THE FINAL HOURS

Well, there comes a time in the life of all prognosticators when personal preference replaces what you THINK is going to happen.

So … here is this evening …. What I WISH would happen, within reason,

I should back up and speak a bit about how we arrived here.

With the Bluecoats at the top, the only question is … how much? and how high? If you are a subscriber, you see the poll below. If you are not … well … you can still join us :-)

Do I think the Bluecoats can get to 100! A little bit … I do. But I do not believe they will sweep the captions, so … that would make it impossible. But … never say never. Judges can get caught up in the moment.

The Cadets have received quite a few “10s” over the years ( when the score was 10 out of 10) and the perfect 30 in drums in 1987. Do I think we were ever perfect in any caption … no … but … I appreciate the moment and the message.

I do think this is the best production of the year … not even close. It is NOT my favorite drum corps, but as I said, the production is stellar, the talent is ridiculous, and the love of the show is clear.

As for Crown … I do not like people saying the BEST this of that … BUT, they have the best Brass Line ever. And with apologies to the percussionists who are busting your asses, staying close to the top is a clear challenge. You sound great, folks … but I am not up close AND, in this day and age ( I do not agree with any of this) it is critical that you expose the battery and the front ensemble frequently. If the judges cannot hear you … you are not going to get credit. And yes… I know Jeff Prosperie tripped up a student in Spirit… but, gang … the field drum guys cannot make the evaluations they need to make on the front sideline. It is crazy loud out there and all of the percussion sections are too good

Blue Devils —I give tons of credit for the fixes to tie the show together. The guard should take home the trophy if they perform as they did in Akron, but I still like Crown for the Silver. All sections, in fact, are very good. The show feels a bit too much like the “Blue Devils” but that is not easy to escape, if in fact you even see it as an issue. Good to see Scott Johnson back on tour.

Boston Crusaders — I think as the year shook out, you started to see the adjudicators' interest in the program wane. The “tricks” are cool, but as you added more and more, well … it became a bit much. The percussion is awesome, the brass is not quite to the level of the others, the guard is great … but the truth is, this is a [programmatic flaw, not a performance flaw. Any of us who do this or did this have moments and even shows we wish we could have back. It comes with the territory. A great corps.

Santa Clara - I have Santa Clara a tenth over Boston, and I would love to see it. I am not “betting the house,” but the improvement, the programmatic additions… it is all so, so good. And I am sure, and I can see that the guard and even the visual ensemble is hurt by the extended use of the ropes and chains. But hey … once you make the choice, it was indeed the correct and brave choice to dive in as the season progressed. Percussion —stellar —- could win and should win I think … if they play tonight …. and the brass are excellent also. I am not in agreement with the field judge from Friday evening. Anyway … we can hope … and we can wait to see if this group has the performance of a lifetime

As for the bottom 6 —

Blue Stars — you are the favorite drum corps of 2026. The show is easy to appreciate, the brass line is excellent, the percussion is good, and well … the way the corps carries itself, the production, the use of props … if there was a Disney Award for the Most Entertaining show of the year, you should win. I 100% agree with your late-season surge

Phantom — it is always difficult to beat yourselves, and the 2025 corps was spectacular. This time … not quite. Still great, but the program is a little tough to grasp. All elements are strong but at the end of the day, the door was open and the judges started to make adjustments.

Cavaliers — I see this as a big step forward. The program is strong, the ballad is gorgeous, and all segments did well. But … as you know, they need to be better. Shout out to Tom Aungst and his 60 days on tour :-) …. Love it!!!!!

PS — keep an eye … I am working to get an interview with Tom up on the Cadets Substack I manage … subscribe here or there and you will be in :-)

Colts — I admire those who put this program together and the kids who perform it. It is complex. It requires thought. It has a point of view. And it is so very worthy of consideration and more. Thank you ….

Spirit and the Blue Knights — you did it. A four corps race for 2 spots and a week or so ago, I would not have thought this was the way it would turn out. Congrats for working hard down the stretch, never giving up, and convincing the judges …. you needed to be in!!!!

And an Honorable Mention - Pacific Crest and Madison — You could have been in the 12, you should have been in the 12, but the thing is … they only take 12. I guess that is why they call is a competiton.

Enjoy — if you are not in INDY I hope you are watching on Flo Marching. Enjoy, Have a Diet Coke for me … and come on back tomorrow to see what we can piece together.

I will be doing a great , many reviews, recap analysis, and fiscal issue discussions down the road … so stick around. Bands are coming, indoor is coming, and drum corps shows need to be created.

Congrats to all of the ALL AGE CORPS ALSO — Reading … #1 again … excellent and to the CABS …. great effort and congrats to the percussion. Close … Close … and Close

Happy Saturday Night

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