Kilts 2006 WOW

[kilt04]

Last night the Kilties premiered their 2006 show to some very enthusiastic local fans at Horlick field, in Racine. As a former member, my expectations were shall I say guarded. First show in June usually reveal less than stellar performances. Well let me be the first to tell you I was surprised at what I saw. Usually this corps, like many others plays their music with hesitation as they have just finished learning drill. This was not the case the music for the most part was solid. The drill had a few spots where members seemed uncertain, yet the show I witnessed last night was more like the Kilties in late July. This corps has done a great deal of marching work over the winter and it shows in the confidence on the field.

The size of the corps seems a little smaller than in pervious year, yet is the most mature sound to date, hats off to Jerry Kelsey, for an incredible show. I had the privilege of hearing the music from an early camp. I wasn’t sure where Jerry was going with Nelly Bly, a bass band sounding piece. But to my surprise it not only works, but the crowd loved it. Sorry Jerry for doubting you. I’m getting ahead of my self. So let me start at the beginning of the show. The corps opens with a series of solos along the front sideline. This needs to be more solid. It could be the chops were beat as this follow an intense day of practice in 90 plus heat. This is while the rest of the corps plays Loch Lomond to the back field. As it builds the corps turns and hit the crowd with a wall of the chorus, defiantly a Kiltie moment. As Lomond end on the high road Nelly Bly begins. At this point I realized the marching was the most uniform this corps has looked in the last 10 years. Norwegian Wood like you never heard before, with sections where the corps is moving at 160, is next up. The drum feature in the middle of Wood is going to be very impressive with a little more work, but very good for early June. The corps moves on into their tribute piece Water is Wide dedicated to Lothar and all the fallen Kilties. This is musically the most moving piece. It end with the corps playing back field and the drum line ends with each member raising a stick or cymbal out stretched to the sky. Very dramatic, and the fans eat it up. The show concludes with a stirring rendition of Syne. Complete with tidbits of the last 70 years of Kiltie tradition. Soloist play bits of Kiltie past, like Strike up the Band, and MacArthur’s Park. There are others but I don’t want to spoil it for those who want to see for them selves. Believe me the hair in the back of my neck stood up to hear Kilts of the past ossing through this Syne. Jerry Kelsey , Chris Thompson, the marching staff, and the corps members, this is an enjoyable show which truly captures the history of a fine organization. If this corps continues to work at this show through out the season, top 10 is not only a possibility but more than likely a reality. Tonight they get their first true test at DCI focus show in Lisle IL. If they perform tonight like they did in Racine, and the DCI judges believe what their seeing is real, we may see the highest opening season score in Kilties recent history.

^OO^

[uncle z]

Last night the Kilties premiered their 2006 show to some very enthusiastic local fans at Horlick field, in Racine. The show concludes with a stirring rendition of Syne. Complete with tidbits of the last 70 years of Kiltie tradition. Soloist play bits of Kiltie past, like Strike up the Band, and MacArthur’s Park. There are others but I don’t want to spoil it for those who want to see for them selves.

^OO^

Ahh, Heck--I'll be a spoiler.

There's a little bit of "Brotherhood of Man" in there, too. :P

[kilt04]

Lisle is in kilties 13.90 tied for second in brass wiyh blue coats. WOW! didn't see tonights performance hard to say what the judges saw. Last year it was July before the 50 + was obtained. Have some cleaning to do yet.

[bill]

Thank you for your kind thoughts.

We have a long way to go. We still have 3 more brass to fit into the drill, plus some potential guard. It's a long season that just started, and the corps will strive to do our best.

As a point of interest: The last three mellophone notes of "The Water is Wide" are a three note mello solo from 2005 season which were Joel "Lothar" Magnusons, that were dropped from the show before the season stated in 05. They were brought back in his honor.

*Character*Honor*Excellence*Tradition*

[StevensGrip]

Thank you for your kind thoughts.

We have a long way to go. We still have 3 more brass to fit into the drill, plus some potential guard. It's a long season that just started, and the corps will strive to do our best.

As a point of interest: The last three mellophone notes of "The Water is Wide" are a three note mello solo from 2005 season which were Joel "Lothar" Magnusons, that were dropped from the show before the season stated in 05. They were brought back in his honor.

*Character*Honor*Excellence*Tradition*

Dude... 52.8 on DCI div II/III sheets ain't half bad for a bunch of "weekend warriors" but as billy said above, still plenty (that's an understatment) to do.

Thanks for the kind words.

Best

CJT

[Scerpella]

Lisle is in kilties 13.90 tied for second in brass wiyh blue coats. WOW! didn't see tonights performance hard to say what the judges saw. Last year it was July before the 50 + was obtained. Have some cleaning to do yet.

Well we were at 13.90 on Div II/III sheets while everyone else was on regular Div I sheets. I dont know enough about the differences in judging criteria to know if that was a valid comparison. We felt pretty good about out performance but I dont know that we really beat PR.

But you were right in your initial review that we were awfully tired in Racine Sat night after a big day of rehearsal. You would have notice a siginificantly better performance at Lisle.

