Drum Corps International's rapidly-growing SoundSport® program will expand its schedule of competitive and non-competitive performance showcases in 2017, with a fresh slate of events taking place across the United States in conjunction with the DCI Summer Tour.

SoundSport teams consist of five or more members of any age and any instrumentation. Competing groups perform five- to seven-minute productions on a 30- by 20-yard performance stage area. In competitive divisions, a three-member panel adjudicates and ranks the teams, providing them with helpful recorded commentary in the process.

“While catering to groups of all shapes, sizes and instrumental configurations, SoundSport continues to be instrumental in bringing new groups and talent to the worldwide Drum Corps International stage,” said John DeNovi, DCI Senior Director of Global Business Development. “With its low-cost and low-barriers to entry, we continue to be excited to see the expansion of this program through this wide-ranging series of events.” 

The summer series will kick off on July 8 in Orlando, Florida, followed up the next weekend in Alexandria, Kentucky. New to this summer’s schedule will be the debut of a SoundSport showcase at Allentown, Pennsylvania’s J. Birney Crum Stadium during the second day of the DCI Eastern Classic on August 5.

Two longstanding events in San Antonio, Texas (July 22) and Atlanta (July 29) return to the schedule. However, with the Georgia Dome closing its doors in the first few months of 2017, the second-longest running SoundSport event in the Peach State will find a new temporary home at McEachern High School in Powder Springs.

Celebrating the fifth anniversary of SoundSport events held in conjunction with the DCI World Championships in Indianapolis, the second-annual SoundSport International Music and Food Festival heads to downtown Indianapolis on Saturday, August 12, and is expected to attract more participating ensembles, spectators, and food vendors than ever before.

“Each of the above SoundSport events will also feature DrumLine Battle competitions, creating an additional exciting, high-energy and entertaining element for participants and audience members as teams of talented percussionists face off with incredible showmanship,” said DeNovi.

Spectator admission to U.S. SoundSport events held in conjunction with the DCI Tour is included with the purchase of a ticket to that day’s drum corps event.

2017 SoundSport U.S. Showcase Schedule
(additional dates and opportunities in development)

SoundSport Orlando (FL)
Saturday, July 8

SoundSport Alexandria (KY)
Saturday, July 15

SoundSport San Antonio (TX)
Saturday, July 22

SoundSport Atlanta (GA)
Saturday, July 29

SoundSport Allentown (PA)
Saturday, August 5

SoundSport International Music & Food Festival (IN)
Saturday, August 12

How to Get Involved

Event registration: Registration for U.S.-based SoundSport events can be completed online through SoundSport.com. 

Host an event: If you are interested in hosting your own official SoundSport event around the world, contact SoundSport@dci.org.

Start a team: To participate in SoundSport performances anywhere in the world, register your team at SoundSport.com.

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