SilentnDeadly960

Agreed. But after watching Cabs from the last row up top at prelims and the first row at finals.... I can see where problems come in. Close up you can see the foot timing, but from up top you just see the swing on the bell bottoms. If were to adjust the uniforms I would make the flare on the pants alot smaller and add a red triangle to give the pleated look without the wild swing of the bell bottom of the pants. Just my $0.02

I'm gonna have to agree. This guy shouldn't be involved with any nonprofits. JUST SAYING. Oh, man.

OH MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I SEE IT! This could be bad. Do you know what I know, Tom?

You got me. BTW, Your Gershwin arrangements were very pleasing to the ears.

, your right, very poor sportsmanship on their behalf.

Wow. First: It's his opinoin respect it. Everyone don't have to be an Alliance fan. Now I'm a Alliance fan and I completely agree with him. The drill was designed well, but wasn't executed at a high enough level to get the scores needed to move up in placement. The guard, while improving between prelims and finals was still the weakst aspect of the visual program from a writing and execution standpoint and it effected the overall effect scores. Doesn't change my view of the organization. Second: If you are the Executive Director, your response was totally unprofessional. You should be ashamed. The members of you drum corps carry and represent your organization on and off the field. Your response has put a VERY soar taste in my mouth. Congrats on a VERY successful season.

I love corps history!!! Now last time I did the research on this I remember finding that Jubal and Kidsgrove didn't compete for an extended period of time... I may be wrong.\\ But with Racine and Govies.... it's kinda a toss up. They've both been around since 1927, I believe they both started competing in the DCM circuit around the same time.

Did you see the other guard Finals night?!?!?!? Hurricanes "sloppy" weaponline was tons better than any other weaponline on the field. Flagline/whole guard Flag moments... Flawless.

Tom, Now that you've said that.....maybe I might be a little confused. Correct me if I'm wrong (I'm not entirely sure): Guard Caption judges the choreography presented, sometimes the quality, and how it's executed. General Effect, Visual Ensemble judges how the presented guard program contribute into the overall show. With that said, I can see how some will say Brass had the better guard looking on the side of it's contribution to the overall show. As far as the individual guard caption goes, I thought Hurricanes had a well choreographed book that contributed FULLY to the show and it was executed well. I will say that they lacked alot in the lower body, but it was consistent throughtout the show. It wasn't as theatrical as Brass, but the show didn't require much theatrics. BUT, they executed that book better than any DCA guard I've seen in awhile. Now in Class A, it's the same case, but there was CLEARLY a different between Govenaires guard and everyone else in their class. I would even go as far to say that they should have stacked 6th overall. Again just my own opinions. I've stated before, I can usually find reason with the judges decision, but I really don't see me reasoning with this decision.

My personal thoughts: Colorguard scores were all over the map for finals. Complete flip flop in subcaption scores from prelims and everyother show from the month of August. I just dont see how Hurricanes and Govenaires didn't win colorguard. I usually can find reason in the judges decision, but I don't think I will find reason with this. I DECLARE HURRICANES AND GOVENAIRES THE UNOFFICIAL HIGH COLORGUARD CHAMPIONS FOR DCA 2011!!!!

I sat right under the box for all corps. Well, if Scott dictated the arrangements, then Scott need to give it a rest and update his approach to the brass book. I can tell there were alot of rookies, but so does alot of other corps. Dirty feet is dirty feet. But it is nice to see a new group of Kilties forming.

I love you so much for doing this live review. Hope you keep it up until the end :)

Correction made.

