cadetzoid

If not a tie, Bluecoats. I love the no loose ends approach to design and the amazing control of the crowd the show has every second. Like someone said above, the forced transition in BDs shows always bother me, but more so this year. I love their organic approach to design, but I think that can cause the mad dash transitions BD has.

This does show how subjective judging is in this activity. Of course the training on how to use the sheets and the value of a tenth when using those sheets to assign a numerical value to art should lead to reasons for a judges' ranking sand ratings. I also wonder about how placements aim the designers. If you want to win, design like the winners- but using your own brand. This makes designers either re-invent themselves, or move out of the way for younger designers that may be more affected by current trends in the activity. I remind myself and other fans that the current generation of performers DO NOT want to do an old school show. AND, old school to them means the same as it did to me when I marched- old school 5+ years ago. My take for Ss and Gs: BLOO: Aesthetic=10, Intellectual=9, Emotional= 10 BD: Aesthetic=7, Intellectual=10, Emotional= 7 SCV: Aesthetic=6, Intellectual=8, Emotional= 6 CC: Aesthetic=9, Intellectual=7, Emotional= 7 BC: Aesthetic=8, Intellectual=8, Emotional= 8 CAVIES: Aesthetic=9, Intellectual=8, Emotional= 10 BK: Aesthetic=7, Intellectual=9, Emotional= 9 And for my poor Cadets, too many aspects of all three just didn't get taken care of in the off season. Cadets: Aesthetic=5, Intellectual=4, Emotional= 4 It just wasn't an idea that could inspire pageantry design in 2019. Inspire social discussion, human rights, a TED talk, etc, sure.

1) STOP doing social justice shows despite your recent woes. 2) Get a design team that does much better planning, organization, overall execution of the design process- scope and sequence than we have seen this year, and last year to some degree, though last year's show was MUCH BETTER CONSTRUCTED!!! 3) Realize it is the perfect time to reinvent yourselves while keeping some traditions/isms that will allow the community to say- "yeah, that seems a Cadet inspired show". 4) Realize this year's show, that I predict will fall a few more placements this season before all is said and done, will not attract a lot of new and highly skilled talent, making the early planned, thoughtfully mapped out, and seamless winter time show design all the more important. That said, this show has its moments. The opening is stately and when executed well, is pure class. The percussion section is particularly good, especially the drumline. The brass moment in the Ginastera on the stairs is amazing when it fires on all cylinders. The guard has some ver musical writing. The full tutti ensemble music statements are fantastic. While this all isn't enough these days to stay in the top seven or eight, it doesn't mean the corps is not good or that the members do not deserve a great summer. I hope they hold their heads up every day and that the design team continues to tweak the show for the better.

I am expecting Blue Stars and Crossmen both to turn some heads as the summer progresses, placing ahead of Cadets and threatening BK when all is said and done. Their shows are better constructed and much more effective. Unless Cadets make major changes, I fear the show falls extremely short in several ways including the awkward and un-followable lackluster narrative. I know this thread isn't specifically about Cadets, but with Nola Jones and Mark Waymire both making a rep number statement within a few days of each other in support of the Blue Stars' program, maybe my predictions have supported merit.

Seems PR alumni are gearing up to be the next destructive, microscopic, self-serving Madison alumni. Be careful. Be every careful. Caring is not always the same as being supportive. It is about the members today in 2019. Today's members will NEVER have the same goals, experiences, tastes, interests, performance prowess as those from 2009, 1999, 1989, etc. Thank God.

Crown is so good. I love the changes and additions. It this keeps going . . .

Loved it Stars. As I asked about Crossmen, will BK be better than this? So good and uniquely them! HARD AND ENTERTAINING. Eager to see it again.

Crossmen were the %#@!. So good. The best they have been in decades. Loved it and clearly a finalist. Will BK be this good?

Well well Phantom, not any where ready to lay down and die. There is a lot of great material there!!! Dirty? yes. Unfocused at times? yes. But the best show of the evening thus far for sure. Could be really strong by the end if the right decisions and cleaning take place. Won't be top ten, but that is such a tall order these days. I really enjoyed it!!!

