David Hill

Spotify, Schmotify. (Is that how you’d spell it?) This past Spring, The New York Times spent a full ten days unreeling the top movies of the 21st century — at the quarter mark — as chosen by actors and directors, first; then by readers. Prompted me to do the same thing for drum corps shows. My list of 25 is in this thread. But then, while acknowledging my seventy-first birthday, I realized that I saw my first drum corps show, on film, in 1971. Could I do the same thing for my drum corps history? Seventy-one at 71? What criteria would I use? The Times writer worried her list of movies: “I struggled to determine how I would rank a movie as one of “the best.” Was it one that left me astonished when I saw it? One that stayed with me long after watching? Or should I choose films that somehow felt important in the history of cinema? And what does “important” mean anyway?” Exactly. But having never been one to shy away from an opinion, or a choice, I knew that my list would simply be the drum corps shows of my life that stay with me, and that I continue to search out, to watch. What is “best” to me, will be completely different from a young person who found, or performed in, drum corps less than a decade ago. So I’m now officially in the online category of “dinosaur.” Which I don’t get. At all. Sure, I love the movie “Birth of a Nation,” but so do I love Santa Clara’s glorious “Babylon.” Same for “West Side Story,” stage and screen and the rather exhausting list of drum corps variations. “Western Side Story,” anyone? The Troopers finalist spot grabbing take. So maybe the reason I’m unreeling this here, now, is to inspire questions and conversations and arguments about what makes something good. Or at least your list of favorites over your drum corps years. Appropriating the Times writer again, “I love the way a big list forces me to question and define my tastes, to consider what I like and don’t and why, to sharpen my critical takes.” But the best part? Prompting memories of my drum corps decades. I remember the very first drum corps I saw live, who I was with, and how the 1973 Des Plaines Vanguard made me feel. I remember the first show that made me cry: the soft ending from “The Tender Land” by Santa Clara in 1984. My first loves: the 1968 Troopers performing at a Denver Broncos halftime via a 16mm film that my high school band director had secured, and wanted us to emulate. And then the 1973 Anaheim Kingsmen at the first live contest I attended — Lexington, Kentucky’s Bluegrass Nationals — and how I was incensed when they didn’t win! Clint Eastwood’s late eighties bio pic of jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker, “Bird” and Crossmen’s early two-thousands “Lake Night Jazz.”Does my pleasure date me, or age me, like a fine wine? Since this pivotal birthday, I have reminisced, all right. So many shows, so many corps, and lists that led to other lists, and then to shorter lists, longer lists, ending with the list that follows: 71@71. Some stats about my process. The initial sweep of my 54 years a fan, garnered 141 shows. (Side note: for the dozen years I led DCI’s PR office at Championships, I would see over 200 shows a season!) Now that I have parsed it down to 71, note that winners dominate the list, with 20. Places 2,3,5, and 7 round out the top five finishes. The list includes 21st place and one Open Class Champion. The early decades lead the list: the oh-my-gosh freshman loves, and then the shows that resonated, once I got my critical feet under me. Discernment got serious, after that. It wasn’t just marching on a football field; for me, drum corps had became a valued art form. I might suggest that the shows from the last four decades that you will see below, are the distillation of what I absolutely look for in ultimate pleasure. As for the corps themselves, there are ten multiple mentions, and 18 singles; including a few one hit wonders! For the earlier years, before shows had titles, I have included a piece of music that, for me, defines the show. The