losnickes

From what I've gathered, there's quite a few new corps entering the fold. There are still a good number of open class corps that aren't on the schedule yet. This isn't unheard of. Don't worry about it just yet.

It was Malaguena mixed with a movement from Pictures at an Exhibition. I forget which one.

I think the audio bundle are recordings from prelims, whereas the recordings on the CD's are from Finals. As far as I know, that's the only difference.

I'm not the biggest authority on this, but from what I've heard (and I could be wrong), Revo isn't coming out for 2013.

First off, if this is being covered somewhere else, I do apologize. I had a couple questions about the videos that were removed for a while, and are now back up. 1. In the Blue Devils video, the first few seconds of audio are muted, and it says it isn't available in the "online version." Does that mean it will be on the DVD? 2. Cavaliers and Crossmen were removed, for what I assumed were some copyright issues, but I don't notice any differences in the videos. Are there any?

While revamping old shows work for some corps, I don't think it could work for The Cavaliers. Corps like the Cadets, Madison, and SCV can do this and make a huge success out of it, because we love whenever Madison busts out Malagueña (or any other Latin piece they've played over the years), or when the Cadets do West Side Story or Rocky Point Holiday, or when SCV busts out Phantom of the Opera or Send in the Clowns or the Bottle Dance. The Cavaliers don't really have that. The Cavaliers are innovation incarnate. Their show designs are constantly looking forward. While "15 Minutes of Fame" wasn't their biggest success, I don't think we can argue that it wasn't very "forward" in its design. I think I remember Michael Cesario saying that "15 Minutes of Fame" wont be the most remembered Cavalier show, but that's because it has so much to compete with (Machine, Frameworks, 007, Mad World, the list goes on).

The show didn't captivate me at all. I didn't like it. I fail to see why this is such a big deal. I didn't realize the word "garbage" would be such a problem for you people. SORRY.

Sure, maybe that was a bit harsh. But the undesirable show design of "Cabaret Voltaire" isn't on the kids, is it? The members of BD perform on a level that is unbelievable, to say the least. The Blue Devils are an incredibly talented bunch of performers. My comment stating the show was garbage is directed at the people who designed the show. Not the performers. But rest assured, I'll remember to be more pandering in any future review, just for you.

He could be referring to the heavy narration in all those shows. It wasn't terribly popular among a group of fans. But I'm just guessing.

I voted for the Racine Scouts. That show really had something special about it. I wish I would've been able to see it completed.

