My thoughts

[Kansan]

I'll reply. I just got back from the theater. There were maybe 10 people there. Small town but previous crowds have been bigger. I wasn't able to attend any live shows this year and only saw the two events at the movies. Normally I try to go to DCI West, but because of the location it is early season and the shows are a bit rough. The activity has changed a lot since I marched but I still enjoy the shows for the most part. I agree with some of what you said.

LOVED the Troopers--very well done from a musical and design standpoint. I wish they executed better since I would enjoy seeing them back in finals. Real drum corps.

Enjoyed the Crossmen, Blue Knights, Bluecoats. Cavies were enjoyable and much improved since the early season broadcast but I wish they would have put the hats back on the drumline, it just looked wrong, they normally look so bad-a## but without hats they lost that effect. Enjoyed the Crusaders, baby powder and all, but sadly they were penalized. So good to see Madison back where they belong but it wasn't a Madison show (you know what I mean if you have followed them over the years) but enjoyable nonetheless. I really enjoyed Phantom and I do prefer the female guard (I just do even if it isn't PC to say so, their show and guard were beautiful). My favorite show of the night was SCV---pure class, great music, very well done, should have placed higher. Cadets (I keep wanting to call them Garfield) was beautifully executed but I did not enjoy it very much, didn't like the music, drill, props but the percussion was excellent. I really enjoyed Crown--very weird show but I really had fun watching them, great sound, didn't mind the vocal stuff since it went with the weirdness of the show, but they have to fix the percussion as that is why they didn't come out on top tonight. I know that the brass is such a big thing with Crown, but they have to raise the percussion up to the same level.

Blue Devils. My mother taught me the same thing but I'll ignore that. To start with something nice, they show was beautifully executed, great percussion, talented kids. However the music was horrible. Drill was a mess. All those stupid white poles were a cluttered mess. I truly hated the show. I have liked most of their previous shows (minus last year's, seriously I am normally a BD fan) but I couldn't wait for this show to end. I was actually angry when I saw their score. What's wrong with playing music that actually has a melody (see SCV, Phantom) instead of a bunch of loud noise interspersed with clean drumming and a little dancing? And whatever happened to brass soloists that could be heard without playing into a microphone? Seriously, why are they on top? Their general effect was a jumbled, noisy mess. Opinions of course but they didn't make me happy. Is it just because of their history that the judges are intimidated? Oh, and I really like the Rite of Spring, but Stravinsly is spinning in his grave right now after they butchered his masterpiece.

The drum line that performed while we were waiting for the scores was a lot of fun. They should be proud and hopefully they are enjoying being in the US.

My theater was sold out and since I didn't buy a ticket earleir I missed out. Oh well.

[asdf072]

Thoughts on seeing Crown for the first time this year...uniforms and drums were absolutely hideous. Awesome hornline. Sounded like a reincarnation of Star. Crown is in the same boat as the Cadets in 2007: a championship caliber show that is sabotaged by the incredibly annoying and unnecessary narration and vocals. I really admire the brass but just can't get past the narration to embrace this show.

Completely agree. The narration before the Abyss soundtrack hit is so corny!

[Kansan]

A few things that stood out for me...

Troopers were great the way the show connected with their history and loved seeing the starburst back.

Really liked Spirit's show but felt a bit let down by the ending.

SCV had the most entertaining show of the night.

Cadets rammed a ton of notes but didn't really go anywhere with it.

Thoughts on seeing Crown for the first time this year...uniforms and drums were absolutely hideous. Awesome hornline. Sounded like a reincarnation of Star. Crown is in the same boat as the Cadets in 2007: a championship caliber show that is sabotaged by the incredibly annoying and unnecessary narration and vocals. I really admire the brass but just can't get past the narration to embrace this show.

BD: the most interesting show of the night. As good as Crown is in brass, the Devils are on the same level. They should have had a larger margin over Crown.

Now a couple of issues that maybe someone can explain for me. How can the two GE judges watch the same show, judge on the same criteria and come up with such a variation in scores for BD. I'm not saying which judge was correct (if either was) but how can one judge rate BD as almost perfect in both subcaptions while other judge rates them 3rd in performance?

