Like most people, I started watching drum corps during high school. As the story goes, I was shown some performances from the mid-2000s and immediately became hooked. After a well-placed high school staff member convinced me to march drum corps -- my deep dive into the drum corps world began.

Now that it's the offseason, I'd like to take a look back at some of my very own favorite shows. But, to make it more interesting: I will be picking my favorite performance that's earned each placement from first to sixth, biases and all. The shows I pick will not be in order of preference from most to least, but in order of the placement they received Finals night.

I'm sure you may disagree with my selections, but I believe the best way to introduce new members of the community is to just give them a list of incredible drum corps shows to enjoy. And that's my point here. 

1st - Blue Devils 2014 "Felliniesque"

Watching this show was what made me make the final decision that I would audition to be in the Blue Devils. I was a strong mover, not the strongest player -- watching this show was incredibly inspiring as it is an example of some of the best visual technique execution on the field.

2nd - Bluecoats 2014 "Tilt"

As I said, biases included. Yes, I was in this show. Yes, it is one of my all-time favorites to watch. Being in the Bluecoats in this iconic year was a pleasure, it was the best the corps had ever done up to that point in its history. The show became a fan favorite and there was nothing like hearing the roar of the crowd when we hit that pitch bend in the closer.

3rd - The Cavaliers 2011 "XtroardinarY"

This was one of the shows I hyped up during high school band, always looking for a video of rehearsal or from a warm-up lot until I got to see The Cavaliers live in Dublin, OH for the first time ever.

4th - Carolina Crown 2010 "A Sec2nd Chance"

This was one of the first shows I ever saw live, in person and not in a theater. The ballad, "Nimrod" from Enigma Variations, is still a go-to whenever I show people what power a good drum corps ballad can hold. The corps also used "Danzon No. 2" which featured this ridiculously difficult to clean section involving the hornline laying down on the 50 yard-line.

5th - Bluecoats 2017 "Jagged Line"

The first time I watched this show, I saw moments of the hornline's choreography that took me back to the awe I felt when I first saw videos of Bluecoats. I felt the same excitement to watch them perform this year as I did before I ever thought of auditioning and that is quite an emotion.

6th - Bluecoats 2008 "The Knockout"

I used the brass hit from "The Boxer" as my alarm clock for all sophomore and junior year of high school.

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