BigW

The Cabs took the field with "Take Me". The Percussion is extremely musical as it sets the tone for the program. The charts are very aggressive and also quite technical and intellectual. The "House of the Rising Sun" segment is very well arranged. The pacing is engaging. At face value when one looks at the repertoire, one might think- how does this stuff relate and how will it make a cohesive musical effort? It does and does it well. The brass knows when to hit and hit hard- the weakness is that at times, they're not quite simpicato and unified yet. Some of it might be some struggling with feet and pulse. Playing together to get the ensemble unity will happen. More reps and working on body control will get everything the way it needs to be. This is a very fine program. I want to make this clear before I move in in the review.

Bush took the field next with their "A Walk in Their Shoes: Tales of Tinseltown" show. I want to start by saying, since I've never said it on DCP- "Pablo" was one of my two favorite programs that season. the thing is, I saw it at least twice before finals weekend, and even the week before, and it took until Finals weekend for it to really bloom, and I was very happy to see the realized and envisioned product. The unis reflect the theme, and kind of remind me of superhero costumes. They're sharp! The percussion section is very polished, the writing is sophisticated and they're clearly ready to go. The pace of the show is very engaging. The Bari duet is solid- and has quite a bit of potential. Here's where the issues lie: They have 24 brass. They have that Bush hustle. They are trying VERY hard. The problem is at the end they appeared to be understandably gassed and just not able to get ti done. The Mellos gave a lot of effort- three of them playing those parts- very physically challenging for them. They have a very difficult row to hoe. They strike me as young. They're not quite comfortable about listening across the ensemble and really getting everything detailed and interpreted. One thing that they have going for them is the fact they appear to be well staged so they don't have to kill themselves to be heard, and the percussion plays tastefully and gives them room and space and doesn't step all over them- and that has happened in the past with one particular corps who's no longer around. What worries me is that, as I mentioned with "Pablo", this show is likely again, something that won't really nail it until Rochester. the good news is it's complete, and they can get the reps and feel of the total package enough to get it done. I'll expound on that at the end of the review.

VERY cool. I'm one of the kickstarters that is in the end credits of I think episode three of the Netflix reboot. I'm certain you know EXACTLY what I mean by an Albert Glasser score- Teenage Caveman, Viking Women versus the Serpent... Glasser, and it sounds like the same drek over and over regardless of the type of movie or story.... I figure you HAVE to like my avatar. The Master would not be pleased if you didn't get it...

Kevin, if you ever read what was on my notebook about my state of mind and my feelings about going to that show before Surf took the field about how I pretty much felt... Surf was a bright point. As I said, they made me smile. When I finally get to the end of my review- That's a huge deal. I'm frankly scared to show ANY reactions at a DCA regular season show for fear of getting dirty looks from the Aunt Mabels and Uncle Clems.

I believe Surf is still World Class, and they were extremely entertaining at the Buccaneer Classic. The Raiders should be fine and I think got off to a reasonable start there. I'm thinking with a show under their belts and some hard rehearsals this week, they'll show everyone something at Dover, PA on Friday. I just got my ticket. I hope I have a good experience Friday. I'm feeling very, very out of place in the DCA world.

The White Sabers' show "Invasion" is a take on basically every 50's cheesy Sci-Fi movie. Being a rather avid MSTie, (Look it up if you don't know) I know the genre pretty well. The music sounds like a typical Albert Glasser (known for his music in a lot of these cheesy movies) score, but far more competently executed and conceived. The narration has that "Outer Limits" vibe. Some of the Dynamic sculpting in the music is understood but not fully realized. I have a feeling there are some things implied in the narration that aren't quite worked into the program, like the Alien Abduction implications. (One can't have a good cheesy 50's sci-fi movie without one!) They also need a Theremin. If you're going to do 50's sci fi music... where's the Theremin!? The show came to a cliffhanging incomplete, screeching halt without resolution. I inwardly thought, AAAAAAARGH!!!!!! Not mostly baked bread in the bakery! Not again! Well, the show could go either way. The Aliens will take over, or somehow the Corps will figure out a way to beat them... or maybe the aliens succumb to some War of the Worlds disease like the snifffles. Or maybe everyone tampers in God's Domain.

