bigtexageout

Let me first start off by saying that considering all the negative talk that happened with the 2004 season, I was not putting much thought in the "rebirth" of the 2005 Revolution and basically was starting a countdown to yet another Texas Corps' demise. I was surprised by the Texas Preview show and thought, WOW, was I and others wrong. It got me excited enough to make the drive out to their family day and see what they could do on the move. A couple weeks later, I head to make the short drive to New Braunfels, TX still not expecting much and having doubts, and was totally stunned. This group is improving and making the name Revolution really mean something down here in Texas. Numbers- 13 sops, 8 mellos, 8 baris, 6 contras = 35 horns 7 snares, 4 tenors, 5 basses, 7 pit = 23 Percussion 15 Guard and 2 DM 75 Total Members Aesthetics- Uniform - Great corps Uniform. They added a lone star to the front of the jacket, you cannot see it from afar but a nice subtle touch to an already crisp looking corps. No guard Uniform yet but some really, really, great flags! The Show- WOW - Even with all the dirt a young corps can have (and believe me - it's there) they have some really great moments. The show starts off backfiled with the corps "all black back" and turns to reveal a nice big hit. Drill forms are a bit hard to read at times and there is a lot of visual dirt but they sound pretty good considering the before mentioned items still need work. That pit and drumline are once again strong and tasty. The guard is messy but they are doing some really neat things. There are some really neat tosses and man those guard members run all over the field. The corps keeps the drill pretty compacted but they move a lot in the small area of the field they choose to limit themselves to. The corps does not pucker out too much at the end. The are strong from start to finish. They do have some endurance issues but not as much as I expected from a Div III corps. If they can continue to clean and refine the show and add some more visuals in, they will do well in Boston. I really found the music to be accessable and the overall concept of emotions needs to be sold more. As they get on tour they should get stronger in those areas, afterall this was thier first "show". I predict them in the top three and will leave that there. If they can clean this show to the same level, as lets say Yamato, they will do some serious damage in Grand Finals even to the Div II corps. I think the only thing that may prohibit them from doing well is that I have never seen a Div III show as complex as this and it shows in their dirt. They have earned a new fan and look forward to seeing them in the SA afternoon show. I wish them well. As I stated before - I was wrong, Revolution is alive and well in the heart of Texas! Lets go Revolution! :)

This is my first attempt at a full review. My short review is very similar since this was only a standstill. My pictures did not come out but Revolution has already posted pictures on thier website, They are primarily of thier group but they do have some of the other groups. Texas Preview Pictures The venue: The historic Alamo and the Artisen River Theater! Jam packed with tourist, the groups surely had a crowd to entertain. While most were there to support thier group, many were just in the right place at the right time for a good show. It was hot but there was plenty of shade at the Alamo. Not the same for the River theater unless you could stake out a nice cool place at the top like I did! In order of performance: FRONTIER, Dallas TX (Senior) 2 DM 19 Hornline, 13 Percussion, 9 Guard (missing - 10 Hornline, 3 Perc, 9 Guard) 1st year group but you would never be able to tell, very well balanced and energentic. Liked thier music, very accessable and engaging Texas music Rep. Thier strength is thier hornline. Guard seems to be coming along nicely as well. Very good for a first year group, very professional! No uniforms, just white Polos and Tan Shorts but still sharp. It is my understanding the chose to wear thier parade uniform rather than thier uniform in the TX heat. Smart, but I would have liked to see thier uniform. I expect many good things from them in the future and hope i get a chance to see more of them soon. TRINITY, Sequin TX (Junior) 1 DM, 5 Hornline, 7 Percussion, No Guard Another 1st year group but very small compared to other II/III corps. Lots of ideas trying to be presented with thier music book. Hats off to the kids for stricking with this program. Everyone has to start somewhere and I bet it was no picnic starting up in Revolution's backyard. In time they may get stronger as they get more members. No Uniforms just matching shirts. GULF COAST SOUND, Houston, TX (Senior) 2 DM, 16 Hornline, 13 Percussion, 10 Guard Much Improved GCS group. They are stepping into different programing than what we traditionally saw from Bayou City Blues or GCS in the past. About the same size as the other senior corps. Hornline not as strong but seemed to have a stronger percussion line. I liked the uniforms and the Star on thier sashes. Once the program gets stronger they will have a stronger connection with the audience just with thier musical selections. REVOLUTION, San Antonio, TX (Junior) 2 DM, 33 Hornline, 23 Percussion, 15 Guard (missing 2 hornline) WOW! Very Large group for Revolution this year and the show music is very powerful. I was completely surprized. There are moments in the show that are seriously wicked when it all locks in. They do tend to overplay (Baritones) but I like LOUD music!!! With more time this group will fix all the kinks and really set the II/III world on it's ears. When I saw the group start up at IWU, I was sure the size would drop, but they have maintained thier numbers. This is the strongest book I have heard them play and they seem to enjoy playing it. Almost wish they had come out with this in 2003 rather than that other show. The corps looks sharp in thier new uniforms - much better than the things they had in the past. Very classy and very mature looking group even with some younger members. Guard did not perform like the other groups just walked around informing guest and accepting donations. Massed Hornlines from all the groups played America O'Canada - I wish they could have had more to play! It was a very hot day and I could never get enough water! Everything is so overpriced downtown! I had a great time getting a small Drum Corps Fix in June and cannot wait for the San Antonio Regional. This was my first review so please be gentle.