mello916

Greetings fellow drum corps nerds in the Sacramento/Stockton area ... I have Comcast cable and was channel surfing the other night. I went into the "On Demand" listings, and under "Local Programs" found this year's Moonlight Classic show under the heading "Local Entertainment," or something of the sort. Anyway, I clicked pronto on the Moonlight Classic broadcast and enjoyed watching SCV, BD, et. al. from the comfort of my couch. The camera angles weren't the greatest, but hey, it was still cool to see a local corps show on TV. Now I know what all those Comast cameras at the Moonlight show were for ... hope you all tune in and enjoy!

Would loooove to hear Blue Devils perform a show of Charles Mingus' music. The blue crew performing "Better Get It In Yo' Soul" would simply rock the house ... Mingus' music also allows for lots of explorations in moods and modern music styles. Please, oh please ... I'd also love to hear SCV perform Arvo Part's "Summa for Strings" as a ballad. Just my $.02 ...

This West Coast guy feels a little strange for saying this but ... YAY PHANTOM!!! What an amazing show this year, and definitely one that's going down in the history books. Congrats to the corps, and thanks for treating us fans to a show that was as musical as it was epic in its storytelling. Can't wait to watch this one over and over again on video ... BTW, thanks to the author of this post for nailing the "Spartacus" experience.

I caught QuarterFinals in Sacramento and the crowd was on the lighter side. I have a hunch many of 'em are down in Pasadena. Wish I could be down there as well, but so it goes. The crowd was overall appreciative, especially for the Top 8 or so. SCV, Crown and BD got the biggest reponses, and many Cavies fans were also representing. And yes, there were some WTF? moments when Hopkins pulled Cadets off the field. I did think the sound was a little too trebly at times, and a bit of hum sometimes came through the feed. But overall, I got my $18 (plus concessions) worth.

If Hopkins was so concerned about the kids, he wouldn't have subjected them to that 4th grade narration

I love you Santa Clara! I'll never forget the feeling of wearing the Aussie and uniform for the first time ...

Thank you malletphreak for posting those awesome pics and links to the YouTube video!

Mr. Fab: You are right. Impulse, Blue Devil "B" and SCV Cadets were also in competition, but I missed them. (They were on the field during the part of my review titled "Parking Lot Action"). There were also a couple of exhibition corps but I didn't have the time to write them up. Sorry 'bout that ...

