Drum Corps International

Drum Corps International (DCI) is a governing body for junior drum and bugle corps based in Indianapolis, Indiana. DCI is responsible for developing and enforcing rules of competition, and for providing standardized adjudication, at sanctioned competitions throughout the United States and Canada. The competitive season traditionally begins in late-June and ends with the annual World Championship the second week of August. DCI is not affiliated with the similarly named Drum Corps Associates (DCA) or Drum Corps Europe (DCE), governing bodies for all-age or senior drum and bugle corps in the United States and Europe. History In 1971, at the urging of then-director of Chicago Cavaliers, Don Warren (6), and The Troopers Drum And Bugle Corps director, Jim Jones (41), the directors from Blue Stars Drum And Bugle Corps, Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps, and Santa Clara Vanguard, partnered with each other to form what was called the "Midwest Combine". The Combine corps would market themselves to show promoters as a package. This partnership was a reaction to perceived inflexibility of the American Legion and VFW, who were then the primary sponsors of competing drum corps as well as the hosts of the only high-prestige national championships. Another source of contention was low-to-nonexistent appearance fees paid to independent corps who were neither sponsored nor affiliated with any veterans post. Only those independent corps who placed among the top three at either of the national championships were paid any appearance fees, which deterred many corps from competing. Additionally, many local show sponsors and promoters rarely paid appearance fees to any corps. A similar combine had formed in 1971 among corps based in the Northeast, known as the Alliance. Its members were: 27th Lancers, The Cadets Drum And Bugle Corps (Garfield Cadets), Boston Crusaders, Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights Drum And Bugle Corps, and Blue Rock Drum & Bugle Corps. Despite objections from veterans associations, and boycotts by adjudicators associations, both the Combine and the Alliance remained intact for the 1971 competitive season. After discussions during the 1971 VFW National Championships, the members of both groups agreed to meet at the next American Legion Uniformed Group Rules Congress to discuss forming a new, independent, governing body. Also invited to the meeting were the Anaheim Kingsmen, Argonne Rebels, and Oakland Crusaders (De La Salle Oaklands). Drum Corps International was established by thirteen corps on October 21, 1971. Given the difficulties experienced during the 1971 season, the members agreed not to interfere with the long-established regional competition circuits, especially those sponsored by the veterans organizations, but to boycott the other prestige championships, such as the VFW Nationals and Fleetwood Records (2)' World Open Championship. DCI would also develop its own adjudicators committee instead of relying on any existing association. Additionally, member corps would be allowed to compete where they wished with few limitations, however, all member corps would be required to attend a specific number of DCI-sanctioned events as well as an annual World Championship, which would be scheduled in late-August after the other championships. DCI members would also remain united if boycotting a particular event, show sponsor, or business—such as Fleetwood Records (2), if such an action proved necessary. The inaugural DCI World Championship was hosted at Warhawks Stadium on the campus of University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on August 18, 1972. In attendance were thirty-nine corps from fifteen states and one Canadian province. The Anaheim Kingsmen Drum and Bugle Corps was crowned the first DCI World Champion. The Combine evolved into Drum Corps Midwest (DCM), while the Alliance became Drum Corps East—sometimes called Drum Corps Atlantic. Both offered a regional circuit of competitions and a regional championship hosted prior to the "national tour" of DCI-sanctioned competitions. DCI gradually expanded its schedule to begin earlier in the competitive season, and thus participation declined at non-DCI events. Many of the regional circuits which pre-dated DCI, continued into the 1990s, with their high-profile competitions eventually being replaced by DCI competitions. Other prestige championships, were eventually absorbed into the DCI schedule, many becoming DCI regionals. VFW Nationals are no longer hosted. The American Legion Championships are hosted infrequently by Legion posts in Pennsylvania or New York, and rarely attracts more than a few junior corps. On March 25, 2020, in response to the coronavirus pandemic, DCI member corps voted unanimously to cancel the 2020 competitive season. Please note that Drum Corps International (DCI or DCI Recordings) is in fact not a Record Label, although they release albums and DVD's each year covering the annual Word Championships. However, they are credited as the Copyright Holder (©) for these recordings.