Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the FloMarching live blog of the 2019 DCI Menomonie competition! My name is Kevin Gamin, Managing News Editor of Drum Corps Planet, and I will be providing live commentary on all of the all-age, Open Class, and World Class drum corps competing tonight. The show begins at 5:30 PM Eastern/4:30 PM Central with the National Anthem, followed by Chops, Inc. Be sure to join us!

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Oh, hi, Brandt Crocker!

Minnesota Brass with the National Anthem tonight. Sad to see them taking another year off from DCA competition, but glad to see them still performing in DCI SoundSport this season.

Our first competing corps of the evening is Chops, Inc., from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Their 2019 program is entitled "The Wolf Within".

Chops are wearing all black uniforms with silver buttons down the front center of the jacket and a red design on the right front panel of the jacket.

Trumpet soloist gave us our first screech note of the night and we're literally only one minute into the show.

Chops only has the intro and opener of their show ready for performance, so they are done already.

Next on the field is the Governaires from St. Peter, Minnesota. No 2019 program information was available to me at this time so we'll find out as they play it!

Govies are not ready until they give DM the Govies Growl. Grrrr!

Govies Take Manhattan is the show theme. Trop set, tuba soloist, and John Mayer start the show. Trumpet soloist joins in on Duke Ellington's Harlem Suite, a great bluesy opening to the show.

Guard is on suitcases. Fortunately, they're rolling, though I don't know how well that works on turf.

Still on Harlem, but a different movement of the composition. Madison Scouts first performed this piece in 1986.

Nice little Take The A Train quote in the pit at the end of Harlem. Now, they're playing A Train as the corps passes across the field as the "train". Also heard a Siri/Google Now voice announcing the destination.

The train has stopped at the "park". Mellophone soloist opens this section of the show.

Tempo kicks up, though still a ballad feel for this section of the show.

Marching percussion is lounging on the front side of the field. Lazy bums. :D

We're heading to Times Square next, with some Stevie Wonder and Sir Duke! Great jam and a little shout out to North Star from the late 70s.

Still some work to do for this show, such as the closer drill for the percussion, but the Govies once again have an entertaining show for the crowd this season.

We now move to Open Class. Our first competing corps in this division is the Colt Cadets from Dubuque, Iowa. Here is the 2019 program information:

• Show Title: ...Of A Feather
• Repertoire:
  • "Blackbird" by The Beatles
  • "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen
  • "On Eagles Wings" by Michael Crawford
  • "The Raven" by Alan Parsons Project
• Description: "Grab your binoculars and look to the skies with the 2019 Colt Cadets! Listen for the iconic "Blackbird" by the Beatles used in different ways throughout their program, and experience a peacock personified by Freddie Mercury in "Don't Stop Me Now." The journey soars "On Eagles Wings" during this softer transitional movement, and the Colt Cadets close their program using the dark imagery of birds in their performance of "The Raven" by the Alan Parsons Project. From birds conversing in the trees to a majestic eagle soaring into the sunset, the Colt Cadets 2019 program, titled ...OF A FEATHER, encapsulates the power, attitude, and symbolism of various birds from around our world."

Colt Cadets now sport the uniforms the A corps wore up until last season. They're super snazzy and I'm glad they're still put to use.

Pit is on the left side of the field, with a stage behind them. This is starting to become a standard setup (see Carolina Crown, for example), and is already put to use as the marching percussion has already performed on them.

Big sound from the horns! Not bad for how young this group tends to be.

Another nice thing about the pit location is that the corps can use the front sideline for more visual activity.

First the Beatles with Blackbird (which we'll hear again later tonight, thank you Bluecoats), now Don't Stop Me Now from Queen. This show is doubling as a British Invasion.

Drum solo, front and center midway through Don't Stop Me Now. Trumpets now up on that stage behind the pit for the chorus of the song.

The stage has two backdrops, each with an outline of a bird's wing. A bari soloist is standing between them performing On Eagles Wings, appropriately enough, but it also gives him the look of having wings. The flag exchange which happened behind him added to the effect nicely.

