August 1, 2026 – Allentown, Pennsylvania
I am finally taking a break in the hotel lobby to catch up with you on the 2026 drum corps tour. I just returned from a great round of golf wth Chuck, Barry, and Matt. We make a yearly habit of this reunion on the greens. I had two pars. Day one of Allentown is in the books. Yesterday, all the Blue Corps came and went, along with several other DCI World Class and DCI All-age corps. Starting off the evening were the All-age corps, Bushwackers from Princeton, NJ; Reading Buccaneers from Reading, PA; and Hathorne Caballeros from Hawthorne, NJ. These regional, weekend warriors provide enrichment on a less strenuous tour for many young aspiring drum corps members.
Genesis adds an abstract element.
Next, the World Class Corps took to the 1.32-acre stage, beginning with Genesis, from Austin, TX. “AbstRacT” paints a picture of art and music in motion. Color embellishes the theme and repertoire, depicting the abstract artistic style. Music City from Nashville, TN, performed “Venomorphosis.” Large movable props covered in a snake skin pattern, along with serpentine drill formations, supported the theme. These kids underwent an ecdysis of their own kind as a snake sheds its skin to morph into a greater self.
A happy Bluecoats mom volunteering.
Intermission provided a welcome break at the fold. It was good to get out and stretch my legs with a quick walk over to the encampment of drum corps fans parked behind the diner. Properly hydrated, I took the hill again to Section R, Row 8, the sweet spot at J. Birney Crum and next to the judging panel. The first corps on, the Trooper descended “Into Darkness” once again. You’ve got to appreciate how cool the mash-up of Samuel Barber, Wagner, and Pink Floyd supports the theme of the senseless, perverse, endless war. Next, the students of Spirit of Atlanta stated loudly and clearly that ‘school’s out for the summer!’ Their 2026 program, “Golden Summer,” evoked that California vibe that I experienced early last month. The golden uniforms and repertoire portrayed those memorable summers off the campus and on the road to adventure.
Cloud nine with the Blue Knights in Allentown.
Blue Knights made me cry. Yes, grown men do cry. If you have read my blog over the past ten years, you will have read several ways I have described how this activity causes that spontaneous visceral reaction of welling up with tears. I am not sure what caused this particular reaction last night, but as the tour gets longer, I get more emotional. I cannot deny that the beautiful feeling of hope and joy that Blue Knights instilled in me was the trigger. Thank you, Blue Knights, for bringing us “The Sky Between.” The wave of liquid gladness was sparked by my appreciation for how these young kids/adults are transitioning into future roles that will make us all better. Knowing that it is amazing what we can do when we all work hard together.
Blue Knights made me cry. Yes, grown men do cry.
Blue Stars’ art museum in motion.
Blue Star brought the “Collection 26: The Galleries”, think art museum in motion with music (on steroids). Can you name the artists depicted in the props and repertoire? Once again, the splendid brass melted our faces as we knew we were getting into the upper echelons of DCI brass sound. The color guard and members moved with artistic flair, painting a pleasing visual palette.
Colts reveal the changing experiment.
Colts began their program, “The American Experiment,” in traditional Napoleonic-type uniforms in red, white, and blue. Straight-line drill formations reinforced the theme of America at the beginning of this grand experiment. As the program progresses, we begin to see a transformation of curved, sinuous drills, and multi-colors and patterned uniforms emerge. As this experiment continues to change, I see DCI as a harbinger of the direction we are going, and a model for inclusion, diversity, and equity that have always been at the corps.
As this experiment continues to change, I see DCI as a harbinger of the direction we are going, and a model for inclusion, diversity, and equity that have always been at the corps.
Bluecoats mesmerize the fans in Allentown.
Bluecoats and Blue Devils did what they do best. They blueed us away with their amazingly talented kids performing at the highest level of achievement of the night based on the scores. Everyone has opinions on who is the best, or what show has the greatest impact, but we all agree that being where we were in the stands at those 12-minute segments, we were watching some of the finest entertainment on the planet.
Everyone has opinions on who is the best, or what show has the greatest impact, but we all agree that being where we were in the stands at those 12-minute segments, we were watching some of the finest entertainment on the planet.
Blue Devils rise from the ashes.
It’s time to clam this up and head to the Saturday night Allentown drum corps lovefest. Peace out for now.
August 2, 2026 – Hamilton Family Diner, Allentown, PA
I’m back here at the great gathering place behind the Ham-Fam Diner in Allentown. This was the location for pre- and post-show merriment for two days of drum corps shows. I am waiting for members of the Unaffiliated, Undeniable drum corps fans who are caravanning with me to Indy. Too much use of the Suburban’s battery caused it not to start, so, being a Vermonter, I have jumper cables. It is ghostly quiet here under the shade of the friendly trees that guarded us, unlike the previous two days. While I wait here for others, I will try to report on Saturday night in Allentown.
The Academy quads behind the curtain.