I also dont completely understand why they had us on Div II/III sheets while the 3 Minnesota corps were judged on DCA sheets in Coon Rapids.

Edited June 19, 2006 by dans24103

[morganhill]

Way to go Kilties! It's about time you guys got the scores you worked so hard for. Hope you reach your ultimate goal at DCA finals!

[KiltieBD3]

Last night the Kilties premiered their 2006 show to some very enthusiastic local fans at Horlick field, in Racine. As a former member, my expectations were shall I say guarded. First show in June usually reveal less than stellar performances. Well let me be the first to tell you I was surprised at what I saw. Usually this corps, like many others plays their music with hesitation as they have just finished learning drill. This was not the case the music for the most part was solid. The drill had a few spots where members seemed uncertain, yet the show I witnessed last night was more like the Kilties in late July. This corps has done a great deal of marching work over the winter and it shows in the confidence on the field.

The size of the corps seems a little smaller than in pervious year, yet is the most mature sound to date, hats off to Jerry Kelsey, for an incredible show. I had the privilege of hearing the music from an early camp. I wasn’t sure where Jerry was going with Nelly Bly, a bass band sounding piece. But to my surprise it not only works, but the crowd loved it. Sorry Jerry for doubting you. I’m getting ahead of my self. So let me start at the beginning of the show. The corps opens with a series of solos along the front sideline. This needs to be more solid. It could be the chops were beat as this follow an intense day of practice in 90 plus heat. This is while the rest of the corps plays Loch Lomond to the back field. As it builds the corps turns and hit the crowd with a wall of the chorus, defiantly a Kiltie moment. As Lomond end on the high road Nelly Bly begins. At this point I realized the marching was the most uniform this corps has looked in the last 10 years. Norwegian Wood like you never heard before, with sections where the corps is moving at 160, is next up. The drum feature in the middle of Wood is going to be very impressive with a little more work, but very good for early June. The corps moves on into their tribute piece Water is Wide dedicated to Lothar and all the fallen Kilties. This is musically the most moving piece. It end with the corps playing back field and the drum line ends with each member raising a stick or cymbal out stretched to the sky. Very dramatic, and the fans eat it up. The show concludes with a stirring rendition of Syne. Complete with tidbits of the last 70 years of Kiltie tradition. Soloist play bits of Kiltie past, like Strike up the Band, and MacArthur’s Park. There are others but I don’t want to spoil it for those who want to see for them selves. Believe me the hair in the back of my neck stood up to hear Kilts of the past ossing through this Syne. Jerry Kelsey , Chris Thompson, the marching staff, and the corps members, this is an enjoyable show which truly captures the history of a fine organization. If this corps continues to work at this show through out the season, top 10 is not only a possibility but more than likely a reality. Tonight they get their first true test at DCI focus show in Lisle IL. If they perform tonight like they did in Racine, and the DCI judges believe what their seeing is real, we may see the highest opening season score in Kilties recent history.

^OO^

Thanks, Glad you liked it.

[trishthedish]

I drove up to Racine for the dress rehearsal and brought my 2 1/2 year old daughter. The regular rehearsal was still going on when we first arrived and as we were walking across the parking lot I asked her if she could hear the music playing and she said "yes mommy, it's beauuuuuutiful" (because everything has to be long and drawn out when she speaks of something with the passion of a 2 year old.)

The weather was nicer in the evening...there was a great breeze that evening that made being outside wonderful ... and I throughly enjoyed the DRESS REHEARSAL....was slightly distracted by my daughter and a few other things...but the music was lovely. I didn't get to see much of the drill as I was on the bottom row (even though Lauren persistantly asked "pwease mommy I wanna go waaaaaaaay up high....and I continued to say "No baby, we have to stay down here" ....for fear of her slipping between the benches and falling) .... anyway, I'm very glad that I made the short drive for the evening. Was well worth it ... and my daughter thought so too as afterwards she got to play with the rocks in the parking lot.

Cheers

EDIT

Edited June 20, 2006 by tuba_gal

[KiltieBD3]

I drove up to Racine for the dress rehearsal and brought my 2 1/2 year old daughter. The regular rehearsal was still going on when we first arrived and as we were walking across the parking lot I asked her if she could hear the music playing and she said "yes mommy, it's beauuuuuutiful" (because everything has to be long and drawn out when she speaks of something with the passion of a 2 year old.)

The weather was nicer in the evening...there was a great breeze that evening that made being outside wonderful ... and I throughly enjoyed the dress rehearsal....was slightly distracted by my daughter and a few other things...but the music was lovely. I didn't get to see much of the drill as I was on the bottom row (even though Lauren persistantly asked "pwease mommy I wanna go waaaaaaaay up high....and I continued to say "No baby, we have to stay down here" ....for fear of her slipping between the benches and falling) .... anyway, I'm very glad that I made the short drive for the evening. Was well worth it ... and my daughter thought so too as afterwards she got to play with the rocks in the parking lot.

Cheers

Rocks are so much fun! :D

I'm glad you and daughter enjoyed the show (what you got to see of it that is)