After a full corps moment, a trumpet soloist finishes the song, also from the stage.

Very exposed bass feature to open The Raven, especially as they're moving up the stage ramp while playing it.

Snares have a nice ripple decrescendo, leaving the last player to play a nice little riff.

Pit now gets a chance to shine before a trumpet soloist comes in.

Full corps now in front of the pit and just jamming out. Up close shot and you're reminded that they're so young!

Big finish by the Colt Cadets! This is a corps that is ready for the season and will do VERY well in Marion, IN.

Next on the field is River City Rhythm from Anoka, Minnesota. Here is their 2019 program information:

• Show Title: Breaking The News
• Repertoire
  • The Typewriter
  • Second Rhapsody
  • A Day In the Life
  • Breaking the News

The pit gets a workout right from the start! Great feature and full of energy. Drum line is full size, which is great to see for an Open Class corps.

Typewriter sound from the pit as the mellophones play the melody. There are copy desk props on the left side of the field, which are used for staging.

Wow. River City Rhythm came to play tonight. Full bodied sound from all sections and no weaknesses that I can tell.

Seriously, RCR's pit is playing like a World Class ensemble. They've been featured twice already, and for good reason. It's not like the rest of the corps is holding them back, either. This corps definitely came to play tonight.

It's a Beatles night for sure! Day In the Life with an excellent trumpet soloist just off the 50 for perfect staging.

They moved some of the desks together to form a stage for a color guard soloist, who was lovely.

Into the closer. Snares are aggressive in their feature!

The show closed a little early so I suspect there's a full closer still in the works. This show is already a blast to experience, so I can't wait to catch the final product!

Next on the field is Legends from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Here is their 2019 program information:

• Show Title: Song of the Siren
• Repertoire:
  • La Mer
  • Pure Imagination
  • Aquarium (from Carnival of the Animals)
  • Genie in a Bottle
  • Finale (from The Abyss)
  • Symphony No. 10

Water sound effects from the pit during the preshow, setting the mood early.

Brad Bell does a pre-recorded intro of the corps.

The corps all have blue hip capes for a visual water effect.

Huge sound from the corps as they open with a statement from La Mer! The Saint-Saens Aquarium riff is also used throughout so far.

Drum line front and center for a high powered feature. Bass line for the win!

Tubas really standing out during the full corps impacts. Great foundation to build the horn sound on.

Horns and percussion also now have sparkly uniform sleeves to add to the visual effect.

Genie in a Boggle. There's a vocal, but I think it's pre-recorded as I couldn't see a performer.

There are five stage props which started off the show separate from one another and displayed nautical images such as tall ships. Now, they're set up together midfield and turned around to show the deep see, including Poseidon's trident.

Trumpet soloist opens The Abyss. This is the same segment used by Carolina Crown in their 2013 championship production.

Nice body movement by the horns during the impact, creating a wave effect in both formation and movement to go with the music.

After the impact, the horns play backfield as the drum line enters on the next section. Nice dichotomy between the two sections.

Shostakovich Symphony Number 10, which has become a drum corps staple over the past couple of decades.

Nice audio effect as the horns hit three chords, one backfield, one to the side, then one facing front, before forming up for a big hit and finish to the show.

Next on the field is Minnesota Brass from St. Paul, Minnesota. 

Minnesota is doing a DCI SoundSport show, so they are only using the field size equivalent to SoundSport.. The pit is in the back of the staging area, but the rest of the corps is doing full drill, including a full sized drum line.

With a smaller horn line, each member is more exposed than in a full sized corps. This actually adds to the demand of the horn section and to each individual within it.

After the opener, the corps forms a concert setup. Drum line has a feature to open the second section.

We are now on a 30 minute intermission and will return at approximately 6:46 PM Central time with the Madison Scouts.

