Phantom Regiment 1996 - Defiant Heart - The Music of Dmitri Shostakovic

Phantom Regiment
DCI 1996
Defiant Heart - The Music of Dmitri Shostakovic
(1st place, tie)
www.drumcorpsinprogress.nl

[@courtneycaudill4785]

The best opener in DCI history. The all black, the slow March, the low brass, all of it is pure perfection 🥹 brings me to tears every. single. TIME.

[@tomshea8382]

The break from minor to major is one of the great moments in DCI history.

[@cavalier9915]

It takes my breath away every time, too. No corps today would have the guts to present something so stark and profound.

[@cavalier9915]

The first 3 minutes is a master class in phrasing and dynamic control. The fact that they did this while marching a series of hyper-exposed, no-room-for-error angular formations--THIS is how they won, despite finishing 4th in Quarters.

[@KiranSundarkdog97]

I've always wondered how they finished fourth in quarterfinals...like, did they have a particularly bad run that night? They were pretty close to BD from a scoring standpoint right before finals week, so seeing them almost four points behind was a little odd. Regardless, I'm glad they won, and they deserved it.

[@AtlUtd711]

@@KiranSundarkdog97 I was on Visual Staff that summer. The Quarterfinals run was just fine. In fact, the corps had great runs all 3 nights. It will be an eternal mystery why the judges sunk us to 4th at qrtrs and 3rd at semis. We should have been at worse 2nd all three nights. And yeah, we were right on BD's heels coming into DCI week.

[@davidmartinez-fe3zr]

@@AtlUtd711 I was in the stands , upper deck front and center. I knew where corps were stacked heading into finals week. Quaters,, after PR finished I told my friends "They could win this thing". Two nights later they did.

[@RyanBoots]

The power chords at 5:20, 6:22 and 9:28 didn't hurt either. ;)

[@trap4dafu2k0fit]

I was there in 96. Word in the stands was, there was some funny business going on with the checks coming in from the lodges. Lord Rothschild and his right hand man, Bill the Qill Clinton were there as well. Weird year for sure.

[@MS-df2fk]

This show is DCI magic from start to finish. The drill may look slow compared to today's shows, and it is, but it was slow back then too and it didn't matter. It's clean as hell, fits the show perfectly, the guard is lights out and the music is freaking amazing. They should have won outright instead of tying with BD.

[@jrdjr212]

Agreed! Should've been their title alone.

[@osutuba]

@@jrdjr212 Yeah, but that couldn't happen because BD.

[@trap4dafu2k0fit]

Two checks, both the exact same amount, hey , stuff happens. At least the Freemasons were fair about it.

[@cavalier9915]

Supposedly Michael Cesario was able to convince the judges that the slow tempo made it HARDER. During one of the judging meetings that week (where the corps directors would meet with judges), he had a judge stand with one leg raised, and he told him "now imagine playing a horn in that position--THAT'S what Phantom is doing."

[@supersop]

People forget that prior to this year, all ties were broken by total GE score. Had the tie rule not gone into effect, PR would have won outright.

[@AtlUtd711]

Man, that was a really fun summer.... I was on visual staff at PR that summer. This is still one of my all time favorite shows.

[@bobboulden]

They did a fantastic job, you should definitely be proud.

[@jamesdamon3992]

Its still my favorite opener of all time

[@GuitarClassVideos]

I marched 95 and the season was a bit of a mess, leadership-wise... losing a director mid-season will do that. I like to think the perseverance we had paid off in 96.

[@AimlessRyan]

That show was amazing. I was there that night, and I wanted the cadets to win, but I can barely remember what they played that year. I don’t remember what the blue devils played. I remember being pissed that phantom won because someone fell during the finals performance and because of the tie. I don’t care now. That show was amazing. I’m so glad I got to see it probably five or 10 times. But I’m disappointed that I didn’t stick around to watch the exhibition (because I wanted the cadets to win).

