Directorofbands

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100+ pairs of white bibbers for sale. Used 2 years. Great shape. Interested? Email me at Directorofbands1@yahoo.com Bobby Patrick Phil Campbell HS

Phil Campbell High School is looking for the following items: 1) Black bibber pants - 50-100 pairs or so. 2) 2 Kanstul F Mellos 3) 2 Kanstul Bb Euphs 4) 2 Kanstul Bb Baris We have 100+ pairs of white bibbers that have been used 2 years (Half of which have never been worn) for sale or trade. Anyone interested, contact me by email at Directorofbands1@yahoo.com Bobby Patrick Phil Campbell HS, AL

What is the connecting idea? The entire segment is about "yesterday"...thus the flags that say "seems only like yesterday". All of those pictured in the flags have been lost...they are gone and it is Spirit's tribute to their memory. I found it rather touching. As for someone new watching that might not understand...I would bet that the majority of the audiences get it. As far as folks not getting it....I had a busload of kids with last night in Jacksonville. Nope, they had no clue what the pictures represented, but they understood that there was some significance. I "passed" a quick explanation to those sitting around me and they seemed to appreciate it. After their show I explained it to all. When they see Spirit again (on a tape or DVD) they'll know and appreciate it. As far as the October segment goes......I think it was all nicely done, but I'd like to see something added at the end to draw more attention to the old uni sop in the backfield.....how about another picture banner during the Let it be Me quote......what about a Jim Ott banner?????????? Think about it Spirit....

For sale is a Musser xylophone - I don't have pics or a model # right now, but email if you're interested. I believe it's an M42 and is described as a portable....3 octaves, with fold out legs/stand.......does not have resonators....has a "resonator box"....as described by a drummer buddy. Asking $600 + shipping OBO. Email for more info and I'll go take pics. Bobby Patrick Band Director Phil Campbell, AL

I have between 100 and 110 pairs of slightly used to new white bibbers for sale. Manufactured by Demoulin in 1999, the pants were used for 3 seasons and have spent the last two in storage. Asking $2,000 + actual shipping, price is negotiable....I want them gone. Email or call for more info. Bobby Patrick Band Director Phil Campbell, AL (256) 381-7816 directorofbands1@yahoo.com

:luke: As I was always told. Spin uses the HANDS, twirl uses fingers On another follow up - I'm condemned as a director to have a feature twirler. However, she's good AND loves guard too. She is actually my best weapons person....and she's a blonde!!!!! Scary, ain't it?

Thanks a LOT for that info. This year's show is on my "gonna be a favorite" list and I didn't want that guard uni to detract from that.....Best of luck Spirit!!!

Jay covered it from top to bottom. Thanks for that. For those that didn't know, the field was HORRIBLE. Jay wasn't kidding. BAAADDDD!!!!! I was impressed that they were able to march at all in that crap. However, we have to talk about those guard unis. From my seat, they were (being nice) NOT pleasing to the eye. I've got some pics and wil upload for all sometime this weekend. Seriously, from a visual perspective, they clutter the pic.....combine all the black in the guard with the corps proper black pants......I just see clarity issues. More later. One disappointment for me was the drill.......not the execution, but the highly acclaimed Gaines drill. Yes, it's much better than past years, but I expected more. Especially 1) the corps stays between the 35's in front of the front hash a LOT. Some of the effect will get lost in the corps being so close to the pit..... Clarity. 2) field coverage - I don't remember if the corps proper ever made it outside of the 30 on the #1 side. 3) From the design aspect, if I was going to keep the hourglass motif at the end of the show, I would move the hourglass to the very beginning of the show, not at the end of the opening statement.....just a me design thing. Don't get me wrong.....I'm glad they have a better drill....and it is better. Although I want to see them again soon, I'm tied up this weekend so I'll miss Sevierville and Louisville. For those who are going to be there, sit back, relax and just enjoy!!! Spirit will be entertaining, especially for us middle aged old farts. Hope to see them at least three times this season and can't wait.

Thanks for the review. I was planning on riding up to see them, but between the late trip last night to see Spirit and the kitchen remodeling that I PROMISED my wife would be finished soon.......... Best of luck to Memphis Sound. With Kevin Tabb and Tim Matlock on the percussion staff, looking forward to the percussion book!!!