See review on show review thread! https://www.drumcorpsplanet.com/forums/index.php?/forum/5-dci-all-corps-show-amp-event-reviews/

Music City, Nashville TN: I loved these guys last year and was excited to see their 2019 production. It is early yet, but I found I was not as impressed with the show as I hoped to be. The talent level seems to be about the same as last year. I found the production to be hard to follow and pretty heady/aloof while also having a level of camp perhaps; seemed we needed to have some tongue-in-cheek secret conversation with those in the know to get it, the opposite of last year. Cool costumes and flag designs. Not a lot of crowd reaction. I think that is due to pacing issues and again, the headiness. Eager to see changes and an elevated accessibility. Spirit of Atlanta, Atlanta GA: 2019 is their new 2011; the potential for a stunning, clever, and affecting production seems inevitable. Will that guarantee them a place in finals? No. Great energy with a lot of member buy-in makes this production already exciting to watch. Unique, fresh, and accessible makes this an attractive show. Lots of detail to add. More range musically and visually will help this reach its full potential. I REALLY enjoyed this offering. Excited to see it again. The Cadets, Allentown PA: To get right to it, bluntly- The talent level in all sections is awesome. Much beyond last year. There are so many phrases, moments, vignettes to LOVE. That said, the transitions need a lot of attention. AND, the show concept needs to be THROWN OUT TOTALLY! (Enough of the social and moral restoration stuff). It (the show theme) is not at all realized, evident, or attractive as presented now. Call the show "Empowerment", "Equal", "US", "Together", "No Longer", etc. A ton of choices that would take this show intellectually to a much more effective place. Boston Crusaders, Boston MA: So amazing in so many ways for 90% of the show. I find the Goliath character on stilts to be a point where the highly convincing production takes a dramatic and placement-lowering nose dive. It is totally silly and unconvincing. While the peg-laden wall props are too cool for school, when Goliath falls on one of them in his stilts, I am done and cannot take the show nearly as seriously as BD, BC, SCV, Crown, Cavies, BK, Mandarins, or Blue Stars. Rather than a medalist moment, it is just too amateur and never recovers. PLEASE rethink the death of Goliath disaster. Bluecoats, Canton OH: I have watched BD and SCV many times and confidently state this is the show to beat. Boston (in its current state) is a solid fourth place. The top three are not set in stone, BUT Bluecoats 2019 is really competitive in all captions: brass, percussion, Visual, Music Ensemble, Guard, GE, Visual ensemble, etc. So smooth and collected. I am absolutely captivated every measure. Cannot stop thinking about this production. Brilliant!

THIS.

There is a lot of content in both brass and percussion writing. Some killer moments. The herald trumpet and trombone display is stupid good. The Rocky/Hamilton mashup was unexpected and quite clever. The voice overs seem forced and awkward, overly produced so they sound somewhere between cartoon characters and over actors, in this context. Do not care for the ballad at all. It does not help that so many commercials have used this tune for a variety of cheesy narratives. Though the ballad may have some visual intrigue, as a tune, I found it lacking in interest and emotional content that I do not think will be different live. My 2 cents. Excited to see it live.

I am curious as to which piece you think barley recognizable? Or were you just stating that as a general comment because there are certainly some liberties being taken here. I like that I hear energy and passion in the music. I like that I feel I can follow a narrative already. When in their position, trying to reinvent yourself yet remain to some degree what you have always been, while trying to crawl up the competitive mountain, the passion in some cases elevates your talent level. We will see. I am greatly encouraged.

First, this concert venue is acoustically a nightmare. It doesn't hold sound well, it is extremely difficult for the performers to hear much past themselves, and they are playing into a hill. That stated, I NEVER get emotional connections or goosebumps to these early season concert in the park videos, but this one got me. My impressions: THIS is the Phantom Regiment we have all loved for decades Who better to play Carmina The arrangers did their due diligence at harkening back but making it new again The a cappella ending to FoEG is perfect The use of Carmina snippets throughout in various voices is a strong and intelligent musical thread I dig the vocal come-together moment I am more than fine with the nods to the Spartacus production Batterie sounds their best for several years The beginning really draws you in There are some voice leadings and minor pacing things that may need attention (though that may not be perceived when live and with visuals) Love the uniforms/costumes The visual team has their work cut out for them to make sure this is all elevated