grenadasmoothie

From my experience in the ticket booth, walk up and will-call seemed about the same as last year, if not (a bit) slightly stronger.

92 Crossmen 00 BAC

Are there really this few of us who recognize the complete absurdity of amplifying an ensemble of 65 to 80 brass players, most of whom are playing instruments that are actually designed to be be, well, sound cannons? And please don't think I'm just another grumpy dino. I absolutely love most of what today's corps are doing. For example, I think what Cadets are doing with their vocalists this year is absolutely beautiful, and I love the occasional trombone or French horn feature. But amping your giant brass line just strikes me as goofy.

Saw Spartans last Sunday in their first show. If they don't contend for a medal, Open Class is INSANELY strong this year!

FWIW, neither am I, but, as reluctant as I am to admit it, I think both BAC and Cadets are doing great things with vocals this summer. And please don't think I was offended at your expression of your opinion! Besides, you're right about mellos- We ARE wonderful, aren't we ? Heck, that moment in the show might work for me specifically BECAUSE I know the young lady!

That would be Cavaliers!

"Where she belongs"?!?! That young lady is an awesomely talented all-around musician. She belongs wherever her talents are needed! Oh, and she IS one of the opening singers. Of course, I may be a little biased, as her mom's a dear friend of mine . Not personally attacking your opinion- I do see your point, just don't happen to agree with it, is all. I think a woman's voice is the perfect choice there, and helps the musical climax beautifully. So there's some heck for you to catch .

Boston really turned it on for the home crowd tonight. Great Amazing Grace vocal solo, Claire!!!!!!!

Some truly beautiful moments from Cadets. Annoying when the ENTIRE horn line is on the right side 30 and you hear brass from the speakers on the left side 30, though. Never thought I'd say this, but the vocalists were very good, and I wouldn't have enjoyed the show as much without them. Well done!

Pretty poorly dressed, but polite and friendly

Not at all happy that, as was just announced, intermission was just extended an ADDITIONAL 15 minutes. Come on, guys, I have a 3-hour drive home, and have to get to work tomorrow morning . OTOH, Spartans were a very pleasant surprise. Very engaging show. Most I've enjoyed them in a LONG time! Now that the sun's well below the top of the grandstand, just a pleasant summer evening, slight almost cool breeze.

All great points, but it's still stinkin' hot up here !

Cabs win - Caption sweep, as well as best dm (audience vote) Kim Roman. Then Sabers, Hurcs, Bush, Tbirds.Bush looking and sounding much better than in Wildwood. Hurcs new duds look great. Didn't catch Sabers. Sorry.

Section 6, Row H, seats 7 & 8

AND the darling of the last 15 hours or so, Spirit! (Really AM dying to see them as much as I am Bloo and BAC).

Not claiming to actually speak for Cabs - I just sell T-shirts and stuff for them. But Cabs have enough DCA shows available to them, and use all but one weekend from early June on without a show as a camp, so there's just no need to do other gigs, I'd guess. Probably similar story for Bucs, ya know? I'm SUREneither organization has anything against DCI (especially since both regularly prep members for DCI, many of whom find their way back afterwards), but just seems that DCA checks all the boxes for them.

Sunday night for you, too?! Cool! If you happen past Section 6, row H, seats 7 & 8, say hello !

SO stoked to be entertained by SOA on Sunday in Lawrence! I expect to perhaps be more impressed by a couple others there, but I'm hearing that this year's SOA show is even more engaging than last year's (Which I LOVED!!!!!!!!) and it sure sounds like proficiency's up, so I am dying to see them!!!!!!!!

Frankly, THAT is a great idea!

Mandarins rep, as best we could tell from all the way across the continent. has been that they were always very strong organizationally and financially, (as well as competitively, particularly in their D3 days). My wife and I, all the way across the country in Connecticut, have been fans of theirs for decades now. We're probably the only folks in New England who each own BOTH classic Mandarins dragon T-shirts AND their 50th anniversary shirts! We're not at all surprised that they're making the competitive move they seem to be this year. I don't know this to be the case, but if they have ties to their management from previous decades, for consistency, and have brought in the right additional people, it's only to be expected that they'll be one of the big guns now! And, besides, a friend of ours has a kid in the bari line, too, so there's a little personal rooting interest, too!

OK, so I'm a total dino, in terms of age and tenure in drum corps, but I don't get bent out of shape over costumes, trombones, singing, et al. Some of it I like, some of it I don't. That was just as true for me in, say, 1979, though. But THESE?!?! It's like they put someone with Johnny Weir taste in charge and gave him a Tonia Harding budget!

Well, they sure seem to be doing exactly that!

Go GREEN!!!!!!!!!!! (Well, mostly black, then green and a whole bunch of other colors. . . YOU KNOW WHO I MEAN !!)

It reminds me of their glory years in many ways, but is, OTOH, completely contemporary.

And don't forget about that danged west coast inflation !!!!!!!!! And, btw - GO MANDARINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!