[@joew717]

@@AimlessRyan the Cadets did the Hoe Down "Beef" show and Blue Devils did the gangster show. I was a rookie with Magic or Orlando that year (we did the Wright Brothers show) and I remember being blown away by PR the first time we saw them in Texas and still get chills hearing this show.

[@drummertony6833]

This was to those who couldn't be there.....thee most massive sound ever reproduced by human beings !! I wish ever corps fan could have been there to see it done with NO AMPLIFICATION !!!!!!!!!

[@cavalier9915]

You said it. And this show is a solid rebuttal to anyone who says that G bugles can't sound good as all-key brass. No B-flat horns EVER sounded this dark.

[@jaydrose6292]

and no dancing and standing doing hula-hoop movements like they do....get off my lawn! 90's DCI was the best decade ever (I marched 2001-2003, 2006)

[@ruscopcoltrain]

In 1996, I was at the DCI show in Tulsa, OK. Phantom was there, too, along with the Cavaliers, I believe, as the two truly elite corps. at the show. Unfortunately, there was a severe weather system that came through, including a tornado warning, so we all had to take cover inside Union High School where it was being held. Also unfortunately, this meant that the contest had to be called off less than halfway through. But *fortunately*, once the really severe stuff had passed us, they decided to let the corps. that hadn't gotten to march perform in the school's auditorium, which would rival most civic PAC's. So instead of getting to see Phantom march this show, I got to see them perform the music in an indoor venue, which may have actually been better. That opener completely blew us away and it's a memory that I will always have.

[@MrPhillipABurns]

similar weather pattern, same stadium,1 year later. Madison Scouts, "Pirates of Lake Mendota". But were fortunate the storm stalled about 2 miles south. . . . . Oklahoma, "where the wind comes sweeping down the plains"

[@brianrandol]

I remember that show. I was home on leave from the Navy. I had marched with Black Gold from Tulsa, in 1991, 92, 93. Getting to see the show in the auditorium was awesome, up close and personal.

[@kjtampa31]

13 year old me was blown away by the clean "loudness" from that exact show. My parents were linked to Southwind, and my dad driving one of the buses said screw it, we're watching this show. The year before I remember thinking nothin can top the (1995) Scouts finals. I was wrong, this show holds fast in my heart!

[@t-max7261]

You’re a lucky dude- that would have been a sight to behold (and, more accurately, behear)!

[@JonMooney-uu1kj]

Yep, I marched Contra for Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps in 1996. I remember the Tulsa Oklahoma DCI Show. We put on one hell of a show, wearing those black uniforms, was amazing.🎶🎵💕💞🕶️💗🥧👍😎😍😍💋🔥😍😎👍

[@dwaterson21]

I feel like, if Shostakovich could write drill, this would be the drill he'd write for this show. Part compulsive straight lines, part neurotic blobs, part anxious sharp angles, and part genius curves. This show is DSCH to a tee and it really makes you feel different. It's a feeling without a name, when you see something and know you've just witnessed genius.

[@uvn6210]

The buildup to the absolute wall of sound in the opener is honestly amazing. Starting off in silence, adding a part slowly getting louder, and then finally finishing off with adding percussion at a very strong fortissimo. The opener is a gold standard of control and balancing.

[@larryvinson5683]

This is one of my all time favorites! I cried during this performance. I've always been a Cavie fan, but PR should've won ALONE on this night!

[@jamesdamon3992]

BD always finds a way to tie...

[@EclecticMuse4]

I saw this show on PBS in 1996 when I was 13 years old, my first year in marching band, and I was hooked. Still my favorite show. Made me wish I could do drum corps, but unfortunately I was a woodwind 😂

[@tperk]

The visual simplicity of this show is stunning. This show would have sent a message to the entire activity if it had won outright in 1996.

[@jamesdamon3992]

An all black uniform reads so well on the field. I could watch this show over and over again.

