Brit Reacts To Drum Corps | Bluecoats 50th Anniversary Alumni Corps 2022 

You are correct, the members in the colorful costumes are the current year Bluecoats. They were so hyped watching from the sideline at the previous generations of Bluecoats performing the corps greatest hits. The current members likely looked up to those past members, studying those shows and hoping to be a Bluecoat one day. Then to be part of the same Bluecoats family and watch those that came before you perform was special. Then to finish it off by going out on the field and playing along with their heroes at the end. You can see it was nothing but love out there the whole time.

Thank you my blooo brother Delford, for getting him to do this. I Marched Euphonium and drove one of the two tractor trailers for this. It was an honor and pleasure to do this and thank you for your kind and generous comments. We truly are a family and we miss each other greatly. It does not matter what year you marched you are always a Bluecoat. Yes that is the current and the alumni playing the encore together. We do this everywhere with our Legacy Arc.

That part you're very impressed by at 21:00 is from their show Tilt. I don't know if you've watched that one yet, but you should. This show is sort of a greatest hits from them.

One thing people don’t realize is that these kids are literally paying multiple thousands of dollars to get to participate in this activity. They are the professional athletes of our sport and instead of being paid and living that life of luxury, they are paying, living on a bus, sleeping on gym floors, practicing for 12 hours in the sun and eating a peanut butter sandwich for dinner while traveling the country to perform for all of us. THIS is why they have that special bond that you see and why this means so much. We pay them back in our reactions and excitement. We need more recognition and appreciation for our activity like this. Thank you for your reactions!

The pitch shift was achieved by recording the ensemble and moving over to the synth, which is what is actually doing the pitch shift. That's from 2014, their show TILT. It's by far my favorite DCI show ever made.

I'm 57 years old and still mourn for my former marching band days. I wasn't able to participate in DCI for financial reasons, but I was in a competitive marching band, and the hours spent in the blazing heat over the summer, freezing cold mornings near the end of the season, the 6am before school rehearsals, marching until it was dark in the evenings, with many of our fellow band members coming straight from athletic practices builds a bond like no other. We may not all have been friends, but we were a family.

I had the amazing pleasure to watch my dad perform here (he’s the guy who does the chest bump at 34:14). He marched back in the late 80s and early 90s and would always show me clips of when he marched. He and the Bluecoats were the reason why I went out to march drum corps (even though I marched somewhere different but I digress). So to watch him perform with the corps that inspired me to march again was one of the most special moments of my life. Needless to say there was not a single dry eye in that stadium, especially where I was standing.

#bloo92 sops & #bloo22alumni synth girl here. Being on that field One Last Time was the greatest dream come true. It was 30 years before when I last marched Bluecoats and back then, when it was over...it was over. You were young and you didn't know what you really had until 30 years go by and one day comes and you think...OMG, I wish I could go back in time because it was truly one of the best times of our lives and we didn't get it then. Now that I had the chance to perform with 428 of my fellow Bloo Alumni, it was the rejuvenation I needed to restart my life. We learned all of this in TEN DAYS. The practices were hot... long... tiring yet fulfilling at our ages. We had 70+ year olds down to new bloo who were just 22 and even a few teenagers who were family members on the field. What we thought would kill us, only made us stronger each and every night we accomplished rehearsals and one day closer to THIS PERFORMANCE you see right now. We were to do a "partial" snippet of this performance 5 days earlier, but a torrential thunderstorm prevent the show to go on but we stuck it out like bloo does and performed our retreat music for those who stayed in the rain. What we didn't know was that missed performance gave us the momentum to learn the rest of the show at a pace like no other and kept our entire performance under wraps just like our Jr Corps, The Real Bluecoats does each and every Season. So, when we came out here on that Friday Night in Lucas Oil Stadium about 11pm, I had never felt more accomplished, polished, confident and proud of myself in my entire life. This was the highlight of my dreams and my life. The audience was insane. The volume was ten times more than what we got in the Pit the entire week of being up front and hearing it day after day. The intensity of my soul lit a fire that brought me home on a high that I could do anything I set my mind to. Today, I now have my degree in Television Broadcasting Mulitmedia Journalism and work for a Church in Beavercreek, Ohio as a Production Director for Media. I couldn't be happier in my life and the joy of watching my fellow Bloo find their happy ever after ending telling the same stories across their Facebook pages and beyond. Six Words. ~Hailey.

