Another Atlanta opinion

[profhill]

My friend and I had a little traffic difficulty, so we arrived later than expected. Going 40 on the interstate because you are stuck behind something that is taking up both lanes is rather frustrating.

Mandarins

Good choices were made in relation to the ability of the performers. The show was written well within their abilities and was pleasant.

Pacific Crest

Impression was they had a bad run. Not sure how developed the idea of the no strings attached was carried through the entire show.

Oregon Crusaders

Well designed from both a creativity and matching the abilities of the performers. Enjoyable.

The Academy

Thought it was really good up until the closer. There seemed to be a change in performance level, so what I was perceiving as lack of development could just be the section of the show that hasn't been detailed yet.

Troopers

Many good choices were made. Liked the trumpets sound, wasn't as direct as most corps, more rounded. Look forward to see how they develop in the future.

Spirit of Atlanta

Seemed to have a bad run, which often occurs at a home show. Sort of confused by the design choices that were made. Not exactly sure what the intent of the show was supposed to be.

Colts

Smart staff which wrote a creative show that fits the talent level of the students. Too bad about the mic problems. I'm sure the show would be more enjoyable if I could have understood what the actor, who did a good job, was saying. I also like how much they've improved in two weeks. It really shows how good the staff is, that they are delivering quality instruction making the performance level of the corps better.

Madison Scouts

GREAT color guard...too bad about every other design choice. Drill isn't well written, brass arrangements are not programed well. Cool trombone moment. If you're going to use the trombone, it should be used for it's unique trombone qualities. The use of the slide, the really high notes, the pedal tones.

Blue Stars

Another group that has a good teaching staff that is getting the most of the kids. Interesting concept, gets a little lost in the middle section. Like the opener, the slow section and the closer a lot though.

Crossmen

Pleasant...

Phantom

Didn't see. took extra long break.

Boston Crusaders

Love the direction they are taking. Some of the moments are staged as well as they could be staged and the different elements are used to lead the eye around the composition. It is clear that the visual person designs good winter guards, because that's what this looks like, which is a good thing. It's also clear that it's written too hard for the members visually. I hope that the organization commits to this direction and stays the course. It would be interesting to see what develops. If I were still able to march, I know I would look at Boston as a place to go because of how interesting the show was this year.

Blue Knights

Written about 7 degrees easier than Boston, but also performed better. Smart staff wrote a show that the kids can perform. Like it a lot, loved the new uniform.

The Cavaliers

Not embarrassing like the last two year, but still not great. It was pleasant, but still has problems with brass arrangements in both how they are scored and how it is programmed. They are now experiencing talent problems, especially in the guard. They have two different guards, the rifles (who are good) and the flags (who are not as good) Last year I got the sense that there was bad (or no) teaching going on brass wise, I don't get that sense this year. They are closer in score to BK that to SCV. I wonder if the organization will ever take the steps to get better again.

Carolina Crown

Man can the play their horns. Some suspect choices in the middle of the show visually, but also some cool stuff. I enjoyed it.

Santa Clara Vanguard

Really confused by some of the choices that were made. Not a fan of the brass programming. It seemed a lot of the drill was written as a one step spacing. I'm not sure why the trombone were used. The slight difference in tone wasn't exactly worth the effort. (See Madison Scouts.) This show seems to be an aberration for the design team. It's clear they are great teachers though, since they have improved greatly over the course of the season.

Blue Devils

I have no idea what the GE judges are reacting to. I appreciate the high performance level of the corps, but I just didn't care. I would have rather hated the show than to get no effect. I had no reaction at all. It will be bad for the activity if they win, in that this is not something that we should be rewarding. Usually BD has a high performance level and engages the audience when seen live. That did not happen. I didn't have any of the three types of effect.

Bluecoats

Best effect in years with the pitch bend. Liked how they played brass wise, liked the arrangements. Some of the programming may get a little boring at times. This might be fixed with a more cohesive performance from the members. Doesn't have to be necessarily technically better, just needs more commitment to sell the product.

The Cadets

I'm indifferent, but not in the same way as with BD. This was more pleasant, but I cared just about as much. While the voice is well integrated into the program, what he is saying doesn't flow from beginning to end, especially the JKF quotes seem to jump all over the place. The section before the horn line comes to the front to change cummerbunds just seemed like a lot of work for not much effect. There were also a few moments of questionable percussion writing, where it was slightly too aggressive for what horn music.