[@smachendree]

You know Shostakovich himself would be sitting on the edge of his seat: "Wow, why didn't I think of that!!"

[@anthonygeurtsen7143]

The BEST production ever. Nothing can or will ever compete with this!

[@waynestephens6505]

That last 2 1/2 minutes still gives me chills! I played soprano bugle in drum corps, and there is something beautiful

[@strafeson]

If you've done any marching at any level, you know how insanely difficult that last piece of drill in the opener is to pull off. And they absolutely smashed it. God I love this show.

[@cavalier9915]

I'd say that about the entire opener. So many angular formations that are nearly impossible to clean, and somehow Phantom made it look easy.

[@waynestephens6505]

something so beautiful and thrilling about unleashing your horn power and getting a great response from the crowd!🎉❤

[@rjminar1980]

This was the real deal kids. To be in the stands for this show was unreal! The power was incredible!

[@kellynbailey3551]

I had the guy who directed this corps as a music teacher. Very precise, seeks perfection and would show us how to achieve it. I also remember him getting excited when we nailed it. I’ll never forget Mr. Church. (It’s been 18 years since I marched this show in high school and I keep coming back to watch this video).

[@TheBlackiechan76]

I can't believe my friends and I saw this show live! One of the best DCI shows ever!

[@Fryzers]

Me too. In tears I was.

[@drumcorpsinprogres]

The year we married at Long Boat Key, and after that went to Finals in Orlando! That first love didn't last, but the love for drum corps did. 😁

[@brians.4682]

After 28 years, this show has aged so incredibly well. A master class in so many aspects... minimalist everything... just black / red... brass, percussion and color guard... this is one of my few 'go to' shows when I need an old school Regiment fix! Bravo!

[@gregjacksun]

I will never stop revisiting this video. One of the best. Thank you for posting.

[@kevinhorn4219]

This was the first year that I ever got to witness drum corps in person, and I instantly fell in love with PR. An absolute wall of perfectly balanced sound. I have since marched Cadets, but PR was my first love. Mostly due to this show.

[@monkeyshits2]

SUTA to all the 96 members and staff! This is still one of the greatest shows of all time. Still takes your breath away. Made me join in 97.

[@kraighunter5262]

I'm not crying, you're crying!!! Why do I bawl like a baby when I watch this show?

[@MegAbplanalp]

Literally every single time.

[@MicahtheDrumCorpsPseudoboomer]

I'm not crying either, so who is crying?

[@jamesdamon3992]

I have seen many shows, this will always be in my top 5. Its art.

[@drummertony6833]

I was there....believe me.....it was a sound....a feeling none of us have ever felt before !! It was deep !.....Thick ! .... Beautiful ! As bad ass as Carolina and Blue Coats sound these days...this was the start...and NO AMPLIFICATION !!

[@scotthammonds1873]

That dynamic, powerful punch at 2:24 is what gets me!! This show is nothing but raw power! I was playing this in my truck yesterday while taking my kids to school, and my 13 year old daughther spoke up after the opener and said "wow, that was good". She's in middle school band.

[@nathansanders874]

Maaann, this show... What a pristine example of drum corps perfection. 1996 Phantom Regiment performing Shostakovich 5. This show still blows me away.

[@savagepancake6639]

I’m proud to say both my parents were in this drum core for 1996 and they got to take home the title

[@jamesdamon9345]

This is still one of the best DCi shows. The visual clarity is amazing.

[@BullHHLF]

5:17 = greatest mellophone run ever!

[@dant1241]

Absolutely agree with Jimmy the Bull here ! 5:17 Mello's are rocking ! 5:25 is one of not the very best Chord played in Drum Corps ! Goosebumps everytime ! The power, balance, context etc.... Still to this day amazing !

[@ethanmusc9535]

@@dant1241 for sure and also the d major at the end

[@jacobfrasier8137]

Best summer of my life. I loved watching/listening to y’all after our show was over.

