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http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=42231.48

DCI Signs For A Decade

Rick Richards
City Editor, The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - When the Drum Corps International world championships move to Lucas Stadium in Indianapolis next year, Michigan City will be a part of it.

In an announcement following Friday's 47th annual Drum and Bugle Corps show at Ames Field, Dan Acheson, executive director of DCI, told the crowd that Michigan City will be host of the Division II and Division III competition for the next 10 years.

Mike Pease, chairman of the Michigan City show for the past 10 years, said he was thrilled when DCI contacted him about being host of the competition.

Pease said anywhere from 30 to 35 drum corps from six countries are expected to participate in the competition. The top 18 bands will advance to the world championships in Indianapolis. Besides the United States, bands from Canada, Japan, Taiwan, Sweden and The Netherlands are expected.

"This is sort of like hosting the first two rounds of the NCAA basketball tournament," Pease said. "That's how big this is."

In 2008, the show will be held Aug. 5 to 9 at Ames Field, said Pease. Each year thereafter, it will occupy four days during the first week of August.

Each year at the Ames Field show, Pease said DCI officials judge not only the competition among the bands, but also judge how well Michigan City does in hosting the competition.

"We've received high marks," he said. Michigan City has won DCI's Show of the Year twice and in 2005 hosted a regional event that received high marks from the organization.

Mayor Chuck Oberlie, who accompanied Acheson during the announcement, said this "builds on a 47-year history with DCI. We're thrilled DCI has selected Michigan City."

Oberlie said the 10-year deal is good for the city and is important because it shows the arts play an important role in the community.,

Pease said Michigan City will be a part of the DCI promotion of the world championships by having a link on the organization's Web site. The city will be promoted in television advertising and other promotional events, he said. In addition, there will be a documentary film crew here taping the competition.

Sue Bietry, director of the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau , said the show will be "a great boon for the area. I'm excited for Michigan City and for the county. This kind of exposure is great for us."

Joe Doyle, a city councilman and a member of the Drum Show organizing committee, said he was thrilled at the announcement.

"The very first DCI show was held in Michigan City. There is a lot of history here," Doyle said. "They know we run a first class show."

Pease said that when he received the call, he was ecstatic. "This is big news. To those in the drum corps business, this is huge. This will echo throughout the drum corps world."

In addition to hundreds of band members and volunteers with each group, Pease said there also will be corporate tents and exhibits from music companies like Yamaha and Zilgin setting up shop during the show.

Pease said he is looking forward to the competition and flying the flags of the seven nations that will be competing.

"I know how excited the kids get when they see their nation's flag flying atop the stadium."

Doyle said he's happy that a long tradition is continuing in Michigan City.

"This is a program for youth and it makes me feel good to be part of something positive like this for Michigan City."

Pease said the show can be run with the 20 to 25 volunteers he currently has for the annual Summer Festival show, but he plans to host a community meeting this fall to provide more details about the show.

Contact City Editor Rick A. Richards at news@thenewsdispatch.com.

[Roger Kaputnik]

Despite itself, MC does good!