#ilovedrumcorps

(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,

(a tie between 2 corps)

MADISON SCOUTS (Madison, Wisconsin)

BOSTON CRUSADERS (Boston, Massachusetts)

Alright, so my FOURTH ALL-TIME FAVORITE DRUM & BUGLE CORPS is a TIE between:

MADISON SCOUTS from Madison, Wisconsin & BOSTON CRUSADERS from Boston, Massachusetts.

Two corps known to please the crowd with powerhouse performances throughout the decades. These corps know how to move.

More importantly, these corps know how to perform their hearts out with a TON of grit & determination.

Madison used to be an all-dude corps (that might be the technical term) until somewhat recently. A few years back they decided to expand the quality of their members by breaking that tradition (a tradition I believe to be outdated; with all due respect). The corps was initially started from the boy scouts, so I get it. I get it.

Either way - Madison's influence on the sport has been enormous. Their 1996 show, "A Drum Corps Fan's Dream: Part Dos" was one of the first DCI shows I had ever seen that made me jaw-dropped right off the bat because of the RAW POWER of the corps. That was the first show I had ever seen from Madison and I can say I have been a legitimate fan of that corps ever since. Started with this show, then went on to '92 (another POWERHOUSE performance), '94, '97, '99, the list goes on.. '95, of course.

If you're going to get into drum corps, Madison Scouts is definitely a corps that'll take you there. I'm glad they decided to drop the dudes-only status as a corp. I believe they made the right choice.

Boston Crusaders (B.A.C.) are no stranger to RAW POWER. The first time I ever saw Boston was finals night in 2000 on the PBS broadcast (the first year DCI switched to Bflat brass rather than the G bugles [which had been the foundation of drum corps]). This show really LIT the place up in my opinion. Boston was on FIRE that night. I was SO impressed. STILL AM. That corps is a TRUE drum corps. That corps is a workin' corps that EARNED ALL OF THEIR SUCCESS. They've been around, man. They're nothing to take lightly. Boston will knock ya on yer ass if you're not careful. I love that about them. I've always admired Boston for the tremendous amount of HEART & SOUL they ALWAYS put in their shows. I actually LOVE their '99 show, too (the first year they made finals) and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE their most RECENT show from last year (the first year they won the title).

No matter the corps: It's always important to give proper praise & recognition where it's due and these 2 corps deserve ALL of the praise & recognition they've both received throughout the DECADES. They've earned a very special place in my heart as MY FOURTH ALL-TIME FAVORITE DRUM CORPS.

ENJOY & ALWAYS REMEMBER TO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL DRUM CORPS!

Sincerely,

Adam Wekarski