[@TroyRevell]

This is the show I make my kids watch. 25 years later.

[@richardmills9359]

Still remember seeing this show in person. I believe the finals performance was the best I've ever heard from a drum and bugle corps hornline.

[@jazzstandardman]

I remember watching them rehearse this in Houston. The whole thing is a work of art, but those last couple of minutes...just mesmerizing! Got me hooked on Shostakovich's music, too.

[@dant1241]

Absolutely agree with Jimmy the Bull here ! 5:17 Mello's are rocking ! 5:25 is one of not the very best Chord played in Drum Corps ! Goosebumps everytime ! The power, balance, context etc.... Still to this day amazing !

[@thunderman21]

Got to see this live as well… excellent show, and the swagger they had when they took the field… it was dark, but almost like the lovable villain…then you fell In love with them.

[@t-max7261]

I was there as well and as a D2/3 member, I had no idea what awesome was until I saw this show (for the first time at Finals)! Forget Cadets, BD and Cavs- these guys were the best by far…and it wasn’t even close!

[@thunderman21]

@@t-max7261 I was a Freshman in high school, bottom bass. Seeing them pushed me to push myself and ended up being Drum Capt. My senior year. Watching this show brought tears to my eyes. Plus their DM 🥰l Lawd!!!!

[@mr.lambert834]

Truly, has anything ever been this good?

[@jamesmccausland9330]

One of the most amazing PR experiences of my life. The sound.... unbelievable

[@scott414b]

saw this show in illinois, that lower bass in the beginning was crazy!

[@operationboar5524]

I remember the show and tell victory performances that followed scores this year!!! Each corps losing their minds as the other rocked it!!! Great memories!!!

[@swan4439]

I was in the pit percussion line this season with night express. Phantom was always my favorite to watch. Someone did holst the planets that year. I guess I have to search more KZbin. Madison scouts Malaguena was epic if not a little too jazzy but what a great year for drum corps.

[@t3hm4zn]

This is my 2nd favorite, maybe even tied for my favorite show of all time... the other being 2002 Cavaliers Frameworks.

[@gabrielfaure9091]

Those triplets at 2:14 give me chills every time

[@Nickanj]

I was there. Words cannot describe the experience. And yes, they should have won outright, but no matter what, this remains one of my favorite shows of all time.

[@loverofdrama_]

Whoa. The effect of the poles the guard is spinning is SO cool. Definitely my favorite visual aspect, wow. This show is spectacular.

[@danjoyce6971]

Fifth time watching this since August. Never gets old.

[@CueBoy28]

WOW! Thank you for such a great upload! This performance always gave me chills! ❤️🙌🏾

[@diegorangel419]

This stuff is amazing

[@alphajlima]

Classical screamers are underappreciated

[@carloserr1435]

love that opener 😫

[@MrMusicmicky]

My all time favorite drum corps show ever! I never marching PR, but always a fan. So beautiful and exciting!

[@milescumminski8077]

This was one of the most amazing performances I have ever witnessed live. They were just on fire, the show had so much passion and emotion. I was in tears by the end, and the crowd was going bananas. It was just a perfect performance on a perfect night in sweaty, awful Orlando Florida! I felt sorry for BD as they had to perform after Phantom, but BD held their own. I was never a fan of ties, but it is what it is. I really thought Phantom might beat Blue Devils by a tenth or two. Looking back now, I honestly think they were both deserving Gold Medalists!

[@stinkysofiaaaa]

mellos really had me like 😱😱😱

[@SamanthaIreneYTube]

Love the fact that those 1996 microphones couldn’t handle their volume. You can hear it in the opener. Those mics are maxed out.

[@eXcommunicate1979]

Yeah, the 1996-98 broadcasts really sucked. Tragically so.

