Blue Stars 2009

[corps8294]

Having just seen the Blue Stars 2009 preview of The Factory; I’ll preface by saying that this show could best be described as dull Americana. Musically, the show just didn't grab me. The program is very similar to the Cadets shows of 1995 and 2002 (those shows bored me, too). There is a lot of clutter on the field; although navigated around quite nicely by the corps. The drumline is noticeably improved over the past few years from being the anvil of the organization; I’ll attribute that improvement to the arrival and input of Tom Aungst. The “extra noise” coming from the front line is a rather unfortunate inclusion; however, it's not completely overwhelming. Looking back, this offering could be seen as a sequel to thier 2006 show. The guard costumes are almost direct copies of the 1995 and 2002 Cadets, which contributes more to a lack of originality; especially in terms of visual design. Personally, I found this show to be a step down from 2008 in terms of excitment and enjoyment; quite sad, considering how talented the corps is.

Where I might place the Blue Stars this year, I’d say between 7th place down to 10th. In some people’s rankings, they have them falling out of the top 12 or just hanging on. They are much too talented of a group to be missing finals; and should be a definite for a solid placement come finals night. There have been some that see the corps placing as high as 6th or 5th. Although they have a higher degree of talent than last year, which is a good thing; I just don’t see them moving up. Should they climb, it will be up one placement from last year and by only the slimmest of margins.

[contrajedi8]

In other news, there is a yacht parked in the harbor in Charlevoix (a town in Northern Michigan) called the Blue Star.

I would describe recent Blue Stars offerings as really well executed band-in-a-box. I suspect FACTORY will be much of the same.

Not trying to bag before I observe. Just sayin'.

[TomVV]

I just also saw the Blue Stars Premier. They sound fantastic! The brass and drums are great. Very well balanced. and VERY powerful. I'm not a percussion guy, but the drums seemed greatly improved. The guard is well ahead of where they were last year at this time. Not all of the costumes and show flags were completed for the show, and the story will make more sense with those additions.

Unfortunately the stadium where the show was held was very low, so it was not easy to see any drill forms, hence why I think the OP thinks it looks cluttered. In a large stadium that will not be a problem. The drill is a significant step up in difficulty and sophistication from previous years.

I would say that the show is very different from any other shows, either from the Blue Stars or other corps. You will have to see this show for yourself in a large stadium to decide.

The show lasted about 2 hours and started with a nice performance by the Blue Star Cadets.

Then each segment of the Blue Stars show was introduced and explained by Frank Sullivan, the arranger. All 5 segments were complete, although there are some spots where something will obviously added later. After all 5 segments the corps took a short break, then performed the ENTIRE show again without stopping, so we got to see it twice. For their encore they arc'd up and played the entire show *again.* When the show is played this well while marching, it will be incredible. And yes the arrangement of Rhapsody in Blue was excellent, maybe the loudest portion of anyhting I heard. . The show ended when they played the corps song. It was a very enjoyable evening. I think this show will do very well.

---tom

[BozzlyB]

Well I was at the premier in La Crosse tonight as well, and I can say without hesitation that this is again a huge improvement over the previous season. "Short n Sour" is a disgruntled ex staffer who just for whatever reason can't bring himself to say anything positive about the corps, regardless of the staggering comeback they have enjoyed. Oh well. For a real review, see the review section of DCP tomorrow. I promise not to leave anything out.

Edited June 18, 2009 by BozzlyB

[mcjordansc]

Well I was at the premier in La Crosse tonight as well, and I can say without hesitation that this is again a huge improvement over the previous season. Miller, or "Short n Sour" is a disgruntled ex staffer who just for whatever reason can't bring himself to say anything positive about the corps, regardless of the staggering comeback they have enjoyed. Oh well. For a real review, see the review section of DCP tomorrow. I promise not to leave anything out.

I am guessing you guys did not socialize after the show tonight.

