Top 20 WGI Drumline Shows of 2023!

[@JessicaAndQuads]

I am honored to have performed a show on this list

[@perrywclifton]

You guys always have awesome shows, easily some of the best of PIO every year

[@jonathandeese7310]

Great show, can't believe civitas wasn't on this list!

[@shadedfilms7523]

I remember I met you guys at retreat in Dayton it was so cool to see you guys like in the uniforms

[@TylerDunphy]

GOATED SHOW GOATED SHOW GOATED SHOW

[@pottsproductions2522]

Hey EMC! I was the drumset player for Q2, just wanted to say I’m really glad that you enjoyed our show!

[@SaxonGames]

There was a point in some ConneXus rehearsals where we all practiced headstands when we had down time... just in case. Personally I think Jerimiah's headstand (during the snare roll) was an iconic moment and the crowd reaction every time made me smile.

[@hufflepuff23402]

This was my first year ever attending WGI World Championships - and as a volunteer nonetheless! It was incredible to see so many ensembles at all the stages of championships - from helping groups up and down the tunnel (iykyk lol), to seeing staff reactions from the box during performances, and hyping groups up about to go on the show floor, I got to see so so many fantastically talented ensembles give it their all. I was lucky enough to see a +100 performances both from the show floor and up in the stands. For the fun of it here are my top 20 favorite groups from 2023 Percussion Championships! 1. RCC - PIW 2. Ayala HS - PSW 3. Rhythm X - PIW 4. Music City Mystique - PIW 5. Avon HS - PSW 6. Dartmouth HS - PSW 7. ConneXus - PIW 8. Monarch Independent - PIW 9. Center Grove HS - PSW 10. Atlanta Quest 11. Sparkman HS - PSW 12. Clear Brook HS - PSW 13. Chino Hills - PSW 14. George Mason University - PIW 15. Franklin Central HS - PSW 16. Oak Grove HS (MS) - PSA 17. Vision Percussion - PIO 18. Pulse - PIW 19. Flux - PIW 20. Beavercreek HS - PSA Also to anyone else there who saw me get run over by a prop cart during A class finals...no you didn't lmao.

[@JackCol215]

where is cyfair on ur list

[@wallybrown1341]

Love seeing Arizona groups (Flux and Vision) get represented. They're the only indoor percussion groups that get sent to Dayton, but this upcoming season there's a good chance a PSA group manages to go.

[@hufflepuff23402]

@@wallybrown1341 Same here! I’m a front ensemble tech in Arizona and know a lot of staff at Flux and Vision. It’s amazing to see how both programs have grown over the last few years, and indoor percussion in AZ as a whole.

[@hufflepuff23402]

@@JackCol215 Just looked up their finals run on KZbin and I don’t think I’d had a chance to see them perform! ☹️ That glock solo at the beginning was beautiful though.

[@insertchannelnamehere632]

question which group ran you over? I performed at A class finals and I really hope it wasn't us

[@RedDogMamaHD]

Here are Eric's WGI Percussion Favorites including Group and ranking: for example SW (Scholastic World) IW (Independent World) Includes timestamp in this video. Asterisk means they were also chosen by Eric last year. Eric 2022 Final Placement 20 * PIW 6 Music City Mystique 0:22 Plastique: Melt Me Make Me 19 * PIO 5 Q2 1:09 Art Imitates life Imitates Art 18 * PIW 7 United Percussion 1:55 The Powers that Be 17 * PIW 5 Infinity 2:38 For Myself 16 * PIO 15 Motor City Percussion 3:22 The Night Shift 15 PIW 12 Atlanta Quest 4:15 Bring me a Dream 14 PIO 11 Paradigm Percussion 5:07 …Boom…Roasted 13 PSW 14 Franklin Central HS 5:56 Be the Change 12 PSW 1 Ayala High School 6:42 Past to the Present 11 * PIW 1 Pulse Percussion 7:32 Where the Streets have No Names 10 PSW 12 Boswell HS 8:17 Ritual 9 PIW 13 ConneXsus 9:21 This Sacred Geometry 8 PIW 11 POW Percussion 10:17 Asylum 7 * PIW 9 Matrix 11:11 Love Light A Way 6 * PSW 6 Dartmouth HS 11:56 The Raven: From the Desk of Edgar Allen Poe 5 PIW 10 George Mason Univ. 12:46 Capsule 4 PIW 2 RCC 13:31 Home 3 * PSW 3 Avon HS 14:32 Delta 2 * PIW 3 Rhythm X 15:26 The Unspoken 1 * PSW 2 Chino Hills HS 16:32 In this Room 6 - Scholastic World 3 - Independent Open 11 - Independent World

[@aidanishoy]

q2 placed 5th in finals

[@RedDogMamaHD]

@@aidanishoy Thanks! I fixed it! I had two PIO at 11! Sorry, and I appreciate you correcting me!