I was one of the 40 tubas out there - I originally marched in 1988 and 1989, and, at 53, was one of the two oldest tubas on the field. By far not the oldest marching - we had people participating who were "original Bluecoats" and marched in 1972. As amazing as it was to do that show, what still makes me emotional is the crowd reactions. I still choke up just watching the '22 corps lose their f'ing minds when we cut loose. There are so many things in this show that are references back to history that the crowd was in on - you heard them cut loose several times, and it was great to have those moments with them. Thanks to Delford for submitting this to relive this unforgettable time, and to Charlie for sharing your reactions to our performance. 6W

Yup, you hit the nail on the head my friend. Saw it live at the time, and cried like a baby, as did many of the people around me. Cried again tonight, they picked some of the most memorable songs from throughout the years. If I recall correctly from what I read at the time, I think slightly over 400 participated, whereas the standard drum corps size is 150.

The current members of the Bluecoats that year were watching the alumni corps perform right in front of them. Being part of the "youngsters" that year, my ears were destroyed in the best way possible. Hearing the alumni and current members at the time play Autumn Leaves at the end of it all left me in tears. I'm now aged out from the drum corps activity and am an alumni of the Bluecoats, but I still find myself back to watching this performance and wishing I could still be back on that field. Hoping to be part of the next potential Bluecoats Alumni Corps!

seeing this in person was seriously one of the best moments of my life, it’s even more emotional when you know the references to past shows and get to finally see them in person

THIS one was my favorite so far! Not only is this band SOLID, but the size of the band allows for all of the harmony parts to shine as bright! They were amazing! Loved seeing what appears to be alumni and newer members on the field together too. The streamers of the members no longer with them...😭 To see performances like this LIVE is overwhelming!

At the end, during the standstill performance, yes it is the current and alumni bluecoats performing side-by-side, the current members are distinguishable by their more customized uniform catered towards the 2022 show. By the way, i love your channel, and if you would like to watch the source show from the corps, heres the few i can distinguish. Creep - Bluecoats 2011 "Brave New World" Great Gig in the Sky - Bluecoats 2016 "Down-Side Up" The pitch shift - Bluecoats 2014 "𝘛𝘐𝘓𝘛" Hey Jude - Bluecoats 2019 "The Bluecoats" The Tuba Feature (Electric Counterpoint) - Bluecoats 2015 "Kinetic Noise" Dry Cleaner From Des Moines - Bluecoats 2018 "Session 44" The Boxer Callback (not sure of the source name) - Bluecoats 2008 "The Knockout"

I'd love to know if any of those 'youngsters' - current corps members - were watching their parents perform, and then performing with them.

There’s something cool about people of all ages, coming together, doing what they did when they were all the same age. Seeing a blue hair and a pink hair play together is adorable, and the joy they share for what they’re doing makes them seem, well… ageless.

Again thank you for such an eloquent reaction and there is no need to be embarassed y showing the emotion you do. Like I said before I'm 65 and getting teary eyed and breaking down with the emotion shows how much it means to you. Santa Clara did an Alumni Performance as well you must watch and react to. You have an appreciation for all the hard work that this activity and really any member puts into their shows. Thank you for showing your appreciation

21:00 is from Tilt, Bluecoats 2014. It’s a must see to see it done originally.

One of my favorites! Love the tribute with the ‘wink’. It never gets old. Yes current members with alumni!

I had the pleasure of seeing this in person and being at DCI finals and I am so proud of someone who has been there for me and performed with this group and I am so glad to have known him not just as my director but also a father figure.

One thing to also mention, the Alumni corps includes members from EVERY year that the bluecoats existed, meaning that there were 23 year olds marching along side members in their 70s !!

5 years previous to this performance (that I was fortunate enough to experience live with my daughter) I had the honor and privilege to perform in that field with 250 Santa Clara Vanguard Alumni, and many of the Bluecoats Alumni have told me that we set the bar for them to live up to. Our 50th Anniversary corps was something special indeed and to be looked up to by the Coats Alumni was an honor. What made their performance special for me was I got to have my daughter with me. We play together in The Spirit Of Sunnyvale soundsport and she holds the title of DCI's youngest champion. At 6 years old she became a Performance Showcase Champion (thanks covid!). This year at 10 years old shes playing lead trumpet and is our screamer! Make sure you catch her on Flomarching this year at the DCI West show!

Charlie, I love your reactions so much. It's great to see someone who is musically educated but unfamiliar with drum corps respond to this activity as enthusiastically as you do. A few points of interest for you. 1. The guy who played the very first screamer solo at the end of the first song was the same guy who played that same screamer solo in 1987, the first year that Bluecoats made finals. 2. The three songs played en masse at the end are (1) the chorale from "Autumn Leaves" (1987), (2) Creep (as you noted) and (3) the end from Simon & Garfunkle's "The Boxer" (lyrics they are singing are: "I am leaving, I am leaving, but the fighter still remains." 3. I hope I don't disappoint you, but the glissando is is only in the synthesizers in the pit. It was from the "Tilt" show, which was one of the first (if not the first) season in which synthesizers and pit amplification were allowed. BC has always been on the cutting edge of combining electronic music with brass and percussion.

Dude, thank you for watching my request! And I'm glad you enjoyed it! What you were saying around the 7-minute mark is so spot on and had me in tears. I was lucky enough to have my parents be super supportive and came to many of my shows when I originally marched and even came to this alumni show. But yeah... it's really difficult to make others understand how much this activity means to us. Just today, we had one of our alumni (who was one of the Honor Guard members in this show) pen a touching message in our alumni Facebook group about all the encouragement and support he has felt from our Bluecoats family throughout his current battle with cancer. The ties run deep. For me, I marched in 1991 and despite having a few years of eligibility lift, I made the difficult decision to move on to other things. I don't regret the decision, but getting this one chance to do it again was something I wasn't about to miss. But even then I couldn't yet understand what this experience would come to mean to me. 6W 💙🍁

i was fortunate enough to be at this contest. I have been a Bluecoats guy for a very long time, have several friends who have marched with them, and raised my son to love them as much as I do. I was standing and cheering, laughing and crying throughout this entire show. You should check out TILT, 2014 which is my favorite of all time by the Bluecoats.

I'm watching this while I'm at a drum corps camp

I just watched this on my tv and I'm literally tearing up cause let me tell you something: This was one of the best performances that I've ever seen. I remember watching the blue coats a long time ago and this brought back so many memories and I was glad to see the alumni perform, people my age, still doing their thing and to see the younger blue coats reactions was just awesome!!🎉😉 I'm from Ohio so it means a lot to me. 🙂

Marching for a corps is beyond a blessing. I came out of high school had marched for 4 years in the drumline to go straight into what is now a world class, Jersey Surf in 2006. The bonds you share with these muscians and artists are some of the strongest I've ever encountered. You literally go through blood, sweat, and tears with these humans. You practice and practice and then travel and practice some more all for that show. It's so special that watching these with you brings me to tears, remembering how good those years being on the field was. The emotion you share is so genuine. Thank you from an old drumline member. Also, watch Blue Devils, Cavaliers, and ESPECIALLY Bluecoats from 2006. that year is one of my absolute favorites.

I was in this crowd watching it live, I was way off in the side 2 goal post, so I thought I would be watching the crowd's reaction to it than the corps itself, but I was excited and giddy all the same.

Some Bluecoats shows that you should check out: Tilt from 2014, Down Side Up from 2016, Session 44 from 2018, The Bluecoats from 2019, and Riffs and Revelations from 2022. Also have you covered Blue Devils 2014 Felliniesque yet? That show is literal perfection

I got to see this performance live and the power was unforgettable

Thank you! I marched drum corps 1975 and 1976 with Guardsmen from Illinois. The Blue Coats were a newer corps then, but we could see they had great potential. There is nothing like playing and marching your heart out and at the end getting that standing ovation from that crowd!! I marched only two years but drum corps is still inside of me. Thanks for getting this! There is mix RU-vid video that shows the alumni with flashbacks of the original shows. Thanks again.❤😂🎉

Please watch the 2016 bluecoats show it’s amazing one of my favorites of all time!

