iceman

Okay, Now THIS is the best review I've read. Good job...

Best review I have read all year. Thanks.

OK, look... My comments were from sitting in the stands after our performance and based on some rude comments I heard from the people around me (BAC fans), not the entire crowd of course. Lets not pretend like DCI rivalries are like being at a OSU/Michigan football game. The crowd will enjoy each group. Of course, I was out of uniform at that point (DM only retreat I recall) and they had no way to know i was a coats member, and I'm sure they wouldn't have said the things they did during, before and after the announcing of the scores if they realized who I was. Lets stop this bickering over what I said. I was there, It happened, and it wasn't a big deal,

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Didn't mean to start a war, but thats what I remember too. Not that it it widespread hate or anger, but you can tell when there is a rivalry.... Calm down, I really DON"T care that much about those little things that happened, just thought last night was funny. Peace????

Another mentionable moment tonight was at retreat when Boston blew the Conquest rhythm through their horns. Some guy screamed "WHATEVER!!!!" at them and got some applause from the crowd. Guess who they were supporting? lol <{POST_SNAPBACK}> That is funny. Really funny. After performing in Lynn, Ma a few times with the Bluecoats, and taking all the crap from the crowd/BAC alumni on their home turf, its funny to see things turned around. Friendly rivalries can be interesting. ^0^

Another mentionable moment tonight was at retreat when Boston blew the Conquest rhythm through their horns. Some guy screamed "WHATEVER!!!!" at them and got some applause from the crowd. Guess who they were supporting? lol <{POST_SNAPBACK}> That is funny. Really funny. After performing in Lynn, Ma a few tims with the Bluecoats, and taking all the crap from the crowd/BAC alumni on thier home turf, its funny to see things turned around. Friendly rivalries can be interesting. ^0^

Thanks for a good, honest review.

I could see how you thought that in a dome. Acoustically, in the cement stands I saw the show at, it was stunning, but still room to clean up the expression. Hopefully reviews from tonight will be a little more positive, I really did think this would be a fan-favorite this year, but we'll have to wait and see, like always. And the drill? Mitch's drill kicks ###... he's a very intelligent drill writer and knows how to use speed for effect, not just for speed like some of the others. His drill hardly ever needs serious re-writes, its good the first time out. (Unlike the drill writer for my high school band, whos drill I have to spend the weekend re-writing so the guard staff doesn't kill the director next week <**>

They Wre striped last weekend in Alabama. You can't tell from the stands though (BD) I don't understand why thier is so many mixed reviews about the Bluecoats show. It was designed to be accesible for all. Loud, Fun, High-Speed Drill and as tep up in percussion People either talk about how GREAT the drill is or how AWFUL it is. How BALANCED the hornline is or how UNBALANCED it is, etc. Not that I disrespect anyones opinion, but it is interesting to see how many people post contradicting comments. Nice review though.

Nobody should amp bash unless they approach it with an open mind, and see the show live. I did both, and my impression was different at both shows. At a standstill, thought crown's amps were great. Live was a different story, but not horrible. They just need better quaility amps, or no amps at all. There is no middle ground for this. Long tones and lip slurs will not improve the tone quality and sounds coming out of amps! :-)

A fair and honest review, as I have have tried to do as an alum as well. When you see someone reviewing the Cadets with Cadets alumni all over thier signature, its hard to give it credit. Hopefully Blues score will boost this weekend. Wish I could see Phantoms show this year, but I'll have to wait until the cinema showing.

