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Quinny

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  1. Allentown Haven't been to this venue since I competed years ago (pre renovation) and loved being back Weather... No rain so yay! We decided Saturday afternoon to get tickets for Buffalo since it was on the way home for us. So may throw a few things from Buffalo in Tell you right now, I know nothing about drums, accept they make music when you hit them. As for whether a percussion line was good or not, unless it was really bad or really good it wouldn't have stuck out to me. On to the corps. Pioneer - I got to the stadium just as they were starting, so didn't get a full viewing. What I can say is I like the direction the corps is takin in regards to music and such. Definitely a balance problem between brass and percussion (see I notice the odd percussion thing) and with a full percussion line and (for their level) a full colour guard. The brass seemed to be awkwardly out of place. I hope that next year they can build more and grow that horn line. I've said this before and I would say it again. I would love to see them go back to Open class (Div 2 when they were last there) and build this corps back up and get these kids competing in a finals, instead of trying to just build. They would not be the first corps to move into Open and then come back to world class.. And a couple who have, have been really successful. Cascades - First of all, I really like the new uniforms. I felt for sure like they have improved from last year. Being a colour guard person (I'm Canadian that's how we spell colour) I thought that the flag line didn't have enough to do and really wasn't being pushed. The flag work seemed fairly simple. The world on the field was cool to see at first, but didn't really add to the show nor did it take away. It was just there. Love the ballad mash up between the Planets tune and Black Hole Sun. And the flags in the ballad were great, lots of colour. Short Ride on a Fast Machine seemed to be a bit slow tempo. But I'd rather you go a tad slow and achieve what you're doing then take it up tempo and it be a dirty mess. Still, improved from last year hopefully the score will reflect that at prelims. Mandarins - I was pleasantly surprised by you all. There was a nice sound coming from the start and for me, a more interesting show concept from you then in the past few years. There is a moment in the middle you lost me but brought me back in the final moments. Though I feel, that the quiet ending with brining all the characters on was not needed. The cord you did just prior to end would have been great. Spirit - This is a show that I would kinda want to see again to really see how I felt about it. I know that there were definite moments I liked about this show and the brass had some moments of great sound. The downside, to me, they were dirty. But on the positive, love the corps unis. That shade of blue is brilliant. Academy - Step in Time is that show that you know the kids are having fun performing. And even coming on the field a glimpse at the guard uniforms you know what they are performing before it's even mentioned ( or you didn't use the Internet to find out). What I loved, is that they stayed true to the music and didn't arrange it in a way to go off of the originals too much. The guard uniforms are so spot on for this show, could not have nailed it any better. In the "tap" section, I would like to have seen the guard do a little more with the "tapping". It's all around just a feel good show, for those of us who grew up watching Mary Poppins, it brings back memories of enjoying a one of the classics. Blue Stars - You throw your theme in our face and make it quite clear what it's about. I'm loving the red plumes. Two, this colour guard does so much. Would love to see them cleaner, but still. The attached twins in the ballad was great. My one thing oddly enough is I found the side show acts distracting, not necessarily in a bad way. But they are. So in Buffalo I made it a point not to watch the sideshow acts and really focus on the corps. Cause in those moments the corps is doing their thing. And one night of contortionists is all I need. They do there theme well. Just wish it was cleaner. Cavaliers - Game on - give me more. I like the show, just felt like something was missing from what I've come to love in the Cavaliers. I couldn't put a finger on it, but just something wasn't there and to me the theme is not fully brought out. With that said, still a nice sound from them. And even in Buffalo, the show grew on me a little as I caught a couple of things I didn't in Allentown. Also, I'm not normally one for a lot vocals or narration. I actually like the Run Boy Run section. It worked. It fit in. Blue Knights - I really liked Blue Knights. They have a beautiful tone to their brass and just some really well done moments. Maybe I missed it, which sometimes happens, but the point to the semi circle mirrors? The guard coming out from behind there and the quick flag changes they used with them were cool and effective. But, hmm.. Anyway, love that this corps is really seeming to feel there were through this show, like last year. Simply, I just really liked them. SCV - I wasn't sure how much I'd like this show in person. And I really liked it. Loud, is the first word that came to mind. Beautiful ballad, wish the Bari solo at the start was purely him. I just