funkrocker049

I enjoy reading all the responses that are foretelling the end of the activity. I prefer to take a wait and see attitude with the electronics. There were moments in Allentown and at the QF broadcast where I was keenly aware of the presence of low synth sounds in addition to the brass. Some corps that did it well did so because they achieved a good balance between the two. This resulted in an additive effect that I found somewhat pleasing. The corps that did not balance well, or had timing problems between the pit and other sections, failed to achieve the same effect. At no point was I "surprised" or "duped" by the synths. Regarding the BD soloist playing into the mic...I can see why they had him do that. It helped to maintain consistency with the other players (sop, mello...) that played before him. Now, was it completely necessary? I don't think so. He was staged up close to the sideline, so he likely would've projected just fine. Anyway, at some point in the season, the staff decided that the music was better served by having him play into a mic. Not a huge fan of the show, but I can see why they did that. Just like narration and amplified pit, the various corps will figure out how to use all these tools more effectively. An equilibrium will be reached.

Absolutely. Great guy. Terrific designer with an excellent sense of staging.

Here are some quick thoughts from Friday night in Allentown. I'm not one to take notes during shows, so this is going off of what I can remember. I was seated around the 40 yard line (side 2) a bit less than halfway up the bottom level. I made note of my score predictions as the show progressed. These scores were based mainly off of what I perceived the point spread to be. Cascades - Good to see them back on the field. Their hornline is getting some nice impact from about 40(?) horns. There were some tuning/ensemble issues due to overblowing, but I didn't feel as though it took away from my enjoyment of the show. The visual training of the members is pretty weak. There were upper body issues aplenty and feet out of time in many spots. Shoulders during shifts were cringe-worthy and certainly not helping their sound. Overall, I enjoyed the show very much but it was very dirty. My score: 72.5 Actual: 73.85 Pioneer - This corps seemed to take on a show much more appropriate for the level of the corps. They displayed generally good visual technique with fewer instances of carriage and feet problems than Cascades. The hornline had many individual stick-outs but approached the show with much more control than the previous corps. The show itself did not hold my interest at all. My score: 72.95 Actual: 74.0 Mandarins - After seeing them last year, I did not expect much coming into this show. Nonetheless, I kept an open mind and was pleasantly surprised. The horns sounded good....especially during the tango while standing still. If they can maintain the sound while moving, they have the potential to move up. This was an enjoyable program. (as an aside, I was sporting a mandarins tshirt this evening. Never really been a fan either way, but I like to give some money to the corps that most need it). My score: 75.2 Actual: 78.85 Pacific Crest - I can't remember much about their show except that they used the field quite effectively. The horns had some nice impact moments. That's about all I can speak to for these guys from memory. My score: 77.6 Actual: 78.3 Academy - I had to make a bathroom run, so I got stuck up top for Academy's show. I wasn't in position to really critique their hornline, but they sounded pretty good. They also looked better than last year. My score: 81.0 Actual: 82.8 Troopers - I was very excited to see this show live. I've watched it several times on the Fan Network, but nothing compares to the live experience. It's obvious that this is a finalist-level show. The forms were much cleaner than I've seen previous. The brass sounded great, but they need to work details (attacks, dynamics, etc.) in a few spots. It also seemed like endurance became a real issue in the sound as the show moved on. Enjoyable, but I'll be happy to never see WSS on the field again. My score: 83.1 Actual: 83.8 Glassmen - I've always either loved or hated Glassmen shows, but this one is probably somewhere in the middle. The techno part of the show was probably my favorite. This was some nice use of the new synth rule. I know that will probably be contentious, but it worked for me. I can see hints at the "one" concept, but the music didn't really contribute to the theme as I was watching. Staging of the various sections was quite effective. This drill doesn't "wow" from the high cam angle, but it definitely works wonderfully from the mid stands. Good energy this evening. My score: 85.2 Actual: 86.35 Bluecoats - This corps rocked out tonight. I like this show since the first viewing on Fan Network, and it has definitely grown into a great product. The horns sound terrific and all the sections seem to be locking in much better now. There are many visual details that, taken as a complete package, really improve the viewing. Hunting Wabbits is especially good in that respect. The drill is well written, though the last form doesn't have me completely sold. This group can march, too. Their contras were the first of the evening that didn't distract me with bell angles. The wardrobe change is VERY effective from down low. Not sure if they can challenge for 5th, but I'd love to see it. My score: 91.5 Actual: 91.1 Cavaliers - This is a good show, but somewhat unmemorable to me. It lacks the "wow" factor of previous Cavaliers' shows. Having said that, I think this is the best brass book they've put out in several years. The horns sounded very nice. Good blend from top to bottom. Visual was the usual Cavaliers style. My score: 93.2 Actual: 94.1 Holy Name Cadets - Like I said, I'd be happy to never see WSS on the field again. This is an exciting show with frenetic drill that keeps you engaged throughout. Their colorguard was very good...probably the first to really draw me in. The brass did not sound as loud as 2007, but definitely showed great energy. The pacing of the show musically feels a bit off to me, and I can't really explain why. An enjoyable drum corps experience. I was pulling for them, since I know many people in the corps. My score: 94.2 Actual: 94.3 Blue Devils - This was a great show...if I sat there with my eyes closed. With the exception of a couple moments, the visual program bored me to tears. Nonetheless, they marched with excellent technique and brought their A game. There were a couple jam sections that just smacked you in the face with intensity. I like that. They're very good and I'm not sure they can be caught by the end of next week. My score: 95.0 Actual: 95.75

