MARCHING.COM: DCI creates new big screen event to start 2011 drum corps season

2011 Tour Premiere in theaters on June 20 features top eight corps

APRIL 28, 2011 — Fans of Drum Corps International will experience a historic first when a new in-theater event gives an early-season look at the 2011 programs of top drum & bugle corps. The "2011 Tour Premiere" will be shown in hundreds of theaters across the United States on Monday, June 20 at 6:30 PM local time.

The competitive event will be taped in high definition one night earlier in Round Rock, Texas. The show will feature the 2011 productions of the top eight finishers from last year's DCI World Championship, including Blue Devils, Blue Stars, Bluecoats, The Cadets, Carolina Crown, The Cavaliers, Phantom Regiment and Santa Clara Vanguard.

"It's historic in that never before have the top eight scoring DCI corps from one season come together in one place to start the next season together," said DCI Executive Director Dan Acheson. "These corps will meet in Texas for two exciting season kickoff events, beginning Saturday, June 18 in Saginaw, Texas and continuing onto Round Rock on Sunday the 19th. We'll record the live performances on Sunday night for the Monday evening broadcast, but the scores from both shows will not be known until they are revealed exclusively at the conclusion of the theater event."

With different slates of DCI judges for each of the two Texas events, and a change in performance order from Saturday night to Sunday (corps performing first one night will perform last the next), theater attendees will be treated to added intrigue as the show unfolds on the big screen and the scores are presented.

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"Fans at the Saturday and Sunday events will also help contribute to history in the making when they select their favorite performances during these two great shows," Acheson added. "The official final scores and caption recaps, however, will remain unknown to anyone other than myself and a select few members of the broadcast production crew. The judges, corps directors, staff and marching members will not know the results until those in the theaters on Monday hear the scores."

A complete list of participating theaters will be available in the next two weeks, and tickets will go on sale beginning Friday, May 20 through FathomEvents.com.

August Championship cinecast continues

In addition to the early-season "Tour Premiere," DCI's popular "Big, Loud & Live" cinecast will return for an eighth season on Thursday, August 11 beginning at 6:30 PM (Eastern). Broadcast in high definition to movie theaters nationwide, this event will capture the action from the 2011 World Championship Prelims at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The annual "Big, Loud & Live" series continues to grow, with more than 38,400 fans in attendance last year at nearly 500 movie theaters nationwide. The event has allowed fans who are unable attend the World Championships to experience and enjoy the thrills and drama of the world's best drum corps at the climax of the season.

Additional details about this year's "Big, Loud & Live" event and a complete list of participating theaters will be released in the coming months at DCI.org/cinema.

About NCM: National CineMedia operates NCM Media Networks, a leading integrated media company reaching U.S. consumers in movie theaters, online and through mobile technology. The NCM Cinema Network and NCM Fathom present cinema advertising and events across the nation's largest digital in-theater network. For more information, visit www.ncm.com or www.fathomevents.com.

About Drum Corps International (DCI): Drum Corps International (DCI) is the world leader in producing events for the world's most elite and exclusive marching ensembles for student musicians and performers. Founded in 1972, Drum Corps International has developed into a powerful, nonprofit, global youth organization with far-reaching artistic, educational and organizational influence. Drum Corps International is Marching Music's Major League. Learn more about the exciting world of Drum Corps International and its member corps on the Web at www.dci.org or call 317-275-1212.

Source material and images courtesy of DCI.

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DCI creates new big screen event to start 2011 drum corps season