bandbuck

how'd you see a recap already? i'm jealous.....

Might this be Bluecoats first-ever win vs. Blue Devils???? Hopefully there's more to come....

Soaring Sounds 28 Place Corps Score Division I 1 Bluecoats 83.700 2 Blue Devils 83.500 3 The Cavaliers 82.700 4 Glassmen 74.100 5 Troopers 69.100 6 Cascades 68.600 Division III 1 Memphis Sound 68.700 2 Revolution 60.850 Go BLOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I'll vote for the Bluecoats. The work at the end of their show in Normal, IL last Friday was INCREDIBLE! Even with using dirty white practice flags (btw....why are Cavies still using practice flags for their whole show?), the effect thanks to perfectly synchronized flag work was awesome! Go BLOOOOOOOOOO!

It's funny reading all this talk/concern at such an early point in the season, since we all know how shows develop over time. Did anyone really like Phantom's show at this point of last season? I think not....lol. First, at the Pitt show on Sunday, it was obvious that Bluecoats hornline was much stronger and cleaner than either Cadets or Cavies (and I love Cavies horn sound!). This will carry them far all season. Secondly, about the second part of the show being 'dull' at this point: hello! No guard work for the last couple of minutes, no show flags, no guard costumes! It should be obvious that this missing visual element has LOTS to do with visual effect!? While it is disappointing that this stuff wasn't in the show yet, even at early season, obviously it will develop the 'criminal' theme so that we 'get it'. And it's also odd that we're comparing "narration" between Bluecoats and Cadets....it's not even close. Bluecoats have a few sentences. Cadets have 10 minutes of it...it's non-stop throughout their WHOLE show! Ugh...hate it. I like Cavies show alot and I'd like to see Cadets show with no narration, but it seems like once Blue completes all the guard elements, they will have the complete package that should challenge for the title. Time will tell, but they've proven over the past seasons that they finish strong! Go Blooooooooo!

Thanks for the review! I was also at the show, and I was impressed by all five corps. I thought Bluecoats hornline was incredible and was easily the best of the night. Glassmen guard had many impressive moments, though it seemed like there were lots of dead drill moments from the corps in general. I hope Cadets do away with all their narration! Ugh....it's awful. The corps has some great moments, but it's totally worthless with the documentary going on over top the whole show. Cavies show is pretty fun, though I think Bluecoats will have the superior product once all the guard work/flags/guard uniforms are complete. Go Blooooooo! (-:

...and there's a very nice band transcription found on one of the North Texas Wind Symphony's reference recordings as well. Forgot that one on my post!

For those of you who are now fans of the Biebl "Ave Maria", thanks to Phantom's awesome rendition, here are a couple of my favorite recordings: "Great Music for Great Cathedrals", Choir of St. James Cathedral (Seattle)- Ambassador, CD # ARC1018 "Music for Men's Voices", The Gentlemen of St. John's College (Cambridge, UK)- Priory, CD # PRCD814 These are both great discs! If you like the Phantom version, you'll love the original!

Sorry about that 'size 5' thing in there....oops. Go Bluecoats! :)

Go BLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! :D

we could just make up our own scores....then everyone's favorite corps can win!

Bluecoats here. Aged out in Montreal 24 years ago....sigh....

anyone else having trouble getting dci.org to load?

But it's 'drum corps' for a reason! Heck, Phantom didn't need vocals to get the beauty of Biebl's "Ave Maria" across, even though it is a vocal work! I love choral music, but I don't want drum corps to turn into "drum corps with vocals". I love drum corps for the cool sounds that can be created by brass and percussion. I don't recall anyone complaining that Regiment's amazing '89 show of Dvorak didn't quite work because they didn't use strings.....

Well, don't. George just replied to another post where the writer said Crown was good, and he agreed. Here I thought he hated them since you said they were good too! Hmmm.....

And isn't that the NICE thing about a posting board like this? Everyone can post THEIR opinion! Cool! If you don't like his review, either: 1. Don't read it. 2. Write your own. And if you disagree with his comments like the word "spectacular" for Carolina Crown, that's too bad. They did have a terrific show last night. I also wish that the seedings of corps would disappear, remembering all the way back to 1988 (or maybe it was '89?) when they shuffled the complete lineups for prelims and yes, even finals, causing some interesting placements. Why can't a corps like Crown beat a corps like Cadets on a night when they were 'on'? Just my thoughts. p.s. I also wish Cadets would ditch the quasi-lounge singer....

I won't elaborate on Jonathan Willis' great review. These are just my thoughts: First, as Jon said, a HUGE crowd! This really is a perfect drum corps facility and this show always draws well, but the great line-up packed 'em in. And amazingly, the listed showtime of 7:00 p.m. actually meant that as Teal Sound stepped off at 7:00! I love well-run shows! Unfortunately since this doesn't happen at lots of shows I go to, there were many, many, many latecomers. And too bad, since Teal Sound and Esperanza had very entertaining shows! Quick thoughts, nothing deep: Teal Sound- a very nicely done show. The music was pleasant with nice drill. The only real weakness seemed to be the guard, but the overall package was excellent. Esperanza- and interesting show theme, with very appropriate music and fabrics throughout. My only issue is that the show seemed pretty much the same with no big highs or lows. The drum line stood out as very solid! Blue Knights- after reading a review from Atlanta declaring this the 'most boring' show ever, I was prepared for the worst. But what I saw (and the great crowd reaction seemed to indicate as well) was a very creative package from start to finish. The Barber was very musically done and there were many high points! One of the best moments was the guard 'swirling' feature near the end of the show with the solo guard member 'casting her spell'. Cool! Cadets- again, after the reviews of last weekend, I was prepared for one aweful show. Instead, it was very fun, though I kept having flashbacks to the 70's look of last year's Crossmen show. The horns were very good and there was some good drill, but I found the costumed things to get very old. But all in all, it was entertaining....and isn't that sort of the point? (-: Blue Devils- I liked the show, but didn't love it. The horn line had some very thin moments, especially at the top, but the drill, drum, and guard stuff were excellent. It was a nice package, but just didn't make me go "wow". Cavies- amazing! I loved it. First, an amazing horn line! The originality of the theme was carried out incredibly well in all facets, and I saw this show easily over BD. Bluecoats- as an alum, I know I'm biased, but this is a great overall show! There are no weaknesses, even if the horns did sound a little tired by the end, not quite having the impact and strength like normal. But, the guard staging, the horn sound, the drum line, and drill originality is all first-class. They should have no trouble beating Cadets for the rest of the season. Much higher demand and quality! Finale- why don't they play the "champions fanfare" PRIOR to score announcement? I don't like the piece either, but at least it might draw attention to the scores instead of having people run for the hills while it's being played. Just my thought. Bluecoats gave a very fun concert to close out a great evening!

scores please! (-: