One of the biggest success stories in Drum Corps International’s Open Class division in recent years, members of the Guardians made their very first trip to the DCI World Championships this past summer. 

Earning a spot among the top-12 Open Class finalists in Michigan City, Indiana this August, it was just four years ago that then 19-year-old corps director Johnathan Doerr started his group as part of DCI’s SoundSport program.

Now a full-fledged Open Class drum corps, the Texas-based group from Houston finished in 11th place in 2016.

“When I started [Guardians] four years ago I didn’t know what this was going to be. I didn’t know if it was going to last,” Doerr said. “Drum corps is a family, and that’s all I want from Guardians. I’m glad I’ve been able to create that.”