Welcome back to the Chops blog.  We’re busy gearing up for the Drum Corps International (DCI) World Championships, held right here next week in Indianapolis!  It takes place at Lucas Oil Stadium and surrounding areas.  The competition inside Lucas Oil stadium isn’t the only thing to see.  There are many events throughout the week, most of which are free and open to the public!

Here’s our basic guide to help you take in some of the action.

Drum Corps Competitions

Monday, August 7:  Open Class Prelims – Ames Field (Michigan City, IN)

Tuesday, August 8:  Open Class Finals – Ames Field (Michigan City, IN)

Thursday, August 10:  World Class Prelims – Lucas Oil Stadium

Friday, August 11:  World Class Semi-finals – Lucas Oil Stadium

Saturday, August 12:  World Class Finals – Lucas Oil Stadium

Ticket prices vary by event.  See DCI Tickets for details.

Individual & Small Ensemble Competition (Performers Showcase)

Wednesday, August 9, 10am-4pm
Georgia Street
Free!

SoundSport International Music & Food Festival (Food Trucks!)

Saturday, August 12, 11am-3pm
Pan Am Plaza
Free!

DrumLine Battle

Saturday, August 12, 11am-3pm
Georgia Street & Pan Am Plaza
Free!

Corps Warm-Up Zone

The show before the show!  Get up close to your favorite drumline or front ensemble as they warm-up and prepare for their performance.

Daily, Thursday-Saturday, depending on the contest schedule

-Military Park (Drumline warm-ups). Shuttle bus will run between Lucas Oil and Military Park.

-Parking lots around Lucas Oil (Front Ensemble warm-ups)

Free!

Corps Rehearsal Sites

Watch your favorite corps rehearse before they head to Lucas Oil Stadium.

Various schools and other locations around Central Indiana

Free!

We will have a list of rehearsal sites for the week, but they are not official.  Please watch our Facebook page and signup for our emails for more information as we receive it.  You can also visit the DCI website and consult the individual corps sites for more information and detailed schedules.

Come visit us at the Vic Firth/Zildjian booth!

We’ll be running the Vic Firth and Zildjian booths, so if you’re attending any of the events inside the stadium, make sure to stop by and say hi!  We’ll also have special show pricing on sticks, practice pads, stick bags, t-shirts, hats and many other items.  It would be a great chance to try out the many Vic Firth marching sticks and pads and take something home for marching band season!

For more information on events, schedules, venues, ticket sales and more, visit the

DCI Website.If you go, let us know what you think on our Facebook page! If you wear a Chops Percussion shirt, post a pic with one of the drumlines in the background and tag us in it, you can drop by our booth for a free pair of sticks!