Music City Youth in the Arts Announces Exclusive Partnership with Eastman Winds for the 2026 DCI Summer Tour
Nashville, TN — Music City Youth in the Arts is proud to announce a new partnership with Eastman Winds. Beginning next summer, Music City Drum Corps will be the exclusive performers of Eastman Marching Brass instruments during the 2026 Drum Corps International (DCI) Summer Tour.
Music City’s Brass Arranger and Caption Head, Dr. Tom Lukowicz, shared his excitement:
“Eastman’s line of marching brass blew us away immediately. Even after months of testing, we consistently came back to the Eastmans. The horns just seem to ‘speak’ to each other better—with each section maintaining a unique voice while blending up and down the ensemble naturally. As educators, this is an exciting time for us on the brass team, and we cannot wait to get these horns into our students’ hands.”
As part of this strategic agreement, Eastman Winds will supply the marching brass for Music City’s 2026 season. The partnership also includes technical support, access to Eastman’s educational resources, and opportunities for collaborative clinics and product feedback sessions with MCDC’s instructional staff.
Dr. Lukowicz added:
“This is a huge step for the organization. Our brass team would like to thank the leadership and Board members of MCYA for their trust and support on this strategic move. It is great to know that from the top down, the entire MCYA/MCDC team is committed to providing positive experiences to our members.”
Echoing the enthusiasm, Meagan Dolce, Wind Product Manager at Eastman Music Company, shared:
“We are very excited to be partnering with Music City Youth in the Arts, the MCDC team, and each and every student in the ensemble. Eastman is thrilled to have the opportunity to enter the drum corps community with such a fine group as Music City Drum Corps, and we look forward to making a lasting impact together, for years to come.”
Music City Youth in the Arts and Eastman Winds share a vision rooted in educational excellence and performance innovation. Both organizations are committed to fostering the next generation of musicians through access to high-quality equipment and transformative musical experiences.
