fischer

Have to agree with most on here. The fastest I have personally marched in time was a 196 written tempo. However, when adrenaline got going, tempo would get to the 205-215 range. I would find that (even when I was young and thin), it was incredibly difficult to keep ones feet in time. They just wouldn't go! It was one of the few times in my 6 years that I was ever 'out of step!' So, i don't think many corps have beaten that 220-225 bpm level, at least not very cleanly. Fischer

Last thing that I heard (and not really from a reliable source, but take it for what its worth), is that they are planning a return in 2006 and might be moving the corps to Evansville, IN to stir up more local recruits. I do agree though. I was also at DeKalb that year and they had to go on first because they were 'new'. I was quite impressed and hope that they make a speedy return. John Fischer

I heard from somewhere that this show was judged on DCA sheets. Is that right? The scores seem to justify that. Blue Stars went from a 65 to a 76. Should be interesting to see where they are on 2/3 sheets on Tuesday. Fischer

Great review Jim. Thank goodness some people get the word out about D 2/3. Sounds like from your review that the Spartans/ECJ thing is shaping up to be like BD/PR 96. Same types of shows and corps personalities, both scoring very close to each other. Will be interesting when SCVC, Fever, and Blue Stars get tossed into the mix. Fischer

Probably because Marion isn't a part of DCM. Fischer

Funny how numbers will make you take notice, the corps' contras have been doing that for YEARS. At least every year I marched Thanks for the reviews you two! John Fischer Blue Stars 95-00

Hello and welcome back for the 2004 drumcorps season everyone! I just got back to my current residing place in lovely Milwaukee to write this review. It is midnight central time and I, like so many show reviewers, am pretty sleepy, but I will try to make this as thorough as possible: First off, the show. WHY IN THE WORLD DO YOU NEED AN INTERMISSION WITH JUST FIVE CORPS?!?!?! After the first two corps, there was a 'brief' (more like 30 minute) intermission. The intermission was longer than the show had been up to that point. Along the same lines, tickets for the show were $12!! I know that may not seem like much, but considering that it was FIVE corps FIRST show, it was a little steep. Attendance was good, almost sold out the concert side of old Calder Stadium (ahhh, such memories). Weather was nice at first, but dropped about 20 degrees during the 'much needed' intermission, so the end of the show was pretty chilly, probably in the 50's. On to the corps: Americanos 42.75 5th Place My first reaction to Canos tonight, unfortunately, was man are they small! I counted 18 horns and a good sized drumline. My second reaction was 'where is the guard?' There was 2 of them. When I marched and competed against them, they always had one of the strongest guards in the midwest, let alone 2/3. Wondering what happened. The show was a Latin Rhythms show and had some good moments in there. The drumline seemed strong and played some notes throughout the whole show. The hornline, though timid and edgy at most points in the show, really had a few moments where there was a strong, unison brass sound that was really pleasing to hear. Overall, musically they sounded better than I was expecting. They will be fine in this category. Visually, it was a lot of fatigue problems right from the beginning. Bad horn angles and marching technique, couple that along with a few 'wanderers' in the drill, and you get a pretty normal first show. They have some work to do/ Blue Stars 55.10 4th Place Wow are they big this year! 46 horns, 22 guard and 26 percussion, and I believe more to be added later. This show is fun, classy, and will be a fan favorite. Unfortunately, it ain't even close yet. HOWEVER, it is the FIRST SHOW, and i can guarantee it will be significantly better by next weekend. The brass line is young, but pretty strong, mainly the high brass. Sometimes there was a struggle to here the low brass, but it sounded overall pretty good. The brass 'punch' isn't quite there that you would expect from a hornline this size, but like Cano's, they had a few WOW moments. The drumline was pretty darn tight, and the guard had a lot of work to learn. This corps, I feel was the sloppiest of the night (I know that is harsh, but I can be =)). However, that being said, they have the most room to grow out of all the corps tonight. And tonights show wasn't anything to sneeze at either. Colts 59.20 3rd Place The Dubuque team has tackled a big risk this year, and it might actually hurt them in the standings.....they are doing a show that is entertaining and simple. I thought these guys had a wonderful brass sound and had a really good control of the drill. Drums were pretty good, and the whole corps handled a lot of fast off-beat stuff and tempo variations quite well. The guard was a little droppy tonight, but...first show. Guard work was nice and fitting to the show. The design of this show was the best of the night. It flowed from beginning to end, with no abrupt endings or short releases. It seems they were the only open class corps of the night with the guts to hold notes for more than 4 counts at a time (minus Scouts last note....more on that later). Kudos on a really nice Heartland show. Phantom Regiment 68.20 2nd Place OK. The last minute of the show was pretty cool. But, show designers.....STOP WITH THE DANCING!!!! I WANNA SEE CORPS!!! It's no doubt that Phantom has one of their more talented corps in recent years, but the design of the show fails to do it for me. The music is really nice in some points, but too choppy in others. Hey, remember the 96 show? Remember how simple, yet effective that show was? PLEASE reference that. There is just too much going on at most points of the show to be able to really enjoy. Lots of things are being done well, but I would rather have one or two things done REALLY well, so I could remember it. As for the sections: Brass was delicious at times. Different section shone at different times, sometimes highs and sometimes lows. Cut-offs were excellent and had some nice rings. Guard was pretty good, but I'm not too sure about the uni's. There were some nice unison weapon tosses that were nailed pretty well tonight. Drumline was pretty good. And the crabstep.........didn't really work. Please play or something while doing it. Madison Scouts 68.95 1st Place Finally, we are starting to get a few more glimpses of the power packed Madison. It ain't quite there yet. I would say there were more Wow moments in this show than any others tonight. The hornline is flat out smokin, and by far the loudest of the night. drumline was also very good, and guard was good (sorry, sleepiness is catching up). Malaga was definately the highlight of the show. Now, it ain't 95, but its close. The arrangement, especially the beginning, is rather choppy, and takes away from good flow to the piece, but once they get back to their 'pinwheel front' ala 95, they start to turn it loose. The SOPRANO trumpet solos were great, they've good one guy who can flat out wail. And the last note was wonderful!! Just when you thought they would cut off, they would add another measure, and another one, and another one. CLASSIC drumcorps ending and I loved every second of it. Well, thats it folks. One more thing, what is up with DCI announcing the scores. Example: "In Division 3, winning the gold medal is..." GEE, I FREAKING WONDER. "In Division 2, winning the gold medal is..." GEE, did they win high brass too? ITS NOT THAT DRAMATIC. PLEASE adopt the DCM way if its a small show and just go "in fifth place." Sorry, that was just so dumb. All-in-all, a lot of good shows. Bed, g'nite! John Fischer