Representatives from member organizations shared mitigation strategies and discussed planning options for the 2020 DCI Summer Tour. Their goal is to thoroughly address potential vulnerabilities and provide guidance and resources to assist the corps with the successful planning and execution of procedures to effectively mitigate these challenges. Guidelines include guidance on self-sequestration prior to departing for “move-in” day, as well as pre-travel testing requirements, considerations while traveling to a corps location, potential need for quarantining when staying with the corps during training camp, testing during and after encampment and input on day-to-day lifestyle and hygienic functions such as showering, Drum Corps Videos food preparation, nutrition and meal service. The longtime tradition of sleeping in school gyms and simply heading outside to the practice field will be different and in some cases will be replaced in part this year by a shift to more use of hotel and dorm rooms and other creative solutions which meet health and safety guidelines. A multi-disciplinary team of highly qualified medical, legal and public health experts along with other healthcare, logistics, risk management and administration professionals, the TRTF has published a continually-updated set of recommendations based on the latest available scientific data and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.

DCI and each of its individual organizations continue to gather information and closely monitor the evolving public health and safety conditions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the start of the pandemic, DCI has paid close attention to the numerous public health and safety issues which would affect participating ensembles, their members, and the organization itself. Since the start of winter, Acheson has been working with members of Drum Corps International’s Artistry and Competition Steering Committee, comprised of instructors and show designers of World and Open Class corps along with judge-advisors, to guide the programming of each night of performances. Registration Window: Registration will start June 14 and be open until August 1. After signing up, videos can be submitted at any time during the seven-week period. The Cavaliers still have spots open for a baritone player, metronome operator and color guard performers. DCI does not “train” judges who have no prior experience in the marching arts. The committee has pulled together a general consensus of what corps will be able to present in the context of a shortened season and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, while still offering their members and audiences a world-class performance experience.

With a focus on safety, education, student achievement, Drum Corps Videos and audience engagement, the SoundSport Scholastic experience provides directors and students with opportunities to collaborate, learn, and Drum Corps Videos celebrate their shared passion for marching music and the performing arts! Duration in music represents time and is displayed horizontally in music notation. Regardless of the age of your performers and the size of your performance area, whether you’re “on-the-move” or stationary, performing as a drum corps, marching band, concert band, jazz ensemble, orchestra, wind ensemble, Mariachi ensemble, athletic “pep” band, or other creative performing group, your music ensemble can participate in the SoundSport Medalist Class to spotlight your unique talents and creativity to the DCI community and the world. Considerations include vehicle seat assignments, housing and sleeping arrangements whether in a hotel room or in a school gym or other large area, and other characteristics unique to life within the ranks of a touring Drum Corps Videos corps. SoundSport’s “Festival-Rating” contest for small performing ensembles now expanded to include large performing ensembles! Some performances might spotlight individuals or small ensembles, DrumLine Battle, or entire drum corps showcasing additional material beyond their standard performance repertoires. Additional time will be budgeted for logistics before, during and after rehearsal and performance sessions.

A non-profit entity was officially established in 1972, and today DCI supports numerous programs around the globe while sanctioning participating recognized drum corps, SoundSport® performance ensembles and DrumLine Battle™ teams performing in more than 100 competitive events that make up the annual Drum Corps International Tour. A celebration of the rich history of Drum Corps International with a focus on the many accomplishments DCI corps have achieved over the past five decades. All ensembles will also be recognized at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis as well as online as “Official Participants” in the 2021 DCI Celebration Tour. Although we realize that the situation is constantly changing and there is a risk that a severe downturn could require us to abandon our 2021 plans, we are moving forward with the confidence that a team of extraordinarily talented and highly qualified professionals are guiding the decision-making process to minimize exposure to risk and to maximize every opportunity for success.