Madison Review

[jonomaphone]

Madison's Drums on Parade is, in my opinion, one of the best local shows of the year. They've always had a nice site and the staff is one of the best. This year at Memorial High School, the show was incredibly well organized and run. Something to note for other show sites: the seat numbers were marked in chalk on the concrete floor and were EXTRA WIDE. Very comfortable.

I arrived at 6:50 and bought a ticket from the "$25 tickets" line that put me halfway up and inside the side 2 40. Additionally, parking was free and programs were only $1. All together, a great site.

Now to the corps. I'm going to give my impressions of their program from more of a GE/performance perspective and then thoughts on design (I'm a hornline guy, so this might be a little light on guard thoughts). Unfortunately, I haven't yet evolved a system as elegant as Hrothgar's for this, but I'll do my best.

Capital Sound

Impressions: This show is just fun. Playing some standard "oh, that's French" music, their program keeps you smiling throughout. From where I was, the audience just ate it up. Thought the corps was a little percussion heavy, the 16 member hornline did not fail to impress. Though there was alot of dirt in the performance, everything going on was very clear. The brass were a bit tuba heavy, but as soon as I heard the first tuba solo, I understood why. The girl playing the solos really has some pipes. There were even a few points where she over balanced the entire corps at ff. Awesome. The jazzy trumpet solos in the opener were well played and fired up the audience. The pit of 4 (..or 5) really held their own and proved again that pits don't really need to be amped, especially with the quality of instrument they are playing. Lots of battery features. Pretty clean too. Guard was fun, especially with the costume change near the end. Most importantly, the kids seemed to be having fun.

Design: I was a little worried at first about a 16 member hornline standing up to 17 in the battery (7 s, 3 q, 4 b, 3 cym), but it worked out really well. Most of the time, the battery played under the horns and played out during features. The drill really worked for them, making the corps seem much larger than the usual 'variations on a line' drill that smaller corps tend to have. The horn book was not too challenging and I think they will be able to clean the heck out of it by late July. The drum book was much the same. From a programming standpoint, their selections fit perfectly with each other and the minimal transitions work. The music is at a happy medium between straight and over arranged, leaving the program interesting and full of changes. That was actually one of my favorite aspects of the show, as the music changed styles about 10 times throughout while sticking to about 4 or 5 themes. The staff at Cap. Sound has given these kids a great program that is very accessible to everyone in the audience.

Scores: Judges gave a 52.850. I had them at around a 55, so it seems about right (I would have scored them higher in GE music, but everyone dropped down tonight). I have no idea where this corps could be come August, but if they keep having fun with it, it really wont matter. Honestly, this program/corps is perfect for the beginning of the show. It puts everyone in a good mood and gets them pumped for more drum corps. Great work, Capital Sound.

Pioneer

Impressions: Ah, G bugles. The first hit was awesome and raw. Just what I was looking for. From there, there were alot of great performance moments. Drumline is VERY solid, as is the guard. The thing that stands out most in my mind was the intensity of sound from this corps. Clearly not a full hornline, but a very solid corps tone. Loved this show. Fun. A favorite drum corps moment occurred tonight. In fact, every time I see Pioneer I realize that this is one of my favorite parts of corps. They played themselves off while trouping the stands. I always forget about it until right before it happens, and it always puts a smile on my face. Wish more corps did this... Oh, pit was over amped, and it bugged me throughout...staffer just stood at the mixer and stared at the audience...

Design: The reason my impressions section is so short is due to this. There are alot of great kids at Pioneer, and a really solid staff. Unfortunately, year after year, they are given a show that is stylistically very similar to every other year. Thats what really gets me. Their book is, at times, very difficult (both visually and musically) and they usually perform the heck out of it. They play interesting music every year that is always very hummable, and the show is lots of fun to watch while you're there. However, I forget about the show within hours and confuse it with every other show I've seen, all the way back to 95. They're all arranged very very similarly. Its not the same as BD '03, '04, which I mix up all the time, or Cavies '01, '02, '03, which were orig. shows by the same guy (so they sounded relatively similar in style). Its that these shows are voiced so alike, and arranged using such a similar formula that they get lost in my mind.

Now, before flaming me, let me say this: I love Pioneer. Not only are they one of my favorite early show corps, but I've marched with at least a dozen members. I'm not a hater, just saying that there's something wrong with their design formula. Ok *stepping off soap box*. Flame away.

Scores: Judges gave a 60.300. Pretty much agree (I had them at 61). Guard was great. I had the drumline higher than 'scades, but it was so close anyway. Good show.

Cascades

Impressions: Out of the gate, a very mature and LOUD sound. Enjoyed the program. As the show went on, the hornline got weaker and there were more obvious brain-farts from the corps as a whole. As this corps cleans and gets used to being on the road, they will take off. Lots of first show jitters, so I won't say too much about performance. Just know that it was good.

