Continuum

Continuum's logo is a tessellation of diamonds that form cubes or a star within a hexagon. Perspective of the shapes can change depending on what color you're looking at. For example, the blue diamonds can be the bottom of the cubes or the tops of the cubes. All of these shapes that form the logo tesselate and can effectively "continue" forever.

### Highest Score

100.000

Continuum is an active Division 1 Drum Corps in Fantasy Marching Arts (FMA).

## History

Continuum's history has been quite turbulent. Continuum was founded as Falcon Regiment at the end of Season 2 with the intent to compete in Season 3. They made their competitive debut on September 26, 2010. They scored 1st out of 7 drum corps in Division 3 with a score of 51.075. Falcon Regiment ended the season in 5th place in Division 3 and 46th place overall.

In Season 4, Falcon Regiment was promoted to Division 2 after just one season. Not only that, but Falcon Regiment surged in score and placement. They took the Division 2 championship with a score of 81.495. Furthermore, Falcon Regiment placed 4th overall out of all three divisions. This high placement prompted their promotion to Division 1 the following season.

Although Falcon Regiment increased their scores in Seasons 5 and 6, their placements dropped to 8th and 7th overall respectively. Season 7 saw Falcon Regiment drop from finals for the first time since being placed in the division by placing 13th in semifinals. This resulted in low recruitment and staff changes. Falcon Regiment placed 14th in Season 8.

Those two seasons of just missing finals prompted the board of directors to invest in new staff and revamp recruitment. It appeared their efforts were successful; Falcon Regiment placed 8th in Season 9 and 11th in Season 10. Those heavy investments put the organization in dire financial straits. Season 11 saw Falcon Regiment fold mid-season. Due to FMA rules, their last score would be used for the rest of the competitions that season.

Despite folding in the middle of the previous season, Falcon Regiment regrouped and attempted to tour in Season 12. This tour only lasted 8 days and 3 competitions before folding again. FMA placed Falcon Regiment on a probationary status, and would not allow them to compete again until they had all of their affairs in order. The entire organization folded. A group of dedicated alumni from Seasons 4 and 5 stepped in as a new board of directors. They spent the next 3 seasons developing the organization internally.

Falcon Regiment returned in Season 16 as effectively a brand new corps. Their show was reminiscent of their Season 4 Division 2 championship. Even though they spent several seasons not competing, it was determined that they would compete in Division 1. Falcon Regiment placed 6th overall with a score of 90.965. This successful season helped immensely with funding and recruitment. Season 17 was a much more competitive season in FMA. Falcon Regiment maintained a similar score, but placed 12th overall.

Everything changed in Season 18. No one thought a show called "Vintage Robot" could do well. The closer, "Machines (or back to humans) by Queen was the most talked about closer in FMA. In their first show, Falcon Regiment had a respectable showing, placing third behind the Tullahoma Azure Force and the Cornhuskers Drum & Bugle Corps. Falcon Regiment would go on to pass these two corps as the season progressed, and eventually placed 3rd overall in finals. This was the organization's first medal in Division 1.

Season 19 had Falcon Regiment fall to 8th place during prelims and semifinals. They fell further to 9th place in finals and was the salt in the would from their previous medal winning season. The show was respectable, but didn't match the hype coming off the previous season. Many fans of FMA spoke about this show being their "hot dog" show. This led their leadership to question their staff's ability to successfully lead the corps to an elite status. The staff quit when they realized the Corps administrative leadership didn't believe in them. This occurred late during recruiting for Season 20, and the staff took many veteran members with them to other corps. Falcon Regiment entered Season 20 with an incomplete show. Although they finished the season, scores stagnated early. Unable to clean or refine the program, the corps ended the season in 26th place. The corps didn't make it past prelims. The corps announced that they were ceasing operations shortly after. After several seasons of inactivity, it appeared Falcon Regiment would join the ranks of several other corps who could not survive, unless...

