Each year at the DCI World Championships, one drum major from each of Drum Corps International’s World and Open Class divisions is recognized with the Jim Jones Leadership Award.
Named for the founder and former director of the Troopers, Jim Jones Award recipients are recognized for their leadership abilities, as evaluated through an application and interview process run by DCI Hall of Fame member Gene Monterastelli.
2023’s World Class recipient was Phantom Regiment drum major Keri McCourt, who, in her third season with the corps and second as a conductor, helped lead Regiment to its strongest competitive season in a decade.
“Serving as a Phantom Regiment Conductor for the last two years has been the most challenging, yet rewarding opportunity of my life,” she said. “I learned so much about leadership, musicianship, teamwork, self-control, and the importance of self-care. This role is not one for the weak-minded, and I feel proud to have proven to myself that my goals are achievable, and that if you put kindness out to the world, it will be returned to you.”
Among many key contributing factors, McCourt noted that a supportive community around her played a vital role in her successful — and, ultimately, award-winning — 2023 summer.
“The most rewarding feeling was being told, ‘you deserve it,’ by my peers and staff members who witnessed my leadership throughout the season, and could give an honest review of my leadership and musicianship,” she said. “In addition, I was only as successful on and off the field as I was because of my team through the season, Jase, Zach, Claire, and Leo, as they helped me with tasks, reminded me to always choose positivity, and being the greatest team of friends I could ask for.
The Battalion’s Reece Davis was recognized with 2023’s Open Class award. Davis, a three-year member of The Battalion, has helped see the Utah corps through its two most successful and productive years — organizationally and competitively — in its now eight-year existence as a competing drum corps.
In 2023, The Battalion made its second-ever trip to the DCI World Championships — the first coming in 2022 — and earned an all-time high placement, 26th, and final score, 74.725.
“Serving with The Battalion has been such an incredible honor for these past three years,” Davis said. “Leading this corps to Indianapolis for the first time and achieving the corps record for highest score is something that I will never forget. I could not be more thankful for the opportunity to grow, both as a performer and an individual, and to meet the wonderful members and staff of The Battalion to whom I will be forever grateful.”
According to Davis, one of his former high school marching band instructors was also a Jim Jones Leadership Award winner, which served as a meaningful connection and a full-circle aspect of his own receipt of the award.
“Receiving the Jim Jones award was shocking and such a massive honor,” he said. “To be granted the same award (as my former instructor) was incredibly affirming of all of the hard work and time I have dedicated to this activity. It made me feel as though I had made both my mentor — and the young kid he taught years ago — proud.”
Both Davis and McCourt alike raved about the supportive community of drum major leadership throughout the drum corps activity.
“My favorite thing about the culture of DCI drum majors is the common mindset to ensure all members of all of our corps have a good summer,” McCourt said. The culture of a corps starts with the leadership team … and it excites me to know that members are being led by capable, hardworking, and caring people who love drum corps.”
Throughout the summer season and offseason alike, drum majors are afforded the opportunity to network with one another and develop friendships.
This past summer, drum majors enjoyed a post-show pizza party following the DCI Southwestern Championship in San Antonio, Texas. Drum majors also have the yearly opportunity to take part in leadership training sessions through the Drum Major Leadership Summit, a key component of Drum Corps International’s annual winter business meetings.
“The DCI drum major community is so incredibly positive and helpful,” Davis said. “This position is a unique one, and having a group of the most talented and caring individuals as resources for both support and advice is invaluable.”