The Passion of Drum Corps International

Drum Corps International is the non-profit governing body managing the North American drum and bugle corps circuit for members aged between 14 and 22. Founded in 1972, its mission is to impart a life-changing experience for the junior corps through music and performance. Drum Corps International represents "excellence in performance and in life" for more than 7 million youth in the US participating in musical arts programs.

DCI is composed of a small group of full-time executive and administrative staff. Their office is located in Addison, IL but relocated to Indianapolis, IN on 2008. Since its creation more than three decades ago, DCI grew to be an influential, international youth activity with influences on arts, education and organization. Drum Corps International is the Major League of Marching Band Music.

DCI is the counterpart of Drum Corps Associates (DCA) which controls the senior or all-age drum corps. It is an international association of competitive and aggressive drum and bugle corps. Over 8,000 students compete each year for less than 3,500 available slots in the elite member corps.

The annual DCI Tour provides leisure and entertainment to millions through live performances and nationally-televised events. The tour is made up of over 100 events different cities across the United States. More than 400,000 fans attend this drum event each summer while over 5,000 members directly participate in the event.

The competitive drum and bugle corps is an extreme, choreographed musical event that is shown on football stadium fields. The members of this drum and bugle corps are students with superior levels of excellence in performance of their instruments including band cymbals, drums and horns.. Each drum corps is classified into three competitive categories. Each drum corps is distinctive on how management, staff and members deal with the drum corps experience. Through this experience, the youth acquire different skills and values in life such as discipline, leadership and teamwork.