contra111

Nice X move into the Klassic K. Indicating their placement in finals this year?

The Kiltie, brought to you by the Syracuse Brigadiers and Rochester Crusaders.

Man I wish I was in Stillwater. That is a great line up and this is one MBI show that is going to turn heads. What I heard and saw the first camp weekend was fantastic. Good luck to all those marching and to the support staff, I miss you all. How about coming to Guam for an exhibition? I'll see if my expense account will allow it.

I think Chops has already done that!

LOL, Bill you made my day with that one...!

Work on marching, work on marching, work on marching, work on marching. Do that and you guys will be fine. Really liked you guys at Madison. Agree you guys got dumped on in Rochester. If you clean up your visual show, you will be great. With all the different parts of your uniforms, any out of sync body movement really shows up so you guys have to be really clean. Good luck and will see you guys (hopefully) in St Peter and S St Paul. BTW, work on marching!!!

Don't know if this has been mentioned, was too lazy to go thru the pages. How about the Glass Bowl in Toledo OH. I remember DCM championships there in 1992. Big city, big stadium, somewhat close to the NE, not as big a shock as say Chicago or Madison for the NE corps and fans. Baby steps everyone, baby steps.

I agree whole-heartedly. Last night when I saw the post from Jeff saying "we've been told in the box...tell your fans to hold onto their seats" I figured there must be some movement in the top 5. That statement alone prompted a couple long distance phone calls from me. The scenarios running through my head were endless. Again, THANKS to all who helped with the live finals coverage. I didn't get anything done the last two days because of you guys.

CONGRATULATIONS MBI!!! Great job. I'm proud of all you guys and kudos to Ann Jones and all of her staff.

just caught MBI's clip...HOLY #### and CAB's clip HOLY HOLY ####! Wish I was there!

A huge THANK YOU to all those who worked so hard to bring us the DCA live coverage on DCP. The videos were awesome, if they are any indication (and I believe they are) of the DVD's that will be coming out, I'll be in line to buy them. FANTASTIC quality!!!!!! Great job everyone and thanks.

Corps video clips and pages. Shenandoah Sound-3 Lakeshoremen-5 Gulf Coast Sound-7 Carolina Gold-11 Frontier-13 Grenadiers-16 Govenaires-19 White Sabres-24 Fusion Core-27 Chops Inc-26 SoCal Dream-32 Music City Legend-34 Alliance-39 Kilties-40 Crusaders-42 Corps Vets-45 Renegades-50 Bushwackers-52 Brigadiers-54 Minnesota Brass Inc-57 Connecticut Hurricanes-60

WAY TO GO BRASS!!!!!

Hey Tony, how ya doin? Marched with you back in the 90's

HOLY ####, that will be awesome!!!

