LAS VEGAS — During the fall business meetings of Drum Corps International’s participating ensembles, Nashua, New Hampshire’s Spartans were approved as a World Class member organization.
The change comes on the heels of a transition year for the Open Class World Champion corps, in which the group successfully completed a “hybrid” touring model. As part of the 2025 DCI summer season, Spartans competed in around half of their events as a World Class corps before finishing off the season under the Open Class heading.
“We are honored to join Drum Corps International as a World Class voting member,” Spartans president Paul LaFlamme said. “This milestone is a testament to decades of dedication from our members, staff, alumni, and community who have carried the Spartans forward with passion and pride.”
In recent years the Spartans have gone from a “weekend only” corps, following a 10- or 20-day tour to a full 45-day season as part of the experience they deliver to their performers.
Marking their milestone 70th anniversary in 2025, the Spartans transition to DCI’s World Class as one of the most decorated Open Class corps in history. The corps has laid claim to a plethora of DCI World Championship titles including back-to-back-to-back wins in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
With the next step in the organization’s evolution now complete, in the coming weeks the Spartans are set to march in the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Their 2026 summer tour stops will be released as part of the reveal of the DCI Tour schedule in mid-November.
“We look forward to working alongside our fellow World Class organizations to help shape the future of this unique and incredible activity that we all love,” LaFlamme said.
