- Marching Music's Major LeagueTM
Judging for Drum Corps International is a challenging and rewarding experience. Through the DCI Judge Candidate Academy, the DCI judge administration team provides a comprehensive education process for individuals accepted into the training programs. Applicants can self-select one of two tracks: DCI Judge Diversity Fellowship or DCI Trial Judge Program, as described below.
Launched in 2023, the Judging Diversity Fellowship’s goal is to expand the DCI judging roster through proactive recruitment of individuals from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. The program provides guided training and support to help participants explore the path toward becoming skilled DCI judge.
The DCI Trial Judge Program accepts applicants with significant experience in judging the marching arts. Training develops the unique skillset required to adjudicate contemporary drum corps and the application of the DCI judging philosophy.
The expectation for prospective judge candidates is that they have background in one or more areas of the marching arts, as follows:
Candidates meeting the above requirements must submit required information and documentation (outlined below) by form by January 4, 2026.
For those selected to trial judge, it is expected that the candidate demonstrates commitment to the following:
In reviewing applications, the DCI Judge Administration Team considers the following elements of the applicant’s portfolio:
Invitations to judge candidates for the upcoming season will be issued by the DCI judge administrator or designee by March 15.
Training begins in late April and includes regular training sessions to the start of the DCI Summer Tour.
