wheelerand

Nice double-flags!!!

Kudos to PR for going back to the all-female guard!! That's one of the things that was really unique about this corps and I'm glad to see it back. Fits the theme this year, of course, but I hope it's a permanent change.

Phantom Regiment (from corpsreps): Juliet East of Eden by Holdridge, Lee Requiem by Verdi, Giuseppe Requiem by Mozart, Wolfgang Am A Time for Us (Love Theme from Romeo & Juliet) by Rota, Nino Romeo & Juliet by Prokofiev, Sergei Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral (from Lohengrin) by Wagner, Richard

Yeah, it felt like that happened at three different points - two high ones and one low one.

OH YEAH. That closing drill was awesome.

Here we go with the vocals again. I don't remember that much of it from the theater - maybe I'm not remembering correctly. Really love the drill design though.

Those sabers or poles or whatever they are look GREAT on video.

was that amp feedback or is it supposed to sound like that?

OK, forgot about that - not a big fan of vocals, ever. A few shows are using them this year but generally using them pretty tastefully and not detracting too much from the show.

Saw the Cadets in the theater earlier this week. I've been a "hater" in recent years as it seems that they got further and further away from drum corps. But this year's show is bringing me into the fold. Great theme, wonderful visual, and no gimmicks!!

Cadets (from corpsreps): Between Angels and Demons Angels in the Architecture by Ticheli, Frank 160 BPM from Angels and Demons by Zimmer, Hans Doxology by Bourgeois, Loys & Ken, Thomas Amazing Grace by Ticheli, Frank Angels in the Architecture by Ticheli, Frank

Yes. It's early, though. I'm not generally a BK fan, but I like this show.

That was a bit weird with the flags across the sideline as far as they were.

This show will be really impressive once they straighten out the lines, etc. Nice design and great sound. Formations look cluttered in spots - might be more of an execution issue than a design one.

Rifles looking iffy

Wow

Not sure what it is this year with the music. Maybe I've lowered my expectations and given up on hearing much that I recognize. But, although almost none of the music is familiar to me (not being a music major), I find that I'm enjoying it more as a whole than in recent years. Nothing that really stands out as an all-time favorite type show, but just lots of enjoyable ones.

Blue Knights (from corpsreps): An English Folk Song Suite First Suite in Eb by Holst, Gustav English Folk Song Suite by Williams, Ralph Vaughn Molly on the Shore by Granger, Percy Shepherd's Hey by Granger, Percy Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus by Williams, Ralph Vau

Like the music and the show. Drill design not as good as PC, though. Most of it looks like the typical show design - appears to be done by a committee each designing sets for a different section without reference to what the other sections are doing. Every so often the sections come together and look like a single corps for a few measures, then back off to their own worlds. I know that's probably not the way it really works - but that's how it comes across visually.

Mandarins (from corpsreps): The Forty Thieves: An Ancient Tale of Spices, Toxins, and Perfumes Octabones by PercaDu Spices, Perfumes, and Toxins by Dorman, Avner

This show is gonna be a favorite for me this year on the strength of the visual design. It seems that many drill designers, enamored of their own creativity, tend to sacrifice audience appeal in formations for self-expression. Not so PC. Great formations, well-designed drill that made sense. Minimal "scattered positioning". The design hangs together visually extremely well. Kudos, PC!!

Really nice opening formations - very readable. Good visual.

Intermission at home: No lines for bathrooms or concessions. Gotta love that!! (still looking forward to being in the stadium at Lisle tomorrow)

Pacific Crest (from corpsreps): Push, Pull, Twist, Turn Lauds (Praise High Day) by Nelson, Ron Push by Smith, Robert W Adagietto, Symphony #5 by Mahler, Gustav Serenada Schizophrana by Elfman, Danny AirLink by Stamp, Jack

Hmmmm...."Send in the Clowns" wasn't in the rep. Makes sense, though.