West Chester review

[Galen]

As part of my east coast jaunt, I decided to go to the West Chester show tonight. While the event was a bit pricey and I had some qualms with the show venue, overall it was a great night of drum corps.

I managed to get pictures of everybody that performed. You can find them on my blog here:

http://marchingarenas.blogspot.com/

BridgemenJersey Surf: Three words to describe Surf this year: Fun, fun, FUN!!! Surf has what I'd consider the most entertaining drum corps show I've seen in ages, hands down. They had the crowd eating out of their hand from the moment they turned around to reveal their yellow Bridgemen vests, and it just got more entertaining from there with a great opening statement of In the Stone, a grooving drumline in Land of Make Believe, some nice double-flag guard work in Land of Make Believe, and a party on the field for the LMFAO piece. I did think that they could focus on upper body carriage (evident even in the slower drill in the opener) and balance and blend in the hornline, but I was able to overlook these flaws and still enjoy a blast of a show. I couldn't tell who was speaking during the pre-show tape (I'm assuming a Bridgemen great like Bobby Hoffman, Dennis DeLucia or somebody from the corps' past), but it was a nice use of pre-recorded vocals to set the stage for what was to come. Funniest part was actually during the pre-show when the drum major got a fake phone call from "Mommy", pulled out a 1980's cell phone and had to endure the sort of conversation that anybody with a loving-but-overbearing mother can relate to. We also got a couple of good classic Bridgemen moves like Surf's rendition of the Bridgemen Shuffle, and while the Famous Chicken didn't make an appearance, the crowd was entertained by Surf's Shufflebot at the end of the performance.

Crossmen: Now for something quite different. Crossmen got a good response from their "former" hometown crowd throughout their show, which included an appearance by Bones himself in the back stands. Their "Fragile" show seems to be a nod to their programs from 1992-1994 in terms of design, but a lot of the elements you'd expect to see in a show like this aren't brought across well enough to be evident. Music-wise, Crossmen have a good book with intricate jazz and multi-meter rhythms. I can't really say much visually other than they looked fairly crisp. I found the guard to be a bit "monochrome" with lots of yellow and gold flags that got a bit lost in their outfits, but they brought out some nice white and purple silks at the end for an impressive full-guard set. They tried to do a down ending at the end but it seemed to fall a little flat as the show felt like it just ended abruptly. One thing I don't understand with this show (and others) is the "need" for corps to have their soloists amplified. I get that it helps them be heard a little better, but proper staging and balance will accomplish the same thing. Are designers just getting lazy, or am I missing something with this trend. Also, Crossmen did some "sampling/looping" with some soloists to generate some echo effects. While it sounded interesting, I tend to be an ardent believer that if you can't produce a sound by natural means, it doesn't belong in a drum corps show.

BK: Blue Knights stayed very faithful to the Firebird source material (and threw in a little Jetsons theme music for good measure). This year seems to mark the return of their "drum and ballet" corps style as they incorporated a lot of full-corps dance and body movement into their production. This was effective at first, but the effect didn't seem to carry all the way through the program and wore a bit thin at the end. They try some difficult brass stuff at the end in the mello section that's ambitious but needs refining as it came off muddy and a bit buried by what the rest of the hornline was doing. Also, I felt they could have had more impact at their impact moments. Part of this had to do with staging (especially with the hornline starting all the way in the end zone) but it also seemed like the horns could have been giving more in spots as well.

Crown: A LOT to take in with this show. Glad I have the opportunity to see it again in Allentown (hopefully from up high) because I'll definitely need a second read to begin to grasp all the complexity of this show. Visually, I felt they pushed the envelope of what's achievable more than anybody else did tonight, but some sets are still a bit fuzzy. Musically, the show does seem a bit repetitive in several places but I was in awe of the hornline's playing ability and had a big case of goosebumps at the end of Fanfare for the Common Man about 2/3ds through the show. What they continue to achieve every year is nothing short of phenomenal. While the scores have been indicating that their drum line is an Achilles heel, I didn't find that to be the case as the drums did seem very clean. They just had a very minimalistic book and could definitely use some more meat in there. A nice thing- they were one of two corps to eschew any sort of pre-taped pre-show stuff and just start the performance. Big props for that.

