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Photographer Jim

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    Three Favorite Shows this Year (so far)

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    Disclaimer:  1) Liviing in the SFBay Area in the Delta region half way between Concord and Sacramento, I must admit to having a definite bias towards my “home teams”.  2) i’ve seen one live show, and a few of the streamed shows, so there are still a number of Midwestern and Eastern corps that I have yet to see.  3) I’ve been a gold-plated BD wonk fooe decades. That said … My favorites thus  far::

    Mandarins:  I’ve watched this corps mature from an “opening act” to a solid contender.  This year’s show is simply “bad*ss”, and they perform it with confidence and energy  They demand one’s attention and to be taken seriously, I think they have a legitimate shot at making the top five  

    BD:  So impressive. Powerful, precise, engaging.  Being a “visual guy”, their show is pure eye candy for me.  I’m so grateful, living where I do, that I could see the show live.

    Pacific Crest:  A bit of my Cal bias here, and the fact that I was able to see them live.  This is another corps I have watched mature over the past decade. It is a joy to see how far they have come.  I think that as they move east, they will gain many new fans pulling for them to make the top twelve.

    (honorable mention) Phtom Reeeeggiment:  I have a definite soft spot for PR.  Nuff said.

    while these are my current top corps, I should add that “I never saw a drum corps show I didn’t like”.  Eagerly awaiting watching San Antonio  

     

    • Like 6

    What happens first? (Boston and Mandarins)

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    On 7/11/2023 at 1:14 PM, Triple Forte said:

    I am curious to find out the specific reasons people are hyping the Mandarins in 2023?  Granted, to date I have only seen and heard Mandarins via the live streams which is not a great indicator but from that  perspective I don’t see or hear anything from them that makes me think Wow Mandarins have arrived and are ready to pass the likes of Cadets, Cavies, Phantom and Blue Stars (pls note 3 of those corps are multi time champions). 

    I mean I have no Ill will towards team Sacramento more power to them but I don’t see it …..yet

     

    In a sense, the answer is in your question. If all one knows is what they have seen on Flomarching streams or YouTube clips, it is impossible to fully judge what the Mandarins are bringing to the field. Living close to Sac, as I do, I’ve been a Mandarins fan for some time, and very much liked what I saw on Flo earlier this season, BUT when I saw them live Monday night I was blown away. On the field live this show is a powerhouse. Horns, percussion, guard all miles above how they come across in streams. And what is more, they know it!  The corps performs with a confidence and energy that has to be seen live to appreciate. They are the real deal; and it shouldn’t be a surprise when they finish in the top five this year. 

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    Sinning in Sactown (Capital Classic, July 10, 2023)

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    47 minutes ago, brassboy said:

    Just got home from the show, and I’m still riding high on Mandarins breaking 80 before leaving California. The cool thing is that the corps was still on the field (having just finished their encore) when the scores were announced, so they got to let out a huge celebratory yell in front of a very appreciative hometown crowd. 

    Some takeaways/final thoughts:

    1) BD is unreal. I mean, when you’re a consistent champion, you’re going to get the best of the best clamoring to join, so clearly BD knows how to pick their MMs from among all their auditioners. 

    2) Mandarins have a confidence and swagger with this show that screams “we are to be taken seriously.” I love it. I’m so proud of them and the step up that this year’s program has taken in just about every way. 

    3) PC, BK, and Academy all had enjoyable shows that I MUCH preferred to any of their 2022 offerings. So bravo to their design teams for that. 

    4) I will always have so much respect for Open Class (having grown up marching in Div. II/III), so bravo to Impulse, Golden Empire, BDB, and Gold. California has so many wonderful programs for students to choose from if they want to march drum corps. 

    5) I don’t know what it’s going to take, but the quality of audio that we get from Flo streams not only doesn’t do justice to these corps—it almost feels like the stream is deliberately lying to us. Stick-outs, thin and unbalanced sound, and all the other stuff that makes a corps’ performance sound extremely rough—that is NOT what it sounds like live. I mean, there was never a question that live would be better. But right now, live isn’t anywhere close to how these corps are being represented audio-wise on Flo. It’s really a dang shame. 

    Brassboy’s comments are right on point, especially those pertaining to the poor representation of the corps on Flo-marching. The difference in person compared to what one hears on the stream (even with a top of the line home audio system) is staggering!  I’ve heard the comparison in years past, but it never seemed as pronounced as this season. I hope fans make FloSports aware in hopes they can make adjustments in the future. 
     
    Blue Devils are every bit as good as the grandest hype you may have heard. When heard live, this show is going to make a believer out of even the most adamant BD critic. 
     

    And Yes, the Mandarins are the real deal. 
     

    ‘Night all. 

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    Sinning in Sactown (Capital Classic, July 10, 2023)

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    2 minutes ago, Chief Guns said:

    Thank you so much @brassboyand @Photographer Jim

    You guys are awesome and I felt like I was there in the stadium with you guys with the detailed updates!

    My pleasure. I wish I could give more “knowledgeable” commentary, but I’m musically inept and my only artistic vein is graphic art. However, I’ve followed DC since I was seven years old (64 years ago) and truly love the activity. Glad I could share some of my reactions and enthusiasm. 

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    Sinning in Sactown (Capital Classic, July 10, 2023)

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted · Edited by Photographer Jim
    Typos

    Pacific Crest:  I keep waiting, and wanting, for this corps, to break through to become a Finalist. I’m just not sure that this show is the one that’s going to do it for them. They are on the brink, but this show is not the vehicle to help set them apart. 
     

    the large tarp in the lower right corner still bothers me. It’s ok when focus is on that part of the field, but it doesn’t seem to fit for much of the show. 
     

    however, in general, PC is a fine corps

    • Like 1

    Sinning in Sactown (Capital Classic, July 10, 2023)

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    3 hours ago, brassboy said:

    The last World Class California competition tonight is also the Mandarins home show. It won’t be on Flo, but it’ll be my one and only chance to see these corps live this season. Looking forward to getting my face melted by the brass lines, as West Park HS has no track and the front of the pit goes right up to the stands. 
     

    Lineup & Times
    All times PT and subject to change

    6:30 PM  Welcome & National Anthem

    6:45 PM  Impulse - Buena Park, CA

    7:00 PM  Golden Empire - Bakersfield, CA

    7:15 PM  Blue Devils B - Concord, CA

    7:30 PM  Gold - San Diego, CA

    7:45 PM  Intermission

    8:15 PM  The Academy - Tempe, AZ

    8:32 PM  Pacific Crest - Diamond Bar, CA

    8:49 PM  Blue Knights - Denver, CO

    9:06 PM  Blue Devils - Concord, CA

    9:23 PM  Mandarins - Sacramento, CA

    9:40 PM  Encore - Mandarins - Sacramento, CA

    9:48 PM  Scores Announced

    Have been eagerly awaiting this show so as to see the corps live. You mention that the stadium has no track ( great); how high are the stands?  We plan to get there early to grab seats as high up as we can. Just wondering as most HS stands are not high enough to give me the full field perspective I’d like. 

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