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Diners, Drum Corps, and Drives 2015 Edition


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We arrived at the Hamburg School facility just as The Champs were finishing lunch. This has been their East week housing for several years and is a great site with multiple fields including an artificial surface stadium with a nice high box. We met the recently appointed District Superintendent, who had stopped by to make sure the corps had everything they needed. He is a huge drum corps fan, and was thrilled to have a top caliber entertainment group in his community. He discussed future promotion and committing resources to make sure it stayed that way. Awesome stuff, the activity can use as many guys like this as possible!

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They spent about an hour in sectionals then chunked through the show in ensemble. As always, awesome instruction on the field and on the box. John Meehan split his time between the field and box. Todd Ryan, my favorite visual guy of all time was up top, along with TJ Doucette doing guard. Mr. Ryan made some small visual correction comments, but also asked for emotional and energy commitments. After a rep of the beginning of the opener..."That was a technically safe rep Blue Devils, really well executed, but you didn't draw me into your story. You will do that not with your feet, but with your hearts". TJ was working the guard very hard, and despite their high guard score the night before, didn't let up the whole block. "(name), you have got to be kidding me! How do you drop when you are not even doing any work in that section?" She also demanded that the rifles give more commitment to their exchange section on the chairs feature, which she felt they had become somewhat complacent with. That kind of instruction is why they probably will win guard this year. Also up in the box was Rudy Garcia. Although he is on the percussion staff, I have noticed this year that he also makes a lot of comments concerning tempo and timing to the brass line as well. Spot on stuff from him!

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The run matched, maybe even exceeded, their energy and performance level of last night. Every year, especially when BD comes east early in the season giving us more views, it's always the same for me on East day rehearsal. As we usually don't plan on going to Finals, Allentown is normally our last live view every year. As they started the ballad, I came to the realization that we would only see this show run live 2 more times, ever. I got choked up in the emotion of the musical beauty, and by the time they blasted the last note I was trembling a little.Thanks again BD!

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We grabbed some subs to go for our pre show park picnic at a local Hamburg shop, Hecky's. A great selection of fresh soups, salads and subs...2 thumbs up for this place!

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Next up...Friday at East

Edited by truman
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I may have misspoken the other night when I said I couldn't think of a better place to work on these posts than the ocean front balcony. The scenery at this place is close to that, but the soundtrack and drum corps history give it the edge.

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For like 40 years I have come to this spot for drum corps. A cocktail picnic next to the stream by the duck pond park has been the tradition for us for the last 16 years or so. Many have similar stories, often their history pre dating DCI. We got decked out in our good luck BD regalia of shirts hats pins necklaces and wrist bands and bracelets. Even some ink, (temporary and not)
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As usual we spent all of the first half in the lot watching some warm ups, and went in at INT, except for my oldest, who spent most of the night seeing friends in the lot. As we passed some members in cream bibs and white shoes, with maroon shakos I suddenly stopped and did a double take. For a few seconds I considered that the black out had been abandoned, then remembered it was Cadets2 night to perform. You always see some cool stuff walking through bus and truck alley from the lot to the gate.
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Perfect heat and humidity for sound. We were in the customary section J, low side one 40.
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Really enjoyed Stars, the show moves along at a great pace, engaging the audience throughout. Wish there was a little bit more of a dramatic ending.
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Cavs are coming along nicely. Guard especially improved! This show is like PR this year for me, some very nice moments with solid performers in all sections, but a design that never gets to the level of the moments that the top 5 can achieve. Glad to see the whole corps back on the field.
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BK is uniquely interesting. The curly S guard prop thing has great effect. Love the mirror concept. Solid drum corps stuff in all sections.
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Ironic that SCV's show is about electricity. Things just seem to not be going in their favor. I didn't really catch the first couple minutes of what was being performed as i could not help but watch the struggle at the sound board. Only noticed premature lighting a couple times. Glad they finally got the power issues handled before the ballad and end. The coil light up got an oooooh, then the reveal got an ahhhhhh. Flag poles add another layer. The guard "powering down" seems to go a little un noticed from where they are staged. I think they could re time that possible with a better turning off of lights for greater effect?
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BD owned this night. They say JBirney, she don't lie. To produce GE in this venue requires having all the pieces in place. A rock solid run, the new ending is growing on me. When they started forward in the impact circle of the closer, the blue moon overhead, memories of the last few weeks flashed through my mind. Over the years this demanding crowd has not always given love to this corps, but tonight was not one of those times. As we stood cheering my mind was trying to devise a plan to drive to Buffalo Sunday.
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Being near the track as the Free Players came out to perform, seeing the excitement and determination on their faces, and looking up at the huge crowd giving them some love was really cool. The sights and sounds in the park post show are different, but just as cool a part of our experience.
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The post show celebration was at The City View Diner in Whitehall, about 10 minutes from the stadium. Just about everybody went for the Breakfast Feast, pancakes, eggs, meat, homefries and coffee. This table was far from cholesterol free. We always have so much fun at these post show gatherings!
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Next up: Saturday at East and a different Bloo!
Edited by truman
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After getting a little sleep, (I do mean a little), in our home beds, we were excited for the day. The original plan was to watch Coats in NJ, then to try and see Crown's run through in Allentown before the show. Once we had the daily schedules, it was clear that the timing would not work by about 15 minutes. Because Cadets were about 15 minutes closer to Bloo, and because they had EPL 15 minutes after Crown, we altered the plans a little. The group had grown to 8. Our oldest and a friend who marches Cabs joined us, and we met our friends and their 2 girls who were up from Carolina. It was 2004 when I was circling the outside of the Meadowlands pre show and passed a familiar face going in the other direction. After marching together and sharing an apartment in the early 80's, we had not seen each other, or even kept in touch, for almost 20 years. A friendship born in drum corps was rekindled by it again, and we have spent most summers together around East ever since, watching our kids grow up together. I am so thankful for that day.

