My WESTLAKE VILLAGE review...

[Marc66]

Well, the first weekend of drum corps in SoCal came to a close last night in Westlake Village @ Mystikal's first ever HOME SHOW...and, by most accounts it was a great experience. I actually had the chance to simply watch the performances from up top, being that I'm taking a bit of time off from teaching this year.

I figured that I could finally give a solid review now that I've seen everyone out here.

First off, the venue - Westlake HS, Westlake Village. Actually, a pretty good stadium, with two notable exceptions. 1 - there was no back stands, so any backfield playing was lost into the vast valley (meaning - couldn't hear squat being played back field). This was definitely apparent during several shows. 2 - while the warmup area was a good distance away, there were a couple of nasty hills that pit players had to push equipment up/down which was bad enough...but, the final hill was also dirt, making all shoes extremely dirty upon entering the stadium.

However, the stadium itself wasn't too bad...and the brand new turf looked like it was quite cushy to march on.

Note to Ryan Turner...you were listed as the announcer for this show in the program and, while the actually announcer was alright, your voice would have been a lot more welcomed.

The Performances - overall: Most every corps seemed fatigued (no wonder - it was the final show of a long weekend, and obviously most hornlines were exhausted). With the first weekend completed, I'm sure those kids are ready to enjoy some rest before heading up to NorCal this next weekend.

The Corps:

Hawthorne Gold (Exhibition) - This is first year corps from the South Bay area of LA (city of Hawthorne) and they made a really good first impression. About 30/23/11/1 and, while they had the obvious jitters (it's a high school music program that has a year-round music program) in front of different audience, they were still very enjoyable. Original music (titled Introductions) was nice, though not hummible, but overall a nice opening package from them. Definitely want to see where they go from here.

Dream Senior - OK...it's a senior corps. So, they have the requisit loud, sometimes over-blatting, horns, a green drumline (definitely the weakest link at this point) and an ok guard. Music is from Kill Bill and, while there are some nice moments, this show does need a lot of work if they are going to make finals at DCA. Oh, and Sam, you were missed on the DM podium (no slight against their solid DM, but Sam was still missed).

D-II/III:

Jester - OK, I'm going to come right out and say it...DCI needs to send every performing member of this corps a letter of apology for allowing the leadership of this corps to subject them to this mess. The kids are doing what is being asked of them, but the difficulty of the book is extremely too much for the kids to handle. Also, it's obvious that the leadership of Jester does not have a clue on how to run a corps (feeding kids at 1:30am after a show, then waking them at 6am later that morning after a frantic first show night is NOT HOW TO TREAT YOUR KIDS...yes, I know this for certain after speaking with folks who stayed with the corps Friday night/Saturday morning).

Sorry, but I can't even properly "review" their show because the music/drill is pretty much unrecognizable...my apologies, but these kids are getting the royal shine-ola.

Vanguard Cadets - Definitely the greenest SCV-C in a long time. The music is various Key Poulan pieces from his plethora of music. All sections are improving rapidly, but the difficulty of the book is making it so they have to work harder. Some really nice moments (the single guard member at the start of the Death sequence really sets the mood for the piece) are evident. The hornline does have a very nice, rich sound, but the music definitely could uses a good watering.

Impulse - The Incredibles (or, as they call it, The Impulsibles). Can't say too much about this show, because there isn't much there, yet. The soundtrack from this movie has a lot of great music that this corps should be eating up. Instead, without any of the "gags" that they will put in later this year (I'm hoping), this show just sounds like a lounge orchestra. The music is very mellow, and lacks a lot of "umph." All sections are alright, but this show suffered from several bouts of drum major slow down (would start a song at one tempo and immediately start slowing down).

The Academy - Everything you've heard about them is true. This corps will be a DCI Champion. Everything about them is solid. There book is challenging (not hummible, but really good) and all sections handle it well. They are not perfect...by any stretch of the imagination. The first horn hit generated an audible gasp of delight from the audience, and the attraction lasted all through their show. I was delighted to hear that they will be going to Madison next year for championship week. The rest of the drum corps world needs to see/hear/experience this group cause they are for real.

Mystikal - First off, I'm the former visual caption head for this group, so there is a natural bias - and I freely admit it. However, I still can offer a neutral review. This show (A Sorcerer's Sonnet) is musically/visually far more challenging than last year's Pirates of the Caribbean show. Unfortunately, it definitely shows. This corps is very strong in both percussion and guard, but the hornline and drill are a major issue. The guard book is strong, and the performers are well up to the challenge (using silk/rifle/sabre/long sword). When everyone is there, I'm sure this show will make sense. However, the drill will definitely need to be changed to accomodate the smaller than expected hornline, and for the music/drill to make sense.

Blue Devils B - First off: there is a male guard member that looks like he just entered kindergarten (Impulse, you should be doing Willie Wonka THIS year, cause here would be your Oompa Loompa). But...OMG, can this kid spin and perform. Definitely someone who has a bright future in the activity. As for their show, original music from John Meehan is great (but the usual BD trademark hits are growing increasingly tiresome) and this corps is definitely maturing from previous years...awesome show.

Div. I:

Esperanza - Performing Keith Emerson's Piano Concerto, this corps enters with a smaller corps than last year. The show doesn't really have a lot of impact, and the audience reaction was more like a golf tournament than a drum corps show. Guard is alright, but lacking in color (though their work is good)...however, nothing about them stands out...and, I'm sure the low numbers are indicative of their lack of emotional impact. Almost forgot...the whistles: VERY ANNOYING. I'd almost settle for amps if they'd lose the whistles (note, I said ALMOST).

