Cindy’s First ‘Drums Along The Mohawk’ Experience

If you've never attended Drums Along The Mohawk then you're totally missing the boat.

I'm here to tell you as a first timer that I'll never miss another one. EVER. This was the most talented bunch of kids I've ever seen performing together as a team. Yeah yeah, being apart of the marching band got a bad rap in the past but not anymore. These athletic kids walk, run, jump, dance and perform while carrying and playing their instrument. Each team is also loaded with greatly skilled members of the color guard that will blow your mind with their talent and creativity.

There were over 1200 student performers from all over the country. 8 Corps made the trip to Rome this year for the Drum Corps International tour; many have been coming here for years, while some were newcomers. There were also some local brass musicians who opened the show with a performance of the National Anthem - members of Classified Horns and Friends, featuring Scott Rutledge, Marty Hollister, Brian Picente, Holly McCoy, Dana Jerrard and Greg Clark.

New corps, Genesis from Austin, TX, kicked off the competition. And yes, they did incorporate part of a Genesis song into their routine. From the moment they started playing, the audience was electrified by the sights and sounds. Each group that followed continued to build on this excitement, right through the evening's final performance from Rosemont, Illinois' Cavaliers. It was that last corps that ended up winning over both the audience and the judges. Here's a look at the final scores:

• THE CAVALIERS - ROSEMONT, IL - 93.100
• BOSTON CRUSADERS - BOSTON, MA - 91.450
• MADISON SCOUTS - MADISON, WI - 84.750
• MANDARINS - SACRAMENTO, CA - 83.150
• TROOPERS - CASPER, WY - 80.450
• OREGON CRUSADERS - PORTLAND, OR - 77.800
• PACIFIC CREST - DIAMOND BAR, CA - 76.450
• GENESIS - AUSTIN, TX - 73.700

Congratulations to not only the winners of the night but all who participated. This is the type of positive program that can open new doors for the participants and experience something that will stay with them forever.

Bonus VIdeo: