DRUM CORPS INTERNATIONAL®

2017
I&E Extract of
RULES MANUAL
 Drum Corps International®
Contest Rules and Regulations

© 2017
Drum Corps International
110 W. Washington Street
Suite C
Indianapolis, IN 46204

All rights reserved.

Any use or reproduction of this document or any part of the intellectual
property herewith, in any form for any reason other than those sponsored
or sanctioned by Drum Corps International® without written consent of
Drum Corps International® is strictly prohibited.
 DRUM CORPS INTERNATIONAL
CONTEST RULES & REGULATIONS

INTRODUCTION

This manual is designated by the Drum Corps International Member Organizations as its
official instructions, definitions and interpretations for all events operated and governed by
DCI. The material contained herein has been adopted by Drum Corps International for use at
all of its sponsored and sanctioned events.

The documents contained herein have been prepared and published for a better
understanding among judges and participants to the procedures required by the rules
approved through the Rules Process.

Should further clarification be necessary, please write or call,

Drum Corps International

110 W. Washington St., Suite C
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317.275.1212
For interpretation as to the intent of any rule or regulation contained herein.
The 2017 DCI Contest Rules are a combination of rules, regulations, and interpretations
that date back to 1972. There have been several changes to the contest rules over the
years, and it is important to note that, there are several statements that exist herein
unchanged, that may not necessarily apply to today’s contest environment. Note that the
judging manual has been updated fully and it, and the Code of Conduct, are now published
as separate documents.

The DCI Artistic Director, the DCI Judge Administrator, and the DCI Contest Director work in
harmony to ensure that all matters left to interpretation of the written words in this document
are assessed and considered at length prior to judgment. Judgment is then made based on
the best possible solution for maintaining a fair and level playing field for all participating
units. After a matter has been considered at length, and ambiguity remains, generally the
default guide will be what is written.

In 1999, the Member Corps ceased the recognition of the Drum Corps Rules Congress as
the rules making authority and adopted a DCI Rules Change Process. It is this process that
now governs how rules are changed on an annual basis. Under the direction of the Member
Corps, the rules committee is charged with the responsibility of the clarity and interpretation
of the rules change process.

The ultimate guide in our endeavor should always be first what is in the best interest of
creating an environment for the performers to realize their goals to achieve excellence
through marching music performance. However, it is necessary to implement rules and
regulations in order to organize events that are fair and allow equal opportunity for success
to those wishing to participate.

Daniel E. Acheson
Executive Director, CEO
Drum Corps International,
Inc. May 2017
 14

DRUM CORPS INTERNATIONAL

World Championship
INDIVIDUAL AND ENSEMBLE CONTEST RULES

1.0 ELIGIBILITY
1.1 Individual and Ensemble Contestants under the age of 22 years or any contestant who turns 22
years of age on or after June 1st of the current year, shall be permitted to compete.

1.2 All individual and ensemble contestants must be members of a corps that competes in one of the DCI
World Championships week preliminary contests, or must be a member of a corps who has
competed in at least four (4) DCI (includes DCI Atlantic, DCI Central and DCI Pacific Division
competitions) competitions during the current season, or must be the current year's Individual
Champion representative from a DCI recognized drum corps association, or must be a member of
an accredited High School, College or University music program who has qualified at a Drum Corps
International sanctioned Regional Solo and Ensemble Competition.

1.3 An official entry blank, verifying the above qualifications and signed by the corps director or manager,
school principal or band director of the competing unit, which the contestant represents, must be
submitted for each individual or ensemble entrant.

1.4 Any changes, substitutions, or additions to an entry must be approved by the I&E Coordinator prior
to the performance of an ensemble or individual.

2.0 CATEGORIES
2.1 No person shall compete for a unit other than his or her own. Each competitor may participate in
one (1) individual category, and in one (1) Ensemble category (Brass, Percussion, Bass Drum,
Cymbal, Woodwind, Vocal or Visual Ensemble) and in one (1) Mixed Ensemble.

2.2 In the Individual Brass, Individual Woodwind, Individual Percussion, Individual Vocal and Individual
Visual captions - Five (5) individuals in each individual category from each contending unit will be
allowed to compete.

2.2.1 The Individual Brass categories are Trumpet, Mellophone, French horn, Baritone, Trombone, and
Tuba. Piccolo Trumpet and Flugelhorn instruments will compete in the Trumpet category.
Euphonium instruments will compete in the Baritone category. All traditional marching brass
instruments whether “bell front” or not will be permitted to compete in the stated categories.

