bluestarsfco

I just found it visually unappealing, but I hope they continue it and make it their style. I also hope SCV ditches the bicycle step and goes back to marching like the badasses I remember them being. I hope the Blue Knights go back to the bicycle + prep-step. I hated that too, but it was uniquely them. I'd like to see the Scouts bicycle-stepping again like they did in the 90s. I hope the Cadets keep the bouncy straight-leg and silly elbow lead too. All-in-all, I'd like to see some attempts at having some sort of visual identity coming out of these corps, instead of trying to all march the same way.

Incidentally, the leather version of the helmet had webbing inside to adjust the fit. There was still one around at the old corps hall (and probably the new one too) complete with brillo plume and all.

As someone who was taught "the higher the toes, the better", I absolutely hated it. I get why they're doing it though. Since half the show is toe-lead jazz running anyway, it's more uniform to utilize a toe-first technique in the slower tempos & smaller step sizes too.

Yup. When a corps comes out with grey pants, it tells me one thing: you want to hide dirt. Grey, more than any other color (including green) blends in with grass. It's entirely a contrast thing, I think

Now here...is the "classic" Blue Stars uniform, complete with belt, white leather striped helmet, and "brillo" plume:

8. Certainly not in my case, although holding a majority of the titles with shows I generally don't care for doesn't help. Their general demeanor is what does it for me, not that they know how to play to the sheets.

Most of the corps were using ABSE of some kind during impact points and it was VERY apparent from where I was sitting (section 136, row 14). Enough that I could feel the seats vibrating underneath me. VERY disappointing, especially for a low brass player. It's especially noticeable in the section where the BD contra section comes up to the front...horns down...places them on the field...and yet, I still hear a very contra-like sound coming from the amps...

Just out of curiosity...what is Crown's average age? That makes pretty big difference when it comes to the execution and performance aspect. BD has always benefited from having older members, in addition to their consistent staff.

I would definitely agree on that. I'm not much of a BD or Cadets fan, and they have a majority of the titles. There are tons of great shows that stick in my memory that I've listened to over and over that DIDN'T win any given year that I've typically enjoyed more than the champion. Phantom '03 for instance. Santa Clara '00 & '01. Boston '00. Scouts '95. etc.

Keep in mind the recording technology has advanced light-years ahead of what it was in the 70's. I don't think those recordings are an accurate representation of what was actually heard, but it's the best we've got.

My thoughts: I sat in two areas: section 141 towards the top of the section. This section is on the 40s. Section 344 is a small section in lodge level with about 6 rows. This section was dead center on the 50 Sound: Section 141 sounded pretty good. I watched Cascades through the first intermission there. As the corps got better, the sound improved. Not sure if this was because they are better, or if the show designs were more "attuned" for a dome. In Section 344 the percussion was much reduced, as was the low brass. The balance was not the same, even with the "better" corps as it is in the 100 level. Some hornlines seemed like they were playing their ##### off, but the power was missing. I didn't notice the pits being any more overpowering in person than they ever are. If they are, it's because the electronic stuff isn't set to an appropriate level. I'm sure it sounds different in the theatre though, since you're listening to a recording. Regarding Spirit: the little bass guitar solo was COMPLETELY lost...couldn't hear a #### note of it (not that I missed it.) However: in both areas it sounded like a "piped in" performance to my ear. Something just wasn't right. It has definitely lost the acoustic purity of an outdoor 100% natural performance. But with all the amps, electronics and "foreign" sound samples, it seems like that is going to be the standard now, no matter what the venue is. A shame. RFL cutoffs sound awsome in this stadium. The corps just need to allow an extra beat or two before beginning the next phrase so that they don't play over their own cutoff. Now Santa Clara...this was my first time seeing their show this year. I don't think I've heard a corps use soft dynamics so effectively since Star '93. I loved the show and it definitely translated to this venue better than any other show this year. I'm sure I would like it just as much in an outdoor venue though, so it was smart design all around. All the rest: Amenities are great. Temp is a comfy 70ish degrees at all times, with the occasional slight breeze from the AC units. The downside is the background hum from the AC that is ever-present. Your ears get used to it, but it's still there. Regarding the seats, they are large and comfortable. The seats between the 40s on the 100, 200, 300, possibly 400 & 500 level are padded, and all other seats are regular plastic. Not sure if they are also smaller...I'll find out Saturday. Food & drinks are insanely expensive, as mentioned earlier. At least the food is good. I was at Miller Park earlier this year for a Brewers/Giants game and I think the prices on food were much more reasonable. I get that we're a captive audience at these places, but the 200-300% markup is ridiculous. All that said, Madison is still my favorite venue, though I'm biased since I live 2 hrs away instead of 8-10 :)

