Year in and year out, Drum Corps International’s INpact Indiana’s Future Band delivers one of the most memorable experiences of World Championships Week — and 2025 was, by far, the biggest yet.
Celebrating its 13th season, the middle school honors band program — which served about 600 students annually in recent years — brought together nearly 1,000 musicians for two days of music-making, mentorship, and performance, all as part of the DCI World Championships, August 7-9 in Indianapolis.
At the helm of this impactful music education operation is band director coordinator Katy Briel, a veteran middle school teacher who was honored as the 2024-2025 Indiana Outstanding Music Educator of the Year by the National Federation of High Schools. Part of the group since its inception, Briel has seen INpact grow from a beloved tradition into a launching pad for countless young performers eager to explore music and the arts.
“I think it really shows the importance of music education and how that is very much still alive and well, not just in Indiana, but all over our country,” Briel said of the INpact program.
In order to serve such a large number of students — and in response to a gradually-increasing number of annual applicants — 2025 also saw the genesis of a secondary BANDtastic! Indy ensemble. Participants in the INpact Band took part in a multi-day experience, while BANDtastic! Indy participants were specifically a part of Saturday events.
“We’ve been having well over 1,000 applicants for a while, and we sat down and said, ‘How can we incorporate more students?’” Briel said. “So, we (offered spots to) 1,000 this year. We were really close to having right under 1,000 students participate, and I think we’re going to have even more next year.”
As part of their single-day educational experience, BANDtastic! Indy students had the opportunity to work alongside attendees of the Emerging Music Educator Workshop, a brand-new program of Drum Corps International dedicated to developing college students into impactful, well-rounded music educators.
“It’s great professional development for young teachers or students who are going to be music educators,” Briel added, “to get that hands-on experience.”
For those participating in INpact, the weekend featured two full days of festivities. Starting Friday morning, students engaged in a full day of immersive rehearsals and drum corps spectating, between the Indiana Convention Center and Indianapolis’ scenic Military Park.
From there, the focus shifted to a Friday night performance — with music prepared in advance with the help of students’ own band directors, as well as the educators in attendance — at “Shining a Light on Music Education” an annual event hosted at Downtown Indianapolis’ Monument Circle.
Saturday, following BANDtastic! Indy check-in during the morning, students across both programs participated in educational programming and extensive rehearsals, all building up to a combined performance under the bright lights of Lucas Oil Stadium as part of the DCI World Championship Finals.
As part of the kickoff of the evening event, students played under the direction of Dr. Jon Noworyta, assistant professor of music and director of bands at the University of Indianapolis and Dr. Eric Scott, director of bands at Indiana State University, along with guest soloist Al Chez, who has been a staple of INpact performances over many years.
“I love watching them on the Jumbotron (at Lucas Oil Stadium),” Briel said. “You just see this passion, like they’re so excited with what they’re doing.”
Ultimately, that impact on the lives of young musicians is the most important and worthwhile part of the INpact Band, and BANDtastic! Indy, experience.
“I know that we’re changing their lives for the better,” Briel said.
