Star of Indiana 1991

I wasn't able to find a video of this, so I decided to upload one.

[@USMC4341]

I think what gets lost in translation is how absolutely groundbreaking this show was, specifically the drill. By now, we are so used to watching corps like the Cavies, Cadets, BD, etc essentially sprint all over the field for 12 minutes that we can forget that drum lines used to just march back and forth on the 50 yd line. This is one of the first shows where the drill looked like the "modern" shows we're now so used to.

[@masterbulgokov]

Star was ahead of their time.

[@NerdismOfficial]

I believe Scouts ‘88 will prove other corps were doing this type of thing for a while

[@deanofdisplacement]

Steve Brubaker set the pace for drills in DCI way before this or Madison..........

[@timber72]

@@NerdismOfficial SCV '89.

[@MikeHunt-qc9dn]

​@@NerdismOfficialGail royer said it best in 88 scouts😂

[@BradZook]

What an honor to play mello this year. SO thankful for this part of my life.

[@benmurray8903]

Did you march any other years?

[@BradZook]

Ben Murray I marched Star '87 & '91 and then VK '92! (No, seriously.) : )

[@samsignorelli]

Brad ZookThe Greatest Show on Turf, Roman Images, and VK's last finals run? Nice!

[@benmurray8903]

Brad Zook Holy Smokes, that's some resume! And am I wanna do is march a top 6 corps.

[@samsignorelli]

Ben Murray Ben...top 6 is a nice goal....but don't get so locked into that slot that you don't march at all. In reality, being at the top of the food chain is very nice (I marched BD in 84), but the lessons in life you learn on that field are the same regardless of who you march with. It could be BD, Cadets, Regiment, etc.... but it can also be Colts, Pacific Crest, Academy, Surf, Pioneer....and don't leave out the Open Class corps...even a new one like Golden Empire or Louisiana Stars gives the same benefit...the only real difference is competitive success. March anywhere...but DO march. I have a fairly varied corps resume myself: 84 Blue Devils (soprano), 86 Dagenham Crusaders (cymbals...DCUK), 87 Empire Statesmen Sr. (soprano), 02-06 SoCal Dream Sr (soprano/DM/sop soloist). 8 years under my belt, and really, the life lessons would be the same regardless of who and when I marched (I WILL admit, tho, that BD was an extremely steep learning curve, as I was a rookie to ALL of drum corps, haad never marched a slide before, and had only held a 2 vale G horn once for a few hours)

[@viewfromwilmington]

"And for George Zingali, it was his life wrapped up on the field; his images of Christianity were woven throughout the pictures which came and went as Star executed for him. Our members knew that George was dying and they knew that they wanted to give him a monument, a memorial in life. As sick as he was, he was the backbone and spirit of the corps. He was driven by desire that few will ever understand and his will went out to touch us all."

[@sharibrown4561]

Wow, that is beautiful. My friend marched Contra '91 and '93 and I remember him telling about the cross to cross and how amazing George Zingali was and how he affected those kids who were blessed to know him and learn from him, life long lessons that still resonate today. He is a music educator and I am sure that the things he learned from George and being a part of Star really do carry through to the kids he teaches!!! Thank you for sharing this. Is it from a memorial?

[@viewfromwilmington]

It comes from Bill Cook's remembrances of Star. www.blasttheshow.com/blast101/vertical_rec.html

[@sharibrown4561]

Cool thank you!

[@wowbobwow37]

As a member of Star in the very early years, George had a profound effect on my life. He was a beautiful human being who touched the lives of all who knew him.

[@wowbobwow37]

George was a big influence on my life and he thought more about that than what we did on the practice field Hell always have a special place in my heart

[@tasaman2]

Star of Indiana, one of the most amazing drum corps ever. Although they were marching shows that most corps wouldn't dare attempt at that time, they did it with precision that can't ever be duplicated. Guarantee you, had they not folded, Blue Devils would not have the amount of titles they do now.

[@davidblevins1122]

Agreed

[@guitarmansegovia]

They didn't fold, the exploded to a point where DCI couldn't contain them.

[@williamross4509]

Agreed also. It's sad to see a corp the caliber of Star not in DCI, moving on to another arena. Amazing talent!

[@deanking6405]

@@guitarmansegovia Yeah, they were like, "Gotta Blast!"

[@erikwaterson361]

@@williamross4509 granted they got SCREWED in 1993, I think that screwjob was what did them in. They weren't gonna take it anymore.

[@smn76]

This is still the best final minute of drill and musicality in DCI history.

