to the 2017 champions of Drum Corps InternationalDrum Corps Associates, Drum Corps Europe, Drum Corps United Kingdom and the British Youth Band AssociationCongratulationsDecember 2017Volume 46 • Number 14Happy Holidays from the worldwide staff !• Nevada• PCC• USC • APU• Northern Colorado• Denver• Northern Arizona• New Mexico State• Nebraska• Kansas• North Dakota State• Iowa • Texas• Rice• Arkansas• Arkansas State• Arkansas Tech• Louisiana Monroe• Southern• Southeast Louisiana• Northwestern State• Michigan State• Michigan• Eastern Michigan• Ferris State• Alma• Grand Valley State• Memphis• Mississippi State• Stillman• Georgia Tech• Georgia Southern• Jacksonville• Bethune-Cookman• North Florida• USF• UCF• FIU• Appalachian State • North Carolina• UNC Pembroke• Clemson • Furman• VA Tech• Gardner Webb• North Carolina Central• Wake Forest• Campbell University• Stevenson• Towson• Morgan State• Maryland• Toledo • Akron• • Dayton• West Virgina State• Penn State• Bloomsburg• Pennsylvania• Ithaca• Albany• Maine• Dartmouth• New Hampshire• Boston College• UCONN• NIU • Northwestern• Illinois• Illinois State• Utah State• Utah• BYU• Minnesota• Oregon State• Oregon• UNLV• Iowa State• Tulane• Virginia• James Madison• Liberty• Kentucky• Cumberlands• Western Carolina• Columbus State• CentralConn.• Fordham• Clarkson• Cornell• Notre Dame• Ball State• Indiana• Eastern Washington• Central Washington• Western Washington• Stanford• Sacramento State• UC Davis• Sam Houston State• Stephen F. Austin• Prairie View A&M• Samford• South Dakota • Missouri State• Southeast Missouri State• EIU• Clarion• Mansfield• West Chester • South Carolina State• East Carolina • Western Carolina• SIU • WIU• TCU• West Texas A&M• San Angelo State• Texas Tech• Tennessee Chattanooga• Morgan State• Robert Morris• Texas• Pan-American• BYU - Idaho• UT-Brownsville• Depauw• Marian College• UT- Dallas• Valdosta State• Murray State• Cal Poly• SDSU• Washburn• Nebraska at Kearny• Nebraska at Omaha• Central Oklahoma• Southwestern State• Oklahoma• Adams State• East Central• Northeastern State• Georgia State• Kutztown• East Stroudsburg• Monmouth• Coastal Carolina• Southern Arkansas • Texas ArlingtonYoungstown State •• Miami• Idaho• Western Oregon • Southern Oregon• Kansas State• Southern• Mercer • Kennesaw State • Tennessee• Duke• North AlabamaQ U A L I T Y . S U P P O R T. P R O F E S S I O N A L I S M. V A L U EFrom the Coliseum to Memorial Stadium, from the Big House to Happy Valley, More Collegiate Marching Bands Depend on Yamaha• WSU• Idaho State• Wisconsin-Whitewater• MontanaPERC13349 Collegiate Marching Band.qxp_Layout 2 11/15/17 9:35 AM Page 1• Nevada• PCC• USC • APU• Northern Colorado• Denver• Northern Arizona• New Mexico State• Nebraska• Kansas• North Dakota State• Iowa • Texas• Rice• Arkansas• Arkansas State• Arkansas Tech• Louisiana Monroe• Southern• Southeast Louisiana• Northwestern State• Michigan State• Michigan• Eastern Michigan• Ferris State• Alma• Grand Valley State• Memphis• Mississippi State• Stillman• Georgia Tech• Georgia Southern• Jacksonville• Bethune-Cookman• North Florida• USF• UCF• FIU• Appalachian State • North Carolina• UNC Pembroke• Clemson • Furman• VA Tech• Gardner Webb• North Carolina Central• Wake Forest• Campbell University• Stevenson• Towson• Morgan State• Maryland• Toledo • Akron• • Dayton• West Virgina State• Penn State• Bloomsburg• Pennsylvania• Ithaca• Albany• Maine• Dartmouth• New Hampshire• Boston College• UCONN• NIU • Northwestern• Illinois• Illinois State• Utah State• Utah• BYU• Minnesota• Oregon State• Oregon• UNLV• Iowa State• Tulane• Virginia• James Madison• Liberty• Kentucky• Cumberlands• Western Carolina• Columbus State• CentralConn.• Fordham• Clarkson• Cornell• Notre Dame• Ball State• Indiana• Eastern Washington• Central Washington• Western Washington• Stanford• Sacramento State• UC Davis• Sam Houston State• Stephen F. Austin• Prairie View A&M• Samford• South Dakota • Missouri State• Southeast Missouri State• EIU• Clarion• Mansfield• West Chester • South Carolina State• East Carolina • Western Carolina• SIU • WIU• TCU• West Texas A&M• San Angelo State• Texas Tech• Tennessee Chattanooga• Morgan State• Robert Morris• Texas• Pan-American• BYU - Idaho• UT-Brownsville• Depauw• Marian College• UT- Dallas• Valdosta State• Murray State• Cal Poly• SDSU• Washburn• Nebraska at Kearny• Nebraska at Omaha• Central Oklahoma• Southwestern State• Oklahoma• Adams State• East Central• Northeastern State• Georgia State• Kutztown• East Stroudsburg• Monmouth• Coastal Carolina• Southern Arkansas • Texas ArlingtonYoungstown State •• Miami• Idaho• Western Oregon • Southern Oregon• Kansas State• Southern• Mercer • Kennesaw State • Tennessee• Duke• North AlabamaQ U A L I T Y . S U P P O R T. P R O F E S S I O N A L I S M. V A L U EFrom the Coliseum to Memorial Stadium, from the Big House to Happy Valley, More Collegiate Marching Bands Depend on Yamaha• WSU• Idaho State• Wisconsin-Whitewater• MontanaPERC13349 Collegiate Marching Band.qxp_Layout 2 11/15/17 9:35 AM Page 1Support our advertisersYamaha Corporation of America . . . . . . . 