dcfan1982

Okay, my comment about the judges didn't agree on the music side was based on this quote from the Alliance website "Although the CorpsVets edged past them with a higher visual score, ALLIANCE percussion soundly defeated the other group by a considerable margin and won high brass honors as well" But when I look at the recap on the DCI site, it says that Corps Vets won brass? Was there an error in the recap? or is there an error on the Alliance web page?

Really looking forward to seeing Hurricanes guard and Empires whole show (but especially that brass line).

It's sad, but economically the right thing to do to move to Bb/F. When they decide to let go of their horns, they have the chance to sell Bb/F to local band programs to recoup some of their investment. Not enough folks in the market for G Bugles anymore for that to be a viable option for many full used G Bugle lines. G bugle lines are a dying breed.

Things are certainly getting interesting down South. After watching the videos of the Atlanta Regional, I was a bit shocked how close Alliance was to the Corps Vets. Maybe Alliance just had a bad run, but Corps Vets seemed much more polished in this video read, musically and visually. Strange that it seemed exactly the opposite at the South Carolina show earlier in the year Maybe my take was skewed by mic placement as the judges didn't agree on the music side anyway. Still couldn't hear Corps Vets Pit and Alliance's battery is solidly ahead of them, but in every other caption expected CV to be a good bit ahead. Be interesting to see if the Regional was an abberation or if the Corps Vets are the great southern hope for a top five finish this year. Hope I get to see them both perform in Rochester.

Haven't seen it live yet, but your description seems appropriate from talking to folks who have. The performers are incredible, but too many ideas that are never finished before rushing on to the other one. A friend described it as like an ADD kid took LSD..... He also said however, NO ONE can catch them. Performers are incredible.

As with most fans I talk to, these guys are one of my two favorites this year. GREAT to see the Scouts, be the Scouts again.

One of my two favorite shows of the year. I'm not a huge fan of electronics, but most of the time they are used tastefully. Hoping these can hang on and make the race for the medals a lot of fun

LOVE the music, not sure it's competitive much past hoping for a spot on Saturday night. Hope they continue to build on this in the future. I want to see the "Men of Madison" back near the top.

So wait... you think that a horn book that won a DCI world Championship doesn't have much to it except mellophones? TOTALLY agree that Alliance performed much better but I think you might want to take a listen to CV's horn book again. Now the question will be as hard as it is, will they ever get it clean? Alliance has some VERY musical moments already so interested to see where they go from here Drumlines, who knows HOW that will turn out. As my friend said, CV will not be ale to hang if they don't fill the bass hole and get some more tenor voice, Pit is no comparison to Alliance either. Long term probably advantage to Alliance. Guard... CV is much more mature and better performers right now. Will see how much Alliance can catch up later in the season. Going to be a fun year for two strong Southern DCA Corps

Great to hear you are moving forward with plans NOW, and not waiting till September to start talking about fielding again. Hurry back Brigs. The activity needs all the corps it can get !!

Talked to a Band Director friend of mine who has had some extensive drum corps experience who saw this show... His take was pretty similar to earlier review. This was his email description to me with some minor editing to make it appropriate viewing for everyone. ******************************************************************************** ************************************** Hey man, I know you asked for comparisons... so here you go. CV and Alliance Shocked at how good BOTH MAY be. CV Demand is WAY up, but performance doesn't match demand yet. Alot of people #####ing about drum scores that had CV up but the judge got it right. Alliance was more musical, but CV's drumline was much "tighter" and seemed to have better overall "hands" in the snare line. If they don't fix the holes in the tenors and basses, they lose to Alliance in the end no matter how good the snares are though Alliance pit is INCREDIBLE. HUGE and musical. . Guard, no comparison between the two, CV's product and performance was far and above Alliance. Hornwise, opposite was true from a performance standpoint. Alliance was much better prepared. Fuller sound throughout the show though at times a bit crass. Was surprised after what you had told me about new CV staff. They DID have flashes of brillance, but WAY to inconsistent. Too many heros right now. Now, IF CV ever performs this show with the quality that they had momentary flashes of, Alliance won't be able to touch them because the demand is SO much higher. This is either Jay Bocooks horn book or a direct lift of it from Cadets 2000 show. But you know, you only get credit for demand when you perform it ! And sometimes not even then. Visually, it was about even from performance, but CV had a better package and a much higher level of overall demand. 360 show made sense and theme came through. Circular props, curved flagpoles making circles on the field featuring soloists and dancers. Lots of circular rotating forms throughout at crazy fast tempos for an all age corps. Alliance show didn't make sense yet, I hope that will change as the season moves on. It's kind of reverse of what I told you last year. CV dirtier, not as well prepared but a whole lot more room to grow. Have to wait and see if they can. Alliance overall cleaner and better prepared but their challenge will be to hang on to a VERY thin lead. Teal and Spirit Man you know i like electronics but Teal relied on "rock band" too much. Hornline was good but lacked the ability to finish the show and even productions at times. Visually very sloppy, seem young. Not a finalist quality contender, but maybe Thursday night. For first year in world class, I hope they will just be proud to be out and building on what they've done in the past. NO chance they are catching Spirit Spirit What a pleasant surprise. From the new uniforms, to the new show concept, to the props to a solid horn sound. This show has finals possibilities for sure. MUCH better prepared than they have been since maybe mid 2000's. Subtle use of electronics was cool, lots of cool and interesting props. Horns sound good for this time of the year. Lots of holes, but if they will those will be solid hornline. Drums seemed solid, couple very cool moments, but I am not sure they are full yet either. Guard is DEFINITELY better. They spend a good bit of time in opener spinning these "sledghammer" things to play out the story. Feet are still a mess but what's new... maybe they are still getting kids in and will clean up. if they do, they could get back in for sure. Cavies, Cadets and Crown Cavies LOVE the show, hate the performance. Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy in every caption. Honestly I was shocked at how dirty it was visually. They do a "Full Metal Jacket" moment with the corps on rifles... pretty cool effect, though pretty much pure cheese. When I loved Cavies, it was all about "clean", this is the antithesis of clean. Maybe if they clean it up, I'll like it again, but such a negative impression for me initially this year, I"m not sure. Hope I haven't ruined their show for me by seeing them so early. My guess? weakest in years -- middle of the pack, maybe 4th if they clean it. Cadets Some very cool ideas, some explored in really cool ways, some left me wondering "WTH", wandering aimlessly through segments of the show Typical Cadets early season, George will have torn the show apart and rebuilt it from the bottom up by the time I see them again later this year. Herald Trumpets at the beginning are a 10. Drumline is ####### incredible but what's new there. Will most likely compete for top percussion. Hard to guess about final placement because this show won't be what's there in August. Based off what I saw tonight, don't think the show is good enough to compete for championship, but kids are. If they fix the show, could get really interesting. Crown Everyone loves the show...me... not so much. Now don't get me wrong, performers are INCREDIBLE... brass sound maybe the finest I've ever heard in drum corps and you know how I feel about 93 Star. Drums are great, guard amazing, drill is good just not clean... feet... still their biggest weakness but seem better than when I saw them early last year. I just don't buy the show... at least not yet. Between them and Cadets it will be who can make their show work, because both have incredible perfomers. Can't wait to see these two head to head with Blue Devils later this summer. Sorry reviews kept getting shorter... VERY tired here. Will tell you more when we talk. Take care and let me know if you are coming out for finals.

