Carolina Crown 2026

[NewArpege]

Adding to “rumors.” I heard Crown is one-upping BACs mello-playing-another-mello feature from last year by having trumpets and mellos switch instruments during the show. They will do this by tossing the instruments in a wave over a guard block.  #jk

Edited April 9 by NewArpege

[wigwam]

I heard, to save on diesel fuel, everyone will be transported from city to city in a huge fleet of Wamo autonomous electric cars shaped like semi aerodynamic crowns.  

[Lever]

I just watched an episode of general effect media and heard William say some interesting things about some of Carolina crown’s show rep that he got to hear videos of.  He mentioned mixed feelings about the opener and brass feature.  He then went on to say that the ballad made him laugh (and not in a good way).  This made me curious about the ballad in particular and made me wonder if crown is doing anything unusual as a part of it.  Does anybody have any information regarding this?

[DAYGO]

On 4/16/2026 at 6:21 PM, Lever said:

I just watched an episode of general effect media and heard William say some interesting things about some of Carolina crown’s show rep that he got to hear videos of.  He mentioned mixed feelings about the opener and brass feature.  He then went on to say that the ballad made him laugh (and not in a good way).  This made me curious about the ballad in particular and made me wonder if crown is doing anything unusual as a part of it.  Does anybody have any information regarding this?

I have no intel, but certainly very curious to hear what Crown has cooking.  Hoping to hear some from every corps after camps this weekend.  

[NewArpege]

On 4/16/2026 at 9:21 PM, Lever said:

I just watched an episode of general effect media and heard William say some interesting things about some of Carolina crown’s show rep that he got to hear videos of.  He mentioned mixed feelings about the opener and brass feature.  He then went on to say that the ballad made him laugh (and not in a good way).  This made me curious about the ballad in particular and made me wonder if crown is doing anything unusual as a part of it.  Does anybody have any information regarding this?

Of course the April rumors start with Crown…lol…some things will never change.
 

Take everything with a grain of salt right now as any recordings come from Feb camp when many corps try early experimental arrangements.  As we’ve seen with Crown and even more often with Bloo, they play early arrangements of songs in Feb.  Based on that, they rearrange and sometimes completely change out songs based on what works and what doesn’t.  I haven’t seen much on here about how frequently Bloo changes their music during those early camps, but it’s one of the approaches that allowed them to soundscape beautifully and develop really nice cohesive music books in recent history.  Wouldn’t be surprised if Crown is doing the same approach….better to rework in Feb than after drill is written or taught.

We all know it’s likely Crown is going to experiment this year given new design head.  As a fan, I’m hoping for a more edgy show with some surprises.  It sounds like we may be getting that….fingers crossed.

I heard a very different report of the ballad from someone who attended Feb camp. They said it was wow and really liked the arrangement.  Will just have to wait and see how it’s all connected into the design.

[NewArpege]

https://www.carolinacrown.org/news/chester-phillips-appointed-ceo
 

Welcome Dr. Chester Phillips as the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of Crown!  

Gonna get interesting….Crown has a tenured DCI GE judge at the top now!  A much needed add to round out the Crown leadership. Look forward to seeing what he can accomplish.

Edited April 22 by NewArpege

[kdaddy]

8 hours ago, NewArpege said:

We all know it’s likely Crown is going to experiment this year given new design head.  As a fan, I’m hoping for a more edgy show with some surprises.  It sounds like we may be getting that….fingers crossed.

I don't think that we all know this, for a couple of reasons: (i) he's not exactly new, and (ii) I wouldn't characterize his work with Crown or Boston as "experimental with something new." Highly effective? Sure. But not experimental.

In fact, I would characterize the 2016 or 2022 Crown shows as far edgier and more experimental than anything Keith Potter has done. (not good, but edgier)

[NewArpege]

16 minutes ago, kdaddy said:

I don't think that we all know this, for a couple of reasons: (i) he's not exactly new, and (ii) I wouldn't characterize his work with Crown or Boston as "experimental with something new." Highly effective? Sure. But not experimental.

In fact, I would characterize the 2016 or 2022 Crown shows as far edgier and more experimental than anything Keith Potter has done. (not good, but edgier)

It’s certainly going to be different design language than we’ve had from Crown the past 10 years, which means experimenting with what works and doesn’t at this point in time under these DCI judges. And I’d argue Glitch and Boom were experimental, in their own ways….maybe not edgy….but for certain innovative.  
 

I’m fairly confident we aren’t going to see a Crown story show.  And it’s going to be a different aesthetic than the past 2 years.  I’m just hoping for something edgy and different.  But we will see if that happens. 

[keystone3ply]

14 hours ago, NewArpege said:

It’s certainly going to be different design language than we’ve had from Crown the past 10 years, which means experimenting with what works and doesn’t at this point in time under these DCI judges. And I’d argue Glitch and Boom were experimental, in their own ways….maybe not edgy….but for certain innovative.  
 

I’m fairly confident we aren’t going to see a Crown story show.  And it’s going to be a different aesthetic than the past 2 years.  I’m just hoping for something edgy and different.  But we will see if that happens. 

"As fate would have it..." 

[LabMaster]

8 hours ago, keystone3ply said:

"As fate would have it..." 

Right here right now!