2.2.2 The Individual Percussion categories are: Snare Drum; Multiple Tenor Drum; Percussion
Keyboard; Timpani and Multiple Percussion (any number of percussion instruments played by a
solo performer. This includes a drum set).
 15

2.2.2.1 A performer entered in any of the Individual Percussion categories, with the exception of the
Multiple Percussion category, may only perform on the one (1) percussion instrument that is
specified in the category title. A group of tenor drums fastened to one (1) holding apparatus or
a set of Timpani are considered one (1) percussion instrument. No auxiliary instruments, such
as suspended cymbals, cowbells, woodblocks, etc., are permitted in any Individual Percussion
category, except the Multiple Percussion category. The use of any auxiliary instrument in any
Individual Percussion category, other than the Multiple Percussion category, will be considered
as using an illegal instrument and will be penalized in accordance with the rules.

2.2.3 The Individual Woodwind categories are Saxophone, Clarinet, and Flute. Double reed
instruments will compete in the Clarinet category and Piccolos will compete in the Flute category.

2.2.4 The Individual Vocal category will be performed a cappella. The only non-vocal instrument
allowed will be a starting pitch e.g. pitch pipe, tuning fork etc.

2.2.5 The Visual categories are Individual Flag, Flag Ensemble, Individual Auxiliary Equipment, Auxiliary
Equipment Ensemble, Dance, and Dance Ensemble. The Auxiliary Equipment categories include
any visual equipment other than flags, such as rifles, sabers, streamers, balls, fans, etc.

2.2.5.1 A performer entered in the Flag categories may only utilize flags, although more than one (1)
flag may be used. A flag is defined as any material attached to a pike, pole, rod, or staff other
than an authorized weapon and used as a flag, with a minimum size of 8" x 12". National Colors
must be 3' x 5'. Flagpoles must be at least 24" in length (curved and straight poles are
acceptable; however, complete circles, squares, etc., to which material is attached are NOT
flags).

2.2.5.2 A performer entered in the Auxiliary Equipment categories may utilize one (1) or more pieces
of any auxiliary equipment other than flags. This equipment may be used in any combination,
such as two (2) rifles, a rifle and a saber, a streamer and a ball, two (2) fans, etc. A performer
utilizing a flag and another piece of equipment, other than a flag, will be entered in the Auxiliary
Equipment categories.

2.2.5.3 Visual contestants may perform with pre-recorded musical or audible accompaniment. Each
contestant is responsible for providing the playback equipment that will be used during the
performance. It is recommended that the playback equipment be easy to set-up and be able to
generate power from batteries. Contestants may utilize electrical current, if it is available.

2.2.5.4 The performance area for Individual and Ensemble Visual contestants shall be approximately
20' x 20'. However, because the performance site varies yearly, it is the responsibility of the
performer to confirm the size of the performance area with the I&E contest chairman. Because
of time and space constraints, scenery is not permitted.

2.3 Brass Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble and Woodwind Ensemble - Two (2) Brass Ensembles
and two (2) Percussion Ensembles, and two (2) Woodwind Ensembles from each eligible unit, will
be allowed to compete.

2.3.1 A minimum of two (2) and a maximum of eighteen (18) players may be utilized in any one Brass
Ensemble, a minimum of two (2) and a maximum of eighteen (18) in any Woodwind Ensemble,
and a minimum of two (2) and a maximum of eighteen (18) in any one Percussion Ensemble.
 16

2.4 Bass Drum Ensemble and Cymbal Ensemble - One (1) Bass Drum Ensemble and one (1) Cymbal
Ensemble, from each eligible unit will be allowed to compete. A minimum of two (2) and a maximum
of eight (8) players may be utilized in any one (1) Bass Drum or Cymbal Ensemble.

2.5 Mixed Ensemble - One (1) Mixed Ensemble may be entered from each eligible unit. A mixed
ensemble is any combination of all instrument categories and may consist of a minimum of four (4)
players and a maximum of eighteen (18) players.

2.6 Vocal Ensemble – A maximum of eighteen (18) members may perform in a vocal ensemble. The
ensemble must perform a cappella. The only non-vocal instrument allowed is a starting pitch e.g.
pitch pipe, tuning fork, etc.

2.7 Visual Ensembles – One (1) Flag Ensemble and one (1) Auxiliary Ensemble and one (1) Dance
Ensemble from each eligible unit will be allowed to compete. A minimum of two (2) and a maximum
of six (6) performers may be utilized in any one (1) Visual Ensemble.

2.8 Vibraphones are not considered electronic equipment and as such, vibraphone motors may be
powered by a self-contained battery unit or by plugging the power cord that attaches to the motor
into an electrical outlet if available.

2.9 Conductors for ensemble competitors are permitted, providing the conductor is a competing member
of the unit. Conductors will be counted as part of the ensemble complement.

