The following is a list of current drum corps competing as members of Drum Corps International (DCI). [1]
† = One of the thirteen charter members of Drum Corps International.
Corps | Location | Website |
---|---|---|
7th Regiment | New London, Connecticut | 7thregiment |
The Battalion | Salt Lake City, Utah | battalioncorps |
Blue Devils B | Concord, California | bluedevils |
Blue Devils C | Concord, California | bluedevils |
Colt Cadets | Dubuque, Iowa | colts |
Columbians | Pasco, Washington | columbiansdrumcorps |
Gold | Oceanside, California | golddrumcorps |
Golden Empire | Bakersfield, California | geperformingarts |
Guardians | Dallas, Texas | guardiansdbc |
Heat Wave | Tampa, Florida | heat-wave |
Impulse! | Buena Park, California | impulseyoutharts |
Les Stentors | Sherbrooke, Quebec | stentors |
Raiders | Burlington, New Jersey | raidersdbc |
River City Rhythm | Anoka, Minnesota | rivercityrhythm |
Spartans | Nashua, New Hampshire | spartansdbc |
Vessel | San Dimas, California | vesseldrumcorps |
Corps | Location | Website |
---|---|---|
Atlanta CV | Atlanta, Georgia | atlantacv |
Bushwackers | Princeton, New Jersey | bushwackers |
Cincinnati Tradition | Cincinnati, Ohio | cincinnatitradition |
Columbus Saints | Columbus, Ohio | columbussaints |
Connecticut Hurricanes | Seymour, Connecticut | cthurricanes |
Fusion Core | Morris County, New Jersey | fusioncore |
Govenaires | St. Peter, Minnesota | govenaires |
Hawthorne Caballeros | Hawthorne, New Jersey | hawthornecaballeros |
New York Skyliners | New York City, New York | skylinersdbc |
Reading Buccaneers | Reading, Pennsylvania | readingbuccaneers |
Rogues Hollow Regiment | Doylestown, Ohio | rogueshollowregiment |
Sunrisers | Long Island, New York | sunrisersdbc.org |
White Sabers | Rochester, New York | whitesabers |
Below is a list of corps who are considered temporarily inactive and plan on returning to competition:
Corps | Location | Inactive | Website |
---|---|---|---|
Jersey Surf | Camden County, New Jersey | 2025 [2] | jerseysurf.org |
Vanguard Cadets | Santa Clara, California | 2023 [3] | scvanguard |
A modern drum and bugle corps is a musical marching unit consisting of brass instruments, percussion instruments, electronic instruments, and color guard. Typically operating as independent non-profit organizations, corps perform in competitions, parades, festivals, and other civic functions. Participants of all ages are represented within the corps activity, but the majority are between the ages of 13 and 22 and are members of corps within Drum Corps International.
Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps based in Rockford, Illinois, USA. The corps is a long-standing member of Drum Corps International (DCI), having been a DCI World Championship Top Twelve Finalist every year since 1974 and DCI World Champions in 1996 (tie) and 2008.
Drum Corps International (DCI) is a governing body for drum and bugle corps. Founded in 1971 and known as "marching music's major league," 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.
The Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps based in Madison, Wisconsin. The Madison Scouts are one of the thirteen founding member corps of Drum Corps International (DCI) and a two-time DCI World Champion. Entering the 2024 season, the Madison Scouts are currently the oldest continuously active junior corps.
The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps based in Rosemont, Illinois. The Cavaliers were one of the thirteen founding member corps of Drum Corps International and is a seven-time DCI World Champion. The Cavaliers are the only active all-male corps in the activity.
The Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps based in Concord, California. The Blue Devils are members of Drum Corps International (DCI). They have finished in the top three at the DCI World Championships since 2006, and have placed no lower than fifth since 1992. They also hold the record for the highest score in DCI history, winning the 2014 DCI World Championships with a score of 99.65. The Blue Devils hold a record of twenty-one titles to date.
Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps is a competitive drum and bugle corps, based in Santa Clara, California. The Santa Clara Vanguard is one of the thirteen founding member corps of Drum Corps International (DCI) and a seven time DCI World Champion, winning the title most recently in 2018.
The Anaheim Kingsmen Drum and Bugle Corps, commonly referred to as the Anaheim Kingsmen, were a competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in Anaheim, California, the corps was a charter member corps of Drum Corps International (DCI) and the first DCI World Champion.
The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps was a junior drum and bugle corps that operated from 1934 to 2024.
At the end of the summer season, Drum Corps International (DCI) World Class corps compete to earn the title of DCI World Class Champion. The championships consist of three rounds—Preliminaries, Semifinals, and Finals—held on the first or second Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of August. Through 2010, all active World Class corps competed in the Quarterfinals, with the top 17 advancing to the Semifinals. The top 12 corps from Semifinals then advanced to the Finals. Since the 2011 season, all active DCI corps have been permitted to compete for the championship. In this format, about 40 corps compete in Preliminaries, while the top 25 advances to Semifinals, with the top-scoring 12 advances to Finals. The champion is determined by the overall high score in the Finals competition. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the DCI World Championship and tour were cancelled. In 2021, to mark the return of drum corps, there were no scores given during the season, and the season concluded with a three-day celebratory event at Lucas Oil Stadium consisting of exhibition performances.
The Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps is a competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, the Boston Crusaders are a charter member of Drum Corps International.
The Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the Blue Stars was one of the thirteen founding member corps of Drum Corps International.
Ralph Hardimon is a percussionist, teacher, composer, and clinician. He is best known for his work in the areas of marching percussion, rudimental drumming, drum & bugle corps, and marching band.
Fred Sanford (1947–2000) was a percussionist, teacher, composer, and clinician. He is best known for his work in the areas of marching percussion, drum & bugle corps, and marching band.
The Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in Casper, Wyoming, the Troopers was one of the thirteen founding member corps of Drum Corps International (DCI).
BD Performing Arts is the corporate entity that manages several performance groups in Concord, California. Included in these groups are the three Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corps, designated "A", "B", and "C"; the Blue Devils International Corps; the Blue Devils Open Class, A Class, and Special Needs Winter Guards; BD Winds ; RCC Indoor Percussion, Thesis Percussion, and BD Entertainment.
The Gold Drum and Bugle Corps is an Open Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in Oceanside, California, Gold performs in Drum Corps International (DCI) competitions.
Myron Stewart Rosander was a performing member, visual instructor, and visual designer for the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps and later a visual designer for the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. He was inducted posthumously into the Drum Corps International hall of fame in 2016.
The implementation of sound technology by Drum Corps International is a phenomenon in the twenty-first century marching arts. Since 2004, many corps have used electronics to amplify, alter, and add to the sound of their ensembles.
Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Based in Camden, New Jersey, Jersey Surf is a member corps of Drum Corps International.
Vanguard Cadets are currently on hiatus. They will not be performing in the 2024 season.