Just two years in, Drum Corps International’s All-Age Class is gaining momentum.
With just over a month until the start of the DCI Summer Tour, Minnesota Brass and Northern Lights have been approved to join DCI’s All-Age Class as affiliate* members. With the addition of these two organizations, the division now features 14 total corps for 2025.
“It’s exciting to see the immediate, rapid growth of DCI All-Age,” said DCI All-Age Class coordinator John Carr. “Minnesota Brass and Northern Lights are two welcome additions to our diverse class of competing corps, and we’re excited to see two organizations take advantage of the many benefits of the All-Age activity and thrive as a result.”
For Northern Lights, entrance into All-Age Class competition marks a significant step in the early evolution of the Muskegon, Michigan corps.
Northern Lights was founded in 2022, and first fielded an ensemble in 2023 as part of DCI’s SoundSport program. In its first two seasons, 2023 and 2024, Northern Lights received gold ratings at the SoundSport International Music and Food Festival, hosted as part of the DCI World Championships in Indianapolis.
“It’s really a platform like no other,” Northern Lights corps director Doug Olmstead said. “SoundSport is the perfect opportunity to learn how to administrate a drum corps, while giving the members an experience very close to that of a typical drum corps season while still being so wildly creative and unique.”
Since its genesis, Northern Lights’ priority has been to provide a low-cost option with a low barrier to entry for participants. As such, a weekend-only, any-age medium is perfect for the Michigan-based organization.
“There are things we do as a corps that fit right in with the tradition and excellence of the activity,” Olmstead said, “but we also relish being able to be the ‘new kids on the block,’ with fresh ideas and a unique perspective which we believe can both uphold the lofty standards of "Marching Music's Major League" while also helping to blaze new trails.”
According to Olmstead, DCI’s in-depth, multi-year evaluation process has provided the perfect opportunity for his organization to grow in a gradual, smart and sustainable way.
He recommends it to any up-and-coming marching music ensemble.
“I hope that future educators and administrators see this article and take away this — anything is possible,” Olmstead said. “The evaluation process feels built to make sure that organizations exist for the long term. It is about stability, steady and sustained growth, and organizational structure with the member at the front of mind.”
“It's truly a community and we're thankful this opportunity exists to platform our organization and take it from grass-roots to a thriving nonprofit business,” he added. “Not only has the organization learned from the process and procedure end of things and what it takes to have a successfully functioning drum corps, but DCI makes the daunting part of the process easier to compartmentalize and tackle in a systematic way.”
For Minnesota Brass, the corps’ inclusion in DCI All-Age marks the end of an eight-year journey to return to the drum corps field. The organization was founded in 1946, and competed as part of the venerable all-age Drum Corps Associates since the 1970s, winning a 2011 championship title along the way.
Throughout the 2010s, Minnesota Brass served as a consistent DCA contender, earning top-three positions every year between 2008 and 2016. Following the 2017 season, the corps entered a period of inactivity that ended with its reemergence as a SoundSport team in 2022.
Three years later, Minnesota Brass once again has the opportunity to compete with its fellow all-age corps.
“I'm thrilled to see Minnesota Brass back on the competitive drum corps field,” director Eric Molho said. “Our history and heritage is as a drum corps, so it feels great to return to that space. We're an organization with four ensembles, but the drum corps is where it all started.
For Minnesota Brass, the opportunity to enter the All-Age division has reinvigorated their local community.
“We've definitely been enjoying the vibe and have benefitted from increased interest in volunteers, staffing and membership,” Molho said. “It's going to be a fun season.”
Northern Lights will appear at four DCI Tour locations this summer, while Minnesota Brass will perform at three. Both corps are slated to compete in the second-ever DCI All-Age Championships, August 8-9 in Indianapolis.
While Minnesota Brass and Northern Lights move forward into All-Age competition, another corps from the same evaluation group is opting for a more gradual path. Pittsburgh’s Steel City Ambassadors will remain in DCI’s SoundSport Class for the 2025 DCI Tour as they continue to build momentum.
"Our goal has always been to provide a meaningful and enriching experience for our members while delivering high quality performances to our audiences," Steel City executive director Benjamin Karic said. "Remaining in SoundSport allows us to further strengthen our foundation, refine our program, and build upon the successes we've achieved as a corps."
View the 2025 DCI Tour Schedule
* Once groups begin their evaluation period, highlights of the performance and competitive portion of the plan include:
Year 1:
Ensembles perform as part of DCI’s SoundSport Class with the respective distinction of “All-Age Class Candidate” or “Open Class Candidate.” Productions are evaluated/judged under DCI SoundSport guidelines.
Year 2:
Assuming the successful completion of year-one requirements, candidates advance to “All-Age Class Affiliate” or “Open Class Affiliate.” Performance duration guidelines are based on the minimum/maximum of the class pursuant to the DCI rulebook. Adjudication is under the All-Age/Open Class system in effect.
Year 3:
Assuming the successful completion of year-two requirements, affiliates advance to become full members of the All-Age Class or Open Class. Length of productions are based on the respective minimums/maximums of the individual classes pursuant to the DCI competitive rulebook. Adjudication of performances occurs within the current All-Age/Open Class system.