August, 6, 2024 – Canton, Ohio
Yesterday morning, the six unaffiliated drum corps fans departed central Pennsylvania for Canton, Ohio, one more leg of our journey to the DCI World Championships in Indianapolis this week. The Ohio Valley is west of the Appalachian Mountains. Travelers heading westward through Pennsylvania have endured the long slog up and down the rolling topography and steady climb up, over, and through these mountains. These were the hills that put such a strain on my old Volvo, the Gray Ghost, causing it to throw a transmission in 2018 during my DCI tour. Siri said it was 5 hours and 27 minutes via the fastest route using the Eisenhower Route 76. Chuck, I, and the well-maintained Silver Bullet rocketed up, over, and through without issue. I coached Chuck on the art of using the high side of the left lane for more efficient travel as we sped along on caffeine, cruise control, and rock n’ roll. With only one stop for lunch and one for a good walk, we made it to Canton in time to check into the hotel and prepare for my favorite DCI show of the season– Innovation in Brass.
This is an apt name for the Bluecoats home show, and last night was another demonstration of innovative music and motion in Canton. It was another magical evening as Mother Nature did a fine job of steering the thunderstorms away from the show site. Instead, she put up another nice, colorful sky as a backdrop for the pageantry below. I really enjoyed the look of the corps that performed early under the sun. Later in the evening, the stadium lights took over. Unfortunately, in modern stadiums, the quality of the light from the new, efficient lighting can be cool, thin, and not as flattering. It’s bright enough, but the colors don’t pop like they do under the warm afternoon sunlight.
Now, about the show. The line-up included Spirit of Atlanta, Crossmen, Colts, Blue Stars, Mandarins, Carolina Crown, Phantom Regiment, Blue Devils, Boston Crusaders, and hometown Bluecoats, who were not blue. My hair follicles became affected early in the evening with the opening corps and were on fire several times throughout the evening. Spirit of Atlanta brought the Creatures to entertain us. They performed with precision, power, and grace, evoking a bit of spookiness with the alien-like creatures lurking about. My first viewing of the show left me wanting more. Another show that I saw for the first time was The Crossmen’s Lush Life. I was not sure who they were by their uniform and appearance. It wasn’t until I saw the spooky guy on the opposite sideline that I was sure it was the Crossmen. I will have to see this show again to get used to the new identity and to hear that great repertoire of jazz standards. The Colts, Blue Stars, and Mandarins stepped up and moved the points needle ever closer toward the 90s with shows that I have seen before and have grown to really appreciate. Phantom Regiment once again stole the show with a riveting and powerful performance, pushing hard to break into the top four. This is one of those situations where the show that really moves the crowd does not necessarily take first place.
Unfortunately, Carolina Crown did not march due to a health emergency with the equipment truck driver. The driver is recovering well, but the props did not make it to Canton. They performed at a standstill to the admiring fans and did not post a score. This allowed me to really focus on the music, which, by all measures on my audio value scale, is the richest. Blue Devils brought the Romantics to the field again with their stunning quality of sound and movement that we expect of the all-time champion. There was just so much to take in and process as their shows do not let up. Then, it was time for the showdown between Boston and Bluecoats. Both corps brought their well-rehearsed A-game. The fans reacted to each corps with enthusiasm while they progressed through their dynamic concept programs, registering regular blips of excitement on our EKGs. In the end, it was Bluecoats, continuing their undefeated streak and earning the highest score in DCI so far this year with a 96-percent perfect score. The Boston Crusaders did not disappoint and will keep pushing to close the gap.
Chuck and I stuck around for the Bluecoats encore presentation, which, in my humble opinion, is the most entertaining of the year. It’s fun to anticipate the expected shout from the fans, “Blow my face off!” during the pregnant pause before the Bluecoats belt out the forte portion of The Boxer. I wondered what an unsuspecting and unknowing person in the homes near the stadium thought about the constant booing (blooing) heard from the stadium during the last hour of the show.
Thus, DCI’s fantastic 2024 regular season has ended. There is no doubt that DCI has moved well past the Covid interruption and is on an upward trajectory. Of the dozen or so outdoor shows that I attended, only one was rain-affected. I am so lucky, given that climate change has caused unsettled and intense storms more frequently. Vermont has been getting pummeled again with flash floods this summer. Will climate change end drum corps as we know it? Will it be too hot in the South to perform in the coming years? Will it be relegated to an indoor event? Alas. We need the open air for the best drum corps experience; a perfect example was last night.
Now, my tour mate and I have two days to kill before the championships that start on Thursday. After a run of five shows in a row, this pause is a bit melancholy as we lark about at the hotel. We have been enjoying a leisurely morning in the breakfast area. It is fun to see the drum corps shirts and strike up a conversation. This morning, a nice lady recognized my logo and said hello, acknowledging that she was at the show last night. She was joined by her two sisters. They marched in the early seventies in an all-girl drum corps and reunited yearly to attend a show. Chuck and I spent the better part of an hour telling stories and insights into drum corps with Cathy, Connie, and Carol. We also agreed that 70 is the new 40. It is magical how easy friendships can develop if you wear the logo of a drum corps, no matter which one. Each year, my drum corps community just keeps getting larger. We agreed to meet here again next year.
Today is a travel day with no hurry. We have an open plan at this point without a destination or hotel room in mind yet. The weather continues to be oppressively hot. This is the time in the tour when I open myself to the whim of the highway. I think we will stick to the Lincoln Highway as it takes us across the heart of Ohio into the heart of DCI – Indiana. I’ll keep you posted.