16:27 Drum corps in general is already an indescribable sound, especially in a dome like Lucas Oil, but getting to see this live is like.. ugh.. like trying to explain the sheer overwhelming awe and magnanimity of seeing something like the Grand Canyon or Angel Falls to someone who hasn't seen it in person. I've got video recordings on my phone from obviously an audience's perspective of like basically the entire performance, and in one particular clip from when they're standing in the concert arcs later on in the performance with the current year members (so there's like easily 350 horns playing) they release a chord and you could literally not just hear but even feel the sound waves of the chord still ringing in the dome and you could physically feel that "ring" bouncing back and forth between the 2 walls of the stadium. The ring stayed in the air so long it bled into the next notes they started playing lmao, even after a pregnant pause for audience reaction! EDIT - Ah yes, I remember now! The exact chord I was referring to was the chord at the end of Autumn Leaves at 30:47. If you listen closely, you can actually kind of hear a little bit of what I was talking about how long it rang in the stadium when they release, but again, it doesn't do it justice compared to hearing and feeling that much raw sound and power hitting your face in person!!!

I had the privilege of seeing this performance live and it was absolutely incredible. ♥️

The only thing wrong with this reaction video is that I can only click the like button once. Thank you, Mr. Smith, for appreciating what so many people, old and young, have come together to present for everyone to live and enjoy. It's a rare thing for someone that doesn't march to "get it", but don't ever let anyone tell you that you don't. You get it, my friend. Thank you so much.

As many have already said, yes, current (2022) Bluecoats joined the alumni on field to play together. First was one of the warm-ups that the corps plays; next was the corps’ song, Autumn Leaves, which lives in every Bluecoats’ heart; and then an encore of Creep/The Boxer. Thanks for this genuinely heartfelt reaction! I was lucky enough to perform in the pit and it was overwhelming. Cried right along with you again. 💙🍁💙

It's so great seeing these alumni come back and kill it!! You should definitely watch Tilt! (adding my voice to the crowd!)

Beyond time to watch Tilt.

30:12 autumn leaves, our corps song.... Last phrase.. but ill miss you most of all, when autumn leaves start to fall... Tour is in the summer, and our family separates in the fall.

I STILL can't even hear the first note and I tear up!! Iam sooo honoured and blessed to have had the opportunity to be out there on the field with the Bluecats Alumni Corps!!! Your comments around the 7-minute mark....absolutely BANG ON!!! That feeling of being a part of something bigger than yourself and such pride in accomplishment, never goes away!! Gooooooooo Blooooooooo !!!

Was there! Yes it was loud in every good way possible. It was incredibly emotional to watch my son with his fellow Alum living out their dream one last time with the corps that brought them their first gold medal! A real treat for this very proud mom

Sorry this long... Excellent reaction Sir! I am 52 and have been involved in drum corps since I was 7 when my dad took me to my 1st show. I marched all through the 80s 90s until 2001 and taught up until 3 years ago. I was able to march past 21 due to some amazing senior corps and it gave me the opportunity to march with my Dad which are memories I will cherish forever. Alumni Corps keep the Tradition of the Corps alive! They represent past present and future members. So as you note it is very powerful, emotional and amazing to watch. Generations of people all doing what love so much! The Drum Corps community is a big family, that's the best way to explain it. To this day I have amazing friendships with people that I so proudly took the field with for many summers. Every time I stepped on the field and looked up at the audience it took my breath away. Once the show started I felt like I was 3 feet of the ground and when we were done the emotions were overwhelming in such an amazing way. And knowing all of my fellow members just kicked some a** with me was one of the greatest feelings I've ever had. I miss it terribly and not being involved has left a little whole in my heart BUT I am so blessed to have been a part of something truly special!! I really enjoy watching your reactions please keep doing them because seeing how much you appreciate what has meant so much to us is just plain awesome! 😊

I was so excited to see this come up on my feed! I absolutely adore this performance it's everything that's great about drum corps. You're absolutely going to love Tilt when you get around to seeing it hahaha

I will contribute to the Bluecoats 2014 hype as well, and throw in the Cavaliers 2002. My band director was in the cavies 2002, it's one of their most famous shows, winning worlds that year and showcasing what makes them a tride and true classic world class corp.

The pageantry of the British royals got nuthin' on these massive American bands

Great reaction. Please please react to Phantom Regiment 2008 Spartacus show.