[@skyway2k]

There’s a much better quality version available on SoundCloud

[@julesdauphin2946]

1:34 to 1:47 It can only be described as bone-chillingly good

[@somericanguy]

Top 10 all time DCI show. I'll gladly fight anyone about this

[@markhenriques1449]

Went to my first DCI show during this season. THIS.WAS.MY.FAVE performance of the year. If I recall correctly, I went to a show in Madison WI and Phantom came on field as a DELUGE of rain began. The rain drops bouncing of the drums was a sight to behold under the stadium lights, not to mention the thunderous sound of the Corp!

[@okbrassman]

incredible footage of the drum major in the closing seconds. Looks like she is about to lose it and burst into tears ! She knows they have won ! just not realizing they will have to share.

[@cowpoly1564]

Even the sopranos sound dark. One my all time favs

[@waynestephens6505]

9:19 drum corps power chords at their best!! ❤🎉

[@slappy1234567]

Great!

[@AbsVanDiesel]

Class! Period!

[@stevetugwell9599]

PR and A Shostakovich Symphony.Whats not to love?

[@IHTFISP]

Fourth Ballet Suite / First Symphony, Second Movement / Fifth Symphony, Fourth Movement

[@justsittingmike]

That timpani player better be a professional player right now.

[@cholland454]

8:46 what a shot. My word for this show is “classy”. That’s the beat way I can describe it.

[@Wahl95]

This is one of my favorite hornlines EVER. This and ‘89 have to be the best-ever Phantom Regiment hornlines - maybe alongside ‘08? Oh, and that moment at 9:17… don’t you just love how each section absolutely LAYS into that sustain? EPIC!

[@eXcommunicate1979]

I love this show to death, honestly. Phantom Regiment is my favorite corps and Shostakovich is my favorite composer. Having said that... Realistically, they were the 3rd place corps that night. Both The Cadets and Blue Devils were better. I even think Phantom had better corps in 1995 and 1997. What this 1996 show does though is hit a zeitgeist and it's very "controlled" and "precise, " elegant, even, in contrast to their competitors who were trying their best to be the fastest and wildest. So, on Finals night, it worked to be different and they tied for first place. It's a great corps and great show. The percussion book was pretty great and the horn sound was rich af. Even the color guard was on point. That said, yeah, The Cadets and Blue Devils had a higher performance to me.

[@ralphbrody4225]

5:17 MELLOS

[@t3hm4zn]

If that opener doesn't break you down into an emotional mess you're not human. I don't understand how the drum majors keep their shit together, and I marched throughout high school.

[@tommytimp]

That tension break at 2:23 is maybe the best in the history of drum corps.

[@lolshark99b49]

IT'S A CLASSIC

[@josephagundez5336]

It's a shame at what DCI has become in the last decade. Everyone has gone the way of electronics and mics. I'd love to see a group come in and just go back to the old school of raw power and emotion.

[@peterkrause7952]

I can remember watching them perform in Madison in a total downpour and they absolutely crushed it! It was such a great show and one of my favorites!

[@Spoonwood]

I like how we only get a phantom of Kristy Spears a few times.

[@operationboar5524]

Also, if memory serves me correctly, this year was the only time that a corps went from 3rd place (semis) to 1st (finals) in the history of DCI. Fun fact, Blue Devils had the highest Quarterfinals score in history this year with exception of Cavaliers in 2002 and the Blue Devils in 2014. Rah.

[@christopherauert6634]

Cadets did that in 92

[@christopherauert6634]

Although, they went from 4th to 2nd

[@larryvinson5683]

That happened with Americanos in Div 3 1994. 3rd in prelims and 1st on finals night.

[@cavalier9915]

Vanguard did in 1974. :)

[@gunner-qf9eh]

BD went from 4th to 1st in 2015.

[@GaltAWG]

What's this? No spandex? No synthesizers? No garbage thrown all over the field? (except for you Tommy Blue Devils... That was slick) Ahhhh .. Sweet sweet DCI at its finest

[@ECorridor]

Holy crap those mellophones 5:17

[@upgrayedd719]

Easily my all time favorite, next to 2004 SCV performing Schereazade ❤️

[@ehess1492]

2004

[@upgrayedd719]

@@ehess1492 TY

[@huggle0486]

What Shostakovich pieces did they use in this? I know symphony no.5 is chopped up and thrown in for the finale but what else?

[@WalterPeck1]

Opener: Ballet Suite nr. 4. Second piece: Symphony nr. 1 mvt. 2. Closer: Symphony nr. 5 mvt. 4.

[@leedanielisla2440]

the mellos. THE FUCKING MELLOS!!!!

[@krisplates]

5:17 O___O

[@paulplaysstuff6696]

absolutely insane

[@longfade]

Goddamn, what a show. It plays like an illustrated history of everything potent and great about drum corps from the 74-84, and tosses out the fake theater, Disney shit with extreme prejudice. Big balls show and they brought it with complete conviction.

[@jaredstancombe6724]

I want to know what the brass judge said at 9:27.

[@CSRookie]

I want to know what he said from 5:56 ~ 6:25 lol

[@skyway2k]

He said “YESSSSS!!!!!”

[@gregarious119]

IIRC it was so loud that the tape was distorted

[@superleekegshoondinovevo6998]

5:16 good god

[@robalvarado2466]

Phantom by far ahold have taken 1st place I love the blue devils but Phantom hands down won!

[@dianawolf894]

Who can top these sounds listening from the stands?

[@ResidentialGondola]

5:15

[@andyolsen8420]

Do the percussion judges still give lower scores if the drill is not written for them to follow the battery?

[@supersop]

Percussion judges are no longer allowed on the field. So, NO.

[@eXcommunicate1979]

Anyone have the high cam of this?! These close up shots are poorly edited.

[@JasonCarson]

What is the name of the first movement of this show?

[@lucasb3462]

I’m guessing it was louder than the video shows?

[@ehess1492]

Quite possibly the loudest horn line of the 128 member era. Glassmen 1999 were also really loud.

[@rgfilms8851]

The cameras and microphones were not that great back then, unless they were for cinema, so I can’t imagine how loud it was

[@WillConley]

When we talk about a "wall of sound", we mean it. The sound is of such a volume and quality and uniformity of execution that the sound itself almost seems to become a solid object. It's incredibly bizarre.

[@MrPhillipABurns]

@@WillConley it has been so long since anyone has heard that famous wall of sound that smacks you right in the face, only people 40 years old (maybe 30's) and older ? ? (not good at math), knows what it felt like.

[@SamanthaIreneYTube]

You can hear the mics max out around 2:20. They just can’t handle the volume

[@lucasb3462]

His name is Shostakovich

[@GuitarClassVideos]

What’s the story with only 3 tenors and 7 snares?

[@ehess1492]

The membership limit was 128 back then vs 150 now. 7 or 8 snares and 4 tenors was very common. 64 was a common number for hornlines, and Phantom had 70 in 1996. Gotta make the math work.

[@thunderman21]

@@ehess1492and always clean as a whistle too! Hardly any dirt!

[@karl7487]

What is the opener? It’s not No. 5.

[@danjoyce6971]

Is it just me or can you hear the snare captain yelling/dutting at 9:02 for the whole battery

[@jasonlambert5552]

can hear it every show, anytime they have phrases without a lot going on and space in between to help keep the line in snyc

[@danjoyce6971]

@@jasonlambert5552 I know the purpose, it's just funny how clearly you can hear him

[@sanford198]

@@danjoyce6971 He was probably amped from such a killer performance

[@gregarious119]

Random fact, that’s my brother 🤩

[@Luke_Cullen]

At 5:32 watch that then watch “piedmont high school 2019” closer for the show Joan of Arc

[@danagiles5100]

Try as I might.I can't remember any other corps in the top 3...who kicked their show off with their ballad. So if you wanna win break some rules.