Blue Devils 2022 TRUMPET/FLUGELHORN SOLOIST Headcam - Alex Gifford

From the perspective of Trumpet/Flugelhorn soloist Alex Gifford, a member of the 2022 Drum Corps International World Champion, the Concord Blue Devils. This year the Blue Devils celebrated their 65th anniversary with their championship-winning production, "Tempus Blue". The corps went undefeated the entire season, finishing with a score of 98.750 and winning caption awards for best brass, best visual performance, and best overall general effect.
I compiled GoPro videos from both our encore run on Saturday night as well as a rehearsal run at Ben Davis High School during finals week. I was so lucky to have spent my entire summer working on this amazing production with such talented people. I will forever be grateful for the support I received from my parents, friends, and teachers. All comments are welcome and feel free to contact me with questions at any time!
Email: [e-mail]
Follow me on Instagram: / alxgifford
Equipment:
Camera - GoPro Hero 9 Black
Mouthpieces - Hammond 5MB (Trumpet) and CFK FL3 (Flugelhorn)
Horns - Bach Stradivarius model 43 (Trumpet) and Conn 1FR Vintage One Series (Flugelhorn)
For more information, visit dci.org and bluedevils.org.

[@davyhay1]

My son is trying out for the Blue Devils in October. This video is amazing. It gives a completely different perspective on what you guys do. Outstanding!

[@EugeneHKrabs-sh9oi]

W parent

[@Sheenoharu]

Good luck 🤞

[@soggypotato6381]

Guessing you’re trying to learn more about what you’re son is doing so you can support him. Good on you for that.

[@davyhay1]

@@soggypotato6381 I support my son 110%! He’s an amazing kid. The headcam videos do give a much better perspective on the physicality involved!

[@aviationanalyticswansh2037]

@@davyhay1 How's he doing so far? Tryouts started? Best of Luck to him, major respect. :D

[@that1turtle251]

I am from sonus brass and whenever bd came up your dad would always brag and boast about you. Its awesome to see this insane headcam/solo and congrats on your win. Much love

[@alexjgifford]

Thank you so much!! And that’s hilarious, totally sounds like my dad!

[@hunterward9137]

@@alexjgiffordLove the show and your playing! I’m curious, did you get to keep the flugelhorn from last year and this year or did Blue Devils keep them?

[@patricknewman1632]

He's just too good.

[@alexjgifford]

me mey mi mo moo

[@hunterward9137]

@@alexjgifford Y'all did amazing! Same thing for this year too! Was Patrick the one hitting the double C for Jojo?

[@Breaden711]

He made the GoPros kiss

[@jklol693]

fr

[@cjmars822]

This video is unreal! This is as close to being in a DCI show as I can be. Well done

[@alexjgifford]

Thank you so much! Glad I could provide a unique perspective!

[@justinr9445]

did no one else notice him playing the crown brass feature in the beginning ( 0:52 )

[@MatthewPurvisMotivationMatt]

I noticed LMFAO

[@juannou2710]

They got emoted on frfr

[@squillz8310]

W flex

[@holymanatee8464]

That just proves how good they are

[@noahkucera2728]

I did because a tech at my high school marched crown this year

[@tis_be_chris5591]

This is such an amazing performance. I know that I will probably never be able to get into one of these bands that perform on such a high professional level but it doesn’t matter. I love being able to appreciate the musicianship and level of such an amazing musician. This was an amazing performance and it was executed flawlessly. You did more than wonderful.

[@tiozelio8976]

OMG I LOVED THIS PERFORMANCE Mainly the cowboy bepop part ( 11:30 ) congratulations on the team work

[@alexjgifford]

Thank you so much!! And yes, Cowboy Bebop was a fan favorite all season!

[@FBarnacle]

We were on the sidelines! Great run that was so fun to watch in person. And of course, HUGE congrats on #20

[@alexjgifford]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@markj6329]

WOOHOOOOOOOOOOO! thank you for posting! been looking for this every day. Sound great

[@DPinFL]

Great job with the editing, Alex, to take us all on the muti-performance journey. Thanks for sharing !! 🎺🎶

[@richbrass12]

Seeing a championship run through always makes me happy.

[@nathanielparson2615]

It's the characteristic tone quality and finessed articulation of the flugel for me 🔥😤💙

[@logicgeek7592]

I’m glad I got to see this, it gave me the boost I needed to enjoy marching band even more that I was

[@vibingpug9857]

this was really cool to see in person! congratulations 😳💙

[@matttrumpet]

9:04 jeez. Loved the show this year absolutely beautiful solo! Loved to see myself in some clips !

[@alexjgifford]

Thank you so much! Glad you were there to experience such a special moment with us!

[@garrettgiantonio]

Sounds amazing my dude! So proud of you.

[@Hodoodle]

its 11pm and i have schoool tomorow why am i wathcing this. As a fellow trumpet player I say this is extremely good!

[@MrAwesome322]

What a talented young man

[@toolmanboston]

Great job on your flugel solo! Amazing perspective from the head cams.

[@alexjgifford]

Thank you so much!

[@ange1ito]

your solo makes me cry every time man 😢❤

[@alexjgifford]

Thank you so much that’s so nice!! :)

[@peterkanyata9010]

This is so beautiful

[@mrfryboy101]

My boy 🗿💪

[@renamamiya8092]

Got to see you guys when you were in Georgia, such an amazing group! Definitely want to do this one day!

[@bommeryeet4982]

Amazing!

[@DR_D.Rey10]

I had went and had watched you guys play during the summer. Over in tomball. It was amazing. I had even bought a shirt.

[@alexjgifford]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@alexlee4921]

You’re actually cracked 😳 this is so good

[@Joselrcblkops]

Fantastic job, Alex! Congrats on #20 Champ.☝️🥇

[@alexjgifford]

Thank you!!

[@mamanaka1565]

素晴らしい演奏会でした。素晴らしいソロでした。とにかくとにかく最高！

[@alexjgifford]

Thank you!!

[@greyspookss]

yep, i love looking at the ground

[@lonewolf-ox2vb]

A few months ago I saw this show at USM and this was one of my favorite ones

[@alexjgifford]

So glad you enjoyed it! We had a blast at USM debuting our new ending!

[@treywalsh4407]

Let’s go Alex!!! About time you got a ring lol!!

[@JerielVazquez]

Let’s go Alex!!!

[@silangitgunungmeriah8912]

Blue Devils is inspirasi Marching/ Drum Cops in the world. I'm love performa Blue Devils 2005 - 2022 👍👍👍👍👍

[@kolbeadams3794]

I know this comment is late but I absolutely loved your guys show this year. I saw you guys a few months ago at the rose bowl and it was absolutely incredible

[@alexjgifford]

Thank you!!

[@benraeker4760]

I’ve been trying to learn more about the band experience and this helped

[@kevinpak1245]

insane playing dude! congrats on a great season!

[@alexjgifford]

Thank you! Congrats to you as well!!

[@phillipgilbert436]

Dang giff this is so sick. From playin for the naturals to the big stage. Yessir 💪🤣

[@alexjgifford]

Miss you bro!!

[@sashacavallaro6305]

Yeahhh Alex!!!!

[@the_seeing9005]

I love how there is a lot of other people with cams too

[@codidooley2022]

i LOVED your solo! In my opinion the best solo in the show (loved the others but this one was amazing.) I came to watch you guys multiple times when you were showing and practicing in University of Wyoming and said hi to the trumpets. I have a few questions about DCI because I'm interested in joining this fall. Can you reach out to me i would love to have a chat with you! Your solo was amazing again, such a time where you change the mood! Thank you for posting this video! :D

[@alexjgifford]

Thank you so much!! And I’m happy to answer your questions, my email and Instagram are in the description!

[@codidooley2022]

@@alexjgifford Thank you so much!

[@TheOgCokeTSB]

I love the blue devils

[@alexjgifford]

Same!

[@Gator7274]

Dude you are awesome!

[@alexjgifford]

Thank you so much!!

[@McGaybriel]

Seeing”blue devils” reminds me of my sister’s high school

[@maiameow8769]

YEAH ALEX LFGGGGGG

[@smitty5229]

I got to see you guys march at the USM field, gotta say it was one of the best things I got to see. Still preferred the Boston Crusaders but extreme props and good job on your solo, love from ECHS Marching Band (If you wonder which ECHS, Hurley is our little hicktown)

[@alexjgifford]

Thank you so much!! And for sure, BAC had a great show this year!

[@TheVideogamesfinest]

GO ALEX

[@twistedtrails8128]

yay band!

[@dadkwie706]

BRO YOUR TONE QUALITY IS AMAZING 😭😭

[@alexjgifford]

Thank you so much! 🙏🏻

[@woutervanderes]

Awesome performance !

