during the past 25 years. “Having newer appliances will be a big savings, as we have had frozen food thaw out unintention- From Old to New ally that cost nearly $5,000 due to an intermittent electrical system,” Blue Knights director of operations GM Kuzma says. In the decades that have passed since Miss Amana’s intro- “One of the biggest changes is the addition of a tilt skillet, duction, corps food trucks have come a long way, both figu- which can evenly cook and hold a large amount of food in a ratively and literally.Their technical evolution is due in large short period of time.”The crew loves the new vehicle’s part to an increasing focus on safety issues and the nutri- enhanced air-conditioning and natural light, which allow tional needs of marching music athletes. For instance, the DCI 45th Anniversary 39

The Colts food truck in 2006 KAYLE KOBEROWSKI/BLUE KNIGHTS Southwind’s “SWoogen” had a previous life as a bookmobile A Phantom Regiment food delivery Jersey Surf members Blue Devils’ “Devils Food” in the late 1980s gather outside their newly revamped food truck. them to prepare almost 70,000 meals per summer in comfort. or wash a jug with aqueous ozone, we’re not simply cleaning So what happened to Blue Knights’ old truck? It wasn’t just it, we’re actually sterilizing it.” put out to pasture, but was sent to the Columbians Drum and This is all minor stuff, though, compared to Jersey Surf’s Bugle Corps of Washington state, where it is expected to be “2020Vision: FoodTruck of the Future” project, which looks referbished and serve the members and staff of the smaller to the corps’ 30th anniversary, coming up in three years. By Open Class corps for several years.This continues a recog- that time, Surf intends to purchase a new mobile kitchen, nized DCI tradition of corps “handing down” their food trucks including such eco-friendly components as a solar hot water to other corps for reuse. Seattle Cascades’ truck, for example, heater, onboard composting of food waste, and gray water previously belonged to Star of Indiana, although now the recycling. In addition, the corps plans to eliminate the use of Pacific Northwest corps has announced a $150,000 capital all non-biodegradable utensils, plates, and trays, as well as campaign to replace it. Fair enough; the truck excess packaging materials. is 30 years old, which makes it five years GROCERIES FOR Jersey Surf’s new truck will provide mem- older than the Cascades’ current director! bers with multiple smoothie and frozen bev- 150 erage stations and an increased ability to The Future of handle and transport fresh produce, which Food Trucks Ever wonder how the corps will purchase from local food much it takes to feed Another corps that possesses a mobile kitch- a drum corps? Here’s cooperatives while on tour. “Although en with a long past life is Jersey Surf. After just some of what a canned peaches can be delicious and conve- starting out in 1973 as a produce truck for typicalWorld Class nient,” Jacobs says, “nothing beats a fresh- grocery chainWinn-Dixie, the trailer served corps goes through in picked peach in season when we’re headed Suncoast Sound, Spirit of Atlanta, and one summer (all figures to the Atlanta regional.When you multiply Carolina Crown prior to being purchased by are approximate). that thinking across the entire tour, the nutri- Surf in 2006. It underwent major upgrades 5,300 eggs tional benefit and the tremendous cost sav- this year, including a new oven, upgraded 900 lbs. of peanut butter ings of working from farm to table is worth propane storage, and installation of an aque- 1,100 lbs. of jelly the extra planning.” ous ozone generator. Executive director Bob 1,000 lbs. of hamburger Jacobs explains the latter: “Aqueous ozone is 1,900 loaves of bread With such advances in on-tour food the result of ozone from the air being infused 800 gal. of milk preparation, corps members won’t just leave into water.The extra oxygen atom makes it a 3,650 lbs. of ice a tour well-tanned and in the best physical powerful oxidizer.When we rinse vegetables condition of their lives, they’ll also leave well-fed. Napoleon would be impressed. 40 2017 Souvenir Yearbook



BY SUSAN POLINIAK AAtthhmmlleeeettmmiiccbbttererararsisinnrreeeerraasscchhhheettllhhppeeddiirrrruhuhmimigghchceoeosrsrptpt lslseevveell.. 42 2017 Souvenir Yearbook Whenever corps members encounter physical issues, trainers are on hand to assist.

