ann_and_scott

Section D, Row 20 (should be about 3/4 up on the 50) at Rousch Stadium in Kettering, OH (temporary site of Soaring Sounds) . This Sunday July 16 7pm. Come see Bluecoats, Madison and more! $22 each. Email me if you are interested. scottdaytn@aol.com

For the first time, we skipped the encore performance at finals this year. Partially because of the rain delay and it was just getting late, but I guess we weren't as excited at seeing this show again either.

We bought 2 club level tickets for Saturday from a gentleman who had purchased 6 sets. We were next to him and his wife. They seemed like nice people, had been corps fans for many years, and said they were from the area. I don't think this man clapped for one single corps. I wondered if he was really this underwhelmed and whether he would spend hundreds of dollars for tickets next year. I agree that the crowd seemed a little down in Boston. Maybe Saturday night had more of the feel of a lot of people coming to a convention and hanging out in the club level, having a beer, and seeing some old friends. People seemed to be enjoying themselves, there just didn't seem to be as much enthusiasm for the performances. Personally, I think it was a combination of the shows not being quite as entertaining, there being a lack of a feeling of competition (who really thought the top 4 would change spots?), and too many other amenities (air-conditioned area with drinks, Red Sox game on TV, etc.) to keep people otherwise occupied on a muggy night. Personally, when I spend that much money on tickets, I want to watch the performances. But, when you think about it, lots of people go to pro sports events, pay incredible prices, and spend half the time socializing and "hanging out."

We were in the Club seats with SCV right in front of us during retreat, and it appeared to me that three different members had problems with passing out or the like. One of them was a snare player who ended up going down on one knee. Another was behind him, perhaps another percussionist. Another was toward the back, probably the euphonium.

We thought the bell sounded like the bell at the start of a horse race. "And they're off . . ." It was terrible that it was going off like every 30 seconds.

Not sure that I agree with the comments that the lack of enthusiasm for Cadets winning related to them not being a midwest corps. Many of the people I spoke to weren't too thrilled with the "weird" style of show and didn't find it that entertaining. Of course, I still don't think people should boo, but I didn't hear much of that.

I have two excellent (50 yard line, about 3/4 up the stadium) seats for Soaring Sounds contest in Centerville, Ohio (near Dayton). Tuesday July 20th 7pm. $20 each. See Blue Devils, Santa Clara, Madison and more . . . contact me at scottdaytn@aol.com if interested. Ann