The caravans of buses and trucks arrived like clockwork. Pits and props rolled down the street and up the hill to the stadium while the masses of fans formed a block-long line to enter the stadium at showtime. I chose to strategically wait until the last minute, but missed Spartans, and enjoyed Seattle Cascades along with the throngs of fans from the top of the hill on side one. Once firmly ensconced with the others in Section R, I settled in for another night of outstanding field theatre under the moon in J. Birney Crum Stadium.
The Academy parks and plays for effect.
The cables did the trick, but the team thought better about continuing with the vehicle, so I am now in the cell phone lot at the Lehigh Valley International Airport while Garry exchanges the Suburban for a 7-passenger van. We have miles to go, and it’s better to be safe than to risk them not being able to make the round trip to Indy and back home to Rochester, NY. We get by with a little help from our friends. Back to my show report.
We get by with a little help from our friends.
The Academy from Temple, AZ took center ring on the turfed field. The pleasing musical score and the colorful uniforms massaged our ears and eyes. What a joy to see how these kids have brought this program to the center of our attention since the early viewings in California. Each time I listen and watch, the entertainment factor grows exponentially. Bravo, The Academy.
Pacific Crest in full glory.
To follow was another great performance by Pacific Crest. I am finding this sublime presentation of marching theatre ‘Irresistible.’ Now, having viewed it six times, it will be the show that I will see the most, even if they do not make finals. It is their legacy to come in 13th, but number one in California drum corps education.
Madison Scouts in company front.
A corps that will be pushing just as hard to perform on Saturday night next week is Madison Scouts, who came to play “MadiSpin” style. Excellent performance quality has been achieved by the long summer days and nights of rehearsing and performing. These kids gave us a show that brought us all to our feet.
Crossmen in black and blue.
Crossmen took the field next with “A-Side/B-Side.” We all enjoyed the two-toned blue and black uniforms. The pleasing blue color also matched the moving props, doing more justice to the color than most of the Blue corps. The duality of the uniforms and diverse repertoire helped define the theme. This corps hits the gas pedal in a classic way, bringing us to our feet once again. This Allentown crowd was warming up.
Intermission provided another opportunity to dash to the lot and be up close and personal with the corps that were to come next. Being quite congested at this time with corps coming and going and the previous marchers descending on the scene, I chose to cruise through the souvenir and food truck lot next to the stadium instead. Each vendor was busy serving the many avid fans.
The Cavaliers set their stage.
I decided to pass on food and ascended the hill again to regain my seat in the sweet spot, arriving just in time for the Peter Pan story, The Cavaliers’ 21st style. Roudy and randy, these lost souls proved that strength in numbers can conquer loneliness and isolation when one is not rooted at home. These streetwise boys are a force to reckon with as they dominate the hood.
Phantom Regiment focuses their classic powerhouse horns.
Phantom Regiment had the knives out again to stake their historic claim for a piece of the hallowed ground under J. Birney Crum. There have been many triumphant performances and victories here over the decades. This corps is pushing hard to be among the medal seekers, even if they have to spill some metaphorical blood. They sliced and diced the field with precision and punched us in the nose with concentrated brass attacks, watering my eyes. Blood, Sweat, and Tears.
Santa Clara Vanguard’s street-wise drill.
Paint this town red. As Phantom Regiment retreated and Santa Clara Vanguard took the field, a sea of red uniforms dominated the scene. Not to be outdone by the previous corps in wayward, raucous ways, SCV brought their own rowdy bunch. “With Reckless Abandon” is clicking. Intricate rope drills and jumps have been refined. Can you play a trumpet powerfully and clearly while jumping rope? The helter-skelter meets precision as everything works out in the end to raise the bumps on my skin.
Suddenly, everything was a blur. The Boston Crusaders arrived with one purpose: kick the drum corps world into high gear. My road warrior skills have nothing on this fast-driving team of marching men and women. Each member possesses multiple skills, blurring the lines between guard, brass, and percussion. Fast, fun, and frenetic, this show was forged in the BAC fusion reactor loaded with championship fuel rods from 2025. Scores are only one measure of championship caliber.
Suddenly, everything was a blur.
Carolina Crown’s signature closing drill.
Hail Mary! I have seen the light. Carolina Crown came to lift us up. With Matt Harloff’s sign-off year statement and a little help from God, the hornline completely captured us and gave us a glimpse of heaven. Their rendition of Ave Maria shook my secular foundation. Today is Sunday. I will hear it again tonight in Downingtown. This corps is surging with abundant human intelligence and performance ability, inspiring us all.
I am finishing this report while here at the hotel in Downingtown. Tonight is Big Sound in Motion, a combination of All-Age and World Class DCI drum corps. After three days of good weather, it looks like rain might be a factor tonight. Thunderstorms are lurking in from the south. It is a balmy 82 degrees and light rain at 4:00 PM. Tomorrow is a long drive to Akron for Innovation in Brass. The forecast looks great for that, but we have to get there first. Its a 6 plus hour drive over the rolling hills of Western Pennsylvania. I’ll keep you posted.
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