Cavaliers: I was very harsh on Cavies in my Whitewater review (rightfully so, IMO), but I was pleased to see that they've certainly made their program a lot cleaner from the performance end of things and trimmed out a lot of the random sound effects I found so distracting a month ago. Unfortunately, the show still seems like it doesn't fit them. There's hardly any of the visual innovation that we're all used to seeing, and aside from the nice "high step over the guard" moment at the end, as well as their traditional full-corps break dance section, there's very little that drew me in. The break dance part actually was well-executed and, if placed earlier in the program, could help generate some momentum to finish, but as it is, it's a lost opportunity. They may be better, but they don't have their swagger back yet.

SCV: Like Crown, they dispensed with any pre-recorded nonsense and just started right off with a great balladic rendition of Jupiter. This was a great program from top to bottom despite a few hornline glitches (including one very badly missed release during an early backfield segment). Low brass had a great menacing rendition of Mars towards the end, and the push on "Music of the Night" just about had me crying. I just wish they'd stretch that out longer because it's such a great moment. I did notice that they seem to have adopted Cavaliers' marching style (or at least a version of it). Not sure I agree with that call by the visual team as one: it's another corps' visual signature and two: it looks pretty awkward.

Cadets: Cadets had a lot of nice playing moments in their Christmas show. Their mello soloist during their ballad was definitely one of the highlights of the night for me. Unfortunately, they also had one of the "lowlights" of the night when they had their sop screamers being mic'd. Again, I just don't get it and would love for somebody to enlighten me. The only other criticism I can offer is that the show, while well performed and enjoyable, doesn't seem to push the envelope like last year's show did. It feels more like another version of their "Toy Souldiers" program.

Finally, the venue: West Chester's been hosting DCI shows for several years from the looks of things, and I get that Cadets/YEA have built up a good relationship with WCU, but I didn't think that this was an especially excellent drum corps venue. The stadium seating is a bit too low and pushed back from the field for my taste, the seats are VERY small, the restrooms were very claustrophobic considering that the show was sold out, concessions were well-priced but rather scant, and there's very little parking at the stadium itself. I had to park a couple blocks away at one of the student apartment villages. While getting out of that lot wasn't too painful, I got lost pretty badly on the poorly lit roads leading away from the stadium. I'd recommend that the organizers look elsewhere, maybe the stadium in Downingtown PA that hosted a DCA event earlier this season.

[Farmboy]

Thanks for the review; much appreciated.

[MikeD]

Wish we could have met! Here are my comments...since I am too lazy to write my own ttoal review...

BridgemenJersey Surf: Three words to describe Surf this year: Fun, fun, FUN!!! Surf has what I'd consider the most entertaining drum corps show I've seen in ages, hands down. They had the crowd eating out of their hand from the moment they turned around to reveal their yellow Bridgemen vests, and it just got more entertaining from there with a great opening statement of In the Stone, a grooving drumline in Land of Make Believe, some nice double-flag guard work in Land of Make Believe, and a party on the field for the LMFAO piece. I did think that they could focus on upper body carriage (evident even in the slower drill in the opener) and balance and blend in the hornline, but I was able to overlook these flaws and still enjoy a blast of a show. I couldn't tell who was speaking during the pre-show tape (I'm assuming a Bridgemen great like Bobby Hoffman, Dennis DeLucia or somebody from the corps' past), but it was a nice use of pre-recorded vocals to set the stage for what was to come. Funniest part was actually during the pre-show when the drum major got a fake phone call from "Mommy", pulled out a 1980's cell phone and had to endure the sort of conversation that anybody with a loving-but-overbearing mother can relate to. We also got a couple of good classic Bridgemen moves like Surf's rendition of the Bridgemen Shuffle, and while the Famous Chicken didn't make an appearance, the crowd was entertained by Surf's Shufflebot at the end of the performance.

Their show is indeed a lot of fun...and well in synch with other Surf shows of their Div II past...e.g. Surf's Up, one of my own favorites of the past decade in any class.

The opening was Bobby Hoffman's voice.

The crowd around me loved them too.

