losnickes
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Posts posted by losnickes
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It was Malaguena mixed with a movement from Pictures at an Exhibition. I forget which one.
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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.
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Is this drum corps history? Any word on 2013?
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.
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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?
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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).
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To say their show design is garbage is just plain ignorant. I, as well as many others, thought this was BD's most entertaining show for years. The down ending didn't garner a roaring crowd response. But, the show was beautifully crafted and kept me captivated all the way through.
And... Before anyone assumes that I am a BD homer, regiment is my corps of choice.
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.
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I completely disagree with the BD analysis (no surprise there). Your reference to their show being "garbage" was uncalled for and deflated what was a pretty good review in total. Opinions are what we do here, but that was a bit cowardly and hurtful for no reason. I suggest the next time you want to trash the work of the talented folks that design these shows and the kids that work all year to perform them for you....first pause and THINK.....then if what you're about to type is what you would have the courage to actually tell these kids to their face.....then go ahead. If you would not say it (and I suspect you wouldn't)....then press delete!
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.
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What 2005 (1st), 2006 (5th) and 2007 (2nd) "debacles"???
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.
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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.
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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
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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?
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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.
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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?
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Don't feel bad. I make my living essentially doing that.
How does one get a job like yours? That sounds fantastic.
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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.
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I like the sound of that.
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Two other fantastic Soviet marches by Semyon Tchernetsky, if you're interested...
(march was composed in 1943 but didn't have its debut until V-E Day celebrations in Red Square where it was performed by a band of over 1,000 musicians!)Both "Guards Mortarmen" and "Slavianka" get performed fairly frequently by High School marching band on the California parade band circuits.
Thanks! I love these.
My high school band always played "Slavianka" as a parade tune. We were a long way from California, though.
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I would say it is a LOT more probable that the pictures & videos in questions are from parade and/or stand-still tunes and not for their field show. I could be wrong, but I think it's highly unlikely Cadets will go back to fielding a cymbal line after a 20 year absence.
You could be right. But a man can dream, right?
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Piece of cake.
That march is more commonly known as "Toska po Rodine" (translates loosely as "Homesickness") and it was composed in 1912 by Anatoly Trofimov (a Russian military bandmaster, not the current accordion virtuoso).
I must say, your knowledge of parade marches is quite impressive. Thanks for the help.
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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?
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"Farewell of a Slavic Woman" is a great march. Just FYI, I'm a gigantic parade march nerd, and have a collection of over 50,000 marches from around the world. Do you have a recording of the Motherland march? It's possible I will recognize it under a different name, or know who composed it.
I found it on YouTube for you. If you can find out who wrote it, I'd be eternally grateful.
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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
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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
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1988 Madison Scouts. It never gets old.
Although....The Cadets 2003 rendition was alright, too.
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World Class Prelims 2013
in DCI World Class Corps Discussions
Posted
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.