MsCorps

OK I concede the idea of a flag or rifle but a flag like scarf to reel the guys in and then push them away may be doable. I really do love this show and I do like the whole Carmen concept it is entertaining in both the visual and music arenas. Thank you for the Carmen Cliff Note.

None of us are perfect so to include some downsides to shows to better the show...isn't that the point? I thought the review was great. I have seen some of these corps earlier and have thought the same thing, but not being an experienced writer it is hard to express what I think sometimes. Don't we want to know what is not going right so we can fix it and make it better...to improve? I am also astounded by the fact that WGI does that to DCI! Shame on them. Thanks for the review.

I love your style of writing, seeing two sides. I agree with you that the Cavies show that it doesn't seem finished or stand up and cheer finished. I am wondering does anyone feel the same about BD's ending? It felt like to me that there could be more than just standing in front doing guard work and corps playing. Look forward to your next review. Thanks....too bad you missed the first two would have liked to have read what your thoughts were.

Question: What is the purpose of the girl dancing around the sundial changing into different color dresses in the Capital Regiment? Is she a Carmen wantabe?

I agree full heartedly that Carmen needs to some kind of flag work. Maybe not an actual flag but maybe scarf like material or a cape or something! You have to see it more than once so that you can watch the rest of the corps but still that red in ther peripheral vision is still a distraction. As far as the Cavies Bond show what did you think you were looking at with the guard the whole show????? I agree with the ladders....too many too long....maybe take some off....too distracting. I understand the concept and the drill inside is cool but really. I totally enjoy the baseball thing, I was born a Cub fan and that is our song. I look forward to seeing all the corps in Indy and maybe there Carmen will have something else to do than just prance around and push guys around.

Oh come on for the "old guys"...except there were a lot of young ones. The soprano screamed!!! They were very entertaining and crowd pleasing.

The whistles were loud with the amplification help. It did make an impact, but I think the audience was still getting the water out of their ears from two nights of rain. However, the crowd was on their feet after MS, it was the best I have seen them this year. My daughter, who is a former MS fan and now a BD fan, said that this show was awesome and the best she has seen them in quite some time and thinks they have a chance for top 5 if not top 3.

Well, I opened mouth and admitted I was at a competition where there was no review yet. This is my first ever review and I am not a very experienced writer or critiquer. I know that I need to tell you if I have any biases, which I could. My daughter marched the Pioneer several years ago and I have some friends who are on the staff. I am a mom whose marching experience is limited to marching WWs in her high school non competitive marching band in the 70’s and the countless hours of watching the marching/drum corps/WGI shows for over 10 years. So my take on the show is more entertainment value, even though my daughters have stated I can be a little harsh in the marching technique arena. I will do my best. So here goes………………….. :sshh: Racine Scouts- This group is really, really small- I think about 12 horns. I felt bad for this group because I know how hard they are working but with these few horns the tough parts are hard to hide. I did enjoy there Frontier theme, there were songs I could recognize. The drill was very compact which is understandable. Capital Sound- WOW! What a punch. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this Civil War theme. However, they won me over. The drill seemed to work well. I can’t wait to see these kids again . Colt Cadets- This show is just plain fun. The theme Arcade has a lot of potential. There are quite a few kids who are small and are struggling to keep up with the taller kids. The guard has a lot of props and it seems like they could do a little more with them, especially with the tetris pieces in the front…the girls look bored. I felt the judges were a little low in their scoring. Blue Stars- Once again I say WOW! My how this corps has grown. Here too I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy the music of a video/computer game but they sold me. They were all over the field and the sound…INCREDIBLE. Now I understand their scores! Pioneer- They were the last to go on before the intermission. Even though their numbers are small for a Div I, this group has a big sound, it is amazing! And though they have this Irish thing going, the music this year is pleasing to the ear. The kids seem to like it and the guard is doing a great job. I do wish they would retire those “Irish Catholic” guard uniforms and dress the guard in something a little more 21st Century Irish. The brass and percussion seem to have a balance problem. I'm not sure if the low brass need to eat more “Wheaties” or the percussion needs to eat less of them. All in all the Pioneer is heads above where they have been since they made the semi’s in 2000. Trooper- First I have to say that I am so glad that the drum majors finally got white gloves instead of the dingy yellow ones. The Western theme this year is an entertaining show. The “She’ll Be Comin Round the Mountain” was cute to watch. They are performing and marching better than I have seen them in the past. Southwind- Well... the sheiko’s looked funny the first time I saw them perform, and.... they still look funny, however they fit the show. The guard and the players match head gear. I really enjoy this show the more I see it and they seem to be marching well. I really like the percussion break ! Colts- This is the first time I have seen them this season. I like the fact that they have a theme but not all the back drops that could go with it. It is eye pleasing to watch it unfold on the field. I was almost crying with the rendition of “Til there was You”, well I was teary eyed. ( I must also admit that this song is from my favorite 4th of July classic movie). Madison Scouts- OK OK OK I have read the reviews about Carmen and so I have been dying to see this show. And it did not fail to entertain me. I waited and waited to see Carmen and there she was. Unfortunately, she distracts you from the rest of the show, the redness! I wish they would give her something to do other than prance around like other reviewers have stated. Give her some props or flags or something other than pushing the guardsmen around. I understand the story line but still show a little more creativity, if she is that good then she can use props of some sort. I definitely was watching what she did so it took away from the rest of what was going on with the drill. Now that I have seen her, I can watch the rest of the show. Yet this was a very well executed show and should put the Scouts in the top 5. :ramd: I have to have a little soapbox time…..I was glad to see the corps parade the audience. The first show I attended they did not but that could have been the show coordinator’s issue. The retreat was the best that I have heard from this new retreat format. I think if they are going to keep this format they should put them in block formation instead of the arc, it just doesn’t have the punch. The sound seems to be more dispersed. I still felt cheated with not having all the corps out there. Please be kind. I promise I will take notes next time so that if I open mouth I will be more prepared. Thanks. b**bs

