In the first major step towards re-opening the Drum Corps International season, DCI.org has announced a 29-show schedule with a number of World and Open class corps performing regularly in the weeks leading up to the final celebration event in Indianapolis on August 12-14. As usual, a number of these events will be streamed LIVE exclusively on FloMarching!

Alongside the schedule, they also released an article outlining the corps' approach to public health and safety issues under the guidance of the "Tour Restart Task Force" (TRTF). Read a summary of their guidance from this announcement below the schedule.

2021 DCI Tentative Event Schedule

7/30 - Friday - La Crosse, WI

• The Cavaliers
• Blue Stars
• Phantom Regiment
• Colts
• Colt Cadets
• Madison Scouts
• River City Rhythm

7/30 - Friday - Ogden, UT

• Blue Knights
• Mandarins
• Troopers
• The Battalion

7/31 - Saturday - Madison, WI Area

• The Cavaliers
• Blue Stars
• Phantom Regiment
• Colts
• Colt Cadets
• Madison Scouts
• River City Rhythm

7/31 - Saturday - Cheyenne, WY

• Blue Knights
• Mandarins
• Troopers

7/31 - Saturday - Pasadena, CA

• Pacific Crest
• Gold
• Impulse
• Golden Empire
• Watchmen

8/1 - Sunday - Dubuque, IA

• The Cavaliers
• Blue Stars
• Phantom Regiment
• Colts
• Colt Cadets
• Madison Scouts
• River City Rhythm

8/1 - Sunday - Denver, CO Area

• Blue Knights
• Mandarins
• Troopers

8/3 - Tuesday - Quincy, MA

• Bluecoats
• Boston Crusaders
• The Cadets
• Spirit of Atlanta
• Music City

8/3 - Tuesday - Amarillo, TX Area

• Blue Knights
• Mandarins
• Gold

8/4 - Wednesday - Lynn, MA

• Bluecoats
• Boston Crusaders
• The Cadets
• Spirit of Atlanta
• Music City

8/4 - Wednesday - Round Rock, TX

• Blue Knights
• Mandarins
• Crossmen
• Genesis
• Gold
• Guardians

8/5 - Thursday - Lawrence, MA

• Bluecoats
• Boston Crusaders
• The Cadets
• Spirit of Atlanta
• Music City

8/6 - Friday - Rockford, IL

• The Cavaliers
• Blue Stars
• Phantom Regiment
• Colts
• Colt Cadets
• Madison Scouts

8/6 - Friday - Mesquite, TX Area

• Blue Knights
• Mandarins
• Crossmen
• Genesis
• Gold
• Guardians

8/7 - Saturday - Lisle, IL Area

• The Cavaliers
• Blue Stars
• Phantom Regiment
• Colts
• Colt Cadets
• Madison Scouts

8/7 - Saturday - Allentown, PA

• Bluecoats
• Boston Crusaders
• The Cadets
• Spirit of Atlanta
• Music City

8/8 - Sunday - Cedarburg, WI

• The Cavaliers
• Blue Stars
• Phantom Regiment
• Colts
• Colt Cadets
• Madison Scouts

8/8 - Sunday - Little Rock, AR

• Blue Knights
• Mandarins
• Crossmen
• Troopers
• Genesis
• Gold

8/9 - Monday - Akron/Canton, OH Area

• Bluecoats
• Boston Crusaders
• The Cadets
• Spirit of Atlanta
• Music City

8/10 - Tuesday - Southwest, OH Area

• The Cavaliers
• Boston Crusaders
• The Cadets
• Spirit of Atlanta
• Music City

8/10 - Tuesday - Marion, IN

• Bluecoats
• Blue Stars
• Colts
• Colt Cadets
• Phantom Regiment
• Madison Scouts
• Heat Wave

8/10 - Tuesday - Cape Girardeau, MO

• Blue Knights
• Mandarins
• Crossmen
• Troopers
• Genesis
• Gold

8/12-8/14 - Indianapolis, IN

• The Academy
• Bluecoats
• Boston Crusaders
• Blue Knights
• Blue Stars
• The Cadets
• The Cavaliers
• Colts
• Colt Cadets
• Crossmen
• Genesis
• Gold
• Heat Wave
• Madison Scouts
• Mandarins
• Music City
• Pacific Crest
• Phantom Regiment
• River City Rhythm
• Spirit of Atlanta
• Troopers

Staying COVID Safe During The DCI 2021 Season

Click here for more information from DCI.org.

