As the entire drum corps community enters the New Year and looks ahead to the summer of 2012, this week, Drum Corps International recaps some of the highlights of 2011, today with the most listened to episodes of DCI's popular Field Pass podcast. Veteran Field Pass host Dan Potter brought fans closer than ever to the action in and around the drum corps stadium in 2011, with a variety of in-depth episodes that included interviews with drum corps performers, staff members, Hall of Famers and even celebrities. All 50 episodes from 2011, including the majority that aired during the summer months, are archived on DCI.org and available for download and playback. Check out all 50 episodes of the Field Pass from 2011.
1. In-depth with SCV's Paul Rennick Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011: It's not uncommon for instructors to change corps during the off-season, but when the percussion boss of the world's #1 drum line decides to move on, drum corps fans take notice. Paul Rennick hasn't spoken publicly about why he's left Phantom Regiment and what changes he might make at his new home with Santa Clara Vanguard, until now. Why did he leave Phantom? Will SCV's snares be tilted? What about the future of Vanguard's vaunted cymbal line? Rennick spoke exclusively with DCI's Dan Potter to set the record straight in a special edition of the Field Pass presented by Zildjian.
Download and listen. (MP3, 15:27, 15 MB)
2. The staffs they are a-changin' Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011: In some ways, the weeks after the Drum Corps International World Championships have taken on the feel of the NFL's draft season, and this year it seems that is especially true. Dozens of top corps designers and instructors have shifted their allegiances to work with new corps, and in some cases, old friends. Dan Potter looks at who's going where and why, and searches for the reasons behind the seemingly high number of staff changes this off-season. It's all in the September edition of the Field Pass presented by Zildjian. Interviewed in this episode: J.D. Shaw (Santa Clara Vanguard), Don Hill (Phantom Regiment), Andre Feagin (The Academy), Lee Beddis (Madison Scouts), Glen Crosby (Blue Knights), Dean Westman (Bluecoats) and Michael Gaines (The Cavaliers).
Download and listen. (MP3, 23:34, 22.8 MB)
3. Madison's Empire State of Mind Wednesday, June 29, 2011: The Madison Scouts this year are fielding one of the most emotional, powerful shows in recent memory. "New York Morning" evokes images from 10 years ago, September 11, 2001. In today's Field Pass presented by Zildjian, Dan Potter learns more from Executive Director Chris Komnick about the unique challenges the Scouts face in producing a show based on such a gut-wrenching event.
Download and listen. (MP3, 7:39, 7.2 MB)
4. All about the Cadets' 2012 production "12.25" Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011: For fans of the reigning DCI World Champions, the Cadets, this Christmas will last the next eight months! Just in time for the holidays, Dan Potter talks with Cadets Director George Hopkins about the corps' 2012 production "12.25." Plus, longtime drum corps color guard designer Adam Sage reveals why he's decided to lend his talents this year to the Madison Scouts, and we hop in our drum corps time machine to learn about the origins of the eight-man snare line from DCI Hall of Fame member Joe Marrella.
Download and listen. (MP3, 27:14, 31.4 MB)
5. The man whose designs power the Green Machine Friday, May 13, 2011: One of this year's inductees into the DCI Hall of Fame is relatively young, just 42. But, as Dan Potter points out in today's Field Pass presented by Zildjian, it's hard to overstate just how influential visual designer Michael Gaines has already been on drum corps and to the marching arts.
Download and listen. (MP3, 17:03, 16.5 MB)

Other Popular 2011 Field Pass Episodes

• Wednesday, July 13, 2011: Open Class update • Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2011: Open Class cheers and tears • Wednesday, June 8, 2011: 2011 summer preview with Michael Cesario • Friday, June 17, 2011: Part IV: 2011 summer preview • Monday, June 20, 2011: Weekend one in review Become a fan of the Field Pass on Facebook.