Pacific Crest - Fluid States is way different than last years show. I really loved last year's PC cause it was accessible and fun. This year is more esoteric, but performed much better than last year's corps. And, while on this night, they were a bit off across the board, this show has a lot more potential than last year. And, as has been previously reviewed by others, this is a guard show (sorry horns and drums, but it is). Drill nicely reflects the fluid states of vapor, solid and liquid (the wave-like drill is really cool).

Mandarins - By all accounts, my favorite show so far this year. Horns are strong (48 sounds like 70) and powerful, yet tender in the right moments. Percussion...yes, I love the Taiko drums, but they are not appropriate for this show, and guard is really strong. Oh, and the drum major...simply AWESOME. Show is titled, "Loves Me...Loves Me Not," and is wonderful. Music is from Spartacus (haven't heard since Phantom), plus pieces from Astor Piazola and Rachmaninov. This show is pure romance. I really love the beginning with the guard and their sunflowers (as if to pull a petal to say, he loves me...he loves me not) while a lone sop plays the intro....wonderful!!!

Santa Clara Vanguard - OK, I'm also an alum, so I have a bias here too. However, I can give an unbiased review here, too. Let me sum this show up with this: This show ain't even close to being there, yet...but (like the Vanguard of the 70's and 80's) there is a lot that will probably be added/fixed to make them a contender and the end of the year.

The music is Russian (an SCV strength), the uniforms are a modern adaptation of the classic Vanguard in White (yeah), and they are doing what they used to do...just get the show on the field and proceed to tweek, fix, add, add more, and work towards the final goal: DCI CHAMPIONSHIPS WEEK. We forget that this is what they always did, and rarely scored really well until the second half of the season. Now, this performance was alright, but not nearly as strong and entertaining as it could have been. I'm also hoping that I'm accurate in my observation, or else SCV is in for along year.

It was great having drum corps in a place where it hasn't been in a long time and, if the size of the crowd was any indication, there will shows here for a long time to come.

Edited June 27, 2005 by Marc66

[84BDsop]

Dream Senior - OK...it's a senior corps.  So, they have the requisit loud, sometimes over-blatting, horns, a green drumline (definitely the weakest link at this point) and an ok guard.  Music is from Kill Bill and, while there are some nice moments, this show does need a lot of work if they are going to make finals at DCA.  Oh, and Sam, you were missed on the DM podium (no slight against their solid DM, but Sam was still missed).

Thanks for the props, Marc....at every show I've been getting "Dude....you're not DM this year??" which is actually kinda heartening...kinda nice to be missed! Marlon Hopper does a good job...a rookie on the podium as I was in '03...at least he had the good sense to ask me to write out all the DM protocols for him, 'cause he had NO idea!!

And you have no IDEA how far the drum line's come since they joined us. Friday was definitely a wake-up call. Except for the really tall and skinny snare (who's close to our age), they're all young kids...DEFINITELY drops our average age! I think they didn't realize that us old guys can be serious in performing...they're learning, tho.

The Academy - Everything you've heard about them is true.  This corps will be a DCI Champion.  Everything about them is solid.  There book is challenging (not hummible, but really good) and all sections handle it well.  They are not perfect...by any stretch of the imagination.  The first horn hit generated an audible gasp of delight from the audience, and the attraction lasted all through their show.  I was delighted to hear that they will be going to Madison next year for championship week.  The rest of the drum corps world needs to see/hear/experience this group cause they are for real.

So how long did it take you to find your lower jaw after the opening hit?? I lost sight of you when you laughed and ran off after someone yelled "VANGUARD!" in Academy's show!

[crAzy4guard]

"Note to Ryan Turner...you were listed as the announcer for this show in the program and, while the actually announcer was alright, your voice would have been a lot more welcomed."

You mean, I'm not the only one who thought it was akward after the announcer cut off SCV before their show ended?

oops!

We missed you Ryan!

[Marc66]

I was standing with Academy's staff when it happened and we all got a good chuckle.

To reference: About 2/3 way through SCV's show, they have a wonderfully impactful ending to the song, and the Drum Major (Stuart Shulman) turns around to the audience to acknowledge the response...and the announcer does the closing announcement: "The Santa Clara Vanguard, from Santa Clara, California." And, then, Stuart turns around and counts off the closer...

VERY FUNNY!!!

[LuvsPAisTe]

Marc-

Thanks for your right-on-the-money review.

Two things I'd like to add about SCV- I really think these uniforms are the best they've ever had. They look like a million bucks from the stands. And-I know not all are in agreement with this- I think the snares playing matched grip with the drums really low looks freakin' awesome.

[Marc66]

Not being a percussionist, I really couldn't care less about the grip SCV's, or any other, drumline is using.

As for the uniforms, oh yeah... I LOVE 'EM.

[84BDsop]

And props to the SCV guard member who picked up that sabre that'd been dropped on side 1....you know....the one that 2 seperate judges didn't try to get off the field....one guy almost took a NASTY spill, but recovered it.

Judges....if it ain't clealry out as a set place to leave the gear....i.e. it's in the middle of the field...PICK THE ####### THING UP!!!

[tubawarrior]

Great review Marc...now if I could only get my shirt back

[ffernbus3]

That little rifle guy with BD B is indeed a talent. He was really on the money and fluid....reminded not a few of us of a young Stanley Knaub, but even Knaub wasn't that good at that age.

The kid does have a future....I'd suggest a management deal post haste!

Another great review to read....thanks.

RON HOUSLEY

[bluedevilbass1]

The little rifle kid is actually 14 years old, believe it or not. Its pretty crazy when I am only a year older and am twice his size and can grow hair on my face. When he does look like he got out of elementry school. But he is an awesome kid and everyone loves him.