It's a collection of music by French composers...wow...innovative. Other than the composers being french, I don't see what it has to do with "Le tour". I've seen the show a couple times and can't remember, let alone hum any of the tunes. Sorry for not drinking the kool-aid that the high-power design staff is selling. Indeed they did. I thought it was cheesy. Much like the two-tone Blue Stars pants from last year = a gimmick, nothing more. Thanks for bringing a corps that did it right - the Bluecoats. Their uniform is 100% improved from a few years ago, retains their trademark helmet, and looks very striking under the lights. And you know it's them immediately. In other words, nothing like the new White Stars uniforms. Just not the Jewish Star that was very prevalent when I marched, and before I marched. But that wasn't politically correct enough, so it's become a generic 5-point star. Of course not, Boz. Go back and read the post I was responding to...he made the argument, I just paraphrased it. I used to be on the BOD, so I know how these things go. I'm pretty sure I could come up with at least 5 reasons why the change was made. That doesn't mean I agree or like it. The corps steady success in the past few years has a lot less to do with uniforms than it does with other factors. More staff, brand-new equipment, Div 1-friendly show designs, older average age of membership, fewer ageouts, more experienced members jumping ship from other corps, etc. And that's just the performance-related stuff. To say the uniform was holding the corps back competitively vs. all those other factors is just laughable. Put the Cavaliers in old-school Blue Stars uniforms, and they will still blow everyone out of the water visually. My point is, the uniform is NOT a major factor in terms of competitive success (I'll point again to the Cadets), but it is a pretty big factor in the corps outward identity.

If you mean visual dirt...I would say they hide more than say...navy blue pants with white stripes. Now THOSE were gutsy pants. As for last year...those pants were a visual gimmick and nothing more. I said so at the time and I stand by it. I have been since I aged out, in the form of regular monetary donations. Thanks for playing. Though I'm probably going to cease that shortly. I can think of other organizations that are doing things that I actually approve of, that could use my money a lot better. I guess at that point I cede my right to DARE to disagree with anything the corps does. Nope. I would have preferred to keep the white bucks. And the cummerbund (make it smaller) and the white stripes. Gave up the cummerbund and stripes in '00...still 90% the same uniform. Gave up white bucks in '02...still 80% the same uniform. Those were tweaks to a classic uniform.

It's funny how well the Blue Stars managed to march, and how well we did visually with such a dirty, short, less impactful uniform. These things were never discussed or complained about (at least around me) when I marched, though the staff dumped the stripes, white shoes and cummerbunds (generally good moves, though I missed the white shoes.) But in typical Div I (sorry WORLD Class) fashion, lets just change the uniform to hide our dirt, instead of cleaning it up. And yes, the new ones are striking....in how much they make the corps look like the White Stars...or maybe the Pantom Stars. Yeah...I couldn't figure out why no one figured it out in 40 years either...I agree on that. Not sure why they are cracked...ost of those are only a few years old. Unless they were being abused, they should have been just fine. Not like the faulty batch we got from the factory back in the mid-90's. As for it being flawed...do you usually throw things out that are merely flawed? Dirty bathwater and babies for instance. ie Our old identity wasn't good enough, so we need a new one to increase our fanbase. How is that NOT the very definition selling out? If anything, this is the epitomy of "New Coke", to use your comparison. I'm glad to see the fans are finally starting to catch on that the Blue Stars are making a "comeback", even though they never went away...because of a uniform change and a generally "safe" show design.

Well...I certainly perceive them to be sell-outs (not solely based on discarding the helmet.) I'm sure the few members that actually KNOW any of the corps history probably respect it. As for the traditions...I'd like read what some Alumni think the traditions are, because obviously I have a different conception of what they are. So far, the ones that HAVE been stated aren't unique to the Blue Stars. I'd say the only one that's easily observable is singing "Yerushalayim Shel Zahav" before each performance....but if you talk to Alumni old enough, they don't recognize that as a tradition, since it didn't start until after 1977.