[@aidanishoy]

@@RedDogMamaHD all good, you had lots of numbers

[@williampletcher8091]

Wow! RedDogMamaHD, you did excellent work! Just like you did last year!!! 😜🤣🤣👵 😎🥁🔥🥁

[@tbmj]

My group got to see RCC in practice since we were to use their space after them and it was an amazing experience, phenomenal show, and believe me, they practice how they perform 👍

[@willhill5784]

Thanks for the Stryke Mention! Enjoyed this group of Cast Members and the energy they brought. 💜 🎬☠️⚡️😂

[@brayniator329]

RCC fr got robbed this year

[@foofin421]

Honestly bro. I may be a little bias cus one of my instructors is in RCC but Home was crazy!

[@Thishandleistakenbutwhocares]

You mean X

[@brayniator329]

@@Thishandleistakenbutwhocares no I mean RCC. They fr won in all captions except for music because one judge gave them 4th 💀. If that’s not getting robbed then idk what is

[@brayniator329]

@@foofin421 yeahhhh two of my techs are in RCC but I PROMISE THIS AINT A BIASED OPINION

[@Thishandleistakenbutwhocares]

@Brayniator nah bro, X had the best music, and judge Howarth or whatever his name is gave them 8th. Definitely a more heinous robbery

[@pwdragon0520]

It would be sick if you did top 5 or 3 group from every independent and schoolastic classes

[@insertchannelnamehere632]

I completely agree

[@mendellee]

thanks for putting us second. the season journey for X was a crazy one this year, for the ensemble and all of the creative, instructional, and administrative staff to have achieved what they did was incredible to be a part of. also we were robbed, but i won’t get into that recap game 😁

[@G_Wizz]

I'm not a judge, but in my honest opinion getting 7th and 8th place in music comp is just a little low, and when I mean little I mean microscopic levels amount of small. I hope you can pick up my sarcasm there, especially considering your music was very unique and revolutionary that didn't rely on pre-recorded vocals to carry the theme of your show. Like I said, I'm no judge so what do I know?

[@dragonz4477]

that's what i've been saying

[@anthonymason9263]

McM’s drummer here. Def an honor to be on one of ur videos. Ppreciate the love 💕

[@Randomname2908]

Love your content! It would be cool if you could also rank indoor wind shows!

[@swarnimghimire9764]

DEFINITELY AGREE WITH THE GMU BEING AT LEAST TOP 5. They came and played at chantilly for a final going away show and yeah I love their shoe. Also I know I’m saying what everyone is but RCC GOT ROBBED SO HARD

[@ratbones620]

I was lucky enough to see Matrix perform during the indoor percussion competitions my school was at this year. We were freaking out when they flipped over the marimbas!

[@darthcannoli]

2:52 “when nobody is watching, you are performing for yourselves” I find so true, cause when my group was at dayton, we were first to perform at prelims (around 9:30ish am, we were psa)

[@David_Drums]

As someone who performed early in the morning at WGI, you are absolutely right you're pretty much performing for yourself. Congrats to all the performers on another season in the books!

[@HallyPorter]

Seriously though, the sheer number of extremely talented percussion lines featuring multitudes of extremely talented students is at this point, intimidating. Caught the Mr Ballen reference reference. We've come to the right place, because that's all you do, and you upload about once/week.

[@coleborton8722]

I was a big ConneXus fan this year, by far the best show they’ve ever had

[@lucasdennison6907]

I was lucky enough to see Matrix and Cap City when our drumline went out for competition for the first time in 17 years this year. Ended second in our class too.

[@MorningJoes]

If you didn’t love, love, LOVE the RCC show, your soul is as black as the feathers on the ravens from Dartmouth's show.

[@gavin_bigred]

Matrix’s show was awesome. Happy they got the thumbnail.

