The song that changed marching band forever

Bluecoats with an amazing performance of their famous Hymn of Acxiom cover. DCI 2022 Videos coming soon!

[@ian.whaley]

I owe a lot to The Hymn of Acxiom, it introduced me into a whole new genre of music and was a big inspiration for me in high school. Truly a great ballad, and Bloo absolutely nailed it.

[@ian.whaley]

Update - I went to a Vienna Teng concert a few weeks ago where she took requests, and yes, I requested The Hymn of Acxiom. It was the best 3 minutes of my life. Go see Vienna on tour, she is immensely talented and a true joy to watch perform live.

[@mrbruh4385]

glad to hear you enjoyed it. Hopefully music is still a big part in your life 8 months later. @@ian.whaley

[@BrownABBY]

For me it was this years marching show called synthesesia. Idk what was in the music but it gave me enough to start practicing and do what I should’ve done in freshmen year. Now I’m a sophomore I am so much better than I was a year ago. Hopefully as a junior I’ll be where I want to be higher level.

[@thatairplaneguy]

A band geek AND a foamer?? Will you have my baby?

[@cravest1]

This hit me in the feels, I miss band competitions so much!!

[@seabassmcbigfat]

Me too.

[@seabassmcbigfat]

Legend says resonance for this still lives in that auditorium

[@jackcassedy9961]

to this day, on a calm night, some say you can still hear the overtones lightly echoing through the auditorium

[@CertifiedGFmusic]

I made an arrangment of this for 8th grade concert band and now we are going to play it this spring for our concert.

[@HernandezEncoreDCIMore]

Love to hear that!!

[@CertifiedGFmusic]

@@HernandezEncoreDCIMore Is there an email I can send the finale score to for you to give me your opinions?

[@HernandezEncoreDCIMore]

@@CertifiedGFmusic sure! [e-mail]

[@jessicad.weaver-stoll9744]

@@CertifiedGFmusic Mind if I hear it as well? I'm in 7th grade band~ (My emails in the info sec. of my channel)

[@Just_Sara]

Hey, how did it go?? I'd love to hear it too.

[@directorman153]

I heard Blue Coats plays this a few years back. Absolutely beautiful . I also do choir. My band played this, and my choir also sang this song.

[@robm.7697]

Bluecoats is one word Thank you.

[@Elloliott]

i can't believe they got BOTH euphs and baritones for this, absolutely amazing

[@calebwmsgolf]

Bloo 2014 is the show that truly introduced me to drum corps I’ll never forget hearing hymn for the first time on my phone and having chills

[@Keith_WB2VUO]

That's a LOT of brass! I love it!

[@MrPlankinton]

I've never heard of this before in my life and I am 66 years old

[@guiltyspark936]

welcome to good music

[@kaykayboy23]

This piece shows the player the truest aspects of music; patience, intonation, timing, and balance. You cannot have a good piece, group, or teaching without these. This can also be applied to other real world applications.

[@dedede5586]

hymn of acxiom is legitimately one of the most beautiful songs to ever exist

[@drewby613]

Man, this dynamic range exhibit A!! The fortissimo section was distorting either in the recording or the audio I’m listening on. Would been great to have heard it live. Terrific ensemble in this band, with a really passive conductor-basically a visual metronome. Very impressive!

[@rippy62]

Cannot agree more with the title! Go Bloo!

[@williamsanborn9195]

Definitely my favorite Bluecoats ballad. It just hasn’t been topped. Not even by 2019’s, and that’s my favorite Bloo show!

[@toddwolfe6867]

This 2014 show along with their 2015 show were Bloo's best ever!

[@jondow1949]

The bluecoats always amazes me

[@Panda-gs5lt]

Finest recitation of such a beautiful piece of music I’ve ever heard … well done and thank you.

[@Catn-1-p]

Our senior choir is singing this for an upcoming concert, it is so beautiful!

[@RishiJalukar]

Love this one

[@SaneTheBro]

Is this why Brandon was able to hit the shot?

[@RishiJalukar]

@@SaneTheBro that’s part of it

[@lifeofatool]

I just finished writing a Trombone Ensemble arrangement of this piece, Such a beautiful piece of music!

[@jrdervish]

Hope you will post it here!

[@SeanDahls]

We get to play this in my marching show this year, super excited!!

[@michaelortuesday1956]

was it called the spark by any chance? im doing that this year and i highly doubt ur gonna respond 8 months ago 🤣

[@julieneria9834]

Gorgeous!

[@sincerely_dyl]

I’m not crying, you are😭

[@seabassmcbigfat]

Tears. Every time.

[@majcrash]

As gorgeous as this is as an instrumental piece, and I'm going to perform it next month in a brass choir, the lyrics are so powerful that I think they at least need to be projected during the performance. I love the original artist's version with a vocal harmonizer. It's such a powerful warning about the dangers of A.I.

