On August 9th, the DCI (Drum Corps International) World Championships were held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. For the first time since their foundation in the early 1940s, the Boston Crusaders were able to take home the Founder’s Trophy with a score of 98.425. Their 2025 show “BOOM” featured 165 performers in a show that, according to the Boston Crusaders website, “finds great emotion in the conflict between ‘innovative’ optimism and ‘atomic-age’ fear”.
Throughout the DCI summer tour, the Boston Crusaders battled with the Bluecoats – last year’s DCI champions. In the semifinals, the Bluecoats maintained a higher score than the Boston Crusaders. The Bluecoats, from Ohio, won with a score of 97.736 while the Boston Crusaders were just behind them with a score of 97.575. That being said, the Boston Crusaders were, for the first time in history, able to take first place in the final competition.
The Boston Crusaders’ show was lively and energetic, with music selections featuring The Kingdom by Tigran Hamasyan, Malambo No. 1 by Yma Sumac, No Time For Caution by Hans Zimmer, and more. The show totaled roughly 12 minutes. The band was led by drum majors Wes Booker, Joe Zishka, and Maddie Wielinga. In marching bands, DCI included, drum majors are the leaders of the band who keep time by means of conducting (some may use a baton or other tool). The drum major’s conducting allows for the band to be together, playing and stepping in time to put on a stellar performance.
Aside from their drum majors, their show ‘BOOM’ was a showstopping performance in all aspects. Visually, their colorful uniforms, perfected routine, and in-time flag/weapon lines (colorguard) stole the show. Musically, their wide variety of instruments, skilled musicians, and catchy song choices appealed to judges. Another notable aspect of their show was their mellophone feature, where musicians came close together, kneeled down, and played each other’s instruments. This impressive display of deftness and musicianship helped the Crusaders take home their first-place prize.
The 2025 Championship was the first time the Boston Crusaders were ever able to take first place. Their incredible score and performance shocked many viewers, and if they keep this level of performance in the coming years, they may be able to seal more victories within the drum corps.