The DCI Midwestern Championship is setting-up to be one of the most important shows of the 2018 season. So important, that we needed two days to break everything down. We've already discussed the storylines developing for the corps performing in the last block. Now it's time to break down the first two groups of corps.

MASSIVE SHAKE-UPS COMING

The second block of corps performing in St. Louis on Sunday, is the most competitive and tightly packed groups of corps that we've seen all season. There is so much on the line for these corps it's unreal. 

All times are local to the event and subject to change

Spirit of Atlanta gets everything rolling at 6:16 pm CT. Spirit is having a very strong beginning to 2018. They are currently in a dogfight with Madison Scouts and Colts for that 14th spot. Those three corps are currently separated by only 0.250 based on their last scores. 

Spirit is certainly putting the performances in this week. Between July 10 and July 15, they will have had shows on every night except 1. The Colts will be on the 3rd show of 4 consecutive performances. 

The Madison Scouts will have had July 12-13 to install changes and then will have a chance to debut those potential changes in Dekalb, IL., the night before the DCI Midwestern Championship.

If one of these 3 corps is going to make a run at finals, they will need to elevate themselves above this pack and join the next grouping. 

Blue Stars, Crossmen, and Mandarins are deadlocked, along with Phantom Regiment, in one of the most heated races in all of drum corps. 

According to DCI's current rankings, Blue Stars sit at #8 while the Mandarins and Crossmen come in at #10 and #12 respectively. All three of these corps have a strong opportunity to make finals. If the Mandarins keep on their current pace, it will be the first time in corps history that they will make World Class Finals. 

Of all the performances coming on Sunday, the corps in this block have the most to gain and have the opportunity to establish themselves as potential finalists come August.

GETTING THINGS STARTED

In the very first block of performances, you'll have the opportunity to see some of the newest corps to the ranks of World Class.

All times are local to the event and subject to change

Colt Cadets, Shadow, and Legends will all be representing DCI's Open Class at one of the biggest venues of the year. Don't sleep on these corps. They maybe younger performers learning to develop their skill sets but they are absolutely loaded with talent.

Music City is in the midst of their inaugural season as a world class drum corps and are having a strong showing this early into their season. We don't really need to explain a whole lot about what they are doing so far. Just watch for yourself.

Pioneer, Jersey Surf, and Genesis round out this block of performances in St. Louis. Pioneer will certainly have a new look to their 2018 production. They will have had 5 days off from July 8 to July 13. Undoubtedly, they will have installed a host of changes.

Jersey Surf has already made some pretty large leaps in score since their 2018 debut. From their first show to their 4th, they have gone from at 57.050 to a 61.800. Let's see if they are able to continue that kind of rise.

Watch out for Genesis. They will be coming off of 4 full days of rehearsals heading into St. Louis. You can bank on the idea that they are handling their business in rehearsals and getting better.

The 2018 DCI season is setting up to be an all-time classic when it comes to the parody throughout the standings. From the very top to finalists and throughout Open Class, this summer is going to be a barn-burner of epic proportions.