DCIAug 8, 2017 by Michael Gilley
Relive All The Best Moments Of DCI Open Class Finals
Relive All The Best Moments Of DCI Open Class Finals
The 2017 DCI Open Class World Champions will be decided tonight and we will be following all the action in this live blog. Follow along as we document the finale for the Open Class.
by Krista Viveiros
The 2017 DCI Open Class World Champions will be decided tonight and we will be following all the action in this live blog. Follow along as we document the finale for the Open Class.
Be sure to refresh your browser every so often to see the latest from the blog.
Tonight is the culmination of Open Class competition in Michigan City, Indiana, where corps will be going head to head to be DCI's 2017 Open Class Champions. Get excited for a great night of open class drum corps!
6:00 p.m. -- The Company - Chesterfield, UK
Performing first, we have The Company, all the way from the United Kingdom! Starting with a great trumpet solo to lead us off. Seamless transition with the front ensemble to move into a brass feature right in the center of the field. The blue props are a great addition to the show. They aren't distracting when they move and add a different dimension to features no matter where in the corps they're from. And into a well orchestrated ballad leading us back to an upbeat closer. The pit isn't messing around, they're having some great moments up front, too! With a strong finish, they take us back up front and show us how they do it across the pond.
6:17 p.m. -- Raiders - Burlington, NJ
The colorguard uniforms really pop off of the field, a nice contrast to the green field and the blue uniforms of the corps proper. A fun second movement, playing Michael Jackson's "Beat It". You can't help but sing along. And that trombone solo added an additional flavor, too! The ballad is 'Let It Be', again a pretty "Iconic" work that anyone can sing along to. The drum feature brings us back up from the last movement with some energy. Especially a fun feature by the cymbals on the raised stage. Absolutely impossible to watch that show and not hum along with it. Great job, Raiders!
6:34 p.m. -- River City Rhythm - Anoka, MN
Really interesting props all around the field. And what a first major hit! Right out of the gate with a lot of energy! The placement of the props around the field allows for interesting staging for each feature within the hornline, the timing across the field like that isn't either either. A really cool ballad choice, with a slower arrangement of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit." It's so different from the original that the performers really get to make it their own, yet it's still recognizable. Wow, what a tenor feature! Closely followed by a pit run that is sure to impress. A strong ending, with so much energy and a little bit of a twist from the electronics. Very nice River City!
6:51 p.m. -- Southwind - Mobile, AL
After ten years, Southwind has finally returned to DCI World Championships! The corps went inactive after the 2007 season and after a few seasons as a SoundSport team, and one short tour year, they're here and ready to show tonight's crowd what they've been working on all summer. And boy do they have a lot to show off. Some great horn moments so far. And a trombone choir bringing the funk to Superstition. The swing flags add a great swatch of color to the full corps moment, spreading across the field. So glad to have Southwind back after so many years and hopefully for many to come. Good luck tonight, Southwind!
7:08 p.m. -- Guardians - Houston, TX
An iconic beginning, straight off of the source music, with a talented dancer at the back. The props spinning truly brings you to that twisted place. A great drill moment to start out the ballad, with the lines rotating towards the back. Not an easy move! As we move into the closer, the show gets more chaotic and samples bits from popular Kanye West songs as the corps twists and turns across the field. Popular pop culture moments brought in. We were truly brought in to the fantasy!
7:25 p.m. -- 7th Regiment - New London, CT
And we begin with some aggressive choreography from the whole corps, before picking up their horns and wow-ing us with a first hit. We then launched back into the more Middle Eastern style. Finally, with a flute solo, introduced to the Moon's side of the story, which is much softer than that of the harsh sun. The field is covered in blue and we find ourselves in the ballad. After what sounded like a battle between the two, we find ourselves in the closer where the sun and moon can finally be together forever. The corps circles around the two in a strong and triumphant ending.
7:42 p.m. -- Gold - Oceanside, CA
A beautiful start from the front ensemble, with the delicate glockenspiel solo. The second movement is about growth, featuring flowers on swing flags and large skirts on members of the colorguard, bringing some color to the field that was previously limited to green and brown in color. As they move into the 'Mature' stage of growth, the colorguard brings out large red flags. They move quickly to the middle of the field and blow us away with a more mature and full sound, showing the growth they've made throughout the show. Much like the member's growth over the course of a season, the show came to a mature point, too.
7:59 p.m. -- Intermission (17 min.)
8:16 p.m. -- Louisiana Stars - Lafayette, LA
And we're back from the break with Louisiana Stars. Starting with a beautiful vocal duet as the corps proceeds onto the field, we finally transition into the first full corps hit. The colorguard flags are using a lot of wide arm motions to appear like wings. Eventually the drills ends with the colorguard inside of a large set of the corps proper, and the birds are in a "cage". What a cool moment, with the full corps doing choreography in unison off of the yard lines. And yet another strong closer with "Freebird!" You can tell the performers love this one! So much energy in each and every section!
8:33 p.m. -- Spartans - Nashua, NH
We start with some narration and the corps in a straight line down the middle of the field. A quick shot of the front ensemble shows them performing for the crowd with big smiles. The way the colorguard performing well too, nailing every toss. A strong start for everyone. The ropes in the colorguard make for an interesting prop, especially when connecting different members of the drumline during the drum feature. The ballad was a beautiful showing of how we're all emotionally connected, ending with a focus on the soloists in the center of the field. The front ensemble impresses again with a great sample at the beginning of the next movement with focuses on technology. The corps ends with their hands held high and truly all connected.
8:50 p.m. -- Music City - Nashville, TN
A strong and intense start, with a focus on drumming in the front ensemble. Two great features from the high and low brass heading off this second movement. The corps chanting and choreography brings us further into their Tribe. Unison rifle work in the colorguard! Beautiful. The drill in the ballad has the wide circles before moving back into drill blocks. And then we launch into another percussion feature, and a great didgeridoo sample. Before long we're in the middle of a company front with the colorguard swinging beautiful red-orange flags that look like fire flying across the field. Right when you think they've ended, they gather around the fire and become a tribe!
9:07 p.m. -- Legends - Kalamazoo, MI
The colorguard's uniforms jump off of the field. The blue truly stands out. They way they use the horn sound to create a sort-of white noise is very clever. The tower in the back stand omnipresent, behind all of the drill. Loving that cross-hatching drill move into the center. And everyone drops to the ground, right before starting the ballad and slowing things down. Noticing a lot of woodblock in this show, perhaps a nod to Morse Code? The tower lights up and the corps quickly starts moving. Fast, aggressive steps leading to a classic block in the front.
9:24 p.m. -- Blue Devils B - Concord, CA
In true Blue Devils fashion, we start with a snare feature before inviting the horns in to open. The tree props create the idea of a forest without there being too many props on the field. The corps weaves in and out of them seamlessly. The child's laughter adds a creepy element, while reminding you this show is supposed to take you into a child's imagination. The orange flags in the colorguard here truly reflect the dissonant electronic sounds and the heavy drumline bits. The ending is triumphant, with a huge flag feature and a soloist reaching towards the sky! Skillful as always.
9:41 p.m. -- Vanguard Cadets - Santa Clara, CA
And last, but certainly not least, the Vanguard Cadets. Interesting start with the vocals, setting the tone for something a bit more on the avant-garde side. A beautiful mellophone solo, closely followed by a trumpet solo. The electronics are adding another dimension to this particular movement. Bass drops, leading into horn hits, moving back to drum features, to horn hits. Insanity! You have no idea where they're going to go next. Huge ballad hit, with a flag feature. Classic, but it never gets old. The SCV way of marching is so distinct, but especially so in these uniforms when moving backwards in these huge forms. Wow!
9:58 p.m. -- Awards Ceremony
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The 2017 DCI Open Class World Champions will be decided tonight and we will be following all the action in this live blog. Follow along as we document the finale for the Open Class.
Be sure to refresh your browser every so often to see the latest from the blog.
Tonight is the culmination of Open Class competition in Michigan City, Indiana, where corps will be going head to head to be DCI's 2017 Open Class Champions. Get excited for a great night of open class drum corps!
6:00 p.m. -- The Company - Chesterfield, UK
Performing first, we have The Company, all the way from the United Kingdom! Starting with a great trumpet solo to lead us off. Seamless transition with the front ensemble to move into a brass feature right in the center of the field. The blue props are a great addition to the show. They aren't distracting when they move and add a different dimension to features no matter where in the corps they're from. And into a well orchestrated ballad leading us back to an upbeat closer. The pit isn't messing around, they're having some great moments up front, too! With a strong finish, they take us back up front and show us how they do it across the pond.
6:17 p.m. -- Raiders - Burlington, NJ
The colorguard uniforms really pop off of the field, a nice contrast to the green field and the blue uniforms of the corps proper. A fun second movement, playing Michael Jackson's "Beat It". You can't help but sing along. And that trombone solo added an additional flavor, too! The ballad is 'Let It Be', again a pretty "Iconic" work that anyone can sing along to. The drum feature brings us back up from the last movement with some energy. Especially a fun feature by the cymbals on the raised stage. Absolutely impossible to watch that show and not hum along with it. Great job, Raiders!
6:34 p.m. -- River City Rhythm - Anoka, MN
Really interesting props all around the field. And what a first major hit! Right out of the gate with a lot of energy! The placement of the props around the field allows for interesting staging for each feature within the hornline, the timing across the field like that isn't either either. A really cool ballad choice, with a slower arrangement of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit." It's so different from the original that the performers really get to make it their own, yet it's still recognizable. Wow, what a tenor feature! Closely followed by a pit run that is sure to impress. A strong ending, with so much energy and a little bit of a twist from the electronics. Very nice River City!
6:51 p.m. -- Southwind - Mobile, AL
After ten years, Southwind has finally returned to DCI World Championships! The corps went inactive after the 2007 season and after a few seasons as a SoundSport team, and one short tour year, they're here and ready to show tonight's crowd what they've been working on all summer. And boy do they have a lot to show off. Some great horn moments so far. And a trombone choir bringing the funk to Superstition. The swing flags add a great swatch of color to the full corps moment, spreading across the field. So glad to have Southwind back after so many years and hopefully for many to come. Good luck tonight, Southwind!
