SilentnDeadly960 Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 (edited) Cincinnati Tradition: While I love the overall show concept, I believe you may have bitten off more than you can chew. Not saying that you guys are performing the show terribly, b/c that's not the case. All the songs you selected for this show are well known power house drum corps tunes that hold a standard of their own, regardless of who's playing it. I spent some time watching your drumline warmup and words can't express how disappointed I am with the battery instructor. I've never been a fan a staff members chewing out the marching members during a show warmup with people watching. This wasn't just a little "warning" chew out, it a full blown chew out. I don't know who you are, and I would like to keep it that way. That's not the way you talk to marching members in public. In private, during a rehearsal, that's a different story. But in a show setting, with strangers in listening distance, NO WAY. Maybe you should be yelled at for not tuning the drums or having all your quads drums on matching drum heads, b/c they were on the weak side as far as tone production goes...and it wasn't the people playing the drums. You spent so much time yelling at the line because they weren't playing something well. You ever think they're not playing it well because your not teaching well? One a happier note, it's one of the better designed shows in Class A. The show had a great flow. Kudos to the 5 guard members, they contribute alot to the visual aspect of the this program. Hornline has some really nice moments, most being at a halt. I look forward to seeing the ending product of this show in Rochester. Govenaires: Talk about entertainment. I was very very very VERY impressed. I got alot more than what I expected to from counting the numbers coming on the field. 12 brass did an excellent job executing and communicating. This small brassline comes equiped with a solid 2 man tuba line laying down the bass and a #### good trumpet player. KUDOS TO YOU GUYS. I predict you guys giving Regiment, Fusion and Gold a run for the brass title. Percussion seems to be right up to par compared to years past. Very musical pit. Still got some work to do, but you guys are on the right path. Battery comes with a MEAN snareline. The drumline will clean up. They're showing strong signs of proper training acorss the section. While I don't believe the colorguard didn't have their best run, HOY COW does this colorguard sell the Vegas theme. Flag choreography pretty good alreay. Weapon work need some cleaning. I'm confident enough in this guard to say, they'll be bringing home the high guard trophy this season, again. Although I felt this corps was the best marching ensemble of the night, some individual marching time is needed with what appears to be the older members of the corps. The younger members(or they appear that way) seem to be able to carry their own visually and some, and it's making the not so strong marchers (who are still pretty strong) seem even weaker. Overall, the show has CHAMPION written all over it. I wouldn't be too quick to push these guys on the back burner. I don't think they'll allow that. Can't wait to see this show when it's clean and has all the bells and whistles on it. On a not so good note, you guys need to work out the kinks musically. Transitions in the middle of the show seem shaky. They recover fast and you barely notice, but it could be the difference between 1st amd 4th place in Rochester. Minnesota Brass: I predict this corps the first to beat Bucs. I've only seen Bucs on youtube. It'll be an interesting show down in September. Both corps continue to take the next step to being a great drum corps. Both Brass and Bucs are HUGE inspirations to the activity and I really appreciate everything both corps are doing to push the envelope in DCA. Now back to the show: lots of holes in the drill, Cymbal line is probally one of the better in the activity. Drumline....smoking. Colorguard, always at your best. I LOVE this show. My only complaint.... the dead body takes too long to get off the field. I'll try to refrain from giving away too many details as this show still has a ways to go. This will the corps to watch in Rochester. Will both Minnesota corps take the gold this year? Kilties: Sigh. I really wish you guys would find a new brass arranger. His methods and ideas for Kilties are outdated. 1) your mellos need to work on basic tone production and finger dexterity, lay off the trills in the upper register and the runs that cause ensemble timing issues. 2) the lead sopranos have excellent range but have no clue how to blend, play in tune, and focus the tone in the upper register. Totally killed the momement a few times in the show. 3)Excellent Baritone soloist(s). 4)Your contras need some special attention, musically and visually. Colorguard: While I was impressed with how well you guys looked from a distance, when I viewed the show from the stands the work came off as a series of ripples (which it was) and the impacts you had written were so simple and unmusical, it left the intensity of the music dry. The weapon line did a decent job. Percussion: need to find someone who can build this section. You'll never have a chance to "play with the big boys" until you can build your percussion section. That's a fact. I know I've mentioned alot of negative things, but you guys need to spend some serious time on marching basics, it was looking pretty rough out there. Positive: I LOVE SCOTT STEWART and the Kiltie organization. Keeping pushing. Edited August 9, 2011 by SilentnDeadly960 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 ....it's "Stewart"; Scott Stewart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Ream Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 thanks for the review! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilentnDeadly960 Posted August 9, 2011 Author Share Posted August 9, 2011 ....it's "Stewart"; Scott Stewart. Correction made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShutUpAndPlayYerGuitar Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 Good review. I echo your sentiments on most of what I saw that weekend. With MBI in particular, I'm always surprised with how much they add in late July/August. The design and instructional staff have a good system set up as far as keeping the show feeling "fresh" and new without compromising precision. That's not to say improvements are still needed (especially in the hornline and guard ensemble). Thanks to the Kilties organization for organizing two great shows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scerpella Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 Kilties: Sigh. I really wish you guys would find a new brass arranger. His methods and ideas for Kilties are outdated. 1) your mellos need to work on basic tone production and finger dexterity, lay off the trills in the upper register and the runs that cause ensemble timing issues. 2) the lead sopranos have excellent range but have no clue how to blend, play in tune, and focus the tone in the upper register. Totally killed the momement a few times in the show. 3)Excellent Baritone soloist(s). 4)Your contras need some special attention, musically and visually. Colorguard: While I was impressed with how well you guys looked from a distance, when I viewed the show from the stands the work came off as a series of ripples (which it was) and the impacts you had written were so simple and unmusical, it left the intensity of the music dry. The weapon line did a decent job. Percussion: need to find someone who can build this section. You'll never have a chance to "play with the big boys" until you can build your percussion section. That's a fact. I know I've mentioned alot of negative things, but you guys need to spend some serious time on marching basics, it was looking pretty rough out there. Positive: I LOVE SCOTT STEWART and the Kiltie organization. Keeping pushing. Where was your seat? BTW the arrangements are pretty much dictated by Scott. If you don't like what the arranger is doing, your problem is with Stewart. In the corps defense, they are marching quite a few rookies. Pretty huge turnover in the hornline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilentnDeadly960 Posted August 9, 2011 Author Share Posted August 9, 2011 Where was your seat? BTW the arrangements are pretty much dictated by Scott. If you don't like what the arranger is doing, your problem is with Stewart. In the corps defense, they are marching quite a few rookies. Pretty huge turnover in the hornline. I sat right under the box for all corps. Well, if Scott dictated the arrangements, then Scott need to give it a rest and update his approach to the brass book. I can tell there were alot of rookies, but so does alot of other corps. Dirty feet is dirty feet. But it is nice to see a new group of Kilties forming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 The Kilties actually have about the same size rookie crew this season as any other years; although the corps has been doing some major visual and music changes/upgrades/details, etc. in the production (in every section) the last two weekends that may haven't all locked into place as of yet and within a comfort level for the performers. The percussion (alone) had a visual overhaul of two entire numbers; plus major musical upgrades. The corps brass ensemble spent several hours this past Sunday before the East Troy show just going over the musical changes and clarifactions. It's a work in progress and moving well. The corps membership has outstanding productive rehearsal etiquette and is known for cleaning up rather quickly; we'll be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florida Sun Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 (edited) Go Kilties looking forward to seeing you complete in FINALS really feel you should have been there already ,but completing in upstate New York there going to choose Rochester Crusadars over you for finals .Now that there out of the picture you sure in hell should be there . #7 through 10 are up for graps its anyone 's ball.Just the corps that preform the best in preliums will make it . Edited August 10, 2011 by Florida Sun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Thank you for your words of encouragement. Cru had one heck of a storied drum corps; always was a honor to share the field with them. Go Kilties looking forward to seeing you complete in FINALS really feel you should have been there already ,but completing in upstate New York there going to choose Rochester Crusadars over you for finals .Now that there out of the picture you sure in hell should be there . #7 through 10 are up for graps its anyone 's ball.Just the corps that preform the best in preliums will make it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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