News Story by Drum Corps International

 A Drum Corps United Kingdom (DCUK) rebuild has been catalyzed in 2025 with the help of Drum Corps International’s SoundSport program.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought many unprecedented changes to countries around the globe. DCUK was heavily impacted by these changes, as the organization lost half of its drum corps in quick succession.

With only three drum and bugle corps participating in 2024 after its drastic membership decline, DCUK took an unconventional approach to keep the marching arts alive in its region. Instead of trying to build larger corps to compete in big British football stadiums, it would turn to Drum Corps International’s highly-flexible SoundSport program to focus on indoor performances hosted as part of existing events for the UK winter guard circuit.

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“When we first announced we were going to do SoundSport, we hoped we’d get three [performing groups], we prayed for six, and we got 11,” said chair of Marching & Performing Arts UK Alan Thompson. “We had 11 units that took part, which was way above our estimations, especially as the competitive marching band circuit in the UK is really struggling.”

“[The switch] has revitalized a number of our organizations that were on the verge of possibly giving up,” Thompson said. “It’s revitalized them. Some that basically hadn’t done anything for five or six years just [said], ‘We’ll dip our toe in, see what it’s like,’ and every single one of them said, ‘We’re back next year. We’re doing it again. It was brilliant this year.’ That’s so great to hear.”

Andrew Dallison, the director of DCUK’s Beeches Performance Ensemble, noted the quick turnaround the corps needed to make after finishing their final outdoor season at the end of September and starting the new SoundSport venture in January. It was only a few weeks before the group had to start preparing new music.

“It was a big learning curve and a real push for the corps, because we started the show at the end of October, and our first competition was in January,” Dallison said. “Everybody had to really push to get the show out, but it was a good experience, very welcoming and different, but we soon got our heads around it.”

DCUK anticipates having all 11 units return for their 2026 SoundSport season which will kick off in January. Additionally, there are two brand-new units that are looking to join DCUK and SoundSport in 2026 as part of the organization’s expansion efforts.

Thompson says that one of the goals of the organization’s transition to SoundSport was creating a more relaxed, entertaining atmosphere at the events, which typically have anywhere from 300-1,000 audience members. One of the positive byproducts of that achieved goal has been a new sense of community among organizers and participants.

“[With] SoundSport shows, they’re getting there, [and] they’re mingling with everybody else … It’s been a much more family-oriented atmosphere at the events we’ve had,” Thompson said.

As DCUK continues to evolve, the organization remains optimistic about returning the region’s marching arts activities to a capacity closer to what they were before COVID. DCUK’s SoundSport success story highlights a revitalization for the organization as it continues to thrive.

“It’s not what we had 20 years ago; we know that,” Thompson said. “But it’s keeping it alive. At some point, one day, we might get back to a full-blown summer season, but this is definitely the way forward for us now. It’s been way above our expectations.”