pitboy06

wow. Although I think it's time Cavies got a fresh perspective on brass arrangements, best of luck to Saucedo..he's created some of my favorite moments.

Watching the show on the Madison webcast, I could just tell this show had a winning design. I agree it sounds like Machine at times, but I suppose there's no need to mess with a championship formula[?] To me, it feels like there is a captivating, trance-like feel to the entire show...each section just flows to the next. And as everyone has said, the percussion is pretty amazing this year. I do wish they would play more at times, but as a 'total package' it's hard to argue with what they're putting out.

The Cavaliers The Cadets ..both always have great writing. Although I think Cavies take it this year with all of the effects..

nevermind.

1991 star

cavies 2002

i think it sounds pretty cool. ..but something about his drum corps writing just doesn't flow as well as what he does for groups like ronald reagan and broken arrow, in my opinion. ..like he's trying to hard to integrate his unique style into the drum corps idiom? i don't know. but i'll certainly keep listening!

Interesting post made by George Hopkins today about the Cadets of 2008, and presumably beyond.. hop's blog **hoping this leads to an intellectual discussion**

I recently watched a video of this show and have to wonder why it's not liked more. It seems that most people, on here at least, tend to put it with the likes of Spin Cycle [which i thought was pretty brilliant] as shows that did not work/click. While I, admittedly, don't enjoy 2005 as much as 2002 and 2006, it seems like it would be an ideal show: great drill, GE, good music..and the show never really stops moving from that opening fanfare. ...any thoughts?

I have nothing but respect for The Cadets and enjoyed their past "controversial" programs, but this is really kind of ehh.. The music will be amazing come August, but the program seems very familiar. Reminds me of [i know it's been said time and time again] Westfield 2003, Kennesaw Mountain 2004, and countless other shows that intersperse narration in this manner.. ohwell. I'm sure it'll still be a good show.

Pretty much all of Cavaliers 2003. Even beyond their Machine show, Spin Cycle was full of intricacies that complemented the theme. I catch things every time i watch it. Such a good show...

Turning is a greeat piece. it'll be interesting to hear it on the field as it seems it would be more effective in the concert setting. but I'm sure Spirit will do well... [there is a midi of it on John Mackey's website.]

An e-mail I received yesterday... "After careful review all of these T-shirts and sizes… we realized that our inventory was just not what it should be in order to send out all of these items… So, what we are sending (for your efforts) is a DVD instead “Cadets of the 00’s”. Enclosed on this DVD you will find shows from 2000 until last year’s show in 2006. This DVD is already sent out via US Mail. Enjoy! Thank you for your patience, support and for your wonderful submittals! Per a conversation with Mr. Hopkins – I am to let you know that a decision is to be announced by the 19th of this month. Stay tuned!" ...I personally think a DVD is better anyway. And the winner will be announced soon!

ohman...I don't think anyone saw this coming. I know Saucedo's Carmel group did the music of the Beatles this year...so we might be able to look to that as an example of what they might try to do... well...I'm sure they'll be amazing

Does anyone know if the staff has contacted the winners of the open source project...

you know....I think the Cadets could actually pull off Narnia concept if they can get together the right show desgin

So I've heard this show, but I've never seen a video of it until like 5 minutes ago. The visual design is amazing...its just a really aesthetically pleasing visual design... I wasn't really up on drum corps during that time...I do know that The Cavaliers recovered from a rough year in 1997 and 1998 was a tribute to the Cavies past- but any insight you can share on this show would great....

While were on the topic of interesting uniforms....check out the Cavies recent guard uniform... The Cavaliers So...what do we think?

I know that Ronald Reagan High School incorporated the third movement into their 2003 show.

AWESOME REVIEW. Thanks for taking me to finals.

thanks for that information. I honestly thought it was part of the show.

