August 2, 2025 – Cedar Creek Park, Allentown, Pennsylvania
I’m sitting here in Cedar Creek Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania under the shade of a spreading oak tree. This is a quiet spot in the park far away from the activity near J. Birney Crum Stadium. That was the site of sound in motion at the East Coast Classic, a Drum Corps International competition featuring the performances of eleven World Class DCI drum and bugle corps. These are the kids, 21 and under, the members, and adults of all ages, who toil all summer long to perfect and produce amazing twelve minute programs for very passionate and appreciative audiance across the country. Tonight 10 more corps will show the drum corps world what they’ve got going into the final week of the season.
One such corps is the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps. To say that I have an affinity for this drum corps is perhaps an understatement, though I love all of the corps. You don’t run away with the drum corps as a volunteer for 23 days and not become part of the family forever. That is what happened to me. Since 2017, I have witnessed this increadible organization evolve, grow and mature into a top contender with two silver medals to their credit. They are in the hunt for another medal, color undetermined as yet. Enter the Bluecoats, who are neck and neck with the Boston Crusaders in contention for the gold. Last night the seasoned and knowledgeable drum corps fans witnessed the Bluecoats deliver a highly entertaining show, light years from the designs of the long past early days of drum corps that many fans originate. Bending sight and sound to our inquisitive eyes and ears, this program challenges the senses like no other.
Of course preceding the Bluecoats where rapid fire performaces by ten other corps hardened by the summer tour and ready to show off what they have accomplished. And they did. Each and every performer pushed themselves along with the other 164 members to portray the art and music in motion they have long crafted. Boundless energy is exhibited from the conditioning of the many hours on the field and lugging their stuff all over America. That certain swagger and panache is earned.
Allentown brings out the best, especially when Mother Nature provides a cool evening. Whispy clouds portended a rain free evening with the waxing gibbous moon looking down. Tonight is also expected to be another excelent evening for some of the best entertainment on earth. I’ll try to update you from the fifty. Meanwhile, it’s time to finish my walk around this amazing park and hook up with friends and colleagues for some preshow merriment behind the HamFam.