2016 DCA I&E, and Mini Corps Information
It is March already, and I am sure that everyone’s thoughts are beginning to turn toward the upcoming 2016 competitive season. Many of you have already taken part in your Corps winter camps, with programs well on your way, looking forward to competing on the field starting this June. I thought I would take this opportunity to give you all a few details around the other events that will be taking place in Rochester, NY on DCA Championship weekend. The 2016 versions of the I&E competition, the Mini Corps competition, and the Alumni Spectacular are shaping up, and will provide the participants of these events with some exciting and memorable experiences.
First, we have the I&E event, which will be held on Friday evening September 2, 2016 at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center and tentatively starting at 5:30 PM. This event features soloists and ensembles competing in various categories, in the brass, percussion, and visual classes. A great event to watch, with several sites to choose from at the Convention Center, providing various levels of entertainment throughout the evening. The culmination of the evenings events at the Convention Center is the Mini Corps competition, providing a staged venue for several groups to perform some very creative programs for all to enjoy. This event draws several small size Brass with Percussion ensembles, each group with its own personality and style for everyone to enjoy. This event is held in the Convention Center’s Empire Room and is scheduled to begin at the completion of the I&E competitions. Tentatively this will begin at 9:00 PM. The I&E/Mini Corps event starts the DCA Championship weekend with a great party celebrating both the present and past history of our great activity. If you are not planning on being a participant, please plan on coming to downtown Rochester to watch and listen to DCA’s finest performers. This event is a free of charge and open to everyone.
Second, DCA is proud to present it’s 2016 version of the Alumni Spectacular. This event will be presented on Sunday, September 4, 2016 at Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester, NY. The event will start promptly at 10:00 AM and will feature eight of the finest Alumni Drum Corps around. This event always is a great fan favorite, as these groups perform the programs that so many of us grew up with. Harkening back to the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, the Alumni Corps perform their most remembered songs giving the audience a glimpse of the great history of the DCA legacy. This event is truly a great time, and absolutely should be on your must do list for your DCA Championship weekend.
The rules of participation and the applications for entry to the I&E/Mini Corps Competition will be available for download from the DCA website. Look for these on drumcorpsassociates.org under the Championship tab. You may also contact me directly at dickf@drumcorpsassociates.org. I will be happy to forward the information and paperwork to you.