SCV's show this year is the kind of show that draws you in rather than smacking you in the face. I was in the stands in Allentown and I, too, noticed the silence. But it definitely felt like the product of intense concentration/interest rather than boredom.

I went with the $39 package because of scheduling problems with the live webcasts. For that kind of money, I have been nothing but thrilled with the Fan Network. Waiting a day or two for the videos to be posted isn't a problem with me...it's not like they'll be any different once they are posted. Sure, the the video/audio quality could be quite a bit better, but I think it's generally acceptable for being recorded in so many different places with varying setups and who-knows-what for broadband capacity.

Listening skills. Individual -> small group -> full ensemble. The best brass instructors (any music teachers, for that matter) strive to improve the listening skills of the performers. Working chords is a great way to do this. These often used chords work quite well for this purpose...the common progressions are so familiar to the players and they are easily voiced for the ensemble. Anyway, that's my quickly hashed take on it.

We wore the same helmet as the rest of the corps without any problems. I can't stand seeing the contra section in different headgear.

Don't share water jugs. Eat everything they're serving at meals. I know my corps was excellent as far as feeding us complete meals that were quite edible and contained multiple food groups. Load up on watermelon, bananas, other fruits when served. Always take the vitamins. And dress warm on the bus.

http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.d...SBLOG/902259956

The corps hall was used for weekend practices during the winter months, weekend housing during the summer months, equipment/uniform storage, bingo hall, administration, and trophy/picture museum.

This focus on WSS kind of struck down a lot of the excitement I had for Cadets 09. Oh well, I'm sure it'll still be interesting.

The "ideal" is to have equal half-steps throughout the range of the horn. Even if your horn is perfectly "in tune with itself" you would still need to listen and adjust according to the needs of the chord (i.e. lower the 3rd, raise the 5th, blah, blah...)

Yes, Teal only performed twice in Bloomington. My mistake.

Seems like a poor excuse to overblow. I was in the stands for all three performances in Bloomington, and if Teal can raise their level of marching they will be in great shape. The weaknesses in foot technique, timing, and body carriage were readily apparent and had obvious effects on the brass sound.

Spartans have participated in 5 inaugural parades: Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Bush(2001+2005)

Here's a good rehearsal day: Breathing block, suicides, afternoon run-through in warm clothes before lunch, evening run-through also in warm clothes.... heaven

Single worst timing experience involved a marching machine in the pit. That is all.

I guess that explains why it's so rare for me to enjoy hearing a "screamer" Anyway, I agree with the notion that playing high comes easier for some. Nonetheless...build endurance, work on flexibility/lip slurs, and LET THE AIR LEAD THE WAY. Also, play low often.

Surf was definitely a talented corps, but their show design didn't have the legs to propel them past BDB and SCVC. I think they placed appropriately given the product they were given. They'll do well in whatever division they choose to perform in next year. Teal had a great product on the field, but it was beyond the performance level of the corps members. To my eyes and ears, this was an instructional issue and not a case of the members lacking talent/ability. I really enjoyed the show, but it would seem that the staff has to figure out how to clean....especially feet.

Lies.

I didn't get to see the entire open class field, but I can share a few impressions... Congrats to Legends on their first year. I was pleasantly surprised. Spokane Thunder had a great sound for so few horns. BDB and SCVC were a toss-up and could've gone either way. Most of the open class show designs were okay, at best. Teal Sound had the most enjoyable repertoire but barely squeaked by citations. The biggest corps had some of the dirtiest feet (read: Teal Sound and Jersey Surf). Good to see OC doing well....I just couldn't connect with their show. Nice moments from them. Some scores dropped from semis to finals....rightly so. A lot of hard working kids on the field who deserved much better attendance than they received.