Crossmen: Now for something quite different. Crossmen got a good response from their "former" hometown crowd throughout their show, which included an appearance by Bones himself in the back stands. Their "Fragile" show seems to be a nod to their programs from 1992-1994 in terms of design, but a lot of the elements you'd expect to see in a show like this aren't brought across well enough to be evident. Music-wise, Crossmen have a good book with intricate jazz and multi-meter rhythms. I can't really say much visually other than they looked fairly crisp. I found the guard to be a bit "monochrome" with lots of yellow and gold flags that got a bit lost in their outfits, but they brought out some nice white and purple silks at the end for an impressive full-guard set. They tried to do a down ending at the end but it seemed to fall a little flat as the show felt like it just ended abruptly. One thing I don't understand with this show (and others) is the "need" for corps to have their soloists amplified. I get that it helps them be heard a little better, but proper staging and balance will accomplish the same thing. Are designers just getting lazy, or am I missing something with this trend. Also, Crossmen did some "sampling/looping" with some soloists to generate some echo effects. While it sounded interesting, I tend to be an ardent believer that if you can't produce a sound by natural means, it doesn't belong in a drum corps show.

They have come a long way from Jackson back in early July. I agree on the ending...I'm not sure the down ending is 100% successful getting the result they wanted in total, but I do like it musically.

I thought the micced solists were handled very well, and were effective. The looping/sampling stuff gave them a sort-of Don Ellis sound to the ensemble, which I loved.

BK: Blue Knights stayed very faithful to the Firebird source material (and threw in a little Jetsons theme music for good measure). This year seems to mark the return of their "drum and ballet" corps style as they incorporated a lot of full-corps dance and body movement into their production. This was effective at first, but the effect didn't seem to carry all the way through the program and wore a bit thin at the end. They try some difficult brass stuff at the end in the mello section that's ambitious but needs refining as it came off muddy and a bit buried by what the rest of the hornline was doing. Also, I felt they could have had more impact at their impact moments. Part of this had to do with staging (especially with the hornline starting all the way in the end zone) but it also seemed like the horns could have been giving more in spots as well.

This was one of my favorite shows of the night. I loved how they matched the pit costuming up to the guard costumes...even to the change near the end of the show. The beginning visual work by the ensemble was wonderful to me; very inventive and creative. I think I heard a tiny fragtment of the original TV Star Trek music just before the Jetsons quote.

Their use of electronic elements was one of the best of the night IMO in what they did, and how they did it.

Forgot to add: I thought the opening visual statement by the brass was a visual representation of a flock of birds swirling and swooping around the field...I thought it was VERy neat.

Crown: A LOT to take in with this show. Glad I have the opportunity to see it again in Allentown (hopefully from up high) because I'll definitely need a second read to begin to grasp all the complexity of this show. Visually, I felt they pushed the envelope of what's achievable more than anybody else did tonight, but some sets are still a bit fuzzy. Musically, the show does seem a bit repetitive in several places but I was in awe of the hornline's playing ability and had a big case of goosebumps at the end of Fanfare for the Common Man about 2/3ds through the show. What they continue to achieve every year is nothing short of phenomenal. While the scores have been indicating that their drum line is an Achilles heel, I didn't find that to be the case as the drums did seem very clean. They just had a very minimalistic book and could definitely use some more meat in there. A nice thing- they were one of two corps to eschew any sort of pre-taped pre-show stuff and just start the performance. Big props for that.

Loved this show...what a huge jump in performance since Jackson (well...everyone has made giant leaps, so no surprise there!). Yup...a little fuzz in some fo the forms, but the horn line was gorgeous. Still a few timing issues with the remote basses and timpani lining up with the pit. That is just soooo hard to get right...but I'm sure if anyone can...they'll get it. They are real close...and sometimes it was right on, but a couple of times...very "flam-like".

Cavaliers: I was very harsh on Cavies in my Whitewater review (rightfully so, IMO), but I was pleased to see that they've certainly made their program a lot cleaner from the performance end of things and trimmed out a lot of the random sound effects I found so distracting a month ago. Unfortunately, the show still seems like it doesn't fit them. There's hardly any of the visual innovation that we're all used to seeing, and aside from the nice "high step over the guard" moment at the end, as well as their traditional full-corps break dance section, there's very little that drew me in. The break dance part actually was well-executed and, if placed earlier in the program, could help generate some momentum to finish, but as it is, it's a lost opportunity. They may be better, but they don't have their swagger back yet.