Well, just got home from the 4 hour trip to Jacksonville, AL to see Spirit's dress run through. Since it's WAAAAY too late to talk sensefully, I'l just throw out a few impressions and do a full "review" tomorrow when I'm concious. Spirit is OMG LOUD. Guard unis can best be described as some kind of "dark side" leftover from like 1988. Black spandex with a "shimmery" light blue delta on the front. One of my kids said it reminded her of a huge necktie. More comments when concious. Music is substantial. Nutville is going to be sweet. For the sentimentalists out there, at the end of October, they have a pit member grab a horn and come on the field........in a vintage 1980 SOA uni.......while another horn player plays the final tag to Let it Be Me backfield......Folks, when this gets all the kinks worked out.........could be some tears.......gonna be sweet!!! General observations: There must be something about getting that finals monkey off their back that has done something for this corps......they had a confident presence on the field. You could feel it.......very cool. Drill is definitely better than the past, but execution was rough...........really rough at times. Quite a few pics never resolved........However, the field was rough, to say the least. Another southern deluge came through earlier and the area between the 40's from the sidelines to the front hash was a pig stye. Wish the field had been drier (water was standing). Kudos to Spirit for attacking the field. Horn book is gonna be sweet........a lotta notes. Most notably, the mellos are a lot more in tune. Guard is not my forte, and I know they were slinging waterlogged silks, but at times it was ugly.... some clarity issues also between guard/corps staging in a few spots. Percussion was really hard to get a feel for, since performing in a mostly empty enclosed concrete stadium. Sorry. Did I mention that the brass line is LOUD? General impression: This show is going to SMOKE. I really think the traditionalist/"old timers" (which I consider myself one) will eat this show up. Like I said, most notably, the brass have made some incredible jumps from the beginning of last season (as compared to the beginning of last season....punch drunk). For the first time since 1986, Spirit sounds like "old" Spirit. Thanks guys. My first taste of the 2003 season and I can say I'm REALLY looking forward to seeing you as many times as I can this summer.

Yeah, I'd like to get to Madison, but with school starting soon, the only way I'll get there is to win the DCI contest (Although I have been looking at flights to O'Hare from Nashville.....just in case!).

After 4 days of band camp, I needed a little recharging. Murfreesboro, here we come!!! We got into Murfreesboro just in time to watch the heavens open up. Like we needed something to boost the humidity here in the South!!! Got to the Cadets rehearsal site to pick up 5 of our tickets (Thanks again, Kwynn!!) and catch some of the Cadets rehearsal.....well, at least we got the tickets. Hoppy was running around with a cell phone attached to his ear trying to "negotiate" with someone (principal, AD, football coach) about the use of the field. The Cadets apparently lost the battle and so did we. The corps had to move to another practice field so we decided to grab some food before heading to the stadium and catching the Cavies clinic. Cavies clinic - We turned the kids loose and went into the stands to find our seats. The clinic was emceed by Cesario. I'm sure the kids liked it, but I felt like I was watching an infomercial. Even Cesario got a plug for his uniform design from Fiedler. Hey, gotta pay the bills somehow. Clinic was well received. Stopped by the DCI booth and picked up the midseason CD. Cool. Showtime!!! We had a party of 10 split into 2 groups, 5 up top on the 35, 5 more on the 50 on row 17. Since my last two shows were up top, I opted for the 50 yard line down low. Amongst me I had a band parent and a younger brass student (first DC show ever) my sister in law (second show of the year) and another brass student who had went to her first DC show ever back in June. Some interesting opinions from this group. The weather: Well, no rain, but it seemed like it got hotter and more humid as the night wore on, especially towards the end of the evening. Stands looked full on the concert side. One Major Complaint: To the persons sitting in Section 2S, Row 17, Seats 8 and 9 - When attending a drum and bugle corps show, it is usually considered good form not to speak loudly throughout a corps' performance. I was nice enough to try to drop you a hint between corps, but getting on a cell phone at the beginning of the Cadets show and LOUDLY telling the person on the other end to listen......and then trying to explain what they were listening to LOUDLY.... At least when the guy on the other side finally said what everyone around us wanted to say, you finally shut up. About time. On to the review: Jubal - This little corps from Holland was really putting out some sound. 30 brass (and I mean brass.....brass bugles. Haven't seen the likes of that since Memphis Blues and Bridgemen). Good jazz show with an old Devs opener (Brain is still cloudy - Was it "You Gotta Try"?). The guard unis were actually kinda interesting (I know someone used this style before....black pants witha yellow fabric panel attached to the outside seams that wraps around the back. Drill was fast paced. Heard a LOT of feet in the horns, but that'll clean up. Nice job, folks! Bluecoats: Urban Dances is one of the strongest programs Bluecoats have put on the field in a long time. Visual demand is way up. However, so is everyone elses. Brass is cooking. Guard is strong along with the percussion. This is a fun show that is going to keep these guys in the thick of things. I thought the visual execution was one of the weakest links here. Spacing problems and sets not quite locking. I had Crossmen ahead of them. Crossmen: Horn line was smoking...... the visual book was mucho improved over the past, but has some problem spots still. I felt a couple of phasing problems. I like the show and especially the drill. Strawberry Soup works....not your Madison or Devs version....definitely has the Naffier sound. I didn't really catch a lot of the guard book, but my sis said it was a good book, not performed as well as it could be. Like this show and the power of the brass line. Band booster really dug this show. Glassmen - (2nd viewing) Maybe it's because it was the second time, maybe it was that I was expecting to be bored (I love those tshirts), maybe it was because the moon was out - I think I'm starting to like this show. In a prior review, I called this show "pleasant". It is. Actually liked this show more than SCV's. As with the other corps, the execution of the drill seemed a little off and the brass seemed a little timid, almost safe. Phantom - (2nd viewing) - I was hoping this show would grow on me....it hasn't (yet). The brass line put out a great lush sound that is sweet. Once again, the DC rookies around me noticed the difference in the sound, for those who think Bb vs G is a moot point. Guard performed well. Just not digging the show yet. I had Glassmen ahead of these guys, although I was hoping for PR to move ahead (which they did). SCV - Maybe it was the break, but you could see a definite jump in quality from the last group. SCV is playing well, but I really don't buy this show. As bad as I hate to say it, this show is on the edge of being boring. It's performed very well, but has nothing to grab you. And I profess to be a SCV fan. BD - (2nd viewing) - THE surprise of the night. Some of the angst in the chordal voicing has been toned down and a lot of little things added..... this show is enjoyable and now has the GE that was lacking in June. Guard was performing with surety and oozed projection. Although the visual program is still lacking (drill, not exevution), this show could climb out of the #3 spot especially if.... Cadets - (2nd viewing) - First, let me say, I love this show. However, tonight, it wasn't as on as I expected. Saw a lot of little glitches in the drill, which are fatal around the Cavies. The show lacked the spark and emotion I saw last week in Murray, KY, especially the closer. The end of the show seems to have something missing..... are there changes coming? (Not just the very discussed possibility of the 9/11 reference.) Seems like a few more chords and a small slice of drill and it could put this show over the top, at least when the energy is there. Cavies (2nd Viewing) - Not much to say......this show is performed flawlessly. 2 comments - For whatever reason, the guard seems not as sharp as in the past. Still don't like the silks. Also, the Cavies play safe - Volume never reaches that of many of the other corps. Controlled volume = more controlled pitch seems to be the Cavies approach. Finale: Still want the old version of America/O Canada back. As the corps played God Bless America, the crowd began to stand enmasse with hands over their hearts. A definite cool moment. One comment for DCI - Alert the local business association that a few thousand hungry fans will be in the area after 11:00 (Which, by the way, is when many businesses closed their door, at least the two we went to before we found a Waffle House that wasn't covered over.) Thanks for a great 2002 to ALL of the corps still out there doing their thing. My season ended last night (or this morning about 5:30 when I finally dropped off the last of my kiddies and got home.) Best of luck to all.

