For Quantum’s Brent Rosborough (Brass) and Chris Hankes (Percussion), DCI Finals is a rollercoaster ride through several locations to visit and help all the Drum Corps that play Jupiter, Mapex and Majestic. This included stops all around (and outside) the city of Indianapolis – as well as time spent in the official DCI Sponsor booth within Lucas Oil Stadium.

“For as hectic a time as DCI Finals can be, every organization that represents us within the activity did so with class,” said Rosborough. “Interaction with them was truly a pleasure.”

Hankes was pleased with the results at this year’s event. “This was an amazing summer for us. To have two corps (Boston and The Academy) in the top ten in percussion early in finals week was incredible.”

It was also a crazy time for the corps participating. Brad Furlano, Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps Executive Director, recently gave the La Crosse, Wisconsin Tribune some insight into how they prepared their kids for the Championships.

“We’ve had a great group of young adults, and our emphasis has been on the journey, and not focusing on the scores,” Furlano told the Tribune’s Terry Rindfleisch. “This corps has shown a lot of tenacity…we’re going to keep pushing and not giving up. From a performance standpoint, we’re surging.”

This is Blue Stars first year playing Jupiter Quantum Brass.

The Boston Crusaders became the first corps ever to bring Mapex and Majestic percussion instruments to the field on Saturday night. “It was a tremendous honor,” said Hankes. Boston would ultimately finish 8th in the World Championships.

Boston’s set of Majestic Timpani made such an indelible impression on one member of the corps, that she decided right after the show to purchase them.

“I really enjoyed playing on that particular set of timpani. It was my first real experience with Majestic so I was not sure what to expect, but as I got to know the drums I found that I liked them a lot,” said Boston Crusaders timpanist Diana Loomer.

Loomer even had other timpanists approaching her about her instrument throughout this year’s Tour.

“[They] came to me throughout the summer curiously asking how I liked Majestic timpani. I told them that I honestly loved them. A lot of them also complimented the sound of the drums.”

Boston Crusaders Timpanist Diana Loomer Playing Majestic Timpani

The Majestic timpani quickly became a favorite of Diana’s, and she was quick to let her fellow Crusaders know about it.

“Any Boston Crusader could tell you that I treated those drums like they were my babies. I was very impressed with how well they worked even after the wear of a whole summer of drum corps! I can’t say the same about the timpani I worked with last year.”

DCI 2011 Video

If you’re here for the lot footage from this year’s tour, then look no further. We’ve got footage from our groups while at DCI Finals 2011, DCI Atlanta 2011 and DCI Murfreesboro 2011.

We also have PLENTY of photos for you to check out over at the 2011 DCI Tour page here on QuantumMarching.com.

“We here at Jupiter are very excited to have a group such as the Blue Stars playing Jupiter Marching Brass,” said Tabor Stamper, President of KHS America and Jupiter Band Instruments. “A top eight corps at this year’s Finals in Indianapolis, they are poised to make another deep run into the 2011 DCI competition.”

Blue Stars Executive Director Brad Furlano has headed up the partnership between the corps and Jupiter, and believes both groups will see immediate returns.

“The entire Blue Stars organization is thrilled to begin its next chapter playing Jupiter Quantum Marching Brass,” said Furlano. “We had many instrument options for our brass needs, but the quality of the horns and dedication of the Jupiter service team convinced us there was no better choice than Jupiter Instruments. The Blue Stars and Jupiter have one very important thing in common: a commitment to being the best.”

As part of this new alliance, the Blue Stars will appear in future educational and marketing efforts for Jupiter Marching Brass. This includes educational and performance clinics, social network marketing, print advertising and tradeshow marketing.

See the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps performing exclusively on Jupiter Marching Brass on the 2011 Drum Corps International World Class tour.

Click on an image below to see pictures or video from specific DCI 2011 events.

2011 DCI Open Class Finals Results

2011 DCI World Class Finals Results