Drum Corps International Marches into McKendree University on July 18
3/29/2011
Lebanon, Ill. — Marching Music’s Major League™ is coming to McKendree University in
July as part of Drum Corps International’s (DCI) summer tour.
The university will host “DCI St. Louis,” a premier event on Monday evening, July
18, at 7 p.m. The show will be held at Leemon Athletic Field, adjacent to the Hettenhausen
Center for the Arts on the campus, at 400 N. Alton St. in Lebanon, Ill., 25 miles
east of downtown St. Louis.
Over 1,000 of the country’s top young brass musicians, percussionists and dancers
will entertain in a dazzling display of artistry and showmanship, executed with speed
and precision. The eight competing ensembles include some of DCI’s elite corps: the
Blue Stars from La Crosse, Wis.; Carolina Crown from Ft. Mill, S.C; the Cascades from
Seattle; the Cavaliers from Rosemont, Ill.; Music City from Nashville; Phantom Regiment
from Rockford, Ill.; Pioneer from Milwaukee; and Santa Clara Vanguard from Santa Clara,
Ca.
“McKendree University is proud to partner with Drum Corps International to present
this outstanding evening of family entertainment. Drum corps are known for their marching
and music excellence and the impact they have had on contemporary marching music is
amazing,” said David Boggs, director of bands at McKendree. He is a past member of the Chicago area’s Cavaliers Drum and Bugle
Corps and a former instructor with the Cadets of Bergen County, N.J.
“The St. Louis area has not hosted a drum corps show since 2004. This will be a perfect
opportunity to see and hear some of the best corps of the 2011 season.” 
Drum corps members are high school and college students ages 14 to 22 who develop
not only as musicians but also gain self-discipline, leadership and teamwork skills
from the experience. Membership in the top corps is highly competitive. Auditions
for 40 spots can draw up to 800 young musicians from all over the world.
Ticket prices range from $25 to $35 for reserved seating. Groups of 20 or more can
purchase reduced $20 seats in select sections. Advance ticket orders will end approximately
one week before the day of the event. Tickets may also be purchased from the stadium
box office on the day of the show for an additional $5.
Included with admission is entry to a “live learning event”—an open practice by the
Santa Clara Vanguard, which will end 90 minutes before show time.
Proceeds will support the McKendree University’s Music Department’s interactive, hands-on “Music in Our Schools” program for pre-K through 12th grade students.
Formed in 1972, Drum Corps International is the non-profit governing body which operates
the North American drum and bugle corps circuit for junior corps. Its annual tour
of more than 100 events culminates in mid-August with the World Championships in Indianapolis,
where DCI is based.
McKendree University ranks among the top 13 percent of the Midwest’s Best Regional Colleges in the 2011
edition of U.S. News Media Group’s Best Colleges report. Founded in 1828, the historic
Lebanon, Ill., campus is 25 miles from downtown St. Louis.
About the Drum Corps International Tour
From June through mid-August, the 115-event Drum Corps International Tour sets the
stage for ensembles comprised of up to comprised of up to 150 brass musicians, percussionists
and dance performers ages 14 to 22. Each of these elite groups travel more than 10,000
miles and rehearse an average of 10 hours a day to compete at the highest levels of
musical and performance excellence. The pinnacle of the tour is the 2011 Drum Corps
International World Championships, taking place Aug. 11-13 at Lucas Oil Stadium in
Indianapolis.
About Drum Corps International
Drum Corps International (DCI) is the world leader in producing events for the world’s
most elite and exclusive marching ensembles for student musicians and performers.
Founded in 1972, Drum Corps International has developed into a powerful, nonprofit,
global youth organization with far-reaching artistic, educational and organizational
influence. Drum Corps International is Marching Music’s Major League™. Learn more
about the exciting world of Drum Corps International and its member corps on the web
at DCI.org/about or call (317) 275-1212. Drum Corps International is located in Indianapolis,
Ind.
