kiotad

As much as it pains me to say it, that corps will probably be Boston. gil

You weren't alone. Hopefully being on the cinecast will spike their online souvie sales some. gil

Thanks for the reveiw and more importantly the pics. gil

And it was a problem that mainly affected the lower scoring corps. The trumpets were not prominent at all. From Blue Stars on, the projection of the trumpets became less of an issue. Same problem with the lower scoring corps on Saturday, even the Crossmen couldn't overcome the projection issue. [although that is kind of in line with what I heard back at Memorial Brass back in May]. Low brass were carrying well across the board. gil

They entered from the back centered on the fifty. Rifle line did some of the old circle type routines they've done in the past. The horn/perc block stayed centered on the fifty with a reset in the middle of Land of Make Believe. They came to the front for William Tell and then ran to the end zone for Battle Hymn. There was also an audible 'transition set' somewhere in there. I was a little caught up in the moment to be honest. gil

Buccaneers: a little underwhelming for me personally. I expected more. There were a few phasing issues and some dirty drill sets. Percussion seemed to be the strength during this performance. Pacific Crest: very entertaining show. Visual program was nicely conceived and executed. Soprano line was a little lacking compared to the rest of the ensemble. And although it would be a logistical nightmare, I would have mic’ed the drum set. Cascades: nice concept, ballad was effective. The overall audience response appeared to be ‘nice, who’s next’. There were some drill issues - coverage, dressing to basic forms - that should have been cleaned by now. Southwind: I loved the the show concept. The arrangements were nice - except for the percussion interludes in ‘Claire de Lune’. Probably one of the shows I’ll remember most from this season. Crossmen: Very entertaining. The visual package was a good match for the horn book. The comments concerning the narration in the radio segment made by others I am in agreement with. Performance issues will keep this out of the top twelve. Maybe an earlier tour start would have helped. [the xmen alums behind me also questioned the late tour start and thought that the loss of the extra week’s worth of shows put them at a disadvantage all season long.] Spirit: Safe show, familiar tunes. If they get lazy at Madison they can be beaten. Madison: Clearly on their way back up. The drill is a major step up from the last couple of seasons and it is also their weak spot right now - not as bad as some posters have stated but clearly a step behind the other show components. Kinda missed the screaming soprano line from years past. Blue Knights: No pun intended, but this is my dark horse for Madison. A very dark, serious work that will possibly achieve cult status down the line. Visual program seemed a little lacking compared to previous BK groups but was still effective for the most part. Carolina Crown: Killer drill. Very balanced sound throughout. The Star comparisons are justified a little but the overall effect is more accessible to the audience. I want a high camera POV to break down the opening and closing drill sequences. Santa Clara: First Question: How is this in 6th? It should be fifth at the very least and probably fourth by the time the dust settles in Madison. Drill carries the show theme well and the solo marcher outlining the field is an inspired move. [during the show you catch yourself checking to see where he is to make sure that he is still moving.] Brass seems to be a bit of an issue at the moment. Bluecoats: Major step up in drill this year. Horn book is nicely arranged - closer is a little less powerful than the preceding segments. If they hold on and max out they should be able to hold on to fourth. I see SCV catching them but not Cadets. Blue Devils: They have a drill this year. Still a step below Phantom and Cavies in my eyes. As always, music is clean as is the visual program. The cleanliness of the performance is what is keeping them in the hunt. I see them in second not first. Bridgemen: Ahhhh! Thank You! Had to explain to my girlfriend exactly why people were going bananas just for their entrance on to the field. The comedic effects were great and expected, Pagliacci and In the Stone were cooking bigtime. When the performance was over, those of us in section G just kinda stood there stunned, knowing that we had witnessed something special. Welcome Back My Friends... Final Thoughts: Great two days in A-Town; I doubt I will be back next year due to the earlier dates but my newly converted fan girlfriend says we will be there if she has to drag me kicking and screaming. If A-Town is no more after 07, I put my vote in for College Park or Unitas Stadium in Towson, Maryland. I’m out. gil

Phantom may take out the Devils. Don't really seeing them top the Cavies without a major miracle. Santa Clara in fourth is a very close to be ing a reality. The shocker corps when it's all said and done maybe the Blue Knights who seem to be quietly lurking and moving up with a very good show. gil

