INDIANAPOLIS – After some scattered rain throughout the week in Indianapolis, the skies parted for some sunshine over Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday morning and afternoon — just in time for the SoundSport International Music and Food Festival.
The 13th-annual event brought together 15 SoundSport ensembles from across the country, including Mercedes Marching Band from Mercedes Norte, Costa Rica, which represented DCI’s International Class earlier in the week at DCI World Championship events.
Rhythm IN BLUE once again earned “Best in Show” honors at the festival. Eric Kennaugh, performing on baritone and trombone for the ensemble, truly exemplified what makes performing on the SoundSport stage worth the effort.
“Being able to be high energy and get out with friends and make music, it’s really enjoyable to be with the crowd and the team,” Kennaugh said. “Everyone can be a part of SoundSport and can grow with their musicianship… I actually marched with my daughter, and that’s the coolest part of this, we get to do that together and experience that as a family.”
Diversity and creative freedom throughout the SoundSport Class was not only represented by the event’s wide array of performers and ensembles, but also in the festival crowd and the variety of food truck options available to attendees.
SoundSport coordinator David Eddleman spoke to the importance of bringing these teams together and the appeal to all kinds of musicians of all ages.
“It provides opportunities for performing ensembles to come to Indianapolis for Finals week, perform in a setting that is right-sized for their groups,” Eddleman said. “It’s all ages, it’s all instruments, and they can do any style of any kind of performance. So, the beauty of SoundSport is that it enables groups to participate in an affordable and accessible way in DCI events.”
One of the early teams on the event schedule, Spark — from Dover, New Jersey — represented everything that makes the festival an excellent experience from a fan and performer perspective.
Spark music director and trumpet soloist, Willy Carmona, was one of many SoundSport performers to bring infectious energy along with his ensemble. Returning to Indianapolis after a bronze rating in 2025, Carmona’s team walked away from the 2026 event with a Silver rating.
“We did this for the first time last year, and we came back twice the size — we had a blast. We just want to come here and rock people’s faces off and have a good time,” Carmona said. “The fans are ready, and then we just give them something to appreciate.”
Before the festival transitioned toward Lucas Oil Stadium for the DCI World Championship Finals, Gold capped the event by taking 2026’s DrumLine Battle title out of a quartet of percussion sections entering the fray.
2026 SoundSport International Music & Food Festival Results
Major Awards & Class Champions
- Best in Show: Rhythm in BLUE
- DrumLine Battle Champion: Gold
- Ensemble Spirit Award: Colt Cadets
- Mini Corps Champion: Sacramento Freelancers Mini Corps
Class Winners
- Best in All-Age Class: Rhythm in BLUE
- Best in Scholastic Class: Green Beret Marching Band
- Best in Youth Class: Conquest Drum & Bugle Corps
- Best in International Class: Mercedes Marching Band
Division Ratings & Results
All-Age Class
- Gold Rating: Apogee
- Gold Rating: Carolina Gold
- Gold Rating: Rhythm in BLUE
- Gold Rating: Sacramento Freelancers
- Gold Rating: Sonus Brass Theater
- Silver Rating: Apollo Marching Theatre
- Silver Rating: Columbus Saints
- Silver Rating: Phoenix Drum & Bugle Corps
- Silver Rating: Spark
Scholastic Class
- Silver Rating: Alexandria Monroe Marching Band
- Silver Rating: Green Beret Marching Band
- Outstanding Exhibition: IPS All City Band
Youth Class
- Silver Rating: Silver Rating: Mercedes Marching Band
International Class
- Silver Rating: Mercedes Marching Band
Mini Corps Competition
- 1st Place: Sacramento Freelancers Mini Corps (94.667)