Crossmen San Antonio, TX "Fragile" This show was absolutely fantastic. I don't know the full story behind it, but I definitely got the "fragile Earth" concept from it. I assume it's a salute to their "Songs for the Planet Earth" series back in the 90's. At any rate, welcome back to finals, Crossmen. You were missed. 12th Place GE - 33.750 Visual - 25.250 Music - 25.000 TOTAL - 84.000 Spirit of Atlanta Atlanta, GA "Sin City" Another spectacular show from a very spectacular corps. Top to bottom, this show is fun. The visuals were this corps' Achilles heel, but they made up for all of that with some FANTASTIC music, and a marvelous sound to top it all off. An overall very enjoyable show packed with audience appeal. 11th Place GE - 33.800 Visual - 25.100 Music - 25.500 TOTAL - 84.400 Blue Knights Denver, CO "Avian" This show is, in a word, WEIRD. When I heard they would be doing the ever-popular Firebird Suite, I was excited. It's one of my favorite pieces, and lends itself very well to drum corps. And the Blue Knights have taken a very accessible and entertaining turn with their show design the last couple of years. Boy, was I in for a surprise when I first saw this show. "Avian" is a more sci-fi approach to "Firebird," with the color guard dressed as some sort of alien life form. While unusual, this show was very entertaining after they got all the kinks out. This show was tough, but the Blue Knights made it look easy. 10th Place GE - 34.850 Visual - 26.500 Music - 25.350 TOTAL - 86.700 Madison Scouts Madison, WI "Reframed" There are many that love Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition." I am not one of them. I don't hate the piece, but I've never been terribly fond of it, either. When I heard the Madison Scouts would be playing "Pictures at an Exhibtion" Madisonized, I was very underwhelmed. I didn't know what they meant by "Madisonized," but I sure found out. The show was actually more of a "Madison Scouts Greatest Hits" show, and all these pieces were tied together by "Pictures." And I will say this for "Reframed:" PHENOMENAL. This was easily one of my favorite shows of the year. Whenever the Scouts play "Malagueña," I'm going to be happy. This corps soared in the General Effect caption, and rightfully so. 9th Place GE - 35.600 Visual - 25.95 Music - 26.450 TOTAL - 88.000 The Cavaliers Rosemont, IL "15 Minutes of Fame" Well...I guess every corps has to have at least one bad year. "Bad," of course is a relative term. The corps is still in Finals, and still remained very competitive the entire season. They just aren't in the Top 3 where I like to see them. This wasn't my favorite Cavaliers show, but it had its moments. The Cavies have had some unusual shows in the past couple of years, but this one was a bit too bizarre for my taste. And the visual program just wasn't up to par with past programs. COME BACK, MICHAEL GAINES. PLEASE. Despite their relatively low placement this year, I think it's safe to say the crowd loved them. 8th Place GE - 35.250 Visual - 26.350 Music - 27.250 TOTAL - 88.850 Boston Crusaders Boston, MA "The Titans" Boston beat the Cavies. Has this ever happened before? I could be wrong, but I think this is a first. Not much can be said about this show. It has "Pines of Rome." What's not to like? The fact that the Cavies beat them in music seems a little odd, to me. Either way, congrats to Boston for toppling the "titan" Cavaliers! 7th Place GE - 35.400 Visual - 26.650 Music - 27.050 TOTAL - 89.100 Bluecoats Canton, OH "UnMasQued" I'm glad to see the Bluecoats have deviated a bit from their "metropolis-type" shows. Those were great shows, but they were on the verge of becoming a bit "played out." "UnMasQued" is a very poignant statement about how we all hide insecurities, almost like wearing a mask, and learning to accept it. This corps was solid in all captions, as they often are. The musical selections in this show were great, including that magnificent ballad (I think it was called "Flume," but I'm not 100% sure). Overall, a very memorable show. 6th Place GE - 36.800 Visual - 27.400 Music - 28.350 TOTAL - 92.550 Santa Clara Vanguard Santa Clara, CA "Music of the Starry Night" I was excited about this show from the second they announced it in the off-season. I enjoyed "Bartók" and "The Devil's Staircase," but it was refreshing to see them take a more accessible turn with this year's show. And this show is vintage Santa Clara. The pre-show/opener is just gorgeous. You can't go wrong with "Jupiter," but I've never seen anyone go so right with it. And John Mackey's "Hymn to a Blue Hour" was just magnificent. And let us not forget "Music of the Night," a Vanguard favorite from their legendary "Phantom of the Opera" shows. This was by far my favorite show of the season. 5th Place GE - 37.850 Visual - 28.500 Music - 28.100 TOTAL - 94.450 The Cadets Allentown, PA "12.25" There were two shows of the night that I didn't like, and this was one of them. But of the two that I didn't like, I liked this one infinitely more than the other. This show really didn't do it for me, and I would have preferred to see them a couple places lower, but what are you gonna do? The show was watchable, and The Cadets were clean, as they typically are. 4h Place GE - 38.050 Visual - 28.350 Music - 28.650 TOTAL - 95.050 Phantom Regiment Rockford, IL "Turandot" I haven't seen Phantom this good since 2008. Granted, they've been great these last couple of years, but I truly felt this performance was championship-caliber. I love seeing them back in the top 3. I think Don Hill is a good fit for the Phantom hornline, as they haven't sounded this fantastic in a LONG time. And that's saying something, since they're known for sounding fantastic. Their percussion held them back quite a bit, though, I have to say. From the gruesome beheading to the gorgeous "Nessun Dorma" closer, this show has it all. Yet another fantastic performance by the Regiment. 3rd Place GE - 38.850 Visual - 29.200 Music - 28.500 TOTAL - 96.550 Carolina Crown Ft. Mill, SC "For the Common Good" After an entire season, I still can't find the right words to describe this show. Words like "phenomenal," "spectacular," and "stunning" just don't seem to do it justice. They may have had the most talented hornline in the history of DCI. How this show only got second is beyond me. That's all I can really say about it. When I saw them practically rip the Jim Ott award out of the Blue Devil's hands to give it to Crown, I thought maybe Crown was going to take the championship, too. To my dismay, this was not the case. 2nd Place GE - 39.350 Visual - 29.250 Music - 29.050 TOTAL - 97.650 Blue Devils Concord, CA "Cabaret Voltaire" This show is very clever. Making a show about the dada movement, a movement that was essentially "anti-art," is no easy task, and the Blue Devils did it. That being said, this show is also garbage (in my personal opinion, of course). I have never been so bored and confused in my entire life. Was it clean? Yes. Was it appealing? No. I suppose it's frustrating mostly because Crown, I think we can all agree, has been long overdue for a championship, and their show was so poignant and inspiring, and clean as a whistle. And they lost to this show. But, despite that disappointment, this was a fantastic season, and it is truly sad to see it end. 1st Place GE - 39.650 Visual - 29.750 Music - 29.300 TOTAL - 98.700