3.0 COMPETITION STRUCTURE

3.1 Contestants must check in with the contest representative at the performance site or room at least
ten (10) minutes before their performance time.

3.2 During the preliminary competition, individual competitors will be scheduled at six (6) minute
intervals and ensemble competitors will be scheduled at eight (8) minute intervals.

3.3 Competitors may not enter their respective performing area until after the previous performance is
completed and the previous contestant has left the performing area.

3.4 Each entrant shall perform a piece of their choosing which may not be less than 150 seconds (2:30)
nor more than 240 seconds (4:00). No other performance is required.

3.5 An unjudged, one minute warm-up prior to the performance of the piece is optional. If a warm-up is
played, the contestant should face away from the audience and judge, if possible.

3.6 It is recommended that a copy of the music be given to the music judge (two (2) copies for
ensembles), although it is not required.

3.7 Performances in each category are limited to the area designated by the I&E contest director.

3.8 Contestants shall await a signal from the judges before starting competition.
 17

4.0 JUDGING AND SCORE SHEETS

4.1 All timing and judging shall start with the first note of music and will end with the completion of music.

4.2 One judge will be utilized to adjudicate each of the following categories in the preliminary
competition: Trumpet, Mellophone, French Horn, Baritone, Trombone, Tuba, Brass Ensemble,
Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Woodwind Ensemble, Flag, Flag Ensemble, Auxiliary Equipment,
Auxiliary Equipment Ensemble, Dance, Dance Ensemble, Snare Drum, Multiple Tenor Drum,
Percussion Keyboard, Timpani, Multiple Percussion, Percussion Ensemble, Bass Drum Ensemble,
and Cymbal Ensemble.

4.3 The category of Mixed Ensemble will be adjudicated by two (2) judges - one (1) Wind and one (1)
Percussion. Their scores will be averaged. Should there be an I&E Finals competition, two (2) Wind
Ensemble judges, and two (2) Percussion Ensemble judges will be utilized to adjudicate the category
of Mixed Ensemble, and their scores will be averaged. One (1) judge shall act as timer.

4.4 Each judge shall also act as timer. Should there be an I&E Finals competition, two (2) judges will
be utilized to adjudicate each of the above captions and their scores will be averaged. One (1) judge
from each pair shall act as timer.

4.5 All scoring, other than penalties, will be done on an evaluation, build-up basis.

Brass, Percussion, and Woodwind contestants shall be judged as follows:

Excellence 100 points

Effect 100 points

Subtotal 200 points divided by 2 = Total score

Visual contestants shall be judged as follows:

Repertoire/Composition 100 points

Performance/Showmanship 100 points

Subtotal 200 points divided by 2 = Total score

Vocal contestants shall be judged as follows:

Tone 100 points

Intonation 100 points

Accuracy 100 points

Technique 100 points

Expression 100 points

Subtotal 500 points divided by 5 = Total score

 18

5.0 EQUIPMENT

5.1 All equipment shall be consistent with the rules established for drum corps, unless specifically
provided for within the Individual and Ensemble Contest Rules.

5.2 Any instrument or equipment may be grounded or carried during a performance.

5.3 Brass contestants may use mutes.

6.0 PENALTIES
6.1 A competitor violating any requirement of section 1.0 shall be disqualified and his position in the
contest shall be forfeited.

6.2 A 1/10th of a point penalty shall be assessed for each three (3) seconds of overtime or under time
for all performances.

6.3 A performer failing to report for competition at the stipulated time shall be penalized 1/2 of a point
for each fifteen (15) minutes of lateness or part thereof, up to the conclusion of the contest. Should
extreme circumstances prevent the performer from reporting on time, the I&E contest director will
determine the amount of the penalty, if any, to be assessed.

6.4 A minimum of five (5) points in penalty will be assessed for the use of any illegal equipment or
instrument.

6.5 A competitor violating any rule, or part of a rule, for which no specific penalty is herein provided,
shall be penalized for each such violation not less than 1/10th of a point nor more than
disqualification.

6.6 Only the I&E contest director may assess a penalty. Judges and/or tabulators must report all rule
violations to the I&E contest director.

6.7 All penalties will be subtracted from the FINAL score (or averaged score of pairs of judges).

6.8 There will be no penalty for each piece of dropped equipment or uniform. Equipment or uniform
items may be deliberately grounded without penalty.

6.9 Retrieval of dropped equipment or uniform items may be done only by the performer during the
performance. There is no penalty for retrieval of dropped equipment or uniform items.

6.10 All performers and staffs will be subject to the DCI Code of Conduct, currently in effect, the day of
the I&E Competition.

Revised (021889) (033189) (032290) (040194) (060100) (032101) (041504) (013005)(032507)(051411)