Great night tonight in Stockton, especially for SCV fans. The turnout seemed on the lighter side compared to past years at Moonlight Classic, possibly due to Father's Day and the show falling on a Sunday (a.k.a. "a school night"). I was on the 50 about halfway up and had plenty of elbow room. But anyway, on to the corps ... Renegades - Here's the part where I grab my foot and stick it into my mouth. In the pre-season I made some snarky comments about the Renegades - basically saying they were too big on hyperbole, and not enough show to back it up. Tonight I was wrong. I really dug the Renegades this year, and thought their goth-vampire program was pretty wicked fun. Even better is that the corps is sounding stronger than last year, and certainly showing much more confidence and control. Loved the blood-red color of the snare drums. Kelli the drum major looked like she could've been in a KMFDM video with those boots and stockings of hers. She rocks. So did that coffin prop which made its way around the field. I kept joking to my buddy that Count Chocula was going to spring from that coffin, but nope, it was just the drum major. But congrats to Renegades for fielding such a solid show, especially this early in the season. I think they're going to show well at DCA ... can I take my foot out of my mouth now? River City Regiment - I've been rooting hard for my hometown crew, especially after giving Renegades a run last season. But I've got to say that RCR is just OK this year. They had about a dozen horns, including that jet-screamer who hardly marches in the show, but plays a lot of high notes by the front sideline. "Conquistador" is always a fun tune, but RCR just doesn't have the numbers to make enough impact. On the plus side, the guard work is great and that drum line definitely brings some heat. Blue Devil "C" - This show is frickin' cute. (Can I say that in front of the kids?) But it's true, and "Grease" is the word for the Blue Devil "C." How could you not help but hum along to "Summer Nights" or "Greased Lightning"? The kid dressed like John Travolta was a hoot, and that horn line honked away so earnestly. Great job to the young people out there ... Parking Lot Action - After catching some of Fever (nice job on the marching and musical control), we headed out to the lot to catch SCV and BD warming-up. Lots of construction is underway on the adjacent Univeristy of the Pacific campus, so the usual warm-up spots weren't to be found right away. But after snooping around a bit more we found SCV's drum line cranking away. I'm not a drummer, so I couldn't tell you if they were playing triple para-flamma-diddle-cheese-rolls, or whatever. But whew, they were rocking hard. I believe they were working out part of their drum feature ... then we passed by SCV's horn line, but they were still in sectionals. So we found BD's drum line, and they were working on their own drum feature, choreographed moves and all. They were smokin', and I loved seeing all of this attitude and stick control up close. This drum feature was a big hit later that night. It was definitely a bonus seeing this up close ... then we found BD's horn line practicing a section from "Pegasus." Very nice, but can't say it drew any goosebumps ... we got back to the stadium just in time for: Mandarins - Very good showing from the other SacTown corps tonight. I'm pretty sure Mandarins are fielding a larger corps this year - sound wise the Mandarins are definitely bigger. The music is themed around dragons and dancing, but can't say the tunes were too memorable. But the Mandarins definitely represented well in terms of techinque and also connected with the crowd. BD - Loved the guard work in this show, especially the use of color and the flowing silks in the beginning. The rest of the show was ... OK. I know it's early in the year and all, but this show seemed a little on the mellow side. My buddy also noted that there aren't any sololists this year. A screamer would definitely add some "oomph" ... Drill-wise, there was a little too much park-and-play but they covered the field well. I did notice a lot of visual dirt. At least they didn't go "blablablablablabla Vito! Vito! Vito!" But knowing BD, this show should be a whole other beast come Finals week. SCV - Can I get a "woot woot!" SCV definitely rocked the house tonight. They've got some great drill and impact points, and the talent to pull it off. This show is musically very tricky, but the corps is showing plenty of confidence and control. And that cymbal line is just insane. I can only imagine what this "!" show will be like when it gets cleaned up. I don't think anyone was super-duper surprised that SCV came out on top tonight. I can't also remember the last time SCV beat BD at a "Moonlight Classic." This one will definitely be savored by SCV fans. Like me ... GO SCV! SCV/BD alumni corps w/ SCV horn line - This was worth the price of admission right here. The night before in Cocord, this combined line played BD tunes. Tonight it was all about SCV. Vanguard director Jeff Pearson came on the mic, and talked about the good fortune of having two great corps being in close in proximity, sharing both rivalries and friendships over the years. And then it was time to play. The medely of SCV tunes was called "Vanguardian Sketches," which included bits from "Festive Overture," "Music of the Night," "Scheherezade" (sp?) and the "Bottle Dance." Nothing like drum corps goosebumps on a summer night. Then the SCV/BD alumni members took a seat, and SCV's line played "Send in the Clowns." As the big "push" started to swell up, some of the alumni members jumped up and started cheering. The sound was glorious, and yes, I got choked up. It's moments like these that keep me coming back to shows like Moonlight Classic every year. But this one was special if you were looking for SCV nirvana.

Just got in the door from Stockton, and wow what a great night of corps - especially if you're an SCV fan! SCV has a helluva show this year, and their drill is at a whole other level than what BD was doing tonight. The crowd was really feeling SCV, that's for sure ... I didn't catch BD's phasing issues like someone else mentioned, but their visual was definitely dirty. SCV is really moving and grooving on the field this year. The bonus was the BD/SCV alumni corps playing in tandem with SCV's horn line after scores were announced. Last night they played BD tunes, but tonight was all SCV. The combined line played a medely of SCV favorites, including "Festive Overture," "Music of the Night," "Scheherezade" (sp?) and the "Bottle Dance." Then the SCV/BD alumni members took a seat, and SCV's line played "Send in the Clowns." Looooved it .... I'll try and post more on the show later, but this SCV alum is still in a corps euphoria (and I could really use a shower) ... GO SCV!!

Just because I haven't marched in 20 years - and am more than OK with that - doesn't mean I can't be a fan of the activity

Family and career obligations were enough to keep me from senior corps. I tend to work odd hours, including some weekends, and there's a young son at home who needs plenty of attention. But beyond that, I've been just fine with the notion that marching drum corps didn't have to entail my entire life. I never felt like I needed to march until I literally dropped on the field from exhaustion or a Metamucil overdose. My years as a marching musician were some of the best times of my young life, but I was personally OK with hanging up my white bucks and my mouthpiece. No disrespect at all to those marching senior corps - go and do your thing! - but for me there were just other things in life I wanted to focus on. I'm sure others out there can relate.

Yuck! It's bad enough when 311 does a 311 show

Under: Ditto to 1984. What an awesome hornline and wonderful repertoire that year. That first hit in "Fanfare in Allegro" is just killer. I'd also put 1985 in the underrated category. Loved "The Tender Land" in both those years.

Back in the 1980s, my HS was very much into the drum corps side, to the point where our band wore SCV-styled Aussies and even played the "Bottle Dance." And if you had enough credits from working our bingo hall, or had parents willing to kick down the $$$, the band also sponsored trips to DCI finals and Drums Along the Rockies for a few years. That's how I went to Madison to see Blue Devils rip it up in 1986. A few band members marched corps, mainly Freelancers, but it was a no-no to wear your corps jacket at a band compeition. I was a rebel and wore my SCV jacket at band shows anyway, but I remember my friend was told sternly to take off his Freelancers jacket and represent our band instead. My band had a director change in my senior year, and he'd marched Phantom, so the connection to drum corps continued.

