From Austin Texas - Genesis - First on in Open Class - There story is interesting in that they started in California, but ended up in Austin - where they have been warmly received and serve as a music ambassador to the city. They had the dubious honor of being first on. For first on - I was impressed with there show. The title of the show was Broken - They had a good sound - rich and full for this early in the season - Color Guard was dirty, but lots of potential! Simple props used well. It was a good show to open a contest. Score -58.30 1st place tonight
From Kalamazoo, Michigan - Legends - The Grid was there theme. I felt this show was a bit weaker in concept and theme. The guard looked like the Matrix, but the field forms had little to do with a grid - The entire show seemed at one level - nothing really great - but nothing horrifically bad.
Score - 55.30 2nd place tonight
First on in World Class was Pioneer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Show was Saint Joan of Arc. I feel particularly bad for them. I have followed this group for the past couple years because they seem like the little engine that just can't quite. I keep hoping that each year will be better. Sadly this one is not starting out to good for them. They had a large number of holes in the drill and had the smallest color guard of the night. There vocalist was very talented and I think the concept was good. From Adagio for Strings through the end just was not pretty. I got burning her at the stake - but it was very poorly executed - and the Firebird Finale was equally as confusing with Shamrock flags. I suspect they have not gotten their flags yet. I only hope that tonight spurs them on. Score - 50.60 6th place
Next was the Colts from Dubuque, Iowa - The show is Necht Musik or Night Music. I liked them last year - thought there show was fun and entertaining. This year was more ethereal than just entertaining. Music selection and arrangements were well done. The color guard uniforms were cool, the black backs with the white plumes in the front were also a nice touch. It seemed like the DM was top too as when he took off his hat, girls swooned! They had an amazing opening statement! I could see from the computer that many of the members were blowing right through forms. Silent Night was their ballad and it had some Mannheim Steamroller in it. Needless to say I had goose bumps throughout the piece. They also used Knights in White Satin beautifully as well. I liked the show. Score - 64.30 and 5th place tonight PS - they had these huge boxes on the field that did nothing - I can't wait to see what they do!!!!
America's Corps (Is this branding or what?) The Troopers from Casper, Wyoming were on next. I had seen their uniform a few weeks ago and thought it was not attractive - on the field it is quite attractive. They no longer look much like the Troopers of old and the color guard looked more like the Blue Devils than a Trooper color guard, but things have to change, it is a fact of life. Their show was entitled Heroes. The vocals and movement in the beginning were nice and it built to a nice opening statement. In today's society we show our support for causes with ribbons and that was what the Troopers did. First the Yellow Ribbon for the troops, Red for AIDS, and then Pink for Breast Cancer. In the end they had flags with all colors of ribbons on them. They felt like they were playing for reals. After just missing finals last year, this corps looks like they are hungry to make it this year. The Final push in their show had me crazy with goose bumps. They need to clean up and tweak somethings, but this could be a sleeper show of the season.
From LaCrosse, Wisconsin - The Blue Stars. A very popular corps in the 70's, they disappeared and then reincarnated as a small corps and over the years continued to grow until low and behold they are back at a World Class level. Kudos to all Blue Stars everywhere as this kind of story does not usually happen. They seem to have become the drum corps with the props. Often props are used to cover deficiencies, but that does not seem the case for the Blue Stars. Breaking a 70 tonight suggests that this corps is on the right track. I did not catch the name of the show and wish I had because I could not figure out what was going on. There was a bed, so I assumed it had something to do with dreams and the guard was dressed in pajamas. Then it took a real turn for the crazy with all kinds of uniforms on the guard and these big ass lights over on the side of the field. Did I mention there was a girl walking around in this yellow "dress" carrying a large light shade? The Stars do some amazing movement within the corps and the color guard works their buns off. Dirty right now, they won't be by the end of the season. For me, I appreciated what they did, but just did not get it at all. Score - 70.3 and 3rd place tonight.
Last summer I followed the Cavaliers from Rosemont, Illinois faithfully. My tweets were retreated and I had some connection with the corps. It was very exciting and I kept my eye on them over the winter. Propaganda was their theme, and I truly wondered what they were going to do. I am not sure how this show will do, but for me, this show rivals Suncoast Sounds' Children's Show. For me that was a classic piece of drum corps and I believe Propaganda will become a show like that. It was powerful and moving. It really made me feel like even in our country, where there is not supposed to be propaganda like we know of from other countries, there really is, and this show made it eye opening. It was political, it was today, and it sent a powerful message. If we don't want to end up like the UK - we better be very careful who we elect as our next president. Loved this show! Score - 73.65 and 2nd place.
Finally, from Fort Mills, South Carolina - Crown. I felt their show last year was positively amazing n matter the outcome at the end of the season. There was drama, flair, color, amazing visuals, and a powerful horn line and book. The horn line this year is every bit as powerful as last years. They perform their buns off - everyone. The show is entitled Relentless - using music from the wild west with the music of Bartok. I had problems hearing Ecstasy of Gold next to Madea. It just seemed odd. I am not sure how I feel about the shootings and gun shot sounds in the show. I am not sure this was the year to maybe do that. I get that this has something to do with the Wild West - in a "Steampunk" sort of way, but despite my very liberal leanings especially when it comes to art and performance, I am still not sure gun shots were a great idea. Ok so I have already said that they play amazingly and perform that way too, but despite all of that, I just didn't care for this show. I wasn't moved by it and I know the standing ovation began well before the show ended. Perhaps this will grow on me over the course of the season. Tonight it just left me cold. Score - 76.85 and 1st place.
Remember - I am not suggesting I am a judge or an expert. My evaluations are strictly personal and it is not necessary for you to agree or dispute my thoughts. If you can explain some of what I watched and said - I didn't get it - that would be great as I am a life long learner. Educate me - don't just disagree with me.
For the record - I was in San Francisco for DCI West - I know that I was surprised at The Academy after last year, because I loved that cheesy show! I have been a Blue Knight fan for nearly ever and as much as I wanted to just love them, I didn't - again with the confusion. I did love the Blue Devils this year and it is exciting that a friend of mine's son is in the color guard this season. I also liked SCV. Some really cool thoughts and ideas went into that show.
Thanks for reading - I will post after each live stream this season. Stay tuned Corps
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