{"id":82004,"date":"2026-04-16T10:32:58","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T14:32:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dci.org\/?p=82004"},"modified":"2026-04-16T10:32:58","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T14:32:58","slug":"boise-gems-make-milestone-step-with-unanimous-open-class-affiliate-approval","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dci.org\/news\/boise-gems-make-milestone-step-with-unanimous-open-class-affiliate-approval\/","title":{"rendered":"Boise Gems make milestone step with unanimous Open Class affiliate approval"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"82004\" class=\"elementor elementor-82004\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f1a73f7 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f1a73f7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ecf85f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6ecf85f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Following a successful vote amongst Open Class directors, Boise Gems has been approved to join Drum Corps International\u2019s Open Class division for the 2026 season, marking a major milestone for the corps and the continued growth of the activity in Idaho.<\/p><p>For director Austin Moldenhauer, the moment represents the realization of a vision that, not long ago, felt far off.<\/p><p>\u201cI am beyond excited for this opportunity for the Gems,\u201d Moldenhauer said. \u201cTo think that just four to five years ago, no drum corps existed in Idaho, and now, just a few short years later, we have an Open Class corps \u2014 I am so proud of our team and community for really rallying together to make this dream a reality.\u201d<\/p><p>That excitement extends across the entire organization. From staff to performers, Boise Gems is entering this new chapter with a shared sense of pride and purpose.<\/p><p>\u201cThe team is ecstatic and could not be more proud of how far we\u2019ve come,\u201d Moldenhauer said. \u201cThey are very excited, and are dedicated to working hard to improve themselves for the betterment of our students; especially with this increase in our level of achievement and competitiveness as we enter Open Class.\u201d<\/p><p>Among performers, that energy is already translating into motivation for the season ahead.<\/p><p>\u201cThe members have a sense of electricity about them, and a drive to do something bold this summer,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s that energy that anyone who has marched knows; it\u2019s a fierce, passionate drive to reach new heights and to rise to the challenge of Open Class.\u201d<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/boisegems.org\/join-corps\">Learn more about Gems&#8217; 2026 auditions<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c92b79 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0c92b79\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/images.dci.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gmes-open-class-1-1024x576.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-82006\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.dci.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gmes-open-class-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/images.dci.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gmes-open-class-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/images.dci.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gmes-open-class-1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Gems' drum major acknowledges the audience at a 2025 DCI Tour performance.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cdf9a5a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cdf9a5a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Boise Gems\u2019 acceptance into Open Class follows years of intentional growth, supported by mentorship and guidance from leaders within Drum Corps International and across the activity. Gems will be classified as an Open Class Affiliate on the 2026 tour, performing and competing as part of the Open Class, before being approved for full membership in 2027.<\/p><p>As part of the Open Class evaluation process, prospective corps are required to submit an application outlining their proposed participation in the DCI Tour, including a detailed business plan which demonstrates that the group has the necessary financial and administrative backing and infrastructure to safely support its members.<\/p><p>During this multi-year period, DCI officials \u2014 in Gems\u2019 case, DCI Open Class and SoundSport coordinator David Eddleman \u2014 work with corps management to review corporate documents and other materials as the corps works to prepare its board of directors, administrative and instructional staff members, and student performers for the requirements of DCI participation, as well as summer travel and competition.<\/p><p>\u201cBehind the scenes, our administrative and executive team have received tremendous guidance from David Eddleman at DCI over the past few years,\u201d Moldenhauer said. \u201cThrough his help, along with the guidance of other corps directors such as Tyler Hess (The Battalion), Dillon Miller (Columbians), and Mike Gough (Troopers), and many others, we have gained so much institutional knowledge that has enabled us to grow significantly as an organization. We couldn\u2019t be more grateful to DCI for its helpful information and guidance.\u201d<\/p><p>That guidance proved especially valuable throughout the DCI evaluation process, which is designed to ensure organizations are prepared for the operational, financial, and educational demands of Open Class participation.<\/p><p>\u201cThe corps has really gained an amazing amount of information through this evaluation process,\u201d he said. \u201cOne of the biggest areas of growth has been expanding our board and staff, and the fruits of that process have been immense. We are seeing growth in ways we didn\u2019t even fathom a few short years ago.\u201d<\/p><p>As the corps looks ahead to its Open Class debut, the focus remains on building a strong and sustainable foundation. In each of the corps\u2019 first three seasons, its performance tours have remained in the Pacific Northwest region, in order to limit costs and commitments, and strengthen roots in their local community.<\/p><p>This year\u2019s schedule features a similar array of appearances. Gems plans to appear at DCI Tour events in Kennewick, Washington (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dci.org\/events\/2026-drums-along-the-columbia\/\">June 29<\/a>), Seattle, Washington (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dci.org\/events\/2026-northwest-youth-music-games-seattle\/\">June 30<\/a>) and Portland, Oregon (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dci.org\/events\/2026-northwest-youth-music-games-portland\/\">July 1<\/a>).