MY 5TH ALL-TIME FAVORITE DRUM & BUGLE CORPS:
(a tie between 2 different corps)
STAR OF INDIANA (Bloomington, Indiana)
VELVET KNIGHTS (Anaheim, California)
So, my 5th ALL-TIME FAVORITE DRUM CORPS is a tie between two corps that no longer exist: Star of Indiana from Bloomington, Indiana & Velvet Knights based out of Anaheim, California.
These corps are VERY different, but both ended up making an ENORMOUS SPLASH in the drum corps community.
Star of Indiana was the first drum corps to ever make finals in their very first season in the sport. A corps that has become revered among pretty much everyone in the DCI community, Star of Indiana was a necessary good that happened to drum corps for a somewhat brief time in DCI history.
I could go on and on about the influence Star had on the sport, but there are only so many hours in the day (hahaha). Let's just say this, as long as DCI exists, Star's influence will always exist. Their last show is their defining achievement (which is saying something) and was WELL ahead of its time. The show I posted is NOT their last show, but was the FIRST show I had ever seen from Star of Indiana, entitled, "American Variations" (it's a highly patriotic show based around America). No one talks about this show as much as other shows from Star, but this was the first show I had ever seen from them. I actually had the tremendous blessing & honor of being taught by a couple of Star vets (Ben Harloff from Blast!/a PHENOMENAL musician & teacher/a true artist; Blast! is a Tony-Award Winning stage production, birthed from Star of Indiana; HIGHLY RECOMMENDED VIEWING FOR ANYONE WHO LOVES MUSIC & THEATER & DRUM CORPS; AND ALSO CHAD PENCE; REST IN PEACE, SIR; AN INCREDIBLE BRASS INSTRUCTOR). WITHOUT STAR, MODERN DRUM CORPS WOULD NOT BE WHAT IT IS TODAY.
As far as Velvet Knights are concerned, they were known as the "Clown Princes of Drum Corps" which can tell you everything you need to know about them. A highly entertaining corps, Velvet Knights brought SO MUCH ENTERTAINMENT for audiences throughout the years (and FUN)! Following Bridgemen's lead (another AMAZING & FUN corps), Velvet Knights brought hilarity & comedy to DCI (with style - LITERALLY: while rockin' some sweet tuxedos & Chuck Taylor Converses - A PERFECT VIBE). If you don't like Velvet Knights THEN WE CAN NOT BE FRIENDS. IT'S THAT SIMPLE. Velvet Knights brought the party to drum corps that many corps can try to emulate, but few can replicate (if at all). They were also no stranger to making some controversial moves as a corps (which included certain sociopolitical statements, an act of bravery which sometimes shows itself in the DCI scene). "Magical Mystery Tour III" is the very FIRST show I had ever seen from Velvet Knights (SO Awesome), and I will be forever grateful for experiencing it (via VideoTapes, DVDs, online playbacks, etc). A truly special corps that brought so much LIFE to the field: Velvet Knights will ALWAYS remain one of my ALL-TIME FAVORITE drum & bugle corps.
ENJOY & ALWAYS REMEMBER:
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL DRUM & BUGLE CORPS!!!!!
Sincerely,
Adam Wekarski