Just got back from the last exit in PA with my girlfriend [having successfully survived and enjoyed her first drum corps show] and figured I'd weigh in with my thoughts on the two nights. My background is simple: 18 years in music education, drum corps fan since the 70's, former students have marched with corps in every division and at every level of competition and I have instructional experience with TOB, BOA, and USSBA groups. I will try to keep things positive but it's not always an easy thing to do. And now off to the races... Jubal: contra and percussion lines were very strong. The guard seemed young and a bit tentative with their equipment usage. Visual design and performer skill level was evenly matched. Whistling soloist was an interesting choice and a pleasant surprise. Pioneer: Needed projection!!. The repertoire choice was questionable but the corps did the best they could with the material. Ensemble issues on transitional passages. The drill is dirty - maybe an off day? - mello/horn line was the strongest part of the brass section. Esperanza: Very effective performance of a very different kind of show. As expected the guard integration was nicely done. Visual seems to be the weakness now. Magic: The ballad was nicely done. Chaos had ensemble performance issues. Personally, I was not entirely sold on variations on jesu. The corps seems to be comfortable with the material finally. Contrary to what I had read all summer, I didn't exactly feel that the horn book was beyond the capabilities of the group. Mandarins: The show left me wanting more. I liked the concept, I just didn't make an emotional connection with the show. Blue Stars: As others have pointed out, a very safe show that is being received well by the audience. The narration is not necessarily needed and the semifinals performance is a given. Cap Regiment: Wow. This show should be beating the blue stars at this point. A very mature sound at times, the show reminded me a little bit of Crown's construction theme show of a couple years back. Colts: Any other year this would probably be top 12. The 'traditional' corps slot in finals this year seems to be going to Spirit. Maybe its time to say goodbye to "As time goes by" for a couple of years. Transition sets are dirty. Glassmen: How many spots did the europe tour cost them?. The first show that 'felt' like a finals show in performance and execution. The madness section was very inventive - it could've gone on longer for my money. Killer rifle features. Boston: Prop usage could have been more. [elephant in the punch bowl] Conquest motifs were greatly appreciated in Section J. The subtle ending was a nice change of pace and the visual package was a definite improvement over past seasons. I'm a loyalist but it shouldn't end up higher than 9th. Cadets: I was prepared to give the show the benefit of the doubt. All of the negativity/positivity postings/debate all summer had me prepared to witness the end of drum corps as we know it. And in the end analysis: good concept; great performers but, imho, too much going on. Not really a cohesive package - the narrative line was easy to follow, the components were suspect.The vocals were not as annoying as had been reported but still problematic. [yes I know they took a lot out] The overall feel to me was this is not a championship show. I applaud the Cadets for their performance abilities and I hope that George gets a hold of that recording of Music of the Spheres soon for next year... Phantom: First reaction, before seeing the Devils, oh my god; if not for the cavies, this would be your championship show this year. Audience connection from the word go. The drill package was stepped up considerably from last year. I still feel, after seeing the Devils Saturday, that this show should end up second in an incredibly stacked competitive field. Cavies: Ok, on a first time viewing: the little things tied to the show theme sold the show to me. I expected the drill to be phenomenal and it was. I expected the music book to be challenging aurally and it was [the percussion book seemed a little better matched than in past Saucedo works] It was scary how clean things were and even scarier what the end result might be by the time Saturday night rolls by. Quick overall comments: there seems to be a shortage of soprano/trumpet players who can project. I know Bb horns hold you back a little but there are some ways around that. It wasn't until the Blue Stars that I heard a soprano section that was in balance with the rest of the corps. Amplification didn't seem to be too much of an issue. The narration/voice over elements need to be seriously reexamined before being added to a show. Saturday night comes up later once I finish unpacking. safe travel to those lucky souls headed to madison. gil

Okay so MAYBE the 'get over yoursef' comment was a little too honest for some ears. Having listened to the entire podcast, I do believe that he was being brutally honest across the board. gil

So parking on the streets is legal according to the post from the DCI East commitee. Since I was young and foolish the last time I was at A-Town, old and foolish now according to my students, any suggestions from long time attendees as to where the best chances at finding a parking spot will be? gil

Another sign of old age, some vague memories of corps competing in Memorial Stadium in Baltimore in the early 70s. PBS broadcasts from whenever they first began. First DCI show, Towson State University, in the 80s...Crusaders, Dilpomats, Star [Close Encounters with 16 contras], a few others First Regional: Allentown '91 and on behalf of my sleeping better half: her first show will be at Allentown tonight!!! gil

This will be my girlfriend's first DCI experience ever. Considering I am considerably older, she has no idea what is in store for her when the Bridgemen hit the field [although I have tried to get her at least somewhat acclimated by playing the through the years compilation] I am looking forward to the performance on so many levels it isn't even funny. gil

Nikk Thanks for an excellent review. Any attempts of mine to do a review of Allentown this coming weekend will certainly fall short. gil

..a majority of the corps this year, not just the usual suspects. Outside of the obvious choices, who else has a show that has 'top 6' written all over it? Not meaning that the execution is there right now, but more along the lines of demand and a feeling that - after it's over - you know you just saw a top six show.