think it's a moment where less is more. Love this guard, love there style. And the skeleton unis are great. I even liked the props. And yes, did they ever light up... Literally, they lit up. And though, may be cheesy, was still effective and got a positive response from the crowd. And as my dad and I point out, it seems like a lot of the time SCV is in their own world scoring wise. This looks like that will be true this year. Top 4, SCV, then the rest. Also, they seemed to be a little tired in Buffalo. Blue Devils - Again a show I really liked, holy props though. They usually make the props work and are effective. But like another corps fighting for top spot. I would like to see Devils come out with no props nor gimmicks, just corps. There's so much going on in this show you kinda have to see it a few times and from different vantage points. I didn't notice the first time, the guard coming out of the story books. And I think cause there's so much happening and not a good focus at all times, the show gets lost on some people and ends up not being such a crowd favourite. I, for me, really enjoyed them. I think their ballad was awesome. I think their guard was amazing. This corps always has such talent that it's hard to see them outside of a top three sometimes. This show will be top three for sure this year. I say at worst second. FREE Players - This is a special needs drum corps. Really what's there to say, but awesome job. You went out there, you performed and made the crowd give you a huge standing ovation, to which you deserved that and more. And huge props and mad respect to Mandarins for helping out. Cadets 2 - I enjoyed them, thought they brought some great sound and had a entertaining show. Definitely some cleaning needed before DCA but still, great job. Night two Jersey Surf - Fun in the sun show. I do like when they do a fun show, the uniform reflects that. And when they do a more serious show, the unis reflect that. My one issue I guess is, is Jersey Surf the fun Bridgemen like corps or the more serious (insert multiple) like corps. I believe corps need to change things up. But flip flopping every second year, from fun to serious, it just never gives you a chance to know who or what a corps is really about. With that said, I do like the show, it's a fun show but cheesy and a little simple at times, almost like they really didn't want to push the kids too much. Wondering, if it's a young corps with a lot of rookies. Either way, good job. Pacific Crest - I'm gonna be honest, I just didn't get into this show that much. It just didn't get my attention the way I had hoped. I really liked last year and was looking forward to seeing them. I'm not disappointed cause every kid in every corps works very hard and I have a lot respect for that. Just not my kind of show I guess. Here's the positive to all of it, I love the new Unis, they look soooo much better then their old ones, I'm glad the change was made. They had some nice moments and nice tone. And the guard had some good work throughout. Oregon Crusaders - The Midnight Garden... Pretty self explanatory. I got you were in a garden, I got the solo dancer loves it there, loves playing and dancing there etc etc. The big flowers on the flags in the ballad told me the flowers bloom. So for me, the narration is not needed. Your show design and the way the kids perform make it easy to follow, I got what was happening, the theme is clearly laid out. It's my one issue, is you telling me how your soloist if feeling. When with out the narration I get that. My issue aside. It's a nicely done show the soloist dancer performs very well through out and the corps does a great job telling this story. Beautiful flags and love the clock tower. Troopers - I think most people that have been around the activity for a long time have a soft spot for the Troopers. (Unless you're in a corps in direct competition with them maybe). This show sells itself from the start and I really loved it. Beautiful sound, theme is well brought out. I feel a bit for the girl singing in the ballad, I know she's a guard member and it's got to be tough to be running around a field with equipment and then stop to sing. You could hear the windedness a little but she still sang it well and it made for a beautiful ballad. This is one of my favourite shows this year. Personally thought they should have beaten Colts and been a little closer to Crossmen/Boston/ Blue Stars Group. Colts - There are two completely different shows going on here, the one the crops proper is putting on the field and the radio show the front ensemble is putting on. Can I first state that I love the front ensembles uniforms the greys and blacks... For that black and white TV feel was great. I could've done without the characters talking so much, but get what you're trying to do. However, would love to have had more focus on the field and less focus on the "on air" personalities. I think the corps as a whole came out a bit cleaner and stronger then last year. I just kept getting distracted by what was going on up front, I'd would've liked to have seen them again to focus more on the corps and less on what was going on sideline. Sort of like what I did with Blue Stars in Buffalo. Guard soloists/characters did a great job. And the music was good. Crossmen - Well if a corps is going to let you know there theme and really let you know it. It's Crossmen. From the cloud tarps on the field, to the paper airplanes, the the parachute guy, to the tall poles with planes on them. It's a heres our theme and we will not let you forget it. Lol, I actually like this show. It's got some great moments in it. I think I was kinda hoping for a little more sound from them, felt like they were holding back a little. Could've done with out the paper airplanes and parachute guy. I liked the planes on the poles. Their ballad was beautiful and they seemed to have up'd there demand a little this year. But my one thing is, it just doesn't feel like a Crossmen show. It doesn't feel like we are getting who Crossmen is. Am I the only person who thinks, please come out next years doing Metheny, or The Rain Forest, Appalachian Morning? Or some Birdland, something that made people love them in the 90s? I probably am. But I'd still love that. Boston Crusaders - This is a show I'd like to have seen again. I like this show, but I kinda wanted to see it from higher up. The electronic bagpipes didn't feel right, if it had been real bagpipes, I would have liked that more. I get the point to the banners, and the reason for them being in the show. Just thought they were a tad in the way. The brass have a nice sound and the guard for me, much better this year. The show as a whole, much improved. This show was more accessible and more connected I think. Great job. Phantom Regiment - I really enjoyed this show. It was really well done. Loved, the guard.. Did anyone else notice the Chanel logo on the opening flags? Musically very enjoyable and though a little different for Phantom still felt like Phantom. Again, like this years unis. Madison Scouts - You did your job, you came in, you got people's attention and you made them stand for you at the end. For me, though I did like this show, it's not one of my favs. The opening flags were definitely stand out flags and really caught your attention. As normal, they know how to charm an audience and in Allentown you did that. Oh and thank you so much for going back to the Green with red sash combo. Bluecoats - I love this show. It a great show. One of my favs this year. I don't know if it's Tilt level for me, but nonetheless it's just a lot of energy and creative. The corps perform well. My one question is, do they rely too much on the electronic effects... In Buffalo those effects were not happening and it made for a couple of awkward silent moments that made you realize how much of it they use. And though I give big respect to them for going through it and not letting it hurt there performance. Were they too reliant on the electronics enhancing there show? With that said, when everything is in full effect it has a lot of wows for me and is just really well done. And those guard unis could be seen from anywhere I'm sure as well as their flags. Again beautiful ballad. Bari solo well done. This ballad for me brings out a lot of emotion and got stuck in my head for a while. I just hope 5 million winter guards don't use it this year. Carolina Crown - My first thought is Thank You, thank you, thank you. No props, trampolines or any other clutter on the field. Just a bunch of members from a corps as one unit getting ready to perform. And with that said. Holy WOW!!!!!!!! !!! !!! !! This show is amazing from beginning to end. I love this show and can definitely see it being title number two for Crown. By far the best guard I've ever seen from this corps, so tight and well performed. And really what can be said about the brass. Like, just again this brass line floors me. Fantastic show. And no hope abandoned cause I got everything I wanted from Crown. Fantastic show. Cadets - Love, love, love, love, love the black uniforms. So glad to seem them in a new uniform. This corps has so much demand in this show they are always on the fly, I still get amazed they don't run into each other and knock each other out. Musically though, it fell a little flat for me. Like something was missing, or it's all too much on one level. With that said, I absolutely love the French horn feature. Probably my favourite part of your show. It's just a very beautiful moment. And guard, specifically Sabres. I hope Buffalo was the bad show. A lot of drops on non tosses, and in a moment when they are featured. Other than that the guard did a great job and the flags are fantastic. Bridgemen - Celebrating Fifty years. Just a lot of fun and a lot of energy. A pleasure to watch them perform and celebrate a milestone. My opinion the top four is tight for a reason. And love or not love for a show. They all deserve to be there. I don't think anyone of them is guaranteed the title or are any of them guaranteed to be out of the medals. I love to see a true battle for the top.
  2. Plan to do a more detailed review of both nights in one when weekend is done. But here are some quick vague thoughts on last night. Pioneer - missed first part, thanks traffic. Nice to see corps growing. Too many drums too few brass. Cascades. - improved, think will make semis Mandarins - nice sound off the start. Enjoyed it. Spirit - enjoyable but dirty. Academy - fun show of the year Blue Stars - theme well done, better then I expected. Great guard Cavaliers - game on, give me more. Blue Knights - some very beautiful moments, glad your giving us emotion in your show. SCV - LOUD = check, so impressed, should have been closer to BD in scoring. you lit up! BD - WOW, amazing ballad, amazing guard, definitely deserving of a medal.