[@alexjgifford]

Thank you so much!! And congrats to y’all!

[@Sanders_Media]

The crown feature before you started😭🤘

[@alexjgifford]

My roommate was in Crown I had to clown a little 😂

[@connerwalsh1424]

🙌🔥

[@toastuh1937]

I am from the GCT Marching Eagle Band and this inspires me so much to be even close to how good you guys are. We're a good band but we could be so much better, Y'know? I play euph btw!

[@KingJasonSlots]

👏 👏 👏

[@zach3944]

I get your make these gopros kiss reference 😁😁

[@livfoltz1215]

If you have t gone to a DCI competition irl, you HAVE to! It’s so surreal

[@alexjgifford]

So true!! I'll always remember the first competition I went to as a kid

[@Mjr73106]

The fact he played crown trumpet feature

[@iam_in_your_walls]

that javier reference in the beginning 👀

[@holymanatee8464]

Man played the crown lick at the beginning 😭

[@Bell_420]

cool edits

[@quintinpeters629]

W bossman

[@fifusacramento]

Cowboy Bebop 😍😄

[@leavemealone2154]

Damn, now I wanna pick up my trombone and blast out some solos😂

[@augustr.4193]

9:37 "MONEY!!!" (ensuing cheer)

[@AAssassin64]

Damn bro is shredded 2:05

[@turkishdelight6032]

Simply amazing. Did you have to perform a special audition to be a soloist? Also, is it only lead/1st trumpets that are eligible for features?

[@alexjgifford]

Anyone was eligible to audition for show solos! I played trumpet 2 and even knew some mellophones who also auditioned for the flugel solo

[@turkishdelight6032]

@@alexjgifford Crazy to imagine the amount of talent you guys have; must be hard for the directors. Massive congrats on the season, and hope to see more!

[@EpicWesley]

This video makes me miss marching band

[@josephavila7178]

What is that melody you play at 9:30? It reminds me of a weeknd song and it's been driving me crazy ever since I heard it

[@alexjgifford]

Yep! It’s the melody from “You Right” by Doja Cat and the Weekend

[@timelordtori]

I played trumpet in middle school and I used to dream of doing this😅

[@Wee_Gee]

As much as I hate being in marching band, I love being in marching band! 😁

[@ajgentle7754]

I was there with the Andrew marching band watching you guys did awesome

[@bemimu]

This show looks awesome! I am also a trumpet soloist in my high school band. Any tips for getting over nerves when doing the solo?

[@alexjgifford]

I always focus on taking deep breaths in the moments before playing it and trusting my preparation and skills. Not over complicating it really helped me over the summer. Everyone has their own techniques for dealing with nerves but in my opinion there’s no reason to overthink it! Good luck!

[@user-vv1kp2op4u]

Uuuuuhhmmm... *confused Norwegian* But as a trumpeter, Im REALLY impressed!

[@VioletDazzlerHRT]

I would to try out but my mom will only let me when I’m 18.. BUT YALL DID A GREAT JOB!!

[@alexjgifford]

Thank you!! Fingers crossed for you when you audition!

[@VioletDazzlerHRT]

@@alexjgifford I also play trumpet and it’s been my dream to be in a Drum Corp

[@cowllama1353]

This made me hungry

[@alexjgifford]

honestly me too

[@mariachi_gamer3649]

one day man, one day i will be able to fullfill my dream of being part of a good marching band

[@alexjgifford]

Go for it!

[@balls536]

Mario shredding it in the beginning 😩😩😩😩😩

[@alexjgifford]

He’s a beast fr

[@Umovie789]

What is that song anyway?

[@xas5hx38]

What settings do you use for your GoPro?

[@alexjgifford]

For the rehearsal run, I just used the standard 1080P narrow view. I wanted to make sure I had something higher quality for the victory run so I used the activity 2.7K superview setting so it would kind of roam around smoothly while I was running or doing choreography. However, KZbin compressed the victory run quality so the file I have for it on my computer is actually much higher quality than what is seen in the video. Hope this helps!

[@theshow451]

Yo where is this, I just started in a marching band for the school I go to and this looks amazing

[@alexjgifford]

This was at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana! It was super cool because we got to also rehearse in the Indianapolis Colts indoor facility in addition to performing in their stadium!

[@theshow451]

@@alexjgifford That’s cool, what are the requirements to join?

