CallipygianKing

Chops is still listed. I’m fairly certain that we’ve switched to Soundsport for the 2019 summer.

Chops 2014.

That is correct. Neither corps will be participating in DCA this summer. Both corps will still be seen at Minnesota shows and in Indy at the Soundsport finals. Changing times mean a change of focus and a rethinking of what’s best for organizations.

Hey! If anyone is heading to the Buffalo Wild Wings across the street from the stadium tonight, show this pic on your phone and show some support for Chops.

*shrug* Class A is never so cut and dry. In 2005, Chops was seeded something like 4th or 5th going in to prelims. We came away with a championship that year. Take nothing for granted and seeding with a grain of salt.

The pizza had Canadian bacon on it. ;-) Local band boosters took care of concessions.

www.pan-handlers.org

Oh, jeez... I read the scores, but do you think I can remember them?

How's this shirt?

Weather looks beautiful so far. Chops and MBI are here at LeSueur High School right now. Gorgeous day for preshow rehearsal.

Fran Haring will be my spirit animal tomorrow. I guess I'm the announcer?

Who else is hyped? MBI and Govies have been entertaining DCI crowds with no numbers to show for it. Chops has been pulling together an out-of-this-world performance under the radar. It's been all quiet on the Midwestern front... What sort of excitement can the Minnesota contingent of DCA bring to the field? See you on the 50 from beautiful LeSueur, MN, a small town with a Giant love for drum corps!

Show logo for Chops this summer... It certainly gives a good feel for what's in store from the corps.

It's been very exciting to see this show come together, too. Very enjoyable to watch.

That is absolutely true. The Racine crowd consists of rabid drum corps fans that will support their local corps and appreciate those who travel through regardless of size. We did a standstill there in 2013 with all of 12 people on the field and got nothing but a ton of love from the stands... And those stands were pretty full for the pre-competition exhibitions. Racine is a special place for drum corps, and before this year I would have agreed with any prediction that it would be the place to have a successful Class A show without needing an Open Class "headliner". It's just worth noting that it did happen, and it shows that Class A is a success and still growing.

ABSOLUTELY! I was worried about their program, but it's exciting to see their numbers up high enough to field the B corps this year. It's been a long time coming, but it feels good to finally have Chops back on solid footing and working our way back to where we left things off after 2008.

It was pretty special having an all-Class A lineup for a show. Has that ever happened before? It just feels like that's one thing that really validates Class A, pulling off a successful show without any Open Class corps in the mix.

Yes, we'll both be out there, but we're strictly on the staff side of things this year. Maybe next year I can pick up a mello again. I know I still have a few good years of marching left in me.

Of course, my heart's in Class A this year, and nobody else seems to have asked the question. So, who's in, who's out, and who's on top? I tried to keep it all in one poll, hence the "pick two" for the third question.

Little steps are good! Getting a corps from the street to the field is much easier than getting it from nothing to the field. Provided that's where you're hoping to go, that is. Good day indeed.

Neither of their websites can confirm this. I'll put it up there anyway and hope someone corrects me.

Thanks! I just wasn't thinking when I typed that...

Cosmically speaking, MBI is in his neighborhood...

Let's start listing them here! (I'll do my best to update the first post) MASSACHUSSETTES Caballeros: Wakefield (4:30pm) Cadets2: Wakefield (4:30pm) Hurricanes: Manchester By-The-Sea (10am), Wakefield (4:30pm) Sunrisers: Pittsfield (10am) MINNESOTA Chops, Inc. (Chopstix Percussion & Top Chops Brassline, marching separately): Delano (10:30am), Apple Valley (1pm), Chanhassen (2:30pm) Govenaires: St. Peter (10am), Chanhassen (2:30pm) Minnesota Brass: Cannon Falls (10:30am), Apple Valley (1pm) PENNSYLVANIA Erie Thunderbirds: Millcreek Township (Parade 10am, concert around 1pm) RHODE ISLAND Caballeros: Bristol (10:30am) Cadets2: Bristol (10:30am)

Looking at their calendar, it shows that they're ending their season with a performance in Indianapolis at DCI. I'm assuming that's an exhibition. Not sure on the reason behind that decision, though.