Jeff Ream Posted July 6, 2022 Share Posted July 6, 2022 On 6/23/2022 at 6:51 AM, rpbobcat said: One reason for the small crowds at the Allentown Shows were that they never opened the upper stands. We asked about this at one of the shows. We were told by one of the people working the show, that YEA wouldn't to cover the costs for the additional people needed to open them, even though a lot of people wanted to sit there. that had zero effect looking at many pictures from the last few shows. severe heat played a part as did insane prices for 5-6 corps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2000Cadet Posted July 6, 2022 Share Posted July 6, 2022 3 minutes ago, TexasPRfan said: I couldn't agree more. That amazing drill & marching would have popped so much more in the traditional uniform with white pants that year. I still contend it might have put them over the top. The switch to black unis during the latter part of that season was a huge mistake, IMO. In the opinion of the judges, as well, apparently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njthundrrd Posted July 6, 2022 Share Posted July 6, 2022 11 hours ago, Lance said: After an amazing weekend with family, finally got to see this show. Unfortunately, I could only find a sideline cam version of the show without performers wearing uniforms or anything, but I think it was enough to get a taste of what's going on with the corps. I couldn't really see what was going on visually, but I did see some run and gun stuff that felt very cadets. I loved pretty much everything about the show musically. The first number is one of my favorite openers of the year I've heard so far. Second number I only have one criticism, and it's the synth stuff with the trumpet solo at the beginning. I know it's probably faithful to the original piece, but when you have a narrator talking in present tense about the beatnik era, and they're also shouting out names of musicians who were definitely using synth, I don't think it really fits. Synth stuff in the closer feels okay, but it's kind of take it or leave it for me...if it scores more points, great. My only problem with the narration is that the narrator sounds super disinterested. The brass has a really mature ensemble sound. I think they'll be able to pump up the volume in some places as they learn the show, and impact moments will get a lot bigger. Don't know anything about percussion, but I liked what I heard from the battery and especially enjoyed the front ensemble features. I think this is a terrific vehicle for recruiting future members. Everything is very well done, and the intensity will be there soon enough. Can't wait to see the whole production for the first time. I'm rooting so hard for The Cadets to eventually contend for titles again. I'll keep saying it. Doc Stratton and his staff are creating a top 5 brass line at The Cadets. Will it be this year? Who knows, but if their retain and don't lose as many members to corps above them (compared to any other year) and attract more mature talent, they will be on their way. I know for a fact that there is a 15 year old "legacy" euph who's dad marched in the 80's that is already a complete stud. Imagine when he matures? 8 Year vet? The Cadets are growing. They need to reestablish the brand. Stay close to their traditional roots, but be innovative, get the talent to get to the top 6, stay true to their brand for one more year after that... then they can innovate! Rebuilding the brand is super important right now. Bluecoats and Crown are the perfect examples of this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Ream Posted July 6, 2022 Share Posted July 6, 2022 On 6/23/2022 at 12:02 PM, 2000Cadet said: Hopefully it'll be better than 99. the tenor feature was great 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2000Cadet Posted July 6, 2022 Share Posted July 6, 2022 1 minute ago, njthundrrd said: I'll keep saying it. Doc Stratton and his staff are creating a top 5 brass line at The Cadets. Will it be this year? Who knows, but if their retain and don't lose as many members to corps above them (compared to any other year) and attract more mature talent, they will be on their way. I know for a fact that there is a 15 year old "legacy" euph who's dad marched in the 80's that is already a complete stud. Imagine when he matures? 8 Year vet? The Cadets are growing. They need to reestablish the brand. Stay close to their traditional roots, but be innovative, get the talent to get to the top 6, stay true to their brand for one more year after that... then they can innovate! Rebuilding the brand is super important right now. Bluecoats and Crown are the perfect examples of this. Sounds like Michael Terry or Jana Anderson. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njthundrrd Posted July 6, 2022 Share Posted July 6, 2022 4 minutes ago, TexasPRfan said: I couldn't agree more. That amazing drill & marching would have popped so much more in the traditional uniform with white pants that year. I still contend it might have put them over the top. The switch to black unis during the latter part of that season was a huge mistake, IMO. Just now, 2000Cadet said: In the opinion of the judges, as well, apparently. The drill tech in me came out when I heard they were switching to black that year. I thought, "it will make them look small and accentuate intervals more" and it did. Those maroon and gold uniforms are the perfect tick hiders. