Dover Review

[MikeM]

Pulled into Dover around 5:30, hunted for parking, talked to the Doty family briefly, then headed in. Ran into some old Cabs friends, got some skinny about their show, wandered around, saw lots of friends, had some nice conversations.

Stands were short. Maxwell field short. So, it was nearly impossible to read any forms. I wonder how the judges were able to, as the press box was lower than mid tier at say Bridgeport.

My position is Side A, 45 yard line, as high up as I can find. Thanks to Tom Schiffer for allowing me to sit by him!

DISCLAIMERS: These are my opinions, and mine only. I don't sugar coat, but call it as I see it. I will refrain from Percussion comments or Guard unless it's something major, because I have no real knowledge other than basic stuff. Also, please forgive me if I don't know your shows all that well...so many tunes and movements it's hard to keep up.

To Sunrisers and CorpsVets, sorry, I missed your performances. I wanted to hear Cabs warm up. WOW. Nice wall of sound at the end of warmups guys.

First corps up:

Hawthorne Caballeros (58B, 22G, 8Sn, 6Ba, 4Q, 12Pit, 3DM, 110 Total): After watching the warmup, I expected some nice sound. Instead, slightly flat. Doesn't mean that they weren't on, but it seemed a little tentative. However, this doesn't take away from the show. Opening hit was a nice blend and balance, and woke up the crowd. Drums seem to be in mid-season form. Feet are, well, in July 1 form. However, this is true of all the corps. Hornline did have a nice, rich sound, and kept the intensity going through out.

Malaga and Spain are nicely done. However, I'm not sure I like the dance sequences the hornline is doing during Malaga. Either do it, or not. Seems some people in the line aren't buying it, but, in order for it to work for effect, need to. However, this doesn't take away from the sound, or the hornlines control when needed. Props to Adam Berger for the double high C that seems to last for 45 minutes at the end.

Closer is where the corps seemed to run out of gas. However, low brass makes its presence known, in a big way. Easily the best low brass section of the night. And what's this? A pinwheel! I love the return of the old moves. It was performed well, but, hard to read because of my seat. Throw in a bull call, charge the end, hit me with the closing chord. This show has great potential, and, IMO, best of the evening.

One last thing I noticed. While the new uniforms are nice, it would appear to me that the shirts just aren't as crisp white as the old ones. They didn't seem to stand out in the lights like the old ones. Just something I noticed.

Carolina Gold (35B, 21G, 7Sn, 5Ba, 4Q, 2Cym, 5Pit, 3DM, 77 total): I feel for any corps that has to follow Hawthorne. Gold, tho, considering the parade, the 5am arrival, and long hot rehearsal, did well to follow the Cabs. Tower of Power is their theme for 2006 and those of you who are fans will love it. I'm not a big TOP fan, but was still very entertained by the show. The horn line sold the show and entertained well. I did notice some attack and release issues throughout, but that will come, and was certainly passable for their first performance. Drill isn't done, and the corps ran out of gas in a big way about 1/2 way through the show. I do understand people have been sick and the "3 block" parade (Lou Marshello must have told them the distance) drained you, so its understandable. I can't wait to hear this show when the whole hornline has its oats and the endurance is at September levels. Pit soloists were definately on fire, and played well. Handled all the stuff thrown their way with ease. But go march guys. (ducks) :P

Connecticut Hurricanes (29B, 25G, 5Sn, 5B, 2Q, 6Pit, 1DM, 11HG, 72 Total): Jesus Christ Superstar is their theme. Opening hit well done, and, white flags during this had very pleasant look and effect. Side note...this corps has the luxury of having 3 (I think) world class WGI Scholastic World guards to pull members from, and it shows. This guard, IMO, was best of the evening. 29 member definately did have some good moments, however, they do need to work on intonation thorugh out the show. There were some mellos that stuck out that I was able to pick up. Drill has some nice moves and moments, however, its obvious people are missing spots or not knowing where starts and stops are. Yes, I know, it's July 1. This will come. Entry after drum feature seemed tentative, and I thought I heard some tempo issues. Corps also ran out of gas in the closer. Honor guard was biggest of the evening. I feel for this drumline. In 2002 this line was one that to be feared. I know now they're rebuilding, and its coming, but I feel for that line, knowing what it was a few years ago.

