CD Liner Notes: 2002 Summer Music Games

[Dream Theater]

Drum Corps International 

Summer Music Games 2002

Camp Randal Stadium

Madison, Wisconsin

August 5th-10th

 

It was heard over and over throughout Camp Randall Stadium, "This is the best year of drum corps EVER!" Fans witnessed a high score at the 2001 Drum Corps international Worlds Championship Division I Finals when Brandt Crocker announced The Cavaliers in first place for the third year-in-a-row, capping off an undefeated season with three perfect caption scores and wins in all but one caption. 

The excitement, however, went far beyond the story of the Green Machine's success, as the stunning quality of all corps reached all through the ranks. Corps that realistically might have made Finals any other year didn't this season. For much of 2002, there seemed to be as many as seven corps that could claim the last three finalist positions leading into Semifinals competition.

The grand celebration of Drum Corps International's 30th Anniversary was held in the only location that seemed logical. Many fans consider Madison, Wisconsin to be "Drum Corps City". The locale embraced the fans unlike any other place, and one could sense the aura of Whitewater, Wisconsin just over the horizon, where it all began in 1972.

On the road to Camp Randall, all Division I corps stopped at major Drum Corps International events in San Antonio and Indianapolis, and divided up between Philadelphia and Denver. Each of the shows featured placemat swaps and questions about who would ultimately appear Saturday night in Madison, helping create a suspenseful mood as the season headed into the final week.

The greatest week perhaps in Drum Corps International history began with three days of Division II & III events. Thursday's Division I Quarterfinals concluded with an emotional and memorable Opening Ceremony, highlighted by a mesmerizing live shadow dance of some of the corps fans' most unforgettable moments from the past thirty years., backlit against giant scrims. All corps performing during the week were invited to participate in the Parade of Champions, followed by an age-out ceremony that brought tears to the eyes of many.

Less than 2.0 separated 10th from 15th place in Quarterfinals, proving that there would be a number of tight races to watch in Semifinals. This Friday night show witnessed three corps proceeding on to Finals that weren't finalists the year before; SPIRIT from Jacksonville State University for the first time ever since 1990, Magic of Orlando after a period of inactivity and Seattle Cascades for the first time ever, after competing in Division III just two years earlier.

Saturday's Finals saw some 26,000 fans rally to support their favorite corps. The enthusiasm expressed throughout the stadium all week was loud and clear, adding to the sensational electricity on the field.

Listening to these CD's one can easily pick up on the fervor and passion of the corps and the audiences. This collection of new and old drum corps hits captures and enchantment and will enthrall your eardrums for decades. So sit back, turn the volume up and relive the best year of drum corps...EVER!

The Cavaliers

With repeated playings, one might catch all the intricacies of Frameworks. However, that is doubtful, as there is an unprecedented amount of phenomenal coordination of music and drill packed into a relative brief few minutes. Cutting-edge across the board, this production offers surprises yet today.

Blue Devils

The player piano introduction to Jazz- Music Made in America was a charming delight, with the guard playing up the silent movie character of the piece to the hilt. The seductively bluesy House of the Rising Sun became an instant corps classic, celebrating of the spirit of the USA's homegrown art form.

The Cadets

An American Revival was an absolute feel good delight, totally invigorating and emotionally elevating. A tribute to the citizens of the nation, the show captured senses of both heartfelt pride and earnest solemnity. Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy was one of the all-time great parties ever thrown on the field. 

Santa Clara Vanguard 

A visual vocabulary of three shapes (Triangles, circles, and diamonds) was taken to the outer limits in Sound, Shape and Color, a potent collage of boisterous sounds easily identifiable shapes and an artist palette explosion of color that was musically confrontational and yet inviting to all senses.

Boston Crusaders 

A celebration of all things Americana, You Are My Star wove a tapestry of American themes into a comforter for the national psyche. A heart-felt tribute to heroes and cultural icons from our storied past was followed by a swinging lifting of the soul ending with the picture-of-the-year, a giant "living" flag.

Phantom Regiment

Heroic Sketches: The Passion of Shostakovich dynamically conveyed the sentiments inherent in the music of the 20th Century's most emotionally heartrending composer, the fiery musical attack allowing the defiance of the composer's ideals to result in an overwhelming personal triumph at the end. 

Bluecoats

he opening sunrise effect to Urban Dances made the stadium lights rather redundant, as the workday kicked off with a  heavy dose of caffeine. A mid-day repose allowed for the feeding of ducks in the city park before running back to the office to face computer crashes and the unavoidable rush hour traffic jam.