Cincinnati Tradition: While I love the overall show concept, I believe you may have bitten off more than you can chew. Not saying that you guys are performing the show terribly, b/c that's not the case. All the songs you selected for this show are well known power house drum corps tunes that hold a standard of their own, regardless of who's playing it. I spent some time watching your drumline warmup and words can't express how disappointed I am with the battery instructor. I've never been a fan a staff members chewing out the marching members during a show warmup with people watching. This wasn't just a little "warning" chew out, it a full blown chew out. I don't know who you are, and I would like to keep it that way. That's not the way you talk to marching members in public. In private, during a rehearsal, that's a different story. But in a show setting, with strangers in listening distance, NO WAY. Maybe you should be yelled at for not tuning the drums or having all your quads drums on matching drum heads, b/c they were on the weak side as far as tone production goes...and it wasn't the people playing the drums. You spent so much time yelling at the line because they weren't playing something well. You ever think they're not playing it well because your not teaching well? One a happier note, it's one of the better designed shows in Class A. The show had a great flow. Kudos to the 5 guard members, they contribute alot to the visual aspect of the this program. Hornline has some really nice moments, most being at a halt. I look forward to seeing the ending product of this show in Rochester. Govenaires: Talk about entertainment. I was very very very VERY impressed. I got alot more than what I expected to from counting the numbers coming on the field. 12 brass did an excellent job executing and communicating. This small brassline comes equiped with a solid 2 man tuba line laying down the bass and a #### good trumpet player. KUDOS TO YOU GUYS. I predict you guys giving Regiment, Fusion and Gold a run for the brass title. Percussion seems to be right up to par compared to years past. Very musical pit. Still got some work to do, but you guys are on the right path. Battery comes with a MEAN snareline. The drumline will clean up. They're showing strong signs of proper training acorss the section. While I don't believe the colorguard didn't have their best run, HOY COW does this colorguard sell the Vegas theme. Flag choreography pretty good alreay. Weapon work need some cleaning. I'm confident enough in this guard to say, they'll be bringing home the high guard trophy this season, again. Although I felt this corps was the best marching ensemble of the night, some individual marching time is needed with what appears to be the older members of the corps. The younger members(or they appear that way) seem to be able to carry their own visually and some, and it's making the not so strong marchers (who are still pretty strong) seem even weaker. Overall, the show has CHAMPION written all over it. I wouldn't be too quick to push these guys on the back burner. I don't think they'll allow that. Can't wait to see this show when it's clean and has all the bells and whistles on it. On a not so good note, you guys need to work out the kinks musically. Transitions in the middle of the show seem shaky. They recover fast and you barely notice, but it could be the difference between 1st amd 4th place in Rochester. Minnesota Brass: I predict this corps the first to beat Bucs. I've only seen Bucs on youtube. It'll be an interesting show down in September. Both corps continue to take the next step to being a great drum corps. Both Brass and Bucs are HUGE inspirations to the activity and I really appreciate everything both corps are doing to push the envelope in DCA. Now back to the show: lots of holes in the drill, Cymbal line is probally one of the better in the activity. Drumline....smoking. Colorguard, always at your best. I LOVE this show. My only complaint.... the dead body takes too long to get off the field. I'll try to refrain from giving away too many details as this show still has a ways to go. This will the corps to watch in Rochester. Will both Minnesota corps take the gold this year? Kilties: Sigh. I really wish you guys would find a new brass arranger. His methods and ideas for Kilties are outdated. 1) your mellos need to work on basic tone production and finger dexterity, lay off the trills in the upper register and the runs that cause ensemble timing issues. 2) the lead sopranos have excellent range but have no clue how to blend, play in tune, and focus the tone in the upper register. Totally killed the momement a few times in the show. 3)Excellent Baritone soloist(s). 4)Your contras need some special attention, musically and visually. Colorguard: While I was impressed with how well you guys looked from a distance, when I viewed the show from the stands the work came off as a series of ripples (which it was) and the impacts you had written were so simple and unmusical, it left the intensity of the music dry. The weapon line did a decent job. Percussion: need to find someone who can build this section. You'll never have a chance to "play with the big boys" until you can build your percussion section. That's a fact. I know I've mentioned alot of negative things, but you guys need to spend some serious time on marching basics, it was looking pretty rough out there. Positive: I LOVE SCOTT STEWART and the Kiltie organization. Keeping pushing.

I'll write a review now.

No really. I'd say about 75 without the performing members. Also had a 50/50 raffle that noone knew about, caused some bickering in the stands. Oh and to the good people of Racine Scouts, don't sing your corps song in front of your home crowd if the marching members, clearly don't know the words. I heard a few marching members of the corps standing around after the show say that they didn't even know that they were singing the corps song.... song didn't even know what the corps song was. Let's figure it out people, not helping your image at all.

