In its early days of existence since forming in 1973, Blue Devils B rarely stepped outside of the Golden State.

The corps’ move to a national tour in the 2000s, however, brought it plenty of competitive success. The Concord, California-based corps has won five DCI Open Class World Championship titles and won a bronze medal at the most recent event in 2022.

Then in September, the Open Class corps announced that it would shift its focus to a regional all-California tour schedule for 2023.

“Over time, the program has grown immensely, in so many positive ways, drawing members from all over California and many states across the country,” director of community arts programs for Blue Devils Performing Arts John Meehan said in the September announcement. “In 2023, we look to affirm our mission, growing Blue Devils B as a prominent program within our local community.”

Blue Devils B Returns to Roots in '23

The reason for Blue Devils B to stay close to home was simple. For 2023, an abbreviated tour has given the corps the chance to help its performers build a closer connection with the local drum corps community, highlighted by the entire membership consisting of performers from within 200 miles of the corps’ Concord, California home base.

2023 Blue Devils B
Members of Blue Devils B's drum line perform July 9 in Stanford, California.

 

The strong local ties provide opportunities for both the community and the corps to form a mutually beneficial and long-lasting bond.

“We’re focused on making sure we have the best show and the best experience for our members, so they have a great time doing all the California shows,” Blue Devils B corps director Lainey Braatz said.

This year’s competition schedule for Blue Devils B includes only nine shows and wraps up before the month of July ends. But, this shortened season has still given corps members the opportunity to compete without having to make major sacrifices, such as their own school band camp schedules.

“We're ending our season on July 17, so they can go do other things without having to ask for that permission off,” Braatz said. “We've condensed this drum corps experience down into something that's very viable and band-friendly for them while still being in the California area.”

Braatz says that the abridged schedule has also allowed parents to be more involved both in a volunteer capacity and as engaged spectators.

“The connection to our community is really important,” Blue Devils B drum major Mason Khan said. “Every day, we have parents, loved ones and people from local towns coming to see us and it’s just really cool to see the audience react to all their hard work.”

Blue Devils B | "Fathers of Electricity" | Fresno, CA | #DCI2023

Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corps B bringing the ⚡️ELECTRICITY⚡️ in Fresno!! 📲 Rebroadcasts and select #DCI2023 archives available on FloMarching ➡ dci.fan/WatchLive23 📆 See Blue Devils B this summer ➡ dci.fan/BDB23

Posted by Drum Corps International on Friday, July 7, 2023

 

Just as the corps is celebrating its renewed focus on the California community, Blue Devils B’s 2023 production, “Fathers of Electricity,” is a celebration of innovation and invention.

“The show represents and brings together all these amazing inventors who we would not be under the stadium lights without them,” Braatz said.

And as the corps’ July 16 tour finale in Duarte, California inches closer, the corps is focused on maintaining its “electric” connection with drum corps fans.

“As the audience reacts to everything the corps is putting out, the members grow more passionate and you can feel it in their performance,” Khan said.