[@darlunall5134]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pn7JoaluqKt7Z8ksi=GgIU_X0TJRJKBlYb

[@BandieDiamanda]

more like of tech surveillance and capitalism imo. it was written and rang true in the time before AI was really a thing

​@@BandieDiamandawritten by a 2nd gen Taiwanese raised in Saratoga who was a software engineer. Go figure.

[@WAValenti]

The whole Aims album by Vienna Tent should be adapted for a marching show. I wrote an arrangement of the opening track "Level Up" for percussion ensemble, but I've never had a group that could actually pull it off.

[@kempedkemp]

It was more than delightful. I'm sorry the composition doesn't appeal to me more, but this Bluecoat group is out of the ballpark awesome! I know that all of you will cherish the memories of playing in such a great ensemble!

[@pittbandmom]

BRAVO!

[@jspatz1]

This isn't "marching band," it's drum corps.

[@evanspadt2055]

But it influenced a lot of kids in marching band. Like me 😂

[@zrxcoil]

Same thing

[@tysauce1986]

And yet, there are no drums.

[@musefanforever]

​@@tysauce1986true in this video but this was just the brass practicing. There are drums in the Bluecoats!

[@everydaylifer2019]

It’s the same thing. One is professional that’s all.

[@sincerely_dyl]

im not crying, you are

[@peterfelber8004]

I was in the Pitt Varsity Marching Band, 1964-8. One of, maybe my most memorable and helpful college experiences. I don't think we played this, tho this number sure brings back those good memories. Thank you for posting. :-)

[@seabassmcbigfat]

Grow Til Tall and Hymn of Axciom. Nothing better.

[@trumpetguy13]

THIS. Coats should have to play Grow Til Tall in every encore for the rest of time to make up for the fact that they belted the best part of that song to the back stands….

[@osutuba]

I would love to see this arranged for a full wind ensemble and have the beginning be played primarily by woodwinds, the middle section by brass, and then the full ensemble at the end. Given that he has provided the full brass transcription, I may entertain scoring this out myself since I do still remember how to write music after nearly 30 years away from being a music major :)

[@cdg715]

What do you work as now?

[@osutuba]

@@cdg715 I work in IT, but my love for music has never subsided.

[@ElijahRock92]

​@@osutuba That's the best part about music. As long as that flame doesn't die, something will always bring you back to it.

[@derrickburwell7777]

I shall also do the. Great idea!! 👍🏾

[@isaacverellen2749]

I'll tell you what, that is the best marching band I ever heard. I will admit though, that I think the marching band I was in in high school has sounded just as good. Well done guys. I could've cried very easily to this if I had this on repeat long enough 😂 and also this kind of sounds like it would perfectly fit in a war movie or video game 👍

[@john_d210]

Ahhh this is The Bluecoats drum corps. Drum corps are ensembles that consist of brass, front ensemble, drumline and color guard. No woodwinds. If you’ve never seen a drum corps show, I highly recommend you search some up on KZbin!

[@caellaughlin9931]

This was our third piece for marching band

[@STRYTZ]

Tilt was a Great show. Best show within the past 30 years.

[@CameronMLeet]

2016, 2011, 2015...? it really is so hard to say which one of theirs is the best.

[@HernandezEncoreDCIMore]

All good ones! Even 2017 was amazing

[@CameronMLeet]

@@HernandezEncoreDCIMore oh lord yes 🙌 😂

[@lars_geurts45]

@@HernandezEncoreDCIMore If they would've turned around yes! But 2014 is the best and 2016 is the most iconic

[@ChristopherNelson42]

Don’t forget 2014 either

[@pickles3829]

This was my freshman year shows second movement!

[@gigachad3190]

Wow this is amazing. Bloooo!

[@georgiageollc731]

Quite, quite excellent. From an old guy

[@johniejoyce8876]

New it was Hymn of Acxium three notes in! I did not expect it either!

[@waynebennett745]

Never heard this song before.

[@janicemahan4772]

This sounds like a tribute to America.

[@JustinRawley]

I bet I could do a really nice organ transcription of this, especially using the trumpet en chamade stop.

[@LtPowers]

In what way did it change Marching Band? I feel like that claim requires a lot more context.

[@saraross8396]

That's what I was wondering. It is a nice, relaxing melody, but I fail to see how it is in any way revolutionary as slower songs like this are not unheard of in a program, especially if it's during the middle portion.

[@andylucas5770]

Yeah, it definitely didn’t. Whoever titled this has never heard a band play a chorale before, and don’t know that it’s been happening for decades.

[@Ricecookerrrrrrrrrrr]

this is drum corps stfu

[@nicksipich1024]

You guys are taking the title a little too seriously😭

[@PatrickKennedy-bm6wi]

Agreed.