I'll try to keep my thoughts about this show a little more concise... BD- They are performing this show to the MAX. Every year they get crap from people complaining about all the shot-notes in thier show, so I think they decided to hype on it this year... Each one was perfect, so tight, and incredible to hear ^0^ . Soloists have some freakish chops are nailing notes around double C. Aside from Summertime, I don't remember too many melodies that were extended, but the show worked for them (except the ending, which needs a little tweaking). I think they realized how much talent they had in the corps, and decided to spend 10 minutes showing off, and rightfully so. You know that feeling that you get when you are watching a performance, and someone is trying something very difficult...you almost feel nervous for them? Well, this was just a show that you could sit back, relax and enjoy because after a minute into it, you knew they were not going to screw up. It was VERY Clean, and they were oozing with energy. Crowd liked it alot. Not as much as the next corps though. I didn't think it could be topped, until ... SCV- Holy $h!@ !!!!! A fter the last two years, I was starting to doubt SCV's design team, and the direction they were taking the corps in. This show is incredible. The emotional level this show achieves, and the way they perform it for the crowd is outstanding, and that doesn't give it enought justice. You really have to see this show live to appreciate it. The Hornline... my God. I was sitting around other band directors, and when they finished, thats all we could talk about. Incredibly loud, Tuned-up more than any other SCV line I have ever heard. One of the best brass sounds I have ever heard on the field. Major Chills!!!! (And a few minor ones as well :P ) And the drumline? Well, I'm not a percussionist, but I could tell they were the best of the night, and the best I've heard all year. This show reminds me of the raw, symphonic power of PR '96, and yes, even though I would have never bet a dollar on it before I saw it, This show stands a very good chance of taking it all home in Denver, and I'd love to see it happen for them. It lacks a little in difficulty, when compared to the competition, so they are definitley going to have to be PERFECT to win though, and I really hope they can get it there. They were the crowd favorite here tonight, hands down. I told myself if they won I'd stay for the encore. Needless to say, I left before America/O-Canada. Madison- The crowd liked the show, and they loved the end. This corps is building, and improving. Better than last year, which was better than the year before, and they should be congratulated on that. Hornline is putting out some sound, and thier leads/soloists are fantastic. The pit was AMPD, and AMPD too loud. The guy next to me thought the same thing. The opener works for them, but is not mind-blowing. The Ballad, well... It falls short. The end of Malaga rocked my face off, as I was hoping it would ^0^ . The crowd was definitley on thier feet at the end, but I wish the drum major wouldn't have turned around during thier last chord and beckon for us to do so. We would have stood up anyway, and I thought that was just a little tacky. At times, they would end in a formation that just isn't pleasing to the eye..not because it was dirty, just ugly charts, I.e. First park n' bark impact. One big problem...marching. Right before the company front rotation, they have a forward march, 8-5, and it was very dirty. So dirty, that it boggled my mind to think how they could let that happen. The rotation was also muddy, and even novice corps-parents around me were taking note of it (verbally). I noticed some other problems that were very apparent, and could hear the judges from the field catching a lot of it (foot phasing, tone-quality issues, etc). These judges were very loud tonight, and it didn't help that I was near the front of the field. They have a shot at 5th, but I think Phantom and Bluecoats might have a better shot of ending up there (Don't flame me, its just MHO, of course). Thought the score was deserved. Thoughts on AMPS- I'm not totally against amps, but I didn't like them here. I didn't notice which corps had them usually until thier pits came in. Right away I could tell, because the sound was just, well it just wasn't a good quality. Sounded fake and thin, not natural, and I didn't like it. It didn't ruin any corps show, but I don't think it helped either. JSU-Home show for them! They played loud, but it wasn't fair for them to go on after SCV. They didn't march as well as they did in Powder Springs, but I thought they were doing more to sell the show to the auidence and judges here tonight, and I'm sure that home-show hype helped them to do that. Parts of the show, especially the ballad, make them sound very Cavalier. So Cavalier, its slightly erie, but the music is quite enjoyable, especially the Bizarro-rock out at the end. I'm tired. I'll review the rest tommorow...(to be continued)

Nice Review!

Woody: The big surprise was when I showed up at rehearsal and it looked as though Ryan was running the hornline. Makes me feel old. The way I see it, Ryan shouldn't be allowed to run anything unless Oswald is there to put is two cents in. :P J/K of course, all of the staff was doing a great job of pulling some quality sounds from the group.

Yeah, probably more annoying for you since he would have been screaming into your ear. The most annoying part was the woman on the cell phone though, and I'm sure you heard that. <**>