The Columbus Saints were next with their "Homecoming" program. I was curious to see how they've dealt with COVID and the long trip to Landisville. I've trekked to Columbus years ago, and it's not a very easy drive or ride from here. The first thing I realized during the first 30 or so seconds of the performance was that this was, in my opinion, the finest performance from the corps that I'd ever seen. It's obvious that they've put a lot of work into developing their brass section and it's beginning to pay off. This being said, the brass section had a bit of the yips, and that's understandable. It's clear to me that they know what's in the book, which is a very enjoyable, entertaining, and accessible book using solid arrangements of great pop tunes, but that they weren't confident that they knew it. They do know it better than they give themselves credit for but need to get that confidence in themselves, and in each other. They need to encourage each other, build one another up, and work to gel as a unified section, and they can if they work together and support one another. The percussion is setting the table for them, now they have to eat off it. The show is incomplete, but with them, I quickly hand off a mulligan in that regard. This corps is growing, still developing their brand and sense of history, and have made great strides. I've met the members a couple of years ago and they're great young people. I believe in a couple of seasons, They'll be to the point where I'll get tougher on whether the show's finished or not. Take it as a compliment. Stick together. Build one another up and be part of your corps' history is my advice and encouragement.

The Skyliners began the DCA portion of the contest with their "Power of Three" program. The idea reminded me of the 2008 Vanguard's "3HREE" program and I was curious as to what their ideas would be regarding this. My guess is that they're awaiting new uniforms expressing the concept, which would help unify that theme. In terms of the brass, I think Sky's been underestimated in more recent seasons. The arrangements are very well written and written for who they have, not for who or how many people they wished they had. That's critical for a smaller organization. The 3/4 meter woven throughout the music helps to subtly establish the theme throughout what was presented. The corps has two, perhaps three (!) challenges they must overcome. The first is to gain body control and feet timing because they use a lot of double time and triple meter. The second challenge is for the percussion battery to feel comfortable playing together as a more cohesive ensemble. Yes, they look young, but it separates them from the other DCA batteries at the contest. They'll have to develop the confidence and trust of one another and build on that. The third challenge is that the show was incomplete. The final number is needed. I also have guesses that a lot of visual props will also be added to visually unify the theme. In this era, if you purport to tell a story or have a theme, it's got to be ironclad. If the theme is "Soup" (a rather interesting concept...) and the audience has no sense of soup musically or visually... the panel will shoot it down in Effect comp. Sky's modern iteration has impressed me in more recent years as very hard working and well grounded, and again a bit underestimated and undervalued. To be successful this year, I think those three challenges will have to be met, and I believe that they will be, not could be in time.

I really appreciated the fine arrangements and performance of them, Gary. You all have a great sense of each other and where things go. I was lucky enough to play with a couple of the members with the Westshoremen Alumni and always enjoy their company. I'm pretty beat from work but will try and get another corps in here before work!