After reading the comments on earlier shows, I was ready to cringe...but they came out and did a great job, IMO. It may not be as close to the top as usual, but I think they'll do just fine the rest of the way...and end up higher than many predicted a month ago. The show does seem kind of mono-chromatic...not a lot of highs or lows...just kind of ambled along. I'm not sure how they could have put the break dance stuff in earlier, but you are right...it seems like it was just wedged in at the end so they could say they did it.

SCV: Like Crown, they dispensed with any pre-recorded nonsense and just started right off with a great balladic rendition of Jupiter. This was a great program from top to bottom despite a few hornline glitches (including one very badly missed release during an early backfield segment). Low brass had a great menacing rendition of Mars towards the end, and the push on "Music of the Night" just about had me crying. I just wish they'd stretch that out longer because it's such a great moment. I did notice that they seem to have adopted Cavaliers' marching style (or at least a version of it). Not sure I agree with that call by the visual team as one: it's another corps' visual signature and two: it looks pretty awkward.

VERY nice show...great use of the aluphone instrument. Loved the sound of the hornline, but the percussion section was wondeful...the battery is, of course, a strong section, but for me, it was their pit that was the most impressive.

Cadets: Cadets had a lot of nice playing moments in their Christmas show. Their mello soloist during their ballad was definitely one of the highlights of the night for me. Unfortunately, they also had one of the "lowlights" of the night when they had their sop screamers being mic'd. Again, I just don't get it and would love for somebody to enlighten me. The only other criticism I can offer is that the show, while well performed and enjoyable, doesn't seem to push the envelope like last year's show did. It feels more like another version of their "Toy Souldiers" program.

I liked the micced solists in the beginning, but at one spot near the end of "Carol..." when they were 'screaming' it was waaay overbalanced; they overplayed the levels, which badly distorted the sound.

Loved the quotes...they fit well.

I thought that the middle section of "Carol..." got a bit long and did not move much musically...kind of lost my focus for a short while. The park and blow part of "Jingle Bells" is not quite getting the bang they want...a la "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" from a deace ago. It's close, but not quite there yet, IMO. I wish there was a way to get into that moment better than coming to an end, and then just sort of running over to the middle of the field...seems forced.

Finally, the venue: West Chester's been hosting DCI shows for several years from the looks of things, and I get that Cadets/YEA have built up a good relationship with WCU, but I didn't think that this was an especially excellent drum corps venue. The stadium seating is a bit too low and pushed back from the field for my taste, the seats are VERY small, the restrooms were very claustrophobic considering that the show was sold out, concessions were well-priced but rather scant, and there's very little parking at the stadium itself. I had to park a couple blocks away at one of the student apartment villages. While getting out of that lot wasn't too painful, I got lost pretty badly on the poorly lit roads leading away from the stadium. I'd recommend that the organizers look elsewhere, maybe the stadium in Downingtown PA that hosted a DCA event earlier this season.

Most years this show has been tied into the Vivace/Dr Tim/George Parks Marching Band/Leadership/DM camp...for whatever reason, they were offset a week this year...the music camp was last week. Not sure who moved..the show or the camp. My daughter attended the camp three years in a row in 2001/2002/2003 as bass drum section leader and then two years as DM of our band.

I sat next to a couple (about my age...late 50's) who drove an hour to the show from Lancaster after reading an article in their newpaper about the show this past weekend. They had never been to a drum corps show before...they had been to one marching band contest at their local HS a few years ago. They purchased tickets online the morning of the show.

They really loved what they saw and heard...the husband told me (before the Cadets performed) that his two favorites were Crown and SCV. They were very impressed with the whoel activity, having never seen or heard of drum corps before.

The one other comment I forgot to make...seems like this is the year of "let's put the guard waaaay over near the endzone all by themselves to do some sort of ensemble feature."

Not saying it is a negative, because some of them are quite nice. I like what SCV did with the half-a-hoola-hoop thingies they layed down into a design. Just seems to be a common thing to do this year.

Edit: to fix spelling errors and add one thing I fogot about BK's visual design.

Edited August 3, 2012 by MikeD

[Jeff Ream]

good stuff guys