Once again, a longer review than planned. Sorry for typos and bad grammar. Cavaliers: Visually: What a design. Nobody else comes close to what they achieve on the field with Michael Gaines' drill. Period. And this year, they have even kicked up thier demand a few more notches. Its full of cavalier visual moments, and the guard is doing a great job of portraying the Bond theme. Seriously, there is so much going on, that I wished I could see the show a few more times to catch everything that they were doing. If they don't win GE visual (And I still disagree with them not winning that caption last year), I would loose a little faith in the judging community on that caption. The guard is already very clean, weapons and flags and there are a fair amount of solo vinettes (sp?) that help to portray the character even more. The crowd was amazed by the drill, as they should have been. Marching technique is pristine... remarkable already clean for the demand they have. Drill has a little July dirt to fix, but that is no suprise to anyone. Musically: The show is wrapped around the familiar Bond theme we all know and have heard hundreds of times in our lives. It works, and is quite effective. My favorite part is the Cuba section. The trumpets especially caught my attention with thier feature. The music book also features some double-tonguing parts in the brass, creative moments with simple effects such as humming, whistling and snapping... so simple, yet not heard by anyone else, so it makes it that much more effective. They really do a good job with trying to bring a variety of colors, textures and sounds to the field, and the crowd appreciated it. (Many band kids in the crowd, who have helped propel the cavies into God-like status, even before they took the field). Percussion sound as good as they always do, but in my opinion, not much better than Bluecoats, and the scores reflected this. And the hornline... my God. Such wonderful, musical sounds. Just like Bluecoats in this respect, except cleaner and louder. I have felt they have the best quality of sound on the field since 02, and this year will probably carry on that tradition. I didn't notice the pit as much this year, but it was my first viewing, and like I said, almost too much going on to appreciate all aspects of the show for a first viewing. This will contend for the title, and it may be the overall most creative/artistic AND entertaining show they have ever put on the field. It rocks. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crown: Visually: Best drill and integration they have had ever probably. Even so, it was several notches below Cavliers, and below Blucoats as well. They spell out Freedom, Truth, Beauty and Love, but it was very dirty. So dirty that I couldn't read it (and I was near the top of a high stadium). In order to read it, you have to be REALLY high up, and I think that part could use a little tweaking. Guard looked good, but not featured as much as in years past. They have some vocals put with thier work, but it wasn't together, and I'm sure the judges took note. They form a heart at the end of Bohemia, and the crowd really bought the soft ending. Not sure I like the park-and-bark treatment of Seasons of Love, but the rest of the crowd did. Musically: I felt it was an off-night for the corps. Based on the videos from DCI live, I expected to have the opening chords knock me back into my seat. They didn't, and overall, the show lacked in communication. The potential is there, for sure, I just didn't catch the same performance value that I noticed on the DCI live clips. You've all read enough about the singing and amps, so I won't waste your time with my opinions. Watch it with an open mind, and judge it for yourself. Bohmeian Rhapsody rocks, but not as much as it probably will once the program really gels by finals. The drumline sounded good, but I really thought they could of had a little more feature. They are using this show to show off thier MUCH improved hornline. They play prety loud, and well, but some noticeable quality issues poped up from time to time. Didn't agree with the recap of the brass score, and I think that will right itself down the road, but congratulations to the members for such a drastic improvement from one year. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JSU Spirit: Visually: Very clean cavies techinque, and I feel the dark blue pants work for them. Thought they had the second cleanest marching of the night, behind Cavaliers. The drill is beautiful, as would be expected from Michael Gaines, but not as challenging as Cavies, of course. It works well with the music, and quite frankly, I thought they should have been within a point of Crown. Everyone I talked to at the show, including Spirit alums disagreed, and thought they scored where they should have. I don't know... my opinions are usually real close to the judges, but for some reason, I feel they are not getting enough credit for what they are doing, but I seem to be one of the few that think that. Musically: A good music book. I know there is a theme to the show, but I forgot what it was before I came to show, and I didn't notice one from the perforamce. Just good music, very melodic, integrated with the percussion pretty well. The hornline is putting out some sound, as is expected of them (Second loudest of the night, to Cavies). Overall, maybe the music could use a few more memorable GE moments, but I still enjoyed it. Favorite part was Daugherty's Bizzaro. If this show doesn't make finals (And it would have any other year of DCI that I remember), it is a testement to how well every corps is doing this year. I have a good feeling well be seeing this corps on Satuday night in Denver though. The design of the program is good enough, with no real weaknesses. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seattle Cascades: Visually: A OK show, on par with what they have been doing the last several years, including when they made finals in 2002. I don't see this show making finals this year. It didn't have enough variety, and there is still a lot to clean. Musically: Honestly, I didn't enjoy the music at all and found myself bored. It was loud, but that was about it. Very loud chords all over the place, but a real lack of musical variety, and this was dissapointing. The brass line had the first mature sound of the night, and the hippie in front of me was excited beyond all recognition when they hit thier first power chord. I could tell because his long hair jerked back and hit my leg, since he awakened from his slumber. After they were done, he stood up and yelled at the top of his lungs: YOU GUYS ARE COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The crowd laughed. It was a funny moment for all, and I think I even noticed a few Grins from the members as they trooped the stands. :) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Troopers: Visually: A nice drill, written for a mid-size corps. Works well. Didn't like the guard work with the indian blankets... wasn't that effective since the blankets were so dark, over a dark field. Everything in the show was color-cooridnated to be blue,grey or yellow, and you really don't see that too much these days. It really gave them a distinctive look. The guard member saluting the flag at the end was touching, and the crowd really liked this troopers show. Musically: Nice arrangments of some good music! The only part I didn't like was the ballad. It was really flat..not a lot of energy coming from this corps during that part of the show. They really came alive near the end with the Magnificent Seven theme. I've never heard a senior corps show, but I've been told that this is a fan favorite performed by the Ct. Hurricanes (a friend marches is thier snare line). The got the crowd on thier feet, and we thought the show was over. It wasn't... they had a soft ending, featuring taps by a solo bugler. Way to manipulate the crowd and get them on thier feet twice for your show! It really was enjoyable to see and hear, and thier score was well deserved. Missed Court of Honor and Marion Glory Cadets. (As a new resident of Cobb County, I'm finding out how much Atlanta traffic sucks.). Overall, it was a great venue for a DCI show, and the show staff did a excellent job.

