As it enters its third season on the field, Memphis Blues is charting new territory, approved as an Open Class affiliate for the 2025 Drum Corps International Tour.
The Tennessee-based corps debuted in 2023 as a SoundSport ensemble and entered DCI’s reclassification process ahead of the 2024 season. After a successful evaluation year, Memphis Blues will now compete and be scored alongside other Open Class corps.
“We know the organization is ready for DCI open class,” said Memphis Blues board member Judy Ulchinsky. “Our on- and off-field growth has been preparing us for this step for a few years now. “
The DCI reclassification process spans three years. Corps begin with a year of evaluation, followed by affiliate membership in year two. If all benchmarks are met, they can achieve full Open Class membership by year three, a status Memphis Blues could attain for the 2026 DCI Tour.
Here’s a short diddy from the drum line at our April camp. ALERT: WE STILL HAVE OPENINGS AT ALL POSITIONS. For more info please submit an Interest Form at memphisbluesdc.org.
Posted by Memphis Blues on Wednesday, April 30, 2025
“It’s exciting to have Memphis Blues join the Open Class ranks for 2025,” said David Eddleman, DCI’s coordinator for Open Class, SoundSport, and international development. “They are taking time to do things right, and it’s great to see their efforts rewarded with the recent approval to compete in Open Class.”
While the current iteration of Memphis Blues is young, it carries a legacy. The original Memphis Blues Brass Band — often called “MB3” — was active in the early 1980s, with now-executive director Keith Hall serving as one of its first drum majors. Hall also helped launch Music City Drum Corps in 2009.
According to Hall, Memphis Blues’ approach to growing its organization hasn’t changed in light of its entry into Open Class. The corps has been able to build a strong membership in its first two years on the field, and hopes to continue doing so under the new competitive heading.
“We are just trying to have the best drum corps we can,” Hall said. “Whether we were in SoundSport or Open Class, we aren’t doing anything differently.”
That being said, the corps is in a strong place in terms of its recruiting efforts for the 2025 season.
“Membership is holding strong at 95 members,” Ulchinsky said. “There is a good mix of vets and rookies. The chemistry is truly a pleasure to watch. We are all looking forward to their growth this summer.”
Memphis Blues’ 2025 performance schedule will feature a week’s worth of performances throughout the southeastern United States.
A slate of five total appearances — which is the corps’ most extensive touring schedule since its inaugural summer in 2023 — will begin July 5 in Lexington, South Carolina, and wrap up July 12 in Little Rock, Arkansas.
View Memphis Blues’ 2025 DCI Tour Schedule