Hydration is essential for everyone on the field. nyone who has spent a summer on the field knows that participating in a DCI corps is a physically demanding activity. Grueling schedules, the rigors of travel, the technical demands of a program, and summer heat can all take their toll on even the heartiest members. Helping to mitigate these issues—and more—is the job of an athletic trainer. Until relatively recently, athletic trainers (ATs for short) weren’t common in the drum corps world, but they’ve quick- ly become valuable additions to many organizations— thanks in part to the DCI-supported Marching Music Health andWellness Project (see sidebar on page 44)—and with good reason. After all, corps performers are engaged in a professional-level activity that requires a professional level of care; the old days of little more than ice, rest, and hope for the best are gone. Modern athletic trainers are sophisticated Emily Feck, LAT, ATC, head athletic trainer for the Oregon in both their diagnoses and their treatments.They also help Crusaders, observes that certain problems are common- to make sure that members hit the field ready to go, and stay place during the summer season. “The most common inju- that way all summer long. ries I’ve seen in the drum corps setting are overuse, mainly shin splints and tendinitis,” she observes. “We see a lot of What Is an Athletic Trainer? heat illness from members doing high levels of physical Athletic trainers aren’t quite the same as personal trainers. activity in extremely hot and humid climates for extended Chris Benedict, ATC, an athletic trainer at Spring Arbor periods of time. Athletic trainers can implement policies and University in Spring Arbor, Michigan, who works regularly procedures that help prevent members from overheating, with the Jersey Surf, notes that a personal trainer “is respon- and they can quickly respond in case of a heat-induced sible for conditioning and strengthening programs. My emergency and get members the care that they need.” main responsibility on tour is dealing with injuries.There is Training to Win some overlap [between the two kinds of trainers], as strengthening and conditioning are critical to both prevent- Beyond injury prevention and treatment, athletic trainers ing and rehabbing injuries. But in general, our goal is to pre- are valuable resources for preseason conditioning. “We put vent, examine, diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate medical out a conditioning program before the season with the goal conditions.” It’s similar to what trainers for professional of having the members get in shape,” Benedict says, sports teams do—except that drum corps are far larger than “because going from no activity to 12-hour rehearsal days is any sports team. asking to get injured.” If members suspect that they have an injury, or an injury- What are the most important aspects of this program? to-be, they can consult the AT. “When you feel something “Core and flexibility!” Benedict exclaims. “We always ham- bothering you, [you can] ask your trainer about it and get mer these topics because they’re critical to both marching strategies for how to treat it before it becomes a true prob- and moving as well as preventing injury, and they often have lem,” Benedict says. “We also Exercises like crunches, sit-ups, and planks a tendency to be skipped over do a lot of work trying to edu- are important for core strengthening. in favor of more rehearsal time cate our members on how to or running.” He further notes live a healthy life, including the that high-duration cardio is importance of exercise, nutri- important for most members, tion education, etc.We ensure as it best replicates the [that members use] sunscreen demands that corps activities and proper footwear during place on the body, and that his rehearsals, because wearing group will “occasionally do improper footwear can cause higher-intensity workouts that injuries. Drum corps is so phys- iSTOCKPHOTO.COM last about 12 minutes to repli- ically intense that injuries are cate the demands of perform- inevitable, but with proper ing a full run of the show.” preparation we can prevent “Cardio should be built many of them.” slowly,” Feck recommends, DCI 45th Anniversary 43

