wheelerand

Although I hate narration in general and think 4 minutes' worth is WAY too much for an 11-minute show, I agree that the "day at rehearsal" was the most tolerable part of it. One of the major problems, of course, is that it has nothing whatsoever to do with the first section of narration, which is the theme of the show "This I Believe". Nor does it tie in all that well with the final set of narration about the poor high school kid. A better title would have been: "Cadets '07: An Audiobook in three disjointed sections". JMO.

I for one miss the all-female guard. It gave Phantom a distinctiveness that they've now lost.

Agreed. Too preachy, too moralizing.

True, but Bluu wasn't on the mic for over 4 minutes, as Cadets have been.

Stef, that was probably me. And I stick to what I said, but as I mentioned in the other Rockford review, they've adjusted nicely since Menomonie. Up north, the black panels were definitely an obstruction to the show - not really an issue last night. Still not a big fan of FOF (Furniture On the Field) in any case, but they've done what they needed to in order to make it work with the show.

Hmmmm...interesting...it didn't sound like any version I've ever heard; I couldn't recognize it. Maybe a different arrangement or something.

No, Madison has strings...they're dangling from the guard uni's. Couldn't resist. :P

Completely agree re: Colts. At the risk of being sacrilegious, I have to say that I've seen them twice now (both times against Phantom and BK) and I have Colts at the top of my list. Great program, start to finish. Their brass line is surprisingly good, and the uniforms are so sharp. A better guard program than Phantom also, though Phantom is improving greatly. Liked BK's new guard uni's. In Menomonie they looked...well, frankly, ugly. But the overlays have added a lot - good effect and they match the corps uni's very well. Great overall effect. I don't know what the judges have against Pioneer this year. Their brass line and CG are vastly improved over previous years. I'm not saying they should be beating the likes of Madison or Colts, but the point spread just seems completely out of touch with what's on the field. That's been my impression both in Menomonie and in Rockford. Madison's show didn't do that much for me, but it's just a first viewing. I don't think I'm quite getting the "unbound" theme, and I have to admit that I was very disappointed that they didn't play "Agnus Dei" as was listed on Corpsreps. The guard unis - well, I'm sure they're meant to go with the theme and maybe one day I'll get it - but for now, they're just ugly. I felt they had a strong musical performance though - really surprising to see their scores so low this year. Kilties - after watching their show I turned to my wife and said, "That's why I go to drum corps shows". Granted, they had some pretty rough moments in the brass, but it's early yet. This is a very entertaining show, and it's pure drum corps - no theatrics, no audiobooks, etc. May they never be daunted. Cap Sound - good improvement for a week. Brass much stronger in the first half of the show, but still appears to tire toward the end. 1812 was particularly rough. Also, they shouldn't have that comedic, cacaphonous section in the show - the brass is not yet at a point to carry that off. It'll probably be much better by the end of the year, though. Liked the show overall and I always root for Cap. I got there last night a bit later than usual - about 15 minutes before start time - and discovered significant improvements in traffic flow. I'm not sure if they've solved the problems they had a couple of years ago, or if my later arrival meant that they had already processed the horrendous lines that I had experienced previously. In any case, it was a much better experience this year. Boylan is still a problematic venue, though - the center aisle is 40+ seats wide, making for the worst traffic flow in the stands that I've ever seen. Crowded front to back, also - just not very comfortable.

I was sitting lower last night than in Menomonie, so it may not be a completely accurate comparison, but I can say that from what I saw, Phantom's visual improved significantly in the last week. Two primary factors contributed to the improvement. First, the guard has added much more work to the show than they had in Menomonie. I was frankly disappointed with the guard show in Menomonie - hardly any flag work or full rifle lines like they have done to such great impact in the past. But they added a lot in a week's time, and if they keep going in this direction, it's going to be yet another amazing guard show for PR. BTW, they seem to have made male guard members a permanent fixture now - they have several of them in the guard, and not as highlighted "characters" but as regular members. It's a very talented guard, but I do have to lament the passing of the best all-female guard in drum corps. RIP. The second thing I noticed was that they seem to have adjusted the drill to fit better around those blasted panels they insist on putting on the field. In Menomonie, there were a couple of points where it looked like the drill nearly ran into the panels, and the formations sometimes looked crowded and incomplete - as though they couldn't do what they meant to do b/c the panels were in the way. This week, it appears that they have made some great adjustments to the drill so that that crowding effect is pretty much gone. I'd still prefer the panels to be along the back sideline - they're visually distracting and don't do anything for the show - but at least they don't seem to interfere as much as they did last week.

