Cincinnati, OH · DRUMCORPS.NET PROFILE
Cincinnati Tradition at a glance
Cincinnati Tradition is an all-age drum and bugle corps based in southwestern Ohio. Its competitive history crosses two eras: Drum Corps Associates and the DCI All-Age division introduced in 2024. It gives performers a different participation model from the youth World Class touring corps, with a regional identity and a substantial weekend rehearsal commitment. The official mission emphasizes access, lifelong learning, competition, and personal growth. About Tradition.
Origins and the move into competition
Tom Slade and Dan Hartwig founded the corps in 1984. Instruments came from Silver Spectrum and Pride of Cincinnati, linking the new ensemble with earlier local organizations. Its first DCI appearance was the 1986 Queen City Classic. For many years it was primarily a parade and exhibition corps in the Ohio tri-state region.
The 2009 DCA Mini Corps event marked a new competitive direction; active DCA field competition followed in 2010. Tradition reached Class A finals in 2014 and 2015 and won that class in 2016 and 2017. It moved to DCA Open Class in 2018. These divisions describe the historical DCA system: they should not be confused with the separate youth DCI Open Class circuit. Official history.
2024: a ruby anniversary and an inaugural title
The corps celebrated its fortieth anniversary with From a Stone. DCI’s design interview explains the ruby imagery: the shaping and polishing of a gemstone paralleled the development of an organization over forty years. Program coordinator Kendra Wendeln and assistant director Dan Middlesworth connected the anniversary to the production’s design, giving viewers a reason for the visual language beyond an attractive color scheme. DCI’s 2024 production interview.
Tradition won the inaugural DCI All-Age Open Class championship with 87.475, ahead of White Sabers at 86.775. The 0.700 margin shows how close the first championship was. The award was the Glen Johnson Memorial Trophy. This was an All-Age Open Class title, separate from the youth Open Class championship and the All-Age World Class title. 2024 championship report.
2025: defending the Open Class championship
On August 8, 2025, Tradition won its second consecutive All-Age Open Class championship at Lucas Oil Stadium, scoring 90.025 against White Sabers’ 85.375. DCI reported that the corps led every caption except percussion. The 2025 event used a Friday divisional championship followed by a Saturday All-Age finals opportunity, so the Friday class win must be identified separately from Saturday’s overall placement. 2025 championship account; official detailed recap.
Sources and further reading
- Official history and mission
- 2024 design interview
- 2024 championship report
- 2025 championship report
- DCI 2026 format
- Registration
- 2027 rehearsal listings
- Contact
- Volunteers
- 2025 handbook
Current information
Participation requirements, costs, schedules, staffing, volunteer opportunities, and contact routes change over time. Use each organization’s official website for current details; this archive focuses on the corps’ lasting history, identity, traditions, and documented milestones.