August 8, 2024 – Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
I am in the clubhouse in the oil can, Lucas Oil Stadium. This cavernous structure is the home of the Drum Corps International (DCI) Championships. Over 35 drum and bugle corps from across the country converged here to compete for high honors among their peers. Thousands of fans, alumni, and family members took their seats to be impressed by the humanity on the field. Where else in America can one witness 5,000 kids perform their hearts out? This is why I have traveled so far. To be completely immersed in the exceptionalism of this endeavor. Where I was perched amid my colleagues of Drum Corps World, I was completely captivated, a prisoner of the moment, held in suspense as the pageantry, poignancy, and power played out in front of me. Each and every one of the members has earned their dots on the field.
I entered the massive stadium through the west entrance. The gatekeepers were very polite and accommodating—no issues this year with access. My stamp on the left under-forearm was my ticket to come and go for the rest of the night. Kudos to DCI and Lucas Oil Stadium for making the stadium accessible from both east and west entrances. After a busy day in Indianapolis, I did catch the Academy and Spirit of Atlanta before the first intermission. They warmed me up to the indoor environment. My seat is in row 10 at the 48-yard line. Not bad. Admittedly, the sound is quite good this low. The field sound is balanced well with the amplified sound. I noticed that the black curtains hanging on the opposite stands were angled slightly to assist in absorbing the sound to minimize the echoing.
The next six corps were a blur. One assault and sublime moment at a time, we worked through the astounding diversity of creative music in motion. This is the time of the tour that I get a little punchy. I sat back and let the audio and visuals wash over me. Several moments caused us to rise to our feet in adoration for what we had just experienced. The seasoned drum corps fans around me gave back their love to every one of the performers with a particular enthusiasm for the corps represented by the logo on their shirts. I wore my favorite primary layer hoodie with no particular affiliation. In fact, I am an honorary member of the Unaffiated, Unforgettable, Indefatigable Drum and Bugle Corps. My fellow travelers and I are wearing a lanyard with no tag. I love all of the corps. This annual reunion of friends is very special. Many of them go way back to the good ole days of drum corps and still love getting together.
Yesterday, we arrived in the early afternoon in Indianapolis. After checking into the hotel, my travel companion, brother Chuck, and I immediately walked to Shapiros Delecantesent. On the way back, we stopped at the Crown Plaza Convention Center, where I discovered the friendly little grand piano on track twelve. Ahhhh….. Later that evening there was a large party for the DCI corps staff, board members, and drum corps family members. This was generously sponsored by the top four corps in the rankings: Bluecoats, Boston Crusaders, Blue Devils, and Carolina Crown. Finding the piano again, I sat down for a longer session until the hotel manager arrived to tell me that it was off-limits. Thanks to Jim from Carolina Crown, she relented to allow me 30 more minutes.
Today, before the show, we took a walk and had lunch in downtown Indianapolis. This is my favorite city for an urban hike. The Yard House Tavern was the ticket. I had a most nourishing meal and a fine ale to fortify us for the rest of the day. A stop at the package store was in order. Loading up the backpack with beverages for later, we walked the mile back to the hotel. The hard surfaces are taking a toll on my knees. Oh, how I long for the soft soils of Vermont.
The top five corps of the evening finished in this order: Bluecoats, Boston Crusaders, Blue Devils, Carolina Crown, and Phantom Regiment. Today, twenty-five corps will compete again for the final slotting of 12 corps for Saturday night’s Final Championship. Also competing on Saturday morning is the All-age DCI Championships. Let’s not get ahead of myself—it’s time to clam up this computer for some post-show merriment with friends of the BAC. Peach out for now.