Fifty days… 41 states… more than 100 spectacular events. Starting on June 20, the 2009 Drum Corps International Summer Tour will bring the exciting performances of the world's most elite and exclusive marching music ensembles to passionate fans across the United States. With many familiar locations and favorite venues slated for inclusion on the '09 schedule, fans will delight in the warmth of the summer while enjoying all of the action.
Premier Events Drum Corps International's Premier Events are a collection of some of the most prestigious stops on the annual Summer Tour. Often produced in larger, collegiate and professional sports stadium facilities on key weekends throughout the summer months, these exciting events showcase the "best of the best," to some of the biggest crowds of the season. "The directors of DCI member corps have worked this year to create a few new 'twists' to the format of the tour," said Sue Kuehnhold, director of events for Drum Corps International. "The creation of new 'Series' events will create opportunities for an even greater number of fans to enjoy these outstanding corps in prime form." Premier Events slated for the 2009 DCI Summer Tour:
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
Annapolis, MD
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Two years after kicking-off the 2007 Summer Tour during a special patriotic salute to America, Drum Corps International makes a triumphant return to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium during one of three events that will celebrate the official start of the '09 Summer Tour.
Hancock Stadium
Normal, IL
Hancock Stadium, Illinois State University Top Midwestern corps will meet up during this Central Illinois event, once again culminating a week-long series of activities for music students participating in the
Music For All Summer Symposium. Corps members have long held that the the passion and enthusiastic cheering delivered by summer campers during this event is contagious.
Stanford Stadium
Stanford, CA
Stanford University Stadium All West Coast corps will come together for this Premier Event hosted for the third year on the beautiful campus of Stanford University in Northern California. These western powerhouses will fill the stadium with artistry and precision while gaining momentum on the Summer Tour for their inevitable faceoff with their eastern counterparts.
Rose Bowl Stadium
Pasadena, CA
Rose Bowl Stadium Five select Drum Corps International groups will once again have the chance to be the center of attention at Americafest 2009, the historic Rose Bowl Stadium's 83rd annual Fourth of July celebration. Festivities run all day long, featuring food vendors, live entertainment, crafts, exhibits, and more happening outside the stadium. Once inside, each corps will perform its full competitive program, in addition to a selection of patriotic tunes which will lead into the start of the largest fireworks display in Southern California. It'll be Star-Spangled spectacular!
INVESCO Field at Mile High
Orlando, FL/Denver, CO
Florida Citrus Bowl/INVESCO Field at Mile High Competition will reach a fever pitch at these venues, which have both played host to prior DCI World Championship events. Several top corps of the East meet their Western counterparts for the very first time in Denver, while other Eastern powerhouses mix it up with the Midwestern corps in Orlando.
The Alamodome
The DCI Southwestern Series Dallas – Houston – San Antonio
Lake Highlands HS – Berry Athletic Complex – The Alamodome On July 16 and 17, Texas fans will have the chance to see DCI World Class corps over a two-day period as they perform in Houston and Dallas. Corps will be split into two tracks, performing with their respective groupings in Houston and Dallas before flipping locations the next evening. On July 18, the corps will head to San Antonio's legendary Alamodome in a single-event showdown. Corps will be seeded into San Antonio based on scores earned the previous two nights in Houston and Dallas.
View all DCI Southwestern Series tickets now on sale.
The Georgia Dome
The DCI Southern Series Hattiesburg – Murfreesboro – Jacksonville – Atlanta
Univ. of Southern Miss. – Middle Tenn. State Univ. – Jacksonville State Univ. – The Georgia Dome Split into two groupings, all 21 World Class corps will perform at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro over two evenings on July 23 and 24. Also a part of the Southern Series, fans will be able to see half of all World Class corps in either Hattiesburg, Miss. (July 22) or Jacksonville, Ala. (July 24). Rounding it all out will be a return to the stately Atlanta Georgia Dome, where all 21 World Class corps will be showcased in one very special event.
View all DCI Southern Series tickets now on sale.
J. Birney Crum Stadium
Allentown, PA
J. Birney Crum Stadium Heading east as the final Premier Event stop before the World Championships in Indianapolis, Ind., all 21 World Class corps will perform during the storied DCI Eastern Classic, one of the most venerable stops on the annual DCI Summer Tour. Corps will be assembled into two groupings, half performing during the Friday evening competition with the second grouping performing on Saturday.
2009 DCI World Championships The 2009 DCI Summer Tour will culminate in the week-long World Championships, taking place in Indiana from Aug. 4-8. The series kicks off for all participating Open Class corps on Tuesday, Aug. 4 in Michigan City, Ind., while the balance of events are hosted at several Indianapolis facilities including the brand-new Lucas Oil Stadium. "After overcoming significant challenges last season, resulting in the need to relocate our World Championship-week events to Indiana University in Bloomington, we're excited to finally bring this celebration to our newly-adopted hometown, and even more excited to take advantage of the modern facilities of Lucas Oil Stadium," said Dan Acheson, executive director and CEO of Drum Corps International. "Our corps members and fans alike will experience an incredible World Championships like no other when they descend upon downtown Indianapolis next August."
Ames Field
Open Class Quarterfinals
Ames Field, Michigan City Wednesday, Aug. 5 Individual & Ensemble Competition
Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis
Lucas Oil Stadium
World Class Quarterfinals
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis Friday, August 7 Open Class Semifinals/ World Class Semifinals
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis Saturday, August 8 Open Class Finals/World Class Finals
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis Connecting the Dots The 2009 Drum Corps International Premier Events will anchor the complete DCI Summer Tour schedule, comprised of more than 100 competitions sanctioned by Drum Corps International. In between those stops, corps will have the opportunity to perform as part of other Tour Events, "connecting the dots" on their respective schedules while traveling thousands of miles across the nation. "Our national network of Tour Events, along with our valued Tour Event Partners who produce, promote and manage those events, provides far more than just a stage for these fantastic performers," said DCI's Sue Kuehnhold. "The touring lifestyle is at the very heart of the drum corps experience, and we are very fortunate to have committed partners to help 'lay the tracks' for the members of Drum Corps International as they move from city to city and venue to venue over a 10-week span. "Through the efforts of countless volunteers and numerous professionals, school district administrators and government officials, our members are treated to an extraordinary experience, unique to the Drum Corps International Summer Tour. We are thankful to everyone who makes this monumental tour possible each summer and throughout the year." As the DCI Board of Directors continues to meet over the winter and spring to finalize the details of '09 Tour, additional event specifics related to event locations, specific venues, competitive format and corps order of appearance will be released. Check DCI.org and keep an eye on your e-mail inbox for details as they become available.