2-3Andalucia Musical Instruments . . . . . . . . . . 7Stanbury Uniforms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9FJM, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Jarvis Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15DeMoulin Bros . Uniforms . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21TAMA Percussion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23ChopSaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Key Poulan Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Xtreme Brass and Percussion . . . . . . . . . . 31Jupiter/Mapex/Majestic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Director’s Showcase International . . . . . . 39Kanstul Musical Instruments . . . . . . . . . . 41Lone Star Percussion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43Drillmasters Shoes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47Drum Corps International . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49One Beat Better . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51A Wish Come True . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53Dinkles/Upfront Footwear . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55CrownDigital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57Vater Percussion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61Band Shoppe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63Pearl Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65WeScanFiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67From the publisherThe next issuePhoto creditsThe January 2018 edition will be uploaded to the Internet on or before Friday, December 29 .As we move into the off-season, I wanted to first l let you know that we have completed the redesign of the Web site and it now includes current content and more access to back issues covering the last three years . Check it out -- www.drumcorpsworld.com .The June 28 through October editions contained more show reports and photographs than ever before . A tally of show reviews, features and corps coverage include:n DCI shows reported -- 46, and DCI corps/photos -- 45/499n DCA shows reported -- 13, and DCA corps/photo -- 18/119n Foreign shows reported -- 7, and foreign corps/photos -- 44/102n SDCA shows reported -- 3, and SDCA corps/photos -- 11/33n Alumni corps/photos -- 17/180n SoundSport, Drumline Battle, mini-corps/photos -- 21/244n DCI I&E -- 35, and DCA Mini-corps photos -- 35 n Feature articles -- 21, feature photos -- 124n Age-out photos -- 56n Press releases -- 11n Photo archive photos -- 61n Staff writers -- 27, staff photographers -- 23The winter and spring issues will continue to offer a wide variety of material and we have plans for many interesting features from now and leading up to the beginning of the 2018 season .Your continued interest and support is always appreciated . HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Steve VickersCover: (left to right, top to bottom) 2017 Champions -- Blue Devils, DCI World Class (Chris Maher); Reading Buccaneers, DCA Open Class (Maher); The Company, DCUK and DCEurope Premier Class (Maher); Revolution, BYBA Premier Class (Mark Neilson); Star United, DCA Mini-corps (Maher); Christ Church Ashton, BYBA Contest Class (Richard Haw); Concord All-Stars, BYBA Championship Class (Neilson); Jong Jubal, DCE Junior Class (Arjen Scholl); Southern Knights, DCA Class A (Dave Valvo); Liberty, BYBA, Championship Class (Neilson); page 4: Jong Beatrix, Hilversum, The Netherlands (Scholl); page 5: Carolina Gold, Raleigh, NC (Raymond Fudge); Santa Clara Vanguard Alumni, Santa Clara, CA (Russell Tanakaya); back cover: Blue Devils B, Concord, CA (Chris Maher).Drum Corps WorldWriters wanted!Looking for fans who would be interested in covering shows during the 2018 season. For details e-mail Steve Vickers, Publisher here publisher@ drumcorpsworld.comCopyright 2017 by Sights & Sounds, Inc. in the United States and Canada. The logo for Drum Corps World is a registered trademark and is protected by all applicable laws. Material originally published in Drum Corps World (in print or on-line) may not be reproduced in any other publication or in any electronic medium -- in whole or in part -- without the written permission of the publisher, in advance. Drum Corps World is published on-line monthly, for a total of 12 issues, plus five weekly e-mail blasts