Warning: I'm not a fan of sugarcoating, but I'm a huge fan to giving props when it's due. Yokohama Scouts: VERY IMPRESSIVE. A show featuring the music of Gershwin, Rachmaninov and Liszt came off better than expected. Drill compliments the musical arrangements well. While I caught moments of the percussion and Brass, the colorguard stole my heart. Those seven girls absolutely SOLD this show. I look forward to see how you guys progress this week. Colt Cadets: Another well programmed show for you this corps. As much as I want to complain about the huge dirty drumline, I can't b/c I know better than anyone that it's a blessing for a corps like this to be able to find enough members to field a full drumline. None the less, they performed this show from beginning to end. The hornline seems to be younger than years past, and it show musically and visually. The Colorguard, while smaller than years past, took my breathe away! These girls have been trained well. They were all aware of hand placements and hard checkpoints. It was quite pleasing to see a young guard performing with such detail in relationship to the equipment. Kudos to the staff, you guys are doing great. On the flip side, this show was over scored by like 5 points. Forte: I can't help but think of this show as part two to Colt Cadets 2009 show. Overall, the show is musically in a good place. While I love this corps and design of the show, some things really stood out to me good and bad. The main bed staged in the front is overused, WAY TOO MUCH. The overuse of this bed caused the drill to seem forced and sometimes didn't reflect what we were hearing musically. HOLY COLORGUARD. Oh my, was I impressed. Rifleline had some eye catching work an some clean tosses. Percussion section is clearly the strongest section of the corps. I so badly wanted to say the percussion had blend issues, but that wasn't the problem. The problem comes from an fairly weak brass line. While they march decent, the playing aspect is holding this corps back. The weaknesses in the brass is effecting both GE captions and the music ensemble caption. Good effort from this corps. I enjoyed getting to see you guys rehearse. Admirable staff. I heart Forte. Oh to the marching cymbal line: TASTY. keep it up. Vanguard Cadets: Welcome back to the Midwest!!!! Now to the show. Show concept, didn't buy it, but these guys were selling it. Brass, good for the most part. Percussion, :) :) :). Guard, could have used alot more, didn't really impress me. All the choreography just seemed like filler work. C'mon designers. Let's be creative. While this show generates points. It does nothing fot the crowd other than force them to clap b/c the impact were obvious. Good work. I see gold in your near future. Revolution: I never expected these musical selections to blend so well together. Kudos REVOLUTION! Overall this show was much more attainable than SCVC. Not as clean, but the show had energy, flow, and a clear storyline. Always enjoy the percussion. I predict Revo possibly taking down Spartans this week. Racine Scouts: Hosting corps. Would have done you better to perform first. I'll be the first to say this years addition on Racine Scouts is not at the same level as the last couple years. I got a chance to catch this corps in rehearsal a few time at the beginning of the year, mid july and again before the show. I give major props to the kids for making this show happen. With no brass, colorguard and visual staff, the end product if nothing short of impressive. To the 2-3 staff that they do have, I suggest you guys get some consultants next season to help you guys. It's clear you guys aren't exactly sure of what your doing, and I observed several times, the members cleaning the show ALOT better than the staff. And what's up with not giving no feeback in between reps during ensemble? To say the least, I'm less than impressed with the staff. I watched this corps rehearse last year and they had an AMAZING staff. They were young, but they had talent, patience and the willingness to still learn as teachers. This year, I wish I could say the same with this new staff. Oh, and what's up with the change in musical style. Honestly, it's not working for you. Go back to what you were doing before, a show full of band/choral music only display how untrained your kids are. Just some advice. I hope you guys figure it out.

I counted: 10 brass (3 trumpets, 2 mellos, 3 baritones, 2 contras) 10 battery (4 snares, 2 tenors, 4 bass) 6 pit 12 guard 1 DM Total: 39 Folks, don't let the small numbers fool you. The hornline is already playing a fairly complex book at high level, the percussion section is off to a good start, and the colorguard will easily win high guard at DCA.

No split. just not a good idea to debut the corps with a hornline with barely 25 kids. Smart decision, gives them more time to find horn players before their Spring Concert.

Right? No offense to Ms. Tarka, but that's giving one individual too much credit. That would be different if I see an AMAZING outcome. Give it a couple more years and this title will fit perfect, but right now, in 2011... it's too much. GOOD LUCK TO PIONEER.