[@Mrtellitlikeitis]

Stop

[@blueshort1011]

Interesting how perspectives change. Star was unpopular back then to say the least....viewed as that new drum corps in pink that was branded a toy and a side project of a multibillionaire, with shows that were more esoteric at the time than the Blue Devils' in recent years. At least a decade had to pass before most people could truly appreciate what Star of Indiana was doing when it was still around.

[@Crash8686]

We all called them 'The McDonaldland Marching Band'. How perspectives change with time.

[@tucker.84]

@@Crash8686 Or how about the "Mickey Money Corps" from their first year?

[@luvspaiste]

Genius is never understood in its own time. Bill Watterson

[@Crash8686]

Cross to Cross. George Zingali's final masterpiece. I was floored when I saw it. I was not expecting the second cross, and it seemed to come out of nowhere. Some drill stands the test of time. And most of it was written by George.

[@brianstewart1205]

I'm still blown away by how the drill morphs into a pseudo-star for a millisecond just before the final cross

[@RyanBoots]

If the reports I've read are accurate, that ending technically wasn't written. At least not the drill after the first cross.

[@dizdawgjr34]

@@RyanBoots I saw he taught it without drill charts.

[@sebastianrer]

I appreciate the middle voice here. The mellophones are doing some fantastic work! So much sound!!!

[@BrianHaag]

+Robert Runyon Best alto section of all time for my money. They just keep playing and playing and playing....

[@Mark-sj3xb]

And those mellos did it for 11 minutes straight.

[@viewfromwilmington]

This is the first time I have seen the cross to cross maneuver. Jaw thoroughly dropped. Mind completely blown. There have been many great closers in DCI, but this one is unique.

[@NSidemarcher]

I saw this LIVE when I was a teen. Crazy movements and LOUD sound! miss the Bugles

[@Taternuts88]

No matter how many times I watch this, I get goose bumps because of how ridiculously awesome this is

[@SwimminWitDaFishies]

It's now 2022 and this is still the kind of drum corps I like to see on the field. NO mikes NO theatrical props and NO narration

[@Carlos-wy4on]

I just finished watching the finals for 2023. I'm with you 100%. This show still, especially the finale still gives me goosebumps.

[@DreadPirateRobbo]

I caught this on TV in early 1992, being a band geek from a small town who had never even hear of 'drum corps'. Recorded it on tape, and was watching it a week or so later. My uncle was in town for a visit, saw me watching it, and said "Hey, I was on the board of directors for one of those corps". Next thing you know, I'm getting dropped off at a camp for the Marauders (Longview, WA). Some of the greatest times of my life. To this day, still floored by the drill in the '91 Star show. Man!

[@8691grcbandmember]

it is, and will always be the best in DCI history, i was in Star, from 89-93, and will never forget the times i had, and yes i was there for the alumni, performing as if i had never aged out.... you gotta love us Stars!

[@drilldesigner]

Every time i need a pick-me-up i watch this. This will never stop being EPIC

[@gregoryschmidt1233]

I still remember seeing this show live. My jaw was hanging open the entire time.

[@MS-df2fk]

This shit is absolute genius. I got to see Star practice and perform this show at DCI Midwest in Bloomington that summer. I was only 15 and I hated it. If I could go back in time to that day I would slap some sense into myself lol.

[@NSidemarcher]

AWESOME SHOW in sweltering heat in Dallas Texas! I was there when I was 16 and I'd NEVER seen or heard anything like this before as a yound latino kid in FW. WOW!!! i Luv DCI!

[@samsignorelli]

You want athleticism?? Find the mello at the very back of the line at the 1:00 mark...just outside the side two 45 yard line, to the right of the snare line. Then follow him to the end of the show....wow!

[@homfencing]

***** He ends up as the very front guy in the right vertical leg at the end, right on the 50...but find him at the 1:00 mark abnd watch him move!

[@milojohnson3057]

that kid can *move!*

[@TheKiman2]

Ah found him. I mean at that point, he's just full on sprinting and not playing right? LOL

[@spinster21]

Never noticed it before. Now that’s all I can watch.

[@paulcreedon7673]

You can see his face at the very end. He is seriously breathing hard!

[@bshelley3]

To all of you Star marchers of '91...you have my deepest respect. But...I think the '90 Star opening (Praise Ye) may be the single most glorious opening 30 seconds in DCI history. Just one man's opinion...