Design: Great concept. 'Three' is such a simple concept that they can tie it to anything. And being in the audience is nice because you notice all these allusions to it. 3 hits, a triangle, 3 statements of a theme, 3 lines, etc. The book is currently a little over the heads of the hornline right now. They are having trouble with notes in the meatier passages. Will clean up and be a good show. Same goes for the drumline and the guard.

Scores: Judges gave a 63.950, I had them at a 64. At their next show, they will probably be at a 65-66.

Southwind

Impressions: The yellow team was on their game. This was my second viewing, and it was much more enjoyable. The horns have really started to take hold of their book and and play. A few minor performance issues, but nothing that stood out.

Design: They might be struggling a bit with their custom show concept. The issue with original shows is that if its not very melodic, people forget about it and its hard to be intense about. This showing was much better than the last and I think they've had some changes to solidify their concept. Will get better as they continue to adapt the program.

Scores: Judges gave a 64.500, I had them at a 65. If they can solidify their concept early enough in the season, they will be able to build alot of consistency and might push their way into semis.

Blue Stars

Impressions: The rumors are true. Amazing show. Really entertaining. Great solos. Great music. Great arrangements. Nothing else to say.

Design: Very mature design for this corps. Their new uniforms add to the visual package by giving some pop to what would otherwise be a pretty standard drill book. My only beef is near the end. The corps falls into a company front circa Cavies '00 on the front sideline (ish). Beautiful music and all, but nothing really happens for about 40 seconds. There is a guard soloist, and the drumline is in the backfield, also standing still. If the design team is planning on adding some body here, great. As it is, it really needs something. A thought: if they are trying to emphasize the guard soloist, maybe have the rest of the guard lift a black curtain in front of the corps proper. This would help my confusion alot, as I wouldn't be expecting the hornline to do something. Also, it would give a neat effect (beautiful choral coming from nowhere). Otherwise, an amazing show.

Scores: Judges gave a 71.000, I gave a 73. Close enough. Great show. Great kids. I hope they get to play Saturday night, if not just so the program gets to be heard.

Madison Scouts

Impressions: Hometown corps came to play. Second viewing. Awesome. The changes make the program more intense and enjoyable. Biggest problem for this corps right now is individual meltdowns. lots of guys missing releases and forms. They just need to tighten the mental screws.

I have to head for Kalamazoo now, so I will finish the Scouts and MBI sections tonight before I write my next review.

PS - sorry about the lack of detail for a few corps - due to a 2 hour traffic jam on the way home, i didnt get back until 5 (supposed to be a 3hr 30 min drive, became 6) so my brain is a little gooey today.

PPS - also, my first review. woot.

[KeepOnFoodTruckin]

Thank you for taking the time to share your review with us. I appreciate anyone who will take the leap and post one!

[bandmom]

OK...I know this is going to sound like a REALLY stupid question, but please remember that I am new to all this. When they show the scores and refer to "GE" for performance, visual, etc., what does "GE" stand for? I get the rest but not that.....is it "general effect"?? I know....I know....I'm not real bright regarding this stuff yet

Edited June 30, 2007 by bandmom

[Meaghatron]

OK...I know this is going to sound like a REALLY stupid question, but please remember that I am new to all this. When they show the scores and refer to "GE" for performance, visual, etc., what does "GE" stand for? I get the rest but not that.....is it "general effect"?? I know....I know....I'm not real bright regarding this stuff yet

No worries. :)

GE does stand for "General Effect."

[SkyRyder_FMM]

Blue Stars

Impressions: The rumors are true. Amazing show. Really entertaining. Great solos. Great music. Great arrangements. Nothing else to say.

Design: Very mature design for this corps. Their new uniforms add to the visual package by giving some pop to what would otherwise be a pretty standard drill book. My only beef is near the end. The corps falls into a company front circa Cavies '00 on the front sideline (ish). Beautiful music and all, but nothing really happens for about 40 seconds. There is a guard soloist, and the drumline is in the backfield, also standing still. If the design team is planning on adding some body here, great. As it is, it really needs something. A thought: if they are trying to emphasize the guard soloist, maybe have the rest of the guard lift a black curtain in front of the corps proper. This would help my confusion alot, as I wouldn't be expecting the hornline to do something. Also, it would give a neat effect (beautiful choral coming from nowhere). Otherwise, an amazing show.

Scores: Judges gave a 71.000, I gave a 73. Close enough. Great show. Great kids. I hope they get to play Saturday night, if not just so the program gets to be heard.

Something along these lines was the original intent, but the equipment was not working they way they hoped. The new ending will be unveiled at Cedarburg, WI.

[jonomaphone]

thanks tim

[TopBass]

You ever going to finish your Scouts and MBI review? The only two corps I care about, heh heh

[Old Scout 81]

Something along these lines was the original intent, but the equipment was not working they way they hoped. The new ending will be unveiled at Cedarburg, WI.

Beautiful night, great show. My review of the show is posted on http://www.marchingtvchannel.com