We made our annual trip to Allentown's historic DCI East competition this past weekend. What a year for marching!
Some of my favorite visual highlights:
• The Colts rolled out new uniforms last year, including plumes that are white on the front, black on the back, and a jacket to match. They did some great "facing" that was effectively used show design to support the uniform colors.
• The Cadets demonstrated incredible straight-leg marching technique that never stopped! They also changed cummerbund colors during their transitions of the ages, in nice, subtle reveals.
• Carolina Crown had another striking show this year, including a big bang, a crown form that morphed to a UFO, and great body work during the cool battery feature.
• Phantom Regiment made some great updates to the black swan reveals in their "Swan Lake" presentation, including a color change at center field. I know there were of skeptics of their costumes, but the way that it was executed was striking!
• Bluecoats had a remarkable show design and theme this year, leveraging "TILT" in many ways, from the props, the field markings, horn carriage, and leans in more directions than I can comprehend.
• Blue Devils were sharp and performed at an incredible level. Their visual performers (aka Color Guard) did it all, including distributing rifles by throwing them 10 yards from a 10-foot platform.
• The Cavaliers had a strong visual year, including treats for those who saw their show early in the season and consistent vampire imagery. The pentagram of marimbas was incredible to watch, and was a musical feat as well!
• I enjoyed the white and pink masks used by the Boston Crusaders Color Guard. Their new black and red uniforms look sharp from the stands and from up close.
• Another corps with beautiful new uniforms were the Blue Knights. They also did some great illustration of "That One Second" with large triangular props, revealing images and color changes.
• The Blue Stars used blueprints and coveralls to illustrate their "Where the Heart Is" show. While I liked the novelty of bubble wrap flags, I'm glad they didn't overuse them. The corps managed to do a sneaky uniform change, revealing their traditional marching uniforms. Then during the finale, the musicians disappeared into the blueprints.
All in all, it was a beautiful year for us visually-minded drum corps fans.