FrankBeMe

What a great project. The state of Wisconsin actually has hired people, including buglers, to work state military funerals. Even though they're civilians, they still have to be in military uniform (they hire vets only). They travel around the state, usually at short notice.

Great review! I agree with pretty much everything you said. Now--two things---it's Capital Sound, not Capitol and it's Royal Airs, not Royalaires. Just so you know! :)

Jim It's always been free! I've been going since 91...always a great time!

The Madison Scouts Open House this afternoon was a total success. It featured Pioneer, Capital Sound, Royal Airs and Madison Scouts in concert, each playing their 2002 shows. Pioneer began the show. Oliver is a nice show with nice music, played nicely. The one problem with it is that there just aren't any big impact spots. The drumline was the strength--seven snares were quite good. Unfortunately, the horn line numbered a scant 21. Hopefully they more coming in or it could be a rough summer. Capital Sound was next. What a great and fun show! They're playing music of Elton John, Pink Floyd and Kansas. The drum line is VERY good....the hornline solid and clean. I think they'll finally be getting notice from the folks with the tape recorders this year. Can't wait to see this show on the field..it's going to be a fun one to watch! First standing ovation of the day! Then came the Royal Airs. All I could say is WOW..but WOW. Not all their members were there but they still had 60+ horns that were incredibly loud and technically precise. It was really good to finally hear those old RA favorites live instead of on the old Fleetwoods. RA received a rousing, very well deserved standing ovation. Can't wait to see them on the field! Scott Stewart called them a living museum of what drum corps once was...and that was very true! Then came Madison. First they played You'll Never Walk Alone. Always very emotional. Then the pit played a rendition of Rememberance, which the Scouts played in 90 and 98. Very well done! Next was the street beat into Colonel Bogey...great street beat! Then they played Ice Castles from 1980 and 1981...and yes..they held out the last chord forever!!! Standing ovation! Next was the 2002 field show, titled Conquest. Guess what their on field warm up is!!! It will even cause Boston to stand up and take notice. Captain from Castille is opener...Conquistador is the closer...and it's all good! In the opener, there is a multi-metered section--the drum major conducted both meters flawlessly! The drum solo was different, using kind of authentic South American percussion....but yes, it was good! Madison is back....great great show! It was a good time..1,000 plus in attendence watching and cheering. The historical displays were outstanding. The Madison corps, Kilties and Royal Airs all had souvies set up and Drum Corps World was there to take orders on their drum corps history book--Steve Vickers did have the book printed out and available for viewing--it is excellent--get yours now, the price goes up $20 on May 1st!! A great time was had by all...looks like it's going to be a fun year, at least from the corps I saw today.

Since 1985 wasn't a choice I couldn't vote for it. Ok--I'll agree--91 was very very good, especially the mellophones....that was probably the best mellophone section ever, any corps. If only they would have let it rip as a horn line in finals that year...I read somewhere that they held back...sounded as though they were playing "not to lose" instead of to win. 93---If not playing throughout an entire show is the mark of a great horn line, so be it. The only hornline I heard play less as an entire hornline was Mandarins in 94. I timed the entire time their entire hornline played together at 2:40. And how anyone can even consider Blast! as Star's best hornline...knock knock..anyone there??? Number 1--Blast! isn't drum corps....at most Blast! is a professional band. No comparison. If you're going for a best ever...keep it drum corps.

I can be objective still but only to corps that I like, and that number is dropping yearly.

Ok thanks :) I just didn't recognize the names!

Not ever hearing of anyone you listed other than Wayne, I have to ask....have they taught before or are they just recent age outs? What makes them more special than other staffs? Is it just because you're with Magic and haven't had any other corps experience that you say that? Is it just because of who those people have marched with? (Remember, Rod Carew was one of the greatest hitters ever but turned out to be one of the worst hitting coaches ever).

So...you were afraid to try out because of the key difference. Why? What is so horrible about learning to play in a different key? Isn't that a part of music education? Isn't that why those going for music ed degrees have to learn to play not only their major instrument but all others? Isn't playing a G instrument AND a Bb (or whatever key) instrument an educational experience??? Or isn't education what drum corps is about? Besides...how do you think us trombone players felt about having to learn to play with valves???

1. Madison 75 2. Spirit 80 3. Madison 95 4. Madison 78 Unfortunately, hornlines have gotten less loud since someone thought the pit had to be heard. Will a Bb corps ever be called the loudest ever? No, not even close, and that's a shame. Good thing they'll have shows in domes so they'll sound artificially loud.