Mercedes Norte, Heredia, Costa Rica • DCI International Class • Marching band
Home and international identity
DCI lists Mercedes Marching Band in its International section, based in Mercedes Norte, Costa Rica. This is the Costa Rican group; do not confuse it with similarly named US schools or venues. DCI International directory.
The 2026 DCI milestone
DCI’s August 4 championship report records 61.025 for Mercedes at Welcome Stadium in Dayton, Ohio, describing it as the ensemble’s first DCI performance and identifying Pedro Hernández Rojas as director. Mercedes performed in International Class during the Open Class Finals event. That event title does not make it an Open Class corps or establish a World Class championship ranking. DCI 2026 Finals report
A DCI video feature, On the International Stage: the Mercedes Marching Band, provides a direct introduction to that appearance. Use it as an official media starting point and retain the year and event when sharing. A short interview or highlights package should be distinguished from a complete performance recording. DCI Mercedes video feature
A championship week beyond the stadium
Mercedes also appears on DCI’s August 7, 2026 Shining a Light on Music Education lineup at Monument Circle in Indianapolis. The free event brought local and international ensembles together to celebrate music education. That public-facing setting offered a different encounter with the band from its field competition. Shining a Light event lineup
How to follow the band’s performances
Begin with the linked DCI feature, event records, and authorized festival footage. For a useful personal archive, record the performance date, city, event, class, and source channel. Compare a stadium field show with a street or festival presentation to see how the ensemble adapts spacing, sound, and audience engagement to the setting. Avoid assigning a show title or full repertoire from an unlabelled upload.
Supporting and researching the organization
Supporters and researchers can use the DCI records here to establish the correct ensemble before seeking a official band contact. Confirm the identity of a fundraising campaign and the intended use of money before making a contribution. Historical photographs, dated programs, and firsthand alumni records can add depth when their provenance is documented; distinguish those accounts from confirmed competition results.
Sources and update record
1. DCI International directory
5. Shining a Light event lineup
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