The group that already this year has been named International Class Champion of the Drum Corps International Tour and Drum Corps United Kingdom Champion, can also call itself the champion of all of Europe.

On Saturday, September 30, in Kerkrade, Netherlands, THE COMPANY Performance Ensemble from Derbyshire, England, laid claim to the 2017 Drum Corps Europe (DCE) Championship title. It's the corps' second gold medal at the event in as many years.

After besting fellow British competitor Kidsgrove Scouts the previous weekend during the Drum Corps United Kingdom Championship in England, THE COMPANY continued to hold a narrow lead through two rounds of competition on Saturday, finishing with a top score of 91.050 to Kidsgrove's second-place 90.750.  

DCE European Premier Class Champions 2017 - THE COMPANY Performance Ensemble #DCE2017

Posted by Drum Corps Europe (official) on Saturday, September 30, 2017



“This has been an amazing season full of massive highs,” THE COMPANY posted on its Facebook page following the corps' win in the Netherlands. “To see the show develop has been a pleasure and to see the corps peak at exactly the right time tonight was so special.”

Kidsgrove Scouts' score was underscored by first-place finishes in the general effect, color guard, and field music captions. Earning a silver medal at Parkstad Limburg Stadium, the Scouts have not finished lower than third at the DCE Finals since 2013.

Dutch corps Jubal performed its way into the bronze medalist position, finishing with a score of 89.150. The 2013 DCE Champion has plans to take its act to the United States in the summer of 2018, joining the Drum Corps International Tour at the end of July.

Jubal show closing

The atmosphere in the stadium is electric tonight! #DCE2017

Posted by Drum Corps Europe (official) on Saturday, September 30, 2017



Other DCE Premier Class finalists included Juliana (The Netherlands, 4th, 84.500), Unity (Italy, 5th, 81.650), Starriders (Germany, 7th, 79.900), Spirit of 52 (Germany, 8th, 79.550), Beeches (United Kingdom, 9th, 75.300), Wölper Löwen (Germany, 10th, 71.850), and Cadence (United Kingdom, 11th, 70.000).

Jong Jubal took first place in DCE's Junior Class division with a score of 80.750, giving the corps from the Netherlands back-to-back championship titles.

Johan Friso (Netherlands, 2nd, 76.750), Jong Beatrix (Netherlands, 3rd, 73.700), Jong-Holland Junioren (Netherlands, 4th, 68.500), and Diamond Cadets (Germany, 5th, 66.250) rounded out the Junior Class competition.