I'll throw in my 2 cents worth. This is my first review ever and I'm just a dumb horn guy but here goes: Beautiful afternoon in SSP, light breeze blowing out of the west endzone. Show started uncharacteristically late, about 10 minutes or so. Apparently some problem down on the field with a sizeable hole in the ground at a sprinkler head. Pretty good crowd on hand. I'm not sure of the seating capacity of the stadium, probably 500 or so, but the stands from where I was standing was about 3/4 full. I'm am rather pleased that the DCA Central shows have survived to this point in time. I had my doubts when they were first started whether they would draw enough fans but am glad I was proven wrong. A HUGE thanks to MBI director Ann Jones and her staff for all the hard work to keep this show going year after year. Also thanks to the Lakeshoremen and Frontier for traveling to Minnesota. I'm sure it is quite a financial burden to make the trip but we love having you here and it is fun to see both corps grow from year to year. Lakeshoremen: 17horns, 6perc, 10guard, 3pit, 1dm. I too was kind of struck during their show that they seemed young. They reminded me of a division III DCI corps. Very tough book from what I heard. Seemed like they handled it pretty well. No big disasters to speak of. Horn/percussion trade solos to open the show. Lots of energy and none of those marching were backing away from anything. Some timing issues in the middle of the show. After a long bus ride and long weekend, I thought the horns were running on fumes but somehow they dug deep and found a little more for Cuban Overture and finished nicely. I don't know if I would have it in me to march with you guys. I tip my hat to all of you! 66.725 Frontier: 22horns, 8perc, 5guard, 4pit, 2dm. I really like this corps. This is the third year I've seen Frontier and if I'm not mistaken, this is the third different uniform for them. They open with a very lush, full horn sound with "I'll Be Seeing You". This corps has some players! Nice bari feature in the opener and nice mello feature in "Home". At the big hit in "Home" it seeemed like the percussion and horns were watching 2 different drum majors. Some uncomfortable timing issues but they managed to hold it together. When I saw that they were doing "Caravan" I was thinking, Oh No. Boy was I wrong! They took that tune nd made it their own. I liked the arrangement alot. You could tell that it was written for them. Some low brass intonation problems but I thought the use of the benches was excellent for getting the Contra sound out from within the horns. One thing I do have to say is HORN ANGLES. That was very noticable quite a few times. Colorguard needs to be more integrated with the horns and drums but I'm sure that will come in time. Good job and can't wait to see you next year. 70.888 Govenaires: 13horns, 7perc, 10guard, 5pit, 1dm. What can I say about the Govies, they keep going and going and going... Lots of energy and ALWAYS a hit with the crowd. They really know how to sell themselves. They open with the usual "We are, The Govenaires". I have to say that my favorite rendition of that was a few years back when they integrated that with "Georgia". Major goosebump moment, but I guess I'm just a softie. Fun show, fun music, fun corps. Nice way to get your name out there by giving away buttons as proof of payment at the St Peter show. As always a demanding horn book. Strong percussion performance. They had a tall snare drummer, I'm not sure if he was a rookie or not. His voice sounded familiar though <wink>. The colorguard was great as usual with alot of integration and interaction with the horns and drums. I thought I heard some phasing in Queenie but may have been where I was standing. "Welcome To My Party", what more can I say. I can't Limbo, never have never will. You guys made me tired watching you. That Contra part was INSANE! Good job, you're going to do great at DCA. 77.325 Chops Inc: 12horns, 9perc, 9guard, 7pit, 2dm. Another corps that likes to have fun. Following the Kilties would be tough but they seemed to handle it with cool, calm determination. Like already stated before, not as much "schtick" in this show as years past. Handled the opener quite nicely, minor timing issues in "Free Ride" but I liked it overall. I will try to be unbiased but I had a problem with "Brand New Key". Not with how the corps handled it or that they even chose it. I just hate that song, always have and always will. Sorry. But it fits well with this corps, and to be honest, they did a good job. The washboards were a nice touch and the drummer's sabre toss was GREAT. The ballad "Without You" had some beautiful lush sounds and really showcased the hornline nicely. I think this corps will definitely be in the hunt come Labor Day. 79.338 Kilties: 50horns, stop, wait, darn it I can't count all you guys. WOW!!! What a comeback these guys are making. I saw them in Madison earlier this year and thought they were great then. HOLY COW!!! Just an absolute fun show. The opening set followed by the scatter was so cool. It was great down in St. Peter but in the bright sun it just looked way cool. You could just feel something was coming and then the opening hit BAM. You would have gotten a standing ovation out of me but I was already standing. Noticed a few timing issues here and there but you guys rocked. The show just has such a dark gritty edge to it in places that is nicely expressed with the power of your hornline. Percussion also looked and sounded great. There are however issues with personal marching style and guiding but from years past these Kilties are light years ahead. When the corps goes into the closer, I swear I hear the opening strains to....? I'll just leave that to the easterners imagination. But if that is a pre-cursor to whats coming down the road, I can't wait. Marching a more modern drill is difficult for some but overall you guys are on your way. If the Kilties don't make finals this year, there is definitely something wrong. 84.325 Minnesota Brass Inc: Not much more to say than what contratech said in his review. I marched with MBI, I am probably alittle biased so will try not to sound too much like a "homer". I have a hard time with how many horns Brass is marching this year. Sometimes it looks like 42, or 48 or 46 or 40. I know there are 2 contra holes. Boy it is tempting but now reality has taken control. No matter how many, this horn line is about finesse (SP). I am blown away by how well they are playing together. Earlier in the year (Madison) I had my doubts about their chances but in the last few weeks they have stepped on the gas. The percussion line looks young and new (I don't recognize anybody) and they have also stepped up to the challange. Watching MBI in St. Peter, they just looked awesome. Their marching, while a few problems exist individually, has really come around. They seem to make it look effortless. Transitions seem to be defined and executed well. A far cry from some of the vids of when I was out there. The colorguard is very good with some nice impact moments. One of the rifle tosses looked perfect to me. Nicely integrated but there are a couple of moments where they are sitting on the front line which makes the corps look quite small and totally exposed. When you see them entering the field they look pretty compact, but don't let that fool you. I see Brass easily holding their own at DCA and maybe even moving up a spot or two. 91.013 Good Luck to all the corps competing at DCA this year. Wish I could go but have work issues. Sounds like this will be the most competetive year ever.

Does anyone know where the Kilties will be practicing in St. Peter on Saturday?

Hey Derek, I remember marching with you back in '99 with MBI. Earth Wind & Fire was a blast. How ya doing?