[@BrianHaag]

I'll second it. The opening to '90 was when Star arrived. '89 was a really good corps, but '90 was a whole new level of difficulty and Star pulled it off. '91 was a difference in degree, but not the quantum leap that '90 was.

[@samsignorelli]

***** There's a recording out there of the first time the Star alums got together and started playing. " They did the Praise Ye statement...there was a pause, and someone says "PLEASE say that's on tape!" And that was followed by "Tour starts when?" and "When's move-in?"

[@fatovamingus]

I liked the accelerando in the Bartok '93 - the marching was outrageous. But this - wow. You can watch it over and over and it is still spell binding.

[@sebastianrer]

The best middle voice line in DCI history! Those mellow's killed!!!

[@robbob100]

George Zingali at his best !!! LOVE this show !!!

[@holton345]

RIP, George Zingali. We all miss you.

[@jrimmer4987]

gorgeous and powerful saw it live twice, at the first cross the POW of the first cross and the corps flags shining the audiences gasped it was STUNNING Great show ! George Zingali rest in peace you changed DCI forever

[@Devisalive]

the fact that they hit it perfectly blows me away not an easy set to make as fast as they are going ! My favorite dci closer !

[@agogobell28]

The cross-to-cross was basically all they worked on for the last two weeks of the season.

[@Devisalive]

dedication at its best

[@aaronlaughlin2389]

agogobell28 those rotations were insane

[@paulcreedon7673]

I remember listening to a podcast recently where Bobby Hullet, the drum major, said they learned the cross flip maneuver in a very short span of time, a weekend, I believe.

[@Devisalive]

@@paulcreedon7673 Yeah, Like the span of two weeks! Insane.. Your reply brought me back to this masterpiece, so thanks haha!

[@dzinator4225]

My marching band drill instructor that has been doing it for 40 years now, Mike Grimer, was very close friends with this drill instructor... and he explained how he was in the box with him talking about their show and how he was about to pass away and etc... he wrote the drill that he did cause he knew he was going to pass away soon.

[@waynestephens6505]

I marched dci 75 and 76 (Guardsmen from Illinois) I was at this performance dci finals in Dallas. That cross to cross fantastic! Glad I saw it live.

[@henne2k]

I always love the „yeah“ in there. :) I was 13 in 92 and the 91 VHS was the first thing i ever watched of dci. One of the most epic moments i ever had as a 13 year old was watching this for the first time. I'm from germany and to march dci was like going to the moon back then. I made my age out in kiwanis 2000. Star 91 was one of the reasons that brought me there and even much further in life. thanks to all of you!

[@soupienips6338]

It’s not too late for them to come back

[@CVSoprano]

Saw this show in Normal, IL in late June, if I recall correctly. Beat Cavies by half a point, and it was already clear that we were watching the 1991 DCI champs.

[@Mark-sj3xb]

I’ll never forget watching the telecast live in ‘91 and seeing the Devils with their worst finish ever but with a great horn book, SCV’s meh performance, Phantom brilliant performance, then watch the Cavs and their drill and Rondo fawning over them. Then this… as good as the other shows were, I saw this as a large step up from what I just saw.

[@gerrodfullilove8589]

That drill still amazes me

[@NSidemarcher]

OMG!!!! i was there to watch when I was 16! its was LOUD and sweltering hot at the Cotton Bowl for DCI finals 91. Thank you Mr. Colvin for exposing us to that Art Form! still luv it!

[@waynestephens6505]

Yep. I still love drum corps all eras. Here no microphones, fewer props, just straight up drum corps!

[@ckooooooooo975]

Honestly one of the best mellophone sections dci has ever seen

[@b1324]

Holy George Zingali this one gets me every time

[@briangilstrap895]

Whew! Talent, talent, talent! Saw this live, 1991 at Indiana University, DCI Midwest, and I could not believe how "kids" this age could envision the "grand scheme" . Blue Devils still my all-time fave, but Star '91 was once in a lifetime.

[@erikwaterson361]

A veritable masterclass of tension and release, expertly displayed on the football field. A legendary performance, not only from the musicians and guardsmen, but most importantly from the incomparable George Zingali.

[@MoonstruckRed]

I was 10 when my stepdad took my mom and me to see this event. He was in SCV in '69 and '70. I loved it, but seeing all these comments about how ground breaking this was makes me love it even more.

[@mitchdegrace2046]

... I would've liked to be a fly on the wall when George was writing that....

[@bradshell1832]

Mitch Degrace he never wrote it. He pictured it in his head, explained it to the corps and the staff tried to write it down as he went.

