5 Key Matchups To Watch For At The 2022 DCI World Championship Finals

A drumline is rehearsing within the lot.

Jackson Weimer

Effectively drum corps followers, it’s that point of yr once more. Finals! All of the laborious work throughout the summer season pays off in essentially the most spectacular spectacle of the marching arts proper in the course of Andrew Luck’s grave this weekend. Drum Corps Worldwide (DCI), for these of you who didn’t get bullied in highschool, is a aggressive circuit of marching band (yeah I mentioned marching band, drum corps is simply band, guys) that operates all throughout the US and Wyoming each summer season from June to August, culminating in a championship between 35-40 teams yearly in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Teams are judged and evaluated on their visible, musical, and swag (Basic Impact) on a 3 night time bonanza, with the highest three teams receiving a medal for his or her efficiency. Yearly, there are just a few matchups between teams which might be shut races which might be enjoyable to observe as they play out throughout the season. Listed below are 5 issues that I’ll be awaiting this weekend.

1. Will The Boston Crusaders Eat Up The Blue Devils?

For the primary time of their historical past, The Boston Crusaders are positioned to medal at finals. Much more than that, they’re carefully knocking on the defending champion BD’s door and may even steal their first championship title. Will Boston have what it takes to overthrow the ditty dudes? With their present entitled “A Paradise Misplaced”, followers are loving the musical choices that transport them to a abandoned island. However will the corps discover paradise with a gold medal? We will see!

2. Will The Troopers (+260) make finals?

I do know I bashed Wyoming within the intro, however The Troopers this yr are nothing to make enjoyable of. With a present I believe that’s about oil or gold or one thing like that, they’re incorporating string devices into their program in a singular method. They’ve a prop that’s actually tall, in order that’s most likely not less than price .55 factors by itself. They haven’t made finals in over a decade, however this yr is likely to be the yr they get again into the highest 12. It will likely be a fierce battle for the final spot between The Colts, The Blue Knights, and The Crossmen.

3. Will the Santa Clara Vanguard preserve The Sanford?

SCV has been well-known for his or her unbelievable entrance ensemble and drumlines over time, and this yr isn’t any totally different. Though the corps is slotted to position fifth, the drumline goes face to face with Boston, BD, and Bluecoats for the highest drum rating. As a percussionist myself, this caption is at all times essentially the most fascinating to observe and I believe SCV has what it takes to take dwelling one other Sanford trophy with an unbelievable pit, however Boston’s drumline is only a tad higher.

4. Can The Colts get eleventh?

Present some love for Iowa! The Colts have taken DCI by storm this summer season with an unbelievable drumline that’s putting within the high 8. It seems to be like they’re a positive lock to make finals, however can they take it a step additional by beating Crossmen and Blue Knights? It’s positively one thing to root for.

5. Will Guardians make Semi-finals?

All DCI followers know that the highest 25 corps make it to the second day of competitors, semi-finals. The Guardians have come alongside method within the final 5 years, putting fifth at Open Class finals on Tuesday. Can they break one more corps file and make semis for the primary time? Perhaps they should add one other rap/hip-hop part to their present or one thing; that’s their common cup of tea.

It will likely be fascinating to observe how these matchups play out and the way finals shakes up this yr. Listed below are my predictions for a way the High 12 will play out: