July 2, 2024 – Mason Ohio
8:00 am
Today is the final show day of this phase of my 2024 DCI tour. Tonight, the Bluecoats are here to shake things up in their backyard at the Summer Music Games in Cincinnati. Boston Crusaders, Carolina Crown, and Phantom Regiment will be here to duke it out with them. Some in our group predict a shake-up at the top of the rankings. I predict I will be moved to tears again by the sights and sounds and the awesome display of talent. I will be looking for changes and tweaks in the shows that I have gotten to know. I anticipate experiencing the Bluecoats for the first time this year. Hey, what’s in a name? Since there was no show last night, I decided to do some long-overdue research on the show themes. Bluecoats are not blue. Change is everything.
Drum corps is strong in the heartland of Midwest America. It was great to see Wisconsin’s Madison Scouts on the field for the first time this year the other night in Lisle. Mosaic is a show that pieces together elements of the corps’ identity through musical arrangements and drills that echo the past with a new and forward approach. The smiling faces indicate a gender-balanced corps that is ready for the future. Another fine corps, The Cavaliers, from Illinois, were our hosts for their home show in Lisle. Looking sharp and confident, they opened to the enthusiastic local crowd with the swagger they are well-known for, metalized, according to their description of Beneath the Armor. As the show progresses through the precious minutes, emotions are revealed, shielded, deflected, contemplated, reflected, and finally, transformed.
The Phantom Regiment from Illinois continues to push the bounds of consciousness with Mynd, a powerful portrayal of the power of our minds. Where do they think up such themes? My Midwest tours have drawn me closer to this corps with an annual visit to a rehearsal. Another corps that I visited with is Blue Stars. Having seen this corps perform at several shows these past two years and meeting some of the alumni (Kirk and Radar), as well as the staff, I feel more connected with this esteemed, founding DCI corps. The Colts complete the Midwest Corps extravaganza. On Fields is a very creative portrayal of our culture on fields. This is the most recognizable repertoire of the bunch. Their marching and musical talents are equal to the task of the complex, creative program. This could be the sleeper show that moves up the rankings. Bravo to these esteemed Mid-west corps, bringing the combination of talent, creativity, and commitment to excellence to the field. These are the corps that Sandy grew up with, being from Kenosha.
10:30 pm
It’s in the books. The final of four shows of my Midwest tour is over. Of the four World Class Corps in attendance tonight, the local boys and girls of the Bluecoats (not blue) took the top spot by half a point. Following them, two eastern corps in the fight, the Boston Crusaders edged ahead of Carolina Crown on their third match-up, with Phantom Regiment on everyone’s heels. It was another fine evening for an outdoor performance. The six of us were once again surrounded by drum corps aficionados. The hot sun on our faces caused much squinting before it dipped below the trees near the end of the evening. Nevertheless, we observed each corps once again, with improvement and subtle changes noted.
Since onboarding with my drum corps brothers, I have been unable to catch a rehearsal or arrive early enough at a show to catch some action in the lot. I have not been able to catch up with the Boston entourage since rehearsal before the Premiere show in Rockford on Wednesday. What I have been able to do is watch Glitchfrom the stands in competition four times now. This show has a lane. What an outstanding example of a near-mid-21-century drum and bugle corps. Enough said for now; the season has a lot of life yet, but this show has come a long way since its humble beginnings in Castleton, VT, where I first experienced it at spring training.
The Bluecoats performed a powerful and precise show entitled Change is Everything. The Bluecoats are the embodiment of change. Seeing them for the first time in Allentown in 2012 when I rediscovered drum corps, they unmasked their future potential and endeared them to me. Following their progress since then is a prime demonstration of how the DCI activity has evolved. The fact that there is no blue in the uniform or on the field does not surprise anyone. It will take me a couple more times to see this show before I write any more about it. It is one of those experiences like, “What did I just see and hear?” No matter what it meant, it was good. Being the final performance of this 8-day tour, it totally satiated me for now.
It’s time for me to return to the post-show merriment with the boys, a final opportunity to celebrate the person who brought us together for these past three days, the late Sandra Bertelle, who purchased our tickets in February before her passing. Tomorrow, we all head home to our respective lives, catching flights to our respective destinations. I will be home along Mill Brook for a few precious days before flying out again on the second phase of the DCI tour, which will include an urban adventure in Nashville and then a show in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. I will be connecting with a BAC family that I met at Spring training. Son, Patrick is an accomplished percussionist in the pit. Next up will be shows in Winston-Salem, Boston, Allentown, Reading, Canton, and Indianapolis. Sandy once said, “A good drum corps show is like an EKG. There should be regular blips of excitement throughout the show.” My summer has those regular blips. The summer music games have just begun. See you there.