Performers place, though, checkups are can help in order. “We require all our lessen members to have a physical injuries examination before coming through on tour,” Benedict says. stretching. “This way, we’re able to get a good medical background on them and use that infor- mation to prepare for any sit- uations that may arise.” It’s another instance of prepara- tion being key. Everyday Workouts In 2007, DCI helped facilitate the creation of the Drum Corps When Benedict works with a Medical Project to address a criti- cally important matter: Corps “taking time to increase distance and corps, he sets aside a 30-minute physi- members needed enhanced med- ical care, with an emphasis on alternating intensity. Along with cardio, cal training block to start off every morn- injury prevention, during the summer season.The project members should work on strengthen- ing. “During spring training and at the began with a small number of vol- unteers but soon expanded into a ing their quads and glutes using squats beginning of the season,” he explains, nationwide network. As it grew, its focus shifted from hands-on and lunges.They also should focus on “we use this time to continue to do con- treatment of injuries to bettering performers’ general health, and it stretching their calves and hamstrings, ditioning and strengthening. Once we was relaunched in 2016 as the Marching Music Health and and on strengthening their upper bod- get into the season, we use it less for Wellness Project (MMHWP). ies by doing push-ups, chin-ups, and workouts and more for recovery and Although the MMHWP’s pri- mary goals remain the same— pull-ups. Core strengthening is most specific strengthening.What we do will improving access to care for marchers, helping to facilitate important, with exercises like crunches, depend on what we’ve been seeing on management of common illness- es, educating staff and members sit-ups, and planks.This training is the injury side of things. If we’re seeing in the recognition and prevention of injuries—its scope extends into something that members can do on an increase of a specific type of injury, many disciplines. “We even have folks in public health, like epide- their own, using their own body weight, we may use this time to do stretching miologists, exercise physiologists, and a whole host of researchers without expensive gym memberships and exercises to prevent and treat that. who are interested in things like kinesiology,” says project chair- or access to a personal trainer.” If the corps seems extra-tired and beat- person Alyssa McPherson, MS, LAT, ATC, OTC, CSCS, a faculty Because each section en down, we may use it member at Indiana University’s School of Public Health. within a corps performs “Staying fit for relaxation tech- different specific is a lifetime niques or yoga.We The MMHWP is actively actions, the focus of commitment, always make sure to do recruiting health professionals in their physical condition- and the earlier core exercises regularly all fields. If you’d like to get ing can be targeted to you start, the to ensure we don’t lose involved, please send an email to particular needs. “Color that.We’re careful not to [email protected]. guard members may use this time to simply focus on upper-body easier it will be add to the physical load strength to be better to maintain.” the members are expe- able to perform tosses riencing and overwork and partner lifts,” Feck them, as overtraining says. “Brass players should focus on can be very common during tour.” upper-body strength and endurance, so The advice of ATs is important for they can hold their horns up right corps activities, but it doesn’t stop during the performance, and have there. “Everybody, regardless of drum strong enough cardio to play while corps involvement, should be staying marching. All battery percussionists active, and we encourage our mem- should focus on core strengthening and bers to [do so] even after leaving the stability to avoid putting stress on their Jersey Surf,” Benedict says. “Staying lower backs when they’re marching fit is a lifetime commitment, and the with such heavy equipment.” earlier you start, the easier it will be to Before any serious work can take maintain.” Blue Stars 44 2017 Souvenir Yearbook

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IT’S A WORLD DCI’s newest division is expanding the international reach of the marching arts. BY LAUREN VOGEL WEISS Chien Kuo High School (Taiwan) Medellín HERE’S A REASON WHY the “I” in Gran DCI stands for “International”— marching music is a worldwide Banda phenomenon. And yet, apart from a handful (Colombia) of Canadian corps and an occasional visit from a European ensemble like Jubal orTHE COMPANY (who will be in Indianapolis this August), there has never been a large inter- national presence at the DCI World Championships.That’s changing now, though, thanks to SoundSport. SoundSport is a new type of ensemble competition that allows an organization of any size, any instrumentation, any age group, and from anywhere in the world to be a part of the DCI experience.The high costs of travel, food, equipment, and instruction are often barriers to starting a new drum corps, and SoundSport began as an attempt to address this problem. By doing so, it’s had a global impact. “We wanted to make a new corps more affordable to start and simpler to operate,” explains John DeNovi, senior director of global business development for DCI. “Not everyone uses a football field, and many 46 2017 Souvenir Yearbook

Gita Surosowan SoundSport Banten (Indonesia) at Home international groups have their champion- to create even a few more full-blown drum The impact of SoundSport ships in December, not August. SoundSport hasn’t only been felt over- has given groups around the world more corps in the U.K., then it’s been worth it. And seas; the new division has flexibility. It’s the perfect avenue for smaller also given North American ensembles to come on board and perform in in the process, we hope hundreds of young drum corps a boost. “A a way that better suits number of new corps have their size. Instead of people, who otherwise might have been gotten their start through asking them to fill a the SoundSport program,” space that’s 100 yards unable to participate, will have benefited.” John DeNovi reports. long, we’re asking “SoundSport gave them them to fill a space Drum Corps UK, a the opportunity to start an that’s only 30 yards organization, build up their wide by 20 yards member organization administrative infrastruc- deep.” tures, and get some finan- of MPAUK, hosted its cial success under their AlanThompson, belts.When they were ready, chairman of Marching first SoundSport some of these groups have & Performing Arts in transitioned to become the United Kingdom competition on June Open Class DCI corps. (MPAUK), believes that SoundSport has 3, in conjunction with “Southwind, a former provided a revival of the marching arts in his DCI member corps that country. “By design, SoundSport removes a the annual Boys’ and ceased operations for a lot of barriers,” he says. “The early indica- number of years, used par- tions are that if we add more local events, Girls’ Brigade British ticipation in SoundSport as which removes long-distance travel, then a way to reboot the drum the interest will increase further. If this helps Marching Band corps,” he continues. “Guardians is another Championships at SoundSport group that started out modestly and is Northwood Stadium now doing extremely well. Other Open Class groups in Stoke-on-Trent. A likeWatchmen and Shadow have also used the program THE couple of existing as a stepping-stone.We COMPANY corps have created had three more groups new SoundSport apply for Open Class this (UK) year, but they weren’t ready quite yet. Continuing teams, including one under the banner of in SoundSport will give them another season to Southern Knights Performing Arts in refine and build their orga- nizations.The good news is Brighton & Hove, East Sussex, England. that DCI’s Open Class is extremely strong now Among the other SoundSport teams in because of the feeder pro- gram that SoundSport has the U.K. are the High Cross Cadets, the provided.” Stafford Brigades Cadet Marching Band, the Currently, there are 36 SoundSport teams from 19 states and three Canadian provinces, with more than 100 others in development. DCI 45th Anniversary 47

