Drum Corps International (DCI) announced Wednesday the rule change proposals made by corps directors that will be up for discussion at January's annual winter business meeting.

We've simplified these down to the important facts, but if you'd like to read the full list of proposals, click here.

We want to know what you, drum corps's biggest fans, think about these proposals! Vote below and see what others around the community think about the ever-changing marching arts!

Proposal #1: Increase Membership To 154

Summary: Brad Furlano, executive director of the Blue Stars, proposed to increase the maximum number of performers in a corps from 150 to 154.

Proposal #2: Allow 15 Corps Into DCI World Championship Finals

Summary: DCI's former artistic director, Michael Cesario, pitched this idea as a way "to allow recognition of the level of achievement in all corps," and "to give added status to corps for use in local fundraising and general recruitment."

Proposal #3: Scoring Begins After July 1

Summary: Will Pitts, current brass instructor and arranger for Phantom Regiment, proposed to postpone scores until after July 1. The purpose of this proposal is for corps and judges to have a grace period of "getting the kinks out of their respective processes."

Proposal #4: No Scores, Rankings Only (Ordinals Only)

Summary: George Hopkins, director of The Cadets, proposed that all judges submit ordinal (ranked) scoring to be released. Shows would still be scored in the same manner but only to be released internally to the participating corps. There is an exception in his proposal to the effect that judges' numeral scores will be used only in the event of a tie.

Proposal #5: Hold Yearly Rules Congress

Summary: Kevin Shah of Blue Knights proposed to hold a Rules Congress on a yearly basis rather than biennially. The main purpose of this is to keep up with the always evolving corps' show design and judging system.

Proposal #6: Limit Brass Amplification To 6 Members At One Time

Summary: The Cavaliers' Michael Martin proposed to limit a corps' brass instrument amplification to six performers at one time in order to limit the amplification of an entire brass section, "which dilutes one of the great identifiers for each brass section."

Proposal #7: Add "Brass 2" Judge

Summary: Michael Martin also proposed to add a "Brass Performance Judge" in the press box at regional and championship events along the Drum Corps International Tour.

He explains, "A single brass judge cannot accurately assess all of the strengths and weaknesses of a brass section in a single performance, particularly overall sonority, balance within the brass section, and ensemble." 

Proposal #8: Rework Percussion Adjudication/Music Analysis Judges

Summary: This two-in-one proposal from Kevin Shah of the Blue Knights for the percussion caption involves removing the field percussion judge and ensemble percussion judge and replacing them with a percussion judge. This judge will evaluate performances from the field while utilizing a music analysis 2 judge (with a percussion focus) at regional and championship events. 

Proposal #9: Music Analysis Update

Summary: Kevin Shah proposed the Rules and Systems Task Force (RSTF) to update the music analysis judge sheets "based on discussion and feedback from the music caucus at the upcoming DCI Rules Congress."