"The Tournament of Bands organization has provided opportunities for hundreds of thousands of students to experience the thrill of performance and self-expression for nearly four decades, while focusing on their mission of encouraging the achievement of 'excellence through positive reinforcement,'" said John DeNovi, Director of Business Development for Drum Corps International. "Through this partnership, we intend to assist the many educators, students, adjudicators and supporters of these groups with the furthering of that important mission."
Founded in 1972, the same year as Drum Corps International, the Tournament of Bands will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2012. The TOB organization will sanction more than 100 competitive marching band events in the coming fall, showcasing performances by more than 10,000 students in 13 regions across nine states. It also produces a 200-member All-Star Band that participates annually in the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade.
"As scholastic performing arts budgets are slashed in school districts throughout the country, arts educators are coming together to fight to maintain essential programs in our schools," said Jeffrey Dent, Director of the Tournament of Bands. "By joining forces with Drum Corps International, we hope to increase our ability to serve the outstanding students involved with scholastic performing arts education in our region, while also increasing our ability to support those who educate and instruct them; learning the latest philosophical and practical approaches to evaluating and encouraging the growth of their performances in the process. With a 'Major League' standing in the world of arts education, Drum Corps International helps to lead the way for scholastic music education advocacy and defines the state of the art in marching music. We're very proud to become a part of DCI's network of strategic partners."
Learn more about the Tournament of Bands at njatob.org.