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Made the trip this afternoon to Phantom's Spring Training site at Eastern Illinois University. Caught the four hour rehearsal block with the entire ensemble. Concert side stands are high enough that everyone was in the shade the entire rehearsal which was nice since is has been sunny and hot since the corps arrived. All sections appear to be strong and putting in the work. One tuba sitting out probably due to injury otherwise corps full. Killer battery and brass as good as expected. At the end if the day it comes done to has the Design Team given the members the right show? Ten more days in Charleston IL the a few days in Evansville then home to Rockford for Music in The Park and then the season starts.

Beautiful... (not to be confused with the country song of the same title)

Totally stolen... 😁

I think this is quite possibly the longest single sentence ever written on DCP.

DO IT UP DEVILS!! Indeed.. Counting down the days waiting for the reveal. I promise myself to not peek at any spring training videos of The Devils that might be available, not even the preview show, only the music. I want that first impression on July 1st. The music is what i want to hear so badly, with the exception of the two original pieces are not yet known, the arrangements; of that grand sweeping, cinematic big hit of, Caves by Cody fry. To the very fun, high energetic Jojo Jojo Bizarre Adventure pieces, and that heavenly ethereal, layered beautiful ballad of, Joni Mitchelle. With keeping the momentum of the high energetic, electric flow with, Tesseract, a transition to touching the pass with, Incident in Jazz, and closing out with another grand cinematic, amazing fanfare of, Grand Canyon Fanfare. Been listening to a playlist of the show rep, also with few other reps of corps. Really thrilling season. Happy DCI 2023 Spring training season Hell Will Be Empty Again and THE DEVILS WILL BE HERE! DO IT UP DEVILS!!! GO MANDARINS!!! @Chief Guns

https://fb.watch/kXERd7dhJB/?mibextid=Nif5oz The Crossmen are proud to present their 2023 production titled “Meetings at the Edge” a captivating show concept that revolves around thought-provoking and transformative encounters. "Meetings at the Edge'' will take us on a journey to explore the physical and emotional “edge”, a phenomena that exists between individuals and groups, places and things. We travel to the edge, challenge the edge and push beyond the edge on the winding road that leads to your door. “We are excited for this show as each production allows us to present and explore different musical and visual concepts of the “Edge” that will connect with audiences on a personal and emotional level” said Program Director Ed Devlin. “At any point, the concept allows the edge to be various parts of the field and forms, shapes and graphics.” Meetings at the Edge musical selections includes: The Long and Winding Road – The Beatles Meetings Along the Edge – Philip Glass, Ravi Shankar Letter From Home – Pat Metheny The Windup – Keith Jarrett The Yellow Jacket – Shaun Martin “You can expect THE Crossmen sound on the field this summer,” said Brass Arranger Drew Shanfield. “Growing up in Pennsylvania, I have vivid memories of the Crossmen sound— a unique blend of groove, melody, power, and heart fused with a little bit of fear, aggression and the exhilaration of being on the edge. We have put all of that together to meet you at the edge in 2023 and are excited to connect and entertain audiences on tour.” The Crossmen’s 49th summer is underway at Northeastern State University in Oklahoma. The performers and staff can’t wait to have you on the edge of your seat as they travel the long and winding road across the country for over 20 performances. We look forward to meeting you at the edge!

No, A lot of the music in that stuff is old brassy, jazzy-sounding stuff that you'd likely listen to anyway.

Week two of spring training update!

June 20th in Evansville

Interesting Blue Devils go to Wyoming, Troopers go from Wyoming to Indiana

Maybe plagiarism on your part?

Guys, listen...to be sincerely honest, in my humble opinion, without being sentimental, of course, without offending anyone who thinks differently from my point of view and without hiding any thoughts in my mind and without lies, to the actual truth with my clear open mind and clean heart, expressing whatever is embedded inside me for a long time which I didn't say just because I was nervous. But today, by gathering all the courage and motivation, I just want to say that I actually feel and think that I have absolutely nothing to say whatsoever.

I remember some DCM shows, back in the '80s, where members of senior/all age corps were standing behind their cars, trunks open, 1970s drum corps shows blasting away inside their vehicles, and drinking beer while putting on their uniforms. It was like a tailgating event before they went to warm ups. Times have changed since then; but the memories remain.