We are back and we are moving into World Class! Our first WC corps competing tonight is the Madison Scouts from Madison, Wisconsin. Here is their 2019 program information:

• Show Title: Majestic
• Music Repertoire:
  • "Afterburners" by Chuck Naffier/Mark Taylor
  • "Backlash" by Simon Dobson
  • "715-Creeks" by Bon Iver
  • "Young Person's Guide to the [Jazz] Orchestra" by Duncan Lamont
  • "Spinning Wheel" by Blood, Sweat, & Tears
  • "One Voice" by Barry Manilow
• Description: "Inspired by the historic Majestic Theater in Madison, Wisconsin, the 2019 Madison Scouts pay homage to timeless entertainment with “Majestic”. Throughout its history, the Majestic Theater has entertained audiences with its variety of shows from vaudeville to big band jazz to today’s modern rock bands. In “Majestic”, the Madison Scouts combine a varied soundscape that spans decades, genres, and instrumentation. Uncomplicated, these musical staples are designed to simply entertain, musically and visually."

Huge opening statement from the corps! No winding up into the performance like most corps do. Trumpet screamers down in the pit add to the effect.

Tubas laying down a great bass line while showing off some fancy footwork.

I think this is the first time I've seen the guard in their caps. Now that the uniforms are fully developed, it's a great look on the field.

Wicked trombone duet up front.

Drum feature, tenors followed by snares, then full line.

Now for some fun with Young Person's Guide to the (Jazz) Orchestra. A great swinging Madison moment.

And there's the classic fleur de lis formation! It's almost like it's required by law.

This entire show is one huge sound from the corps. Loud, proud, and pleasing the crowd as always.

Our next corps on the field is the Colts from Dubuque, Iowa. Here is their 2019 program information:

• Show Title: When Hell Freezes Over
• Music Repertoire:
  • Music by AC/DC
  • Music by Robert W. Smith
  • Music by Camille Saint-Saens
  • Music by Frederic Chopin
  • Music by Bob Dylan
• Description: "Featuring the music of AC/DC, Robert W. Smith, Camille Saint-Saens, Frederic Chopin, and Bob Dylan, the Colts explore the depths and dualities of a place one hopes to never know. In the struggle, there is light. Beyond the inferno, there is ice. Yet no soul is so forsaken that it cannot find its way to heaven's door. The Colts are proud to present their 2019 program... When Hell Freezes Over."

I LOVE the uniforms for the Colts this season. They are on point. They may even be on fleek.

HUGE sound when the full corps comes in. Colts are out for blood tonight it seems.

The guard members all above the rest of the corps and poking out of the black tarps above the props add a great three dimensional feel.

A little Danse Macabre to start the first full movement. Great arrangement and really features the mello section well.

Tenors and basses going nuts before the snares join in. This is a show theme where you can't hold back on the intensity and the Colts have bought into it full stop.

The guard is, dare I say it...EN FUEGO!

Nice tango feel to stat the next movement of the show. Trombone choir up front is really adding to the effect, as well.

Wow. Colts channeling the Hawthorne Caballeros there for a minute with how loud and Latin that moment was.

Trumpet trios on either side of the field transition us into the next section of the show. At least one is a screamer.

Here comes the wave of cold! A large blue tarp flows over the props. They change from fire to ice, as does the front sideline shields and the guard uniforms. Great visual effect.

Heavy piano action in the pit during this transition

The horns are still mainly red and black, which really contrasts against the look of the guard.

Another huge musical moment from the corps before going into the closer. Mello/bari duet to open it while the horns play backfield, then they turn front to hit us with Knockin' On Heaven's Door.

The corps finishes in a company front on the front side. This is a very entertaining show and is really coming together as the season progresses. Dark horse for Finals?

Next on the field is The Academy from Tempe, Arizona. Here is their 2019 program information:

• Show Title: "The Bridge Between"
• Music Repertoire:
  • "Dance No. 1, First Movement" by Oliver Davis
  • "Equilibrium" by Paul Lovatt Cooper
  • "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Paul Simon
  • "Horizons" by Paul Lovatt Cooper
  • Original music by Steven Vento

Academy is another corps which places their front ensemble on the left side of the field, from the 40 out.

Snare line is SOLID on their opening feature. Very tight and clean. 

Horn line doing serious jazz running across the field on their opening hit! A visual and aural wake up to start the show.