Drum Corps International (DCI), also known as the major league of marching arts, is an organization that sanctions competitions with various drum corps. Drum Corps is the highest level of marching band. Students from around the world audition for some of the most sought after spots on trumpet, mellophone, trombone, baritone, tuba, drumline, or other percussion instruments. These students make up groups such as the Colts who are based out of Dubuque, Iowa.
Michael Hill, who graduated from Davenport West in 2020, marched with the Dubuque Colts throughout his years at West. During his time at West he was instructed by assistant band director Courtney Long who talks about his time in the West band as well as marching with the Dubuque Colts.
“I think Drum Corps is an amazing educational experience for band students. We had a drumline member who had marched with the Dubuque Colts throughout his years in the West band. Michael Hill who played snare drum for our drumline had a spot with the Colts on their frontline. He had to miss our summer drumline clinics so unfortunately he wasn’t eligible to be a section leader. However when he arrived back from the DCI summer tour he was very easily able to catch up with everybody else and was a very great leader. In my opinion DCI has shaped him into one heck of a musician,” said Long.
Whether you are a musician or in color guard there is a place in DCI for you. Although most have not heard of DCI, it is very prevalent within the marching band community. The West drumline, with a couple of guests, took a trip to Ankeny, Iowa to see the DCI event “Celebration in Brass” hosted by the Dubuque Colts. This event featured some of the highest ranked corps including the DCI world championship winning Corps, The Bluecoats.
“I originally found out about DCI by going to the event in Ankeny. I wasn’t expecting much out of it but it completely blew me away. My favorite show out of the six that we got to see was The Bluecoats show ‘Change is Everything’. I am still unsure whether or not I want to audition but if I were to audition I would audition for the Sacramento Mandarins or the Canton Bluecoats,” junior Mason Morgan said.
However, DCI can be very expensive. These talented musicians are often required to pay upwards of $6,000 to march a year in a drum corps. Many drum corps offer scholarships, however these are very limited and often pay out not even a quarter of the cost. With the financial barriers in mind, DCI is still a very rewarding experience.
“My first year marching DCI was 2024 when I marched with the Bluecoats. I had to work a full time job to be able to cover my tuition however it was one of the most educational experiences of my music career. I didn’t know for sure I would make The Bluecoats because nothing in life is guaranteed, however I was very confident going in. My advice for someone wanting to audition is to know the audition packet well enough to where it is pretty much muscle memory. Be confident in your audition and that confidence will go a long way. Don’t be afraid to talk to veterans and make friends. It will make your experience ten times better,” Bluecoats inside source Davis Jay said.
Davis Jay is just one of 165 people who had the honor of marching with The Bluecoats. The Bluecoats are just one of 50 drum corps that are part of DCI. That is a total of 8,250 spots within DCI. If DCI seems interesting to you, then auditions are held in the winter. For more information on DCI you can go to dci.org.
