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Chris Johnston

@chrisjohnston86

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I’ve been living the full-time pageantry design life, for the past few years, and have enjoyed slowly expanding those collaborations, as my “real” job w/Rohan&Theo allows. This year brought on a reentrance into drum corps teaching life (year 16 on staff/year 20 total). June onwards consistently bounced between @arsenaldbc drill design, @madisonscouts teaching (all-nighter drill sessions, on the bus, aren’t for the weak-hearted), and tackling the most high school drill design that I’ve done, since the pre-Covid era. Heading into a winter season, where time is going to feel completely different, due to the AT/ @audiotheaterwinds shift, there is opportunity for a few more design conversations. So, with fall break coming to an end, this is as good a time as any to get the word out to those who might be looking for winter/fall help. @andrewgaskill and I are booking for 2027 pageantry shenanigans. Let either one of us know how we can help you with your next show development. We’ll help you bring those show ideas to life, step 1 to rep done. 🤙 by @chrisjohnston86

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3 days ago

Check out my photos/video from this morning’s launch - “space jellyfish” 🚀🪼 Enjoy! (Esp. the video, where you can see the first stage booster spiraling away)

I’ve been catching some great photos from other people, but I still think some of mine are the best I’ve seen 🤣 Nothing here has been edited… just, right place-right time. What a crazy cool experience and I’m glad I woke to watch the entire thing. Definitely one for the memory banks. I can’t wait to share these moments with Rohan Orion & Theo Atlas. 6:33 am was just a little too early for them… this time. taken in Minneola, Florida by @chrisjohnston86

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6 days ago

Post-DCI 2026: It was an absolute privilege/honor to stand amongst the Madison Scouts, this summer. ⚜️💚🌀 Every single day, from rep 1 to rep done, it was about these homies and this show (TEAM @arsenaldbc TOO 💣). My family shouldered an enormous commitment of time, to help watch the little boys, and I got to relive the drum corps life, far sooner than I ever dreamed possible, post-Rohan/Theo. I was fortunate to have been afforded a vocal space, in front of the group, and lived the bandoland fantasy of cleaning the 96 ending (pt2026) amongst just cleaning THIS drum corps 🙌. Like, it’s still not lost on me how cool is it to spend time with the Madison Scouts Trumpets😱 I will forever treasure each moment with this entire group of people - they made it really easy to reintegrate and love the drum corps process again. New friends - treasured friends - homies 4 life! Beyond that, it’s just easy to love THIS drum corps… and I can’t wait for the next time we get to rep together🍴. We have work to do 💪 Go Team Go!!! by @chrisjohnston86

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2 months ago

Day 40 (DCI World Championship Semifinals - Indianapolis, IN) - ⚜️💚🌀

A great day (and opportunity) for these Scouts to be uncompromising, unapologetic, and undeniable! 💪 All gas - no brakes!!! Be the frog 🐸

Love these Scouts and can’t wait to cheer them on @ 4:54 PM (EST). This is going to be quite the performance. Let’s Go Team!!! 💪 taken in Lucas Oil Stadium by @chrisjohnston86

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2 months ago

Day 39 (DCI World Championship Prelims - Indianapolis, IN) - ⚜️💚🌀

The Scouts are going to 🧽🧼 until the very end. Check out our field art! Reps on Reps on Reps 🎨💅

Love these Scouts and can’t wait to cheer them on @ 6:54 PM (EST). This is going to be quite the performance. Let’s Go Team!!! 💪 taken in Lucas Oil Stadium by @chrisjohnston86

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2 months ago

“So many people, from your past, know a version of you that doesn’t exist anymore. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving. Your past is just a story - so, use the memories and don’t allow them to use you”

Here are a few snapshot moments, of the beginning, of my personal journey, in the pageantry arts. I’ve been incredibly fortunate, and I’m grateful for each individual/opportunity, that has shaped the path, and helped guide my personal growth.

Life changing… Life saving…
Simply put: I love and miss you, homies! 📢 I appreciate you!

