The Calgary Stampede Showband performs at the 2022 SoundSport International Music & Food Festival in Indianapolis.

Photo by: Drum Corps International

01-25-2023
13:10

20+ ensembles locked in for exciting 2023 SoundSport season

by Drum Corps International

With 21 ensembles and counting registered for 2023 events, Drum Corps International’s SoundSport division is primed for a memorable 10th year.

SoundSport allows organizations to present their talents on a more intimate stage in a performance featuring any instrument, any age, any number of performing members, and any level of experience. A wide variety of ensembles has taken advantage of SoundSport’s inclusive array of performance opportunities, including marching bands, growing drum corps, percussion ensembles and more.

“We’re thrilled about the growth of SoundSport in 2023,” SoundSport coordinator Dave Eddleman said. “The number of familiar faces — as well as new and growing ensembles — on this year’s SoundSport roster is an exciting sign of great things to come.”

Originally founded in 2013, SoundSport — which has hosted events all around the world — provides ensembles and performers a low barrier to entry, and an accessible platform that is educational, musical and entertaining.

“Our goal is to give everyone who wants to perform the opportunity to perform,” Eddleman added. “We’re very excited to have a diverse set of ensembles set to take the SoundSport stage with us in 2023.”

2023’s slate of SoundSport performances, featuring teams’ apperances in conjunction with a number of DCI Tour events, will culminate with the sixth-annual SoundSport International Music & Food Festival — a fun, family-friendly event with social atmosphere — scheduled for Saturday, August 12 in Indianapolis.

Opportunities are still available to get your ensemble involved in SoundSport in 2023. Listed below is a roster of groups currently scheduled to participate in events this summer.

Alisal Academy | Salinas, CA

Alisal Academy is a program of the Alisal Unified School District. The ensemble performed at the DCI West edition of the 2022 DCI Tour, in Stanford, California.

Alisal Marching Band | Salinas, CA

Alisal Marching Band is a program of the Alisal Community Arts Network, an organization dedicated to positive work in the lives of East Salinas, California youth. The Alisal Marching Band appeared at multiple events on the 2022 DCI Tour, including Drum Corps at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

Arsenal Drum & Bugle Corps | El Paso, TX

Originally founded in 2017, Arsenal has been a staple of the SoundSport program for several years, providing performance opportunities to young performers in the El Paso, Texas area. Arsenal performed at 2022 events in Casper, Wyoming and Fort Collins, Colorado.

Bluecoats Rhythm IN BLUE | Canton, OH

Formerly an alumni ensemble made up of former Bluecoats members, Rhythm IN BLUE recently retooled itself as an 18-and-over SoundSport ensemble under Bluecoats' organizatioanl heading.

Calgary Stampede Showband | Calgary, ALB

Formed in 1971, the Caglary Stampede Showband is a prominent Canadian ensemble made up of 16- to 21-year old performers. Calgary Stampede Showband earned Best of Show honors at the SoundSport International Music & Food Festival and also competed in DCI's International Class in 2022.

Conquest Drum & Bugle Corps | Geneseo, IL

Representing the SoundSport program in Illinois, Conquest was formed in 2018 in the "Quad Cities" region. Conquest develops a "corps-style" experience for its members, who range from 14 to 21 years old.

Cowtown Collection Brass Theatre | Calgary, ALB

Largely featuring alumni of the Calgary Stampede Showband, Cowtown Collection offers an engaging and entertaining small-scale performance style.

Eclipse Drum & Bugle Corps | Indianapolis, IN

Eclipse is a brand-new performing ensemble preparing for its first rehearsal camp in February of 2023.

Freelancers Alumni Corps | Indianapolis, IN

Freelancers Alumni Corps is an all-age ensemble that has performed in a variety of DCI, SoundSport and Drum Corps Associates events over the past several years, including 2022 DCI Tour events in Stanford and Pasadena.

Gems Drum & Bugle Corps | Boise, ID

Boise's Gems appear on the SoundSport roster for the first time in 2023, having been founded in 2022 in an effort to bring marching arts performance opportunities to the "Treasure Valley" of southwest Idaho and southeast Oregon.

Guardians | Dallas, TX

In its 10th-anniversary season, Guardians has plans to field a SoundSport ensemble, eyeing a performance at the DCI Southwestern Championship in San Antonio.

IMPACT Drum & Bugle Corps | Orlando, FL

Originally founded in 2012 as a Drum Corps Associates (DCA) participating corps, IMPACT has taken part in SoundSport performances since 2016. IMPACT, which is a "direct descendant" of Heat Wave of Orlando Senior — a corps that earned DCA championship titles in 1998 and 2003 — is open to all ages.

Les Titans de Quebec | Quebec, CAN

Les Titans de Quebec began operations in 2007, and has performed at a variety of notable venues, including Walt Disney World, the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, and Winter Guard International World Championships, as well as DCI's SoundSport International Music & Food Festival.

Northern Lights Drum & Bugle Corps | Muskegon, MI

A brand-new SoundSport group, Northern Lights is bringing all-age marching opportunites to Michigan, aiming to field an 80-member ensemble in 2023.

Sonus Brass Theater | Woodbridge, VA

An all-age ensemble featuring brass, color guard and percussion performers, Sonus Brass Theater received gold ratings at both the 2019 and 2022 SoundSport International Music & Food Festival events.

Sound of Sun Prairie | Sun Prairie, WI

Sound of Sun Prairie is an extra-curricular program that brings together students from eighth to 12th grade throughout five high schools in the Madison, Wisconsin area. The ensemble is open to all wind and percussion instruments, as well as color guard.

Southern Knights | Chattanooga, TN

Southern Knights, which recently moved to Chattanooga from Birmingham, Alabama, has a wealth of experience in the SoundSport program, as well as the ranks of Drum Corps Associates.

Spirit of Sunnyvale | Sunnyvale, CA

Open to all ages, Spirit of Sunnyvale was originally founded in 1980. Spirit of Sunnyvale appeared at a pair of 2022 DCI Tour events in California. Spirit of Sunnyvale has also taken advantage of the SoundSport Virtual platform, earning bronze ratings in virtual competition in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Troopers Legacy Corps | Casper, WY

Initially formed in 2018, Troopers' Legacy Corps is primed to take the field in 2023 in celebration of the Casper, Wyoming corps' 65th anniversary. Troopers Legacy Corps is open to all performers, regardless of age or corps affiliation.

Youth Against Violence | Rockford, IL

A program of Rockford, Illinois' Youth Against Violence organization, the ensemble works with young musicians from third through 12th grades.

Zephyrus Drum & Bugle Corps | Tulsa, OK

A multi-faceted marching music organization that offers a SoundSport team, indoor color guard and community band program, Zephyrus represents Oklahoma on the SoundSport map. Zephyrus appeared at multiple 2022 DCI Tour events, including shows in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and Denton, Texas.