System Blue Competitors

For nearly a half century, Drum Corps International, Marching Music’s Major League™, has been the leader in producing events for the world’s most elite and exclusive marching ensembles for student musicians and performers. Thirteen original founding member organizations formed the Drum Corps International collective in 1971 to organize and unify leadership for youth-focused competitive drum corps events throughout North America. Directors of those competing groups sought to unite their corps by providing opportunities to perform together—in the end building a foundation for future success. A non-profit entity was officially established in 1972, and today DCI supports numerous programs around the globe while sanctioning participating recognized drum corps, SoundSport® performance ensembles and DrumLine Battle™ teams performing in more than 100 competitive events that make up the annual Drum Corps International Tour. With a vast reach online at DCI.org, through corporate sponsorship, annual broadcast initiatives, and outreach to high school music programs, Drum Corps International delivers the message of “excellence in performance and in life” to more than 7.2 million young people, ages 13-22 involved in the performing arts across the United States. Mission Statement: The mission of Drum Corps International is to bring the life-enriching benefits and enjoyment of marching music performing arts to more people worldwide. We do this by creating a stage for participating organizations to engage in education, competition, entertainment, and the promotion of individual growth. Vision Statement: A world in which the positive life-transforming personal and societal benefits of marching music performing arts are widely recognized and enjoyed.

Vanguard Music and Performing Arts (VMAPA) is a leading non profit in the Performing Arts. VMAPA's flagship program is the Santa Clara Vanguard. The Santa Clara Vanguard Drum & Bugle Corps was formed in 1967 in Santa Clara, California. SCV has the distinction of being the only organization to be a finalist in Drum Corps International (DCI) World Championships since the inception of DCI in 1972. The VMAPA organization has two competitive drum and bugle corps, the Vanguard and the Vanguard Cadets, a World Winter Guard, private lessons program, Youth Brass Ensemble, Youth Percussion Ensemble, and other community arts programs. The entire VMAPA organization strives to create a positive atmosphere where young people can grow and mature into responsible young adults; succeeding both as individuals and as members of a tightly woven group.

WGI Sport of the Arts is the world's premier organization producing indoor color guard and percussion ensemble competitions. As a non-profit youth organization, WGI serves as the leading governing body of the winter guard and indoor percussion activities. It is called the Sport of the Arts because it brings music to life through performance in a competitive format. There were over 11,000 participants at the Sport of the Arts World Championships this past April. WGI Sport of the Arts exists to foster positive experiences for all who participate, by promoting education, creativity, and freedom of expression through the unification of the marching arts industry, music education, and the performing arts.