Pitch Perfection: The Phantom Regiment

100 musical machines, the brass of the Phantom Regiment warms up in Hattiesburg, MS. 7/27/11

[@ConnorRydland]

I find myself watching this video 5 years later still amazed that I was given the opportunity to stand in this same horn arc

[@planaritytheory]

sick humblebrag

[@regimentfront2012]

SUTA!

[@woahbiscuit4695]

i find myself watching this almost a decade later. i still get goosebumps. every time.

[@mtfenley]

I’ve always loved phantom regiment I would’ve loved to be able to do this it was such a let down I just wasn’t able too

[@phand007]

Thank you for being there! PR ‘11 Tpt

[@waceymurley]

"And they're in fifth place."

[@oklahomanorm2278]

Hàrt

[@marinecorpsammofajitasmres4387]

it's been years since I've seen this, and I come back to the video. and i still can very much hear a Beautiful Connected Halo Ring when they play and hold out there Notes close to the end of the video.

[@FutureMP445]

5th place my ass. They sound perfect and powerful!

[@jdavid1027]

I'll take a 5th of that!

[@samrshelley]

It was a travesty.

[@jlj7789]

The brilliance of the concept of Pitch Perfection is actually in all of the 'bad' stuff they are doing. The ideas of breath control and release, air movement and control, articulation (which is not perfect, but absolutely consistent throughout the line - which means its getting better), are all perfectly executed when they are doing the 'wrong' things This makes the focus on getting it right is just that much more important and centered when they are dead on.

[@KurtWittman]

I LOVE me some Phantom Horn Line! All of the corps horn lines are great. But Phantom has always been one of the crispest and cleanest IMHO.

[@jareddavis950]

Kurt Wittman along with crown

[@KurtWittman]

Yes Sir!! Love them too!

[@jacobivy2854]

Carolina Crown is my number 1, but these cats are close in my book.

[@jimbrown8818]

If 2:43 doesn't affect you in some profound visceral way, well hell, I don't even want to know you.

[@yesorlando05]

I never tire of PR's top-heavy HL. The prominent low brass sound is something I've always been drawn to by this corps. Such richness. The ballad at the end is stunningly beautiful. No crazy runs or fancy articulations. Just a perfect blend of voices that soothes the soul.

[@erikwaterson361]

I love Phantom's rendition of Lord's Prayer.

[@davidjack7418]

Couldn't agree more with the "top-heavy" comment. My first DCI experience was when I was just a middle school student that got lucky enough to go along with the high school students to a DCI show, and it just happened to be 1996. I've been a big fan of PR ever since.

[@KiranSundarkdog97]

@@davidjack7418 great time to become a fan, huh? 😀

[@davidjack7418]

@@KiranSundarkdog97 Absolutely. I had no idea what DCI even was at that time. I was just excited to start marching band in high school. Here we are, decades later. I still love Phantom (among others) for that experience alone.

[@bdarne0024]

If every one was this devoted to tonal center the world would be better

[@matthewstump7563]

I enjoyed the time when I marched Lead Soprano with Star in 1988 and we competed against Phantom in so many competitions. There were two competitions where we tied for 1st at both of them two days apart. I think by the end of the year it was something like 8 wins for Phantom and 7 for Star with 2 ties. That was a lot of times for us to meet each other. Great times.

[@sputnikalgrim]

Stumbled across this again on December 31 2022. DCI has always been a love of mine and Phantom is my favorite Corp. this video illustrates so much, but if I had to put my finger on the one thing that sends me, it’s the hit, it’s always going to be that hit

[@titogarcia1481]

I'm the only one who can not stop listening from the 2:43 ???

[@TheKrispyKarim]

Tito García nope xD

[@mercilpb]

Its my favorite segment of any show ever.

[@AustinAngela]

Same 😭😭

[@danny2595]

Lord's Prayer is always my favorite history bit to play. Such a rich and gorgeous arrangement

[@CorekBleedingHollow]

1:30 I loved it when they sung their pitch. That was beautiful.

[@dianaakatini]

My band director does this exact exercises with us. Well, I'm a senior now, but yeah. It made our sound much better. The listening, the watching, everything was just better. This was the best year of marching that my high school has had, other than my freshmen year. We missed state by one. :/ But yeah, these guys know what they're doing.