Ditto on the review, nice job...at least you have courage to tackle a review. I agree with you on the Colt Cadets I felt they could have done more with the arcade pieces especially with the tetris pieces plus they need to say Mortal Kombat in unison! I saw them in Cedarburg and were a little more in unison. Just wondered what the people around you thought of the retreat?

Just thought I'd pass along the major disappointment expressed at the Cavies Michigan City show last night. The fans were not happy...very little applause or yells of exhilaration from the crowd after that sounding rendition of America/O Canada. My youngest daughter was with me last night for the first time this season and she said that she left feeling cheated. Her fiance, who was a first timer, didn't get to experience the emotion we had felt in the past. I think that maybe next year the corps should plan their routes by the closeness of the shows to each other so that it won't take 4 hours of driving time to the next show.

I applaud your survey . I vote to dump the new format and return to the full retreat. It was awe inspiring, emotional, deafening, heart pounding experience each time you heard it with the full evening corps playing. It motivated my daughter to want to be part of a corps and as a parent I was proud to see her on the field after each show I went to...small or large. I appreciate the article that was on DCI website on Monday, at least we know that they are getting wind of these forums. Yet when I emailed them they are still pat in their responses with it's good for the corps because it presents "a level playing field". They don't respond to the fact that nobody is leaving the shows early and leaving the DM's there with a small support staff to take them to the next stop. Plus how do the corps get more rehearsal time if they don't leave and are they going to practice when they get there? NOT...sleep yes. I say bring it back...like the person before said..if it is not broke don't fix it. Like the amps...dump the new format <**> .

Then what is the point of the new retreat if NOBODY leaves....except maybe the audience! The good that it serves I think still outways the bad which is manageable. b**bs

And if she is as HOT as everyone is saying she is....YIKES...as a Mom I too would be on pins and needles. But in the acticle on DCI website, it appears that they have all the appropriate arrangements made for her. Can't wait to see the show!

As earlier posted, how can a corps leave early if the DM's have to stay for awards? You want to leave the DM's?

The opinions have been overwhelming and the majority seem to support the full retreat but what good does this do if DCI doesn't read these forums? Has anyone written an email to DCI about how they feel about this?

I learned from all the responses that west of the Rockies didn't see a full retreat except at the Championships. I did understand the safety and getting extra sleep is a good thing for the kids. Having a full retreat however gave time for the family and friends time to see the participants, which I am sure at times was a welcoming sight but could also be a distraction when you are trying to leave for the next show. I hope DCI decides to keep the full retreat at the regional shows and can live with not having them at the smaller shows. I never marched but was a parent of guard person and can appreciate the love/hate feelings of the full retreat at every show.

Of all of you who have been to a show this year what do you think of the new Grand Finale format? Personally I think it stinks. It was a great ending to the evening performances when all the performing corps came marching out to cheers from the crowd and the sounding rendition of America/O Canada by them all. I think that those of you who marched would agree that it is very emotional to perform and then to watch as an alumni. Any opinions?