Good evening and welcome to tonight's live blog of the 2019 DCI Central Texas competition! My name is Kevin Gamin, Managing News Editor of Drum Corps Planet, and I will be providing you live commentary for all of tonight's performing corps. The live stream starts at 8 PM Eastern / 7 PM Central so be sure to join us for all of the action!

Excellent job by the Madison Scout who performed the National Anthem tonight!

Our first corps of the evening is Compass from Midland, Texas. They are competing in the SoundSport division.

Compass comes out of the gate with power, pushing out a lot of sound and intensity for their size.

Trumpets sound solid in their feature.

The corps is the right size for SoundSport, using the smaller field dimensions and in almost continuous motion for the opener.

There is a prop which was in the back left corner of the field. It is now moved and staged in the center of the SoundSport area and features a solo flag while the corps plays backfield.

Nice sound from the corps as they turn back front.

Lots of unison chanting and thunderous percussion to open the third movement. Very tribal and very intense.

For a SoundSport group, Compass has a full sized drum line.

Horn line did not shy away from a difficult book, especially when on the move. It wouldn't surprise me to see this corps apply for Open Class next season.

Next on the field and competing in Open Class is the Guardians from Houston, Texas. Here is their 2019 program information:

• Show Title: unpeeled
• Repertoire:
  • Music by The Beatles
  • Music by Karl Jenkins
  • Music by Justin Timberlake
  • Music by Jacques Brel
  • Music by Irving Berlin
• Description: "The questions are simple... and complicated. Must we peel back the surface to find true meaning? And what does 'meaning' mean? Audiences will experience what is possible when the mind is allowed to wander, and perceptions of art, culture, and reality itself begin to unravel."

There are a lot of picture frames on the field, including one with an actual painting in it up front, also serving as a backdrop for a miced performance area. A brass quartet is standing by in that area now.

The quartet opens with Karl Jenkins' Palladio. You most likely know it as the "Diamonds" commercial song.

The horn line is booking to start the show, playing to the right side of the field before turning front.

Trumpet soloist continues in the staged area.

Snare feature opening the next movement of the show. This feels like the Irving Berlin portion of the show. Very "Puttin' on the Ritz" feel to it, very swing and swank.

All this time, I thought I was on multi-cam and was confused as to why there were no close-ups. Turns out I was on high cam. That's fixed.

My apologies to the Guardians, but my laptop overheated TWICE and shut down during your show. I am now watching on my iPad, which should last as it's not old and busted.

Next on the field and competing in World Class is Jersey Surf from Camden County, New Jersey. Here is their 2019 program information:

• Show Title: Fantasea
• Music Repertoire:
  • "Oceans" by Goff Richards
  • "Op. 28: The Sea, Fantasy in E Major for Orchestra" by Alexander Glazunov
  • "Moses & Marco Polo Suite: Main Theme (From Marco Polo)" by Ennio Morricone
  • "Aurora Awakes" by John Mackey
  • "The Legend of Atlan (from Aquaman)" by Rubert Gregson-Williams
  • "He Commands the Sea (from Aquaman)" by Rubert Gregson-Williams

I LOVE the blue uniforms for this season! They really stand out on the field and, of course, fit the show theme perfectly.

Opening of the show is from from Debussy's La Mer.

Next movement gives the feel of less than calm seas. Big sound from the corps at the end of the movement!

HUGE sheer blue tarp pulled over the field and the corps to start the third movement. The props on the front sideline are moved back and separated onto the field. They also change colors, becoming more coral and, well, under sea. The corps also changed their tops and removed their shakos to reveal similar color schemes.

Baritone soloist is featured during this third movement before underwater effects from the front ensemble lead into a percussion feature in the next movement.

Guard is also changing outfits, now in yellow, silver, and black, almost like fish swimming amongst the coral formations under the sea. Again, very striking color scheme.

Trumpets getting a workout with double tonguing and sixteenth note runs.