If anyone has any "extra" tickets for Murfreesboro they need to get rid of, I'm in the market for a bout 4 more. A couple here and a couple there won't matter. Got more kiddies going and I'd rather buy from some of you that need to get rid of some tickets (Of course, tickets at the top of Section 1RR would be nice.......). Thanks in advance.

OOPS!!! It was #2....... WAAAY too tired to have written this thing. Oh well....here goes. Colts (5th Place - 76.55) Me - The Colts show was "pleasant". Nothing flashy, just nice music. I felt their visual package was nice with a strong guard. Fundamental marching was coming across well. A few times heard feet in the horns, but minor, to say the least. Like I said....pleasant. Nice drill which seemed to have more velocity than Spirit, Crown or Southwind. (Did I say pleasant?) Wife and Sis - Guard wasnice.....they liked the work and the integration of the guard into the drill. Daughter - "What's wrong with their uniforms, daddy?" Niece - "They're okay, I guess." (In bored voice) A few other comments: My daughter thought Glassmen's unis looked like Oreo Cookies. (Black on top and bottom with cream in the middle.) She then starting describing each corps by the type of Oreo cookie they would be - Spirit: Springtime Oreos, Crown: Halloween Oreos, Southwind:Thanksgiving Oreos, Colts: Christmas Oreos........you get the idea. Ahh the mind of a 12 year old. G vs Bb: I have given up the whole G bugle thing, although I can still hear a difference. My wife, during the Colts performance, leaned over and asked if Spirit was on Bb's and Colts on G's. When I said yes, she said that not only could she hear a difference, she could feel it. Hey, maybe I'm not losing it after all. From that point on, she picked out each horn line by G or Bb accurately (She knew Cadets were on Bb, so that was a gimme.) Criticism - Yeah, I was a visual tech last year, so I guess I was a little more in tune for this. I was on row 66(?) and was noticing from that VERY HIGH vantage point some of the most atrocious upper body articulation (or lack thereof) in Southwind, Spirit, and Crown(to a lesser degree). Shoulders pointing to the stands, etc. Folks, it's July.....this is a fundamental problem.........concerned me greatly. Still haven't recovered from the trip.......I have some other comments, but will wait until I'm not comatose myself. I've got a group of about 10 band kids going to Murfreesboro with me who, after listening to my description of Cadets, are chomping at the bit ready to see this show. (3 of them are recent Cavies fans) Heh, in the immortal words of the Joker, "Wait until they get a load of "Cadets"". BTW - Between myself, the wife, sis, daughter and niece, we dropped about $150 at the Cadets souvie booth. Funny thing is, to date, I think the sum total of my Cadets purchases was $15 over the last 20 years.