Happy DCI World Championships week!!! by @chrisjohnston86

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3 months ago

Day 27 (Music on the March - Dubuque, IA) - ⚜️💚🌀

Very few drum corps experiences/memories will outshine this day. Coming off the road, right when the tour begins to heat up 🔥, is never fun - but Rohan’s first day of drum corps grounded me in every single moment☮️. While Theo stayed home, Julie brought our Brohan to meet the Madison Scouts. I’ll treasure them group-saying hello to him and every tiny interaction he experienced along the way, as people made it a point to include him in their day. That was very special and of all drum corps for him to experience his first drum corps day, it’s so cool that it was with these Scouts. 🙏

This also being the Colts home show, Julie was able to do the alumni thing and spend some time in Red Team land. It is VERY obvious how meaningful/integral those years in Iowa, and around those Colts homies, STILL impact our daily walk 🫶 and for those who don’t know - I’m still going to always fangirl over the GOAT 🐐 Beth Wilson.

Rohan watching the Scouts warmup gives me chills 🥺. We (collectively) work for the unknown future, and seeing the embodiment of that - and him being my little homie - next to the current stewards of that legacy… it was more than a little overwhelming, at points. Whether this activity is in either of my little boy’s future path, I’m grateful that so many endeavor to find the sustainable path forward and treasure these moments while they are here. Literally - I am acutely aware that I am living in “the good ol’ days” 😍🥰 Go Scouts!!! (and Go Red Team 🔺!) taken in Dubuque Senior High School by @chrisjohnston86

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3 months ago

Day 26 - ⚜️💚🌀

I knew it was going to be a good day when I found a little blue duck, as I was walking and crafting the morning cleaning agenda. 🦆Today was just a good ol’ fashioned drum corps cleaning day. Lots of sunburns (myself included) and pumping energy into upgrading our show ending. These Scouts have continued their performance evolution, over the previous few days, and are chomping to show the community (no.more.rain.pls). Tomorrow is our day 💪 which also happens to be my final day cleaning the drum corps until the end of the month… and days like today make it tough to step away from these homies, if even for just a few days. GO SCOUTS!!! 💚 taken in Osceola, Iowa by @chrisjohnston86

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3 months ago

Day 25 (Celebration in Brass - Des Moines, IA) - ⚜️💚🌀

Brutal… just brutal. C’mon weather ⛈️ - stop chasing us. The Scouts are chomping to build some performance consistency, in front of crowds. 😡PUHLEASE!!!! Also, showdog 🌭 by @chrisjohnston86

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3 months ago

Day 24 (The Kiwanis Thunder of Drums - Mankato, MN) - ⚜️💚🌀

Nobody is having more fun than @pwinglett86 and I with these Scouts!!! Mid-show intermission field lining with our Cavaliers vis friends ✅ Gotta have those inserts for the membos! Sully would be proud… 🫶 taken in Blakeslee Stadium by @chrisjohnston86

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3 months ago

Day 22 (River City Rhapsody - La Crosse, WI) - ⚜️💚🌀

After being chased, for days, by the weather and losing multiple show performances, The Scouts had their DCI Premiere 🙌

The die is cast 🎲…and…we’re…OFF!!! 🥊 taken in Veterans Memorial Stadium (La Crosse) by @chrisjohnston86

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3 months ago

Day 21 - ⚜️🦅 Happy Fawth (PLS IGNORE OUR DIRTY HORN MOVES!!!)

A day of really awesome firsts and new July 4th drum corps memories, with fireworks still to come:

1) My first time standing in front of the hornline playing MYNWA, as an instructor - 🥺 (wild bonus, nearby church chimes started going during the first :30 😱 chills…)

2) Parade Shenanigans in Cedarburg, WI. This was my first Cedarburg parade ever… what a fun (and short) parade route! Who knew the Barrel Polka was a thing?!? ROLL OUT THE BARREL!!! 🎶🎵

3) Concert in the Park (and dragonfly visits)

4) Piggly Wiggly 🐷 Meal

It’s easy to love being here with these Madison Scouts 💚 taken in Cedarburg, Wisconsin by @chrisjohnston86

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4 months ago