I want to like this show more than I do..... maybe I will when I see it in person. Hoping to see these guys standing on the field at finals retreat again soon.

Heard a lot of talk about "recapturing their past" etc... with the move back to Atlanta. With the show I watched on fan network doesn't seem there is much effort to do that. For all the talk about the past, it is a very "trendy" "modern" show and new uniform. Now that said, I would agree, it's the best we've seen from the corps in several years and I wish them the best. Would be nice to hear "Presenting their 2010 program, "Forging an Icon.... Spirit of Atlanta" on Saturday night in August.

Sadly, I don't think anything the average fan says will matter one bit to the corps involved. If it is hurting them monetarily, that is the only thing that will get their attention.

WOW ! ...... just WOW

I don't always love the Cadets shows. What I do love is the fact that they are willing to take a chance. I remember the controversy when they started playing more serious literature again after a few years of more "entertaining" shows. Some of the loyal alumni and fans were angry.... I remember the negative outcry from some when they decided to do App Spring and use "SCV's music". They weren't disrespecting the Vanguard, just putting their own spin on it and most everyone loved it. We all remember the controversy of a few years ago, with "The door".... and the characters..... They push our limits, they take us to new places. If it weren't for people like that in our artform, we'd still be doing squads, symmetric and elevator drill, marching 7 foot flag poles and griping about whether or not "the bottle dance" really belonged because it wasn't "real drum corps". I may not like it, sometimes I even hate it, but have the utmost respect for the orgainzation and the kids that march in it because they are learning that it's okay to "take a chance" as well. They "took a chance" on The Cadets and I bet they are better people for it.

Mahler on the field.

Not sure how you could have read that the way you did, but whatever. 40 pages in the middle of April for a DCA corps is quite a bit. CV is definitely ahead of what I would have expected from them based on their competitive history the last few years. Looking forward to the first DCI and DCA shows of the year so we can see all these folks LIVE.

HOLY #@%$ !!! You guys are hardcore serious about moving out of the bottom of the pack at finals I guess. Best of luck, can't wait to see/hear it this summer.

Okay wait, you said "another 20 pages of drill on the field marching and playing".... How many TOTAL do you have on the field?

I understand the costs of the venue, getting the corps out etc.. but find it hard to believe we couldn't afford to spend an extra 30 minutes to allow the corps one last moment to savor the season by playing off the field. Can't imagine ANY drum corps fan wouldn't love to hear Madison sing "Never Walk" or SCV play "Clowns", or BC's "Autumn Leaves" to finish the season.

Bought this a few years ago at the Spirit souvie trailer. Three Jim Ott Hornlines, three Freddy Martin Hornlines and some great drumlines to boot. Some of the 70's and 80's best drum corps memories.

Great years on this CD. Really traces the roots of what the Cadets have come to stand for.

There has been such good news out of DCA South, I hate to hear this. Best of luck with the re-organization and we will all look forward to your return in 2011.

Will make for an interesting summer for sure. Alliance definitely "brought it" last year. CorpsVets seem to have really "loaded up" on staff talent in the offseason and Sun Devils were a pleasant surprise last year. Haven't heard much out of any of the other southern corps and not much out of the Northeast. Anxiously awaiting reports from Renegades west coast extravaganza. Sounds like a fun summer ahead in DCA.