1. Phantom Regiment 2. Bluecoats 3. Carolina Crown 4. Cavaliers 5. Santa Clara Vanguard 6. Madison Scouts 7. Glassmen 8. Boston Crusaders 9. Troopers 10. Colts 11. Pacific Crest 12. Blue Knights

Seems like Glassmen are a class act. Last year, at the Hornell, NY show the Spartans hornline finished our visual warm up but were forced to relocate before we could complete the brass warm up. We were close to our gate time but the Glassmen front ensemble agreed to halt their warm up so we could finish ours in their space. Nice little gesture.

I agree that I would probably score Academy higher than PC in brass; but, the very obvious advantage held by Pacific Crest in GE more than makes up for the difference in the hornlines. It's hard to pinpoint why the scores turned out as they did. There is a very real difference in the way things sound on the field vs. up in the box. Just look at the Music Ensemble scores...Academy beat PC handily...sound quality absolutely plays a role in this caption. I've heard numerous tapes by Don MacTaggart and he has a great ear for what brass players are doing on the field. I trust that he called it like he heard it. Besides, sometimes it all comes down to where the judge happens to be standing at any given time. To my ears, Academy has a terrific hornline but that is not enough to make up for the many shortcomings of their program. The show is poorly designed and fails to generate effect. The members are playing the crap out of it, but it's not enough. The visual scores are also holding them back, but it was a toss-up between them and PC that night.

I had the pleasure of attending the East Coast Classic this evening. It was warm and muggy to start, but the rain held off and it eventually cooled off nicely. My seats were between the side 2 30 and 35 yard lines, and about 1/3 of the way up. I got a good impression of sound, a great view of feet, and not so much on forms. Most of tonight's viewings were first reads. Defenders (I think that was their name) I don't remember what they played, but this ensemble had some obvious chops. There were several nice moments for both the upper and lower brass. Following their performance, one of their mellophone players sang a nice rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner. I don't remember this group being on the schedule for the evening, but no real complaints from me. Boston Crusaders All-Age At this point I was ready for the competition to start. I have never been fond of all-age/alumni corps but they played pretty well. Some stick-outs were evident at times, but the ensemble demonstrated that they had put some serious time into preparing for this performance. They ended their portion of the evening with Conquest (obviously), and it drove the hometown crowd crazy. Spartans I previously marched with this group, so I don't want to comment too much. There were evident improvements since the last time I saw them in Nashua. The kids are working hard, but the 'metallic soundscapes' concept has much more room for growth. I like the relocation of the pit to the front of the field. The props on the field help this small corps take up space. The battery is clearly the strongest section and there were nice moments with the cymbals. If they can clean this one...especially feet...they could go places. Pacific Crest This is the first time I have ever seen Pacific Crest live. Their show has some really great musical and visual moments that, if clean, provide for some real effect. I didn't catch the title of the show (which I now see is Primality...), but I definitely understood what the feel was supposed to be. To me, this shows some success on the part of the designers. The hornline had a good sound though the stick-outs became more apparent as the show progressed. The tuba line projected well during their feature, they just need to do a bit more work on tone-matching. The Wind and the Lion was a great choice of music, and I always love seeing it on the field. The show has the bones, they just need to clean clean clean. Academy There is definitely a lot of meat in this horn book, but that's about it. The general design of the show is lacking any real direction. The brass can play...LOUD...but if the product isn't there.... The show begins with a nice hit, some meaty dissonance, and just lapses into generic classical. I couldn't see anything too interesting in the drill either. Like I said, this line can play but they need a better design. They placed correctly tonight. Santa Clara Vanguard They are flying all over the field! I like the new uniforms but it's not the best iteration...I still like the white pants from 2005. I don't remember a whole lot about the music except that the 'groove' section is one of my favorite moments of the past few years. These guys performed at a level that was CLEARLY above and beyond anything previously seen this evening. The Cavaliers The samurai theme is well played, especially in the guard. As usual, the Cavaliers are performing all sorts of crazy visuals that draw your attention all around the field. I really enjoyed this show, but I wish the hornline would play more. They sound great, with terrific blend and balance, but it seems like they have their horns down half the time. The pit really sold all the sound effects and looked the part in their costumes. More of the taiko drums would be nice, too. Boston Crusaders I saw BAC in Nashua and was blown away by this show. The product is there for them to grab by the horns and take it wherever they can....but they aren't. Their performance tonight was flat. They need to figure out how to clean...fast. It felt like they were holding back from the first hit of "2001". I noticed numerous missed releases in the upper brass, lack of direction in long phrases, and just little mistakes that all add up. The home crowd still ate it up when Conquest closed out the show. I just really hope they can get it in gear.