Exactly two weeks until the Final Boss gives us our first look at the 2023 show! LFG!! DO IT UP DEVILS!!

https://fb.watch/kXERd7dhJB/?mibextid=Nif5oz The Crossmen are proud to present their 2023 production titled “Meetings at the Edge” a captivating show concept that revolves around thought-provoking and transformative encounters. "Meetings at the Edge'' will take us on a journey to explore the physical and emotional “edge”, a phenomena that exists between individuals and groups, places and things. We travel to the edge, challenge the edge and push beyond the edge on the winding road that leads to your door. “We are excited for this show as each production allows us to present and explore different musical and visual concepts of the “Edge” that will connect with audiences on a personal and emotional level” said Program Director Ed Devlin. “At any point, the concept allows the edge to be various parts of the field and forms, shapes and graphics.” Meetings at the Edge musical selections includes: The Long and Winding Road – The Beatles Meetings Along the Edge – Philip Glass, Ravi Shankar Letter From Home – Pat Metheny The Windup – Keith Jarrett The Yellow Jacket – Shaun Martin “You can expect THE Crossmen sound on the field this summer,” said Brass Arranger Drew Shanfield. “Growing up in Pennsylvania, I have vivid memories of the Crossmen sound— a unique blend of groove, melody, power, and heart fused with a little bit of fear, aggression and the exhilaration of being on the edge. We have put all of that together to meet you at the edge in 2023 and are excited to connect and entertain audiences on tour.” The Crossmen’s 49th summer is underway at Northeastern State University in Oklahoma. The performers and staff can’t wait to have you on the edge of your seat as they travel the long and winding road across the country for over 20 performances. We look forward to meeting you at the edge!

Any news from Spring Training? Inquiring minds need to know.

This forum is full of surprises. In an activity that still calls itself "drum and bugle corps", the word we really need to avoid using is "senior" because THAT will evoke derogatory misconceptions that can never be dispelled?

You have heard right Hook. They are well ahead of schedule for putting the show on the field. Kids are having a great time, working hard. They post daily on instagram with mm interviews. All the new Saders are loving their time with a relaxed learning atmosphere and the Castleton experience. The only thing a bit unexpected for kids from TX and southern areas is the cold. It’s been chilly the past couple of days. But so far everything’s is going well. Boston should come out strong. Best wishes to your favorite team. This is going to be a very good year for all.

The music this year is going to be insane. Right when I thought they couldn't top Moon River and Tank, BD once again says "Hold my beer."

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CtFJWpZtY6P/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng== a clip from the hornline. They sound pretty good for early season

The way contests are held today, at least on the DCI side, minimizes the interactions between members of different Corps. Once done performing, today’s Corps load the trucks, grab a snack, and off to the next stop on tour. Not much time to engage in mischief with members of other Corps while waiting for retreat.

And, for a bonus coincidence, the Troopers are staying at Tipton High School, home of the...Blue Devils.

To be fair - some of us were of legal age in the state where this occurred.

I recall hanging out with a certain Sr Corps at DCM shows & they would share their beer with us.

There has also been a huge motorcycle gathering during the finals weekend in the past. I know because they use to ride Washington St into Sunday morning thru the downtown hotels. And it's a loud party! Of course after taking a dose of Ambien, I really don't care... 🛵 😁

Probably with family in their hotel room.

True....but you know how some perceptions hang on for decades.

No, not since last year. Though I’ll readily concede my powers of observation and field awareness are in considerable decline…

i always wanted Bones to do Letter From Home in the early 90's

Do prop-movers on the field count towards the 165-member limit? And I wonder what the tuition is for a prop-mover? After all, the prop caption head, assistant prop caption head, and prop movement techs need to get paid as well.

From what I’ve seen I think this is gonna be a show that a lot of people are going to love

seriously Mike. when i stopped marching in 96, at least 40% of the corps was under 21. i taught a DCA corps in 2000 and over 60% of the corps was under 21. it's just gone up since. I'm not trying to Brasso pick nits, but the perception of "senior corps" still persists of old guys smoking and drinking beer waiting to go on the field. in the last 7 or 8 years i hard a name DCI director make such comments as a DCA corps was getting ready to perform at Allentown....and when they heard the corps was 90% under 21, they couldn't believe it. the sooner that term goes away, the better off it is for those corps.

When will the front page be updated?

The Babylon props were one of the best designed ones for usage and then storage.

it defeated the will of many of those corps to keep trying. when you have 11 open class all show up and get in, but only 4 of 12 get in....yeah, kinda makes you wonder why you try

15 member snare line? Is this true? I saw it on their official Instagram account.

Sadly, just on the first two pages I noticed a couple that have since passed away- Ggarrett and Michael Boo.