HERSHEY, Penna. - The third annual Drum Corps Cooperative Regional concluded this past Sunday at Hersheypark Stadium. 25 drum corps competed across three divisions at the event hosted by Express Performing Arts of Strasburg, PA.

“The Hershey regional offers a great mix of competition and community,” DCCO chairman Nathan Picard said. “DCCO events are designed to foster collaboration and growth while maintaining a high level of competition.”

The Regional is one of nine such events hosted by Drum Corps Cooperative (DCCO) as part of their yearly competition circuit. Drum and bugle corps featuring brass, percussion, and color guard performers tour every summer from New York to California to be judged on their performance quality. DCCO circuit corps end their season with a championship in St. Louis before travelling to Indianapolis for world finals.

“Our regional is one of two in the DCCO tour to allow corps from outside our circuit to perform,” Express assistant director Connie Ductor said. “Ultimately, we've found more corps means a bigger and better show for everyone involved, from the corps themselves to the fans.”

DCCO is a newer drum corps circuit that advertises a unique approach to potential member corps.

“DCCO (founded at the end of S121) is a unique league that still has a ‘president’ per se, but you vote in the board of directors every couple of seasons.” Blue Italians director brendan7851 said when asked why they joined the curcuit. “It was a change of scenery from the Gentlemanly Leagues, which had no such thing. There are many opportunities each season competition wise, which allows for groups to fill their schedules.”

Out of the 25 drum corps in competition, 12 large Division I corps competed, 11 medium-to-large size Division II corps competed, and two smaller Division III corps competed. Echoes of the massive sound created by these groups could be heard across Hersheypark from morning until midnight.

After the event, the corps took the field together in full retreat to be recognized and receive awards for their performance. Dr. Ductor of the Express, Hershey Entertainment and Resorts vice chairman John Glass, and DCCO chairman Nathan Picard presented to each corps. Among those recognized was the Mojave Kingsmen.

“My group the Mojave Kingsman come from the Mojave.” Kingsman director domics said. “We try to just have fun and try to place good…it is good to get critique and learn.”

In Division I: The Lexington Legends took gold with their production “Fallen Angels”, Florida corps The Panthers took silver with “Juliet”, and fellow Lexington, KY corps Black Gold took bronze.

In Division II: the St. Louis Starriders took first with their musically complex show “looking/seeking/finding”, California corps West Coast Alliance scored second with their VFW corps-style show “The Good Old Days”, and host corps The Express took home the bronze with their illuminations during “A Day Is A Gift.”

In Division III: The New Lenox Raiders took first with “New York 1930” and Fallen Oaks scored second with “Nature’s Calling”.

Marching music lovers were also treated to an indoor percussion show at the GIANT Center featuring 30 groups. These events will be held again next season during W3D1.