A note to drum corps arrangers: Not everything needs “the drum corps treatment”, ie- triple tonguing for no reason, chopped up phrases, B FLAT POWER CHORDS WITHOUT END, mellophone screeching a sustained high note, etc and so forth.

So Pacific Crest leapfrogging Spirit, Scouts, AND Blue Knights at Allentown was not on my DCI 2026 bingo card. Are we going to get a new Finalist corps for the first time in ages?

I’ve avoided watching Bluecoats since their premier show because I wanted to see it fully realised in the late season. And god DAMN. This is a masterpiece of design these kids were given. Near flawless execution, full credit to the members. The show is complex and challenging yet accessible.

For all the Open Class haters: A healthy, thriving slate of smaller regional corps is critical for the viability of drum & bugle corps. It’s a proving ground, a talent incubator, a community anchor. Things that a lot of World Class corps aren’t anymore.

Call me paranoid, but I’m at the point where I will never purchase another book written after 2021. It’s the only way to ensure I’m not reading AI slop.

Putting on Nice Guy Hat. I like the Blue Stars this year. They’re being underscored. They’ve got so much talent, they look great on the field even on video. Wish I could see them live. Nice guy hat off.

Booo, we’re at the time of the season where new endings are being added and cleaned, but the old parts that have cool/difficult bits are being hosed down. Me no likey ☹️

Excellent discussion point raised! Do we have an AUDIENCE problem at competitions? Are they all TikTok brained and staring at their phones during a show (rude). Or are shows not grabbing attention?

DrumCorpsAF Podcast@drumcorpsafpodcast.bsky.social · last wk.

📣 New Podcast! "45: 2026 Mid-season DisCUSSion" on @Spreaker #colorguard #dci #drumcorps #drumline #fuckbd #marchingband #salty #winterguard

Why is the SE Championship being played at the worst possible stadium?

DCI San Antonio 2026 - A Review/Roast Thread By Drums Down Under I love the "Free Preview" Flo put up on Youtube. Translation - Yeah it's free because we can't make money off broadcasting this low tier band crap. Top 12 only please. Anyway, crack open a cold one of your choosing and away we go.

If I say something nice about Cascades, one of my horcruxes will die.

DrumCorpsAF Podcast@drumcorpsafpodcast.bsky.social · 3w ago

Okay welcome back Cascades, maybe you'll make it farther up the score sheet than 22nd for once (no, please, do it so @drumsdownunder.bsky.social is forced to say something nice about you for once).

So much drum corps to catch up on. Watching and putting together my roast notes now.

Madison Scours First Look To quote Mark Twain, “There is no such thing as a new idea”. And boy are you embodying that. Nothing new to see here. Such a great way to show how the organisation is preparing for its future.

Spirit of Atlanta First Look Ok, I give them shit constantly, but I enjoyed this. Fun music, good pacing. A contender for Finals. My concerns: Is it difficult enough? Can it be cleaned enough? I think the stupid judging aspects of the activity will be the deciding factor.

Oh Colts. Colts, Colts, Colts. This is why we leave the Americana crap to Troopers. Enjoy 13th.

I know I’ll sound like a Boomer, but if Phantom brought back the pith helmet and plume it would look so siiiiicckk. Silver helmet, red plume. Picture it. You know I’m right.

The Academy uniform reveal. Well… it’s a look. Have fun being the new purple pants band.

Watching Paraguay flop on the ground reminds me why women’s soccer is the real game.

Madison Scouts, just wtf are you wearing?

Has my first “What fucking corps is that?” moment. Answer: It was Blue Knights, wearing mint green

Spirit of Atlanta uniform reveal. The urge to steal the lunch money from these dorks is high.

Vanguard First Look The Good: Oh I like this. It’s a show only SCV could do. Definite contender for gold. Props for having no props! Wallet chains? Yes. The Not As Good: Uncertain about the jump rope stuff. And flipping the horns around on a chain? Potential for disaster, mouthpieces flying etc

Troopers First Look The good: Big jump up in show design and difficulty. Guard looking strongest yet at this time of year. Big music statements. The not as good: Don’t understand how the guard’s unis fit the theme. Overall, the show needs MORE Vietnam War elements to really drive it home.

When you upward inflect every other word, it makes you sound stupid. youtu.be/8zZSccYy-SY?...

DCI STARTS THIS WEEK! More show announcements, uniform deep-dives, & more | LET'S TALK DCI, June 24

YouTube video by FloMarching

youtu.be

Glad the members of Blue Devils are safe. Bus fires are no joke.

Phantom Regiment first look The good: Costumes & theme on point. great selection of music The not-as-good: The show doesn’t have all the characterisation & narrative elements in yet. But I trust that, in true PR fashion, they’ll nail it by end of season.

Troopers uniform announcement confirms what many suspected. Going full Apocalypse Now, and we’re excited.

Carolina Crow ‘26 Preview Show The Good - God’s Hornline, as always; they finally gave up on the big props that they honestly never did well. The Bad - Still struggling with theming/narrative. It’s a lot of great impact moments, but it’s “music as sound effects”. And for some reason, Ave Maria?

Crown’s costumes for 2026. Perfect design for a former champion corps who wants to be 7th.