Before you get your hopes up...this is not going to be a very detailed review. Everything is straight from what I remember. Also, it needs to be stated that I focus on the pit a lot and was nowhere near a vantage point to clearly address drill. I was in about the second or third row to really experience these wonderful front ensembles. Now that I have gotten all the formalities out of the way.... THE SHOW CORPSVETS- Hmmm...well the drum major had a lot of entusiasm. They had some nice points but it's best leave it at that. I don't know what was up with the purple/pink signs though. Kind of looks like that took a chapter from Lassiter 2002's drum break. Overall- good show with lots of audience pleasing potential. GLASSMEN- Wow...I've never seen the Glassmen before, but I'm sure glad I have now. They really introduced the division one corps. The ballad is absoblutely wonderful, and the colors really work. The movement after the ballad didn't really reach me, but man did the closer. New World Tango is hot!!!!!!!!! Thats all I will say. The pit- great energy. I love to see a pit get into their performance and this group did. (It's quite redundant to say that all the pits played well because....OF COURSE THEY DID! These people are awesome players, and goes without saying) CAROLINA CROWN- I've seen them every year since Bell-issimo and I must say that this current production did not capture me like the rest. The opening was awesome. But after that it kind of fizzled for me. The visuals during the ballad really conveyed the Angelus theme, but the actual music didn't work for me. It really picked up during the intense Jerry Goldsmith section and the ending was wonderful. Their execution was really good with a few problems with harsh brass sounds. I really wish they would've kept Respighi's Church Windows. The pit- the antiphonal(is that the right word?) timpani are really cool as well as the entire diagonal/slanted setup. BOSTON CRUSADERS- What a change from PINK! ORANGE! YELLOW! PURPLE! RED! Much more crowd-friendly show, but I actually liked (Boston's original music) - (Narration) last year. The opening reminds me of Spirit 2004 (I loved their intro last year). Candide was...good. I just played this piece at my spring wind ensemble concert so I'm somewhat familiar with it. I really wish they would've explored the lyrical portion of the piece...it's such great music. The little head pop was a nice touch. To be honest...I'm drawing a blank between the opener and Sing! Sang! Sung! (sorry). But the closer is really kickin'. Then they bring in Ode to Joy themes which is understandable but it really needs to be weaved in more throughout the show. Pit- hmmm....don't remember to much except...great playing? THE CAVALIERS- The Cavies have another home run on their hands. This show draws on their crowd appeal from last year and elements from their original shows. The opener in all of its virtuostic display did not excite me much. It sounds like a Jack Stamp piece, which I'm not a big fan of. The Magnificient Mile section is very good at capturing the essence of a metropolis. Let me just say THAT THIS PIT CAN PLAY AND THESE MEN HAVE CRAZY CHOPS. Now that that is out of me...the baseball section rocks. I love all of the baseball references they have included. So the first part is a solid production fits very well together. The fire section is not angry/dissonant enough for me. And maybe its just me- but I really couldn't pick out Amazing Grace. (The horns sounds during this section are nothing short of brilliant) I wish they would do more with the ladders. During the Sweet Home Chicago section...maybe there is something they could drape around the ladders. Because the circle of ladders looks really cool but not as ladders. Anyway the rest of show is one giant groove after another. The show just needs some better transitions but I know that what I saw was just the foundation for the ever-changing show during the summer. Pit- man o man...were they awesome or what?!?! The only thing I didn't like is that i believe I heard marimba and vibe sounds coming out of the speakers- which means they might be amping their keyboards...NOT COOL! THE CADETS- First off the door looks really...it doesn't portray the level of quality that The Cadets represent. So as the showis starting I really liked how the announcer kept going on with his "Drum Major __________, is your corps ready" while the corps was already whistling Kill Bill. I even saw George Hopkins(I think it was him) shoot this really annoyed look up to the pressbox. The show is awesome if only we didn't have to figure out what the girl was doing the whole time. It kinda makes me hope they would just resort to a Dstorted Reality type show instead of adding narration and trying to get across this really interesting, yet highly conceptual idea. This corps was loud and good. I think there was only one bad trumpet entrance or cut off, I can't remember. The drumspeak was interesting...I little out of place and random but they could make it work. This would be an awesome show if it was just music and drill- because they were rippin that up. Pit- not much to say except some awesome writing and entusiasm in the drum speak section. SPIRIT- They had to pull a really hard job of going on after Cadets but handled it as well as they could (I'm getting really tired from writing right now...so this'll be brief) Much room for improvement in all captions. The arrangements aren't really speaking to me right now but I'm sure rewrites will fix that problem. Nice basic show that should do well. Pit- awesome emotion and playing. Arrangements were great............... Well thats all for right now, I really need all the rest I can get. I might update later. All in All, it was another night of great drum corps!!!!!!!!!!! Later.

Sorry to get your hopes up... Does anyone have a Frankfort review. :P

Does anyone have or know where I can find Velvet Knights 1993: Kartoon Klassics. I sounds like a really cool show and I would like to hear it.