top third are not only rated among the 71, but ranked, as well. Which means after that, any preferential grouping of five can be in flux. The first and last can likely be flipped. Numbers thirty-five and thirty-seven can swap places, for example. All to say, if you and I were together with VHS tapes, DVDs, and streaming, and you said, “Hey David, let’s watch ______,” I’d absolutely want to! Which leads me online, at this moment, to find the 1990 Star of Indiana feast, called Belshazzar! And the 1973 Commodores; they were Popeye, the Sailor Man My first love, via film; 1968 Troopers, at a Denver Broncos Halftime. Still streaming today. 2024 Bluecoats, “Change is Everything” 1986 Blue Devils, Channel One Suite 1975 Santa Clara Vanguard, Fiddler on the Roof 1990 The Cadets, “A Bernstein Celebration” 2019 Santa Clara Vanguard, “Babylon” 1988 Madison Scouts, Malagueña 1996 Phantom Regiment, “Defiant Heart” 1993 Star of Indiana. “The Music of Barber and Bartok” 1974 Anaheim Kingsmen, Firebird Suite 1985 Suncoast Sound, “Florida Suite” 1984 Blue Devils, Bacchanalia 1989 Santa Clara Vanguard, “Phantom of the Opera” 1982 The Cadets, Rocky Point Holiday, Cuban Overture 1980 Bridgemen, Big Noise from Winnetka, and yeah, The War Between the States” 1985 Phantom Regiment, “Symphonie Fantastique” 2008 Phantom Regiment, “Spartacus” 1991 Star of Indiana, “Roman Festivals” 2000 The Cavaliers, “Niagara Falls” 1979 Guardsmen, Fanfare for the New 2019 Blue Knights, “I Remember Everything” 2014 Blue Devils, “Felliniesque” 1979 Spirit of Atlanta, Georgia on My Mind 1995 The Cavaliers, “The Planets” 1984 The Cadets, “West Side Story” 2019 The Cavaliers, “Wrong Side of the Tracks” 1973 Santa Clara Vanguard, Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra 1980 27th Lancers, Danny Boy 2011 Blue Devils, “The Beat My Heart Skipped” 1990 Star of Indiana, “Belshazzar’s Feast” 1983 The Cadets, Bernstein’s Mass 2016 Bluecoats, “Down Side Up” 1976 Blue Devils, Channel One Suite 1985 Santa Clara Vanguard, Festive Overture 1981 Phantom Regiment, “Spartacus” 1992 Madison Scouts, “City of Angels” 1988 Blue Devils, Happy Days are Here Again 2006 Carolina Crown, “in-Trance-It” 1980 Santa Clara Vanguard, Evita 1977 Phantom Regiment, Ninth Symphony (Joy) 2015 Bluecoats, “Kinetic Noise” 2002 The Cavaliers, “Frameworks” 1985 The Cadets, Jeremiah Symphony 1975 Madison Scouts, Slaughter on Tenth Avenue 2019 Blue Devils, “Ghostlight” 2005 Phantom Regiment, “Rhapsody” 1984 Spirit of Atlanta, “Porgy and Bess” 1992 Santa Clara Vanguard, “Fiddler on the Roof” 2001 Glassmen, “IMAGO” 2018 Vanguard Cadets, “Off the Wall” 1976 Madison Scouts, Stars and Stripes Forever 1984 Madison Scouts, Ballet in Brass 1973 Anaheim Kingsmen, Ritual Fire Dance 1979 Troopers, Variations on a Scene 2023 The Cadets, “Atlas Rising” 1983 Santa Clara Vanguard, The Red Pony 2022 Colts, “The Silk Road” 2019 Pacific Crest, “Everglow” 1986 Sky Ryders “Wizard of Oz” 2011 Madison Scouts, “New York Morning” 2001 Crossmen, “Late Night Jazz” 1988 Dutch Boy, “Salute to Sinatra” 2004 Capital Regiment, “Celebration of Life: Mind, Body and Spirit” 1972 Argonne Rebels, Barnum and Bailey’s Favorite 1994 Blue Knights, “Tritico for Brass Band” 1987 Florida Wave, Tito 1973 Commodores, Rainy Days and Mondays 1986 Eclipses, Parisian Suite 1973 Des Plaines Vanguard, Planets 2000 Southwind, Suite for Band 1980 Royal Brigade, NBC Chime’s Festival Bouquets and Brickbats, all welcome. Questions, too. THAT ONE? Really? Did you forget about __________? (Might be on the original list of 141.) P.S. You feel cheated out of one more show, because my list starts with a 16mm film (today’s streaming)? Sure you do. Add this one, then: 1974 Purple Lancers, Divergents (In the culled final 70, there are still a few winners, and a slew of medalists, as well as gems from Charioteers, Genesco Knights, Jersey Surf, Pioneer, Spartans, Marauders, Memphis Blues Brass Band, Oakland Crusaders, and The Academy.) HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASONS TO DRUM CORPS FANS, ALL

