2024 Troopers Achieve Their 2nd Finals 3-Peat in DCI Era. Set Stage for 2025

Photo: Rachael Passwater Ackley

Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps – Wyoming’s Musical Ambassadors – successfully defended their standing as a Drum Corps International World Championship Finalist, finishing the 2024 season in tenth place with a final score of 88.950.

This is only the second time in the history of DCI and modern drum corps that Casper’s Troopers qualified for Finals in three consecutive years. Their last Finals’ three-peat was in the early 1970s.

The corps garnered multiple medal-winning performances throughout the season, capturing four golds, two silvers and one bronze finish during a tour that also saw the brass and percussion sections placing as high as fifth to seventh on several occasions. Ranked eleventh overall heading into the championship week, the Troopers moved up to tenth with a final push from members and staff during Finals week.

“2024 was a great success on so many levels, and we are excited to build upon a strong foundation of positive experiences for our membership,” said Mary Duerkop, Director of Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps.

After being eliminated from competition in the semi-finals round for 13 straight years, the Troopers ended that drought, returning to DCI World Championship Finals in 2022. Last summer, the corps achieved back-to-back Finals appearances, advancing in final rankings for the first time in more than three decades.

This year’s show – “Dance with the Devil” – was a fan favorite throughout the summer, receiving standing ovations at every show. As in recent seasons, the show design for this years’ Troopers incorporated a non-tradition featured instrument.  Following the success of an electric cello in 2022 and a harmonica in 2023, the 2024 show featured both an electric and acoustic guitar in a method that contributed to both the musicality and the story of the field production.

“I can’t think of a better effort to fuse the modern design aesthetic with the traditions of yesteryear. It’s never in doubt who’s on the field, and it works,” noted one regular participant from general drum corps social media about the 2024 Troopers’ production.

Troopers finished their competitive season on August 10 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. On Sunday, August 11, the corps held its annual banquet in Lebanon, Indiana, recognizing outstanding members and staff for the season before the final dismissal of 2024.

The Troopers administration and creative leaders quickly turned their attention to preparing for the 2025 competitive year. The corps made industry news by releasing its 2025 show theme just one day after 2024 Finals.

“We've actually already jumped into the 2025 season and planning all around is well underway,” noted Duerkop, who recently relocated to Casper to direct the ensemble.

Interest registration and audition packets for the upcoming year are available on the corps’ website HERE.

“We're excited for another season to begin and can't wait to share with the world how special the Troopers are,” added Deurkop. “If you'd like to get involved with the Troopers for the 2025 season, please don't hesitate to reach out!”

In-person auditions will begin later this fall.

In the meantime, the corps will be active on two fronts: laying the ground work for fielding a production in 2025 and continuing to focus on long-term relationships and stability.

According to the corps’ Executive Director Michael Gough, bringing the Troopers back to national prominence has been a top goal for the organization since the activity emerged from the pandemic. For the Troopers, that goal has been coupled with rebuilding the ensemble’s commitment to the State of Wyoming and the City of Casper.

“This year, we were proud to feature more members from Wyoming than we've seen in two decades,” said Gough.  “Additionally, we were proud to host our first annual TroopCon event in June that brought Trooper fans from around the United States to the City of Casper, establishing a foundation that launched us into our incredibly successful summer tour.”

The Troopers’ leadership indicated that support from the corps’ hometown played a critical role in their return to the top of the drum corps world.

“We look forward to continuing that relationship and reminding the nation that we are Wyoming's Musical Ambassadors,” added Gough.

The corps will release plans for engagement opportunities later this year. Donations to support this non-profit may be made year-round HERE.

To keep up with all things, follow the corps on Facebook and Instagram.