[@ChristianPaulson-Music]

This was the first year I taught with Colt Cadets so we got to see this in action all summer. We even had a chance to chat briefly with Jim Zingali(Sp?). GENIOUS!!! We couldn't believe the velocity...holy smokes.

[@agogobell28]

HOLY FUCKING SHIT! THAT IS SOME FAST MARCHING AND SPLENDID DRILL!

[@Ethan-dn1wc]

You know something is revolutionary when the field judge gets unintentionally trapped by the drill

[@edboy484]

I wonder what would have happened if George had been alive while Michael Gaines was writing drill for cavies...

[@patrickpelletier1862]

OMG! I’ve been looking for this formation on video for sooooooo long! Thank you for posting it.

[@ralphgeigner5497]

Star Should Had NEVER Left being a Drum Corps ! My brother and I played with the Kenosha WI Kingsmen for many years, a senior corps, but actually they maybe ? were one of the first all age corps.

[@MattFoote]

Back that up 10 secs and you have the best 90secs in DCI

[@aquaa_thx]

My dad played trumpet for them

[@jobbyb]

I find it amusing that the kids posting anything negative about this have no idea that without George Zingali the drills today would not look like they do. He and Marc Sylvester were the innovators that made the future of drill possible.

[@ehscymbals011]

star of indiana is awesome. people doubt the ability of bugles to create music and anytime i hear that i think of this show. the last corp to ever make finals with 2 valve G bugles. power music and awesome

[@snicklebee1]

Lols at the end: "hey, who needs to keep the front part of the line on the field?

[@robalvarado2466]

I don’t know if this has been shared before but George Zingali had both stars on the drill (cross to cross drill) -- it’s subtle but you can see it!

[@smachendree]

God. It's SOooooo exciting with out electronics and canned music; So sayath the Lord!

[@kristianpeterson2571]

So good! Back when corps wern't afraid to wear headgear. ...sigh

[@weirjeff]

Probably the most innovative piece of drill ever written.

[@homfencing]

Greatest...drill...ever. THANK YOU, GEORGE!

[@drumcorpshistory]

I believe that no one gave them enough credit or praise as a drum corps. While their 93 show is still ahead of its time by todays standards, this is undeservedly the BEST DCI show ever written.

[@dennyrichard7359]

This show should have been in first place by at least 5 points. Phenomenal.

[@ZeusMcKraken]

right on man, thanks for sharing that memory. In some way each of us has a version of something akin to that in our past.

[@jeetlebuice3656]

Those visuals are so clean and cool looking holy shit

[@ninjaemilee]

This video gave me chills. In high school there was a section of drill at the end of one of my marching band shows that was based off of this, just making an anchor instead of a cross. Needless to say it was an awesome closer. I'm not sure we could ever get our lines this straight though. xD

[@johnythanj]

Best Alto line ever fielded. Period.

[@loganmarcus2093]

So ahead of it's time!

[@bshelley3]

GlassMetro...yes they do...check out the Age-out videos for 2010 when Star Alumni performed "Praise Ye."...or check out "Hellbent for Victory" outtake @2...when the 2009 Troopers are introduced to a judge's tape from the 1979 finals. The kids DO get it...BIG TIME.

[@dwaynenealey8367]

The cross drill undeniably the best money could buy, WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

[@erickocd]

the very front dude on the right at the end of the show has some pretty crazy drill

[@bradshell1832]

To this day, one of the best endings EVER!

[@jiseokxh2689]

my bands low brass instructor march contra this year and it such a brag

[@samsignorelli]

As well it should be....AND he played on the King K-90....best G contra of the 2-valve era.

[@idiotmuffin]

i played the full feste romane in 10th grade like 3 years ago omg it's the best

[@rude73dog]

found the ending on a ringtone app. love to take calls now since its DCI from my senior year in high school

[@44jwall]

So what I say is that, for its time it was amazing. And today there are endings that rival it. So we have to take into account this was 1991 and what the Cavaliers, or whoever else has crazy endings more recently, is in a time where DCI endings have evolved into this level of athleticism. 91 Star was on a new level of innovation.

[@shenkj]

That poor judge!! He had no idea where to go! :)

[@sebastianrer]

We will never hear anything like this again. A masterpiece. Those mellophones kill this. There is not a doubt in my mind that there will ever be a production that will be able to capture what they produced during the summer of 91.' It is a true work of art.

