[2013 DCA World Championships Prelims]

I wonder if bucs went undercover as a new drum corps if the haters would still hate

[Scranton]

In all seriousness, DCP readers, John did a fantastic job in his review and really touched upon the key issues in a very frank and well-thought out way. I humbly tip my official Drum Corps Fan Cap to him. Those who know me will recognize that sucker.

I'll see if I can throw in some of my fun craziness to look at the Scarnton contest in a bit of a different dimension. The dimension of Baritonality. If Jim Prime, Sr. used the term, it must be real and it must therefore exist. :worthy:/>/>

I got there 50 minutes early to the show and got a good parking spot. if you plan on going get there at worst 45 minutes early to find some kind of reasonable parking near the Turkey Hill and Sonic across from the stadium.

The concessions at this show are normally very good, quick, and efficient. This year, they appeared to be overwhelmed and understaffed. If that continues, you may need to get there earlier yet to wait in line for your soda and candy bar.

Anyhow, it was just good to run into a lot of people before the show. As Frank Dorritie has described it, a "Gathering of the Tribes" indeed takes place.

The only problem was that I barely piled into the stands in time to see Bush kick off the show. My seat was 7 rows down on the 50, but someone was kind enough to point out an empty seat that high up on the Side 2 40 for me to dive into to watch Bush before I got to my actual seat. I do apologize to Bush for not being in my normal perfect vantage point, but I still got a good look and listen from there. If I've seen the corps before, check my earlier reviews for more program information and details.

The big issues right now with Bush from my perspective is that at times, the hornline needs to reach more of a homogenous ensemble sound. Every so often some folks stick out, and that can be a tough thing to balance out with a smaller ensemble. I have to wonder if it might have been people diving out and holding back out of nerves rather than any particular individual overplaying.

The brass solo work was excellent. I really have to tip my cap to all of them. Spot on, and musical.

The horns can really play with some strength and authority, especially as the show wound on. It's clear everyone knows what to do and how to do it- it's just not happening until everyone feels settled into the program.

It's time for a Big W Pep talk to the Bush horn line:

Look- I personally have no doubt you cats can play the heck out of this show. But, I'm not the one out there playing! It's time for some of you to look in the mirror, set that aussie hat on your head with the brim down, and tell yourselves, "I've worked my can off in practice, I have my act together, I KNOW this show, and I'm getting out there and DOING it, and doing it WELL." :satisfied:/>/> If I didn't think the show was attainable, I wouldn't be telling you this. Be not afraid! :satisfied:/>/>

I think they can really get some good traction this weekend and set themselves up to make finals, but they need to "BELIEVE" in themselves and be as great as they personally can be to make it happen. Get rid of the nerves and the hesitancy, and all will be well in Bushwackerland.

Next up, the White Sabres, who continue to put forth a strong and nuanced effort. They seem to have cracked their heads on some kind of a scoring force field, and hopefully they can blast through it the coming weekend. I look at notes, and I have to say the percussion feature was a particularly fine moment, and their percussion shouldn't be overlooked. Another effect that came off well was when the corps plays backfield. Many larger groups fall flat on their faces when they do this, but the White Sabres really came off well, and it sounded great. That takes some serious panache, and I'm impressed.

I mentioned in my Downingtown review how much I liked the timbre of the brass ensemble, even though it was brighter-sounding than the average because it's a bit top heavy in numbers. I still hold to that. If you only have so much beef to throw into the stew pot, you can wish for more, but it's not gonna appear outta thin air. I think the corps does exceptionally well with the instrumentation they have. I realize this could be a disadvantage when push comes to shove against some of the competitors, but maybe not as much as it could be. I know I'm thinking a bit differently than John here, but it could just be degrees of perception and what angle I'm coming from. It's not anything to get crazy over. :cool:/>/>

White Sabres certainly look to get a solid spot in A Finals, and it'll be a tough fight this year for everyone in A. Everyone knows this. The White Sabres didn't look back and moved forward at this point last season when they snatched the last finalist spot with confidence with a late season push, and I would expect the same effort from them this year. I'm looking forward to seeing them Saturday down on the deck at Reading.

The White Sabres are selling their program hard, and they're well worth watching, period.

Windsor Regiment's made a huge improvement over their Bucknell performance. The corps performs with a lot more cohesion and confidence, and a lot of the nuance was very appreciated, particularly the accents in Candide, which practically everyone blows over and ignores when they perform, it, which is one of my pet peeves.

I know there's been a rather at times heated discussion about Front Ensemble Amplification on DCP of late- and there were some moments where a skosh more from the front ensemble would have been nice, and yes-- it would have really helped enhance their program. They just needed a bit more audibility up in the stands to make it better. Not a lot. If yah want to burn the witch, well, you can try. I'm just politely pointing this out. :satisfied:/>/>

Their percussion solo was very enjoyable, and "The Rose" still comes of as the show's best moment. I still think the corps will have a very hard fight in front of them to try and take a Class A finalist spot for themselves- They do owe it to themselves to give it a go. Anything can happen.

My thoughts about Sun as they came on the field was whether they could gain back the ground they lost between Bucknell, when they beat Bush, and tonight.

They're getting better, but they need to steepen the improvement curve, and fast. The corps is more cohesive in terms of pulse and ensemble, though I wish the brass would play with a but more fullness on the big statements- they can sound thin at times. The field spread and placements make for some challenging moments for their corps, and they're making those parts work without nervousness and slush, which is a good thing. The Color Guard's very musical, and they do a lot to enhance the big musical moments, which is essential for a good color guard to achieve.

The Low Brass came on solid and hard at the end of the program, and really held up their end of the game admirably.

Back to the issue of amplification, there was a nice moment on the show where one of the marimba/xylo players was demonstrating very solid four mallet technique. It would have been nice to have heard some of what they were playing in the stands. My guess is that the first 10 rows heard it and the percussion judge on-field. Juuuust sayin', peeps.

Sun looks to be on the bubble. I think sticking a fork in them and pronouncing them done is premature and unfair. They need to keep grinding hard, not give up, continue to work on quality and projection, and see where the chips fall at prelims. They owe it to themselves. Things are just so loose and unknown at this point to just throw in the towel. They have a solid enough program and I think the talent to make a run and push.

Break time, folks, 130 AM. Been at this for an hour and a half, slow typist that I am. I just need to take a deep breath and drink some Arnold Palmer Iced tea before I either finish this or turn in for the night. :satisfied:/>/>

from what ive been told the spot you call a tuba feature is a percussion feature