Corps Safety Manager

New for 2021 will be a corps-designated Safety Manager for each participating organization, who will serve as the primary point of contact on all matters of health and safety between the corps and the DCI headquarters during the various phases of the abbreviated summer season. This will include the period of preparation prior to arrival for training camps, as well as during those weeks of rehearsal, on into the tour and post-tour activities. These officers will also oversee the successful implementation of their multi-tiered, corps-specific plans.

Guidelines include guidance on self-sequestration prior to departing for “move-in” day, as well as pre-travel testing requirements, considerations while traveling to a corps location, potential need for quarantining when staying with the corps during training camp, testing during and after encampment and input on day-to-day lifestyle and hygienic functions such as showering, food preparation, nutrition and meal service.

"Bubble" Life On The Road

DCI officials know that the drum corps touring lifestyle doesn’t necessarily lend itself well to the simple creation of a true ‘bubble’ as we’ve come to know the phrase from other sequestered environments. Although the corps will spend the first portion of the summer in a relatively stable and controlled environment, the days leading up to their arrival in Indianapolis pose unique challenges. Their goal is to thoroughly address potential vulnerabilities and provide guidance and resources to assist the corps with the successful planning and execution of procedures to effectively mitigate these challenges. Special attention will be paid to local and regional differences in mandated guidelines and regulations. Cooperation and situational awareness will be key components to a safe and successful summer.

Training Sessions for tour policies and procedures will commence this spring so that each corps can manage their teams and address questions and concerns prior to arriving at their training camp locations.

Testing Protocols for corps performers, instructional staff and support personnel will be implemented to ensure that everyone participating in and traveling with the corps is provided with weekly Rapid Antigen COVID-19 tests during the training period and for the duration of teh tour. DCI has secured the thousands of tests necessary to perform this function at a per-test price that is very manageable for the participating ensembles.

Masks will be a way of life.

Corps will be strongly encouraged to recruit volunteers and support staff who can serve for the entire duration of the season, reducing the risk of having someone bringing an illness into the group.

Bus travel is the backbone of the drum corps touring model. Corps are working with motorcoach operators to ensure that sanitation, cleaning and sanitization of the vehicles meets or surpasses the CDC and American Bus Assocation (ABA) industry guidelines.

Additional operational guidelines have been created for truck operators, food and grocery pickup drivers, potential rideshare situations, as well as staff and performers utilizing air, rail and group transportation. "Quarantine vehicles" will be established as necessary within a corps caravan.

The longtime tradition of sleeping in school gyms and simply heading outside to the practice field will be different and in some cases will be replaced in part this year by a shift to more use of hotel and dorm rooms and other creative solutions which meet health and safety guidelines. In many circumstances, rehearsal facilities may not be adjacent to lodging. Each circumstance will be supported by separate guidelines covering specific operational areas such as setup, distancing, sanitation and hygiene.

Laundry facilities will be screened and reserved in advance in order to ensure compliance. Special arrangements will be made whenever possible to minimize contact between corps personnel and members of the general public.

Full corps trips to big box stores will be minimized. Individual corps will create plans for the acquisition of essential supplies to minimize exposure to risk. Corps personnel will be required to remain on-property while at housing sites and show sites and will not have the opportunity to depart or participate in other activities.

Post-performance interaction with family, friends and other performers will not be possible for this summer. Performers and staff will not reenter the stadium after performances. Family members, fans, alumni and sponsors will not be permitted in “backstage” areas. This includes parking lots, warm-up zones, corps entry/exit gates and tunnels.

Pre- and Post-performance “huddles” will be eliminated, and will be replaced by socially-distanced corps meetings when necessary.

Additional time will be budgeted for logistics before, during and after rehearsal and performance sessions.

Food service operations will also increase sensitivity to interpersonal interaction beyond the traveling group. Whenever possible, delivery services and curbside pickup will be utilized and strict PPE and washing/sanitizing procedures will be required.

Enhanced handwashing options will be incorporated into mealtime routines and schedules adjusted accordingly. Hand sanitizer will be provided in addition to required hand washing.

Management of touring drum corps food service staples such as the ubiquitous “PBJ Station” and “Drink Stations” will be reimagined, as the self-serving of food and beverages will not be permitted. Social distancing and use of masks will be enforced while waiting in line during mealtimes. Group jug washing stations will be replaced by individual sanitizing kits and procedures which will be explained to members by their respective corps safety teams.