Congrats to Phantom

[PhantomCav]

None of the drummers at Regiment this year had been there before. 100% rookie members and staff. A few had marched at Spirit with Gawaltney before and one at Cavaliers.

All but 1 eligible member (she stayed home) followed Rennik to SCV.

There were at least two who didn't follow Rennik then. He didn't march his age-out year (this year) anywhere..."he" obviously being a young man, lol.

[contrajedi8]

I freely admit that I was flat wrong about Phantom this year.

[PhantomCav]

While I agree that Mr. Gawaltney did a fantastic job with Phantom this year, and I don't want to take anything away from that, you are incorrect in thinking that they couldn't have finished stronger without a change in percussion staff this past season. Just to play devil's advocate, lets assume that Mr. Rennick stayed with Phantom this year. In his tenure with Phantom the last few years, they were pretty consistently in the top 3 in percussion. Lets assume that they had tied with the Cadets for 3rd in percussion last night. That gives them a 19.2 in percussion rather than an 18.5. That translates into a 9.6 in actual score vs a 9.25. That boosts their overall music score of 28.4, and a new total score of 95.4 putting them ahead of Crown for 4th place. Now, that's just assuming that a stronger percussion section has no effect on their ensemble score at all.

Again, I'm not saying that it would have happened that way, but lets not make absolute statements like that when there is no way to know for sure. Paul Rennick isn't just an arranger, he's also a very good instructor, with a very good instructional staff.

Its great that Phantom had such a strong year. I'm certainly happy to see them in the top 5, but consistency of staff is a big deal in this activity. Any time instruction changes, vets or no, there is going to be an adjustment period. In all likelihood, both Vanguard and Phantom will have stronger percussion sections next year than this year, simply due to a year of consistency.

This is a solid post.

However, the hypothetical is (from what I've been told by a few involved) outside the realm of even alternate reality. Apparently "Juliet" was a show that the Regiment leadership had wanted to do for some time. Rennik was a firm veto each time. When he left, they decided to do the show. So, the show and Rennik are mutually exclusive things for PR.

I was thrilled with Regiment's show evolution and final product this year. But, I think design and GE took them pretty far and honestly covered up some weaknesses that still existed in the corps. It was smart, because getting a 95 indicates a great show any year. But I'd be anxious to see the personnel before writing them into the top 3 after this year. I mean, compare 2008 to 2011. 2011 was great for emotion and the dark, rich sound was beautiful with all of the ballads. But I don't think PR is THAT close to the level they were in 2008...or 2006. Musically, visually, cleanliness....all of it.

And don't call me a hater, because if you look at my name and signature, you should know how I feel about Phantom Regiment. And I'm not a 1980s curmudgeon.

[Super Don-O]

Oh, one last thing...WHY oh WHY did Tom Blair and co. decide to get a shot of Juliet's suicide from the WRONG SIDE? It completely ruins the effect. Sigh....

Agree. I really hope they have the option to make a different editing choice for the DVDs.

And thank you Regiment, it was a stellar show.

[Kyle B]

First, I think Phantom was pretty good this year. Sometimes I heard issues with people over-playing a bit, but they were still pretty good.

However, their show...the first 9 minutes were OK. Frankly I never got into the characters.

The last 2 minutes of it were fantastic, and it has nothing to do with the fact that the drum major died a la 2008, what was fantastic about it was their playing, the music, and the fact that the last minute plus they didn't have a drum major (at least on the 50.)

[kip]

... but you have to give it up for Gwaltney for having a great first year with Phantom.

Absolutely! I have watched some of the work Shane has done in the past, and I for one had little concern - he has written some "cool" stuff that you can stack-up against anyone. Did I think they'd repeat with the Sanford? - no, not likely... competition is pretty fierce, and a whole lot of things have to line-up for any line to win in any year. But, I suspected that the talent pool from which he had to draw for this year's line (and being part of a consistent design team that draws members specifically to be a part of Regiment) was going to give him a good chance to showcase his [and his traveling techs] talents - and they did. They were competitive, entertaining, and fun to watch/listen to - without a doubt!

For me, they added as much to the power and emotion of this show as the horn line and the Juliets. This was Shane's first year in Rockford, and I can't wait to see what he brings for the next one.

[BoyWonder1911]

What impresses me about Phantom this year was how clean they got their show.

[GMichael1230]

Easily my most favorite show of the year. Evertything flowed. A seamless production from the design to the presentation.

Guard was outstanding and potrayed the nuances of "Juliet" perfect, the right amount of interaction with the corps proper and such wondefull communication with the crowd.

Bravo

Geoffrey

[MikeN]

Very good show this year, and that drumline was way better than skeptical observers had predicted.

Mike

[Plan9]

Just some props to Shane. My experience with him was first hand at a North Florida H.S. Band Percussion section and Winter Indoor Percussion section that he made State Champions (4 times) and #4 twice in WGI (PSW). I know compared to his accomplishments with MCM and now Phantom, they may be dwarfed, but I learned what a remarkable instructor and genius percussion writer he was/is and I look forward to his Phantom line receiving the Sanford in the future.