Phantom did the same thing...not with warm-up, but with their pre-entrance chant, etc. They were just off the field and you could hear them very clearly during soft moments in BK's show. I'm a Phan, but honestly, I had hoped they would be penalized for that - it was very distracting from the stands.

It was certainly the day of new uniforms in Menomonie, and I thought all of them looked good - especially the Colts. Sharp, sharp, sharp! I also noticed that Menomonie wasn't exactly sold out - but it did seem like a good crowd. Honestly, this is one of the best-run shows I've ever attended. It's been about 3 years since I've been able to make this show (it's a 6-hour drive one way for me), and I've really missed it. The volunteer team is both friendly and knowledgeable - they really add to the experience. Kudos to them also for "guarding" the entrances to the stands during shows, keeping people from entering. Wish more shows would do that. I won't do a full review here (doing that for DCW), but just a couple of notes on both ends of the Div 1 spectrum. There was a good amount of incredulity in the stands where I was when Pioneer's score was announced. I don't think anyone had them over Blue Stars, but it was hard to see a 9-point difference from where I was sitting. Both brass and CG are much improved over recent years. This is one corps that just can't seem to get a break from the judges. It's early and they still have much work to do, but honestly, a 54 for this show just wasn't right. On the other end, Phantom was very impressive in all areas. Extremely well-executed, as expected. No surprise that they swept all the subcaptions. One note about the guard show, though - it completely lacked the visual punch of PR guard shows in the past. I attribute that to the nearly total absence of flag work - which is always the most visually impressive part of a guard show to me. They didn't do any significant flag work until the very end of the show. Missing also were the traditional full-guard rifle lines of the past. They execute the show extremely well, but they're going to need a bit more equipment work, IMO, for maximum visual impact. Also, PR needs to take those panels off the field. Put them along the back or along the front and they're fine - but there were a couple of points in the show where the panels seemed to be in the way of what the drill needed to do in terms of formations - made the drill look crowded. Better off without the obstructions and visual distractions on the field - take them to one sideline or the other, and the problem is solved. And kudos to all the corps for NOT narrating their shows! After watching Annapolis on the web Saturday, I was just sick. I feel much better after this show.

It is a bit ironic to hear all the narration about unity coming from the corps that has been at the center of most Drum Corps controversy for several years now.

Thanks to the Cadets for once again saving me the cost of an APD download. When I download an APD, I'm looking for a Drum Corps show, not an audiobook.

I specifically remember the wording re: voice very well. It was a one-liner that stated "Amplification of voice would also be allowed". Interesting, isn't it, that something that appeared to be an after-thought in the proposal has actually become the major point of contention?

That's an interesting point about Cavs, but I have to give it up for someone who can win 5 of the last 7 championships and then suggest a change in the determination of placements. Whether you agree or disagree with the proposal, IMO, that takes some character.

A truly excellent point. Would it now become bad fan etiquette to enter and/or leave the stands or talk during a warmup? I'm one of those folks who will try to squeeze in a quick bathroom run or concession visit between corps rather than face the line during intermission. I'm always back in my seat before a corps starts, and if by any chance I don't make it, I watch from the entrance to the stands rather than interrupting the show. Will I now have to do this in 3 minutes instead of 5? Not looking forward to that.....

Actually, I think that's the point of the first proposal - that this Task Force (the implication is that the Task Force already exists) would have the ability to respond to rules changes by updating the BACK (only) of the scoresheet. As I read that proposal, it looks like submission to the Instructor Caucus sessions is already included - so I don't think we're really talking about "ad hoc" changes here. I'm assuming that by "Convention", the proposal means the Winter Meetings, but I'm not sure. I think it's significant that neither of these proposals encompasses any change to the actual scoring of shows. They appear to be intended to help the judges incorporate recent developments in the activity into how they are judging shows.