Sorry, there was more to tell, but I posted this when we got home. Still had "nervous energy" left over from the drive. I'll post some more "comments" later , but got to run to a rehearsal first.

First, let me preface this by explaining my weekend to all. My in-laws live in Fredonia, KY, which is an hour from Murray. Let's see......visit the relatives over the weekend, take Monday as a "reward" for good behavior. So instead of JUST reviewing the show, let's do a review of my weekend. Friday - 5 pm: Finally get the family loaded and off to Kentucky. Woohoo!!! The drive up - We live in the Florence, Alabama area (the northwestern corner of the state) and there is no good way to get from here to my in-laws in Fredonia. Best route is to go to Nashville and then over on I 24......about 4 1/2 hours to the middle of nowhere. 5:15 - Just north of Florence, god opens the heavens and rain floods the roadways. Undaunted by a little thing like rain, I crawl to the interstate at 35 mph. What is normally an hour drive has now turned into a 2 hour trek. Egad!!!! 8:45 - After being rained on steadily since leaving the house, we arrive in Franklin, TN, just south of Nashvegas. Take a dinner break for 30 minutes and then back at it. 11:15 - Arrive in Fredonia, KY.......way late. Saturday - Family stuff with the entire clan (my sister in law and family are also up for the weekend). Side note - 10 people in a 3 bedroom house is just too much. The day was capped off with dinner at a hole in the wall called Lacy's Family Restaurant in Benton, KY and their Seafood Buffet. Folks, if you're ever stuck in Benton, try this place out. I've had seafood on the Gulf Coast, East Coast and the coast of Pickwick Lake (well, no real coast there (lake in Mississippi where I grew up) but they try to have seafood....does that count?) and this spread had some of the best seafood I've eaten. No, really!! Made the hour trip there worth it. (Did I mention that my in-laws live in the middle of nowhere?) Sunday Afternoon - Part of the family (including my wife and 12 yr. old daughter) decide to go to a water park. At $16 a head, I politely bow out and decide to take my $16 and invest it in Illinois Lottery Tickets (Big Game Drawing Tuesday night is $165 Million....yes, an investment!!!!) My father in law and I jump in the car after consulting the map and head for Illinois. Geography Note: Did you know that in Western Kentucky, you can cross the Ohio River at Paducah (1 hour away from us) or some other spot 45 minutes the other way? Undaunted, we head North and find a ferry!!! Only 20 miles north. One leisurely ferry ride across and we arrive in Cave-In_Rock, Illinois. After checking out the Cave-In-Rock State Park for restroom facilities, we plug into this small town to find a service station and to buy our tickets to financial freedom. Only one problem.......The only sevice station in town doesn't do the lottery!!! Closest place is "only 4 or 5 miles" down the road...........15 miles later, we arrive in the center of the Middle of Nowhere and find a liquor store that's open with a lotto sign. Success at last!!!!!!!! We head home, arriving only 3 1/2 hours from when we left. Total Miles - 70. Monday (AT LAST) - After visiting the site of the movie "Deliverance" in Illinois, I finally had a day of drum corps to look forward to. Home for today is my sis in law's home....only 15 minutes from the stadium!!! WOOHOO!! My wife, younger sister in law and I trek down to Murray to pick up our tickets and catch a rehearsal or two. See the Colts buses and drive up to the school they're at. Caught a sum total of about 15 minutes of visual while my sis (a color guard junkie) drooled over the Colts guard. (Heh....wait until she sees Cadets!!!) We go to the stadium, pick up tickets and grab some lunch. Next, to the Cadets rehearsal. Two fields back to back, so guard has one while the brass has the other. (Percussion were in the stadium) To keep peace, we plop down in the endzone where my two wards can watch the guard and I can at least hear the horn line. (Never #### off two sisters, especially when you have to sleep with one of them........always safe advice.) The first thing I notice about the horn line is their pitch center.......it is on, baby!!! Hang out and finally decide to run home for a last family thing before escaping....uhhhh...leaving the in laws for the conclusion of the weekend (AT LAST!!!) 6:20 - Arrive in parking lot. The cast: Myself, my wife (marched brass line in college and has worked my guards in the past), sister in law (color guard junkie), my child (a 7th grade clarinet player who once dreamed of marching with Madison.....once they "get over" the all-male thing) and my 10 year old niece (who has never seen a show, and could probably care less....she's along so she can come home with us for the week.....a summer "tradition".) The stadium - WOW, this is a steep one!!! Reminded me of DeKalb. According to my Bro in law, stadium seats 16k on the concert side. That's good, since ther are no visitor side stands. The weather - Warm, but not too bad. Around 80 at stepoff, a few light clouds.......it's all good! Souvies - In the concourse on the ground level. Went and bought a Boring shirt from Glassmen and picked up a Cadets shirt for work. Ready to roll!!! National Anthem - Cadets ensemble. Nicely played, caught it from the tunnel. Start to head to our reserved seating on the 35 yd line and, Lo and Behold, they have decided to change the seating to a free for all outside of the center section.......hmmmm.......not liking this until..... Hey are those seats on row 66 (at the press box) on the 40 yard line open? Oh yeah, baby!!! even had a row below us to put our feet. Let the games begin!!! Reviews: Southwind (7th Place - 69.60) Me - A weaker corps than ones they have fielded in the past, but are doing some nice things. Opening statement was effective. Drill is good, just needs a little more work. March Slav was the highlight for me. Overall nice show. Wife and Sis - "Guard is a bag". Daughter - I like them! Niece - Asleep Spirit (4th Place - 77.20) Me - Much improvement since the JSU show. Percussion line is tight!!! Horns are playing better (mello lick in the opener was a LOT better as far as intonation, but the triplet lick is still muddy.....add more water!!!) and the guard actually caught my eye. They still had some dirt in the drill, but when they clean it up, I have very little doubt that we'll see Spirit back in the big dance on Saturday night in Madison this year. Holsinger's Easter Symphony is starting to grow on me. Congrats Spirit! Wife and Sis - Guard has some nice work and is fairly clean. Both had them above SW, Crown and neck and neck with Colts guard. Daughter - They're from Alabama? (Look of confusion) Niece - "How long is this thing?" Crown (6th Place - 76.20) Me - Visually, the drill moves along well. Musically, there are a few cool moments. Playing is nice. The ballad from Moulin Rouge was the highlight for me. Yes the togas have changed, but the guys still look WAAYY feminine from where I was sitting. I do have to say that they do look better, though (longer and not "frilly" looking). Wife and Sis - Good work, not performed as well as needed to be performed. Daughter - 1) Hey, they have toga men!! 2) What are the lightning bolts/wings/bow and sabre/snake wigs for? Niece - Is now comatose. Intermission (You may add your own elevator music to pass the time) Cadets (1st Place - 90.0) Me - The moment I've been waiting for. Since hearing about this show from many of you here at DCP, I've been wanting to see it. What can I say.....they did not disappoint!!! NYNY from On the Town......Nice!!! Ballad - THIS will end up being one of my favorite all time ballads.....lush sounds coming out of the horns. Pledge....good or bad, constitutional or unconstitutional.....who cares!!! It WORKS!!!! Crowd ATE IT UP!!! Speaking of eating it up, could I have another serving of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy to go, please? The side stepping snare/basses with the dance/hand moves ......the whole experience.....THIS IS WHY I LOVE DRUM CORPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lawdy, this was just sweet!!! End of the show is cooking also. Although I like Cavies and applaud them for being so good themselves, I REALLY hope Cadets win at Murfreesboro. This show has me tryng to figure out how I can get to Madison. Thank you Cadets for taking a page from the Scouts play book and giving the fans what they want. PLEASE keep this in mind when programming for next year. Wife and Sis - (Between toe taps) OH MY GOD!!! Now THAT'S a GUARD!!! Daughter - "Can I march Cadets?" (Sorry Madison, she now proclaims Cadets as her favorite corps) Niece - WOW!! Why aren't the others this good? (Good=Entertaining) Glassmen (3rd Place - 84.05) Me: BOOORING........well, not really!! This is a very pleasant show.....not gonna be one of my favorites, but this show is very pleasant. Well marched and performed throughout. Nice Job. Sorry you had to follow Cadets! Wife and Sis - Guard is good, but they're not Cadets (Had them 3rd behind PR and Cadets) Daughter - "No, really dad, can I march Cadets?" Niece - They're not as good as the Cadets were. Phantom Regiment (2nd Place - 84.85) Me: Strong show, musically and visually. I'll have to see it again to get a good read. I'm sure it'll grow on me. Wife and Sis - Hey, they've got a good guard. (They didn't like the purple coats in the opener....I did) Daughter - "How old do I have to be to try out for the Cadets?" Niece - Awake, but not there. Exit to the open seats on row 3 on the 50 for the finale. America/O Canada - My opinion and the wife's - Go back to the old arrangement. God Bless America - Nice. Cadets Victory Concert: Cadillac of the Skies - Nice Rocky Point - Made my kid jump out of her seat on the first attack. LOUD!! Jetsons - Niece was digging it. Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy - Note: I saw drummers smiling during this.....they were loving this almost as much as we were. I saw these guys feed off of the crowd tonight. At the end, (for those who haven't experienced this) after the snare solo, the horn line goes free form and gets close....I mean to the fence and beyond!!!! Enmasse!! A couple of horn players climbed up on the bench on the edge of the fence and I swore one horn cat was standing on a bass drum. Front row could have reached out and grabbed them. They blast your face off from 10 feet away!!! All I can say is THANK YOU!!!!!!! A great night of drum corps..... This is going to be one of the best years in a long while..........Although I'm not completely finished (I didn't tell you about the ride home......I'll put that in another post....suffice it to say.....3 1/2 hours, middle of nowhere Tennessee, 3 possums (2 dead), 4 deer (one 8 point), and only 2 cars in 90 miles. AND the crookedest road that's NOT in San Francisco......but that's another story for another time. Next stop for me.... Murfreesboro with about 15 band kids......about 10 who have never seen a show live. The fun just keeps a coming........