Very triumphant and uplifting closer! Oh, we're not done yet. I almost made the classic announcer mistake of announcing the corps off the field before they're actually done. Hey, first viewing. I''ll have the show down by Indy.

Percussion up front for another feature. The props are set up in a diagonal, dividing the field into two After the feature, horns come back in and move into the area in front of the props.

And a big SURF! from the corps as they are now finished for real. Nicely done, Surf!

OK, back on the big screen. Good thing I had a Chromecast on hand.

Next on the field and competing in World Class is Genesis from Austin, Texas. Here is their 2019 program information:

• Show Title: From The Ground Up
• Music Repertoire:
  • Original music by Key Poulan, Dave Marvin, Dan Bryan and Shawn Glyde
  • "The Sound of War" by Suzanne Sundfor

First close up on these uniforms and they look awesome.Very sleek and still giving that drum corps uniform vibe.

Bird sounds in the front ensemble before a voice over begins.

Mother Nature does NOT sound happy about things.

Snares are the first to turn front and throw down. Rest of the corps does the same and lets loose.

This seems to be the year of elevating horn players above the field, especially if they're mellophones.

Many props on the field. The sides feature various vignettes. One side is of a nature scene like trees.

OK, close up on the pit and they're playing POWER TOOLS. Like full out head banging with sanders. It's like they told Blue Stars "HOLD MY HAMMER!"

I can't tell if the voice I'm hearing is a live performer or sampled.

The props are now moving into a tight row on the front of the field, forming a wall of sorts.

Loving the trombone choir playing during this section of the show.

And now for a literal wall of sound as all the horns except for the tubas and the trombone choir climb onto the props. Literal 3-D sound coming at us.

Horns now playing at the props. I'd like to know what kind of sound reflection they get.

Small brass ensemble open the next section of the show as the props are moved. This changes over to a higher tempo percussion feature up front with the front ensemble.

I didn't mention this earlier, but the other side of the props features various city style vignettes, like street signs, and is in black and white while the nature side is in full color. A stark contrast between the two.

Rifles just did a ripple toss and catch across the front of the field, getting a great moment in front of the cameras and nailing their time in the spotlight!

And a big sound from Genesis as they finish their show.

Man, I'm really feeling for the announcer. His mic keeps cutting out on him and has been doing so for the entire show. At least it's happening to the announcer and not to any of the performing groups.

Next on the field and competing in World Class is Music City from Nashville, Tennessee. Here is their 2019 program information:

• Show Title: Of Mice & Music

Looks like the corps members are in character already, frolicking around the podiums and even playing with the yardline markers as the sound checks take place.

As the horn line literally scampers onto the field like mice, scampering mice sounds mixed in with traffic and city sounds comes from the front ensemble.

Burst of color from the guard, both in terms of their fuchsia outfits and their brilliant opening silks, a start contrast to the black, grey, and white outfits of the rest of the corps.

Next movement has a little American in Paris vibe to it.

Ahh, so this is the city mouse and country mouse story. We appear to have main characters in those roles.

The front ensemble is set up across the front of the field, but not in a solid section. Half the pit is diagonally set up on the left side while the other half is in two small stations on the 50 and just inside the 40 on the right side of the field. This opens the pit area to allow the corps to move upfront for staging.

Uh, oh. They're calling the exterminator.

Oh, wow. Haven't heard Concerto for Guitar and Jazz Orchestra since Madison Scouts won with it in 1988. This arrangement gives it an enjoyable Jean-Luc Ponty feel.

Swiss cheese rifles. I say again: SWISS CHEESE RIFLES.

The drum slips are also Swiss cheese. Buying completely into the concept, I see. I'd say that's cheesy, but...OK, it's cheesy in a good way.

Trumpets and trombones up front for a great jazz breakdown. Just watch out for all those predators which keep scaring us, like cats and birds.

That was some nice old school rifle spinning by the guard!

