SDCA Season Opener

[ripper]

Ok so a week has passed and not a single review whats with that ,there were at least 400 people at each event I was busy playing or I would post one

anyone Beullieur

[Chris W]

The Blue Notes held the first SDCA show this season "Bugler's Holiday" on Saturday April 17th in Ishpeming, Michigan in the Ishpeming High School gym. There was just under 400 people in attendance and this was the Blue Notes first SDCA show and first field show since about 1998.

Kicking off the show was the Americanos who are made up of alumni from the past 4 decades. The group consisted of 10 horns, 3 percussion, and 1 DM. The percussion players played on a rack system that held all of the drums and cymbals and worked very nice. The Americanos play list included "Manha de Carnaval", "Tiger of San Pedro", "Beautiful Maria of My Soul", and "Manha de Carnaval" revisited. The group stood in standstill formation and did a great job for their first outing. It's great to see them back, VIVA!

The next group on was the Chicago Royal Airs. The Royal Airs performed "Chicago", Fanfare, "RA Chicago", Opener, "John Browns Body", Flag Presentation, and "Alexander’s Ragtime Band", Reprise. The RA had 19 horns, 7 drums, 6 color guard, and 1 DM. The RA started on the backline and came forward to start their show but went into a concert formation. They have a drill but not sure why they didn't use any of it. It would have been great to have seen it in the show. The corps received a great applause during Alexanders when they came forward to the crowd to play close and personal!

The Imperial Knights from Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, made their first trip back to the field since 1976. The corps included one of the original 1963 founders Gerry Dionne. The corps had 12 brass, 1 drum set, and 1 DM to play a song list that included "My Girl", "Malaguena", "Phantom of the Opera Medley", and "Just a Gigolo". The corps wore Hawaiin shirts and had lots of fun playing.

Next on was MBI's Minne-Brass. The Roger Grupp and company is continuing their theme from last year with Animated Adventures in Brass - Part 2 based on Saturday morning cartoons. The group has 18 brass, 1 drum set, and 1 DM. The lsit of cartoon hits include "The Jetsons", "Dick Tracy", "Spiderman", and a some snips from last year's show. They had a great prop of a animated TV with rabbit ears and one of the brass players in a one piece pajamas with the feet on to help tell the story. The music was outstanding and an excellent by everyone.

The next group was the Northernaires from Menominee, Michigan. The Northernaires and Blue Notes were close rivals during their junior corps days and the corps is making its first trip back to Ishpeming in competition since 1973. The corps is larger this year with 15 brass, 7 percussion, 4 color guard, 7 Honor Guard, and 1 DM and is marching a full drill. The corps show theme is "Drum Corps Corps Classics - Part II" and is based on music and drill from the 60's and 70's with tributes to the corps who are known for the music. This year's show includes "Bullfighter", drum ensemble, "Color Pres", "Amazing Grace w/Old Rugged Cross", "Turkey in the Straw" drum solo, "Magnificent Seven", and "Moondance". There were several great soprano solos and the audience appreciated the drill performed. The corps trooped the stands playing "Hey Baby" lead by the contras with the corps singing (and audience). Fun show!

The host Blue Notes were next. They started the show with the lights off to showcase the drum line using illuminated blue drum sticks held by all players (4 snares, 2 quads, 1 BD). This always makes a cool effect and is unique to drum corps. The rest of the corps (15 brass, 6 color guard, 7 Honor Guard, 1 DM) then joined them for the show. The corps lined up on the back line and also moved to form into a concert formation for the rest of the show. The show music consisted of "Battle Hym w/American Salute", "Bully", "You'll Never Walk Alone", and "Sing Sing Sing". The Blue Notes did an outstanding job hosting the show and all of the corps were treated to an afterglow party at the local bowling alley.

The audience then got a chance to vote for their #1 favorite by cell phone text voting and the Audience Choice Award winners were Gold: Minne-Brass, Silver: Royal Airs, and Brass: Northernaires.

The next day Sunday, April 18th the Northernaires hosted the "Drums In The North" at the Menominee High School in Menominee, Michigan with the same corps appearing. The crowd was larger with just over 400 in attendance and the corps did a great job performing.

The Audience Choice Award winners for the Menominee show were Gold: Royal Airs, Slver: Minne-Brass, and Brass: Americanos.

Checkout the SDCA website for the next shows at www.thesdca.org.