[@ClergetMusic]

Ours was Hymnsong on Phillip Bliss

[@nathanjoerndt5021]

there's something very exciting and powerful about the brass section of a band that gives music the fuel to give brass players the power to express themselves and expand their horizons!!!!!!!!! becoming one not only with just the conductor. but with your fellow classmates and instruments as well!!!!!!!! never give up never give in and always always ALWAYS believe in yourselves and the music!!!!!!! and always give one hundred percent!!!!!!!!!

[@jasonsummit1885]

I'd love to hear this band play Lofsöngur.

[@adamcollester2655]

Any chance I could get the score for this? I would love to use it for some marching band arrangements!

[@HernandezEncoreDCIMore]

Please email me at [e-mail], and I can help you out!

[@kingwilliamjazzcollective301]

You can’t always get what you want! In 3/4 . The Rolling Stones

[@JS-hu7pv]

Love this - what year/show is this from?

[@jelly_man326]

2014 tilt

[@JS-hu7pv]

@@jelly_man326 Of course. Thanks. Actually went to finals in Indy that year so I got to experience Tilt in person and should have remembered, but some life has occurred between then and now.

[@chaarlesbartholomewtheiv9911]

The tune is also called Hymn of Axium

[@mxtty5633]

@@JS-hu7pv that must’ve been amazing

[@mymasmith7848]

The original is here kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3eQaIqfgd6efa8

[@imanotter4781]

the chords at 1:59 make my heart weak. it’s too good

[@davidjack7418]

I wonder if they played at half volume. That's a very small performance hall, haha.

[@-NGC-6302-]

I can almost still hear the marimbas at 2:50

[@JamesKulpa]

Can you share the PDF or Musescore file of the transcription??

[@teresamcnulty8471]

I've never heard that.

[@brians9508]

so a couple of things about the title to this video. I am probably missing the back story to this, but that was not a band, it was a drum and bugle corp minus the drums. Also, they were not marching. New title of the video - The song that changed standing still drum and bugle corp minus the drums forever.

[@snail415]

One day…my son will earn his spot with Bloo. And then I can die.

[@nickelsontrail]

The title that redefined clickbait

[@JamieSmith-fz2mz]

Turn the page quicker!

[@bornsetjustafellowgamer1480]

damn that hits hard (in a good way😅)

[@michaelvincent7115]

Trumpets got a little edge at the top there but i imagine its the room not them

[@OuryLN]

There’s nothing better than an in sync in tune brass band! Conversely, nothing worse! It’s like accapella voices!

[@CameraTimDotCom]

I cant help noticing similarities with Rolling Stones song

[@smctrout4423]

Title of the video is a little over the top. It's good, but I doubt that it changed marching band forever.

[@Philcoonan]

What did this change exactly?

[@MrGossner]

Funfakt: it didn't... greatings from germany ✌🏽😊

[@XaviarRixton]

Marching band?

[@trumpetparker9771]

ah yes vandegrift

[@bloo14738]

never a vandy fan that much but whenever they had this as their balled i instantly liked the show

[@bradjohnson9671]

Title needs fixing, this isn't a marching band, it's a Drum and Bugle Corp. Big difference. This is exactly the scenario that brought me to the world of drum corps. I attended a practice to observe "just to see what it's all about". The horn section was in a large room, the first time they hit a major chord and held it, I about fell over. I'd never heard anything like it. I was hooked.

[@pete6099]

It WAS drum corps, it's now marching musical theatre

[@bradjohnson9671]

@@pete6099 Pete, I can't disagree with that...

[@markholm7050]

What High School is this?

[@musefanforever]

It's not a HS band. It is the Bluecoats drum corps.

[@markholm7050]

@@musefanforever Yes, I figured that out. However, the auditorium is clearly a high school auditorium. Do you know what high school? I am curious.

[@musefanforever]

@@markholm7050 I believe that was filmed at Denison University

[@markholm7050]

@@musefanforever Over the stage is a decoration with the letters, “FHS”.

[@musefanforever]

@@markholm7050 maybe Fairfield HS?

[@enzolescure5833]

The rhythm is not correct at the beginning but thanks for the sheet music

[@voiceofreason9238]

This is beautiful and that tubas arc covering the entire back of the stage looks incredible. I saw this show live on the field. Forgive a question from this dumb drummer. This is a wonderful ballad but how did HoA change marching band forever?

[@cwilson101]

i think it was something about the non traditional uniforms and less strict roles of the people in the show, like sliding around those walls and the wink, etc could be wrong tho edit: i am now realizing that you were talking about hymn of axcicom specifically and not the show myb

[@voiceofreason9238]

@@cwilson101 Your opinions are always valued. Thanks. 😃

[@cwilson101]

@@voiceofreason9238 thank you voice of reason ♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@noggin6870]

@@cwilson101 that was Bluecoats 2016, and I agree that show changed the activity forever. HoA was from Tilt in 2014, which honestly didn't change the activity at all.

