On the second Saturday of every August, twelve groups of some of the most talented musicians on the planet come together at Lucas Oil Stadium for Drum Corps International’s World Class Finals. These kids, most of them aged under twenty-one, have dedicated themselves for an entire summer to perfect their respective shows. For some of them, this was their last time ever performing a drum corps or marching arts show.
This year’s winning group was the Bluecoats from Canton, OH with their show titled “Change is Everything.” Their show was based around a quote from Anton Chekhov: “Only entropy comes easy.” The show was about creating art and humanity from chaos and constant change. They came out on top with a score of 98.75 out of 100, a record-breaking score for the corps. On top of the gold medal, they also brought home the Jim Ott Award for best brass for the first time in Bluecoats history.
In second place with a score of 97.4 came the Boston Crusaders, who performed their program “Glitch.” The show was about embracing imperfection, whether it was intentional or not. They came out with the George Zingali Best Color Guard Award. This year was quite the year for Boston, as it was their highest score in the corps’ history.
Coming in third were the defending champions, from Concord, CA, the Blue Devils. Their show was titled “The Romantics” and it was about the romantic era of music. They held a three-year undefeated streak. This year was weaker for them, with their show being seen as one of their weaker ones by most drum corps fans on the internet. However, this does not disregard the amount of work the kids put in, and they still managed to pull a medal with a 97 despite fierce competition.
In fourth place came Phantom Regiment out of Rockford, IL, and they won DCI’s fan-favorite award. Their 2024 program was titled “Mynd.” It focused on the human brain and the thoughts it produces. The crowd was going insane, and many people reported being unable to hear the last minute of the show. They finished in an astonishing fourth place, the highest placement for the corps since 2012. They did not take home any awards, but they won the hearts of the Lucas Oil crowd.
In a solid fifth place came Carolina Crown from Fort Mills, NC. The title of their program was “Promethean,” and it gave a marching-arts twist to the common myth of Prometheus. Their show had changed significantly as the season progressed, as they added an entirely new part and a uniform change to their closer. They scored 95 out of 100 and had a great all-around season.
Santa Clara Vanguard from California had an amazing comeback year after taking a year off due to financial issues, placing sixth. Their show was titled “Vagabond” and they were the first top twelve group in quite a while to be propless, which sent shockwaves in the drum corps world because props are such a huge part of the activity in modern competition. They won the Fred Sanford Best Percussion award, which is definitely on brand for them as they are known for their amazing battery and front ensemble.
The 2024 Drum Corps International World Class Finals showcased incredible talent, dedication, and innovation. The captivating performances by the top corps such as the Bluecoats, Boston Crusaders, Blue Devils, Phantom Regiment, Carolina Crown, and Santa Clara Vanguard left a lasting impression on the audience. Each corps pushed the boundaries of artistic expression and technical excellence, leaving a legacy that will be remembered for years to come. The dedication and passion of these young musicians truly made the event a celebration of creativity and teamwork in the marching arts.