[@alexjgifford]

@@theshow451 to join Blue Devils you have to be selected for membership at an audition event. Auditions are open so there are really no requirements aside from being a musician/dancer under the age of 21! Audition info for next year is already up on bluedevils.org

[@theshow451]

@@alexjgifford oh I’m too young

[@theshow451]

@@alexjgifford do you have to be a musician and dancer or musician or dancer?

[@Cobalt_ace]

Grayson would be proud

[@alexjgifford]

bruh

[@tallmexican3208]

No one gonna talk about how he just played like a couple measures of crowns part 2

[@jairchavez5193]

Crazy flugel solo also how tall are you

[@alexjgifford]

Thanks! I’m 6’1”

[@aviationanalyticswansh2037]

I have a question about dci? on average how old are the people like are they mostly ppl after high school in college or after? just wanted a perspective, thanks :)

[@alexjgifford]

Most corps consist of primarily college-age performers but there are plenty of high schoolers involved in the activity!

[@aviationanalyticswansh2037]

@@alexjgifford okay thank you! gives me a better perspective + insight!

[@aviationanalyticswansh2037]

@@alexjgifford subbed and liked :)

[@Cookie-fo3nj]

Did you guys play in Salisbury? (Asking because the field I saw looked similar) Because pv marching band played there too (I'm in pv marching band) And Im pretty sure during another away game we saw the blue devil marching band. Idk if it was you guys, or a different marching band, but the blue devils sounds familiar. Idk though. Great performance btw. (I play clarinet just so you know, lol)

[@alexjgifford]

Haha thanks! Our season ended over a month ago and we’re actually not a marching band so that probably wasn’t us

[@Cookie-fo3nj]

@@alexjgiffordOk, was just curious, and np

[@hollowmonarch9802]

Nice abs

[@alexjgifford]

Thanks! 👍🏻

[@ccm_priv]

Pero qué locura es esta xd

[@londonr2922]

Clifford 🦮

[@mrvalencia5323]

6:48

[@whydoialmosthave500subs4]

9:55 why are there 4 bd members just standing on the sideline watching..?

[@jace123453]

prob alternates

[@turkishdelight6032]

I’d also like to know. At first, I thought they were out due to Covid, but that doesn’t seem to be the case

[@spidernh]

just putting my reply here so that if someone replies I get a notif

[@iainoam2565]

@@turkishdelight6032 alternates

[@oakles]

12:19 Is that Ian from Alvin and the Chipmunks?

[@user-zl5yl6uc8p]

7:30

[@mikewithoutike6457]

I’d put a ring on it 💍

[@COOMDEMON996]

Jeez. what grade is this chart 😳

[@alexjgifford]

The source music is too diverse to give it a single grade but running around while playing all of that is definitely the most challenging things I’ve ever done!

[@chheese1z]

This man could play the parish horde theme from l4d2. Look it up

[@alexjgifford]

Just looked it up and now I'm tempted to learn it!

[@chheese1z]

@@alexjgifford If you do, I wanna see it for sure!

[@elijahclark8548]

jacob colliers moon river in there?

[@alexjgifford]

Yup!

[@REVOCS926]

My god what kind of flugelhorn is that

[@LupitaCortes]

Says in the description👍

[@alexjgifford]

It was a 1FR Vintage One Series from CG Conn!

[@REVOCS926]

@@alexjgifford thanks man

[@YeherIsHere]

@@alexjgiffordsame flugel from 2017!

[@bossablue1665]

Do u guys ever forget which instrument is whose?

[@alexjgifford]

All the time! We even accidentally swapped horns during the show when we ran to pick them up a few times!

[@kolbyarnold]

@@alexjgifford I thought we weren’t gonna tell anyone that 🥶

[@alexjgifford]

@@kolbyarnold the people gotta know that we can play the promenade on any horn 🗿

[@zomakaja]

Be honest. Was your individual show more difficult at Surf or BD. Lol

[@alexjgifford]

Hands down BD. From the winning brass book to all of the running and choreography it was definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Although it was nice to catch my breath during the ballad lol

[@ashleypatten391]

Wait so I’m in middle school band and this is college right?

[@alexjgifford]

Actually no, this is called Drum Corps International which is essentially “professional” marching band! However most of the performers are still in college

[@christopherturon9602]

My band director came to tutor for the blue devils and now I see why he was showing off. (He was on the sideline💀)

[@alexjgifford]

Haha well every one of our staff members was absolutely incredible so I’m sure it’s nice to have such a talented and qualified band director!