[@bencvang]

First Realization: It's so loud, It's unbelievable. Second Realization: My volume is only at 50. Ultimately Jealousy

[@marcusssc8493]

Ben Vang dude holy shit I just noticed too

[@crashcourse1999]

Look up the more recent from crown. "Crown drops the hammer" recording quality is legit and it really gives you the full volume range. Best representation I've heard that wasn't live of the volume range of drum corps

[@Taanstafl12]

Yet to find another hornline vid with that pronounced of an overtone.

[@samshelley6152]

The story behind this day and the motivation we had at warm-up is about as classic as Phantom Regiment gets.

[@sparksparkboom]

Sam Shelley what's the story behind it?

[@samshelley6152]

@@sparksparkboom If memory serves correctly, we were punished by visual staff for a few people being hungover in the morning after a "free day" in New Orleans. Lots of running, lots of continuous reps without us getting to put our horns down (we're talking 20+ minutes of holding the horns up). All in Southern Mississippi in the middle of the day in late July. Not fun. Then they took "SUTA" away from us and removed the "pull halt" at the end of the company front in Elsa's for this show only. We "the hornline" weren't particularly pleased about these last two removals, and so we "brought it" that night. I remember getting dressed on the bus and everyone was fuming. Visual staff continued to be antagonistic through visual warmup, so by the time we got to music warmup we were ready to let off some "steam." I think that's why the lead trumpets can be heard clearly above the staff through all the block chords here. I was a lowly 3rd trumpet near the mellos, but even from there you could sense the pent up anger across the line. We were very good, and so were previous versions of the hornline, at channeling this anger into playing better. I think this video encapsulates that well, and the video from the show this night also illustrates that (in my opinion). I don't know why I'm sharing this 10 years later on a public youtube video, but looking back its interesting to me, and reinforces a bit of the legend of Phantom Regiment. Hope you enjoy the story.

[@austincarl9013]

Has to be one of the greatest hornline videos I have ever seen.

[@KurtWittman]

I teach my students matching principles when I volunteer at the HS. When it comes time to teach pitch matching, I direct them to this video. SO CLEAN!

[@OldMoneyAudition09]

Respect. I marched 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006 (diff. corps) and this brings me back to those warm summer days playing in the lot before and OUTDOORS SHOW. A little roughness but a whole lot of heart and a big wall of sound. Like this piece a lot. LEAVE THE DOME!

[@michaell.8938]

Goosebumps. Every. Single. Time.

[@Benisuber1]

All of you doubting how in tune Phantom is, go listen to them in the lot. I promise it sounds like one big brass machine. Awesome. If you knew anything about drum corps anyway, you'd know that cameras just don't do it justice.

[@MrLambo234]

Is it bad that I cry every time I watch this

[@tylerviney93]

Nope, that first note that they hit at 2:42 gives me goosebumps every.... single..... time.

[@democratsuck]

That whole chorale will change you to the core!

[@haydengroover590]

Gilbert Craven to the "corps" you mean lol

[@willpayton8477]

No it isn't. You have passion for sound and the love music. Even I cried when I saw this clip. I have a passion these Band Corps. Never be asamed for what you passion.

[@mariannesouza8326]

Definitely not!

[@garrettsmith6237]

Lmao at the end "they're in 5th place"

[@TubaMan2015]

It’s 2017 and I’m still fucking amazed. It’s just mind blowing. Damn I miss marching band

[@gavinmiller7709]

2:46 .... the trumpet's high note gets me every time

[@machinistmikethetinkerer4827]

Gottdamm...that gave me serious goosebumps hair all standing up. Always a phan of the Phantom since '77

[@AdamDaley1]

Anybody else just close their eyes and listen... what a feeling of power you get. I sure do miss the horn, wish i stuck with it for moments like this

[@cobrolol2204]

I still come back to this video many many years and every time I’m always left with goosebumps and tears. I miss marching band

[@sarahhearn-vonfoerster7401]

Great sense of humor. What fun...and talented too; It would be wonderful to "sit in", wouldn't it?

[@ApolyonTheSoulRender]

I think people are sometimes invited to sit in the circle/arc at larger shows or clinics

[@sarahhearn-vonfoerster7401]

How splendid! I am so envious.