[@stubbsmusic543]

Really? Never heard of it. But, hey, you got me to listen to it. Personally, I don't feel "changed forever."

[@noggin6870]

The only single song that changed marching band forever was Medea. Star 93 fundamentally changed the way that people approached arranging and thought about tension and release in the context of marching band. While it was a lot of fun, Bloo 2014 wasn't super influential, you didn't see people en masse gravitate towards simpler concepts with more esoteric and modern music choices in the years after. If there's any Bluecoats show that changed the activity forever it was 2016 with the emphasis on body movement, ditching the headgear an military inspired uniforms once and for all, using props as essentially part of the drill to allow for feature staging and unique physical movements, and the innovative use of electronics and unique front ensemble arranging. That said, this is probably the most hyped ballad from the last decade, which is an achievement in and of itself since a lot of people usually view ballads as fairly forgettable moments in most shows.

[@laurakilmer8652]

I was a Band Dir. a long time and I really dont understand your reasoning. ?

[@ozzietadziu]

The abbreviated grammar of the title makes for confusion. It's certainly not a march. So what does it mean?

[@josesolismusic]

If no one is singing IT'S NOT A SONG.

[@brucealanwilson4121]

Right. It should be "piece"?

[@josesolismusic]

@@brucealanwilson4121 yes. Piece, composition, melody, tune, so many words, except song.

[@johnfogg7858]

Very nicely done but it is not worthy of being considered "The song that changed marching band forever"!!

[@charlesspringer4709]

Turn the music-right-side up!

[@davidponcar1505]

Not even close.

[@theyakel1]

Shhhhhh

[@playdave3476]

Good song, great arrangement. Although, the song that changed marching band forever...eh 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@johnnyquest9519]

Thank God percussion wasn’t there. The only thing you would hear at that cut off what’s the tacky DUT DUT DUT DUT. I swear… the snare drum always wants that solo

[@sarumano884]

Never heard of it. And no, I don't want to.

[@whydoialmosthave500subs4]

Grow till tall in 2017 imo was better

[@HernandezEncoreDCIMore]

Very good choice aswel!

[@usvalve]

Call me old-fashioned, but I expect marching band music to have the same number of beats in each bar (preferably 2 or 4) and keep strict tempo until the last chord. That way you can march to it!

[@c182SkylaneRG]

This sounds like a nice piece of music, but it doesn't sound like good marching music. Marching music sounds the way it does because the heavy, regular beat syncs up with the footsteps of the band (and historically, the troops marching behind the band), and helps to keep everyone in step. Long drawn out notes provide time for steps to falter by a tiny bit, and especially for following troops marching at close-interval, just a little falter is enough to start stepping on people's heels. (The instruments, themselves, do force band members far enough apart to not hit each other, although missteps might result in playing a note at the wrong time, too). I was expecting a "song that changed Marching Band forever" to be one of Sousa's early pieces.

[@betaomega04]

I marched for Bluecoats. No, Hymn of Acxiom did not change marching band forever. Yes, it is a cool chart, but that's all it is.

[@christopherguss199]

HOW IN THE HELL DID THIS CHANGE MARCHING BANDS FOREVER????????

[@bengemeister]

This is beautiful brass ensemble music, not something a marching band could march to.

[@bite-sizedshorts9635]

It must be a fairly new piece, as I've never heard of it and was in band for four years back in the 1960s. It's also kind of slow and boring to be played by an actual marching band. It's like a funeral dirge.

[@lindickison3055]

Nice and smooth - but sure doesnt make me feel like marching. Give ne Sousa!!!!

[@paulcrumley9756]

Changed marching band forever??? Isn't that just a bid overstated? It is a beautiful piece, but c'mon!

[@TheGweedMan]

I see no relevance between that song and a song that a marching band would use.

[@Gary-yo4rs]

If you don't what a marching band is, time tone , rhythm, emotion and togetherness. Peace

[@jrfoleyjr]

Yeah, it changed marching band to belly crawling band. Who could march to that dirge?! 😎😎

[@ChoralSea]

Sounds Like a DCI composition for school bands. Nothing new to me here.

[@dingus49ovi]

Marching band? The tune is mostly in 3/4 time. Beautiful music - yes. Marching music - no.

[@JPDrums1990]

Still a rookie-this is one of the most arranged ballads for both marching mediums marching band and drum corps alike.

[@richardhole8429]

Badly mistitled. What has this music to do with marching band? Concert band, yes indeed.

[@timtaylor7867]

I respectfully disagree The Final Countdown and other classic rock songs would help to fill all those empty seats, and how sad for the talent level i just heard it appears that there are only 25 to 30 people in that entire auditorium .