Since 1972, DCI shows have not brought fans to their feet but also had a deep impact on future musicians. These memorable performances push aspiring musicians to learn an instrument, practice how to march, and eventually join a drum corps themselves.

So, when people start a conversation about the best DCI shows in history, you have to first clarify what you're qualifications are for your list.

Are we ranking all-time scores, only champions, the pre-electronics era vs. post-electronics, and so on?

Or are you listing just the shows you like the most, regardless of era, historical scoring, etc.?

Here are the qualifications for my Top 10 list:

• Did the show have a personal Impact on my musical career away from marching?
• Did the show have an impact on me wanting to pursue a drum corps career?
• Did the show create memorable moments that span the different eras of drum corps?
• Did the show have a lasting impact on DCI itself?
• Does the show still make me want to watch it again today?

1) 1999 Santa Clara Vanguard (Tied for 1st, 98.400)

"Inventions for a New Millenium"The Canyon by Philip Glass
"Symphonies No. 1 & 2" by Samuel Barber
"Symphony No. 1, mvt. 3" by Samuel Barber
"Blue Shades" by Frank Ticheli

The summer of 1999 marked my first year of marching drum corps and produced my most cherished show. This is drum corps at its purest. There are no big props, heavy electronics, or overly flashy uniforms. It's just one of DCI's founding members finding hauntingly beautiful music and driving rhythms, then adding gorgeous drills to create moments that still send chills up my spine when I watch it.

2) 1997 Blue Devils (1st, 98.400)

"As Time Goes By" Casablanca Soundtrack by Max Steiner
"Bangkok" by Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus
"Night in Tunisia" by Dizzy Gillespie
"Harp Concert, Opus 25" by Alberto Ginastera
"As Time Goes By" by Herman Hupfield

I was only in my second year of high school band. I had not been introduced to DCI yet when just before the school year started I stumbled across the PBS broadcast of the Finals in Orlando, FL. I was mesmerized by the beauty of Blue Devils marching. They made everything look easy. The music was fresh and jazzy, and the drumming was incredibly aggressive.

3) 1993 Star of Indiana (2nd, 97.300)

"The Music of Barber and Bartok" Parados (from Medea) by Samuel Barber
"Kantikos Agonias" (from "Medea") by Samuel Barber
"Allegro" (from "Music for Strings, Percussion and Celeste") by Bela Bartok
"Dance of Vengeance" (from "Medea") by Samuel Barber

I don't recall who it was, but I can't thank them enough for encouraging me to find a video of Star '93. It was a fast drill with outstanding music featuring one of the most powerful drumlines I can remember. The show was so far ahead of its time. To this day it's thought of as one of the most influential shows of all time.

4) 2000 The Cavaliers (Tied for 1st, 97.650)

"Niagara Falls" Niagara Falls by Michael Daugherty
Original composition by Richard Saucedo

"Niagara Fall" began The Cavaliers' run to three straight DCI Championships, but it also issued in a new era of design. Filled with drill maneuvers that left your head spinning, coupled with crystal clear performances from top to bottom, Cavies took grabbed the 21st century by the throat and didn't let go for three years.

5) 2016 Bluecoats (1st, 97.65)

"Down Side Up Jose/Before John 5" by Aurel Hollo
"Heat of the Day" by Pat Metheny/Lyle Mays
"Raga Raja" by Project Trio
"Udacrep Akubrad" by Avner Dorman
"Great Gig in the Sky" (from "Dark Side of the Moon") by Pink Floyd
Original by Doug Thrower
"Todo Tiende" by Ojos De Brujo

It's hard to imagine a show instantly vaulting into the top 10 with the season still going, but that's exactly what the Bluecoats have done with "Down Side Up." When we look back on this show 20 years from now, we will discuss it in the same way we do the 1993 Star of Indiana production. It is completely game-changing in every aspect of show design.

6) 1988 Madison Scouts (1st, 97.100)

"Concerto for Guitar and Jazz Orchestra" by Paul Hart Malaguena by Ernesto Lecuona

When it comes to underdog stories and fan favorites, the 1988 Madison Scouts take the cake. Sitting fifth after Allentown, PA, the Scouts showed up in Kansas City and vaulted past everyone to claim the championship. Peeling the paint off the walls with "Malaguena," Madison delivered one the most storied performances in DCI history. I wish I could have been there to see this one live.

7) 2014 Bluecoats (2nd, 97.175)

"Tilt" Uffe's Woodshop by Tyondai Braxton
"Platinum Rows" by Tyondai Braxton
"The Hymn of Acxiom" by Vienna Teng
"To Walk or Run in West Harlem" by Andy Akiho

The Bluecoats have only missed finals once since 1987 but also only medaled once in all that time. But 2014 marked the year that we will never again think of the Bluecoats as anything other than contenders. Using angled props and electronics synchronization, the Bluecoats fell just shy of a championship but etched a spot in our minds forever with their production "Tilt."

8) 1989 Santa Clara Vanguard (1st, 98.800)

"Phantom of the Opera" Angel of Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
"Masquerade" by Andrew Lloyd Webber
"Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" by Andrew Lloyd Webber
"Track Down This Murderer" by Andrew Lloyd Webber

This is another show that I wish I could go back in time to see. Using facial replicas of the famous mask from "Phantom of the Opera," SCV brought home another championship for one of DCI's most storied corps. The ending of this production might be one of the greatest shows ever, no matter the criteria.

9) 1997 Madison Scouts (5th, 93.900)

"The Pirates of Lake Mendota" The Adventure Begins by Scott Boerma
"A Day in Port (Songs of Quay)" by Goff Richards
"Moods of the Sea" (based on "Tall Ships Suite") by David Royalance
"Confrontation and Finale" by Taras Nahirniak

The night I discovered DCI by accident on PBS, it was actually the 1997 Madison Scouts who made me stop switching channels. Why? It's a pure and simple case of lust for classic drum solos.

There are bass drum runs with snare and tenor breaks leaning forward like the good old days. To top it off, there's a giant rack of cymbals with the snares and tenors spinning around while two guard "pirates" sword fight. Then have a company front hold while the drum major waives the crossbones flag and takes pictures of the crowd. Are you kidding me? Mind blown.

10) 2015 Carolina Crown (2nd, 97.075)

"Inferno" Gates of Hell by Thom Hannum / Tony Nunez
"Dies Irae (from Verdi's Requiem)" by Giuseppe Verdi
"Symphony for Organ and Orchestra" by Aaron Copland
"Adagio in G-minor" by Remo Giazotto

Carolina Crown has been on a historic run recently. The group rose to the top in 2013 and became only the ninth corps to win a DCI Championship. Crown's show "Inferno" didn't give the ensemble a second title, but it did give us a chilling use of gigantic fabrics. First, Crown welcomed us to hell and showed us how difficult it is to escape, and then the group lifted us to the heavens.