We found Bloo setting up for ensemble block at Delaware Valley High School in NW Jersey. They had the use of multiple fields but were now assembling on the stadium field, a grass surface that seemed a little slow, with sneakers disappearing into the thick grass.

The box location and height does not seem to be a concern for them as they travel with their own.

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They chunked thorough the show working hard and responding to some great comments from the staff. Small corrections were handled well by the members. We noticed several of them wearing a "7" on their chests, including Willie on the podium. Apparently it is tradition for age outs to wear the number of days left as they count down. A cool idea that reminds everyone everyday of how precious every moment is. Also there is something that traditionally goes on during Sat blocks call Caturday when field staff patrol in a cat suit.

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Unlike others we had been watching, they run some reps with the brass playing at a level one dynamic rather than air and valve or bop. It was a lot of fun watching them. Every time we have had any inter action with members this year they mention how much fun they are having with this show. Make no mistake, they work as seriously and hard as anyone, but seem to have a vibe that was different than what we had seen from others. I was excited to see Roger Carter was with them. We remember some great times watching him in his early days with BD in what seems like just yesterday. We really tried hard to determine the source and what is being said for the voice samples they use. This show has grown on me with every viewing, and live, you really appreciate how well mixed, clever, and effective the electronics are. Beyond that, they are performing their responsibilities really well. The run through was solid, thanks Bloo!

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We took off for the 40 minute ride to Liberty High School in Bethlehem to find the Cadets, and got to see them do the the last 40 minutes of their ensemble block. As expected, they were working hard. My buddy, being a drum guy, has become a huge Cadets percussion fan. Loved the comments from Colin M. in the box, constantly asking the battery to play louder in spots. I read the a great description on DCP of their drum book saying it's like a run on sentence. I would add the words are in CAPS and there are a ton of exclamation points throughout it. Most of the box comments were related to energy and emotion. We marveled at the guard girl who got a shoulder injury and was in a sling as she fought one armed through the section of the show she is still performing. They do not do a run through, but the brass line played a nice little rendition of Happy Birthday for Gino C at the end of the block.

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Next up: Saturday @ East

Edited by truman
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For dinner we stopped at a plaza near the entrance to the park on Cedar Crest Blvd. We have been doing this one of the two nights for the last couple years becasue they have a couple different food choices in one place. We all opted for take out from Mi Chongs.

The Duck Pond Park parking was jammed to the limit. Saturday usually is more crowded, but the Crossmen and BAC alumni have big parties there every year on the night those corps perform, just adding to the crowd. We parked across the street and set up to eat under some shade near some warm ups. We actually had the show up on our phones and watched some from the park, a technological miracle that we never could have imagined just a few short years ago.

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We made our way through the park, watching some warm ups along the way. The highlight had to be watching Roger Carter playing the little kit set up as a kind of "human met" for the cool Bloo battery warm ups. This is like a show in itself, and I strongly recommend seeing it if you are in the Indy lot, or even by watching the tube clips that are out there.

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The picture below is one that was a bittersweet moment for my wife and I. My oldest daughter is on the "spectator" side of this warm up. She came really close to being on the performer side of this picture this year. We thought about how different our summer would have been had that been the case. She has her age out year left, and although we will be proud of whatever she chooses, I imagine that we might be watching a warm up in this park next year through watering eyes.

