Geneva

Impressive embouchre and airstream control on the trumpet/flugelhorn soloist

Well, I certainly disagree with that placement. I felt that Cavies show was cutesy and cacophonous while there was so much more style in Bluecoats show which for me was much more entertaining.

I hope so. I think it is a better show !

J Willis I appreciate your viewpoints. Thanks for taking the time to share them.

In an attempt to understand the criteria by which the judges are arriving at their scores, can someone explain or direct me to a discussion of caption determinants. I am old school from the tick days. What I notice is the subjectivity, the increased value of color guard and visual, and percussion being subsumed within the music caption. In regards to the latter, this makes sense to me since due to the equality of percussion and brass in the old days, when most observers were more tuned into the bugle caption, often led to surprising outcomes for the casual observer. Thanks for helping me get current.

Best of luck to your son and SCV! Loved them ever since first seeing them while standing on the ready line with my corps in 1969.

Probably a good approach. Some of the storylines are so abstract or their depiction is so distracted that it just makes me a feel like I am viewing a lot of frenetic energy leaving me puzzled as to what the objective is and leaving me unsatisfied.

Good point about how refreshing it is to just enjoy great music and visuals without wondering if there is something in the storyline that you are missing. I was very impressed with the show end trumpet twosome! Some really excellent playing!

I get where you are coming from. We agree to disagree!

This says more about the judges than the quality of the program in my opinion.

Good points, Fred. I would add that I think for several years now the shows are being designed for domed stadiums to augment the amps reverberation. That is why I prefer open air shows which reduce the electronic goo even if I sense that is not the optimal acoustical setting anymore☹️.

Agreed. I find nothing about the presentation appealing visually or musically. They have totally lost their trademarks. I always marveled at the surgical placement of their feet and the spectacular pattern drills which popped due to their white hats. Now they are just a cacophonous black glop. Very poor choices being made here in my opinion .

Yes that is what I was referring to.

Played there many times with the seniors.

Nice piece. The individual members and the corps in general comes across well. Interesting juxtaposition of the elitism of the current activity and the outreach to the inner city by Inspire Arts.

I have this feeling....that this corps will be THE corps to beat come DCI finals. Fifty years of tradition and they are feeling it!!!

I like the Crusaders but am frustrated by the overwhelming amount of minor key based material they have done recently. Some of this year's show seems repetitive rhythmically and tonally.

Point taken , then substitute Puritans for Pilgrims. I think it comes down to what you go to a drum corps show for and for me it is to be entertained by a musical presentation enhanced by visuals. I have a problem when the performance is so theatrical that it restricts the music. I am not looking for a play and a troubled dark performance is not my cup of tea. Point of illustration: I loved 2016 Bluecoats but not so much 2016 Crown despite the strength of their performance.

Even the Pilgrims could have fun. For the sake of musical balance and contrast which could enhance the theatrical theme, a piece based on a major key would be of benefit. It's a time tested movie technique. Some highs would make the lows even lower and more profound.

Very dark show as would be anticipated from the theme. I wish that the musical directors had seen fit to include at least one brighter and lighter piece to counterpoint their production. This show reminds me of the mood created by Crown's show last year. I think that a big part of the appeal of Bluecoats show last year was its brightness. I wish the music stood on its own better. I am sure that the visual presentation will bring out the music as will the spatial separation of percussion and pit from the horn line. The depth, strength and tightness of the brass seem at a higher level than last year at this time. Percussion seems to be playing a lot of notes with conviction and facility. I love the kids energy in the performance! It looks like they will have a good time with this show. I am not a fan of the slavish concept of theme over music. Best of luck, Boston, on the coming season. I hope to see you move up.

Yes, Dream crowds loved their drum corps! Here it is. Especially at 12:23!

I think the crowd roar at the conclusion of St. Kevin's performance at the 1964 Dream in Jersey City is amazing. It is captured on the Fleetwood recording.

I enjoyed Crest,s Transcontinental RR theme and some nice Doppler horn effects.

Nice review. Thanks for the eyes from the "Left Coast".

Thanks for the great review! I always love to hear your insights. The only corps I have heard live, so far, is Boston and that was music only and under sub-optimal conditions(indoors). So it is definitely too early for me to render much of an opinion. My impression at this time is that they have a more accessible program than last year but that the brass section is less mature than last year. Percussion seems strong AND mature although I am not a percussionist. Music is more recognizable and not as dark as last year although still not containing enough major chords for my taste. I am lukewarm to the vocal feature but she does have a beautiful voice and like you, I do not have a sense of the direction of the program. Being a Boston homer, I would love to see them finish in the top half at finals. At this point I am pessimistic knowing the strength of the competition. I sure hope they surprise me!