This is a "best of" compilation show honoring the corps past. Based on your reaction ...... you need to watch TILT

It fills me with so much joy to see someone experiencing the Ti/t pitch shift for the first time

That was stunning and beautiful to watch ❤❤❤

I absolutely love your enthusiam for our beloved sport!! That performance made me cry watching it! You too! 😅 These alumni performers range in age from 20's to 70's i'm sure! Ive been marching since 67' and those years were very regimented, but none the less spectacular! I never marched DCI but competed in senior corps (DCA) with the Rochester Crusaders and then alumni with Mighty St. Joes (look up 95' for that amazing alumni corps) I appreciate how much you love it! At almost 70 yrs old I STILL love it! Thank you!❤

I was so excited when I saw that you reacted to this! By far one of the coolest videos DCI has to offer. I love all the call backs to past shows. I also love how you can genuinely see the love these people had/have for the art of Drum Corps

I am enthralled, and it’s barely begun. I too have a lump in my throat, the emotions and intensity of the anniversary, the alumni, the respect of those who are not with them any longer, is very powerful. thank you again for your reaction. ✌️❤️

Chords that will make you cry. Just soooooo damn good.

I was there live. Truly the highlight of 2022 for us. Amazing in all aspects

Loving your DCI reactions!

If you think it's impressive watching a video, You are absolutely gonna lose your mind if you ever see it live. Absolutely something incredible that you will never forget.

the way you pronounce corps is "core". i loved this performance they did!

You should check out some all-age corps! DCA was the main circuit for that for almost 60 years, and this year it just merged with DCI as a new class. Check out the Reading Buccaneers show from last year!! Huge age span and only rehearses on weekends as opposed to the 90-day world class tour. Serious talent out there!

A few things I REQUIRE you to react to lol: Hebron Penstriped (Highschool marching band that sounds like DCI even though it's people 13-19 years old and theirs also woodwinds, not just horns) Carolina Crown's famous hit when they're in their circle Mandirins 2023 DCI Finals

I was in chorus in high school as well as choir and I was on the flag team in my high school in the 80s. So I have a finite understanding of what it feels like for a performance to come together and for everyone to work as a team to make it happen. I can’t even imagine the complexities of what they do in Drumore! So impressive. So beautiful. I love it! Thank you all, for what you do to entertain us. Peace and love from Colorado.(Drum core not Drumore). 16:19 ☮️❤️

Those are core memories YOU WILL NEVER FORGET!!!!

I've said it before. You get it!! I believe all of us drum corps people from all decades would enjoy your posts! Thank you so much! ❤😊🎉

In case nobody told you, the crowd is "blooing" them, not booing

You ate so genuine, honest, and authentic in your reactions. It was a pleasure to watch you watching this performance

Loving the way the performance is appreciated. This is special.

as a new person to marching band and stuff like this even if its only in high school i get the feeling of the satisfaction that they are all getting in playing with people who understand the struggle you go through when you do this stuff and how satisfying it is when it comes together

I super duper wish you could see DCI in person one day. I have been going for 20 years. At 20:30 you got TILTED!

loved this one, keep making these amazing reaction videos Charlie ❤

I think it’s only right if you react to Bluecoats 2014 next since you loved the pitch bend.

I don't know if anyone has touched upon it yet but, the crowd is screaming "Bluuuuuuue!" And not booing lmfao 😂😂. It's our special way to cheer bluecoats

You should watch bluecoats 2022 show as well! By far my fav!

Long time DCI fan here. My brother-in-law and his twin brother were Cavaliers. We went to so many DCI championship competitions. Love it.

I love your DCI reactions…I can not wait to see you react to 2008 Phantom Tegument which I sent to your PayPal and 2008 Cavaliers which is a Patreon request. 2 of the best shows of all times plus the masses on your reactions can’t wait to see you react to 2008 Phantom Regiment “Spartacus”… show itself is amazing and it leads to a world championship and the loudest reaction ever recorded in DCI history

27:57 i literally got goosebumps all over my body when you did this little squirm, I'm with ya!

What a great show!