Leadership and infrastructure. Depends on how every voice in the room chooses to define both. There are no quick fixes.

I agree, and disagree, with the there's-nothing-we-can-do mentality to the future viability of drum corps -- indeed all independent pageantry. The problem is: there are no quick fixes. Even the new leadership at DCI sees, and is laying the foundation, for a full-throated fund raising program that has nothing to do with the business of "the business." Fund raising is intended to tap into potential donors' good feelings towards that work. And to turn those feelings into actionable support for the organization, both short and long term. Full disclosure: I was a fund raising guy for thirty of my 40-year career. I have also attempted to help a variety of pageantry organizations both see, and understand, the value of full-throated, and staffed, efforts. I saw two things when I did: If the efforts couldn't help immediately, they were generally not interested. Plus, most of the organizations -- huge and individual -- had no vision for the future of their efforts beyond "making it through the year." There are plenty pf exceptions, but when leadership says they don't want to ask for money, that is precisely what they are going to get. No number of indirect fund raisers -- sales, auctions, etc. -- will ever replace building relationships around the shared love of the organization.

"A Bernstein Celebration" 1990. Thoughtful programming for thoughtful music.

I've been working on the following list since this Spring, when The New York Times spent days rolling out its top films of the 21st century. I opted to study and include my 25 favorites, quarter of the century. TO THE TOPIC OF THIS THREAD: As soon as I finished this list, I began working on my 71 favorite drum corps of my drum corps life. I saw my first drum corps show -- albeit on 16mm film -- in the summer of 1971. I turned 71 at the end of May. I can do this. And I will. Then post it. But for now, see if any of my favorites of this century, culled from my off-the-top-of-my-head list of 61, are among yours. Bluecoats, “Change is Everything” Santa Clara Vanguard, “Babylon” Blue Devils, “Felliniesque” Phantom Regiment, “Spartacus” The Cavaliers, “Niagara Falls” The Cavaliers, “Wrong Side of the Tracks” Bluecoats, “Down Side Up” Carolina Crown, “For the Common Good” Boston Crusaders, “BOOM” Blue Knights, “I Remember Everything” The Cavaliers, “Frameworks” The Cadets, “Atlas Rising” Glassmen, “IMAGO” Phantom Regiment, “Rhapsody” Carolina Crown, “in-Trance-It” Blue Devils, “Ghostlight” Bluecoats, “Kinetic Noise” Pacific Crest, “Everglow” Vanguard Cadets, “Off the Wall” Santa Clara Vanguard, “Ballet for Martha” Colts, “The Silk Road” Madison Scouts, “New York Morning” Crossmen, “Late Night Jazz” Capital Regiment, “Celebration of Life: Mind, Body and Spirit” Southwind, “Suite for Band”

Phantom. Aural "butter" in my head.

After decades of: "Hi-cam only, I'm a drill guy" ... a complete convert to multi-cam. Emotion. Intensity. And most of all: the splendid details that one can often miss, even with the best seats in the house. Winning is in the details, after all.

I know that Legion Field's out-dated astroturf was exactly how you folks describe it. We used it in a local television news spot in support of DCI South. Let me use your remembered pain as reason to thank you all for performing. The show became a major one on the strength of marching band members and families who ventured into the heat for often their first view of drum corps. You all turned them into repeat customers, for many years. The show became a bookend to Allentown, that was held on the same weekend. Fun fact: we'd have a single phone installed in the press box for the weekend, just so the two shows could swap scores to relay to the crowd. The wonderful sound of ooo's and ahhh's in the pre Internet world. For many of us Birmingham locals, Legion Field and drum corps gave us some of the best memories of our lives. THANKS FOR THAT!

I had fallen in band kid love of drum corps on the strength of the film "Here Come the Troopers," in the summer of 1971. Our band director wanted us to emulate them. Our "Pirate" band did, and won every honor and contest that fall. But is was August 4, 1973 before I experienced what Wolfgang said so well, queuing up this topic: "Besides, a hornline sounds more in-your-face live than on a screen." Three neighbors, each of us in a different band section -- trumpet, me; saxophone, and rifle -- drove from Boaz, Alabama to Richmond, Kentucky for Bluegrass Nationals. I darned near fainted over the Anaheim Kinsmen (5). The Blue Stars won, followed by The Kilties, Madison Scouts, and 27th Lancers, in the top four. Belleville Black Knights, Commodores : ), Garfield Cadets, Cavaliers, and New Orleans Bleu Raeders, finished out the top ten finalists. Fifty-four years later, my life, and profession, have both been largely influenced by drum corps. (I was a DCI public relations volunteer and Birmingham, AL show director for a dozen years.) No matter where you started your drum corps journey, and no matter how evolved the activity becomes, I can see, and hear, the corps that made me love them. And Drum Corps International.

