Welcome Genesis World Class Drum and Bugle Corps

New Partnership Between Band Shoppe and Genesis World Class Drum and Bugle Corps

Band Shoppe is excited to announce a new partnership with World Class Drum and Bugle Corps, Genesis, for the Drum Corps International 2018 season.

 “The whole team at Genesis is beside themselves with excitement for our partnership with Band Shoppe,” said Chris Magonigal, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps. “After speaking with Band Shoppe’s team, it was evident right away that our arrows were pointed in the same direction. Their commitment to quality and the student experience is in line with the Genesis philosophy and their offerings are second to none. Genesis is committed to strengthening Band Shoppe and Fenix brands together to set up an incredible future.”

Band Shoppe’s talented Sales and Design Teams will work alongside the Genesis Visual Team to create custom uniforms to advance the Genesis organization and bring their look to the next level.

“We are thrilled to bring another World Class Corps into Band Shoppe’s family”, said Jay Pearison, President of Band Shoppe. “We have enjoyed our working relationship with the Boston Crusaders over the last several years. Now we aspire to bring that same level of quality and creativity to Genesis. Our team looks forward to working with Genesis in 2018.”

photo courtesy of Genesis World Class Drum and Bugle Corps

About Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps

Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps holds a deep-seated philosophy of Education Through Performance. Our purpose is to provide world class education through performance in the areas of percussion, brass, dance, and visual ensemble artistry.

Genesis has consistently achieved artistic and performance excellence and is recognized as an exceptional and excellence-driven group. With the inclusion of a leadership curriculum drawing upon top training methodologies used in corporate America, the organization provides educational, cultural, interpersonal, physical, and emotional growth necessary for our young people to become leaders. Genesis employs some the most talented design and instructional professionals in the country, who design programs that over 250 talented performers convey through a powerful, athletic, and artistic performance.

For more information about Genesis, visit genesisdbc.org.

Post DCI Wrap Up

2016 DCI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS RECAP

Thursday, August 11 began an incredible weekend of drum and bugle corps competition as all of the top DCI teams met in Indianapolis to face-off for the 2016 title. The prelim round gave a taste of what to expect as the competition was fierce this year. All 37 corps in attendance stepped up their game with outstanding music and elegant pageantry making 2016 the most entertaining but difficult year to score yet.

All top 12 corps on field at Lucas Oil Stadium at Drum Corps International World Championships August 11-13, 2016.

PRELIMS

The Blue Coats, from Canton, OH scored the highest in corps history in the prelim round with a score of 97.225 and would continue to dominate throughout the rest of the competition. The 2014 and 2015 champion Blue Devils from Concord, CA trailed by 0.625 points with a score of 96.600 – the largest gap between the two corps this season. But the Blue Devils did take first place in the visual caption.

Rounding out the top 25, Carolina Crown (3rd, 96.263) was second in the visual caption over the Bluecoats and second in music over the Blue Devils. Santa Clara Vanguard (4th, 94.300), the Cadets (5th, 93.475), and the Cavaliers (6th, 93.213) finished in the top 6. Blue Knights (7th, 90.925), Phantom Regiment (8th, 90.600) and Blue Stars (9th, 89.975) finished closely together, all divided by less than a point.

Looking to make finals for the first time, The Academy (11th, 87.150) kept themselves in the running, with a 1.462-point lead over the Madison Scouts (12th, 85.688). With their show, “Quixotic,” The Boston Crusaders came out with a strong performance to put them in position for a strong semifinal round (13^th, 84.900). Troopers (14th, 83.438) were next followed by the open class champion Blue Devil B (15^th, 82.650).

Completing the top 25 who advanced to the semifinal round were Colts (16th, 82.575), Mandarins (17^th, 81.000), Oregon Crusaders (18^th, 79.900), Pacific Crest (19th, 78.775), Vanguard Cadets (20th, 78.688), Spirit of Atlanta (21st, 77.500), and Seattle Cascades (22^nd, 76.388). Legends (23rd, 75.975), Genesis (24th, 73.300) and Spartans (25th, 73.125) led the next pack of Open Class corps that all advanced to Semifinals on Friday.