[@drumsRus]

Thx 🙏🏾

[@caseyl563]

The only indoor show to make me cry so far

[@yaboycas909]

@@caseyl563 hell yeah 🥺 that was the goal

[@theshow451]

When we were watching Atlanta quest this year there was a point in the show where the quads were behind a giant prop and our side of the audience were the only people that could see them and they were playing rock paper scissors with the audience

[@ertyboi944]

Awww!! Thats really fun!

[@justinthepirate7998]

As someone who was there for that performance, I really wasnt expecting 8:56 when they did it. I guess you can say that it was... shocking.

[@cameronpapandria2465]

A buddy of mine is a front ensemble instructor for Matrix. He helped create such an awesome and iconic moment

[@andway9313]

Chino Hills "In This Room". I love it so much!!!!! So proud to be apart of that school.

[@moviedude9589]

I had forgotten about some of these and how good they were. This year was my first year watching finals live (and also participating in them) and I will forever hold these shows dear.

[@graceburton3016]

One of my friends was in Mystique on bass! I love that they made it in your top 20!!

[@insanekaeden]

As someone marching Matrix M3 this year, i love seeing people talk about the matrix groups. Matrix is genuinely such a great group all around

[@coffeewilliams5589]

im in the avon indoor hornline and we often work at the same time. let me tell you they worked on those ball features ALL YEAR

[@BeatsByBrenn]

that moment when you're in WGI's most brutal death scene... real note tho, i know i'm late to the party but Stryke's show was so fun to be a part of! i felt like the fact that it was so engaging made it all worthwhile. though I won't be with them next year unfortunately, I really can't wait to see what they're up to in 2024! thanks for mentioning us!!

[@lmeonheads]

seeing home in person was honestly the best moment of my life, i know some of the people in that line, the whole show just went crazy, one of my favorite shows of the season !

[@magiccrocodile759]

runner up huron valley percussion for sure

[@M0on1c]

Real

[@Paws4Life1]

Ong

[@HannahTheRock]

Ha, I know the guy playing the hand pan from connexus. He graduated from my school two years ago :) W Mathew

[@subjectadaptationgaming3784]

Fun fact: I am the student who ran the lights for franklin central uniforms. If you've got any questions you should ask.

[@dinoistired]

Not a pulse member, but i was at their mid season clinic and mapes told us those are streets names in Ireland since the U2 band is from there

[@JayVx35]

And the floor was a map of the city I believe

[@MrIanGrom]

Correct! We added one street name before finals, McFadden which is the street of the high school where we rehearse.

[@evandelgado4680]

Thank you for putting Boswell HS on this list

[@m.sepich]

yooo that’s kylie in the thumbnail!! i marched in HS with her and marched in divergent percussion 2019 with her as well!!

[@tysonvandenbrook]

love the strange dark and mysterious delivered in marching arts format!!

[@robthedrummer]

My favorite show was from Hempfield High School. They did an amazing alien crash-landing vs scientists show!

[@manchutten8763]

great video as always! you should do a video on the top ranked groups from both independent and scholastic classes!

[@Kravken223]

Got to see Matrix live and got to cheer then on as some matrix members wrote our show this year due to our front instructor working for matrix. This was my first year of indoor drumline and I loved it extremely much and I’m glad I did this this year!

[@JPINFV]

I was with Fountain Valley HS for 2000 through 2003 winter seasons. It's striking to see the rule changes through out the years. We would have loved to light up our lunar lander in 2020, but lights weren't allowed at the time. I think there's more tolerance for prerecorded sounds/words as well. Of course people are going to say the same about going to half court setup in 2001...

[@Goalie29]

Good morning! This is video number 72 of me asking Eric to make a set of tenors out of differently sized or tuned snare drums.

[@Yeet7854]

I respect your dedication

[@gavin_bigred]

He has to do it now, he has too many mapex snares to say no hehe

[@sethdogs17YT]

2 of my friends preformed in the McM show this year. One is on snare and the other is on rack.

[@clarksummers4514]

Ay same

[@bradenkilpatrick2635]

I was with IMPACT. It was a very fun season, I was hoping we’d be on there 😅

[@ridicule1313]

I’m a civitas snare and y’all were for sure my favorite out of the competition! Congrats man!

[@cuttingham_1232]

Am I the only one that was a huge fan of Broken City’s show? Those shot diddles alone made it one of my favorites

[@keithbarnes9419]

I liked Broken City, but their "Shtick" is getting a little old.

