Featuring middle school band students from throughout the state of Indiana, Drum Corps International’s INpact honor band is currently on track to be the biggest in the ensemble’s more than decade-long history.
First performing as part of the DCI World Championships in 2012, the INpact Indiana’s Future Band is assembled each August by way of a state-wide nomination process, through which select middle school students are chosen to take part in the ensemble. Hosted as part of the DCI World Championships in downtown Indianapolis, the selected INpact students are given the opportunity to rehearse, perform, and take part in educational programming that’s designed to underscore the benefits of lifelong music making.
2023’s INpact ensemble is set to feature 650 students representing 78 schools. They were chosen from a pool of more than 1,200 students nominated by middle school band directors from across the Hoosier State this winter. For comparison, 2022’s ensemble featured a little under 500 students from 50 different Indiana schools. Just over 200 students participated in the group during its inaugural year in 2012.
“We’re pleased to see interest in the INpact Band continue to flourish, especially after we worked to rebuild the program following DCI’s shutdown in 2020 due to the pandemic,” said INpact director Katy Briel who serves as director of bands at Clark-Pleasant Middle School in Greenwood, Indiana. “The response to and interest in this year’s ensemble is truly a testament to the incredible work of middle school band directors across the state to keep their programs thriving.”
Indianapolis, however, is not the only place that similar programs are growing and developing. DCI’s “BANDtastic!” initiative is an off-shoot of the INpact program that brings similar experiences to middle school band students in other parts of the United States.
In 2023, Phantom Regiment will come on board as one of the newest partners of BANDtastic!, as the Rockford, Illinois-based drum corps organizes a one-day educational experience and performance for local band students coinciding with the “Show of Shows” DCI Tour event on Saturday, July 15.
“As we continue to strengthen our community roots within our hometown, the BANDtastic program is a great way for us to reach out to and work with band directors and students throughout Illinois,” said Todd Snead, Phantom Regiment director of programs.
Snead says that his organization is currently accepting student nominations from band directors for the Rockford event through April 30, after which participants will be selected in early May before coming together this July for the event.
Learn more about getting involved with Phantom Regiment’s BANDtastic! Rockford ensemble
Students of Indianapolis’ INpact Band will gather this August in Indianapolis, gearing up for performances as part of the “Shining A Light on Music Education” event on Monument Circle on August 11 and at the kickoff to the DCI World Championship Finals the evening of August 12.