  3. Okay so who ever wins dca this year, I want them to have a score of 99.70. Just sayin.
  4. If Sunrisers make Open Class finals today it will be there first time In Open Class finals since 1999. So cheering for hem to be in
  5. Kevin, I want to thank you for doing this, for those of us who are not there. I gotta say, is it sad that all your comments when I read them I hear them in the voice of Kermit
  6. 1 BD 2 Cadets 3 Bluecoats 4 Crown 5 SCV 6 Cavaliers 7 Phantom Reg 8 Blue Knights 9 Madison Scouts 10 Boston Crusaders 11 Blue Stars 12 Crossmen 13 Colts 14 Troopers 15 Spirit of Atl. 16 Oregon Crusaders 17 Academy 18 Pacific Crest 19 Mandarins 20 Jersey Surf 21 Cascades 22 Pioneer
  7. I think that open class has been forgotten by dci, they are more treated like a little tag along brother then an asset to the drum corps community. As I said on another post and I will say it again I wish I had the money, and business sense to help out open class corps. These groups might not have as busy as a summer as the big corps do, but they work hard to be proud of there performances come championships..
  8. And especially when a group like Raiders had to work overtime to raise the funds to have the money to travel there. Stuff like that makes me wish I had money like Donald trump, no open class corps would have to worry about the money to travel.
  9. These kids work so hard it would be horrible to see there summer ended short cause of weather. Cause tomorrow weather looks even worse.
  10. Yes they are judged on the same sheets as the open class, and will compete in the seeded spot according to how they scored, but for some reason DCI always puts them in there own category.
  11. BDB SCVC Spartans Genesis Music City 7th Regiment Gold Raiders Legends Colt Cadets les Stentors Racine Scouts Blue Saints intl Taipei Yuehfu
  12. Great review, literally made me lol just what i needed this morning, also very informative.
  13. Im going to throw in a little stupid law for the city of Toronto. (I know its not state law) BUt It is illegal to drag a dead horse down Yonge street on Sunday.
  14. "Final observation and a message to the drum corps staff. Several thousand people paid for the priviledge to see your corps. Can you have a little more respect of the crowd as you race up the steps and shove your way to spots to see your corps? Haven't you already seen it several times?? We had the unfortunate luck of having seats at the top of the aisle that the staff used as a step to get to the standing area under the press box. What a PITA between every corps....closing vent now." I agree that the staff can be VERY distracting as the same with fans walking in and out during shows. But, though they have seen the production a million times by now. They need to get into see the show so they know what is working and what is not, also when they listen to the judges comments they will have the knowledge of what they judges are talking about. SO when they go into critiques the next night some of that can be discussed. So, though it can be annoying and maybe they should be more mindful of the crowd, its important for them to get the view so they can help the corps progress throughout the season
  15. When i clicked on the link it said it was for Fan netwrok subscribers or livewebcasters use only, Ive paid for the event anything I can do? or is it going to say that now because its not up yet?
  16. Hello all who read this, Its been a while since I have done a review, so I am a little rusty, but Im going to try anyway. What a Great night for the show, weather was great, a breeze but didn't seem to be an issue. Not too hot out, and not cold. Last time I was at Hornell, I was competing, so this is my first time here as a spectator. Okay, so let me get all my negatives on the general out of the way first. I always like to end on a positive note. 1. Why was there no Canadian Anthem? I may be the only one who cares, but when I competed you always played the anthems of the countries represented by the corps. 2. I do not care if it is exhibition or competing, if a corps or group is performing have the respect to stop doing what your doing to not be distracting to either the audience or the corps/ guard performing. BTW, even though no Canadian Anthem, Spartans DID do a nice job on the American anthem, thank you for that. OKay out of the way, disclaimers and onto the show. My One disclaimer, Im sorry to all the drummers and front ensemble people out there, I am not good at that whole part of it, so If I don't say much, I apologize in advance. I will attempt to make mention if I can. TO ALL CORPS, so I don't sound like a broken record, at this point, CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN. Okay Corps Times. Exhibition Corps, And Summer Guard Brigs Summer Guard, Thank you for your performance, very well done. Love the chairs at the start, love the flags as well. Very Entertaining THANK YOU! Spartans. Welcome Back, its nice to see a corps return to the field. You guys are back to your Spartan ways like you never left. I wasn't huge on the music, but appreciate what you brought to the field, the brass by times had some very nice moments, seemed to lose you a few times, stamina or whatever it may be. Percussion seemed to be good, didn't notice a lot of