July 18, 2026 – Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas
I found a picnic table outside the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, for the DCI Southwestern Championships. My computer in the clear bag was getting a little overheated, and I was too, on my 20-minute walk to the stadium. A happy tree, melodious birds, and the breeze enhance the comfort of this private setting. This is my first drum corps show in Texas. It’s early, and the first corps to perform are just arriving in the lot next to me. Not a note or sound had been heard yet. Bird songs are prevalent throughout this city, prompting me to mimic them as I walk and sit. Soon, thousands more kids will disembark and prepare to perform inside, where the temperature is in the low 70s. The lot is not the most environmentally friendly place. Fresh pavement sealer is gassing off the intensely hot surface, mixing with the diesel fumes of the idling trucks and buses. I will come back later during intermission. Time to go in and check out my seat.
Well, purchasing a ticket this morning was not only expensive, but the best available seat is up in Section 316 (nose bleed) and at the 5-yard line of side one. This is the highest I have been, which gives me a great view of the drills. From here I can see the entire field. The only downside is the sound does not quite hit you in the face. They can only reach up so high. Note to self: get a little lower next. I entered the stadium before the first corps and watched the earlier ones from other seats much closer to the center and lower.
Guardians, a Sound Sport ensemble, led us off, along with DCI Open Class corps, Sky Ryders, Hutchinson, KS; Arsenal, El Paso, TX; Zephyrus, Tulsa, OK; and Gold, San Diego, CA. The first DCI World Class corps to perform were Seattle Cascades, Seattle, WA; Genesis, Austin, TX; Music City, Nashville, TN; Crossmen, San Antonio, TX; and Spartans, Nashua, NH. With too little time to write about each of these shows, the only thing I can say is that things keep changing. More woodwinds are making their way into DCI. Colors abound, with a rich tapestry of textures and styles. Not one drum corps was recognizable from the old days. It is time for intermission. A welcome break during the first intermission provided time to charge my phone and computer.
I returned in time for the middle grouping of corps. First up: Spirit of Atlanta. This corps has been performing at a very high level since their sabbatical year. Next was Pacific Crest, Diamond Bar, CA, with their program, “Iresistible,” which has improved significantly since I saw it three times in California. The horns are really doing justice to the fine repertoire.
The Academy, Tempe, AZ came on next with “In the Center of the Ring.” Always a joy to watch these studious performers entertain with fun, imaginative, and colorful shows. Next, the Troopers with “Into Darkness.” Think Apocalypse Now. Samuel Barber’s music is among my favorite drum corps scores. Blue Knights brought the sky-blue-clad members to the party. According to their narrative, “The Sky Between” depicts an interstitial state between where we are and where we want to be. I want to be in the stands again for this show.
The corps to perform next and the last before the 1-hour intermission was the Madison Scouts with their program “Madispin.” This corps is recognizable for their traditional Aussie hats and maroon-and-green uniforms. The large tarps draped along each corner created a unique oval for which to perform to the admiring audience and loyal long-term fans. Music in motion, MadiSpin style. This was my first viewing of this show; it will grow on me.
Now, I am charging the devices again at the lone power outlet that I could find. I have had a lot of fun randomly interacting with kids, moms, and dads during these breaks. I sat next to a trombone player who aspires to be a Trooper next year. Our ten-minute conversation while we each plugged into the outlet’s two receptacles gave me that glow in the oculars. His positive outlook reminded me of that uplifting feeling one has when there is something cool and inspiring to look forward to doing or being. This is why I come here to feel and record these human moments that DCI provides. Time is short; I’ve got to get back to my seat so I don’t miss anything. I will be focusing exclusively on watching these next programs and hope to capture a few good photos.
This is why I come here to feel and record these human moments that DCI provides.
I am at the Smoke Skybar in downtown San Antonio, about a 20 min. walk from the Alamodome. This is the after-party scene with the Boston Crusaders staff and dignitaries (Board members). A happy reunion and time to plug in and spin the tale of the final corps. This double IPA is helping.
The nine corps to follow were indeed the powerhouses of entertainment. First to take the field at the final fold were the Blue Stars, La Crosse, WI. I had been looking forward to seeing this show live. “Collection 26: The Galleries” took us on an artistic tour of famous artists with color, imagination, and some sweet brass music to take it all in. The creative props supported the theme. I want more Blue Stars!
Next, the Crossmen gave us a nostalgic feel with Bones. He is the ghostly figure in the traditional uniform who shows up, spreads his cape slowly, then disappears when your focus turns to the action on the field with their show “A Side/B Side.” In addition, I recognized some music from 2012. This corps will be in my heart forever. Here is to Tim O’Donnell, who is sorely missed in my community now that he lives in Heaven. He marched contra bass for Crossmen in 1992 and 1993.