## Return to FMA

Near the end of Season 56, it was announced that Falcon Regiment would be returning after a 27 season absence. This was effectively a brand new corps again, and was under the leadership of alumni from Season 18. Not many fans knew who Falcon Regiment was anymore. However, this new corps leadership was energized, and inspired many experienced staff to join them. Falcon Regiment joined the prominent CLASS Drum Corps League. This, along with running a heavy campaign of recruiting that emphasized corps history, resulted in healthy audition numbers. The corps Season 57 program was aptly named "Inspire!". The build up of hype for this corps return was immense, as no one knew how they would fare. Falcon Regiment was even invited to the elite Masters of FMA contest that was established during their 27 season absence. Surpassing all expectation, Falcon Regiment ended Season 57 in 7th place with a score of 95.125.

Falcon Regiment returned in Season 58 announcing "Vintage Robot 2.0". This show was reminiscent of their Season 18 program that earned them their first Division 1 medal. It was also the start of a trilogy of shows telling the story of a machine uprising. Vintage Robot 2.0 was the first part where an individual machine awakens and begins to spread their "malfunction" to others. Outside of Falcon Regiment, Season 58 was a contentious season in FMA. Many fans were left questioning scores and placements during finals. The following season, an investigation was done into five of the top 12 corps of that season with reports of possible bribery and cronyism between those five corps and the judging community. The investigation was inconclusive, and those corps were not stripped of their placements. Some fans argue that Falcon Regiment should have been 5th place instead of 10th. Those five drum corps involved in this scandal all folded after Season 59.

Despite the placement of the previous season, many fans supported Falcon Regiment as they were a victim from the judging scandal. The trilogy show also intrigued many potential members to audition. In Season 59, Falcon Regiment fielded "War Never Changes" as the second part of their machine uprising trilogy of shows. This program explored the war between man and machine. It was extremely well received and placed 4th overall with a score of 96.905

Season 60 was the third part of the trilogy, titled "Hope." It was about the aftermath of the war between man and machine, showing that both can live together in harmony and rebuild their world together as equals. Falcon Regiment ended the season with a score of 97.145. Despite the score increase, Falcon Regiment maintained their 4th place finish from the previous season.

Although Falcon Regiment hadn't earned a medal during their resurgence, they established themselves as a perennial top 5 finalist at that point. Seasons 65 and 67 were standout seasons with Falcon Regiment finally achieving medalist status by placing as high as 2nd place in 67. Season 69 saw Falcon Regiment's first international tour. Falcon Regiment won their first CLASS championship upon returning, and placed 3rd overall in finals. Falcon Regiment placed 5th in Season 70.

## Becoming Continuum

Beginning in Season 71, with stability seemingly brought to the organization, Falcon Regiment reorganized themselves to the corps they are known as today - Continuum. As Continuum, the staff came up with the "Season 76 Strategic Plan" with the goal of winning the FMA Division 1 championship in Season 76. This involved heavy social media campaigns to draw more talent, and fundraising efforts to bring in higher caliber staff and consultants. Placements fluctuated as high as 2nd in Season 73 and as low as 7th in Seasons 72 and 74. Although the placements fluctuated, to organization stuck to their strategic plan of long term growth.

The season 75 program, 3/4, was aptly titled to commemorate FMA's 75th season. Despite several successful seasons and campaigns, several members had season ending injuries. However, the show had a strong design and was a quick fan favorite. At one point, Falcon Regiment scored third place in a regular season show, 6.42 points behind the elite corps and current champion at the time, Nashville Sound. The FMA community was stunned when Nashville Sound folded mid-season just one week later. Many of their extremely talented members and staff had nowhere to go. Nashville Sound members were scrambling to find new homes. Continuum offered a majority of these members spots. In addition, Continuum was able to attract these staff members and had funds to hire them as a result of their fundraising campaigns from the Season 76 Strategic Plan. The talent of these members, along with the unique perspective of additional staff, allowed Continuum to shoot up the ranks. Continuum shockingly placed first for the first time in their history with a score of 99.040. No one expected this, as the goal was always to win in Season 76. Season 75 is still a historic program that many members today look to for inspiration.

