How good are the 2011 programs?

[c.l.]

I consider 2010 to be one of my all-time favorite seasons of drum corps. So when comparing the finalists corps so far against last season I like:

Blue Devils... about the same

Cavaliers... a little better

Bluecoats... a little less

Cadets... about the same

Crown... a little better

Phantom... a little less

SCV... not as much (although as they clean, I may like this show more)

Blue Stars... a little less

BAC... have not seen them

Madison... much better

Blue Knights... a little less

Glassmen... much better

... So I feel like 2011 is close to on par with 2010... but that is very good in my book. The only drum corps season I definitively like better still is 2003.

I really like the little system you got going there. IMO, the weakest years of the past few years (2000s) are 2004, 2007 (really top 3 or 4, like the bottom half), and maybe a smidgen of 2006. People really faulted 2001 back then but now you hear the same people claim some of those shows as their favorites.

Haven't seen any live shows this year and won't until late July, but what I've heard I about agree with you on most of this give or take some.

[hrnguy500]

Too soon to tell.

If you think "melody" is back and better than ever you can take a second listen. If I remember right we left 1995 a long time ago.

/sarcasm

[DrumManTx]

There are a bunch of good "shells" of shows, if the right things are done to a few, this could be one of my faves. Going with c.l.'s system.

1. Blue Devils - I like this much more than I did them earlier last season, more accessible.
   
2. Cavaliers - 2010 was really special, I don't see them topping it, for now.
   
3. Bluecoats - First 1/2 I like 10 times more, second half not so much.
   
4. Carolina Crown - A lot more follow-able than last year, definitively this years fun show.
   
5. The Cadets - Much better, just the right amount of stuff to get the theme across, not cheesy at all.
   
6. Phantom Regiment - Last year was more challenging, this years will be better given they add a lot to get the theme across.
   
7. SCV - About on par with how I felt with them this time last year. Potential is there, just gotta tap into that.
   
8. Blue Stars - Another level up on their rise, again, make the necessary changes and could take them up. If they are made, definitely like it more than last year.
   
9. Madison Souts - Much like above, another step in their surge to push up there. Not sure if the demand as compared to the above 7 is there though. Fan favorite for sure. Like it more than last year.
   
10. Boston Crusaders - The show is boring right now to me. If more isn't added this will be a step down. I see potential, but right now it needs a lot more of something.
    
11. Blue Knights - I like this a lot more than last year, and I liked last year a lot. Probably my favorite BK show ever.
    
12. Glassmen - Feel about the same as last year based on the APD I bought. Way too much synth for my tastes.
    

All in all, this year has potential to be my favorite, but if a lot of changes aren't made to some of the shows, not so much.

Edited June 28, 2011 by DrumManTx

[sopchick_01]

I personally think that PC has a shot of maybe getting very close to the top 15. But usually (as it seems), they may get shafted as they have been in the past.

However, I may be biased. I like their show and am an alumnae.

[Lance]

same as most years for me

[Triple Forte]

I’m not ready to judge the season, only will do that post-finals

Initial impressions, too much synth, too little brass, too many emo (twilight) guards, too much emphasis on tempo and marching quickly to the point there is very little visual dynamic and the hornlines are playing watered down parts because of it… except for brief park and runs, as if to remind us they do actually play those things in their hands

Also seems like there are a lot of characters being portrayed from the guards, even if they don’t do anything or their storyline, purpose is unclear…there they are...being all characteree and staged as a focal point

I agree with a lot of what you have said...to much synth/pit, to much body movement, to many fast tempos and some show themes that make very little sense.

After watching the live thearter event my thoughts were the following,

Blue Devils: Much better more accessible musical choices. didn't like the props...to many of them and to much hornline body movement.

Carolina Crown: Real nice choices musically and much improved drumline....with some tweaks...going to really rock. Pre-show way to long...

Phantom Regiment: A nice uniform change and straight forward pretty much gimmick free drum corps. Worried show may not have enough difficulty musically compared to others.

Cadets: I had the opportunity of hearing the entire Angels and Architecture piece of music from a HS all-state wind ensemble. Did not really care for the music. Cadets this season represent the same approach of some of the award winning Cadets corps of the past. I think they are the corps to beat this season. One thing the Cadets seem to do fairly well is even with a show filled with aggressive, dissonant, choppy music...they bring the GE out of it.

Bluecoats: Awesome opening with Creep (Hey drum corps show coordinators/arrangers...see how nice a piece of music sounds if you dont fiddle with it and let the melody breathe ..). This show is defiantly remenecent of 2010.....Bluecoats certiantly love the dissonant music (bc can we take a break please..). Top drumline....going to really tight down the line.

Blue Stars: To much synth but I thought they looked and sounded a lot like the Bluecoats last season...ready to take over with a vengance....should not have placed last.

Santa Clara Vanguard: Great drumline....interesting drill. But....if this is the best they can come up with (musically) to engage the crowd....man....I don't know.

Cavaliers: Glad the hornline is pushing to new heights in the volume department...and quite a bit ahead of where there started last season. Honestly have to see and hear this one again...

Having gone to the Old Bridge show....I feel Madison, Boston, Crossmen, Spirit of Atlanta, Jersey Surf have very accessible show musically....more accessible(in most cases) than the G8. Groovy slower musical parts from Madison and Crossmen....and slower tempo pieces at times from Boston and SOA as well.....Surf..some nice stuff from Carmen. Most of the G8 music feels like it is stuck on fast forward...to much of one thing is never good.

It's early.....interested in seeing what the corps have in store in the way of changes...

[ajwdad]

I have not seen the Cavies show or Crown's. But I have not seen any show that "wowed" me. I personally do not like the cadets show (hate the music, dislike the show), SVC is pretty boring and dirty (like the music), BD seems to have moments where not enough is happening (like the music a lot), and Phantom's show seems slow. These are the only top corps that I have seen. On the other hand, BDB's show is really good this year, but that is an open corp topic.

Season is most interesting due to the placement of Cadet and Cavies, and Crown seems very close.

[The Other Mike]

I haven't bought a program in at least 25 years. There are just too many adds in them for me.

[Jeff Ream]

Speaking for myself only and not trying to insinuate a all-audience reaction, so far the shows (at least in design and intent) seem to be a huge step up from 2010, a slight step up from 2009 and roughly on par with 2008.

Mike

I'd second that