Fans

Ok, so I have a question to ask. What is up with Drum Corps fans?

Some fans are great. They clap for every corps, and they know when each corps has a special moment and they will yell, clap, and give a standing ovation at the end of each show. This is the fan that I strive to be. I believe each corps has a special moment within their show. I can tell most of these because I choke up, and start to cry. Same way as when I hear the National Anthem (seriously every time) As I have said before, I do have a favorite corps, but I don't want to announce which corps it is. I do have something that I love about every corps. Maybe I will talk about that after the season.

Right now though I want to talk about the fans that route against other corps. I just don't get it. These corps work their butts off all summer long, and to openly hope that they fail so that your corps can win, it doesn't make sense to me. Plus when you go onto other corps site to say things against them on their scores.

Has anyone watched the Facebook, or Instagram account of all the corps? They are all friends. They take pics of combined corps, they know kids from the other corps because of college. They don't have any hatred towards other corps, so why should the fans?

Drum Corps is not like the NFL, or NBA where the athletes are getting paid, they pay their own way, and give up their summers to put on shows for us, for band geeks that have grown up. We need to respect that and act accordingly. Clap at EVERY show. Give standing ovations if you feel the show deserves it. Just be a fan.

Finals Week is here

WOW! Where has the summer gone? August is upon us, and that means DCI finals week in Indianapolis, Indiana. I am so sad I am missing it this year. I would go every year if I could, but my budget wasn't going to allow it this year. But no worries, I am already saving for next year!

If you haven't ever gone, I consider this a must on the bucket list. One of the nice things about Indy is that most of downtown is all within a mile walk. I stayed downtown last year, and didn't rent a car. (Saved on car rental, and parking for downtown is a plus!)

Back to Drum Corps. FINALS BABY! This week is jam packed with things to do every day. I loved the Drumline Battle, and I would've loved to see the I&E event on Wednesday. The age out ceremony was so fun. But let's be honest, the whole week leads up to Saturday night. The top 12 corps perform, and then all come to the field together. To see all 1800 (12 corps * 150 members each corps) kids on the field is one of the coolest things I might ever see. (This does not include my wedding day, and the birth of my kids)

Good luck to all the Drum Corps that are performing Monday - Saturday. May all the corps play their very best. I will be in the theater on Thursday night to watch BIG, LOUD, and LIVE.

Yeah Finals!

DCI Southwestern Championship 2014 - Top 12

There is so much I want to write tonight, but lets set some ground rules for this blog.

• We are not going to be vulgar, rude, or disrespectful on this blog. These athletes (yes they are athletes) have given up there summer to perform, and entertain us.

• There is to be no "favoritism" in this blog. We all have corps that we gravitate to, and I am no exception, but I will not use the excuse "they are my favorite."

• DCI Fandom is just a fans blog, and has no affiliation with DCI, or anything DCI related. 

I will get to introductions later, but now lets get to last night - The first DCI Southwestern Championship - San Antonio! Because it was in TX (my home state) I was one of 11000 audience members. These are my first impressions of the different corps this year. I am going to go from 1st to 12th place. Since there are so many corps, I am going to keep it short.

Blue Devils: 91.65 - Trumpets! The fanfare was incredible! Also - sad clown - very unique.

The Cadets: 90.975 - Couldn't hear the narration. I wanted to know what he was saying, but I wasn't sitting in the middle. :(

Bluecoats: 89.85 - Bloo - #OrangeIsTheNewBloo - Note manipulation at the end!!!! 

Santa Clara Vanguard: 89.00 - Purple Pillows, and Trombones! Were either necessary?

Carolina Crown: 88.70 - #SpacePantsBand - Trampolines on the field... add to that Crown's normal allotment of timpani, and concert bass drums, you have a crowded field. 

The Cavaliers: 86.92 - #MarimbasOnTheField was as amazing as advertised. 

Phantom Regiment: 84.72 - No one dies... yet. Swans are so pretty! 

Blue Knights: 84.10 - New uniforms... YES! Another tarp? Not so much.

Boston Crusaders: 82.42 - Animal Farm. Loved the tower of power, but others were asking if everyone was clothed. 

Blue Stars: 81.72 - You pulled me in with the rifle toss over the couch, but TOO much stuff on the field. 

Madison Scouts: 81.42 - Time Warp - Best use of props I have seen! The time wheel, and guard guy who does tricks on it are good. 

Crossmen: 80.25 - Home cooking tastes great. The gypsies are great. And ending in the cross is the boss.

Part 2 will finish up tomorrow. 

Fandom Initiated

Welcome to the DCI Fandom blog! Here we are looking to talk about all things Drum Corps. Remember your high schools marching band at the halftime of most football games? Think something like that, but (mostly) college kids, and a story to be told through music. Here is a (15min) video of what DCI is. 

Most who find this blog at first will know what DCI is. But just covering the bases. 

This blog is going to cover the gamut of DCI. 

If you have a suggestion of a topic leave a message.