topsops

Not really, no surprises after watching the show. Only that IMO the spread shouldn't have been that much between 1st and 2nd. Buccs are good, but they don't seem to grab you like the Statesmen do. Hurcs guard is fantastic, but that's about it. They were 4th alright, but a good show for them anyway. Exciting to say the least!! The whole show!!

for the record i did hear boos for the score. was the whole crowd booing? no. you went with Empire 1st, others didn't. to read the way it was written just now sounds as if everyone booed and everyone didn't stay around for the encore. that's not the case. I didn't say "EVERYONE" booed, and "EVERYONE" left the stadium with Empire, but it was quite obvious who the favorite corps was that night, and the MAJORITY of the crowd was NOT there for the encore. That's all. Calm down.

Actually Kingston is a Hawthorne crowd, always has been. The booing was obviously because of Empires 2nd place finish. Myself, I went with Empire for first, they have the best entertaining show and you definately get the goose bumps from that ending. As they exited the field the crowd was yelling how much they got scre- - d, / shafted and the majority left the field along with the Statesmen. Great show, as always.

Thank you, to all of you drum corps Gods! I AM SPARTACUS

And the people who paint props should be in the I/E too, Why not?

All right, I should be crucified for my opinion. Sorry, 20 lashes with a wet noodle. I just don't like the way he announces that's all. Lots of people have dedicated lots of time, money, families, etc. for the sake of drum corps......that has nothing to do with the way he announces the corps. Oh, forget it. Go Phantom.

No one said he wasn't nice. I'm sure he is.........but..........

Sorry to get so many of you upset. IN MY OPINION, I just don't like the way he announces the corps. Some day you will be listening to the recordings again and you will agree that its awful. Mark my word on that one!

Agreed! The ending is just fantabulous!

.....so were 'G' bugles.

It's the visual guy that needs awakening. Phantom has the best show this year.....bar none!!!

I think (IMO), that they should replace this throaty, terrible way he introduces the corps. It's really sickening. Go PHANTOM !!!!!

Herein lies the problem. I don't think there's a judge out there with the 'gonads' to go against the grain. You might get a change here or there somewhere else in the pack, if someone has a real bad show at Finals (compared to their prelim show), but that's about it. Think about DCA during that killer storm a few years back.....the highest score in prelims should have been in the mid-eighties and that's it. Nope, they just got higher then the week before (or stayed the same)......come on.......think about that one.

Unfortunately the 'tick' system is gone.

The Buccaneers will not be beat this year. Maybe next year. The only fight is for 2nd and the corps that will fight to get into the Finals, that's it. Sorry if that hurts someones feelings.

Too tired to write a review, but a quick note.....anyone of the top 3 could have won the show last night. Personally we all thought Empire won the show, will have to wait for the breakdowns to see what happened. Entertainment was at its highest in years (about time) and its so nice to see Hurcs in the thick of it. If it wasn't for the guard though....... Time to sleep. More later.

Looking at the recaps, it does look like the guard is hurting them. Time to eliminate the ones who can't cut it. But it also looks like they got dumped in GE which shouldn't happen with that corps, not with the show they have this year. Saw them in Rochester last week and their show is nothing but entertainment. I think its because that new DCI judge doesn't understand DCA at all. She likes the shows when the audience just sits there (if you know what I mean). I just wouldn't say that 'the run is over'....lets wait and see.

I just heard that Empire got dumped in GE.........that"s im,possible. A new judge on GE????

Bucs won....Empire came in 4th.....that's all I just heard. 85 for Bucs 79 Empire?

Well said.

IMO review White Sabers - not bad for the first show, didn't expect that sound from the bottom section. Not a bad show, just needs work and you'll be in the running for class A. They just need to get more relaxed (first show jitters), and build up the stamina for the ending, otherwise, nice show. Crusaders - smaller then expected and not as loud as last year. Nice guard, although small, they sure do work out there. Congrats. Hornline not bad, just need some 'umph' out there. At times it sounded like the corps was bored with their own music, but can get better with time. Drum line was their hit of the night. They looked like they were there to win, they have that 'attitude' which was nice to see. Keep up the good work and things will improve. Drum line might be the savior to get you into the finals. Caballeros - first show jitters?? Shouldn't be, that's there 3rd show. M&M was weak in spots, really surprised at the recaps on this one. The style seems to be lacking in the marching, and some seemed very un easy out there. But not the music. Fine show. Horn line was nice and powerful (to be expected), and you could hear most of the different voices, which is always nice. Guard was great too. I did notice the runs in the hornline were all played at a standstill, but sounded nice were I was sitting (way out on the 20 yard line). Even without penalties they would have won the show, but that was debateable (to some). I liked the outcome and the show. Oh the drumline has that sttitude also, they really looked and sounded great, especially in the drum solo. Nice job. Brigadiers - much smaller than anticipated, but, still had a nice show. Too many people talking around me to hear everything and was very annoyed at that and really couldn't get a good read on their show. Sorry, but people ticked me off. Looks like you did well though, and this was the only corps that didn't look like they had 1st show jitters. Congrats to you! Empire - 1st show jitters for sure, but what an entertaining show. Maybe it was the hometown crowd thingy, but boy, did they entertain. That's one show you can finally say, " I enjoyed that music", and really mean it. I actually remember what they played. Thank you! The vocals in My Way was actually in harmony, nice job with that. But its the color pre ending that seemed to really work the crowd. Big company front and then they sped it up with a fast ending that brought the crowd to its feet before they were even done with their show, now THAT's what I call drum corps at its best. Goose bump city for the first time tonight. Color guard needs work (as does the M&M), and i'm sure they will clean it all up before long. If they do clean it right, there will be no stopping this crowd pleasing show. Drumline was nice, but nothing spectacular. They didn't seem to be a 'team' tonight. Sorry. Aumni show - brought the house down. If you are not a fan of Empire, you couldn't help but be one this night. They played some of the old Empire music that was pretty good with the regular corps helping out (thank heavens)...we saw one mellophone player out there without a mouthpiece (what's up with that?). The patriotic tunes at the end were the best I've ever heard of that song Yankee Doodle. And talk about loud???? Couldn't be beat! What an ending to a great show. Thank you Empire for this show, enjoyed by EVERYONE in attendence, even those that got turned away at the gate that had to watch from the sides. Thanks again, can't wait for the Boston Shwo!!

Yes, great job Statesmen Alumni.....That's the first time I heard Yankee Doodle so freakin loud!! You tore up the crowd with that one on 4th of July weekend, thanks!!

WOW....your hornline looks to be humongous.....can't wait to see this show!!! Boston show will be fantastic!! Little girl on the end of the first picture.....is she over 13 years old at least?? Sure looks young.

WOW....your hornline looks to be humongous.....can't wait to see this show!!! Boston show will be fantastic!! Little girl on the end of the first picture.....is she over 13 years old at least?? Sure looks young.

Which day is the concert? Sunday or Saturday? That's another $50.00 from both you AND Tim for not catching it.