50 Years of Excellence
After three years away from drum corps, I was happy to attend the Drum Corps International World Championships last week in Indy. It was DCI’s 50th Anniversary and it was certainly a thrill. The performances were stellar, the creativity was off the charts, and the fans were out in full force. There was a palpable energy in the building that added to the joy of the event. It was great to be back together.
Drum corps has been known for its high level of execution and excellence from its beginnings, and marching groups of all kinds look to DCI to demonstrate the elite level of performance in the marching arts. Directors, instructors, marchers, and fans all find great inspiration in the amazing efforts of the corps members, and seeing drum corps live is especially thrilling.
There were many highlights for me. The Bluecoats Keytar player embodied the joy of making music with your friends, while the Bluecoats Alumni Corps set a new standard for these groups. I loved the Jersey Surf “Jersey Boys” music and was excited to see the crowd go crazy for The Troopers at each performance. From daring set pieces by the Mandarins to the huge classical sound of the Phantom Regiment, there was something for every fan. I can’t possibly mention every great moment in this short blog post, but I want to say a huge thank you to all designers, instructors, administrators, and performers who made the week such a huge success.
Especially fun for me was that my boyfriend, Steve, attended with me and saw his first drum corps ever. It was fun to see the activity fresh in his eyes and answer his endless array of questions. He was surprised at the elaborate productions with sets and props and costumes, and he was impressed with the sheer athleticism of the performances. Thanks to Steve for joining me for this special trip.
Congratulations to Drum Corps International for this milestone and for a very successful return to a competitive season. Many people made heroic moves behind the scenes to make all of this possible. The Marching Roundtable is proud to be an official media partner of Drum Corps International. I cant wait to see what the next 50 years brings!
Tim Hinton
August 17, 2022