10th Wolver-hampton Boys’ & Girls’ Brigade Cadets, and a educational and inspirational experiences.” group from current DCUK championsTHE COMPANY. There are now more than three dozen SoundSport groups in China andTaiwan, with members ranging in age EXCITING LOCALES from five to 18. Units include the WeKIDS Kindergarten from SoundSport events have been held in a variety of interest- Taiwan; the No. 3 Girls’ High School, Wusi Middle School, ing venues around the world. In March 2015, DCI sponsored and Wanhangdu Road Primary School from Shanghai; and an event in Athlone, Ireland, in front of an historic castle on the Cooking Provisional High School in Qingdao. the banks of the River Shannon. Cinderford Academy (England) “The variety of groups that That September, they co-pro- SoundSport has produced is really duced SoundSport’s Central impressive,” DeNovi says with American debut in the Parque a pride. “Because the main focus is Centro América in on music and showmanship, we’ve Quetzaltenango, Guatemala’s sec- seen groups that have played ond largest city. A month later, the everything from Irish tin whistles to first officially sanctioned accordions.We’ve had members as SoundSport (and DrumLine young as five and as old as 85. At Battle) events in the Baltics were the event in Ireland, we had a held in Panevezys, Lithuania. grandfather, his son, and his grand- “We produced our first event son all in the same ensemble!” with Drum Corps Indonesia last December,” DeNovi says, “and are PHYSICAL ANDVIRTUAL already looking ahead to October CHAMPIONS for the next event in their province The first SoundSport champion- of Banten.The winning group last ship, held in 2014 in downtown year featured several dozen ele- Indianapolis’ Pan Am Plaza, was mentary students performing on won by Medellín Gran Banda from melodicas.” (Fans may remember Medellín, Colombia. “We ask our that the Indonesian drum corps Scoil Bhride international groups to bring a Gita Surosowan Banten earned a Tin Whistlers piece of their country with them, silver medal in the International (Ireland) in terms of music and visuals,” Class at the 2015 DCI World One of Motif Music’s DeNovi says, “so when our fans Championships.) For the past school ensembles. here see them perform, they get a three years, DCI has also worked taste of that country’s culture.” with the annual Marching in This year’s SoundSport Okayama Festival in Okayama, International Music and Food Japan: three days of marching fes- Festival in Indianapolis promises tivities every October that now to be the best one yet. include a SoundSport contest. “We’re always open to partner- In addition to the countries list- ing with organizations overseas ed above, SoundSport teams to help them organize events thrive in the Netherlands, Malaysia,Thailand, and, perhaps under SoundSport,” DeNovi adds. “Or if a group wants to most notably, China andTaiwan. travel to the United States, we’re more than happy to assist them in the logistics of getting here. For groups that can’t ASIAN CONNECTION make the trip, we now have the SoundSport Virtual “The introduction of SoundSport in Asia has been remark- Championship, which started in 2016. If a drum corps in able, especially in China where space is at a premium,” says Italy can’t make the trip to Indianapolis, they can send in a Wei-Pin Shen, managing director for Motif Music, a global video of their show through a special online submission strategic partner of DCI that establishes marching bands in program.Then three DCI judges view that performance Chinese public schools. “We have successfully held and give them recorded feedback as well as a gold, silver, SoundSport events in Shanghai andTaipei, and also or bronze rating. We had groups from Brazil, Italy, China, brought the Chien Kuo [Taiwan] High School Marching Band and throughout the United States participate last year, and on a mini-tour to join SoundSport and the DCI International we’re hoping that continues to grow so that travel doesn’t Class in 2015. SoundSport is a gateway for bands in Asia to become a barrier to being a part of the World participate in DCI events in the U.S., which can provide great Championship experience.” 48 2017 Souvenir Yearbook