Issue #2: can anyone make a case that DCI should continue to allow narration and sampling? Has narration ever been used effectively by a DCI corps to actually enhance a show?

I think the sound of Crowns' Horns is different than any Line I have heard. They have a smoothness like no other. Very Unique

[cavie95]

Saw the theater show tonight in Beaverton Oregon with my dad, aunt, girlfriend and two friends who are new fans to the activity. Almost a sold out screen, I'd guess 80-100 people. Saw familiar faces in the crowd: both of my high school band directors, one brass instructor from corps and one drum major from corps. The crowd was very pro-SCV and Oregon Crusaders.

I've seen almost all of the ten theater shows since 2004 and this was the best looking/sounding/produced one. My only complaint was that they held scores until the end of each half, and the commentators spent probably too much time ribbing Rondo being old, but congrats to his hall of fame announcement.

In general the talent in the corps were the best performers I've seen for a top 15 grouping. Seems like almost every corps but Cadets had new uniforms or uni changes of some kind. I'm not a fan of this new trend of having one sleeve of the uniform different than the other (Blue Devils, Phantom, etc). Visually it's distracting.

Still hate all the amplification. You could hear the pit before just fine before that change and now the amped keyboard/bass/cymbol crashing/sampling sounds drown out the rest of the pit and the hornlines at times. And what the #%$! is with giving soloists microphones to play in?

Goddammit. Can the dancing/leaning/squatting/sitting on the toilet while playing horns/drums just STOP? Every single corps does it now. Why?????? Last time I checked this was not a thing to 'check off the score boxes' visually.

Ok, brief corps thoughts:

PC - Holy balls batman, they are loud and sound good. Get some drill and a full tour, PLEASE!

Troopers - made my dad cry in a good way, but he's sort of a softy. Probably the best show I've seen from them ever?

Crossmen - I respect the theme of their show. I'm not really a fan of protesters/noise, so it didn't get me emotionally like say, their 1992 show.

Bluestars - Voodoo was alright. Sharp unis.

Spirit of Atlanta - Good, but nothing sticks out in my mind a few hours later.

Blue Knights - I'm not a fan of props that just sit there or soloist/characters that are focused on too much, so the ball wasn't my thing. Narration can go jump off a cliff. Things are round, we get it. Loved the brass line.

Boston - Knew they'd get hit with some penalty when I saw the dust effect. Sad. Ironic that their show theme mirrors the tragedy in Boston earlier this year.

Intermission seemed short this year.

Madison - It's about time they gave the color guard in this corps something really masculine to do besides be a bull fighter or Broadway dancer. Might be my favorite Madison show since their 1997 Pirates. Much respect to the people in the crowd singing the corps song and no, it wasn't just alumni, broadcasters. Lots of women singing it too... this show made my dad cry, again. ROFL

Cavaliers - ah, my boys. I bet marching with hoods and having no peripheral vision much be a pain. So much better than early season Youtube videos I saw that made me cringe. I have faith in the creative staff once again. I think it will be interesting to watch them battle Madison for 7th the next two nights. Madison have the emotional connection with the audience but Cavaliers are cleaner.

Bluecoats - I'm curious if they have to build those stand set pieces every time or if they just have room in their equipment truck for them. Nice use of them though. Good show, sharp unis.

Phantom - There was no need to focus on the fact that this corps went back to all-female guard. So many corps have a one-sex guard or change from year to year and it's never brought up. The opening drill formation of 'opening the book' was fantastic. Sadly I thought the rest of the show was lacking. Again, too much focus on one character(s), the evil queen was goofy and a little unlike Phantom's reputation. Not surprised to see the Coats pass them.

SCV - My 2nd favorite and has been since I saw them live this year. Major props to the soloist who carried the show while the others were behind the city walls. Love the uniforms except for the little gold dangley bit that's on the left bottom on the jacket.

