by Molly
Drum Corps International (DCI) is something that not many people have the opportunity to get to know or be a part of, but for those who have the time to surf YouTube or take a summer road trip, it is a life changing experience. For those who don’t know, DCI is essentially a regiment of professional-grade marching bands. These talented, passionate young people spend thousands of dollars and months away from their families in order to produce a top-of-the-line product that high school ensembles could only dream of.
In my lifetime, I’ve only had the privilege of attending one DCI show (the one that introduced me to the wonder that was the Blue Devils!), but from that experience I can tell you that marching band can be just as competitive as any football or baseball league out there.
At my first Drum Corps International show, it was projected that there was going to be some pretty nasty weather rolling in. Being DCI, and knowing that many people had invested hundreds of dollars in tickets to watch them perform, the show went on. About half way through the Cavaliers’ performance, an announcer came over the intercom, alerting us to the fact that there was severe weather fast approaching. Corps members and spectators alike took refuge under the bleachers. Oddly enough, this is how I got to know several members of the Madison Scouts and Crusaders Corps fairly well.
By the end of the ordeal, we were all laughing and joking like we’d known each other for years. This is one thing that I really appreciated about these people who we could’ve expected to be snobbish and rude. I mean, most of these performers have a World Championship under their belts. They had no reason at all to be interested in what I had to say about my 52-piece band from the boondocks of Southern Indiana.
This, admittedly, was probably the highlight of my entire life. Even though this all happened due to a flash tornado watch, I’m so glad it did. To this day, I’m able to creep these people on Google Images and be like, “Yeah, I know that guy.”
When I asked one performer if he considered marching a sport (a long-standing argument amongst us seasoned performers), he responded with a definitive “no”. To elaborate, he stated that marching band was an athletic performance, combining all of the beauty of a concert band with all of the stealth and precision of a drill team. Every member was in use at all times, unlike sports, where some players may sit on the bench for half the season, and if even one person is out of step, the entire team suffers for it. Therefore, band members must work harder than any athlete out there. When you stop and think about it, his reasoning is pretty fool-proof.
One of the most exciting parts of the DCI experience is the fact that everyone that shows up has a team that they are rooting for, but at the same time, everyone is there to have fun and share “This One Time at Band Camp...” stories with anyone who will listen, regardless of which corps you are there supporting. It isn’t like a football game in the sense that opposing teams absolutely despise each other. In all honesty, I’ve probably had more fun getting to know people from other parts of the country who came to support their Corps, than actually watching the show itself in some cases!
Auditions for individual corps are held in different cities across the country, often starting as early as December of the year prior to the start of the competitive season. Only the best few will be accepted into the Drum Corps ranks, and these few will have to fight to get to the top of the leaderboard for the entire season..
The reigning champion from the 2013-2014 season is Carolina Crown, an integrated corps hailing from Fort Mill, South Carolina.This past season, they earned a near-perfect score of 98.300/100 points at the World Championships with their show, E=mc^2.
World Championships are held every November in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium, and every year, people come from across the country and the world to be able to witness the phenomenon that is Drum Corps International. Whether you’re a fan of Santa Clara Vanguard’s unique marching style, the Scouts’ triumphant tunes, or Phantom’s powerful drum majors, there will inevitably be something there that will continue to draw you in and bring you back year after year.
Who is your favorite corps? Who do you think will be the World Championship holder this season? Let us know in the comments below!