dirt. Guard, I think was a strength, Love the unis, the flags, and you guys are performing with confidence and it shows, good job. At this point should note, Im pretty much on the 50 about half way up, so not really seeing the forms as I am not high enough. Anyway, over all good job, welcome back. Mighty St. Joes Always a crowd fav, and always put on a good show, Props to the soprano soloist, very well done. Great job guys, you make the crowd cheer, and thats what drum corps is about, going out there and entertaining. Jersey Surf. My first time seeing you since your move to World class. Enjoyable show, some very nice moments both musically and visually. However not a huge fan of the silk columns you had, found it distracting and found the guard, Flag line specifically spent too much time in and around them, and didn't venture enough into stage left enough or spread your selves out all that much. With that said, again brass wise, some really nice moments, and you kept me interested through out the show. Guard, performed well, and really like your opener fags. Was not a fan of the solo synth though, sorry, I just think the front ensemble could have done a feature similar and it would have sounded better. Regardless, over all entertaining show, good luck on your tour to DCI. Competing Corps. White Sabres. First Corps on of the night, I do enjoy the music of Cirque Du Soliel so was glad to hear you were performing it. You guys did have some nice moments, guard really pushed to perform and get into the music. Brass lines had some nice music, and well for me, was very recognizable Drums, sorry, I didn't really notice, Sorry. The one constructive criticism is this corps needs some confidence, it seemed like a lot of unsure moments in the show. If the confidence could be boosted, I think it would really improve the show, cause its a good book, and a good arrangement. With that said, I do see the effort being made and I do see you guys pushing to put your best product out there, and commend you for that, and I know its only July, and a lot of time still to work on it. Go for it, Good job! Grenadiers, OKay so you want it to be stormy eh? Okay, so, love the show, I did notice the drum line, but how do you not notice when they are in your face right off the bat. I wish the vocal *dut* was not there, more of an impact if you can keep it silent at the start. IMO Brass line, nice moments, really blended sound, and a few times, you guys gave off a lot of sound for a little brass line. Guard though not a finished book, your performing, keep pushing it, and of course the clean word, LOVE the unis, very fitting. and the ballad flags. Speaking of the Ballad may I just say I loved the ballad. Its very well done and arranged. Favorite ballad of the night. My criticism of the show is similar to White Sabres, some performers lack confidence, which is causing issues both musically and visually. Seemed like a few people were lost on the field, and I think its that lack of confidence, again I know its July and you have time to work on it. Either way good Job! Corps Vets, I didn't know what to expect from you guys, but I say WOW, I think its the best show you guys have ever put on the field. Got my attention from start to finish. Love the music, in my opinion you handle it well, wish I could have seen the visual from up top. Percussion seemed okay, didnt notice anything bad, and for such a small front ensemble I could still hear you, so good job there. Guard, BEST flags of the night, very visually appealing, love the hoops and the curved flags in the ballad. MAybe lost a little steam towards the end, but brought it back to finish. Im hoping I will be at finals and if I am this will for sure be a show Im looking forward to. Good Job. Empire Statesmen, I know Empire is one of the corps that love to get in your face and just let you enjoy. This show is no exception, the last couple of years, though I have enjoyed you, you have not managed to captivate me like this show. Its in your face its entertaining, I love how you tell the story, and I love how you fit a excerpt from the Wiz in there. Its one of the best shows you guys have put on the field in a long time, Not surprised you took general effect, and though I thought it would be close, I thought you deserved the win. good job all around, if I had a criticism it would be CLEAN, though really entertaining some stuff came off a little dirty last night. But other then that GREAT JOB! PS, best individual costume went to the witch, very good. Hurricanes, Now Im going to sound like Im repeating myself in another way, but again I thought, one of the most entertaining shows I've seen from you guys in a while. The brass line sounded its best I've heard in a long time, And as per the last couple of years, The colourguard was very strong, agreed they were the best of the night, really like the unis. And yes the percussion sounded Strong, I noticed. Loved your arrangement on Joyful Joyful and Gloria, you guys did very well. my one down side is the Same with Statesmen, needs to be cleaned. Great Job. All in all the performances were great, Im glad the last minute decision to come 5 hours to see the show was well worth while, great Job to all performers. Made my weekend!
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