This is a slow year for me, mercifully, I am only writing six shows - three competitive. The writer's block thing comes up - for me at least - more often with the larger groups. The myriad of options when working with larger numbers tends to create the impasse in my brain. As always, the music leads to the way out of the block. Staying true to the musical source I have to work with usually leads to a way out. If not, then it's off to the arranger for a subtle rewrite if possible on their end of things. gil

It would be nice...but not tonight. In about a week or so? Possibly..I am more curious about Bones. gil

My turn Cadets - 76.2 Phantom - 74.3 Boston - 70.5 Spirit - 69.4 Southwind - 61.7 Magic - 57 Boston and Spirit could go either way. The kicker might be the visual package. I'd love to see Boston higher but reality says not yet. Expect a reasonably big jump score wise for the Cadets now that they have one show under their belts. gil

Ok maybe a bit of clarification on my part. I know that Hop's most recent blog has the comment about the Cadets being maginficent [for this time of year]. I based my predicted score on the fact that the show seems to be a bit more complicated than last years, amplification issues that Hop acknowledges aren't quite settled yet and the rash of injuries that have befallen them recently. Yeah, I'd love to see them around a 76 or so but I personally don't see that happening - especially on a first read. fire away. gil

Okay I'll bite, here goes: Cadets - 74.75 Phantom - 72.5 Spirit - 67.6 [pure speculation] Southwind - 62.0 Magic - 59.2 Teal Sound - 51 +/- 1.5 either way Based on what's been posted in Hop's Blog, I'm not too convinced that the Cadets show will open higher than the score I gave them. I do, however, see them having rapid rising scores as more of the elements of their show come into play and are refined. I'd like to see a higher score for Southwind and Phantom also but not tonight. gil

Thanks for the review. Nice signature tag too. gil <preparing to explain to the umpteenth band staff he will be working with this summer that the music drives the visual, not the other way around>

Having written horn books and drill for TOB and USSBA groups, my school of thought - and the staffs I've worked with - is take the concept and max it out creatively for the group that will be performing it. If that means the visual program is three or four levels beyond the musical book - or vice versa - so be it. There is no simple answer to your orginal question. gil

Another set of comments from the Memorial Brass Shindig: Crossmen: I was curious as to the staging of the horns. The show concept as explained by their director is very solid. The opener was very impressive, if a bit lacking in upper brass volume. [staging may have been an issue as the trumpets were buried in the middle of the horn block on stage] The two selections from the radio dial section of the show were nicely done and if they can pull off that entire segment - as it was explained last night - we may have a winner for most memorable moment on the field this season. The closer was a solid ending, look for maybe a bit more beef added as the season rolls on. Definately got an early 90s xmen feel from the overall presentation. Cadets: Okay. First off, the vocal on the ballad shows promise. I was skeptical to a degree but it may work on the field. I have some other issues there but I will take a wait and see attitude. The opener was wow, very very nicely done. Hoppy said it best when he said we have a two minute percussion solo and hallelujah there it was. It is scary to think how clean it will be come August. The closer, as is, should cap the show nicely. The cascading horn rips were nice and for once didn't feel forced in the overall flow of the arrangement. Brass Ensemble Sets: Cadets were their normal polished self. Rocky still works, Swing x 3 still cooks but the ballad portion from last year's show seemed out of place. Xmen: the trumpets had a greater ensemble presence here than in the show set. I am very curious to see the visual program that the xmen bring to their show this year. They could be the surprise corps this year if everything falls into place. The Cadets have sold me on the overall show concept even though I have some reservations on the vocalist integration.

Thanks for the info. I was sure that's the case but when dealing with a 'newbie' who is still in awe of the whole drum corps experience I figured I would get some confirmation.

If this is in the wrong forum, I am sorry. It was a long day at the beach yesterday and my brain is still recovering. Anybody who has been to this show in the past, or who is going tonight, how have people in the audience been attired? If it was a straight up corps preview show, I wouldn't be posting this, but the significant other doesn't want to appear under or over dressed due the USSBA honor's groups performing also. Any information one way or the other would be greatly appreciated. By the by, any recommendations on places to eat in A-town since I haven't been there in 15 years. thanks in advance, gil

A variety of choices come to mind for different reasons: Crown - just to have a new face with a decidedly different approach to things Bluecoats - just to see if the announcer could be heard at all anoouncing that they had won, plus they're due Crossmen - just to watch Hoppy's face to see which emotion would win out [not Hop bashing just envisioning the scene and its aftermath] and of course, Boston - with a throwback program of some sort that incorporates Conquest in it's full glory gil