Don't ask me how those wierd looking characters appeared in the article.... very strange. OK, edited them out, so you can acutally read it now without going WTF??? :)

I'll review the other corps at this show soon, but until then, here are my thoughts about 'coats. This turned out way longer than I had planned, but hopefully it will give you a better view about what they are doing... Sorry for typos or bad grammar, its late and I don't feel like proofreading. Bluecoats, Powder Springs, GA. 7-15-04. If one word comes to mind to describe this show it is ENTERTAINMENT. They open up, focusing their box-five drumline right away with some really cool drill that leads to the first In the Mood jam session. (Did I mention how well the drums are playing??). Right away, I realized that this years corps is improved in all aspects of design and most performance captions as well. They had a very mature look about them throughout their performance, and to look back and see how far this corps has come in four years fills me with a heck of a lot of pride to have been a member that was apart of it. The best part is how hungry they are to get better. I observed their rehearsal at The State University of West Georgia, where it must have been 100 degrees, and they pushed through the entire rehearsal with a professional work ethic that shows the maturity of the members. I am m sure once the dirt is cleaned, and all the communication is happening, everyone going to Denver is in for quite a treat. I don't know where it will end up in the standings, I really don't care at this point, but I will say that I think it could be as high as fifth place, but who knows. I wouldn't be surprised if it was higher or lower. Regardless, I think this is a show everyone will really enjoy seeing and will become a crowd favorite. Besides the typical mid-July dirt, they have one major weakness right now however: communicating the effect points in the show. The performers are challenged in the show to portray a variety of emotions that change rapidly, without much warning sometimes. (Hence, "Mood Swings "... :P ^0^ b**bs :( :) )..They are doing OK on it right now, but until this improves, it might keep the score down (and I believe it did tonight, with just cause). Once this aspect of the show really starts being sold by the performers, look out! Until this happens, the audience might perceive the performance as flat, which is what I have read in a few reviews. It's not bad by any stretch of the imagination, but as drum corps alum, I know where it will be by the end of the season, and I was hungry for that tonight. I'll just have to wait until the quarterfinals cinema showing next month. Visual: The drill is excellent from a design standpoint, and the integration of the color guard is incredible. Compared to Crown, they were on a different level, and Crown's show is not simple. There are a lot of unison guard moments that really make you go "Wow". The reviews about how the color guard makes you watch their show with enthusiasm and energy are no joke! This guard is performing a very difficult book quite well for this point of the season, but because there is so much complexity to the design, there is still much to clean from a timing standpoint. There are NO boring visual moments, something interesting is always going on, and you can tell how well thought out the design was. It made me wonder how much more I would see if I had a second viewing of the show. Well done Mitch and the guard staff! There were a few marching technique problems that I noticed, but with the demand of the program, it probably won't be crystal clean until August, but heck, not many drum corps shows are at this stage in the game. The new uniforms with the darker blue jacket and gauntlets look GREAT under the lights, and I thought the guard costumes were very pleasing to look at. B) There are many memorable moments in this visual show. At the end of the opener, the flags are in the middle of a horn diamond that moves across the field, and it is a very nice effect. The ballad is not only gorgeous to listen to, but the drill and body work being performed fits the music perfectly. In Hunting Wabbits (The comical piece), there are many body movements inspired by cartoon characters and from what I heard from a marching member, Charlie Chaplin. You really have to see it, and when you do, laugh. I think it's supposed to be funny, but the emotion needs more conviction (read above thoughts about communication problems). The end of the show features a silent drill move/guard feature that is one of the highlights of the show, followed by a drill move that is very fugue-like in nature, leading the show to a fast paced, high energy conclusion that audiences expect from this corps. Music: The music has a little bit of everything that drum-corps fans love. It features swing, contemporary jazz, classical/romantic styling, comical themes, funk-rock type riffs, and hard-driving old-school drum corps jazz. Just like the visual design, no boring moments in the music at all. The Bluecoats have always approached music from a very melodic standpoint, and this year is no exception, not fragmented like some corps like to do. This is not a slam on them, every corps should have their own style and identity. The theme, "Mood Swings" is portrayed with a slew of sudden modulations (key changes) and abrupt style and tempo changes. All in all, it's classic drum corps with a very contemporary, creative edge. The crowd seemed to like it (A very dull, unreadable crowd here tonight, however ), and I think it is the most complete and entertaining Bluecoats show yet. The percussion section is a highlight this year, and as usual with Bluecoats, the pit was heard loud and clear, without amplification (and the book was played very dynamically, I might add). The Hornline is playing with the mature sound that has become their identity as of late: in-tune and balanced, but not very loud ........yet. A few minor individual blend problems, but hey, it is July. Once they start adding the final layer of volume, the show will connect with the crowd a little better than it did here tonight, and that will help the Music GE score. The brass score will also improve once the feet do, I'm sure. A drill that hard will effect the music, and they have already improved leaps and bounds since I heard the Louisville APD. After the hard-driving aggressive opener, a brief intro to One Day I'll Fly Away, stated very expressively by the baritones is heard. Then the corps has another mood swing and goes into the comical piece, Hunting Wabbits very quickly. This piece again features the percussion, as well as individual brass sections, complete with a jam session of its own. For me the best part of the show was the beginning of the ballad, Fly Away. The pit and backfield brass play a brief intro, and then, as if the clouds are parted, the baritones come in with the beautiful theme. That moment, one of the quietest moments of the show is the part that made the hair on my arms stand up. It's THAT good, and there is still room for improving the expression and lyricism! I've listened to A LOT of drum corps in recent years, so its not very often that drum corps music gives me a chill like that. The backfield brass was achieving such warm, dark sounds and sonorities that it drew me in completely throughout the production. Incredibly emotional. The only moment of the evening when I felt this happen was during Bluecoats fly away. This could be the best ballad on the field this year folks. Bravo Doug, Tom and Mike! I would tell you about much about the end of the show, because I don't want to give away the musical surprises and tricks, I'll just tell you the first time I heard it, I had a smile on my face, and I am sure you will as well. It doesn't go where you expect it to, and that's what makes it work. And it works very well. Good luck to all the staff and members, I can't wait to see the final product next month!

Nice Review!

Uncle Darren- Check the soundmachine page.. there is one there.

Wow, your review and mine are REALLY similar. B)

