I'll be the first to admit it -- I'm a massive drum corps nerd. I attend Drums Along The Rockies every year, and watch the finals broadcasted live on youtube. I follow the corps from the day they pick their shows until they get to Lucas Oil Stadium. However, I'm quickly discovering that not enough people know about Drum Corps International. So, to introduce you all to the amazing world of DCI, here are some of my favorite shows from 2013 on (in no particular order).
1. Hero by Troopers
This show is the one that really got my mother hooked on Drum Corps. Hero is about the different heroes we see in our every day lives, from parents to service members to normal folk.
2. That One Second by The Blue Knights
This show made me bawl like no other. It was one of the first shows I had seen live, and still gets me right in the heart. That One Second is about the second before you die.
3. Tilt by Bluecoats
I have a massive soft spot for the Bluecoats. Tilt, with the use of sound effects and ramps as field props, will always have a special place in my heart.
4. Kinetic Noise by Bluecoats
I got to see Kinetic Noise live at Drums Along the Rockies, and it was honestly incredible. Kinetic Noise was when I fell in love with Bluecoats. They stepped it up with the tech again, as the show started with an echo chamber effect, and the props got bigger and better.
5. Downside Up by Bluecoats
The difference and step up in uniforms were incredible this year. Downside Up was the Bluecoats 2016 National Championship show. The highlight of the entire show is at about 7:50 seconds in, where the INCREDIBLE trumpet soloist winks at the camera and looks into your soul.
6. Inferno by Carolina Crown
7. Propaganda by Cavaliers
Propoganda was the first show my mom liked of the Cavs(she's a little biased) but it was incredible in terms of General Effect. There were megaphones and lots of yelling and it was just all around entertaining and incredible.
8. Immortal by Cavaliers
(Unfortunately, I don't have a link to watch this one I'm so sorry). Immortal is basically about vampires, and they moved the pit on the field. It was SUPER cool; there were coffins all over the field, the marimba players rotated around each other. This is one of my friends favorite shows just because of how high intensity it was(oh and also vampires. Duh).
9. Drum Corpse Bride by The Academy
Drum Corpse Bride was The Academy's first show to make it to the World Championship, and boy did they deserve it. Obviously, from the title, I think you can garner what the show was about. Pictured above, you'll see my favorite part, the skeleton marimba players. You have to check it out!
10. Spark of Invention by Santa Clara Vanguard
Spark of Invention was the beautiful love child between Tesla and Mozart. The drill(basically where they are on the field) was written and executed wonderfully, and the whole show is truly just incredible.
11. Out of This World by Carolina Crown
Out of This World starts with an eerie a capella rendition of "Ground Control to Major Tom" with added voice overs which then just dives into absolute choas. The use of trampolines on field and car parts as percussive instruments really tied the whole thing together.
12. Power of 10 by Cadets
Power of 10 was the first year that Cadets really stepped it up for me. The greatest little part of their show was the tarps placed over each field marking, making them all look like "10". The rifle catches at the beginning are also really cool.
13. Wild Horses by Troopers
14. ...And A Shot Rings Out by Colts
(Again, no full show, sorry!) ...And A Shot Rings Out was basically a physical radio murder mystery. The blue corps member you see on the field was killed by the yellow member holding a rifle. The red character was killed by him too, trying to avenge the blue character. This show was executed in so many cool ways, and it's a real shame it didn't make it to World Championships.
15. Because by Blue Knights
Because was definitely eerie and cool. Blue Knights played around mostly with body movements in this season. Even the salute was unexpected, but cool. This show really surprised me in the best way, and I'm honestly a huge fan.
Well, there you have it. You now know more about drum corps shows than I'm pretty sure you've ever wanted to. Enjoy the show!