[@G_Wizz]

@@keithbarnes9419 agreed

[@TreDaviousSuperbOwl]

@@keithbarnes9419 Agree/ let's hope Crown doesn't do the same schtick this year

[@cuttingham_1232]

@@keithbarnes9419 I get that. Hopefully they change it up a little, or maybe get a different voice, like how they did with Fall

[@aid.ban.]

Greatly appreciate you having POW on this list! I was a front ensemble member this year and our show had to undergo a number of design changes to avoid any scenes or messages that could potentially come off as offensive to an audience member.

[@ferretyluv]

That sucks that you have to censor your art.

[@NeonBeansII]

rip automatic doors

[@charlescrane5547]

I’m marching the flub next year as a freshman with the burleson centennial high school drumline and marching band

[@DennisJohnsonDrummer]

I didn't realize wind instruments were allowed. Guess you learn something everyday. Nice list. Thanks for sharing your top 20.

[@sapphireon903]

we’re you able to see Milton Indoor Drumline? There optical illusion theme was cool with the moving staircases

[@unrealsbigtoe]

i loved dartmouth it was awesome to see it in person and play against them

[@mr.bugsybug1610]

Keep posting Eric, your videos are amazing

[@Iplayquad]

I dont think hes gonna stop any time Soon 😂

[@gothard5]

I have always been a fan of DCI, but I have never even heard of WGI until now.

[@hazelgrace5760]

Matrix and ConneXus alum here 💜💚 Having Marched Matrix from 2020-2022, and having known the members who marched that 2023 production, the whole message of Matrix World's show this year set everything apart for me. knowing some of the struggles and balances they carried on their shoulders to have a show like that, where they can all just band together and just find some Love to light their way. it literally might be because of bias, but Matrix was my favorite this year purely because of that. a show that brought me to tears because each and every returning member from Matrix A/Open/World who marched in that show just was willing to love people for who they are. that being said, each and every Rookie, i applaud that as well, jumping in and knowing they're gonna be a part of something so heartwarming. While also being a Connexus Alum ('17), it's INCREDIBLE to remark that this was the first season Connexus has made PIW finals ever since getting bumped in 2019. good for them, the program has evolved SO much since 2017, and i couldn't be more proud of them. that extended snareline roll with Jeremiah's headstand brought me to tears, knowing how much muscle control that takes. great stuff 💚

[@adaml2957]

Omg were you on the vibe line for “Shine”? That’s my all time favorite indoor show!

[@hazelgrace5760]

@@adaml2957 yes indeed! Shine was my Ageout. I had the time of my life on that arena floor. It means a lot that you really enjoy that show!

[@adaml2957]

@@hazelgrace5760 shine will forever be my favorite WGI show ever!!! Thank you for making amazing music for WGI nerds like me!!! Have a blessed day!

[@dirtykeyz]

Appreciate the MrBallen shoutout

[@andromedawolf1948]

If you like the hand pan solo def check out Rise Percussion 2016 - The Journey

[@DanLoFat]

12 the highschool, realize that a lot of the cards and maybe all of them come with their own dance floor designed really nice that's a very effective. Cuz we'll bring in your own floor they can make any kind of messed their wants and paint what have you?

[@YummyWallet760]

Infinity is way too low! Ive found myself watching it over and over, great show!

[@Justrandomthingsyt1]

i got to go see a pulse percussion rehearsal the day before they preformed at the long Beach regional.

[@Justrandomthingsyt1]

I saw 4 of these bands at the long Beach regional and Chino hills I loved so much I literally stood up and was jumping and clapping.

[@rafael.x.rivera]

Me when performing a show with the most brutal death scene 💪💪

[@bkdoodles]

hearing shofukan in chino hills was a real eye brow raiser

[@deathandbananas2152]

Question, did you see clover indoor drumlines performance. We had the same theme as Dartmouth and we’re champions in our class

[@Tequaviontavious]

The splits on 8 basses would be wild

[@edwingonzalez5185]

In my 30s and I STILL miss this so much.