[@chriskanemeier]

Sarah Hearn-vonFoerster If you ever go to a DCI event you are more than welcome to watch the parking lot warm-ups. Just remember you may end up missing a performance making your way there and back to your seat.

[@sarahhearn-vonfoerster7401]

I m a professional musician who knows that rehearsals or warm-ups are more interesting than performances, but lacking the adrenaline rush. Wonderful to experience both.

[@EMJ31]

Well said, sir. Any of these fine musicians, and anyone who has ever played a brass instrument, blessed with the gift to create their own sound, and then to experience that sound shared with a group of others, will realize that what occurs beginning at approximately 2:40 of this video is what each of us hopes it will sound like when the gates of Heaven are opened for us. It is only when we combine such talents and hard work with others that we create this larger beauty that is beyond ourselves.

[@jtcoop40]

not to be weird but the power the disharmonies hold made me shake. I just imagine hearing this before a battle in the old days and I can't imagine the energy the music holds. Pure magic.

[@ollyinhd5081]

I can't believe that resolve at the end, it was so incredible flawless.

[@phand007]

It's so sad to see members of other corps, such as Crown, rip on the regiment so much. That says a lot about the character they "teach" at Crown. Phantom is much more than a Jim Otte award.

[@funstream48]

All right. There mems are pretty dank.

[@iruben77]

holy amazing! that's why phantom regiment will ALWAYS have a place in my heart as THE best of the best. not just in their warm-ups but in action on the fields during competitions!

[@mitchglisson]

Never get tired of those goosebumps at 2:43. Beautiful sound

[@KiranSundarkdog97]

I want this Phantom back.

[@culversofgallatin3933]

Me too. PR alum 1978-1981

[@KiranSundarkdog97]

@@culversofgallatin3933 great time to be a PR member! Though I was about a year too early on my previous comment - JD Shaw’s back with that Phantom sound now 😀

[@strife181]

@thatguy0744 For sure, I would definitely take the harsh, compressed sounds of BD's brass over the crystal clear and free blowing (and in-tune) music that Crown puts out. My favorite is when half of the BD high brass fakes through their runs and it just sounds like a smeared mess, and their double tonguing was about the same.

[@ataricom]

I have family in Rockford. They LOVE listening to the camps.

[@rkrealtorva]

Simply amazing. The "Lord'd Prayer" from 2003 is one of my all time favorite PR pieces. That along with Biebel's "Ave Maria" from the "Faust" show.

[@PlushChronicles]

Are you fucking kidding me this is insane

[@MattIndigoWilliams]

I can't for the life of me understand who or what kind of creature would dislike this.

[@justinthornton143]

3:05 gave me goosebumps!!!!

[@cobrobro]

still here years after i can't get enough

[@heartfixer8]

I cried during that years show. The first impact was the most moving thing I ever ever felt in my entire life. Can not simply wait till tomorrow to see them and many others again.

[@RBVTBONE]

I dunno why but the way a hornline sounds, especially while playing a ballad warming up with the drumline thundering in the background is always incredibly epic... something about the contrast that gets to me.

[@johnythanj]

Overtones like CRAZY man. That is remarkable how THAT many people can get to such a level of excellence that just by looking at them, you can tell that they are a family and they have been together for months working their craft and working for 12 hours+ a day 7 days a week. Phantom, I tip my hat to you.

[@marinesNewport]

I'm impressed! The resolution of the chord is magic. Almost perfect. There were two sops flat and at least one baritone flat but almost perfect. WOW!

[@DoctorTrombone]

this appeals to my actual perfect pitch.. so god damn powerful

[@mrmoped92]

The trumpet overtones at the beginning, just heavenly!

[@aireworks1]

god 2:43 to the end gives me chills beyond imagine. they have a very powerful hornline this year and i absolutely love that they are using the lord's prayer as a warmup now.

[@jarrodbriley]

I listen to this and literally just have chills and goosebumps running all over my body. It's incredible.

[@sputnikalgrim]

I still struggle with words to describe how much this moves me

[@seabassmcbigfat]

I kinda can't stop watching this.

[@bugtahoe]

Off the chain.......no words fit the sound!!!!!

[@stephencardone7549]

I didn't think you could hear overtones through speakers? guess i was wrong

[@fwh65006]

Dude my new director for my high school is in this video!!!!!!!!!!! He`s wearing the green jacket!!!!!! :D

[@zachee09]

That chorale at the end...smh!! Just when I thought the resolution was coming, I was led further into different motifs. All I can do is smh. That was wonderful!! #GooseBumps

[@ClearEnforcer]

They are just one of the few groups you have to see and hear in person to be astonished (:

[@cptfoxheart]

2:42 blows my mind every time I hear it

[@jgallup23]

This has got to be the most beautiful thing I've ever heard coming from a drum corps. Way to go Phantom!

[@MrLovesToCrankUp]

First corps style band to impress me like this. WOW. VERY well done.

[@armynurseboy]

I've always loved Phantom hornlines

[@martyheller7562]

sounds like artillery salvos at first.......then all of a sudden blends into beautiful music

[@kbone390]

I love how someone from Hot 8, a completely different style of music, can dig drum corps. Awesome

[@tannermeyers]

Phantom Regiment should do a show of just ballads👏👏👏

[@slapufirstandlast]

I love this group

[@andrewstevenson7785]

I truly wish I could live on this sound I wish I could also play my contra like they do.

[@TheRobear2010]

I was there for this at Southern Miss! PR's brass is simply amazing

[@theRmd1992]

Sounds great. I love Regiment and will always be a huge fan of them!!

[@caycemoore1416]

I'm literally goin to join phantom regiment playing my trumpet

[@FtWayneIN]

"GOD'S Pipe Organ"..............Phan Phor Life!

[@christophernguyen4532]

If only I could see this in person....

[@hogcheez]

coming from a guy with perfect pitch, this is sex for my ears.

[@twutle]

Tythecloud yep lmao it's sam

[@funkyman800]

I'd love to conduct this! Stand right in the blast zone and lead it through this awesome progression.

[@CutandShoot5x5]

Perfect order out of chaos!!!!! Beautiful 😢

[@bhgblackmamba1]

pretty sure it's all overtones. you can hear the freaking fifth the whole time/. It's incredibly in tune.

[@thomascowart3]

So. Immensely. Beautiful.

[@valerietucker8384]

Angels. The only explanation.

[@MrTubanator]

In my opinion, just sitting and watching drum corps warm-ups is better than the actual show.

[@Wahl95]

@Nate Wagoner Some baritones (euphoniums, maybe?) are playing the third.

[@TheMrGhostlore]

Studies show Phantom's Hornline is the leading cause of goosebumps...

[@c_spare]

2:18 the screams of evil demons until 2:43 when an angel comes to light the way!

[@gregoryobrien6166]

Congrats to all past and present corp members. Pitch perfection is what we did for warm-up in 1964 and 1965. Credits to all corp and instructiopersonal. From " oletoad1950 at gmail.com " Keep practicing,it only gets better!!!!!

[@louisstewart2977]

am I the only one that caught what they produced @1:31? they really mean PERFECT PITCH in every way!!

[@Shaneybob324]

And you're in 5th place!! love it!

[@timothywalker4982]

Beautiful

[@hiddencharges]

That is sick! Gives me chills.

[@mutterschied]

Hey, hey, wait a moment! The guy in the green pullover at 2:36 isn't il mio grande Maestro?!! Wow! LOL! Hats off, whoever you are, Maestro!

[@restimulating]

God this is so good

[@jameslebar3987]

Phantom..best power horn line ever

[@r0b0methsalesman123]

Dat hornline is.........eargasmic

[@ShadowStorm453]

Speechless....

[@HannaBostic]

@3Phntm Right? I decided not to audition on brass my first go around, I still have some polishing up to do. But I'm dying to be a part of that hornline at some point. Way better than they get credit for.

[@losingitrush]

the release at 1:52 is just amazing............

[@ClassicalClarinetist]

Harmonic Journeys is a hell of a drug...

[@austinhall2819]

I just cried. Im a guy.

[@blvdnight5]

real men cry at music

[@tommyk0101]

Gerry G. true

[@lakini81]

Best line ever: "And their in 5th Place."

[@Bearded_Yeti]

i didnt know they sang during warmups. so awesome

[@craigwilson2212]

that's just a warm up and it made me want to cry

[@ApolyonTheSoulRender]

Pitch perfection indeed. What a hornline.