Just got back from the short drive to Kennesaw Mountain High School's Thunder at the Mountain. Things never change...Every year I marched we encoutered some kind of rain at Kennesaw, and tonight was no different. The field was trashed, and nobody marched on it all, not even Spirit during thier rehearsal. You can't really tell much about a corps from an indoor standstill, so I will just give a few thoughts about each group I heard perform tonight. Crossmen. Powerful show, with many different varieties of music explored. Opener was hip, with some squealing solists and loud moments. I really liked the plunger effects in that production. Thier ballad is GREAT. Best I've ever heard from them, ballad wise and was a real goosebump moment. Closer needs some work design wise. Lots of percussion breaks-one with trumpets featured too. (I really like when arrangers feature snare + trumpet together). Great percussion writing + Entertaining + Dynamic + Improved show design from last year = A good year for Bones. Boston: They wore uniforms! Thanks Boston! Hornline sounds improved, definitley the best of the night from a maturity standpoint, could have used more dynamic contrast, but it was in a gym. Percussion sounds solid, especially the battery. They amped thier pit, but I couldn't hear them anyway. Overall the most mature and solid corps of the night, but with the exception of the ballad, I didn't buy into the program at all. ONE BIG REASON: IN-EFFECTIVE VOICE OVERS . Now, I'll give amplification a chance, and I thought Crown did some really interesting things in thier program with it, but this didn't work. It was kind of like in 2002 when they had the scrolls. If you need spoken text to tell the audience what you are trying to communicate, the design staff has not done thier job. The show ends with a quote about coloring the mind or something, but it was blurry. The voice-overs were annoying, and didn't help the sell the show at all. In fact, they were a distraction, and there were times where I couldn't even hear what he was saying, but I'm sure that had something to do with the Gym acoustics. It was in a Gym, and I couldn't see the drill, so take my thoughts as they are. I really need to see this show on the field before I form a solid opinion. Spirit from JSU: Great show design, and the corps is performing it at a high level. Brass sounds good, Guard looks good, Percussion seemed to be fine. The opener is based on Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring and is very "Cavalier". I enjoyed it. The Ballad utilizes thier brass section, and is also very "Cavalier". Lots of tonal colors, interesting stratifications in the scoring and beautiful melodic lines. The corps's closer is based on On the Town by Bernstein and Bizzarro by Michael Daugherty. It's really hip, and the crowds will love it. In terms of design, this show can take them furthur than they have gone in a long time, but it will be interesting to see how they stack up with the rest of the competition. Carolina Crown: WOW! I have never been much of a Crown fan at all, but this was my favorite show of the night. Thier theme Bohemia (It felt like the theme was love) was well developed, and worked beautifully. Hornline sounds improved over last year and was making some mature sounds. (Again, I was inside, so it was really hard to get a solid read). Percussion were solid as always. Portraying love with Opera music, broadway music and rock music is something that they did as such a high level, and it was reaking of GE. There are a group of singers that sing the opening phrase to Seasons of Love. I know lots of people are skeptical about mic'd singing, as was I. You know what? It worked, and it worked very well. They sang wonderfully, too! And it was only for a short amount of time, so it wasn't too much, and it didn't dominate the production. It was just something new, something fresh for the drum corps scene, and when the hornline entered, it made thier entrance that much more effective. Way to go Crown,! You were brave to take a big risk with this, and I think the rewards will be well worth it. I really doubted this show when I heard about it, but you sold it to me tonight. Can't wait to hear what it sounds like on the field. Oh, I almost forgot... Boehmian Rhapsody is going to bring the house down. The parts they used, and the arrangment will make this one of the most exciting moments on the field this summer. (And I thought there was no way Rhapsody would work in this show!) Magic of Orlando: I liked the show, it was very enjoyable. It uses a lot of "power-chords"! The show had a really mysterious, dark feel too it, and was very loud dynamically. I feel it suffers from not having enough musical variety, but this is another show that I'm sure the crowd will love. Wish I could see the visuals, it seems as though they won't have any trouble portraying the pirate theme.

Too bad I won't get to hear Pacific Crest this year. The Franz Biebl Ave Maria is stunning, and I've always wanted to hear a Drum Corps use it somehow.

My only real complaint about the Bluecoats' show was thier lack of "in your face" power that could have been done when they were jamming in a couple spots (near the end). Cadest and Cavies let it all hang when they jammed. Man, I though Memphis outblew Bluecoats at times. Someone on Bluecoats brass staff needs to learn to let the corps loose at times. Wow, giving advice to a corps brass staff even though you have probably never been instructed by them. The Bluecoats are definitley playing louder this year to interact more with the fans at that level, but if you turn on your CD player and listen to 01,02 and especially 03 Bluecoats you may not hear "In-your-face power" like you hear from some of the other corps on those CDs, but you will hear Blend, Balance and Tuning. This is how kids should be taught to play thier horns, as in just about any other musical medium, it is the ONLY acceptable way. I am much more entertained by that than I am by a corps playing so loud that I have to scrape the sound off of me when they are done. The Bluecoats brass staff are among, if not the BEST in the business, and clearly, the hornline is LOUD enough, as every other review I have read makes note of it. I suggest you sit down with DCM and have a beer, with his experience and knowledge, he can explain it to you much better than I can.

It was changed from "best of the night" to "best improved"...Not that its a big deal, but that EDIT feature can cause confusion