[@gothard5]

band #12 - I recognize one of the tenor players from Blue Devils

[@Paws4Life1]

Hey EMC do you think you could do a video on the top 10 PIA class next plz ❤

[@richyking3847]

Honestly I would love that, and include PSA

[@bluebarianYT]

2:58 . it wasn’t at 6.30 in the morning, it was 9.00 am. I was in the first group to preform at prelims, we actually didn’t do too bad for our group and the size/skill level. We got a 81.175, better than our group has ever done. Usually we got low 70s. GO ACIP! (Albemarle County Indoor Percussion)

[@bluebarianYT]

I also watched Every. Single. Drumline. During world class finals I was in the arena for 12 straight hours, it was such a long day but worth it in the end.

[@bluebarianYT]

Funny story actually, I was the 1st marimba player for this season and I was in charge of the cymbals that went on all three of our marimbas. We were at a hotel in Springfield, about a half hour from where we were performing. I forgot the cymbal bag at the hotel and we had to send someone back to get them. It was 8.58 and we were going on at 9.00. We were all panicking behind the curtain but suddenly our hero arrived just in time with our cymbals. This is one of the stories I’m going to carry with me for a while, and why I love indoor drumline.

[@chandlerharris4333]

Emc is on something putting mcm at 20

[@Random_Roliii]

Good Morning!

[@derekserna5975]

POWs show used to end differently with the main character being executed by electric chair. But twitter shut it down saying it was too much. So to avoid controversy they changed it.

[@kevinhateswriting]

eric definitely has some major "i don't drink coffee" energy

[@dayday23rd82]

it's crazy to know that I've seen some of these groups in person not to long ago

[@deathrun7739]

My snare tech actually marched rcc that year

[@controlhero3775]

Can not believe matrix is on the cover

[@hazelgrace5760]

i mean, i can

[@Thebig1776L]

I met you there!

[@M0on1c]

I’d love to see top 10 or 5 of each class to include different people!

[@PokeCon]

Proud Avon Alumni

[@Evan-Willis]

Ay EMC Production! I have a video idea, what if you watched commenter's groups preform? And if you do you should totally do LMCGPC West Harrison Indoor Percussion "The Next Level"

[@aidanishoy]

performing the q2 show was so much fun

[@mrpiklez3703]

Mystique was definitely top 2 for me

[@Pourusdeerpercussion]

BOSWELL OMG THEY ARE IN MY DISTRICT YUHH WE GOT LANDON AIDEN AND JOEY YYYEEEEAAAAHHHHH

[@mrnoname2353]

Video 11 of asking for the full Freebird Guitarsolo on the Megatenors

[@rsalix18]

One of my favorite seniors marching for Flux, and they did really well right until Champs, when one of the judges "didnt like the show concept" so they didnt make it far at all. Still angry about it lol. edit: My vis tech marched cymbal line for pulse, love him and am so proud of him. GO DAVIS

[@davisongflips]

Just saw this, Flux killed it and I always appreciate the support!

[@adam_baty]

I was there performing with Northview High School. Sadly we didn’t make it to finals😢 We are in Scholastic Open btw. We watches Scholastic Open Finals still.

[@CINNAMONSTICKLUIS]

Been waiting for this video

[@squishy_duc8827]

He did it!!!

[@aifos452]

living for the matrix thumbnail

[@c_zar591]

CNX loves you emc🫶

[@thomas_tran8203]

Up2 had the best dance moves just saying

[@ChristopherNelson42]

4:57 I actually clicked because of that

[@DrakeSmith-c9p]

MCM at 20 breaks my heart :,)

[@Idolikethis]

Alright, WGIPWC got me lmfao

[@530captaincrunch]

Awesome! What editor do you use?

[@baconXman]

How strange dark and mysterious was that Mr. Ballen reference 😉

[@Iplayquad]

Impact got snuffed herr. One of the most genius show designs ever and placed 2nd in PIO.

[@Griffin그리핀]

Always a fun time seeing what was your favorite show.

[@Diembee]

I’m biased because one of our Marching instructors (who also happened to be one of my seniors in high school) did RCC, but that show was absolutely insane; my jaw was on the floor from start to finish. Pulse did great but RCC got robbed so hard this year IMO

[@mavij-s4723]

I went to the Pulse Percussion (& POW Percussion) pre show and the director explained that the road signs wer named after actual roads in Ireland. Or was it Scotland?

[@mileyjudge3168]

United Percussion

[@bobbarksofficial4335]

Yes

[@EMCproductions]

First comment! Good work.

[@bobbarksofficial4335]

@@EMCproductions YESSIR THANK YOU! BOBBARKS OFFICIAL STRIKES AGAIN!!!!! 💚🥁💚🥁