Drum Corps International recently reaffirmed its longstanding partnership with Drum Corps United Kingdom (DCUK), the organizing body of marching music activities in the United Kingdom.
Since 2016 DCUK has utilized DCI’s SoundSport and DrumLine Battle programs as a platform to increase the number of units taking part in its events, and as a result has charted growth in each of the organization’s past three summer marching seasons.
During a November visit to the United States, Alan Thompson, chair of Marching & Performing Arts UK — the charity responsible for DCUK — was presented with an award from DCI thanking DCUK for its outstanding support in 2019 and to reaffirm the strategic partnership between the two organizations.
“Our partnership with DCI is extremely important to us in the United Kingdom,” Thompson said. “The more performance opportunities we have for our groups the better, and the support, help and advice we get from across the Atlantic is so valuable to us as we continue to try and provide a quality service to our membership.”
Since 2017 DCUK has sponsored a reception for international marching music organizations held at Lucas Oil Stadium during the DCI World Championships in Indianapolis. The annual event is attended by marching music groups and organizing bodies from around the world and is an opportunity for attendees to meet, share experiences and collaborate.
“We are very pleased to continue our longstanding relationship with DCUK, our support of Marching & Performing Arts UK and the outstanding organizations they serve,” said Drum Corps International chief executive officer Dan Acheson. “We look forward to welcoming DCUK’s Beeches Performance Ensemble and the Kidsgrove Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps to the 2020 DCI World Championship Week festivities in Indianapolis this summer. The growth of our ongoing partnership with our friends in the UK will continue to be of benefit to performers, educators and fans of the marching arts around the world.”