The Nose

Here's an idea... find a new place for finals! Submit a bid! Somebody, ANYBODY. Maybe after that I won't fear for my safety when leaving the show.

My RELATIVE actually did say that. I'm also sure SHE would tell you "If you don't have anything to say, why waste our air?" Did you actually go to this show or are you just trolling as usual?

So I was recently at the Lewisburg show and I decided to bring along a relative of mine to show them what this activity was that I enjoyed so much. This person has seen another drum corps show that I took them to a few years ago, but is definitely not a drum corps expert. Outside of marching band halftimes this person rarely sees the marching arts, but is a big supporter of music in general. I did my best to explain the basics of the drum corps medium to them. So I would say that this review is from the eyes and ears of a general person who doesn't know the sheets, but does know what entertains them. I thought it was interesting enough to include here. This is my paraphrasing of what our conversation was after the show had concluded. Again this is not my review but rather that of someone else to give an outsiders perspective. Bushwackers - They are small, but I can see what they are doing. I think their show would sound better if they had more people. They have a very interesting show and I get the concept. Hurricanes - Deep sound with some interesting music. Very colorful presentation. Interesting idea for a show although a little harder to follow and it doesn't flow like some of the other shows. Not the best "high points" as compared to the other corps. Empire Statesmen - Oh my goodness! Loved the entertainment value. The story was awesome to follow which made the show much more enjoyable. Familiar music with a lot of big impact and wow moments. Colors were very nice although the "flags" (color guard) could have been better. Very fun to watch. Buccaneers - A very nice program, however noticed a few drops from the "flags" (color guard) that took away from some of the high moments. Good sound overall and the marching was very good. Show flowed fairly well but didn't tell as good of a "story" as Empire. Caballeros - Loved the mask ideas and the color change in the "flags" at the end. Interesting concept of a show, using different masks throughout the show and different sounds and tempos throughout. Marching wasn't as good as some of the others. Extremely big sound and beautiful solo. Their prediction of the outcome 1. Empire 2. Cabs 3. Bucs 4. Hurcs 5. Bush Again leave the flames at home, these are not my thoughts but I thought it was interesting to see what the "general public" would think about the shows this year. Good luck to everyone the rest of the way.

Oh boy, another review thread full of people complaining about other people! Seriously... lets keep this on topic

Nope, keep guessing! Although from where I was seated I could see some of them.

I think with his newest additions he only has to count to two instead of his usual calculations! Also I didn't notice any licks from Malaguena or Pictures at all in this years show, but then again it was the first time I'd heard it outside of what they'd put on youtube.

Hmm let's see the years that Cabs have played Pictures of Spain or Malaguena in the last 4 decades 2008(M), 2002(P), 1996(M), 1995(M), 1994(P), 1991(P), 1990(M), 1985(M), 1984(M), 1981(M), 1980(M). So in the last 40 years both of those songs have been played a total of 11 times (or 27.5% of the time) In the last 10 years, its been done twice (pictures once and Malaguena once). In the time you've mentioned they also played non latin stuff mixed in such as the 1812 overture, Sabre Dance, Night on Bald Mountain etc. Sure if this were 1997 I'd probably agree with you, that (Malaguena especially) was overplayed by the Cabs in recent memory. However (like it or not) if you want the Cabs to play Egyptian Music, or West Side Story you're going to get years like they had in 2005 (scores and support in the crapper) and 1993 (the one year uniform change) respectively. One could make the argument against a number of certain corps who have overplayed certain charts through the years (Bucs Russian Sailors Dance, Hurcs Mag 7, Empire My Way, Sky New York New York etc.) but no one mentions them, it's always Cabs who get the ****, ****, **** same old **** **** **** same old ****, treatment. I applaud the Cabs for doing something VERY outside the box for them, with the exception of the Rumps (which again I think plays into their identity theme). Again I'm not promoting the Cabs should have won, I have NEVER said that. What I am saying is that the idea that a show about the identity of a corps, who has always played Latin music is NOT going to be Latin, is completely ludicrous. As someone else said, PLEASE get back to the reviews so that I don't think I'm crazy and saw something that no one else saw!