Too bad RCR isn't doing a zombie themed show, because with all those vampires in the Reneagades this season there's opportunity for a combined "Night of the Living Dead" extravaganza :P

My predictions for RCR in 2007: They won't go "goth," they'll refrain from hyperbole, and like last year, they'll be more entertaining than Renegades. Bring on the competition!

Back in high school, our band was extremely lucky to have Stan Mark teach our brass section. Stan played lead trumpet in Maynard's band for most of the 1970s, so he was there for the glory days of the "Conquistador" album ("La Fiesta!"), "Gonna Fly Now" and "Battlestar Galactica." Well, maybe "Battlestar Galactica" isn't the best thing to remember Maynard by, but we were all so stoked to have Stan teaching us back then. He also brought Maynard to our school for a concert and clinic (though the clinic was run mostly by his band). Before the concert, we all got to meet Maynard backstage (e.g. the boys' locker room) for a quick "hello." The high point of the concert was Stan reuniting with Maynard for "McArthur Park." When the two held this ridiculous double-A in unison, all of us trumpeters just about creamed in our jeans. Later on in life, one of my favorite memories as a music journalist was interviewing Maynard. It was just a phoner, but I still felt like the giddy trumpeter watching him back in 1987 at my high school. It was really a treat. I saw Maynard's show when he came to town a week or so later, and it was a great time. Maynard did seem kind of winded and deferred most of the highest notes to his current lead trumpeter (can't remember his name, but holy beejeezus could this guy scream!). But Maynard was such a great showman and his wild lip trills still gave me the best kind of shivers. Thank you Maynard for your tremendous spirit and energy! So many of us trumpeters probably came close to getting a hernia from trying to hit those same high notes, but we always kept reaching because of you. RIP Maynard!

Glassmen - Very much enjoyed their show! The Beethoven theme was great; liked the part that emphasized the "deaf" Ludwig Van. Everyone in my group dug this show a lot. Scouts - Myron's sure making them run! Lots of visual dirt. Boston - Nice ballad; don't remember much of the rest. Blue Knights - Good showing and execution but the program was zzzzzz. Carolina Crown - Fat horn sound! My fellow brass buddy especially liked them. SCV - GO SCV! Too bad the mix in the theater was awful. The over-miced pit drowned out the brass. Bluecoats - The music was a little too subdued for my taste. Nice drumline, though. Cadets - Killer drum breaks! Simply wow ... but much of the rest of the show was like my worst drum corps nightmare - or watching DCI while coming down off a bad tab of four-way windowpane. No flashbacks, please! PR - YES! Fantastic music and emotion from "Faust." Their ballad hit me in all the right places; great show programming and killer brass. I'd love to see them win. BD - I was skeptical when I saw this show earlier in the season (twice), but wow, they were solid and really sold the "Godfather" theme like nuts. Super clean all the way around, and that drum line is out for blood. Cavaliers - I think my jaw hit the floor on from a few of those drill moves. Fantastic concept with lots of fun moments. I think the show loses some of its drive in the second half (mostly musically), and there were a couple of "oops" moments. Looked like a drummer missed a stick toss and one of the sopranos - er, trumpets - was missing his mute. But overall, the Green Machine was great. p.s. Congrats to Mandarins for making semi-finals!

In keeping with the "spirit" of the thread, I agree with my good buddy JSUALUMNUS on some of those Spirit guards. chicka woo! I've also been partial to many SCV guards, like 04, and any BD guard with her royal hottiness, Jessica Allen.

Duuude, it's OK. We know you're still a horn-dog! haha ;)

How will I react when the Cadets win DCI? Here's what I'm going to do: I'm going to fire up the lava lamp and put Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit" on the turntable. Then I'm going to take this tab of four-way windowpane, put on the cheesiest marching band show I can find on the VCR, and squeeze into a red lycra outfit. And then it'll be like the door is a pathway to another zone, and I'll feel the saxophones talking to me (because they resonate soo well on a football field) and finish by yelling into an amplifier and doing an interpretative dance about the projection of woodwinds. And if I'm feeling a little hungover the next day, I'll put on SCV 04 to help bring me back to Earth. p.s. the holographic laser show is optional

Wow, that Cadets show looks really cool!

What drum corps fads need to stop? I'd start by eliminating brass sections. Saxophones and clarinets have sooo much more resonance from a football field. And I'd turn up the amps. I'd plug in more drum machines and add a holographic laser show as well, because THAT would rock!

How so?