Cadets - Argh... My ears tell me they are playing old SCV and Star shows, but then things change and it gets convoluted musically. Maybe I'm a purist, but I hate the mashups that happen in drum corps music arranging sometimes. Battery is great. I get the prop usage, didn't bother me. I don't see them jumping in the top 2. SCV might jump them into 3rd.

Crown - My favorite of the night. Brass might be the best I've ever heard, wish I could hear them live. Thought they nailed everything visually. #### clean. Not sure why drums are getting nailed in scores, perhaps it's their drum book. Thought the narration would bother me but in this case it was overlooked. Maybe they could cut out the 'why do you love me john' bits. New ending seemed a bit... off? I was so used to seeing the guard run off to the right falling down and now they reprise Also Sprach and the lovers end it sitting on the bench. Hmm. Will be rooting for them next two nights because...

Blue Devils - you have a very nice drum corps. I'd just rather not sit though that mess again. Here's what I heard: dissonance, sometimes a bit of rite of spring theme. Good battery but shouldn't top SCV or Cadets . Here's what I saw: uniforms that are way too gaudy and long. What's next, capes next year? Lots of stand and blow from the brass. White poles (Oh they're supposed to be trees? Thank you announcers for explaining that to me) being moved from one place to another. Scatter drill. Running around drill and too much dancing. Very rarely any sort of clean 'form'. Look, I get it, they're talented. Musically the show isn't there for me. GE it isn't there. Visually it's laughable. Percussion might be the only thing clapping for. This is not the sort of entertainment I want to see in the drum corps activity, and I don't believe the corps staff writes to excite the audience like other corps staffs do. Wish this corps wasn't all about ring chasing and was more about pushing the edge of creativity WHILE ENTERTAINING THE AUDIENCE. Most of the other corps are doing it, why can't you?

E-Sarn - too bad the audience in the stands didn't stay for them. They probably entertained the theater viewers more. Shirtless cymbal/small gong guy is quite the showman.

Crowd in the stadium seemed a bit tiny for Prelims. Hope attendance is better next two nights. Can't wait for next year.

[cavie95]

Issue #2: can anyone make a case that DCI should continue to allow narration and sampling? Has narration ever been used effectively by a DCI corps to actually enhance a show?

Blue Devils 2005. "YOWZA!"

I'm kidding.

The allowance of narration and other instruments (did you know Oregon Crusaders have an electric guitar in their pit?) and sampling has not done anything to make new fans of corps, or to make the shows more 'fun' contrary to Mr. Hopkins' beliefs.

[Kamarag]

The allowance of narration and other instruments (did you know Oregon Crusaders have an electric guitar in their pit?) and sampling has not done anything to make new fans of corps, or to make the shows more 'fun' contrary to Mr. Hopkins' beliefs.

Yea, Jersey Surf and a few other corps have proven otherwise. Nice try though.

[cavie95]

Can't say I've seen Jersey Surf other than the very brief clip they showed tonight at the theater. I'm sure people in the stands would recognize the 'Respect' lyrics without a singer. Nice try though.

[skywhopper]

Phantom Regiment is neither sexist or racist. That's just silly. They take the best people who audition for them (like any other corps) and that has, over the course of numerous years, included men and women of all colors.

Well, unless you're a male who wants to be in guard.

[TeamQuavers]

Issue #2: can anyone make a case that DCI should continue to allow narration and sampling? Has narration ever been used effectively by a DCI corps to actually enhance a show?

I thought the Mandarins used narration very effectively this year.

[Dan Detweiler]

Goddammit. Can the dancing/leaning/squatting/sitting on the toilet while playing horns/drums just STOP? Every single corps does it now. Why?????? Last time I checked this was not a thing to 'check off the score boxes' visually.

.

Why? ....because it is on the sheets. It's called multiple responsibilities. It is a way of rewarding units that challenge their members to perform in different and challenging environments, weather it is a difficult listening environment due to staging, encorporating body underneath the playing or what have you. I tell you what, even in my youth I could never have done what these kids are doing now. They are true musical athletes.

Dan