SEMIFINALS

As the rain began to fall in Indy, the tension began to heat up inside Lucas Oil Stadium. All of the groups were on-par as the competition intensified. After the initial round, it appeared that the World Champion Blue Devils were in danger of being dethroned as the Blue Coats (1st, 97.263) scored ahead of the Blue Devils (2nd, 96.988) in the semifinal round. Carolina Crown (3rd, 96.925), and Santa Clara Vanguard (4th, 94.888) stayed steady in their positions while the “Green Machine” Cavaliers (5th, 93.775) and Cadets (6th, 93.225) swapped positions from prelims. Blue Knights (7th, 91.625), Phantom Regiment (8th, 89.763) and Blue Stars (9th, 89.475) finished in identical placements from prelims. The Crossmen (10th, 87.650) had a strong performance marking their third-straight final appearance. And making it to the World Class finals for the first time were The Academy (11th, 87.225) from Tempe, AZ.

Going into Semifinals, the Boston Crusaders (12th, 85.525) were in serious danger of missing finals for the first time in 17 years. But with a wink in their eye and a pep in their step, they performed their best show of the season. Called the comeback of the decade, the biggest upset of the night came when the Crusaders jumped into the last Finals-night spot at the expense of the Madison Scouts (13th, 85.263). Madison held a 0.788-point lead on Boston after the Prelims and fell out of the top-12 for the first time since 2009 and just the fourth time since 1973. 

A wink from Boston Crusaders trumpet player R.J. Thompson during their Semifinals performance on August 12.

RELATED: READ MORE ABOUT R.J. THOMPSON ON OUR BAND SHOPPE BLOG

FINALS

While the monsoon continued outside of Lucas Oil Stadium, over 22,000 fans of drum corps descended on Indianapolis as the excitement of finals built. The atmosphere was charged and the crowd was primed for a spectacular evening of entertainment.

All of the corps who reached the final round gave everything they had on the field for their final performances. As the Blue Devils have dominated the past 6 of the last 10 years, the Blue Coats pushed ahead and brought home their very first DCI World Championship title with the Blue Devils receiving 2nd place. The Blue Coats are only the 10th corps to have their name affixed to the Founders Trophy in the 44 years of DCI’s existence.

Carolina Crown not only received 3rd place with its score of 97.088, they took home the George Zingali Award for Best Color Guard, the John Brazale Best Visual Performance Award, and the Jim Ott Best Brass Performance Award.

The season ended on a high note for the Boston Crusaders. According to drum major Mark Hambleton, 2016 has been “one giant rollercoaster ride” for the corps that ended with a 12th-place finish and a score of 84.800. “Our corps is one of great resilience over the years,” Hambleton said. “We have a tradition of never dying, even when the odds are all against us. Even when everyone else around us told us we couldn’t do it, we knew we could, and obviously, perseverance led us to where we are today.”

A shot of the DCI Founders Trophy with the World Class Champion Blue Coats in the background.

And as the dust settles from Drum Corps International World Championships in Indianapolis, all of us at Band Shoppe would like to give a HUGE congratulations to all of the talented music athletes and dancers who took the field on August 11th through August 13th for the 44th annual DCI World Championships! You all looked and sounded fantastic, all of your hard work was evident in the extraordinary shows presented over the course of those three days. 

Band Shoppe also would like to thank all of the volunteers and support staff who devote their time and energy to make DCI World Championships happen. Your hard work is what makes this all happen! 

Thank you for a wonderful season! We look forward to next year and Drum Corps International’s historic 45^th anniversary.

Band Shoppe's DCI Bingo Card

Are you planning to attend DCI World Championships this week? If so, check out our DCI Bingo Card!