The Season 76 program was titled "Pursuing the Impossible". It was designed all the way back in Season 71 as part of the "Season 76 Strategic Plan." When it was designed, the "impossible" referenced in the show title was the gold medal. However, with that achieved in the previous season, many were left wondering what the new "impossible" could be. The program was still a contemporary exploration of always pushing boundaries. The new "impossible" was decided that it would be a second gold medal. Continuum increased their final score to 99.080 in finals. However, the elite Carolina Royals had a stronger showing and Continuum placed 2nd.

Season 77 was a mismatch of member talent and show design. The corps in Season 77 had all the talent to win, but the staff didn't design a show to match. The program, "America Influence" placed as low as 7th in the middle of the season. It was at that point that the members began to own their show. Instead of giving up, they went all in on the show. In essence, they carried the show design all the way to 4th place with a score of 93.990.

Season 78 saw the show design rebound to match member talent. Continuum placed 2nd with a score of 99.060. Continuum maintained this same score in Season 79. However, this time Continuum placed 1st, securing their second Division 1 championship.

Continuum established themselves as a consistent top 3 corps. In addition to Season 78 and 79, Seasons 80 - 85 had Continuum place top 3 in all of those seasons.

The Season 86 program, "Downfall" was quite prophetic. After the first major regional of the season, Continuum was 11th overall with a score of 77.3. Immediately after the scores were announced, the instructional staff walked out. They cited issues with design team over-reaching not allowing them to teach effectively. This, on top of a record resurgence of groups meant that recruiting was lower than usual having a lot of rookies. With no instructional staff, the veteran members of Continuum stepped up in teaching the corps in addition to performing. With all experienced staff already hired at other corps, many new staff members were hired. Several of them were age-outs in recent seasons. Continuum was 14th overall at one point. However, they had a small late season surge resulted in a 9th place finish with a score of 92.835.

Feeling unfinished, this new instructional staff requested to do the same program again in Season 87. The "Downfall" theme was even more prophetic as the corps placed 10th in finals (up from 11th in semifinals), scoring 92.375.

The Season 88 program, "Crash" explored the Stock Market Crash of 1929. Continuum placed 9th with a score of 94.130.

Season 89 marked a new beginning with a program entitled "Sowing the Future." Continuum rose to 6th place with a score of 95.005. Continuum maintained 6th place in Season 90. However, their score dropped to 94.005. Seasons 91 and 92 saw the return to top 3 with two consecutive 3rd place finishes.

Although they had a turbulent history, Continuum was now one of FMAs oldest and storied corps. Continuum left FMA to explore and perform in Brass Theater.

Season 100 saw a triumphant return to FMA. The cheekily named program, "Surprise B\*tch... I bet you thought you'd seen the last of me" saw Continuum place 3rd with a score of 97.460. Seasons 101 - 104 showed Continuum reach historic new heights with four consecutive championships. Season 105's program, "The Fifth Dimension" was a play on words as Continuum sought to achieve a fifth consecutive championship. The most elite corps in FMA history, Nemesis, stood in Continuum's way and ultimately defeated Continuum in finals.

Continuum's Season 106 program was aptly titled "Nemesis." Not only did Continuum reclaim the championship, but they achieved a perfect score of 100.000 - a feat accomplished only by a select few corps in FMA history. Continuum had cemented itself as one of the elite corps in FMA. Season 107 saw another championship.

Continuum embarked on a World Tour for Seasons 108 and 109.

Continuum returned to full competition in Season 110 and was poised to score another 100. However, in finals, one of the snare drummer's harnesses failed, and their drum fell off during the last 30 seconds of their performance. This resulted in a caption score of 9.995, and their final score was 99.995.