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d722910 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d722910\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf5efd7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"bf5efd7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/images.dci.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gems-open-1-1024x576.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-82007\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.dci.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gems-open-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/images.dci.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gems-open-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/images.dci.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gems-open-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/images.dci.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gems-open-1.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Gems members take in the moment after a performance on the 2025 DCI Tour.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f1aa014 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f1aa014\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u201cOur biggest goals are consistency and continuing to build up our member experience,\u201d Moldenhauer said. \u201cWe want to continue to work with our board, executives, and staff to build and develop an organization that lasts far into the future, and this starts with providing an amazing environment and experience for our membership every year.\u201d<\/p><p>That growth is already visible in how it\u2019s translated to the field. Heading into the 2026 season, Boise Gems is preparing to field its largest corps to date, highlighted by significant expansion across multiple sections.<\/p><p>\u201cWe have a very large brass section this season compared to last year,\u201d he said. \u201cIf our final spots fill, we would be up to 50 members in the brass section, compared to 21 members last season.\u201d<\/p><p>Gems is one of several corps currently going through the Open Class evaluation process. El Paso, Texas\u2019 Arsenal and Indianapolis\u2019 Eclipse will undergo a final evaluation in the coming weeks for \u201cAffiliate\u201d status, while Hutchinson, Kansas\u2019 Sky Ryders and McKinney, Texas\u2019 Guardians are working to take the field in 2026 as Open Class Candidates.<\/p><p>With its acceptance into Open Class, Boise Gems now steps into a new level of competition \u2014 and a new chapter in its history \u2014 driven by momentum, community, and a commitment to continued growth.<\/p><p>\u201cIf anyone would like to join us, we would love to have you as part of the excitement this season,\u201d Moldenhauer added. \u201cIt\u2019s not every day you get the opportunity to join a corps taking its first steps into a new class.\u201d<\/p><p>As the organization looks ahead, Moldenhauer best captured the corps\u2019 forward perspective with its home state\u2019s official motto, which translates to \u201cMay it endure forever.\u201d<\/p><p>\u201cHere\u2019s to the future,\u201d he said. \u201cEsto Perpetua.\u201d<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dci.org\/events\/?corp=66574\">View Gems&#8217; 2026 DCI Tour Schedule<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dcb43a8 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"dcb43a8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-337112c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"337112c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e0fb271 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e0fb271\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>How DCI\u2019s Open &amp; All-Age Class corps evaluations progress<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fbd0897 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fbd0897\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Once groups begin their evaluation period, highlights of the performance and competitive portion of the plan include:<\/p><p><strong>Year 1:<\/strong> Ensembles perform as part of DCI\u2019s SoundSport Class with the respective distinction of \u201cAll-Age Class Candidate\u201d or \u201cOpen Class Candidate.\u201d Productions are evaluated\/judged under DCI SoundSport guidelines.<\/p><p><strong>Year 2: <\/strong>Assuming the successful completion of year-one requirements, candidates advance to \u201cAll-Age Class Affiliate\u201d or \u201cOpen Class Affiliate.\u201d Performance duration guidelines are based on the minimum\/maximum of the class pursuant to the DCI rulebook. Adjudication is under the All-Age\/Open Class system in effect.<\/p><p><strong>Year 3: <\/strong>Assuming the successful completion of year-two requirements, affiliates advance to become full members of the All-Age Class or Open Class. Length of productions are based on the respective minimums\/maximums of the individual classes pursuant to the DCI competitive rulebook. Adjudication of performances occurs within the current All-Age\/Open Class system.<\/p><p><strong>Other considerations: <\/strong>In addition to the outlined performance procedures, ensembles working through the evaluation process also undergo an extensive organizational review led by DCI officials. This process includes IRS status compliance verification, a board of directors roster review, examinations of financial statements and overall fiscal health, and a review of instructional and performer rosters. The review also considers adherence to health and wellness standards, other administrative policies put in place to ensure a solid operational foundation, well-established business practices and an unquestionable focus on participant safety.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Following a successful vote amongst Open Class directors, Boise Gems has been approved to join Drum Corps International\u2019s Open Class division for the 2026 season, marking a major milestone for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":82005,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-82004","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site 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approved to join Drum Corps International\u2019s Open Class division for the 2026 season, marking a major milestone for both the corps and the continued growth of the activity in Idaho.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.dci.org\/news\/boise-gems-make-milestone-step-with-unanimous-open-class-affiliate-approval\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/drumcorpsinternational\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-04-16T14:32:58+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/images.dci.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gems-open-class-2026-lead-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1440\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jeff Griffith\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta 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