As you watch the performances you can be on the lookout for these specific things, challenge your friends who can spot all of them first! Make it more difficult by using a group only ONCE on your card!

We hope DCI Bingo will keep you more engaged in the talent, creativity and musicality of each performance.
Enjoy the show!

BAND SHOPPE presents BOSTON DAY

An Afternoon with The Boston Crusaders!!

photo courtesy of the Boston Crusaders

The Boston Crusaders will be rehearsing in Evansville on July 17 as they travel from Alexandria, KY to their next destination in El Dorado, KS as part of the DCI Summer Tour. During their stop in Evansville, The Crusaders will be holding a hands-on clinic and performing their show, Quixotic, in this FREE community event.

This is truly a magnificent opportunity to #ShareTheCorps with someone who may not know about DCI or who have never experienced the awesome sound of drum & bugle corps!

BOSTON DAY: An Afternoon with The Boston Crusaders

WHEN: Sunday, July 17
TIME: Gates Open at 1:30PM
WHERE: Reitz Bowl, Evansville’s West Side
COST: FREE to the Public

Refreshments will be sold at the event.
In addition, The Crusaders souvi truck will be open to purchase your favorite CRUSADERS swag!

Event Schedule
1:30PM : Gates Open at Reitz Bowl
2:30PM : The Boston Crusaders will perform their show Quixotic
3:00PM : The corps will hold an ensemble clinic where they will break down their show for the audience and explain the meaning of the movement and music behind Quixotic
4:00PM : The corps will invite students middle school age through age 20 to the field for a break-out, hands-on clinic. Students will be able to experience the brass, percussion, and guard sections of The Crusaders. NO INSTRUMENTS NEEDED FOR CLINIC.
5:00PM : Closing of event

We hope you will join us for a fun afternoon of music education and community pride. #ShareTheCorps with someone new and experience drum corps with them for the first time.

FIND OUT MORE @ drumsontheohio.com/bostonday

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The Boston Crusaders are excited to bring their 2016 production, Quixotic, to the field; a reflection of the masterpiece The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha. Considered one of the most influential works of literature from the Spanish Golden Age, Don Quixote has been called “the best literary work ever written” by the Bokklubben World Library.

On a field of windmills, the show opens with an interpretation of The Impossible Dream” and “I, Don Quixote” from the Broadway musical. The corps travels the entirety of the field, in itself a challenging musical and visual feat, reflecting Quixote’s quest “to travel the world, righting all wrongs.” The heart of the program presents a series of juxtaposed visual and musical events, non sequiturs reflecting the hero’s various adventures, battles and visions. Solo performers, small ensembles, mixed large ensembles, percussion interludes, guard layering and interruptions present full sensory “quixoticism.” The production climaxes with “tilting at windmills” (literally) ((or are they giants?)), the definitive image of Don Quixote.

The program concludes with the iconic “The Impossible Dream,” the musical reflection of Don Quixote’s spirit and journey, an anthem for the quixotic dreamer in us all.

It's LIVE. It's LOUD. It's BACK FOR 2016!

Drums on the Ohio is once again a member of the DCI Summer Tour!

Band Shoppe is proud to welcome an outstanding line-up of drum and bugle corps from across the USA on Wednesday, June 29 to Reitz Bowl in Evansville, Indiana.

This event is built on the foundation of educating the young musicians of tomorrow. Corps that perform each year set an exemplary example of what can be achieved through hard work and dedication. Only NINE MORE DAYS until The Sound comes back to Evansville!


As part of events leading up to the big show, Drums on the Ohio proudly presents the second annual Tri-state Color Guard Clinic. Students of ALL skill levels are invited to participate. Classes will be offered on Flag (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced), Rifle, or Sabre. The Tri-state Color Guard Clinic will be led by Michelle DeWitt and Band Shoppe's own, Will Stevenson.

► Registration is open until June 29th.