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Dixon Posted July 6, 2022 Share Posted July 6, 2022 10 hours ago, postertrout said: This show was meant to be a bridge to deal with the fall out of the scandal in 2018 and, if we are being blunt, the debacle that was 2019. The show was slated to field in 2020 as vehicle to bring back alumni, sponsors, and donors in order to continue to build on a new version of the Cadets. Of course, COVID had other ideas, so the show was tabled due to the cancelation on the 2020 season. Given that 2021 was a celebration of DCI and not competitive, they opted to go with a greatest hits type show that allowed the corps to showcase the established brand of the Cadets. They brought back the M&Gs since it is such an integral part of their identity and one of the most iconic uniform in drum corps. It seems 2021 created a buzz from long time fans and helped energize their potential to get interest from top tier talent. Phantom Regiment seemed to follow the same train of thought with their retread of their 2003 show. Both organizations have seen their stars diminished in recent years, so they needed to turn to nostalgia to create excitement for their respective brands. “Shall Always Be” and “Harmonic Journey” were crowd pleasers last year, so it worked out for them. There is some truth to the thought that the 2022 Cadets are not pushing the envelope of innovation such as the likes of Bluecoats or even Mandarins, but the organization had a show locked and loaded that really builds on the success of 2021 and sets the stage for future innovation. That plays into the entire theme of the show “Rearview Mirror”. The themes of Jack Kerouac’s prose of moving from the past into a future of change. The entire show design plays into this from the musical book, the fast-paced drill, and even the uniform choice. The Cadets know what their past and are ready to set a new identity for the future. As stated in someone’s previous comment, the Cadets are not financially overachieving to the point of being able to bring out all the bells and whistles, so it seems disingenuous to claim laziness or cheapness in relation to their prop and uniform choices. The uniform in general, while it is kind of baggy, fits into the show thematically by starting off having details of the M&Gs and then showing a new modern take on the classic design with their body suit maroon shirts. It is a way to convey a respect for the past, but a taste of the modern and probably very comfortable for the performers compared to the initial jacket they are wearing. The props are small but seem to play well within the show itself. I do agree there is a lot of narration, but it does not take away from the show and is necessary for it story wise. Maybe they can tweak it in certain areas to help with the pacing. This show is needed for the Cadets to continue to rebuild their donor base and bring in new talent that wants to march a fast paced and challenging musical offering. The innovation will come in time as the CEO and Director are keen to keep to the history of innovation that the Cadets have done in the past. If they field a similar show next season then maybe they do need to re-evaluate the direction they are taking the corps, but that is yet to be seen. I find the show enjoyable and if they can clean it some, they could land better than 2019 for sure. It has the potential to be a 7th place show. I do not think they can overtake Cavs and they need to keep Phantom, Blue Stars, and Mandarins in their rearview mirror, pardon the pun, which might be a tall order. thank you for stating what I've been thinking so clearly- excellent post 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2000Cadet Posted July 6, 2022 Share Posted July 6, 2022 2 minutes ago, Jeff Ream said: the tenor feature was great It'd have been better had we not had two tenor injuries which left us with three. Just now, njthundrrd said: The drill tech in me came out when I heard they were switching to black that year. I thought, "it will make them look small and accentuate intervals more" and it did. Those maroon and gold uniforms are the perfect tick hiders. Agreed. I was a tick bomb in '99 lol... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Ream Posted July 6, 2022 Share Posted July 6, 2022 On 7/3/2022 at 7:20 PM, njthundrrd said: Power of 10 was a very good show. To be honest, so was the Christmas show. I know more than a few "drill guys" that when we saw the double blind backfield reshapes during the mello solo "Do you hear what I hear?" We turned to each other and said that was by far the hardest transition of the summer. But all of you are right... The brand has not been right for some time. Hopefully, this show, design team, and educators can start to lay the new foundation with this show. I marched Cadets 81-84, so I would like to think the bricks those corps laid down set the tone for some time after us and then the other years that did well, projected the brand further down the road. And yes, when I marched in the 80's, I thought the guys that marched the early 70's were ancient. The 60's? They were already ghosts to me... LOL but they were all around those years and some of them still are. But some of those earlier shows? On the bus we talked about a lot of historic corps from Garfield and many other corps... and we didn't have YouTube, DCP, or the internet to find them. LOL Power of 10 was a great show until the uniform switch. the show was all about velocity, which white pants magnified. the switch to all black killed that effect. so much monkeying around with the visual, especially with the guard issues..it never grew like it could have after San Antonio 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Ream Posted July 6, 2022 Share Posted July 6, 2022 (edited) On 7/4/2022 at 11:38 AM, FTNK said: Just saw the props…. oooff not good On 7/4/2022 at 11:38 AM, FTNK said: Just saw the props…. oooff not good yeah. i'm willing to give it a pass cause honestly, Cadets have never ever really done props that well, and since they spun off from YEA, finances need to be applied other ways. I'd rather they get good staff and admin and the kids travel safe as opposed to blowing 100k on props Edited July 6, 2022 by Jeff Ream 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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