Amplification on trial in 2009

DCE, DCUK and DCN are pleased to announce that the 2009 contest season will see the introduction of a one year trial allowing the amplification of acoustic percussive membrane and acoustic percussive keyboard instruments.

During discussions on a number of potential rule changes based on the proposals submitted by certified partners (DCN and DCUK) via their member corps and other individual corps the decision was taken to allow the introduction of the limited use of amplification for the purposes of the trial.

A full briefing document containing the new guidelines has been formulated and forwarded to all Corps as well as being available for download from the DCE, DCUK and DCN websites in due course.

On behalf of DCE and all of those involved in the decision to press ahead with the trial the DCE Chairman Marcel Matthijsse said "We have been listening to the views of the corps and those of our certified partners since our last discussions and subsequent decisions with regards to the introduction of amplification and came to this decision based on the feedback. We would like to thank all of those who had forwarded their views and contributed to the discussions as it helped us as legislators to reach a well reasoned and balanced decision."

Commenting on behalf of DCUK, Alan Thompson added "This new initiative is venturing into the unknown for the European activity and so allowing it to be trialled for a year will allow us all the opportunity to appraise how this might be able to help enhance a Corps musical performance without detracting from the core principals of our activity."

DCN chairman Kees Bourquin said "This decision underlines the benefits of having good interaction between both national and international organizations and their corps. We are looking forward to the developments next season."

As a synopsis the trial will permit the use of acoustic percussive instruments only as defined in the DCE Competition Manual and where available a single unit power supply will be made available for corps to utilise should they wish to engage with the use of amplification. At the conclusion of the 2009 season the amplification trial will be evaluated by the Certified Partners to discuss whether to formally incorporate it into the DCE Manual for 2010 and beyond.