Drum corps international is one of the best places to go for the marching arts. It allows people who love marching band but who are out of high school or not in college. Drum Corps is an amazing way for people to connect and interact with people, while doing a physically demanding activity and displaying their musicianship. However, there is one issue.

Many people have run into issues in regards to joining drum corps, and that is the “age-out” limit. This limit is 21, with an exception to those who turn 22 after June 1st. This remains an issue because many people have to financially support themselves before joining a corps due to the dramatic dues/fees they must pay to join, plus to travel to audition sites. Because of this, many who are in college, join the military, etc. due to financial stability cannot join a corps due to the age limit, even if they wanted to or had the money. 

For example, my husband is military and we are still young. We are currently getting stationed out of the country for a few years and when we get back we will have barely missed the age out limit (and when i mean barely, i mean by two weeks). My husband and i are both musicians (trumpet, baritone) and we love marching band dearly and have considered DCI for a long time. We miss it. But due to the rules, we will never get a chance to march unless the age limit is raised. 

Drum Corps considers their activity a “youth” activity, however, stops the limit at 21. Even at 24, many people are still well in their youth until their 30’s. Raising the “age out” limit would not only encourage more members to join even with their circumstances, it would also also DCI alumni to come back and participate again. Thus, more people interested in joining a corps overall. The 21 age out limit is a very tight limit for most people—let’s change that.