Drum Corps International World Class preliminary competitions began on Thursday in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana.

The best of the best in marching music's major league converged inside Lucas Oil Stadium to drum, spin, and march their way to a World Championship. Performers from all over the world have been touring all over the country leading up to this final week of contests.

Coming out of the Eastern Classic in Allentown, PA., members from the Bluecoats, Blue Devils, and Carolina Crown had separated themselves from the rest of the field as the clear cut favorites. They did not disappoint.

Bluecoats won the night with a score of 97.225. However, the back-to-back reigning champions Blue Devils and 2013 Champion Carolina Crown were both hot on their heels. The Blue Devils took 2nd with a score of 96.600 and Crown posted a 96.263.



With only 0.962 separating the top 3 corps, it is truly anybody's game heading into Semi's.

Firmly planted in 4th are the Santa Clara Vanguard having earned a 94.300. While the corps may not have the guns to catch the top 3, the percussion section is definitely in the hunt for their 2nd Fred Sanford caption trophy in the last 3 years.

Rounding out the top 5 are The Cadets with a score of 93.475. As mentioned in the article by Wesley Sullivan (LINK), The Cadets are dangerously close to falling out of the top 5 for the first time since 1991.

One corps who could push The Cadets out: The Cavaliers. The Cavies have been making a late season push to catch the The Cadets and are close, having posted a 93.213.

Finishing out the top 10 were the Blue Knights (90.925), Phantom Regiment (90.600), Blue Stars (89.975), and the Crossmen (87.875).

Coming in 11th and positioning themselves for the first finals appearance in the history of the corps was The Academy (87.150). A crowd favorite and the 2016 darlings, they have a great chance of finishing in the top 12.

The Madison Scouts and Boston Crusaders are fighting for that coveted 12th and final spot in Finals on Saturday night. After Prelims, the Scouts have the slightest of edges with a 85.688. Meanwhile Boston is only 0.788 behind them with a 84.900.

One of these two historic corps may have their Finals appearances streak come to an end tomorrow night.

The other corps to advance to Semi-Finals tomorrow night are the Troopers (83.438), Open Class Champions Blue Devils B (82.650), Colts (82.575), Mandarins (81.000), Oregon Crusaders (79.900), Pacific Crest (78.775), Vanguard Cadets (78.688), Spirit of Atlanta (77.500), Cascades (76.388), Legends (75.975), Genesis (73.300), and Spartans (73.125).

Unfortunately every competitive season must come to an end at some point. For these corps, Thursday's prelims performance was their last for the 2016 season.

Jersey Surf (71.988), Music City (71.725), 7th Regiment (68.413), Pioneer (68.375), Gold (67.638), Louisiana Stars (66.675), Guardians (64.988), Raiders (64.850), River City Rhythm (63.525), Shadow (61.300), Impulse (60.063), Colt Cadets (57.650), and Les Stentors (53.300).