OK, I'm not sure John Lennon saw Imagine used in a show about mice.

Lovely baritone duet to open Imagine. Great range on both parts!

Guard on very colorful swing flags as the corps builds up to the big finish of the show.

Next on the field and competing in World Class 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."

Madison is all in on the old school for this show. Variations on the classic Boy Scouts uniforms. Company front to enter the field. A full out brass intro to the show right from the first count.

A lot of body movement by each section of the corps in the first full movement of the show as they get featured musically. Strong groove from the corps as well.

Trombone duet ripping face from the front ensemble.

Fancy footwork from the percussion!

Another old school feel to this show - NO PROPS OR TARPS.

Wow. Guard finishes with flags held up in the air and they are blowing. Wind is really a factor tonight.

Horns play backfield to start the next movement. After some stabbing chords facing front, the corps brings it back down for a bit, then come to the front of the field and hit us with their sound again.

Bass line goes nuts with their feature to open the next movement. Rest of the drum line joins in, now all headgear free.

Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra. Opens in the traditional arrangement before going swing on us, a very Madison trait. Hall of the Mountain King in 1998 comes to mind as an example.

Low brass now on the slow 4 meter section as the pit plays the fast 3 meter section. There's the fleur-de-lis!

Mournful baritone soloist starts One Voice. Horns playing backfield as they build into the final statement of the song and the show.

Said final statement includes a company front pushing diagonally forward on the field. Told you this show was old school

Our last corps of the evening, competing in World Class, is Spirit of Atlanta from Atlanta, Georgia. Here is their 2019 program information:

• Show Title: Neon Underground
• Music Repertoire:
  • "Krump" by Scott McAllister
  • "You and Me" by Eliza Doolittle
  • "Attraction" by Emmanuel Sejourne
  • "Color Wheel" by Arch Echo
• Description:  "By opening a new door, we can be drawn into a mysterious and exciting experience, a Neon Underground. Strangers move together and apart. They dance in the dark, creating curiosity and intrigue. The ritual is engaging, the crowd is diverse and carefree. The club scene takes us from small inviting groups to feverish crowds to explosions of energy and chaos. It’s more than an underground party: It’s a glorious adventure of sight and sound. The music drives movement and dictates interactions. Private moments are shared even in this unconventional and large crowd. Dancers find one partner and share intimate moments. As the music slows, life slows with it. Lingering dances become captivating. When the music picks up, the crowd blends together again in a bouncing blast of colorful neon. As the music ends, it’s time to leave this electrifying world behind and return to reality."

Spirit's first uniforms of the show, while all black, are really shiny and catch the stadium lights wonderfully.

Wow, it's mesmerizing when the corps moves wearing these uniforms!

Snare line is on a stage behind the pit and is throwing down.

The guard silks go well with the corps uniforms, a shimmery silver grey.

Thanks to the long skirts on the horns, they look like they're floating when moving on the field.

Trumpet section, followed by tubas, then mellos getting features early in the show during Krump.

Don't worry, we didn't forget the baritones. In fact, their feature is the most exposed.

Horns now giving a technique clinic on double tonguing and 16th note runs.

This is a very techno show, using a high level of electronic effects in the front ensemble and on soloists.

Corps has now changed into white outfits, a stark contrast from what they started the show in.

Great build into the jam session of "You and Me"! Orion Winds played this at WGI this past season and it's a great groove. Tennis fans may also remember Lacoste using this for one of their commercials a few years ago.

Guard now on neon yellow and pink swing flags. The field is awash in color.

Next movement. Tenors featured on the stage as the rest of the drum line comes rushing out in their next outfit before joining the tenors in the feature.

Every outfit the corps has worn stands out on the field, either for its starkness or for the color it brings to the field.

The intensity of the closer builds until the corps just comes forward and wails in our faces to finish.

Ahh, a bass cadence as the corps leaves the field.

I'd post scores, but the mic is STILL cutting out on this guy.