Sam98

Has anyone heard any news about Star's alumni corps performance at the 2010 Finals? Their website doesn't give any info about what they're playing, etc. http://staralumni.org/starofindiana2010/

Specifically, I'd like to find a picture of their honor guard from the Denver finals. I know it's a long shot, but if anyone happens to have one, please PM me. Thanks, folks!

Niner-Two Folk Song Suite Seahawk Yes, I have a 27th Lancers fetish!

Agreed--I never felt "bored" not so very long ago when guards were doing shows with no floor covering whatsoever.

Okay--any winterguard who employs Shakespear's Sister, "porn Pilates" and "Mommie Dearest" as a recruiting tool is THE place to spin in my book! I laughed so hard I'm crying as I type this!

Unless they do some serious work to get their guard up to par, Blue Knights.

All these posts and no mention of Miller's Blackhawks?!! For shame!

I will go out on a limb and say Blue Knights unless they do something about their guard, and fast. IMO, that was their weakest caption overall.

From what I understand, HNC started off with a different concept for the season ("Lenny,", which was supposed to incorporate several different Berstein selections) and ended up only doing selections from WSS. So what happened? Personally, I think it was a misstep to rehash WSS yet again, especially considering the stellar performance from 1984 (which still holds up today musically, IMO). That said, the kids still did a great job with a highly technical show.

Another vote for 1990 Star. Water fills my eyes and the hairs stand up on my arms--every time and after all these years.

Rather than secession, I'd like to see DCI divide into two circuits--traditional and progressive. Say, for instance, traditional corps used only accoustic instrumentation, while the progressive corps could use electronics. Or, perhaps, traditional corps guards could only use flags and rifles and a maximum amount of non-equipment work time on the field during a show, while progressive corps guard could do whatever they wanted. Traditional corps could only use brass instruments, while progressive corps could expand into use of woodwinds (within reasonable limits). And so on. Of course, this will never happen, but I can dream. At least this type of division would offer something for everybody.

Ooohh...I like that idea. Either that or an entire show around "Variations on a Korean Folksong" (1986-87). I think it's time for a retro show!

As a Wyoming native, the Troopers have always been my "home corps," and I just wanted to say how proud and thrilled I am that they made it back into the finals after all these years! Kudos to the kids, the staff and the directors for a job well done.

Ai yi yi! Sorry! You are correct. See what happens when I post after 5 hours of sleep?

Went to quarterfinals at a theatre here in Lexington--the projectionist must be a corps fan because the sound was fantastic and LOUD!

This was my first time seeing quarterfinals via theatre, and overall I'm pretty happy with what I saw and heard, with one exception: How on earth are Blue Knights staying ahead of Phantom?

Something I've never understood--people get "bored" and they can't sit and wait politely, quietly and respectfully ten minutes for the next group to appear?

You're very welcome, and enjoy the Buffalo show!

Hi, folks. I was lucky enough to have attended the show last night and thoroughly enjoyed it--here's some of my thoughts and observations. Music City—BIG SOUND for a small corps. This was the first time I’d seen this group, and I was pleasantly surprised. I thought they were pretty well balanced in most areas except for the contras, and their programming was at just the right level for the ability of the corps. The guard was outstanding, and I counted 4 costume changes. Cascades—their show theme of “The Forest” was creative and staged fairly well. Again, a strong guard and they cleverly used branches at one point for visual effect, and have a good rifle line. Their drill was dirty in a few spots, but overall an enjoyable show. “Not While I’m Around” seemed to get the biggest crowd response. Pacific Crest—this was the first time I’d seen this corps as well. Good balance among sections, especially the drum line. I thought their guard was good as well, although I wasn’t crazy about their uniforms. I was a little confused with their theme—with a show title like “El Corazon de la Gente” I was expecting to hear more Spanish-styled music (which would have accounted in part for the guard costuming), but after I found out that they were performing music by a Hispanic composer it made sense. I look forward to seeing them again next year. Academy—another interesting theme, this one of “ascent”. A strong color guard helped to sell the show, though I wasn’t too crazy about the rope they used to divide the field at the beginning and at the end. The hornline featured several good soloists. I loved the effect they created with the white bands that physically connected groups of guard members (a la mountain climbers) in the fast section—very difficult to choreograph but they pulled it off well. Here’s hoping this group continues to move up. Blue Stars—for me, the surprise of the evening. When I first saw the 36 tables (half with sewing machines attached) being drug out onto the field, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Blue Stars made up for the loss of 1/3 of the field with a good drill (although it still needs cleaning, particularly in the opening sets), great horn impacts, and a kick-a** colorguard and drum line. One striking feature about this show was the heavy use of equipment work in the ballad section rather than falling back on mere interpretive dance--Blue Star’s equipment work was a nice change of pace. Blue Knights—their winter-themed show has lots of potential but still needs a lot of cleaning. The hornline was decent but seemed a little tired tonight. The drum feature definitely a high point of the show. I’d have to say that BK’s Achilles heel is their guard—it appeared as though some of the work of was over the heads of the performers, and there were spots that definitely needed additional choreography. Hopefully they can get some work done before Indianapolis. Santa Clara—SVC’s “Ballet for Martha” was the musical highlight of the evening. My musician friend David pointed out that the long phrasing used by the hornline throughout much of the book gives a degree of difficulty that’s very different from the stop-and-blast impacts we saw from many of the other groups tonight. SVC is strong in all captions, and the drill design and the guard helped put the show over the top; although the show is at times more than just reminiscent of the 1987 Garfield Cadets version of “Appalachian Spring,” it’s still different enough for SCV to put their own signature on the score. Thanks for letting me share, and good luck to all these corps as they make their way to finals.

1979 27th Lancers--but only as a rifle and only if I didn't have to wear a skirt!

Didn't the 27th Lancers do a show at the 1980 Winter Olympics? Yeah, Two-Seven did it first. If I'm not mistaken, they participated in the opening and the closing ceremonies. I'm sure there's alumni who post here that could fill in the details--I wish someone would upload the performance on a certain video-sharing site.

LOL, I haven't heard that in years!

Wow--is the time coming when we'll see Summer Guard International, with nothing but a guard "emoting" to background music on a field?

I'd have two divisions: one traditional (no electronics, amped vocals, no more than 25% dance/body work for the guard, etc.) and the other progressive (anything goes with the exception of woodwinds). Also, I'd raise the time limits back to 11 1/2 to 13 minutes.

Rocky Point Holiday.