[@homfencing]

Nah....what makes ME feel old was when I was with the BD alums in 07 and realized that NO ONE marching DCI from then on was even a gleam in their daddy's eye when I marched!! My soprano's older than those guys!

[@bengemeister]

Thought it was 92, but the blue and white stands are the Cotton Bowl. I was there for an amazing finals. Last year of the jumbo banners. I preferred the Cavies, but having rerun the finals many times, have to admit that Star had an incredible, signature show. Cavies got top the next year. SCV came in fifth with a blockbuster Miss Saigon. If any corps has had a better fifth place show, clue me in. My favorite show is Madison's "Pirates of Lake Mendota" or whatever it's called.

[@padraicfanning7055]

Miss Saigon got _fourth,_ ahead of BD.

[@medeabrass1]

Correct. "Roman Images" was the title of Star's show in '91. They were playing music from Resphigghi which included excerpts from Pines of Rome, Fountains of Rome, and Roman Festivals (I believe it was all 3 but I'm officially old now and forgetting things lol)

[@seepcot]

"Z" was WAY ahead of his time. This drill still amazes me 22 years later.

[@jarjarstinkz4328]

Makes me proud to be a Hoosier

[@NSidemarcher]

yeah dudes, I was there LIVE when I was 16y, soooo Freaking cool!!!

[@kevinbs05]

Nice, I did Minnesota Brass in 2010 also, just left DCI after 2005.

[@JohnTheOfficer]

that drill is awesome!

[@theShiftblade]

Why couldn't I have been born in the early-mid 70's?...=/

[@jayd1342]

When a drum corps from 26 years ago has more difficult drill and moves more while playing than what DCI and some fans perceive as the best group today BD..... UMM HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM! That is not supposed to happen. Would love to See BD do drill like this and play while doing it.. They have the talent and they have Todd Ryan who cleaned this very show. Too scared that it might not be clean and they would end up 3rd. They take no risk. Sad and are rewarded for it.

[@omfgacceptmyname]

& the crowd goes absolutely wild for jesus, raahh raahhh

[@donmosteller9273]

It's just that good, folks

[@ms-mo8hl]

We really need a go fund me page started to bring back star

[@PrinceOfPrussia100]

I live not too far away from where this corps is i wish it was still around :(

[@medeabrass1]

:) Actually, he wrote a few of the sets for the opener my rookie year with Star in '92. :)...I guess you could argue whether that drill would qualify as masterpiece lol but of course, what remained was really just his first draft as he didn't live long enough to put his final touches on it.

[@klaydoh]

It is mostly the last piece of Roman Festivals, La Befana, with a touch of the last piece of Pines of Rome, The Pines of the Appian Way. Both by Respighi

[@tubadude07]

Kids these days don't know about this.

[@JacksonTaylorLee]

hell yea we do!

[@MrTallformyheight]

Actually, yes we do lol

[@BOBBY87265]

We actually love this.

[@turnr3326]

Wait what is this? I’m joking XD

[@kckempf]

After watching this, I have to say he has every right to consider cynical reasons for anyone disliking this video.

[@scottlyons33]

I was there, and 17!

[@cat699]

The best final 1:20 of any dci show FULL STOP!

[@eXcommunicate1979]

They were 2nd in 1993 (by a tenth). They were 3rd in 1992 with the 'American' show (I believe The Cadets of Bergen County leap-frogged them to 2nd on finals night).

[@seepcot]

'91 Star vs Any DCI Show Present/Future ... '91 Star will still beat them out. George was pure genius, even by today's standards! This is coming from a lifelong Regiment Phan.

[@Wahl95]

@dominickkk5 They used Pines of Rome for the opener, but their show used enough of Feste Romane to have that as the name. ;-)

[@homfencing]

If I remember, it's "Fountains of Rome" by Respighi.

[@homfencing]

Well, the show used portions of both "Pines" and "Fountains." The only part of "Pines" I' familiar with is the part Cavaliers used 81-83, but Star didn't use that section (I think it was the last bit). I last heard the original of "Fountains" years ago, but I'm pretty sure that's what Star used for the closer, if not other portions of the program. Perhaps I'll listen to the original on YT and see.

[@J-Strength1]

Cross to cross

[@kevinbs05]

@Crash8686 You're lucky "when I saw it" I was 4 when this happened, there's some things in drum corps that I would give anything to see, and Star is at least 2 of them.

[@mbmaccin555555]

Oh cool. I marched last year, but with Academy.

[@Ch1k3n112233]

I would agree with you, but then that would mean that my goosebumps would rip through my skin.