Who's Got The FEVER?

My first finals....and my only finals...was semi-finals 1983 in Miami. I remember it vividly for two reasons...1)we went on at something like 11:45pm and 2) just hours earlier I had a front lower tooth knocked out! I can remember the excitement of marching though the tunnel onto the field at the Orange Bowl, setting up at the top of the opener in front of a ton of people in the stands (which was surprising to me for it being so late at night) and hearing a jet plane fly overhead just as we are starting our first notes of the show. Being in the guard I had to smile the entire time and every breath was going over my newly exposed nerve endings (I'm telling you, that tooth was broken down to the gums) but I never felt the pain. I can remember at one point in the show, at an ending of one of our pieces, I was facing a corps member who in turn was facing back field. She briefly mouthed "Are you okay?" and then we were on our way again...later she told me I had tears pouring down but the biggest smile. When that show was done all I could think of was the fact that this was our last show, it was over and we had done an awesome job! We placed in the top 20....it was worth it! I still have the group corps photo they took following our performance and you can't tell by my smile that anything was wrong....but when that adrenaline wore off it was a different story. I remember the dentist I went to in Homestead making the comment that he "didn't realize marching band was a contact sport"....I corrected him and explained that I was in drum corps and it's tougher than football. My tooth is my "war story" from drum corps and my example through all my years of instructing of why only guard members should "play" with guard equipment. It was a percussionist playing with my flag that caused the entire thing....I'm not upset with him because he felt really bad about it. The entire trip home as I was only able to eat soft foods (or french fries) and could only drink using a straw...well I think that was punishment enough for him. I just hope he learned his lesson, but it did create a memory of my "finals" that I'll never forget. :D

That's correct on the FEVER guard uniforms...from what I understand they will add quite a bit of color and even more impact to their show. Great review! I was very impressed with the show that FEVER has put on the field this year, especially Thursday night. I always try to keep an open mind and each time I see SCV Cadets I think....oh my, it's going to be close....but so far FEVER has come right out and changed that right from the very start. Good job kids....keep it up. I think that Johansen is a nice stadium, but I prefer Modesto Junior College for viewing drum corps. The only issue is parking....Johansen is much better. I to agree with your review of the Division I corps. I'm not sure I really like that singing or chanting that Mandarins are doing. It could be a cool effect but seems to really go on too long and just isn't....well, just isn't drum corps....but seems that the entire vocal thing has been slowly building through the years. Can be done effectively...but just don't think Mandarins are doing that. I like the train concept that BlueDevils has for their show...also not sure about the ending. Just seems to soft and not to BD level to end like that. Their show just doesn't have the "pop" that last years show seemed to have, although I didn't agree with them winning championships it was a very good show. Their always predictable "blow your face off" brass is a crowd favorite but the drill doesn't seem difficult enough for a corps of their caliber and the GE just isn't there for me. SCV....what can I say! I've said it before....I really like this show. There hasn't been an SCV show that has caught my attention like this since the "Phantom" show. The musical selection and the visual design seem to be perfectly made for each other. The drill has alot more difficulty than BD and is more comparable for a Division I corps of SCV and BD's caliber. I really hope that they do well at Championships and...dare I say...bring the trophy back to California. Won't make it to Denver myself, but I can't wait to see the results! To all drum corps members....regardless of where you end up....remember, held held high always!

"WOW....ive seen the show 4 times, and i still got goosebumps becuase i could picture every word you said" I agree totally....not only goosebumps but chills! Fantastic review! So looking forward to seeing them again in Modesto and again when the season is over in San Jose! SCV is again showing the class and tradition that has made them such a favorite corps. Glad to see them get back to their roots.

I feel that this one of the strongest SCV shows since Phantom. I didn't really care for last years show, which is hard to admit since I've always been an SCV fan. I'm hoping that they are able to carry it through finals...this may be the year. ^OO^ ^OO^