crownisking

If memory serves, their jackets were about the same shade as most other schools that use gold. I believe Gaffney HS uses the Vegas Gold now but in years’ past they went with a shade closer to what some would consider to be yellow. LOL, you didn’t go to Byrnes or Dorman (or one of the other upstate high schools Gaffney used to routinely terrorize on the football field) did you?

Gaffney HS in South Carolina wore a black and gold version of The Cavaliers’ uniform for many years. Panther Creek HS in North Carolina wore a black and Columbia blue version. I’m sure there are plenty of others. I’m not mad about it. At least we can still see that iconic look somewhere since we’ll probably never see The Cavaliers wear the look again for an actual competitive performance.

It would be a real shame if Greater Houston doesn’t get a drum corps show this summer. Almost unfathomable. That would be letting down a whole lot of high school band kids.

You’re not wrong. Wishful thinking, I guess but not based in reality. Hell, the last time BD placed lower than 2nd was nearly two decades ago. 😳

I’m sure most posters will place Crown fourth (or lower) in the predictions thread. But I’ll be honest and say last season was significantly more enjoyable for me because I tuned all that stuff out for the most part. I can only speak for myself but obsessing over scores, placements and spreads kinda kills the fun.

If memory serves, they used University of Houston’s stadium one year recently. I wonder if that would work again this summer? OAN: It would be nice if one of the Dallas area shows were actually in Dallas but I get it. The band kids mostly live out in the suburbs.

Ok so this is random but it popped in my head today. How cool would it be to see the Crown DMs use batons this year? Some may not remember but Crown has used them in the past. You'd have to go back about two decades to find it though.

The Bluecoats respect their members’ gender identity. This is not a new practice for Bloo.

One year I’m going to make the trip up to Allentown myself. From what I’ve heard, it’s the coolest drum corps experience there is. I guess I should probably go sooner rather than later. You know, just in case…😔

It is but I can definitely empathize with you as well. Before I moved to Texas, I lived in the drum corps desert known as Florida. Before that, I lived in South Carolina where shows got rained out all the time.

You’re probably right but I would argue that the Charleston area is more deserving of a drum corps show. Larger population and there are a number of strong high school band programs in the greater Charleston area so it could serve as a recruiting tool as well.

I’m appreciative that the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is still getting three shows next summer. Even if the third show is a little slimmer than usual. I’m definitely disappointed that the Blue Devils are once again skipping the Dallas area on their Texas tour.

Yeah but it was really cool of Bloo to do their full show in the rain last year.

Very true. During Bimm’s tenure at Marian Catholic, his band won more Grand National Championships than any other band ever has. I believe that record still stands today though Carmel will break it pretty soon if their hot streak continues.

Thanks, good to know! I haven’t been by the Fort Mill office in years so I didn’t know for sure if it was still there or not. I do remember it being a pretty small space though so the new location makes sense. Plenty of space to park the fleet through the off season.

I’m guessing they’ll still keep Fort Mill as their “official” HQ. At least for marketing purposes. I only say that because the building in NC looks like it’s been in use for a while (at least long enough for Google Street View to record it being in Crown’s possession) and this season they were still going by “Fort Mill” in all their announcements and publications.

Unrelated, but did you know the corps office isn’t in Fort Mill anymore? I’m not sure when they moved but their new address is just over the state line in Pineville, NC. I noticed it on their Facebook page a few weeks ago. Then I looked the address up on Google Earth and it’s definitely legit. I’m sure they’ll still be announced at contests as “from Fort Mill, SC” but they’ve gone back to the Tar Heel state. That makes this native South Carolinian a little sad. 😢

The National Battle of the Bands lineup is usually announced in May. I’m not 100% sure how the lineup is selected though I know some of it involves coordinating with the schools to make sure they can make it work. Performing in this particular showcase would mean opening the campus to band students well before the start of fall semester. Some schools can make that work, some can’t. It would also depend on each school’s football schedule as the event usually takes place during Week 0. The event’s sponsors pay for travel, lodging and food. They also present a scholarship (and I believe a check as well) to each of the participating schools.

That’s fair. But yeah, there are definitely a few of them out there.

If a band is selected to perform in the Honda Battle of the Bands, the marching band season extends into February. Other than that though, full marching band appearances past football season are kinda rare apart from the occasional parade. And those are usually negotiable as long as you communicate with your BD. The majority of the show band showcases are from September to November. Though notably, if a student’s band is performing in the National Battle of the Bands in Houston, that show is typically held in late August so that would be a potential conflict for a student marching drum corps. Since there are usually only about 8 bands that are selected, this would not affect most of the HBCU bands.

Also, many of the instructors that teach at HBCU band programs do have drum corps experience. Back when I was in college, the percussion instructor at our neighboring school (because we didn’t have a marching band) marched with Cadets.

There’s a little more overlap than you may think. Particularly when it comes to drums. HBCU band students are well aware of the drum corps world and a good many of them do actually support the activity, even if they don’t all necessarily march. (Though, a few do.) At the Atlanta show, you’ll almost always find more than a few HBCU band kids in the lots and in the stands. I know a few of them also go to Crown’s home shows and I’m sure there are other examples of this as well.

I don't really have a dog in the fight when it comes to SCV so I don't want to seem like I'm piling on them but...I wouldn't put too much stock into that. Teal Sound updates their facebook page occasionally too and they haven't fielded a corps since 2012.

Bloo 23 was kinda about drugs. I mean I interpreted it as “Alice in Wonderland” -esque. And that story is basically about drugs. And I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that. I enjoyed this year’s show immensely. But yeah, it’s pretty trippy.

I just hope BD comes to Dallas in 2024! 🤞🏾