Michael Duffy, who holds a unique distinction as the musical arranger for both the first- and second-place corps during the inaugural DCI Championship in 1972, died on Sunday, May 5. He was 79.

Bob Cardaneo, secretary of the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame confirmed his passing, reportedly a result of cancer.

Less than a month ago, Duffy learned that he would be inducted as part of the newest DCI Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

"Mike was fittingly elected in our Legacy category as part of the 2024 Hall of Fame induction process,” said Steve Rondinaro, chair of the DCI Hall of Fame. “The committee had no idea how sick he was when they put his name on the ballot, but we do know that Mike was very pleased when told of his election."

Duffy holds a Drum Corps International distinction that has never been matched and likely never will.

He was the musical arranger for the first- and second-place corps during the very first DCI Championship in 1972. Duffy wrote the book for the Anaheim Kingsmen and La Crosse Blue Stars that year, in addition to working with the horn lines.

“His musical adaptations provided a fresh approach to the emerging complexity of drum corps at that time,” DCI Hall of Fame member John Phillips said. “Additionally, he applied a brass pedagogy that was unique in the Canadian drum corps milieu and across the U.S. His method of teaching helped infuse a ‘new sound’ for drum corps that represented more artistic interpretation and expression than had previously been attained.”

Duffy also arranged for and taught the Casper Troopers, Racine Kilties, Seattle Imperials and De La Salle Oaklands in the 1970s. As De La Salle merged with the Etobicoke Crusaders in 1975, Duffy was an integral piece as the Oakland Crusaders notched the highest Finals placement ever for a Canadian unit, finishing sixth.

His “McDuffy’s March” became a Kilties trademark back in the days when drum corps horn lines were far different from those of today. In his nomination letter, DCI Hall of Fame judge Dave Richards said of Duffy, “He excelled in an activity that used instruments poorly manufactured that were played by persons ‘off the streets’ to fill out horn lines.”

Duffy also worked with the famed Alberta Girls from Alberta, Canada when they toured Europe, playing for the Pope and the 25th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. The girls also entertained during the FIFA World Cup.

“It is no exaggeration to state that their music — his music — defined a significant part of what came to be the ‘Sound of DCI,’” DCI Hall of Fame member Frank Dorritie said. “Mike has always been held in the highest regard by his fellow arrangers, the judging community, the fans, and his instructional colleagues.”

“I can think of very few others who possessed the creative spirit, energy and acumen to accomplish what Michael Duffy achieved in his drum corps life,” Phillips said.