It's not too late to be apart of the action! Drums on the Ohion gives any student from 6th Grade through 12th Grade an opportunity to perform the national anthem to kick off our show!

► Registration is open until June 28th.

It's LIVE. It's LOUD. It's DRUMS on the OHIO! 

Here are all the details:

Date: Thursday, June 29

Time: Performance Start Time - 7:00pm, Gates open at 5:30pm, and Day of Show Box Office at the  Stadium opens at 12:00pm

Where: Reitz Bowl in Evansville, Indiana

Get your tickets now before it's too late!

Competing Corps - Listed in performance order 
The Cavaliers - Rosemont, IL
Blue Stars - La Crosse, WI
Troopers - Casper, WY
Colts - Dubuque, IA
Pioneer - Milwaukee, WI
Genesis - Austin, TX
Legends - Kalamazoo, MI
Music City - Nashville, TN

Find out more, buy your tickets, and more at DrumsOnTheOhio.com!

2016 DCI Tour Premiere at your local theater!

Marching Music’s Major League™ Premieres its 2016 Tour Live on the Big Screen!

Fathom Events and Drum Corps International invite you to join fans from all over the country as Marching Music’s Major League™ brings the sixth annual DCI Tour Premiere to select cinemas nationwide on Thursday, June 23! Drum Corps at the Cinema: 2016 DCI Tour Premiere features best of the best in marching.

The event will be broadcast live for the second year and will feature six of DCI’s top ensembles: Bluecoats (Canton, OH), Boston Crusaders (Boston, MA), The Cadets (Allentown, PA), The Cavaliers (Rockford, IL), Carolina Crown (Ft. Mill, SC) and Phantom Regiment (Rockford, IL).

Here are all the details:

Date: Thursday, June 23

Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. CT / 6:30 p.m. MT / 5:30 p.m. PT / 4:30 p.m. AK / 2:30 p.m. HI

Run Time: 2 hours (approximate)

Ticketing: Click Here to see if your local theater is showing this exciting event!

Get your tickets now to catch all of the action LIVE on the big screen!

Competing Corps - Listed in performance order 
Boston Crusaders - Boston, MA
The Cavaliers - Rosemont, IL
Phantom Regiment - Rockford, IL
The Cadets - Allentown, PA
Bluecoats - Canton, OH
Carolina Crown - Ft. Mill, SC

Find out more, buy your tickets, and more at Fathom Events!

WGI Thoughts

One of the best things about participating in the marching arts is the opportunity we get to meet wonderful and talented people! At many shows, you would swear that you are at a family reunion instead of a competition where performers are battling it out to be crowned champions. This year's WGI Color Guard Championships were no exception, and getting to bring our exhibition booth to the "tent" was an incredible experience. We met people from all over the country, and even had a chance to speak with those that came from Canada, The Netherlands, and even as far as Japan.

One of the best things about the face to face interaction is seeing and hearing the passion people have for the performing and marching arts. It was also great to see so many families supporting their children's endeavors. Many of the performers (and quite often fans) were visibly exhausted from the often grueling schedule of early wake-up calls and multiple performances at 3 different arenas throughout the week, but all seemed to handle it with a sense of grace and professionalism that is a trademark of what they do. So many times we only a get a chance to interact with many of you over the phone or through an e-mail, so it was a refreshing change to have that personal element of an actual in-person conversation.

The performances at WGI were some of the best ever, and there seemed to be an endless display of artistry, talent, and athleticism. The range and variety of aesthetics on the floor were incredible. At the end of the week, our crew walked away with the continued respect and admiration for all the hard work and energy that performers, volunteers, staff, and families put into making sure events like these exist and thrive. The feedback and input we received from so many of you out there will help our staff as we begin to start the process all over again to develop our lineup of quality products geared at making sure your group has all the tools necessary to look, sound, and perform your best. We look forward to meeting more of you at future events! If you were not able to sign up for the latest Catalog, which ships out soon, make sure to request one here.