ABOUT US
The Event
Drums Along the Waterfront is proud to celebrate our 22nd year hosting the Drum Corps International Tour of Champions competition at New Era Field, Orchard Park, NY on August 4, 2019. The world's top drum corps will square off for the title. Stretching from end-zone to end-zone, 10,000+ spectators will experience the power, precision, and pageantry that is today's drum & bugle corps. Hosting events of this magnitude are not new to the western New York area. In 1990, 1995, and 2001, the Drum Corps International (DCI) World Championships were held at New Era Field (formerly Rich Stadium / Ralph Wilson Stadium) with a combined attendance of over 100,000 spectators.
Drums Along the Waterfront, Inc. (DATW), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is an educational, promotional, and service arm of the youth drum & bugle corps activity in western New York. DATW seeks to promote, develop, and preserve the operation and artistic standards of the competitive musical sport, while organizing and providing leadership for the activity.
DATW also provides free musical clinics, which were created for local school musical groups , but are open to the general public as well. In addition, DATW has assisted in the airing of the DCI World Championships on ESPN and over local PBS television stations, as well as Spectrum (formerly Time Warner Cable) for its annual event. |
The Goals
- Annually, bring the premiere Tour of Champions event to the community (with its positive economic and cultural impact on the WNY region).
- Build and provide grant funding for local youth to participate in the musical arts, including drum & bugle corps.
- Develop a WNY-based drum & bugle corps.