Bushwackers (43B, 32G, 6Sn, 5Ba, 3Q, 3Cym, 7Pit, 2DM, 2HG, 96 Total): Pretty typical show for Bush. Their hornline is no slouch, they play technically very well. They have a way of sneaking up on you when you least expect them to. Opener was technically nice, but the opening hit left me underwhelmed. Disappointed that whenever a section was doing anything technical, they stopped to do it. Please, show me some movement while playing. Its easy to move and play quarters and eighths, but do some of that stuff moving. It was done well, no doubt. Ballad had very nice blend and balance. However, this is your corps song, I thought it would be stronger than it was. Very nice drill dissolve move at the end of the ballad. Rocky Point Holiday next. Having a hard time hearing the melody through everything else. Corps got tired through here. Drill also seemed a bit messy thorugh here, from my vantage point. Maybe it's a better read from higher up. One thing that stuck out to me: After the percussion feature, contra entrance was mud, and not together. Hornline also lost some of the balance that they had earlier in the show. Probably tired, and I know that will be gone by the end of July.

Skyliners (21B, 14G, 6Sn, 5B, 2Q, 2Cym, 5Pit, 2DM, 55 Total): Sky's small this year. However, Dave Negri has done a nice job getting what he can out of this hornline. Show is not typically "Sky." Not sure how I feel about that. That said, they do a good job with it. Drill designer keeps it simple for them, and they do peform their show nicely. However, it seems visually they take a hit for it, as well as in effect, and that's a shame. Holly and Ralph Marino have a very nice duet in their ballad that helps tie everything together. Bohemian Rhapsody is so not a Sky tune, but they play it well. Drill needs some work and needs to be finished, but all and all a solid performance from the hosts. One thing: Put shako's on the drumline, please. It looks sloppy to see the corps in shakos and the drumline without, and, to me, was a distraction.

After Sky Alumni played for what seemed like 45 minutes (It wasn't, and they were quite entertaining) we get the scores.

76.35 Bush

75.388 Cabs

67.725 CorpsVets

66.813 Hurcs

66.013 Gold

60.763 Sky

58.075 Sun

Best DM: Bush

Best Percussion: Cabs

Best Brass: Bush

Best Color Guard: Bush

Best Honor Guard: Hurcs

Most Entertaining: CorpsVets

I didn't agree with the placement of the top 2 or the spread. I had Cabs ahead of Bush by about .2. I read the recaps, and, I'll just leave it at the Judges obviously saw things differently than I did. Also, scores seemed to be about 2 points lower than Wildwood across the board. That's unusual.

Gonna be a great season tho. I fully expect Bucs, Empire, Cabs, Bush, and MBI to fight for the top spot.

Good luck to all!

*flame suit on*

*EDIT* One more thing: I'm not taking away from the great show that Sky and Dover put on, but this show should have been in Bridgeport, CT. This is the 2nd year that it's been "Alumni only" up in B'port. I don't know what happened, but the Barnum Committee and DCA need to end whatever pissing contest is going on and get this DCA show back up to the Barnum Festival where it belongs.

Edited July 3, 2006 by MikeM

[TchMuzk]

Also, scores seemed to be about 2 points lower than Wildwood across the board. That's unusual.

If I remember correctly, scores last year dropped from wildwood to the next show as well.

[TheMoonlightChef]

Thanks.

[Jeorby]

To Sunrisers and CorpsVets, sorry, I missed your performances.

I heard that CorpsVets did OK.

Any other people at Dover see the *entire* show?

[elphaba01]

Thanks.

"Muchas Gracias":

Thanks for the fine review.

Elphaba

WWW

[tpt43]

It would have been nice to get afull review. Especially when the 3rd place corps was missed.

[MikeM]

The only thing I can say to CorpsVets performance is that I heard about the last 2 minutes of it, and it sounded OK, but I was at the far end of the field waiting to take my seat, so it wouldn't be fair to make any comments about it.

I'm sorry if you don't like that I didn't see CV. These things happen.

[Sayre Kulp]

There was alot of people at that show!

Didn't anybody on here see our performance?

[CVQuesty]

word. I'm thinking that the questions and posts here more reflect an incredulity that nobody saw and reviewed the enntire program. That doesn't happen all that often at the northeast shows, that's all. Especially when the stannds are full like they were in Dover.

[CozyChopsCom]

Mr. Meyer,

Thanks for your review. It was a classic drum corps show. One was torn between watching and chatting with old pals. I'm delighted that I was able to view it from numerous viewpoints. I talked with Carl Ruocco, bugged Fran, missed tons of others I expected to see; just didn't find them. I saw Al Katz, Cabs Biz Mgr., turned back to the show, then missed a chance to talk with him.

Anyone else have a review. I need to get back to finishing mine. Just took a break to check what's happening on DCP. Two parades tomorrow but the nap today sure helped after That bus trip. The Maryland parade was a hoot. Patriotic time!