What in the world are the Scouts Playing? And Why?

[Scout75]

My comments have nothing to do with the visual program of the Scouts, nor do they have anything to do with the fact that they continue do a fine job of building young men.

I just finished listening to the Scouts recording from Columbia, MO. I am sorry to say that the boys from Madison may find themselves out of finals in Madison this year. IMO, the show is an absolute musical MESS!

Disjunct, incomplete phrases, senseless keyboard runs, cliche bass drum riffs, Stop and Go, Loud, Dark nonsense. Loud, Louder, and Ugly, Out of tune soloists, more senseless keyboard runs, more cliche bass drum riffs, dirty, drier than dry snares, more Loud broken phrases, and the absolute distruction of "Snippets of Themes" from composers, Albeniz, Ginastera, and Morricone.

How very sad (IMO) that the music of; The Count Basie Orchestra, Stan Kenton, Mel Lewis/Thad Jones, Don Ellis, Duke Ellington, Tito Puente, Toshiko Akioyshi/Lew Tabakin, Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestra, and many, many, many more great Jazz and Latin bands, would be considered way too trite and simple for the boys to play. It's probably better this way, because I would not just tear up, but would have to be admitted to a hospital if they were to add all of the required tumbling runs to the music of the afore mentioned artists. There is plenty of music out there. But when ARRANGERS try to out ARRANGE each other, this is what you get. Most corps would be happy to have the students from Texas that the Scouts did not accept. They have more than enough talent to succeed, I just don't get it. The kids will drink the Kool-Aid. Be more careful and thoughtful about what flavor of Kool-Aid you prepare for them.

It was said that "Primal Forces" would be harder and faster than the "Bizet Destruction" of '05. Well, mission accomplished! I think if they could play the show in Cut Time, the keyboard runs would be even "faster" than the other kids. Double the volume of the loud for louds sake stuff, and then you'll really have something.

God bless any corps that is willing to complete ONE musical phrase during their program. DCI should consider having "The People's Champion" and then the ever coveted, "Hardest, Fastest, Darkest, Loudest, Champion" .

Note counters should also be incorporated. The corps that plays the most notes wins! Yea!

Please make a point to witness the Scouts "Alumni Project" . As trite as it may seem to some, it will contain complete melodic lines and phrases. It will engage and CONNECT with the audience. They will make you SMILE, STAND, and also cry tears of joy for the historical, melodic, and emotional contnet of their program. They will be the hottest thing in Madison, except fot the temp. on the turf.

[morganhill]

Yet another negative fan review of a major corps' program.

[usmpiano]

However, there does seem to be a commonality about the Scout's program in this regard, ESPECIALLY among the alumni.

[Orpheus]

Yet another negative fan review of a major corps' program.

... best that people are honest, IMHO. And he's not just a fan, he's an alumnus.

[Hulka]

Not having seen Madison's show yet this year I cannot speculate on their placement, but can you imagine the mass hysteria if they do not make finals at Camp Randall? That would be two times in a row of having finals in Madison and the Scouts not making the cut for Saturday night, and it'd only make it worse with the Alumni playing on Friday.

[kdaddy]

I posted this in another topic, but it's perhaps more appropriate here:

1. I love latin classical music.

2. I love the show Madison is doing.

3. I don't like Madison doing this show.

[festive]

Looks like I'm going to have to download this one. Loud, dark, and angry? Senseless? Count me in. I may not end up liking the program but Madison could use my $3. :) Madison is Madison, you can't help but pull for them.

I personally can't wait to see the drill.

[Gary Matczak]

Not having seen Madison's show yet this year I cannot speculate on their placement, but can you imagine the mass hysteria if they do not make finals at Camp Randall? That would be two times in a row of having finals in Madison and the Scouts not making the cut for Saturday night, and it'd only make it worse with the Alumni playing on Friday.

looking at the list below, (and yes, I know, considering many have not met head to head) you have to figure for Seatle Cascades, and Crossmen, and then Glassmen coming back from Europe,...........seriously, after listening to their show, what CAN you do with it except hope to play faster and louder,................ but what about the entertainment value?

I am very interested to see them here next week in Erie, and hope to God, they don't end up in third that night,..................

DCI Division I - Based on Newest Score

01 (01) - 80.80 (1) - Blue Devils

02 (02) - 78.95 (3) - The Cadets

03 (03) - 78.80 (4) - Bluecoats

04 (04) - 77.95 (6) - The Cavaliers

05 (07) - 76.90 (3) - Phantom Regiment

06 (05) - 76.60 (1) - Santa Clara Vanguard

07 (08) - 74.55 (2) - Madison Scouts

08 (11) - 74.10 (3) - Carolina Crown

09 (09) - 72.35 (7) - Boston Crusaders

10 (13) - 71.75 (2) - Colts

11 (06) - 71.45 (3) - Spirit

12 (10) - 70.70 (1) - Blue Knights

13 (15) - 68.50 (2) - Blue Stars

14 (12) - 67.30 (8) - Glassmen

15 (14) - 66.50 (4) - Capital Regiment

16 (16) - 65.75 (5) - Mandarins

17 (17) - 65.10 (1) - Pacific Crest

18 (18) - 62.25 (3) - Southwind

19 (19) - 60.00 (1) - Esperanza

20 (20) - 56.75 (3) - The Magic

21 (21) - 56.75 (2) - Pioneer

-------

(1) = 06/28/06 - Newbury Park, CA (DCI-Pacific)

(2) = 06/28/06 - Belding, MI (DCI-Central)

(3) = 06/28/06 - Huntington, WV (DCI-Atlantic)

(4) - 06/27/06 - Evansville, IN (DCI-Central)

(5) = 06/25/06 - Riverside, CA (DCI-Pacific)

(6) = 06/25/06 - Lexington, KY (DCI-Central)

(7) = 06/24/06 - Columbia, SC (DCI-Atlantic)

(8) = 06/18/06 - Lisle, IL (DCI-Major)

Edited June 29, 2006 by Gary Matczak

[vferrera]

I can remember some years when we sounded pretty rough in June. Give them time to clean before you pass judgment. You might end up liking it more than you think.

As for not making finals, that's not very likely. Right now they are in 6th-8th place, about 6 pts off the leader. As they clean what is by all accounts a very difficult show, they should move. I see a top 6 finish maybe higher.

Edited June 29, 2006 by vferrera

[Matt_S]

Looks like I'm going to have to download this one. Loud, dark, and angry? Senseless? Count me in. I may not end up liking the program but Madison could use my $3. :) Madison is Madison, you can't help but pull for them.

I personally can't wait to see the drill.

What in the world are the Scouts playing? cool music.

And why? because it's cool.

I like this track. Still a little raw, but it's early. My only real beef is the double-time beat during The Mission. Sounds a lot better when that drops off later on. I love the Ginastera piece, can't wait to hear how Scouts continue to make it their own.