wheelerand Posted June 11, 2002 Share Posted June 11, 2002 Intro The second show of the DCI season was the first annual "Drums Along the Red Cedar" show at UW-Stout stadium in Menomonie, WI. The venu was everything it was made out to be - a stadium that rivals Whitewater, if not in size, then definitely as just a great place to watch a drum corps competition. It would be difficult to imagine a greater contrast with FVL in Appleton the previous night. Seating was by section, with tickets ranging from $8 to $20 for the premium seats (which were high up, in the center, and were actual chairs). Souvenir stands were inside the stadium construction, along with the concession stand. I was unable to find the Pioneer souvie stand. Everything about this show, from its professional- looking website to the venu to the helpful lady outside the stadium with a graphic seating chart, told of careful thought and planning. This "first annual" show has a bright future. Blue Stars (LaCrosse, WI) Between the long drive from Appleton and the lack of any exhibition performances tonight, we did not make it to the stadium in time to see the Blue Stars. (Of course, the Blue Stars made it on time, but they had a bus driver and we did not.) Chops, Inc. Sr. (Minneapolis, MN) Chops, Inc., set the tone for their show as soon as they entered the field. The uniforms highlighted by red high-top sneakers were a sign of things to come from this fun-loving corps. From the drum major's interaction with the audience to the members waving at the crowd both during the show and during the review, the overall tone was one of "We're here to have fun; have fun with us". And the audience did. A recurring theme this year seems to be corps starting their show facing the rear sidelines, and this is how Chops began. The show featured soloists standing on tables used as props, on-field antics, and a drum major who focused as much attention on the audience as on the corps; but when the music got serious, the corps was up to the task, both in the percussion and in the horn line. The audience responded appreciatively both to the musical talent and to the fun-centered mood. Capital Sound (Madison, WI) As with Chops, Inc., Capital Sound began their show facing backwards, with the exception of a talented horn quintet who started off the show musically. The mood was somber for the opener, "Funeral for a Friend", by Elton John. This number featured several quiet passages and a nice horn solo and duet. "Curious Carnival" is highlighted by powerful percussion and a whimsical group of six guard members dressed up in Gumby-like suits. The corps walked to position to start the third number, "On the Turning Away", indicating a section of drill not yet complete. This number featured a very clean solo and an emotional feel supported by the minimal percussion play. A very sharp silent flag drill enhanced the visual. The guard appears in near mid-season form already, with their synchronization and the speed of some of their work. The silence highlighted their drill even more. "Carry on Wayward Son" offered a sharp contrast with a high-energy marimba piece that built as it was picked up by the hornline. The low brass was outstanding in this number, and the snare/cymbal set proved a highlight of the show, both visually and musically. The overall performance was without any obvious weaknesses, a great accomplishment for so early in the season. Minnesota Brass (Minneapolis, MN) If loud music and clean solos characterize a winning program, then the Minnesota Brass has a great year in store. Another show without any obvious weaknesses, "From Black to Blue" has it all - clean solos, brass as loud as any so far this season, and precise percussion. Taking the field after the intermission, Minnesota Brass became the third consecutive corps to begin their show facing the rear sideline. "A Night in Tunisia" featured a couple of high brass passages, one a quartet and one a trio. Both were played cleanly and with emotion. The guard contributed some excellent rifle work, and the percussion really shone in this number; the stickwork of the battery added a visual treat. "Round Midnight" started with a marimba/xylophone feature into a horn solo supported by one flag. This took place with the corps again facing backward; an about-face led to musical entry by the whole corps building to a climax, then decrescendoing back to a one-horn, one-flag solo with the rest of the corps facing backward. This was an excellent effect, building mood and intensity. The last two numbers had some of everything - powerful horns, percussion features with great stickwork, and precise guard highlighted by a flag/rifle toss performed flawlessly. This show has what it takes to challenge for a championship, and the audience responded enthusiastically with their first standing ovation of the night. Madison Scouts (Madison, WI) Two competitions, two victory concerts. The Madison Scouts completed a sweep of the opening weekend in Wisconsin with a powerful show, matching their Appleton performance in intensity and execution. The fourth corps in a row to begin their show facing backward, Madison started off with silent drill into a building percussion passage. "Captain from Castille" featured fast-paced drill. Some inconsistency in the rifle work revealed the youth of the season. The number ends with an impressive company front. "Asturias" bagan with a clean horn solo into a loud percussion piece featuring the battery. The visual drill did not yet appear complete as yet, but this did not detract from the feel, especially during the marimba feature to otherwise silent drill. Percussion sound literally filled the stadium in the closer, which featured various Latin-type drums played by a cross-over guard/ percussion group known as the "X-men". A tenor/tympani feature, with the tenors placed directly behind the tymp and all playing the same chart, highlighted this number visually. This number featured fast-paced drill, a clean horn duet, and guard work highlighted by a well-synchronized sabre toss. The number ends with a fast-paced switchback drill into concentric circles and finally an unwinding spiral into a company front, all the while building in volume and pace. A standing ovation from the crowd showed the impact the show had on the audience. Fans on the West Coast are in for a treat this year from the Madison Scouts. Pioneer (Milwaukee, WI) Following the Minnesota Brass and Madison Scouts is a difficult task for anyone, and proved so for Pioneer. Much about the show is still in progress, from the use of props to the projected mid-season uniform change to the musicality of the hornline. The show has much potential, however, and shows glimpses of brilliance, particularly in the consistently powerful drumline. Before the "official" beginning of the show, the guard and some of the other members seem to be playing randomly. That's how it looked from a lower angle in Appleton; but from up higher, the visual begins to make sense: the corps is acting out childhood games, such as hopscotch, tag, jumprope, and "monkey in the middle". This is a reflection of the beginning of the musical "Oliver", which forms the basis of the show. The show opened softly with a marimba feature, as the members settled down from their playground routine into the show's drill. The opening number, a medley from the musical, featured strong percussion, a well-coordinated rifle drill, and a powerful percussion/brass finish. The second number began with only the pit playing as the marchers went through a silent drill. "Consider Yourself" was light-hearted and came off well, but could use more punch at the end. The closing number began once again with the pit, featuring the marimbas and xylophones. A clean solo and duet highlight this number, as the corps "breaks out" of the boundaries established by the low platforms which have formed the border of most of the show. This is a show with much potential for audience appeal, and the percussion appeared in near mid-season form already, boding well for the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atye Posted June 11, 2002 Share Posted June 11, 2002 Great review! Thanks again for coming to the show. I know it was a long weekend of driving for you, but I hope you feel it was worth it. We want this to be a show first and foremost for the fans, and I think we are well on our way to achieving that. Your compliments about the show, how it was run, web site, stadium etc., are greatly appreciated! Come again next year!! Atye FMM Star of Indianahttp://www.cvtn.com/redcedardrums/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheelerand Posted June 11, 2002 Author Share Posted June 11, 2002 Atye, barring some unforeseen catastrophe, I definitely will be back next year!! That show was well worth the drive (although we did not make it all the way back - stayed overnight in WI and drove the rest of the way Monday morning) and will be an annual event for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insanity Posted June 11, 2002 Share Posted June 11, 2002 Outstanding review. Can't wait to see both Chops and MBI soon. Again, Thanks. Later... Jim "Insanity" Schehr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atye Posted June 11, 2002 Share Posted June 11, 2002 Maybe Royal Airs could come to Menomonie next year? What do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sluggo Posted June 11, 2002 Share Posted June 11, 2002 Great review Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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