As many know, the Racine Scouts were unable to finish their season this year. I was wondering if anybody had a video of their show. Those kids worked incredibly hard, and I think they deserve a little something, and I'd personally like to see their show again. Does anybody have a video of their performance this year?

In case you haven't seen the Cadets' unis with the hats yet, here's a picture. You can find more on their Facebook page. I wasn't a fan of this look at first, but they look pretty sharp with the hats.

I've been watching a lot of Troopers videos lately. I've never once seen them with a female drum major. So, my question is: Have they ever had a female drum major?

How does one get a job like yours? That sounds fantastic.

The Cavaliers have always been my favorite. They were the ones that got me hooked on the activity, and they continue to blow me away year after year. Phantom Regiment is a very close second. They, like the Cavies, impressed me with their looks alone, and then again with their incredible sound. Of course, who doesn't love Carolina Crown? They're always fun to watch. The Bluecoats also have been a long time favorite, as well as the Madison Scouts. And more recently, I've become a big Boston Crusaders and Blue Knights fan. I also usually like watching the Blue Devils. They're not always the most entertaining, but nobody can deny their incredible skill. I'm probably missing a few...oh well.

I like the sound of that.

Thanks! I love these. My high school band always played "Slavianka" as a parade tune. We were a long way from California, though.

You could be right. But a man can dream, right?

I must say, your knowledge of parade marches is quite impressive. Thanks for the help.

I'm basing this on almost no knowledge at all, but I was watching The Cadets' December camp video, and I saw what APPEARED to be a cymbal line. Can anyone confirm/deny this?

I found it on YouTube for you. If you can find out who wrote it, I'd be eternally grateful.

Confederate Regiment presents: "Drum & Bugle Band" "Spartan Fanfare" "Falcone Fight" As Performed by the Michigan State University Spartan Marching Band "Le Regiment de Sambre et Meuse" As performed by the Ohio State University Marching Band "Malagueña" Ernesto Leucona "Hail to the Victors" As performed by the University of Michigan Marching Band The Alamo Scouts present: "Music for Mother Russia" "Procession of the Nobles" Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov "Toska po Rodine" Anatoly Trofimov "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini" Sergei Rachmaninov "Farewell of Slavianka" Vasily Agapkin

Corps Name: Confederate Regiment Corps Division: World Class Corps Hometown and Region: San Antonio, TX/Southwest www.drumcorpsfantasy.com username: losnickes Homeshow site and venue request: San Antonio, TX/Alamodome Corps Name: Alamo Scouts Corps Division: Open Class Corps Hometown and Region: San Antonio, TX/Southwest www.drumcorpsfantasy.com username: losnickes Homeshow site and venue request: San Antonio, TX/Alamodome

1988 Madison Scouts. It never gets old. Although....The Cadets 2003 rendition was alright, too.