Amazing

~22:00 they arent playing the pitch bend, its electronic :)

The pitch bend is still one of my favorite moments in DCI ever sonically. They if I recall use a synthesizer with a sample of the actual corps. Check out 2014 Tilt show for the actual moment that still makes me cry to this day!

i marched spartans 2022, an open class corps who performed way earlier in the night, and we got to sit in the stands and watch the show, but i will never not be salty they made us leave and get on the buses to go back to our housing sight right after blue devils performed, and i wasnt able to see this live

ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOUR VIDEOS, KEEP THEM UP NO MATTER WHAT DIRECTION THEY GO IN.

Mark the first full week of August 2025 on your calendar and let’s get you to Indianapolis for finals week next year.

Totally enjoyed this performance and your comments were so good!!

You have to watch the music flashbacks version of this. The video is a little shorter because it cuts out the in between parts. They skip back and forth from the alumni band to the actual show they're playing from for the ones that don't know like me. Very cool, you will love it.

The sound pushes on your body. The crowd is saying Blooooooooooooo. The courant members were playing with the Alumni. Alumni are a very important part of these corps.. Their donations help to keep the corps on the road every summer. Corps alumni are now keeping in touch with the internet. The alumni and young member will play the corps song together. Automn Leaves (Think of the lyrics and remember Drum Corps last only a summer.

Bluecoats did an entire Beatles show in 2019… one of their best shows!

it is an mind and body altering experience. i was very sick and willed myself through the entire performance and only passed out after i got off the field. i dont know how i did it but your will will not let you let your fellow performers down no matter what

Check out Bluecoats 2014 "Tilt" to see the "pitch bend" in action! Love the Coats!! '24 Season starts soon!! Going to my first show Sunday 6/30!!!! LET'S GO!!!

Thanks Charlie, this is the BEST

It was so long because it was a "greatest hits" performance. The current student corps was on the sidelines. What I've liked about the Bluecoats over the years is most of their music has come from the familiar tunes, superbly arranged, unique to their style and sound. I giggled when you mentioned the glissando from the Bluecoats Bakery 2014 show (Tilt) show closer because it was done with an amped up synthesizer. However, the genius of that part was what they did in the original performance choreography. (You should go watch that one. That was a 2nd place finish to the Concord Blue Devils.) For the young kids to be folded in on the same tunes the alumni played earlier would've been such an honor.

It is okay to shed tears watching this. I did too😢😊

Thank you! ❤

Not only did the Bluecoats play a Beatles show, but their corps song "The Boxer" is one of the great Beatles songs of all time, written by none other than Sir Paul himself. This is my second favorite reunion show of all time, second only to the Madison Scouts Reunion Project of 2006. What's that? I'm being told it's Paul Simon of Simon and Garfunkel who wrote "The Boxer", not Paul McCartney, and that Paul Simon is from New York, not England. That can't be, though. Anyone can hear the impeccable British accent on the line "...but the fight-ah still remains." I mean, only there- not on the line "In the clearing stands a box-ah" but definitely there. I was giving them lots of grief for being complete dorks about this at the time, but apparently that's how they've always sung it.

If you want to check out older bluecoats....1987 or 1988 bluecoats shows I recommend.

This was a field show I didn’t realize I needed

Have you seen the bluecoats show this year? I think their bringing home the gold this year.

You get it

Now you gotta watch 2011 or at least the opener (Creep) because they blue balled me twice here playing half of it and then The Boxer lol. Not that I’m complaining….but THAT was a wall of sound!! Gotta watch that one!

Seeing this video reminded me that the Alumni Corps performance for the 2024 season will be performed by Crossmen alumni, and I am very very disheartened and upset that I didn't have the necessary funds to have the opportunity to be a part of that this coming summer. I was a member in the 2020 "season" (no season due to the covid pandemic) and 2022 season and while even as a former member of modern era Crossmen, I'm not the biggest fan in the world of this new era, admittedly, but the corps has a rich and influential history in the drum corps world, and knowing all their most popular shows, I would KILL to get to play all those fun jazz pieces they were famous for in the 90s like Bird Land! I can also imagine they'll be playing Earth Song from their 2012 program, and all in all I'd give anything to be a part of the Alumni Corps and be with my first home away from home again. It genuinely breaks my heart. Sorry that this comment is technically totally off topic from the content of this video, just re-watching the Bloo alumni corps got me thinking about it and got me a lil choked up I'll admit....

Please react to bluecoats 2014 TILT!! That’s what the part you loved where it goes down and up is from originally. One of the best shows in history! 🙏🙏🙏