I know that Steve did a review, but since this is my last show until Murfreesboro, what the heck!!! First, I had 4 of my band kids who were all drum corps virgins. Not for long!!! We arrived in Anniston around 3 to check out Magic in rehearsal. They were already into full ensemble, which was cool. The first thing I noticed was the great sound the horn line was producing. Nice stuff. We hung around until they did a full run thru. Show was fine until the last 30-45 seconds of the show. MAJOR phasing between the basses on the field and the basses in the pit. VERY close to falling completely apart. Have to wait for tonight to see if it was a fluke. We then beat feet to JSU to try to catch the Spirit run thru. Got there just in time to see them leaving the stadium. Oy Vey!!! Went and grabbed some grub. Complaint: We were in the souvie area when Magic rolled in. Note to souvie cats: When you arrive to the area and things aren't perfect, remember that your crude comments are heard by passerbys, especially when your windows are down on your truck. My kids now had a negative feeling towards Magic, the first corps they ever saw live. We walked down to Teal Sound's battery warming up. Not bad folks. We took the plunge and went in the stadium. For those who have never been there, this is a very cozy all concrete horseshoe stadium (maybe 40 rows) right on top of the sidelines. After visiting with old friends (it's amazing how many folks you know show up for one of these things!! ) we settled in for the Star Spangled Banner by Spirit's horn line. Let the games begin!!! Teal Sound (Div III) - 6 sop, 4 mello, 6 bari, 3 contra, 5 snares, 2 tenors, 4 basses, 9 pit, 12 CG) Show is the music of the Dave Matthews Band. This is a small unit that has some fundamental hurdles to cross (breath support in the horns, marching fundamentals, etc.) but not bad for a first run. Contras were splatty in spots (overcompensating) and the bari and sop intonation was lacking (see breath support comment). Color guard staging was good, but the guard itself is weak. The percussion was strong, the highlight for this group at this point. Visually, more integration of the percussion into the drill would go a long way towards making this corps look bigger. Last part of the show was at a standstill, still waiting to get the drill in. The show has the possibility to be a nice Div III show as the kids (and yes, these are kids) mature through the summer. Score - 47.70 Magic (Div II) - 21 sops, 11 mellos, 18 baris, 9 contras, 8 snares, 4 tenors, 5 basses, 9 pit, 20 CG) Show is music from "The Wind and the Lion" by Jerry Goldsmith, a 1975 middle ages movie. New unis - Works for them. Black pants, Purple jackets with black sleeves, thin red baldric with silver buckle. Clean look. Like I mentioned earlier, the horn sound is balanced, warm and in tune. Guard at intro is strong on weapons, but that's it. Color guard is generally weak. In the ballad, sound of the feet was evidence in the sops, especially at the mf level. Percussion sounded muddy throughout. In the closer, there was phasing in the feet and the technical lick by the sops was muddy. The end of the show still had major phasing front to back, but held together better than their earlier run thru. One glaring problem throughout - intervals, or lack thereof. The show is nice, but like Steve mentioned, it lacks something. No spark. My opinion - The demand is not going to be strong enough to propel them into the top 12, no matter how clean. It will, however, make division II quite exciting. Between them, Cap Regiment, Mandarins, and SCV Cadets, I think Div II will be tight. Kiwanis Kavaliers (Div I) -(15 sops, 12 mellos, 18 baris, 10 contras, 10 snares, 6 tenors, 5 basses, 5 plates, 11 pit, 24 color guard) Show is "Hall of Justice" - Music from Batman, Spiderman, Flash Gordon, etc.... First impressions - No hats....hmmmm With the guard in all black with a small gold belly chain coupled with the black corps uniforms, they're WAAAY too dark. Also......huge battery and a chick in the snare line. You go girl!!! One word - Dirty. Upper body articulation was nonexistent. Horns all over the place. A LOT of moving around when still..... Intervals and intonation.......rough. Phasing throughout. The reprise at the end was trying to fall apart. The contras taking a knee and playing was reminiscent of the "old days". Cool. Also, this show has a great deal of demand in the horn book. When they clean this up, this will be an enjoyable show. 15 minute intermission.....didn't dare leave our seats....Cavies were next. Cavaliers - They have THE