Besides a few "Rump" quotes (which since the show is apparently about finding an identity would make sense) what did you say is too familiar? Does this mean that Bucs shouldn't be playing Classical music, or they shouldn't be playing Phantom's 08 Ballad (sounds pretty familiar to me). Or how about Empire, maybe they shouldn't bring out the American flag and fire extinguishers. Heaven forbid the Renegades don't play something dark. If a corps choice of music dooms them before it even starts then why even bother performing in the first place. To be honest this is probably the most closed minded statement I've seen posted here.

If you didn't see it then how can you say that "everyone is just getting plain fatiuged by the Bucs constantly winning". I'm on record as saying I loved Bucs show in 2005 and I think that they've deserved to win the last few years. However you seem to not be able to check your opinions at the door. I don't think many people were saying that Cabs should have won by 5 points, but that Bucs were not THAT much better than Cabs. Like I said I would have had no problem with Bucs winning IF the scores were closer. I have a problem with OBVIOUS "reputation scoring" for a first show.

I agree with a lot of what the previous poster said. Sitting in the crowd and hearing "This is gonna be close" coming from Bucs Alumni in the stands and after hearing 75 for Cabs hearing "Ok 76.15" as a potential score, EVERYONE I believe was shocked at the spread between Bucs and Cabs. As the previous poster pointed out I thought it was going to be a toss up for who was going to win the show. After seeing the spread I literally have to ask myself if there is any way that anyone could possibly beat Reading this year? To me, having watched Reading's shows since 2005 this is the closest anyone has come to knocking them off at any show I've been to (and I've been to a lot). To have them down 5 is absolutely insane. As a fan who enjoys competition I would like to ask DCA at what point does competition come into play when it comes to scoring. Having completely no bias towards either corps I would have had the corps divided by less than a point. If Reading had won by less than a point, I would have agreed. Had Cabs won by less than a point, I would have agreed. But to say there was 5 points different between them is telling me "I should just save my money and stay home because if the 1995 Madison Scouts came out they would not beat Reading". What is it going to take for someone to beat them, because honestly at this point, I think it is absolutely impossible.

I believe it's because DCI is almost a completely different entity than DCA is at this point. The whole idea that "If you like drum corps so much, then keep marching" is flawed because to DCI kids DCA isn't drum corps. I think they all need a little history lesson if you ask me.

I would say that anyone who was at the Secaucus indoor show would disagree with some of the comments made in this thread. When the announcer says "sounds like a winner" and the standing O at the end seemed never ending, I guess that means they should just pack it in for the year. Predictions before we see ANY corps on the field are stupid and pointless and lead to posts like the ones I'm referring to, which are also stupid and pointless. And for what it's worth I really enjoyed Reading's show last year.

I think we should change the name of this thread to "What corps have you marched". I always liked the Matadors and Steel City Ambassadors. Two corps that were always entertaining regardless of placement.

Anything to keep your name going.

A legend in every sense of the word.

Good luck Gold... I hope you've dried out from Wildwood last year...

What a great lineup... I hope to be sticking my nose in to see this show.

If you take the past 10 years, it's really between Brigs and Bucs. But, as Lois pointed out if you count ALL TIME senior corps, there is no contest... Hawthorne's tradition t"rumps" all.

D'oh! See what I get for trying to fast forward too quickly!

After doing some researching I found the website with the link the the Holyoke Parade. After jumping through parts of it I believe I found the 3 corps that (I believe) were the only ones there. http://www.wgby.org/parade/index.html Cabs 4:19 - 9:13 Bush 53.33 - 54.52 Hurcs 108 - 110 Might I add myself to those that are quite impressed with Cabs progress so far this season. Bush sounded strong (the commentator over exaggerated their hornline numbers though), and I believe played the same version of Danny Boy as Cabs. Hurcs also sounded nice, right about where I thought they might be.

I would assume that the cost effectiveness of a mini corps is much better.

Any news on whether or not it will be on the news station's website as it was last year for all the corps?

It's a shame that the decisions of the previous administration essentially put this corps (especially the marching members who had nothing to do with it) behind the eight ball. I'm very glad that they've put out a quality product every year even after "Bingo-gate". Hopefully they will use this time to regroup and come back strong in 2011!

Lest we forget Generations Alumni...

Good luck this year. With the weather being as crazy as it's been I'm surprised more corps haven't had more "snow outs" this year.