[BigSev]

Having just seen the Blue Stars 2009 preview of The Factory; I’ll preface by saying that this show could best be described as dull Americana. Musically, the show just didn't grab me. The program is very similar to the Cadets shows of 1995 and 2002 (those shows bored me, too). There is a lot of clutter on the field; although navigated around quite nicely by the corps. The drumline is noticeably improved over the past few years from being the anvil of the organization; I’ll attribute that improvement to the arrival and input of Tom Aungst. The “extra noise” coming from the front line is a rather unfortunate inclusion; however, it's not completely overwhelming. Looking back, this offering could be seen as a sequel to thier 2006 show. The guard costumes are almost direct copies of the 1995 and 2002 Cadets, which contributes more to a lack of originality; especially in terms of visual design. Personally, I found this show to be a step down from 2008 in terms of excitment and enjoyment; quite sad, considering how talented the corps is.

Where I might place the Blue Stars this year, I’d say between 7th place down to 10th. In some people’s rankings, they have them falling out of the top 12 or just hanging on. They are much too talented of a group to be missing finals; and should be a definite for a solid placement come finals night. There have been some that see the corps placing as high as 6th or 5th. Although they have a higher degree of talent than last year, which is a good thing; I just don’t see them moving up. Should they climb, it will be up one placement from last year and by only the slimmest of margins.

Wow....I guess it's a good thing I was unable to attend. I was considering flying up from Texas to see this event. I guess I should be glad that I saved my money by not going. Sounds like this will be the corps everyone goes to the concession stand when they are on the field.

[corps8294]

I gave an honest assessment of what I observed. I'm probably one of the few out of the many that did not like it; nothing wrong with that. I know there were numerous folks who did like it, and that's cool too.

Looks like some people did not read the parts where I gave credit to the talent of the corps.

[ussglassman]

Same old "new" unis? I hope they go back to the all blue and white X someday....

[Tony Maas]

I just also saw the Blue Stars Premier. They sound fantastic! The brass and drums are great. Very well balanced. and VERY powerful. I'm not a percussion guy, but the drums seemed greatly improved. The guard is well ahead of where they were last year at this time.

---tom

Ditto what Tom said.... I thought the overall show concept was great, and extremely well-performed for this point in the season. The brass sound is full, warm, yet in-your-face when it needs to be. The arrangement of Taps was one I'd want to play again and again. The veterans the Blue Stars will be playing for this weekend will like it, I have a feeling.

Flyovers by US Army Apache helicopters just happened to coincide nicely with the performance... there's an air festival in La Crosse this weekend, units are arriving for the show. :)

There's a lot of stuff on the field, yes, and obviously there's still cleaning to do and guard parts to add. But the performance level is at least a step above what the corps put on the field last year.

[contrajedi8]

Having just seen the Blue Stars 2009 preview of The Factory; I’ll preface by saying that this show could best be described as dull Americana. Musically, the show just didn't grab me. The program is very similar to the Cadets shows of 1995 and 2002 (those shows bored me, too). There is a lot of clutter on the field; although navigated around quite nicely by the corps. The drumline is noticeably improved over the past few years from being the anvil of the organization; I’ll attribute that improvement to the arrival and input of Tom Aungst. The “extra noise” coming from the front line is a rather unfortunate inclusion; however, it's not completely overwhelming. Looking back, this offering could be seen as a sequel to thier 2006 show. The guard costumes are almost direct copies of the 1995 and 2002 Cadets, which contributes more to a lack of originality; especially in terms of visual design. Personally, I found this show to be a step down from 2008 in terms of excitment and enjoyment; quite sad, considering how talented the corps is.

Where I might place the Blue Stars this year, I’d say between 7th place down to 10th. In some people’s rankings, they have them falling out of the top 12 or just hanging on. They are much too talented of a group to be missing finals; and should be a definite for a solid placement come finals night. There have been some that see the corps placing as high as 6th or 5th. Although they have a higher degree of talent than last year, which is a good thing; I just don’t see them moving up. Should they climb, it will be up one placement from last year and by only the slimmest of margins.

Well I was at the premier in La Crosse tonight as well, and I can say without hesitation that this is again a huge improvement over the previous season. "Short n Sour" is a disgruntled ex staffer who just for whatever reason can't bring himself to say anything positive about the corps, regardless of the staggering comeback they have enjoyed. Oh well. For a real review, see the review section of DCP tomorrow. I promise not to leave anything out.

I love when we get into these "My opinion is more right than yours!" pissing contests.