Unity, infinity, and wholeness: if we take the simple circle for its symbolism, then its ubiquitousness in drum corps this season just might speak to what the line-up of fine units was striving for. Well that, and the big fat circular zeroes that follow sevens, eights, and nines on the score sheets. On that front, well done! Fifty-six years in with the activity, I gave up scoring long ago. Drum corps is an essential entertainment pleasure in my life. I like what I like , no matter placement. Take the Crossmen. Sure, “Crosswalking” never strolled up the sheets, but it did for me! Good on them. But let’s take it from the top, my five biggest pleasures, then five more, and a couple of others. “The aVANt GUARD,” as performed by the resurgent Santa Clara Vanguard, is precisely why I fell in love with drum corps in the first place. The activity zigged, Vanguard zagged. There are so many ways to brand an organization; so this infinity moment for the Vanguard — Ouroboros, if you will — hypnotized me from its first showing through finals night. On our feet is often the rallying cry from the stands, but this year I stood in silence, and awe, that was the mesmerizing beauty of Phantom Regiment. Other worldly, for me (not trying to tell anyone else what to take away from the performance), I said it on first glance, the diaphanous curtains were as musical, and mesmerizing, as was the horn and percussion book. How many times over five-plus decades have I heard “performance of the performers,” when classifying a unit. Slap it squarely on the Boston Crusaders, if you will, please. My mind went BOOM every time I watched them. Turns out, so did the judges, offering the corps its first championship in its 85th anniversary year, including an Oscar-like night of awards for percussion, horns, music, and color guard. A drum corps fan’s pure nirvana was the final 90 seconds of the Blue Devils gathering. Not that the preceding eleven minutes weren’t filled with Concord-isms that, mixed together here, made for some lively conversation! It was Madison, Wisconsin, 1985, and a very VERY small corps with the abbreviated name Boston began to line up in Camp Randall Stadium. I was on the sidelines, it happened; likely trying to find someone to talk to a media outlet. The arrival of: an electric keyboard, small speaker, car battery, and wiring stopped me cold in my tracks. Just as it did the crowd when the percussion feature was a pretty great transcription of “Axel-F,” the theme song from “Beverly Hills Cops. And just as it did at score time, when a penalty was assessed. Not in drum corps. Just yet. And yet, in 2025, it was the soundscape the Bluecoats engineered that stopped the activity cold in its tracks. Who can imagine where we go from here? I can hardly wait. The next five corps I loved, start with another multi World Champion on the way back up, The Cavaliers, with arguably the handsomest production (think esthetics, I always do) on the field. Mandarins grew on me, and by mid-season both the corps and I saw the potential in “If I Should Fall.” You caught me. The musical book of The Troopers was the most spectacular in the corps history! There, I’ve said it, because I think it. With the trilogy melodrama complete, tears included (I’m old), I’m ready for the next (new) phase from Caspar. Musical books were really important to my enjoyment this season, so add Carolina Crown’s glorious “Carmina Burana,” and the Blue Stars extended opening to Aaron Copland’s fine “Outdoor Overture.” The Blue Knights found what all new-to-finals corps, or returning corps in this case, have: a theme to fully extricate, and practice, practice, practice. My last mentions are hard ones, but for me they are important, because they deal with corps I have loved in as many iterations as I have freckles. Colts surged back into finals four years ago with the exotic “Silk Road,” a look, sound, and feel that refreshened the corps as a perennial finalist. And then they returned to themes like the ones I thought they had left behind: 14-16th place, albeit performed at finalist level. I really do want more out of Iowa, only because the organization has given it to us. I think we all want a big, brassy dose of Madison Scouts again. The current performers are up to the task, clearly; is the organization? Okay, so this Alabama born and bred fellow (long retired to Florida) must give a shout-out to the Spirits of Atlanta, this year; both the competitive and alumni units. Thank you, both. I’ll circle back to the top, and say that at 71, I have not enjoyed drum corps more than I do now. I still shake my head; how do they come up with, and do, THAT? Oh, I get it! For MY infinite pleasure.

Crossmen: nice palate cleanser.

Crying at drum corps shows, like I did 55 years ago. WAIT I've already teared up twice this afternoon. Gonne be a mess tonight! 😭

Love a finely crafted classic cocktail: especially your takes on the Manhattan and Pimm's Cup. Your splendid-reading Absinthe Old Fashioned, however, will be made this weekend! Read into that what you will 😉

I would love for Phantom’s introduction to be a woman’s voice.

“The kids” are performing better than many of the “adults” on this thread. Celebrate their accomplishments!