during June, July and August, with additional show reviews and photography. This is a complimentary service provided by Sights & Sounds, Inc., a privately-owned Wisconsin corporation, dedicated to the distribution of news, photographs and feature material on the drum and bugle corps activity worldwide through publishing Drum Corps World, as well as graphic design and recorded products and implementation of printed materials. Drum Corps World is provided free through financial support from advertising placed by companies, show sponsors and corps worldwide, and through the sale of history books, CDs and DVDs. Please support our advertisers and thank them for believing in Drum Corps World!Statements or opinions of columnists, correspondents, staff members, advertisers or readers that appear in Drum Corps World do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or owners.Register a change of e-mail address at least 10 days prior to the next issue release date by sending an e-mail with old and new address to: publisher@drumcorpsworld.com.Advertising specifications and demographic information will be supplied upon request. Information about advertising can be viewed at www.drumcorpsworld.com -- click on “Advertising” in the menu bar. A proposed advertising program can be provided by the publisher. Published by Sights & Sounds, Inc.Mailing/shipping address:4926 North Sherman Avenue, Unit HMadison, WI 53704-8443Madison office phone:608-241-2292 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM Central time, Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Central time, Saturday/SundayProduct order line:608-241-22924:00 PM to 9:00 PM Central time, Monday - Friday9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Central time, Saturday/SundayWeb site:www.drumcorpsworld.comMadison staff:Steve VickersPublisher / Editor / Graphic DesignE-mail: publisher@drumcorpsworld.comAdvertising sales: Jeff Collins 916-200-8151 (cell, California)E-mail: jcdrumman1@yahoo.com or Steve Vickers 608-241-2292 (office, Wisconsin)E-mail: publisher@drumcorpsworld.com or 608-249-2590 (Steve’s cell, Wisconsin) 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM Central time, Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Central time, Saturday/SundayMadison fax line:608-241-4974 (24 hours per day)CorrectionsThe photo of the Kidsgrove Scouts on page 23 of the November issue is by Chris Maher. On the same page a photo of Rogues Hollow Regiment was unfortunately not included in the layout. The article on the BYBA Finals in the last issue included a photo and paragraph about Concord All-Stars. The corps actually did not attend that event on October 7..December contentsMercedes-Benz Atlanta stadium to host Southeastern Championship from the DCI Web siteAround the junior drum corps world by Pat ChagnonThe amazing world of drum corps by Brian Tolzmann2017 DCI audio/video products now in production from the DCI Web siteBlue Devils percussion featured at annual PASIC convention from the DCI Web siteLegendary CMCC Warriors alumni host second gala by Keith GriffinPress releases, also on pages 28, 48, 56, 60, 66, 69 and 70Around the all-age and alumni drum corps world by William Aldrich-ThorpeI ran away with the drum corps by Kevin RussellWorld Drum Corps Hall of Fame’s Irene McGrath passes at 97The further adventures of Our Lady of the Single-valve Cadets by Timothy “Ace” HolleranDrum corps through an artist’s eyes -- Phantom Regiment by Art KellermanA search for excellence by Jack MeehanFrom our photo archivesPacific Crest selevted to march in 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade from the DCI Web siteWorld Drum Corps Hall of fame’s Jim Allen passes at 68681618192026303844465054586264The brand-new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta, GA, is expected to become the home of the DCI Southeastern Championship beginning with the 2018 Drum Corps International tour. The event that will feature the performances of more than two dozen drum corps along with SoundSport and DrumLine Battle teams, is anticipated to take place at the state-of-the-art facility on Saturday, July 28.The new venue had its first taste of marching music ensembles recently as 31 marching bands took part in the Bands of America Atlanta Super Regional. Drum Corps International staff members were on-hand to observe the event as well as to host meetings with stadium management about the impending DCI tour event in July.Under construction for a number of years and officially opened late in the summer of 2017, the stadium was built in the shadow of the Georgia Dome, which for more than a decade hosted the DCI Southeastern Championship.