7:08 p.m. -- Guardians - Houston, TX
An iconic beginning, straight off of the source music, with a talented dancer at the back. The props spinning truly brings you to that twisted place. A great drill moment to start out the ballad, with the lines rotating towards the back. Not an easy move! As we move into the closer, the show gets more chaotic and samples bits from popular Kanye West songs as the corps twists and turns across the field. Popular pop culture moments brought in. We were truly brought in to the fantasy!
7:25 p.m. -- 7th Regiment - New London, CT
And we begin with some aggressive choreography from the whole corps, before picking up their horns and wow-ing us with a first hit. We then launched back into the more Middle Eastern style. Finally, with a flute solo, introduced to the Moon's side of the story, which is much softer than that of the harsh sun. The field is covered in blue and we find ourselves in the ballad. After what sounded like a battle between the two, we find ourselves in the closer where the sun and moon can finally be together forever. The corps circles around the two in a strong and triumphant ending.
7:42 p.m. -- Gold - Oceanside, CA
A beautiful start from the front ensemble, with the delicate glockenspiel solo. The second movement is about growth, featuring flowers on swing flags and large skirts on members of the colorguard, bringing some color to the field that was previously limited to green and brown in color. As they move into the 'Mature' stage of growth, the colorguard brings out large red flags. They move quickly to the middle of the field and blow us away with a more mature and full sound, showing the growth they've made throughout the show. Much like the member's growth over the course of a season, the show came to a mature point, too.
7:59 p.m. -- Intermission (17 min.)
8:16 p.m. -- Louisiana Stars - Lafayette, LA
And we're back from the break with Louisiana Stars. Starting with a beautiful vocal duet as the corps proceeds onto the field, we finally transition into the first full corps hit. The colorguard flags are using a lot of wide arm motions to appear like wings. Eventually the drills ends with the colorguard inside of a large set of the corps proper, and the birds are in a "cage". What a cool moment, with the full corps doing choreography in unison off of the yard lines. And yet another strong closer with "Freebird!" You can tell the performers love this one! So much energy in each and every section!
8:33 p.m. -- Spartans - Nashua, NH
We start with some narration and the corps in a straight line down the middle of the field. A quick shot of the front ensemble shows them performing for the crowd with big smiles. The way the colorguard performing well too, nailing every toss. A strong start for everyone. The ropes in the colorguard make for an interesting prop, especially when connecting different members of the drumline during the drum feature. The ballad was a beautiful showing of how we're all emotionally connected, ending with a focus on the soloists in the center of the field. The front ensemble impresses again with a great sample at the beginning of the next movement with focuses on technology. The corps ends with their hands held high and truly all connected.
8:50 p.m. -- Music City - Nashville, TN
A strong and intense start, with a focus on drumming in the front ensemble. Two great features from the high and low brass heading off this second movement. The corps chanting and choreography brings us further into their Tribe. Unison rifle work in the colorguard! Beautiful. The drill in the ballad has the wide circles before moving back into drill blocks. And then we launch into another percussion feature, and a great didgeridoo sample. Before long we're in the middle of a company front with the colorguard swinging beautiful red-orange flags that look like fire flying across the field. Right when you think they've ended, they gather around the fire and become a tribe!
9:07 p.m. -- Legends - Kalamazoo, MI
The colorguard's uniforms jump off of the field. The blue truly stands out. They way they use the horn sound to create a sort-of white noise is very clever. The tower in the back stand omnipresent, behind all of the drill. Loving that cross-hatching drill move into the center. And everyone drops to the ground, right before starting the ballad and slowing things down. Noticing a lot of woodblock in this show, perhaps a nod to Morse Code? The tower lights up and the corps quickly starts moving. Fast, aggressive steps leading to a classic block in the front.
9:24 p.m. -- Blue Devils B - Concord, CA
In true Blue Devils fashion, we start with a snare feature before inviting the horns in to open. The tree props create the idea of a forest without there being too many props on the field. The corps weaves in and out of them seamlessly. The child's laughter adds a creepy element, while reminding you this show is supposed to take you into a child's imagination. The orange flags in the colorguard here truly reflect the dissonant electronic sounds and the heavy drumline bits. The ending is triumphant, with a huge flag feature and a soloist reaching towards the sky! Skillful as always.
9:41 p.m. -- Vanguard Cadets - Santa Clara, CA
And last, but certainly not least, the Vanguard Cadets. Interesting start with the vocals, setting the tone for something a bit more on the avant-garde side. A beautiful mellophone solo, closely followed by a trumpet solo. The electronics are adding another dimension to this particular movement. Bass drops, leading into horn hits, moving back to drum features, to horn hits. Insanity! You have no idea where they're going to go next. Huge ballad hit, with a flag feature. Classic, but it never gets old. The SCV way of marching is so distinct, but especially so in these uniforms when moving backwards in these huge forms. Wow!
9:58 p.m. -- Awards Ceremony
How to Watch
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