Colts, Dubuque, IA brought their program “The American Experiment” to the field. Beginning in traditional marching uniform with shakos, this corps showed us how this experiment is evolving socially and creatively. Transitioning to the modern drum corps costume with multi-color and flash, they showed us how we have evolved. A big takeaway for me at my first Texas drum corps show is how this highly progressive activity thrives in this state. If it were not for kids from Texas, drum corps might not exist.
Next, the wayward showed up. The only all-male drum corps, The Cavaliers, expressed its misguided testosterone with their program “The Lost Boys.” This bunch of powerhouses showed us the other side of the tracks with the clock ticking down, as the fantasy ends in twelve minutes. Power mixed with poignancy revealed the vulnerability of the punksters in motion.
Carolina Crown is a drum corps that I have a strong fondness for since getting to know so many of the committed angels who founded and have supported this great youth music education organization. They did not disappoint with their program this year called “Doors of Perception.” I suppose it’s all how you look at it, but from my perspective, this corps is ready to break on through to the other side. The side where they drape a medal around your neck Saturday night in Indianapolis.
Phantom Regiment took the field to defend their heritage with “Bloodline.” When you consider the long legacy of triumphant and stirring performance, this corps has a Phan-base to match. The knives are out with vengeance to protect the name and image. This corps continues to demonstrate its championship capabilities, too.
Now for the corps whose heritage has included me for the past 9 years, the Boston Crusaders. You don’t go on tour for 23 days and to the finals without establishing lifelong friendships. Following their rise since 2017, culminating in a DCI Championship last year, I cannot shake my attachment. The boisterous greeting by the Texas fans confirmed my suspicion that if it were not for the kids from Texas, BAC would not have come so far. It was great to see this fast-paced, highly visual, energetic show. “Blurred Lines” again after so many weeks since the exhibition back in June. That is a long stretch for me. There were so many blips on my EKG of the thalamus gland that it went by like a blur. As with many of the programs viewed today, the ending left me wanting more. Will they add more color and flash? I know these guys have something up their sleeves.
Santa Clara Vanguard took the field next with their program “With Reckless Abandon.” That is the theme I have adopted since my California tour, when I decided to add two shows to my schedule, renting a car and driving helter-skelter all over the state to follow this corps and others. I live the oxymoron of choreographed spontaneity. The all-red uniforms stood out starkly while the members cavorted and gallivanted around the field, at times recklessly, at other times with street-gang precision. How happy to see the kids bring the precision to the ropes and chains that give such a unique visual effect. Sine waves ripple from end to end as marchers weave, turn, and jump. Mastering the musical score as well as learning the ropes, these somewhat rebellious kids gave us a show with pleasing musical power and poise to the end. It’s crowded at the top. These kids might have a fight on their hands going forward to hold their medal-winning position.
Not to be outdone, the Bluecoats followed with their program “Gravity and Grace.” That is how I describe telemark skiing. My theory is that drum corps kids can become great skiers by developing the ability to separate the lower and upper bodies. These kids moved their bodies in all sorts of contorted ways to demonstrate the gravitational effect. Having watched an interview with the Bluecoats designer, I saw how the gravity shifted from backfield to front, as if you tipped the field vertical, with the far sideline at the top. This was a benefit of being high up in the stands. A big takeaway from my California tour, especially the experience in the lot at the Western Corps Connection, is that these kids have a special connection that is like nothing I’ve seen. They love each other, their mentors, and their proud families that follow them. They are loving doing this show. That is gravity of a different kind. This corps grabbed my attention during my rediscovery year, 2012, with their program “Unmasked,” revealing the faces and emotions of 21st-century drum corps, further moving me along this path as a follower. God only knows where I’d be without Bloo.
God only knows where I’d be without Bloo.
Do not count out the Blue Devils, who were the final corps to perform. This has been their tradition for decades. They want to make a habit of it again. Though they have fallen, they want to rise again. Their program entitled “ZEI” depicts that perfectly. Icarus laughed, and these kids took flight. BD style of marching and that identifiable sound were the signatures on the 1.3-acre document. A perfect way to finish us off.
The paragraphs above were written sporadically during the show, at the afterparty with the BAC staff, at the hotel this morning, and now finishing these musings here at the Alamo. Of course, I’m in the shade. My tour here has included cultural heritage, making new friends, and getting many steps in along the vibrant city streets. So far, I have taken one bus ride from the airport. I will pick up that bus again to return to the friendly skies for a flight back home to our brave little state, Vermont, and my humble home on the Mill Brook. On July 30, I will join my friends for the road trip to Indianapolis. First stop, Lawrence, MA, for the Boston Crusaders home show. Peace out for now.
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