“This new facility is one that we're anticipating will offer our drum corps fans and participants an event-day experience unlike anything they may have had outside of the DCI World Championships in Indianapolis,” said Susan Kuehnhold, DCI Denior Director of Event Development.With the spectator experience in mind, Mercedes-Benz Stadium currently boasts the largest video board in professional sports and its unique 360-degree “halo board” circles the domed portion of the facility as a crowning centerpiece. More than 1,800 wireless access points and optimized cell service help to keep fans connected from the moment they arrive at the venue. The technological achievements of the stadium also extend behind the scenes, with what the stadium calls a “re-engineered gate entry experience” that incorporates new turnstiles and entry procedures to allow for 40 percent more capacity than offered at the old Georgia Dome. The facility’s benchmark is five minutes or less to get spectators into the stadium.Also an attraction of the venue’s focus on spectators is its “Fan First” pricing scheme for stadium concessions. Designed especially with families in mind to keep every stadium experience affordable, whether an NFL game, a soccer match or a concert, a variety of items are available on this special menu from $2.00 soft drinks in a refillable cup to $5.00 cheeseburgers. “We focused from the beginning on building a unique fan experience at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with a goal of helping those who visit to leave the stadium with great memories shared with family and friends, not aggravation and frustration about their experience,” Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United Owner Arthur M. Blank said in a 2016 press conference revealing the unconventional plan for stadium concessions.With the complete 2018 DCI tour schedule anticipated to be released at the end of November, tickets to the 2018 DCI Southeastern Championship are expected to go on sale this winter.For a video tour of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, go here -- http://www.dci.org/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=211675992&utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email.Stay on top of the latest updates and information about the 2018 summer season with Drum Corps International’s e-mail alerts. n n nMercedes-Benz Stadium will host 2018 DCI Southeastern Championshipby Chris Weber, DCI Senior Manager, Communications, from the Drum Corps International Web siteAndalucia Musical Instruments 18822 Beach Blvd Suite 109 - Huntington Beach - CA 92848 (714) 267-4569 - Andaluciami@aol.com - www.andaluciami.com Andalucia AdVance Phase III Bb soprano bugle with Powerbore Bell AdVance Series Marching Brass Phase II Bb Marching Trumpet Phase III Bb Soprano Bugle with K20 Bell Phase III Bb Soprano with Powerbore Bell F Mellophone/F Alto Horn Bb Marching French Horn Bb Marching Baritone Bb Marching Euphonium Bb 5/4 Marching Tuba Bb Sousaphone © 2017 Andalucia Musical Instruments Aroundthe juniordrumcorpsworldby Pat ChagnonDrum Corps World staff(info@pchagnon.com)The Raiders (right, Pat Chagnon) announced the members of the corps’ 2018 color guard instructional staff. Caption Head Shannon Burton, who returns for her third season, will lead the group. http://www.RaidersDBC.org.Brandy DuBose will be returning to the Blue Knights (middle right, Richard Wersinger) for her sixth season as the color guard caption head for the 2018 season. She is joined by Juan Carlos Caceres, Randi L. Miles, John “JJ” Joseph, Michael Rosales, John Escalante, Kaysey Leigh Thompson, Juan Artavia and many more. Read more at http://ascendperformingarts.org.Watchmen (below left, Jim Claytor) has taken a big step toward future growth by acquiring a 48-foot semi-trailer. The corps has launched a capital campaign to build out the trailer for equipment and supply storage. http://www.WatchmenArtsAssociation.orgPhantom Regiment (bottom right, John Matter) announced that the color guard section will go coed for the first time since 2010. The corps also announced members of the 2018 brass staff. First-year Caption Head Brad Toth will lead the group. http://www.Regiment.org.Michael Tarr has joined the Boston Crusaders’ (left, Pat Chagnon) visual staff. He has worked with numerous top-12 drum corps and said, “I am incredibly excited and honored to join such a great organization and staff that has proven itself as one of the activity’s leaders on and off the field.” The corps also welcomes Dr. T. André Feagin to the 2018 brass staff. Feagin is currently the director of bands at Coastal Carolina University. https://bostoncrusaders.org/.TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVELwww.st anbur y.comNext >