Three drum corps (Arsenal, Gems, and Eclipse) have been accepted to enter the Open Class evaluation portal in 2025. According to the DCI website:

"All three of the ensembles who will start their evaluation heading into 2025 — Arsenal (El Paso, TX), Eclipse (Indianapolis, IN), and Gems (Boise, ID) — are seeking to join DCI’s Open Class division in the future. Each of these organizations have been regular participants in DCI’s SoundSport program over several years, performing at a select number of DCI Tour events in their home regions."

“Having seen these three SoundSport teams perform over several years, it’s exciting to see them take this step. As they now join a number of other ensembles who are working to advance to the second year of the evaluation process, it’s a key indicator of growth for DCI ensembles.” - David Eddleman, DCI Open Class coordinator

DCI's evaluation process includes a three-year-long runway that allows ensembles within the portal to ensure stability throughout each organization as new benchmarks are achieved. 

According to DCI's website, here's a bit more in-depth information about the three-year evaluation period and what each ensemble needs to achieve to move through the process successfully.

Year 1

• Ensembles perform as part of DCI’s SoundSport Class with the respective distinction of “All-Age Class Candidate” or “Open Class Candidate.” Productions are evaluated/judged under DCI SoundSport guidelines.

Year 2:

• Assuming the successful completion of year-one requirements, candidates advance to “All-Age Class Affiliate” or “Open Class Affiliate.” Performance duration guidelines are based on the minimum/maximum of the class pursuant to the DCI rulebook. Adjudication is under the All-Age/Open Class system in effect.

Year 3:

• Assuming the successful completion of year-two requirements, affiliates advance to become full members of the All-Age Class or Open Class. Length of productions are based on the respective minimums/maximums of the individual classes pursuant to the DCI competitive rulebook. Adjudication of performances occurs within the current All-Age/Open Class system.

Additional considerations and steps needed:

• An IRS status compliance verification
• A board of directors roster review
• Examinations of financial statements
• A review of instructional and performer rosters
• A check to ensure adherence to health and wellness standards
• A check to ensure the corps has a solid operational foundation
• Overall unquestionable focus on participant safety

About Arsenal Drum and Bugle Corps

Arsenal Drum and Bugle Corps is a marching arts organization dedicated to providing a positive and enriching experience in the drum corps activity for young performers. We foster a supportive environment that equips our members with the skills and discipline to excel in music, movement, and teamwork, while building lifelong friendships and a deep appreciation for the marching arts.

Arsenal DBC was founded in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2016. Presently, the corps’ hometown is El Paso, Texas. The corps debuted its inaugural season in 2017 and has since competed in the SoundSport division of Drum Corps International (DCI).

Since its inception, Arsenal has been the premiere drum corps of the Southwestern United States, primarily serving students from Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Oklahoma, and beyond. Many of whom are exposed to the drum corps activity for the first time.

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About GEMS Drum and Bugle Corps

Gems Drum and Bugle Corps is a recently established drum corps in the Treasure Valley. Our goal is to provide youth with performing arts programs that will help make them more well-rounded individuals in both life and their performing arts pursuits. 

We were founded in 2022 with the simple realization that Idaho was lacking this type of opportunity, and our founders wanted to provide our community and state with this type of program. Thus Gems were created, and will strive for excellence in all ways.

In 2023, we fielded our first corps, and toured to three cities in the northwest. These include Kennewick, Washington - Boise, Idaho - and Salt Lake City, Utah. We made our offical DCI debut at Corps Encore in Salt Lake City, and were proud to represent Idaho on the international stage. The 2023 program was entitled 'Esto Perpetua', which is also Idaho's state motto. It means 'may it be eternal' or 'may it last forever'. This is also the Corps motto, as we hope and work towards lasting far into the future. We scored a 78.33 in the Soundsport Division at Salt Lake this season, our highest score as of 2023. 

in 2024, the Gems fielded a corps of over 80+ members from 8 diffferent states, some members coming from as far as Texas and North Carolina. The Gems 2024 Program was entitled 'Ghost Stallion', and consisted of music from The Rite of Spring, Mahler 5, and Symphony Fantastique, as well as original compositions and arrangements. The corps dawned a new look to fit this program, consisting of cowboy hats, dark cloaks, and cowboy-like uniforms. The 2024 Gems helped to revive the DCI Northwest tour, consisting of four stops - Hillsboro, OR - Seattle, WA - Tri Cities, WA - and concluded in Boise, ID. We were thrilled to travel the Northwest and show the world who the Gems are and who we are aiming to be. After four amazing performances, the Gems made history yet again and scored our highest score to date with a 80.33 in the SoundSport Divison. The Gems corps song also came into fruition this season, a piece entitled - With All Thanks  - a combination of two hymns, Amazing Grace and Be Thou My Vision. This song is an homage to all who have come before us, who are with us, and who will come after us, including all of our amazing volunteers, donators, supporters, and sponsors, as we remember all they have done to allow us to even get to this point. 

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About Eclipse Drum and Bugle Corps

Eclipse Drum and Bugle Corps was established in 2023 with the goal of providing performing arts opportunities and music education to the Greater Indianapolis Community. With our member-first philosophy, we aim to provide the best experience for all individuals who will one day call Eclipse home.

In the 2024 season, Eclipse performed “Call of the Cosmos” with an expanded tour and with the addition of our front ensemble. Growing to 34 members we competed throughout the Midwest with our summer tour coming to an end at DCI Whitewater. At SoundSport finals we received a gold rating for the first time in our history and best in class: youth division for a second year in a row.

In the DCI 2023 competitive season, Eclipse took the field as a SoundSport Ensemble competing in five events across Indiana and Ohio. Our first year of competition we were awarded a silver rating and best in class: youth division at DCI SoundSport Finals. The corps comprised of 24 members and fielded a brass and battery.

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