Glassmen

Embarking on an adventurous Odyssey though the spirit of human endeavor, the exoticism of the music of Michael Kamen was woven into tapestry of bombastic and haunting sounds that glorified the cultures of ancient American southwest tribes, culminating in an exultant javelin toss of daring adventure.

Crossmen

Let's hope The Signature Series is just as the title sounds, the first steps in a sequence of shows exploring everything we love about the corps; especially the swinging groove of hot, propulsive jazz. The rhythmic drive of the Metheny and Ellis pieces are sure to set your feet tapping uncontrollably.

Spirit From Jacksonville State

The intense angst of the spiritual journey from Darkness Into Light  drilled a hole in the heads of the audience and scrambled their brains like an omelet. The chorale, in contrast, was shocking in its elegant delicacy, followed by the unbridled exuberance of the finale, reassuring in its buoyant optimism.

Magic of Orlando

The soaring and the colorful exoticism of Desert Winds blew into town with the force of a tumultuous sandstorm, catching many fans (and other Corps) by surprise. The epic scale of the engaging and stirring music was matched only by the corps' perceptible commitment to the lofty aspirations of the show.

Seattle Cascades

City Riffs reinvented the countless characteristics of the music of Leonard Bernstein as if it was being heard on the field for the first time ever. Inspired and alluring, the show portrayed the city's hustle and bustle, the search or inner serenity and the ultimate joy of the vibrant urban experience.

Blue Knights

If ever a show lived up to its title it was Fear and Trembling. Biting and intense horn stabs slashed though the air, the unabashed , thrusting musical ferocity making audience members feel as if they were sitting on top of an erupting volcano while being pelted by a meteor shower with no place to hide. 

Madison Scouts 

Conquest! brought to life the fearless actions of 16th Century Spanish Conquistadors as they plundered the treasures of Mexico and lands further south. Blazing brass overpowered the field and set it on fire, giving no heed to the notion of mercy and seeking only to attain complete and total supremacy.

Colts

Revelations reveled in the journey of human existence through the various crossroads that shape one's destiny and sense of humanity; exploring the Dawn of life, dealing with challenges and assorted life experiences, reflecting on spiritual matters larger than oneself, and finding hope in the future. 

Carolina Crown 

Crashing thunder and hurtling lightning bolts announced that Greek Mythology, Stories of Gods and Heroes was poised to unveil the secrets and desires of the greatest figures from ancient folklore; from the supremacy of Zeus, through the passion of Eros and the folly of Icarus, to the brutality of Medea. 

Capital Regiment

One of Drum Corps International's newest Division I corps found itself Climbing Everest to seize its first-ever Semifinals appearance. You'll hear the mystery of the Tibetan culture as well as sense the fear of doom and the ever-present threat of disaster as the corps closes in on the summit of the awe-inspiring mountain. 

Southwind

The Evolution darkness to light was delivered with blistering intensity. The aggression of the earlier musical selections grabs the throats of the audience and refuses to let go until later in the show, when the sun alleviated the weight of the darkness with vibrant bright bursts of yellow rays.

Mandarins

Once again breaking down barriers by challenging he notion of what a smaller corps can accomplish. Drum Corps International's other new Division I corps brilliantly encapsulated the majesty and resolve of contemporary British brass band music, as well as the dynamic American valor of the music of John Williams.

Edited September 21, 2020 by Dream Theater

[skevinp]

I’m guessing this was written by Michael Boo.  I wish more people had his positive attitude and ability to see good in all things.  

[Dream Theater]

Due to character limitations on the website that will give you a 500 error if you exceed it here is the last of the notes. 

Kiwanis Kavaliers

Evil doers shuddered when Hall of Justice made the confines of the stadium--as well as Gotham. Metropolis and galaxies light years away--safe for comic-book-reading-law-abiding people everywhere, with the only escapees from the colorful pages being a "ZAP"-load of heroic "BANG", "BOOM" and "POW".

Troopers

In Red, White & Blue The American Spirit, "America's Corps" indulged the audience with an unabashed salute to the passion of this nation's citizenry, focusing on the meaning of the three colors of the American Flag. Ultimately the hearts of the people triumphed in perseverance over all obstacles. 

[greg_orangecounty]

I LOVED Garfield that year!  It was a needed show for the times.