Seeing as the last review was 11 months ago, It seems those things are becoming needless, but I'll give it a go again. My feelings are pretty conflicted for many reasons. I was pretty ill when I went to Williamsport, and spent the rest of the month in the hospital. If it weren't for the discipline I learned after six seasons at Westshore- I might be dead. Listening to '22 Crown helped get me though some of the tough times during those 22 days last August. Maybe it's caused me to be a bit more impatient in some ways, a little more forthright. I guess it's a warning that some may take offense. It's not hard to offend in this day and age unless everything is candy-coated. The first thing is on me. I misread the stand map and thought I was getting a ticket 4 rows under the Box but got one 4 rows from the lowest row but it was on the 50. I haven't had that issue previously when ordering online show tickets. I'll take the blame on that. I get through the gate, and they're selling programs. "Yes! Do you take cards!?" The answer was in the affirmative, and well, they were selling programs to those in line behind me. I stood there with a smile pointing at the program in my hand for at least 30 seconds. I'm dealing with a micro-aggressive lunatic at work that's trying to take my job and/or trying to cause me to get upset so they can file a harassment claim. I didn't need more of that sort of feeling when I'm not at work, so I put down the program and walked to the stands. One young lady did apologize. Later, a Good Samaritan gave me a program later int he stands after they witnessed it all. I appreciated the kindness. It salvaged the day to that point. It wasn't a lot of fun feeling that I didn't fit in and wasn't really wanted. The Banner Brass was quite good and got my mind back on track. Their arrangements are well thought out, and their Star Spangled banner arrangement is one of the best I've heard short of Eric Leidzen's. Brisk, exact, no fooling around. They how to play a dotted eighth and sixteenth note pattern the correct way, and that was refreshing. Their renditions of "Comedy Tonight" and Farandole" were very much appreciated. Again, a fresh perspective, crisp, well conducted, and very well performed. Kudos! The Bucs Alumni performed "Eternal Father, Strong to Save/Navy Hymn", "Another Star" (from their 1978 show IIRC), and a fresh rendition of "Sound of Silence". The Mid brass did a particularly fine job given it was still pushing 90 degrees out and that they didn't flag or fall off the exposed sections. All respect. They finished with the Bucs standard "Beyond the Sea", again, well done. I was getting the vibe back until I ran into an Aunt Mabel complete with battery powered neck fans cheerfully blowing away in her face. One can read my previous reviews over the years about "Aunt Mabels". They drive me crazy. They're there to see their friends or family and frankly could really care less about the funny bands on the field that aren't cool like OSU and Penn State on TV. At least some friends and family do get it, but some... it's sad. I wasn't feeling it and hoping that The Raiders and Surf would lift me up. The good news was that they did. The Raiders' circus show is a rather different angle on the story with Key Poulan writing the brass book. Think of traditional circus tunes played in a minor mode and a bit creepy at times if one wants more of a description. There are some really treacherous key changes and modal lines in obtuse modes that require a lot of dexterity and listening from the brass, and for the first time in front of an audience, they got through the stuff pretty well! The percussion section appears to be very cohesive and on the same page, and the writing is very complimentary and never overbearing. They're a real strength to the corps, and if the brass and guard can continue to grow, work on their teamwork and gain confidence, they're going to have a very respectable season. I'll have a better guess on Friday when I see them at Dover against several DCI Open Class competitors where they fit in, but what matters is that development and growth of the members takes place and that the product is the best it can possibly be. I have to say that I really enjoyed Surf. Their "Express Yourself" Program has some great aesthetic choices to set the moods of the various numbers, starting with a black and white semi-Mondrian pattern on the backdrops and uniforms. The Hammond Organ feel in the beginning set a solid vibe into the initial hard impact. They saved me from packing it in and going home. They made me smile after all the bad vibes I'd been having there so far. My deep thanks! Their feature players do a fine job, sound great, and the corps has a lot of enthusiasm that projects to the crowd, and the show is very, very accessible as the colors on the field explode visually and musically to the end. I could care less about where they end up placing. The show is enjoyable and meaningful, and the performers care deeply about their presentation, and that was returned to them by an appreciative audience. I look forward to seeing them on Friday. I'll get to the DCA portion when I have time. Frankly, There's a lot going on, and since my illness I'm borderline anemic which exhausts me- and I have a Kidney Doctor appointment in 8 hours. Again, a lot of good, and a lot of things that concern me.

I'll be there later today, and I'm looking forward to seeing them. A previous individual brought up the old Garden State Circuit. I was involved with them for a couple of years in the mid-nineties. Most of the corps were basically youth outreach organizations and did a lot of good for their performers. Many were Boys and Girls Club affiliated, like Kips Bay out of the Bronx. Spirit of Newark, Quest, the Musical Youth out of Mount Vernon, Phoenix, Southern Illusion were examples of those kinds of organizations. The Raiders and Surf were somewhat different animals in that they had the funding and other things that enabled them to compete on a national stage and were there mainly to show the flag and support the other organizations and the circuit, which they did admirably. The problem hit when certain elements of the rest of the circuit were somehow convinced somewhere that they should all adapt the national touring model along with other things. The circuit collapsed within 2-3 years after that leaving pretty much Surf and the Raiders along with a couple on life support that disappeared later. It was a shame in that had the circuit stayed the way it was and within its means and capabilities, a lot of youth were given positive opportunities to learn and grow. In a lot of urban school districts in the NE, Instrumental Music Education's been in trouble for decades and been underfunded and under-supported. I know. I've been there. The circuit gave the chance to play to a lot of deserving kids. To me, it's all a shame in the end what happened there.

I'll be headed to Dover, PA on July 21. Anyone else besides Jeff?

A very fair question. The scary thing is that most people who end up convicted of these sorts of crimes had clean background checks when they were hired. I believe that here in Pennsylvania there were fewer than 10 individuals that were red flagged though the PA Act 34/151/88 (PA State Police/Child Welfare/FBI fingerprints) process at one point and that was after several years of it being in place. It does serve as a deterrent to convicted perps, but not to those without any record. If someone wasn't convicted.... if anything was passed on in writing, it could result in legal action from the individual. A non-recorded discussion where someone says that it wouldn't be a very good idea to hire someone based on their tenure with their organization should be some kind of a red flag in today's world. Going further, if someone gave a glowing recommendation for any individual knowing that they behaved inappropriately with corps members, there's a special place in hell for them.