I think a ban for life might be a bit much...but I'd like to see something like this implemented. The activity was essentially held hostage with the amps proposal for what, 13 years or something, before it was finally passed. I'd favor something like if a change is voted down, it can't be brought up for the next two years. Of course, you'd have to put some guidelines around that...people would get clever with the way they worded changes to make them seem different.

I don't know that I agree that smaller corps would automatically have fewer people...I see it more as just 15 less people (of the hundreds) being turned away annually from the top few corps. This is definitely a "rich get richer" proposal. The rationale of 10% more kids marching is wildly optimistic, since most corps don't currently march the max anyway. The effect would be to widen the gap between the top corps and the 2nd- and 3rd-tier corps. Definitely, better to find ways to fill out more of the corps than to expand the size of a handful.

What he said. Still, a big NO from here. I'm not really interested in hearing stories or experiencing ocean waves crashing on the shore...I just want to see great drill and hear great music. The argument of attracting more kids or more fans simply doesn't hold water...most top-level corps turn away hundreds of kids annually already (although they could turn away 15 less each if ... oops, off topic). All the shows I went to last year were basically already sold out...I'm not seeing that anyone is sensing a lack of "coolness" or anything else that's keeping them away from the activity. Electronics are simply not needed and would further distract from the performance, IMO. However, if I could get a repeal on amped vocals, I'd still put up with electronics.

Agreed. It's the performance I'm interested in, not the scenery, backdrops, doors, tables, or whatever other furniture of the day is on tap. I'm afraid that this proposal opens the door for even more visually distracting shows than the Cadets did last year. This sort of stuff takes attention away from the performers, who should be the focus. The answer isn't more people to move the props, it's less props!!!

I was also quite disappointed that Academy and Impulse did not get to perform Saturday night. I'm almost sure that in 2002 the D2/3 champions got to perform in exhibition as part of the Saturday night pre-show. The Marines were good, but honestly, I'd have paid extra to get to see the Academy one more time. With a 43-minute preshow, I was sure we'd get the D2/3 champions...oh well. Nothing to do now but wait for the DVDs.

<<starts to save allowances.....>> Seriously, I agree completely. Many of us have complained for some time that D2/3 didn't get much respect, particularly in Finals week recently with conflicts with D1 shows, etc. I have to say, it seems like DCI has gotten it right this year. I went up to Madison for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (missed prelims on Tuesday) - and really enjoyed the chance to see D2/3 in the big stadium (first time since 2002 in Madison, right?) and to see ALL of the shows - again, a first since Madison in 2002. And I really love the fact that all the D2/3 shows were available for download from Prelims...I made sure I had all of them on my Ipod Tuesday night!! Hoping that the APD's will keep me from serious withdrawal until my Super Bundle arrives... I am seriously ADDICTED to the Academy's show.

Academy did have a couple of drops during Finals - but honestly, for me this show was just so far above everything else I saw this year I can't even express it. I saw them in Michigan City, where they should have won by 4 points or so, just barely nip the Spartans. After talking to several people (not affiliated with The Academy), I found a general sentiment that the judges were keeping the scores close to keep things competitive. I'm no judge, but from what I saw and heard, I have to agree. Of course, personal preference as to show styles always enters what we think of as the best show...but honestly, for me, this was the best show I've seen in at least two years - any division. I took something like 40 pictures of them at Finals, and I don't think I have a single one with a line that's not straight, diagonals not lined up, or anything like that. I am SO BUMMED that this corps won't be coming out of the West next year, with Finals in Pasadena. It's a great loss for the rest of the country. I think that now that they've actually won the championship to cap off a third undefeated season (and an undefeated CAREER in Division 2 - can anyone tell me when that's been done?) they will begin to get more respect from the judges and be scored accordingly. I'm not saying this to knock the judging - it's a difficult job and I wouldn't want it - but I talked to a lot of fans in Michigan City and in Madison, and the sentiment I found was pretty universal among those I talked to.

Cavies win...OK, now my night is REALLY complete.