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We made our way in at INT again so the ticket holders around our seats could adjust their stuff from the extra room they had been enjoying.

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PR was first, and they performed the snot out of the show tonight. Power and beauty on display, we, and the crowd gave them an appreciative S/O when they finished. The goo mixer, on the other hand, gets no love from me. I would say most of time, and ALL of the impacts, the synth was way too loud. Sound board mechanical crescendos that started too loud and finished way too loud. It was a constant annoyance and a distraction. I really was left wondering who was responsible for thinking this was musical or appealing in any way. At first I thought it might be speaker/seat location, but that was not the case with any other corps we saw from these seats over these 2 nights. Hopefully they make the right adjustments in Indy, and continue some of the momentum they established tonight. 6th would be quite an accomplishment for this group.

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Somehow we thought this was kinda cool. Here's the multi cam live webcast on the phone with the real time show in the back round

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Scouts also had a great run. This crowd appreciated the recognizable music and the retro feel Madison style. The bone solo in the ballad was really well performed. As a little side note, I have noticed that EVERYTIME any "alternative brass instrument" is used by any corps, that there is an almost obligatory applause given. It seems to be more forced than when a solo on conventional instruments is performed, amped or not. Pay attention if you see things live and you will see what I mean.

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Out rolled The Coats. A great run for them as well. Our second favorite ballad of the year. Awesome mix for the electronics dynamics. The crowd loved them and loves to Blooo! Not really surprised by their GE caption strength, as they create a new and unique canvas of mood and effect. As close as they are, I wonder if they have enough meat on the bone to make up the difference needed to medal or even win their first. One thing for sure, that really doesn't matter when it comes to the fun and enjoyment this show provides it's members and audience.

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Crown continues to develop on the dark side. The brass just seems to get more angry and powerful every show. The same can be said for the guard, they are just phenominal. The enter banner still sends chills down my spine. One change I didn't like was put in in Atlanta. One front mello starts to crawl out under the red in the ballad, and is pulled back under by his leg right before it is pulled off. All around me there was laughing and giggling at this part, not in a make fun way, but because it is "amusing". I am told that the same reaction was given in Atlanta my people around those that were there. I feel that it detracts from the creepy dynamic that this visual prop establishes, and that they need to take it out.

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Cadets finished things off with a powerful display of marching and playing. They were definitely making the statement that they were not going away. The same feel from Chester for me on the black. Not helping the visual like they wanted I think. The battery seemed to take Colin's request to heart. and despite a couple little problems, they put on quite a display of power. We had talked about the chances of Hop and Company deciding that the black was a bad move, and if they would switch back. Had the gap widened tonight, I really think that it could have been a possibility. Not so sure about that now.

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After some more pictures we made the long walk back through the trucks and busses. Crown's guard was still in full uniform spinning and tossing and catching under the flood lights in the practice area. I took this as a sign that they are going to push really hard for the title. It probably is just coincidence, but ever since Hop kinda relegated them to third in his comments before Foxboro, this corps has put the pedal down competitively.

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We added 2 more to our group for breakfast after the show, another drummer friend and his girl friend. We decided to try something new, and went to the Golden Gate Diner by the airport off 22. Great service and good food, and excellent prices, it was a nice change! Even though the group was exhausted, the drum corps conversation and fun was energetic as we looked at recaps and talked about the shows. I found myself wishing the whole posse could travel to Indy for another week of fun, but instead we had to say our good byes until next year.

Next up: some final thoughts

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The late ride up the turnpike was quiet. There was some sleeping in the back seat, and almost some from the driver's seat! Luckily, Lynn stayed awake and kept an eye on me even though I wouldn't let her drive when she wanted to. Just like many other times, we found ourselves traveling in the same direction as the tour, and we rode along with corps vehicles on their way to Buffalo.

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There would be no trip to Buffalo or Indy. Work and band camp means it's web casts and the theater for us. We do have 2 DCA shows and a trip to Rachacha to look forward to. It has been a great experience, and I hope you have enjoyed the story as much as we have. I know that my diet is glad for the trip to be over, but it's fun to splurge if you can. I am so thankful for those who got to come along, especially my wonderfully awesome beautiful wife. I am not the easiest to travel with, and she is great about it. Our friends are safely home in South Carolina, and I miss them all very much already.

For those of you who still have shows to see, I hope you can make some great memories of your own. The competition is as close as ever, and in my opinion any of 4 have a legitimate shot at the title, and there are close races up and down the line up. It is going to be a lot of fun to see how things unfold.

Edited by truman
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