The Beginning of Leagues; the Combines
In the very first week of Season 1, a user named Prof first introduced a topic titled: Gulf Coast Circuit. This post began the quick rise of the combine. The original intent was to go back to Drum Corps roots, pre-DCI. Combines were regional circuits. The original idea of the combine was to guarantee groups shows for the season. The idea still is present in today's leagues, but is not nearly as prevalent.
The next combine to be created was the North-East Combine. An early diagram of the combines split the country into 5 different sections.
In the very first week of Season 1, a user named Prof first introduced a topic titled: Gulf Coast Circuit. This post began the quick rise of the combine. The original intent was to go back to Drum Corps roots, pre-DCI. Combines were regional circuits. The original idea of the combine was to guarantee groups shows for the season. The idea still is present in today's leagues, but is not nearly as prevalent.
The next combine to be created was the North-East Combine. An early diagram of the combines split the country into 5 different sections.
The Gulf-Coast Combine founded by Prof in Season 1 began competing in Season 2.
The North-East Combine, founded by Bando with Silversun268 as the first president in Season 1 began competing in Season 2.
The West Combine, FMA West, was founded by BlueDevils in Season 1 and began competing in Season 2.
The Southeast Combine was founded in Season 1 by sf2k4, but did not materialize. The combine was then consumed by the Gulf-Coast Combine to create a Southern Alliance. However, it still kept the name of the Gulf-Coast Combine.
The Midwest Combine was founded by Bachstrad2010. The combine lasted through Season 2 before becoming defunct.
In season 3, the Northeast Combine transitioned to become the East Coast Combine and extended its reach through Georgia. Of the original five, only the East Coast Combine (ECC), the Gulf-Coast Combine, and FMA West survived. In Season 6, a user by the name of gcurrier came into the combine scene. A member of CLASS, a circuit on another website, suggested a merger with the ECC. This merger would create the CLASS that is still around today.
IIEA Beginnings and Evolution
The IIEA began in Season 4, a first of its kind, it drew members from various divisions and standings because of its unique characteristics and indoor only style. The first season of the IIEA included 4 colorguard members and 3 drumline members.
These groups were:
Night Area High School Indoor Percussion and Colorguard
Kelly Audio Theatre and Kelly Visual Theatre
St. Paul Drummer Boyz and Apple Valley Color Creators
Lunar Anomaly
In Season 4, the IIEA was not separated by classes as they are today. In its beginnings, the IIEA planned a chapter system that would split the combine into smaller chapters. This was similar to how the combines were originally set up, areas would have their own chapter championships and then compete in a All Chapter Championship format.
Season 5 brought the IIEA Scoring system. With the system came the terms Novice, A and World class. In season 5, however, the classes were just renamed FMA divisions. It wouldn't be until later seasons when the IIEA grouped ensembles together on flexible class system based on scores. Over the seasons, the IIEA grew to its height with over 50 ensembles.
Season 14 was the last active season in the IIEA until Season 22. Season 22 was an attempt to begin again, but failed. Finally, after revisions to the goals of the IIEA and the creation of a new website we begin to climb back up to the great leagues. IIEA is one of the oldest leagues on FMA, and hopefully it will continue to grow!
The North-East Combine, founded by Bando with Silversun268 as the first president in Season 1 began competing in Season 2.
The West Combine, FMA West, was founded by BlueDevils in Season 1 and began competing in Season 2.
The Southeast Combine was founded in Season 1 by sf2k4, but did not materialize. The combine was then consumed by the Gulf-Coast Combine to create a Southern Alliance. However, it still kept the name of the Gulf-Coast Combine.
The Midwest Combine was founded by Bachstrad2010. The combine lasted through Season 2 before becoming defunct.
In season 3, the Northeast Combine transitioned to become the East Coast Combine and extended its reach through Georgia. Of the original five, only the East Coast Combine (ECC), the Gulf-Coast Combine, and FMA West survived. In Season 6, a user by the name of gcurrier came into the combine scene. A member of CLASS, a circuit on another website, suggested a merger with the ECC. This merger would create the CLASS that is still around today.
IIEA Beginnings and Evolution
The IIEA began in Season 4, a first of its kind, it drew members from various divisions and standings because of its unique characteristics and indoor only style. The first season of the IIEA included 4 colorguard members and 3 drumline members.
These groups were:
Night Area High School Indoor Percussion and Colorguard
Kelly Audio Theatre and Kelly Visual Theatre
St. Paul Drummer Boyz and Apple Valley Color Creators
Lunar Anomaly
In Season 4, the IIEA was not separated by classes as they are today. In its beginnings, the IIEA planned a chapter system that would split the combine into smaller chapters. This was similar to how the combines were originally set up, areas would have their own chapter championships and then compete in a All Chapter Championship format.
Season 5 brought the IIEA Scoring system. With the system came the terms Novice, A and World class. In season 5, however, the classes were just renamed FMA divisions. It wouldn't be until later seasons when the IIEA grouped ensembles together on flexible class system based on scores. Over the seasons, the IIEA grew to its height with over 50 ensembles.
Season 14 was the last active season in the IIEA until Season 22. Season 22 was an attempt to begin again, but failed. Finally, after revisions to the goals of the IIEA and the creation of a new website we begin to climb back up to the great leagues. IIEA is one of the oldest leagues on FMA, and hopefully it will continue to grow!