Heard this elsewhere regarding Tan Dun, very gracious of him.. I know I read somewhere in his will, Don Ellis gave permission to perform his works free if it was for educational purposes, I have no idea what happened to his company Objective Music, though.

Been done. The Dream and the Hershey Spectacular. It'd be likely Hershey would still be around if not for issues between the Site and the organization running the show- a real shame.

Thanks for providing a number. 3k a day roughly, and how many days is this done? Just as a very rough guess, 6/28 to 8/12 is the tour length. About say, 45 days just to rough it out. About 135k. That's real money, but in the scale of the overall budget, what percentage? We're dealing with Fuel/Transportation/logistics. Food. Assuming this is procured at places like Sam's Club/Costco/Aldi's to save a good amount already and provide good food. Uniforms, equipment, props, instruments. Not all of this is free for every corps... is it? And, costs to pay salaries of Administration and staff as well as design. It came out awhile ago in one of the Morning Call articles IIRC that the leader of one organization had a @100k a year salary, which led others to flip out, and the response from knowledgeable folks here was that for the leader of a non-profit of that size and scale that was quite reasonable. Add to that the staff, which is pretty large now as well as the administration. Thinking about that, it might well be that the budget is similar to a School district, in which 60-70 percent typically goes to employee salaries and the rest to buildings and such. I don't know. Does anyone have a guess or knowledge? While 135k is a chunk- it may only be not even ten percent of the overall budget. Yes, costs would be cut down- but is that enough to even make things more manageable?

..."Where YOU control the ACTION!"

Traction Park...

Some of the rides at HP are too violent. Seen the way heads snapped around on the Sidewinder and there was no way I was there. The coasters at Kennywood, yeah, even though they're pretty intense, they won't beat you up.

I think, Jim, that the only thing that can really be changed is how some corps raise funds and the need to increase funding. Money seems to be the hangup and getting that money. Cost cutting seems to not be desired, nor would it really help in many instances. Too many consequences when some of the cost saving possibilities are examined. Cause and effect. F1 has established a spending cap, but I can't see that happening here.

Made me think of that dumb old jingle myself!

More likely the place full of chocolatey kisses where Jeff was unamused. He wasn't Hershey Park happy.

Looking back, I can think of the Crossmen in their Classical music fit in the early 80's with Russlan and Ludmilla. They spent most of the season getting the lick clean in the beginning... and by the time it was clean around 2 weeks before finals, either none of the panels believed it or it made absolutely no difference. And those 16th note runs were a MESS!

1996 Phantom was also a late season charge. Rare in DCI.

Part one. Absolutely. The performers aren't gladiators, and any of us who did this would agree. I still remember telling parents of a top end HS band in a circuit that when they raised Cain about the championships being taken indoors due to ice, freezing rain, and 40+MPH winds. They STILL weren't happy. Dealing with that lot in general was dealing with crazed lunatics. Take care of people. Be kind. There's enough regarding individuals as expendable fodder out there as it is. Part two. "I have no patience for incomplete shows in Marching Music's Major League. " Also agreed. Can we include DCA into that as well, please? There was an early DCA contest a couple of years back that even kept admission prices down because they knew it would happen. At least I sat next to some great people from the Keystoners who through one degree of separation knew several good friends of mine as well who came to Westshore (there's yet another corps folding that helped ours as per a previous post!) and made things enjoyable. Some DCA corps aren't really ready to show a remotely true meaningful performance until Labor Day. It's gotten to the point where I wonder if it's worth going to a contest to see half baked dough and a pie shell and a can of blueberry pie filling from many of the competitors. Well... at least you can pop open the filling can and spoon some out of you're an optimist. Fans expect more at these levels. At least a semblance of completion like Blue Coats 2014, where the early season ending was very different, yet still blew away the audience when I saw it. At least an illusion of "That's really good !" when it still needs cleaning under the DCI microscope. Add to this the nature of the beast when the numbers game enters. Completeness enters into the numbers. Can the changes or additions later make a real difference or is the corps permanently stuck in that slot for the rest of the season? The arguments here are never ending on that issue. The real answer, is "maybe... depends..." (no one likes that ambiguity BTW), and will the staffs want to take any risk of that sort by cutting down rehearsal times? Even though on the face of it, cutting down rehearsal times is a great idea... there's a lot of issues underneath that give cause to think.