package. Show is Frameworks - Original music again. Music for the most part has no discernable melodic line, but it's okay stuff. Horn line is sweet. Percussion is.....wow... good stuff. We were on tour a lot with these guys last year and I can say, they're stronger than last year this time. Color Guard was not gelling yet. The jury is out on the Tron look alike unis...all gray with straight line tubular color accents. Also, silks on one tune are colored sqare panels on a lighter colored panel......silks look small. Backfield playing here was really cool. (Remember the all concrete stadium?) The building fugue section as the line disassembles from R to L as they pick up people and reassembles at the end in a block was nice. The "rap" section into the color guard frame was the highlight. The color guard, using white PVC pipe, make 2 concentric boxes on the field. Guard in the middle, horn line on the outside "framing" them then go into their dance/rap thing. To me, the movement into the box at warp speed was the big effect. Although not as hummable, this show is good. End of the show is, in Cavies form, not the final product. A strong show. Note - Remember the DC rookies I brought with? I was surprised at their reaction. They loved Cavies. Not the corps I'd have thought they'd love. Hmmm..... BD - Show is Jazz, Music Made in America. Maple Leaf Rag, I've Got Rhythm, House of the Rising Sun, and Channel One Suite. The drill at the beginning and end of Maple Leaf was pretty cool. (Spinning out and spinning back in.) Rest of drill was standard Devs......nonexistent. Clean, but they really didn't have a visual program. Guard unis were a lot like last year times 10 in the loud category. Maple Leaf was pretty tasty.... nice playing. I Got Rhythm was like a dissected frog - Fragmented to say the least..... everytime you'd start to catch the melody, BAM, it's gone. Coupled with the out there chord structure at times, this wasn't enjoyable. Same with House of the Rising Sun.......I've heard more effective high school arrangements. Channel One had enough of the original to allow me to reminisce, but was choppy. Horn line seemed to lose steam the last minute. I expected this to be a show my kids would enjoy, but it seemed to just confuse them. Yes, they play well. Yes, they march well. Yes, the percussion was good. It is just a flat show. I really hope something happens in Concord.......maybe a little infusion of Madison? Spirit - Show is Holsinger's Easter Symphony. I already reviewed this show earlier, so I'll only hit the high spots. Opener - still have issues with mellos in the opener. Still out of tune, but better than Tuesday night. Tone color between the mellos is just not gelling. A lot cleaner than Tuesday, but seemed a little reserved. The super glaring marching problems were not as evident. Battery still seemed to be the strongest section so far. My question was how they would stack up to Magic. Bottom line: Spirit has a much stronger show design which will sustain them. Spirit will be in the hunt for top 12. Once again, the 10-15 spots are going to be the battle this year. The highlight of the night was Corps Vets - Thank you!!! G Bugles and being played well. Percussion was okay, but the horns did it for me. Blues In the Night was SOOOOOO SWEETT!!!! And when they played Georgia (IN G)..... wow!!! I miss G bugles. Georgia took me back over 20 years to my first ever show. Thanks Corps Vets for a breath of stale/fresh air. Scores: Div II/III Teal Sound 47.70 Magic 73.50 Div I Kiwanis 50.60 Spirit 61.05 BD 75.15 Cavies 76.85 Drum major only retreat........what's the deal? Most of these corps were heading to Dothan, so don't spout the whole "long road ahead". Cavies played the victory concert. I kinda expected Spirit to play, but guess Cavies wouldn't relinquish at Spirit's home show. Some thoughts: 1) All of these corps have decent shows, some entertaining shows. Cleaning will bring the GE (crowd GE...... who cares about the judges sheets) up. Yes, it's early, but this is the time of the year when the learning curve is at its steepest. Chops will improve, visual will improve, guards will improve. Overall, a great opening show for most of the corps.(Cavies have been on the road a little while) 2) Glad to have Magic back on the field. Very glad. 3) Shows I'd like to see later in the season: ALL of them. Arrived home at 3:30 am, so that's why this didn't get posted sooner. Best of luck to all the corps. And remember the rookies? All of them wanted information so they could go to a camp and maybe march themselves. You ALL made an impression.

