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Drum Corps International

Drum Corps International (DCI) is a governing body for drum and bugle corps. Founded in 1971, DCI develops and enforces rules of competition and judges at sanctioned drum and bugle corps competitions throughout the United States and Canada. It is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2023, Drum Corps Associates (DCA) and DCI joined to become the sole governing body for drum and bugle corps in North America.[1]

Abbreviation

DCI

October 1971 (1971-10)

501(c)(3) organization

36-2754480

Active

Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.

  • United States
  • Canada

50 Drum & bugle corps

Jonathan Powell

Nate Boudreaux

IncreaseUS$14.677 million

IncreaseUS$14.224 million

dci.org

History[edit]

20th century[edit]

In 1971, at the urging of then-director of The Cavaliers Don Warren and Troopers director Jim Jones, the directors from Blue Stars, Madison Scouts, and Santa Clara Vanguard, cooperated to form the "Midwest Combine".[2] The Combine corps would market themselves to show promoters as a package.


The partnership was a reaction to perceived inflexibility of the American Legion and VFW, who were the primary sponsors of competing drum corps and the hosts of the only high-prestige national championships.[3]: 47  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. Many local show sponsors and promoters rarely paid appearance fees to any corps.[3]: 320  A similar combine of five drum corps had formed in the Northeast known informally as the Alliance.[a]


Its members were: 27th Lancers, Garfield Cadets, Boston Crusaders, Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights, and Blue Rock.[2] Despite objections from veterans associations, and boycotts by adjudicators, both the Combine and the Alliance remained intact for the 1971 competitive season.[2] After discussions during the 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.[3]: 321  Also invited to the meeting were the Anaheim Kingsmen, Argonne Rebels, and De La Salle Oaklands. Drum Corps International was established by thirteen corps on or after October 21, 1971.[b]

From 1972 to 1992, Open Class corps were limited to 128 members.

Class A corps generally had 90 or fewer members, however the membership limit was 128.

All-Girl Class was restricted to girls only; there was no equivalent all-boy class.

Class A60, and the later Division III, required between 15 and 60 members. Between 2004 and 2007 all Division III corps were required to march between 30 and 60 members.

From 1992 to 2007, Division II had the same membership limit as Division I, however few corps reach this limit.

[36]

In 2004, the Division I membership limit was increased from 128 to 135.

The membership limit for World Class, the new Open Class, and International Class was increased to 150 in 2007.

[37]

In 2018, the membership limit per corps was increased to 154.

[38]

In 2022, the membership limit per corps was increased to 165. Due to the size of the corps, all on-field judges were limited to the sidelines.

[39]

Drum Corps Associates

Winter Guard International

Bands of America

Official website