I'm only posting division one right now, and the other two divisions will be released over the next two or three days (Divisions two and three had HUGE turnouts, so it will take a while.

At the FMA Season 4 Preview, a total of 50 drumlines filled the venue with the sounds of drums, pit, and synthesizers. A total of 8,000 people were in attendance and a total of 8,000 people were enthralled and enthused about today’s performances. Here’s a rundown of the top five caption winners:

Division One:

Overall Music (40):
Knights Drumline: 24.325
The Drumming Dummers: 23.605
Pulse: 22.67
Speed: 22.535
JonZ: 22.31

Overall Visual (20):
The Drumming Dummers: 11.885
Knights Drumline: 11.685
Pulse: 11.28
Speed: 11.16
JonZ: 11.06

Overall General Effect (40)
Knights Drumline: 25.08
The Drumming Dummers: 24.435
Pulse: 23.51
JonZ: 23.22
Speed: 22.295

A couple shows that stuck out to the audience were Speed’s “Premonition” and Sinisteria’s “A Parallel Universe.” Speed’s show was very intense and the drumline was constantly moving. One part of the show no one will forget was towards the end, where they make us think that the protagonist’s friends actually get killed. However, a twist occurs and they actually live. Sinisteria’s show was very strange and confusing, but in a good way. I’m guessing that Christopher Nolan had a part in designing it. The tarp represented a broken floor, and each segment caused the drumline to march in different tempos and meters. I don’t know how they pulled it off, but the standing ovation at the end of the show showed that they did. I for one was flabbergasted that they weren’t top five in general effect.

Division Two will arrive by either late Thursday or early Friday. Division Three probably on Saturday or Sunday. The FMA West Coast show will be the next one I review.

Thank you soooo much for reviewing Sinisteria! Actually, my brother Alex Pezza helped arrange the entire show. He's an excellent drummer and always has different ideas rolling around his head!

(a couple of new shows have been added to the schedule)

Division Two:

Overall Music (40):
DaBetas: 24.065
One Day: 23.16
Drums of Unspecified Identity: 23.045
Majestix: 22.4
Winterwire Drumline: 22.18

Overall Visual (20):
Drums of Unspecified Identity: 11.355
Majestix: 11.265
One Day: 11.18
DaBetas: 11.13
Double Time: 11.01

Overall General Effect (40):
Drums of Unspecified Identity: 24.18
Double Time: 23.115
Tidewater Rally: 23.055
Drummer’s delight: 23.05 (T)
Diddle Gok Gok: 23.05 (T)

There were some shows from this division that stuck out and will no doubt be remembered for a while. One was Diddle Gok Gok’s show “Roll of the Dice.” The set-up made me feel like I was in an actual casino gambling away my life savings. It was fun and energetic; but remember, what happens during this show stays in this show. Another one was Diamond Rhythm’s show “27379093-one-twelve.” I didn’t understand this one at all. What’s up with the title, and the seemingly random song selections? Nobody understood what was going on, but that’s what made it fun. Nobody knew what to expect and it was certainly a different experience. There was also Thrill Ride’s show “Jurassic Park.” Everything starts off normal, but then the dinosaurs break free and wreak havoc on the drumline and pit. Everyone gasped and nearly ran for cover when the giant mechanical T-Rex went up to someone in the first row and suddenly devoured them. Even though that was planned, it still made everyone scream.

Division Three:

Overall Music (40):
SI Comets: 20.775
Fury: 20.55
The Drumline: 20.345
Red Raiders: 20.29
Stickshift: 20.27

Overall Visual (20):
Redline: 10.735
Rhythm Smack: 10.27
Beat Down – Thro Down: 10.265
Red Raiders: 10.245
Fury: 10.205

Overall General Effect (40):
Red Raiders: 21.295
Fury: 20.845
Beat Down – Thro Down: 20.705
Redline: 20.685
Northgate Drumline: 20.545

Division Three had a few memorable shows, and I’ll talk about them briefly here. One was Stickshift’s show “Finish Line,” which featured the music of Queen, Simon & Garfunkle, and Dan Fogelberg. The show revolves around a cyclist aiming to win the annual bike race, but is intimidated by a loud-mouth and arrogant rival. At one point in the show, the rival cheats and pushes the protagonist off of his bicycle and the audience even booed this. However, he does catch up and wins the race by a few inches. It was exciting and a lot of fun. Another one was Bucs Drum Line’s show “Kansas” featuring “Carry on My Wayward Son.” I remembered this one because my drumline did this one in season two. There really wasn’t a plot to this one, but the theme of the penitent prodigal returning to a welcoming father was prevalent in this production. Lastly, I want to mention The Eagle Drumline’s show “When the Music Dies.” This one showcased the effect silence has in music. This group used silence as a tool to add to the music. It showed that rests aren’t the absence of music, but a part of it; the music never really dies, but it goes on forever and ever.