Yup, same as last year, at least they look the same. Also, since you bring it up, unis were looking slouchy. I'm sure adjustments will be made. Overall, I'll wait to see some other cats Thursday, but they have the package.

I drove over to Huntsville to catch Spirit's first performance. Although one read will not allow me to catch much, I'lll try to give you the "dirt" as I saw it......at least what I caught. First, we went and caught the percussion line warming up. Folks, I'm here to tell you that they have a battery. Snares are tight for June, tenors are cranking along and the basses are a LOT tighter than I suspected. This section should be the strong point for the corps early on. My only drawback is that the Yamaha drums are almost "tinny" in sound. Sorry, I love the darkness of a Pearl line. (7 snares, 4 tenors, 5 basses, 5 plates) Watched the guard (24, I think) from across the field warming up. Unis are okay (dark burnt brown with tri color top section, copper and reddish I think) they look okay.... more on them in a few. We went and grabbed seats. Inside the 40 on the #2 side. The stands weren't the highest thing in the world, so I'm sure some of the effect would be lost there. Entering the field: The corps walked in in 2 files and then started a scatter thing to a scatter set for the warmup. (Personal note - I didn't like this) A lot of ripple movements throughout the production, starting with turning backfield to warmup. The production: Remember the guard? They added a half top so the entire uniform is all the same color....including same color masks???? Hey, I'm not a guard person.....whatever. Actually, I didn't notice the masks again. Brass: (21 sops, 12 mellos, 20 baris, 10 contras) They have some solid players out there. Strong sounds. However, the bari sound is RAW at fortissimo.......... Opening statement is VERY reminiscent of a cross between Glassmen's opener (Splat, splat, rest splat splat rest)and Phantom's wide stance step out during last year's 16th note fugue between sections. Okay, so we're off......right into the weakest playing section of the corps...... the mellos. INTONATION!!!!! A lot of different tone colors coming out of this opening feature. A lot of dirt being played, but admittedly some killer licks...... The one thing I noted throughout was the stuffy sound of the mellos..... If someone at Spirit reads this, PLEASE experiment with boring out some mouthpieces. Opener was okay visually.....A lot better drill than last years, although the cool moves all look like ripped off moves (Cadets collapsing box at the end of the production and a Cap Regiment snake around the guard) but hey, that's cool. The opener was, in my opinion the weakest executed from a visual standpoint. There are a couple of baris out there who looked clueless the entire time. Drillwise, it seemed the corps proper stayed up front a lot..... not a lot of field coverage except for a company front on the back hash. Marching Style: Ummm... I know it's early, but we've got to work on the basics.... a lot. Vets were sticking out.... amongst some bad fundamental marching. Sorry, it seems rough, but it's true. I'm sure this will get better as they become more comfortable with the drill. The demand in the visual book is high, so it'll come together. Visual package is good with good integration of the guard. Horns: Like I noted earlier, mellos had problems. Strongest sections are the contras (some REALLY nice moments) and the sops (Some strong players and hung together as a section well - usually a good ensemble sound out of them). The one thing I noticed is that it seemed like they played the entire show at forte or better, including the "ballad". Bringing some of the dynamics down a little would help give more contrast and they play NICE at softer levels. Overall, the brass book held together well, even if the visual package was having problems. Percussion: 2 mini features, one in the opener and another later. These guys are doing a good job and I think will keep scores up as the horns get a grip on the drill. Overall, there's a lot of dirt out there, but not a bad first run at all. Show has high demand and with a lot of work, will do well. Don't ask me placements. How do I know? Moving away for a few days to get rid of some of the jitters and all was a good move. I expect that Thursday night in their opening competition, these guys will settle down and will make JSU happy. Expect good things from these cats.

As a fan for WAAAYYYY too long, I can hope so. Looking forward to seeing you cats too. Tell Musson hey and you guys have a good summer.

Posted on Jun 16 2002, 10:19 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- QUOTE (Directorofbands @ Jun 16 2002, 02:58 PM) This is VERY hard for me to say out loud, but I've never liked Cadets, basically on principle. I read this review, and for the second year in a row, begin scrambling around to figure out when and where I can see what appears to be my favorite show of the season. Cadets (and this hurts, so bear with me) are probably going to be my favorite corps this year. There, I said it!! (Another statement I never thought I would make) If other corps would take the approach of Cadets and Crossmen and put entertaining shows on the field (instead of ART), more people would be in the stands to watch. (Don't chastise me - I enjoy SCV and Cavies, but other top dawgs will remain unnamed......technically great, but NOT entertaining.) Man, I should keep my mouth shut. It's Ok to like the Cadets. we are good people -- really :-) Have a great summer. Hop Same to you. This may be one of the signs of the Apocalypse, but keep doing what you guys are doing.......entertaining. Accessible music and killler guard and visual packages. Cadets may pull off a threepeat (for me personally).....you guys can tie with 87-89 SCV with 2000-2002 with 3 consecutive entertaining shows. It could happen.

This is VERY hard for me to say out loud, but I've never liked Cadets, basically on principle. I read this review, and for the second year in a row, begin scrambling around to figure out when and where I can see what appears to be my favorite show of the season. Cadets (and this hurts, so bear with me) are probably going to be my favorite corps this year. There, I said it!! (Another statement I never thought I would make) If other corps would take the approach of Cadets and Crossmen and put entertaining shows on the field (instead of ART), more people would be in the stands to watch. (Don't chastise me - I enjoy SCV and Cavies, but other top dawgs will remain unnamed......technically great, but NOT entertaining.) Man, I should keep my mouth shut.