National media release as posted on BusinessWire.com: DRUM CORPS INTERNATIONAL
ANNOUNCES 2006 ANNUAL SUMMER MUSIC GAMES TOUR
Marching Music's Major League?„? stages 140 events across the U.S. and Canada ADDISON, Ill. – June 20, 2006 – Drum Corps International, the event producer and sanctioning body for the world's most elite and exclusive marching music ensembles for students, kicked off its annual Summer Music Games Tour with its first major event in Lilse, Ill. this weekend. The tour features 12 major regional competitions in world class venues among more than 140 local events in cities and towns across the U.S. and Canada.
"Combining the physical intensity of top athletes with the virtuosity of world-class musicians, participants in Drum Corps International events are engaged in the pursuit of excellence at the highest levels," said Dan Acheson, Executive Director and CEO of Drum Corps International. "With the rigorous training and competition along with the spartan living conditions on the road, these youth also gain significant life-enhancing experience. After seeing some of the performances during this weekend's season kickoff, I believe the Summer Music Games Tour 2006 will produce some of the best performances Drum Corps International has ever offered." More than 8,000 students from all over the world audition for approximately 3,500 positions in Drum Corps International corps. Each year, corps participating in the tour will travel up to 12,000 miles, performing and competing in major stadium venues across the U.S., including the RCA Dome, the Georgia Dome, Gillette Stadium and INVESCO Field at Mile High. Performances incorporate a wide variety of music and dance from corps comprised of up to 135 high school and college students between the ages of 14 and 22. Each performance, featuring a thrilling spectacle of moving formations, spinning flags and masterfully orchestrated music, is judged on its general effect, musical and visual elements. During the 10-week Summer Music Games Tour, Drum Corps International participants rehearse an average of 70 hours per week. Member corps also hold 26 clinics for marching band students across the country. The tour will culminate with the 2006 World Championships at Madison, Wis., Aug. 8 – 12. Following the tour will be the ESPN2 broadcast of the championship finals event, tentatively scheduled for Sept. 5, 2006. Highlights of the tour include:
  • June 24: Columbia, Mo. at University of Missouri's Memorial Stadium
  • June 30: Central Illinois at Illinois State University's Hancock Stadium in Bloomington-Normal, Ill.
  • July 8: The Central Division Championships at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Ind.
  • July 15: Battle Creek, Mich. at Battle Creek Central High School
  • July 17: Louisville, Ky. at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium
  • July 22: The Southwestern Championship at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
  • July 28: Masters of the Summer Music Games at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, Tenn.
  • July 29: The Coltrin & Associates Southeastern Championship at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga.
  • August 4-5: The Eastern Classic at J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown, Pa.
  • August 8-12: The 2006 World Championships at University of Wisconsin Madison, Wis.
   
More than 55 corps will be competing in this year's tour including: Blue Devils of Concord, Calif.; Blue Knights of Denver, Colo.; Bluecoats of Canton, Ohio; Boston Crusaders of Boston, Mass.; The Cadets of Allentown, Pa.; Carolina Crown of Fort Mill, S.C.; The Cavaliers of Rosemont, Ill.; Glassmen of Toledo, Ohio; Jubal of the Netherlands; Madison Scouts of Madison, Wis.; Phantom Regiment of Rockford, Ill.; Santa Clara Vanguard of Santa Clara, Calif.; Spirit from JSU of Jacksonville, Ala. and Yamato of Riverside, Calif. and Osaka, Japan. Tickets for most events start at $18 and are available in advance online or at the venue box offices on the day of the show. For more information on tickets and a complete listing of scheduled events, please visit www.DCI.org or call (800) 495-7469. Publicity photos are available on request. About Drum Corps International From modest beginnings more than three decades ago, Drum Corps International has developed into a powerful, nonprofit, global youth organization with far-reaching artistic, educational and organizational influence. DCI is now recognized as the world leader in producing and sanctioning competitive marching music and related stadium events for youth. For additional information on the Summer Music Games Tour, Drum Corps International or the competing groups, go to www.DCI.org or contact Drum Corps International at (630) 628-7888. Drum Corps International is located at 470 South Irmen Drive, Addison, IL 60101.