What is DCI?

What is DCI, and what are “Drum and Bugle Corps”?

DCI stands for "Drum Corps International." Drum and Bugle Corps (also just called “Drum Corps) are competitive groups that:

- Rehearse all summer
- Members can be up to 21 years old
- Tour all summer, competing once or twice a week against 5 - 8 other groups. Judges walk around on the field and talk into tape recorders.
- Maximum number in each group can only be 128
- No woodwinds allowed (!) (Sorry, it’s not my idea.)
- There are about 20 seriously competitive Corps in the US, and the top 10 are better than just about any high school or college or marching band.
- Members of Drum and Bugle Corps PAY to participate, between $500 and $2000 for the summer. They sleep on gym floors and eat lots of peanut butter sandwiches.
- Each year the Finals competition is in August, and it is televised.
- Since finals are in mid-August, it is somewhat difficult for Texas high school students to be in a Drum and Bugle Corps, because they must miss two weeks of high school summer band. However, now that school begins later, it is more feasible.
- Here in the Metroplex there is a DCI show each summer in Denton, and another in Richardson.

You can learn more by reading information at www.dci.com