Inside DCI Playing on the World’s Big Stages

Early in 2017, the world experienced marching music excellence from some of Drum Corps International’s (DCI) top corps, once again highlighting the international reach of DCI. Bluecoats, Blue Knights, Crossmen, and Santa Clara Vanguard, performing in some of the world’s most famous events, are putting their ensembles and DCI on the global stage and building awareness and appreciation for marching music in many forms.

Coming Up Roses

Santa Clara Vanguard made DCI’s first international appearance of the year with a spectacular performance in the 128th Tournament of Roses Parade on January 2, kicking off the corps’ 50th anniversary year in a big way. A total of 245 current and alumni members came together after Christmas for a series of intense rehearsals before making their way south from the Silicon Valley for the special events and the historic parade in Pasadena.

Thrilling approximately a million fans lining the parade route and many millions more in 100+ countries worldwide through live broadcasts, Vanguard’s remarkable marching performance included classic parade music, a mash­up of “God Bless America” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and even a little “Uptown Funk.”

From One New Year’s Celebration to Another

Making a journey from Canton, Ohio to China, a group of 30 performers from DCI’s current World Champion Bluecoats represented the United States in Hong Kong’s International Chinese New Year Night Parade on January 29. Featuring music from their championship show, “Downside Up,” the Bluecoats created a standstill feature in DCI’s new SoundSport format and even engaged in a DrumLine Battle with Hong Kong’s Pegasus Vanguard as part of the parade and at other events while in Hong Kong.

The Bluecoats were tremendous ambassadors for marching music, showcasing the excellence and elite talent of DCI, while also demonstrating the versatility of the marching music activity in putting together their show­-stopping performances for live and television audiences.

Super Music for the Super Bowl

Adding to DCI’s impact at national and international events, San Antonio’s Crossmen turned up the volume at Super Bowl 51 at Houston’s NRG Stadium in early February. The 100­member ensemble included current and former corps members and performed for several NFL pre­game events, showcasing DCI once again in a huge venue drawing an audience from all over the world.

Taking Marching Music to the Persian Gulf

Adding even another dimension to DCI’s international presence, the Denver ­based Blue Knights received a commission to take a 100­member performance ensemble to the Opening Ceremonies of the 2017 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. The event, drawing race car drivers from 42 nations, will take place in Manama, Bahrain during the Formula 1 race week. The Blue Knights will perform for an expected 10,000 on­site spectators plus an estimated 500 million television viewers worldwide.

Across the country and around the world, DCI is making its presence known through incredible performance opportunities – showing why Drum Corps is International and why musicians at every level should get involved!

Percussion

Barbara Nash

Inside DCI Playing on the World’s Big Stages

Early in 2017, the world experienced marching music excellence from some of Drum Corps International’s (DCI) top corps, once again highlighting the international reach of DCI. Bluecoats, Blue Knights, Crossmen, and Santa Clara Vanguard, performing in some of the world’s most famous events, are putting their ensembles and DCI on the global stage and building awareness and appreciation for marching music in many forms.

Coming Up Roses

Santa Clara Vanguard made DCI’s first international appearance of the year with a spectacular performance in the 128th Tournament of Roses Parade on January 2, kicking off the corps’ 50th anniversary year in a big way. A total of 245 current and alumni members came together after Christmas for a series of intense rehearsals before making their way south from the Silicon Valley for the special events and the historic parade in Pasadena.

Thrilling approximately a million fans lining the parade route and many millions more in 100+ countries worldwide through live broadcasts, Vanguard’s remarkable marching performance included classic parade music, a mash­up of “God Bless America” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and even a little “Uptown Funk.”

From One New Year’s Celebration to Another

Making a journey from Canton, Ohio to China, a group of 30 performers from DCI’s current World Champion Bluecoats represented the United States in Hong Kong’s International Chinese New Year Night Parade on January 29. Featuring music from their championship show, “Downside Up,” the Bluecoats created a standstill feature in DCI’s new SoundSport format and even engaged in a DrumLine Battle with Hong Kong’s Pegasus Vanguard as part of the parade and at other events while in Hong Kong.

The Bluecoats were tremendous ambassadors for marching music, showcasing the excellence and elite talent of DCI, while also demonstrating the versatility of the marching music activity in putting together their show­-stopping performances for live and television audiences.

Super Music for the Super Bowl

Adding to DCI’s impact at national and international events, San Antonio’s Crossmen turned up the volume at Super Bowl 51 at Houston’s NRG Stadium in early February. The 100­member ensemble included current and former corps members and performed for several NFL pre­game events, showcasing DCI once again in a huge venue drawing an audience from all over the world.

Taking Marching Music to the Persian Gulf

Adding even another dimension to DCI’s international presence, the Denver ­based Blue Knights received a commission to take a 100­member performance ensemble to the Opening Ceremonies of the 2017 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. The event, drawing race car drivers from 42 nations, will take place in Manama, Bahrain during the Formula 1 race week. The Blue Knights will perform for an expected 10,000 on­site spectators plus an estimated 500 million television viewers worldwide.

Across the country and around the world, DCI is making its presence known through incredible performance opportunities – showing why Drum Corps is International and why musicians at every level should get involved!