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Where is everybody?

Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2011 9:26 am
by BD94Euph
I assume Drum Corps Planet is where everyone talks drum corps. No discussion here about scores so far? The June 20 theater gig? Favorite corps?

Personally, I feel hyping a show so early in the year (on the big screen) is a potentially bad idea. Corps were URGED to finish their show by June 20th so the theater presentation wouldn't be half-shows or stand-stills. But I wonder if some groups were too rushed and maybe did a quickie design to make up for it? And since the how evolves so much over the life of a tour, who cares about june anyway?

Now, going to a live show in June is cool! Corps are still loud, drumlines are already putting on a show in the lot, and the whole live experience is awesome. But sitting in a theater to watch a rushed rough draft... kinda felt silly. Oh yes, I went. And DCI got my $12, but I don't think they will next year. Just sayin'...

Re: Where is everybody?

Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2011 11:47 am
by Hostrauser
My early season thoughts and how I placed the eight corps from the theater event...

1. CAVALIERS
Strong corps this year. Putting out a good, strong brass sound, usually a weak point sans that run in the mid-2000s. Visual, as always, should be dominant. The corps to beat, IMO.
They'll finish: 1st

2. THE CADETS
Tons of energy and effect, very enjoyable show. George Hopkins mentioned on Facebook they have something like 80 kids marching their first season with The Cadets (some have marched elsewhere in DCI). I think they're going to have a time of it getting that music book clean enough to push the Cavaliers.
They'll finish: 2nd

3. CAROLINA CROWN
Per usual, a brilliant show concept with arrangements that just quite aren't up to the task of realizing the full potential of the design. Execution wise they're too similar to last year: brass and music effect will be strengths, visual design and percussion cleanliness may keep them from the Top 3 when all is said and done.
They'll finish: 4th

4. BLUE DEVILS
Musically, they are boss. The usual strong brass line (with Downey's best book since 2007, at least) and the percussion is keeping up their trend of being spectacular every other year (2007, 2009, 2011). Visually, I don't think I've ever seen Concord this dirty, even in June. What happened? Ensemble forms were ugly, color guard not together. Like you say, this may be a result of "rushing" a complete final product to the field in time for the season opener. Those cubes/house building blocks are a visual disaster, though, and I don't see that improving enough.
They'll finish: 3rd

5. PHANTOM REGIMENT
J.D. Shaw is an amazing arranger, and the brass is doing better than I expected considering how young this corps is. The visuals were already impressive by Phantom's usually lower standard. I think they'll sit in the 5th/6th spot all the way through Finals.
They'll finish: 5th-7th (with Madison and Bluecoats)

6. BLUECOATS
Exactly what I expected: a slight regression in quality and a rehashed facsimile of last year's show. Musically they're still very good, but visually they're pretty far behind the others in the Top 5.
They'll finish: 5th-7th (with Madison and Phantom)

7. BLUE STARS
Not quite as good as last year's show. I was hoping the Blue Stars would make another move up and challenge the Top 5, but this doesn't seem to be the year. Madison will probably end up ahead of them. I like the scaffolding, though!
They'll finish: 8th/9th

8. SANTA CLARA VANGUARD
I'll be blunt: their hornline is ungodly awful. As bad as 2005, if not worse. Poor tone, poor fundamentals, inability to tune with one another... I was horrified watching my second-favorite corps sound like a complete disaster in the theater. The Rennick-led percussion will be fine, but this corps will probably be passed by Blue Stars and Madison Scouts this summer and finish in 9th.
They'll finish: 8th/9th

Re: Where is everybody?

Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2011 11:49 am
by Hostrauser
PS: I'm going to try to be at the Oceanside show on 7/1.

Re: Where is everybody?

Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2011 12:21 pm
by BD94Euph
Now that's what I'm talking about!

I would like to add that if my 2nd show in 1994 were put on a big screen, there may not still BE a Blue Devils. We were not very good. Side to Side timing was a mess, endurance not great. All the corps are performing way ahead of the curve this year... it's these designs that scare me.

My guess for top-6:

1. Cavaliers
2. Blue Devils
3. Cadets
4. Carolina Crown
5. Blue Coats
6. Phantom Regiment

Re: Where is everybody?

Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2011 12:40 pm
by Hostrauser
Cavaliers 2011 tenor feature (yes, three players are being held upside down by their ankles)...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7u2eNGXpXs

Re: Where is everybody?

Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 2:03 pm
by JenKozy
Loved the Cadets when they were up here in NorCal. I am not normally a fan, but I was very impressed.

I will forever have a soft spot for Phantom. They play beautifully and their show is subtle and elegant. Their drill book doesn't seem to be up to par with other corps.

BD... made my head ache. There is just TOO much going on! It was like Drum Corps A.D.D.

Just once, I would love to see Cavies head out here!

Re: Where is everybody?

Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 10:11 am
by BD94Euph
Cavies came out a LONG time ago... I think it was '97 when they did Firebird? They were very well received, just not their best show...

Re: Where is everybody?

Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 10:13 am
by BD94Euph
Anyone else noticed Crown had 8 days off before DCI Minnesota and beat BD by 0.05? Interesting. I wonder oif there is some kind of guidelines for how many shows the major corps do in a year, or how many days off they should take in a row. For most corps, getting 3 days during the season to fix and clean is a Godsend.

Re: Where is everybody?

Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 2:49 pm
by Hostrauser
Yep, 1997 was the year the Cavaliers came out. It was also the first year of the late-90s SCV resurgence. I saw the show at Vallejo HS that year.

Aside from the "required" regionals like San Antonio, Atlanta, Allentown, and other special "G8" shows, I'm pretty sure corps are free to set whatever schedule they want.

Re: Where is everybody?

Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 12:36 pm
by confucious
BD94Euph wrote:Now that's what I'm talking about!

I would like to add that if my 2nd show in 1994 were put on a big screen, there may not still BE a Blue Devils. We were not very good. Side to Side timing was a mess, endurance not great. All the corps are performing way ahead of the curve this year... it's these designs that scare me.

My guess for top-6:

1. Cavaliers
2. Blue Devils
3. Cadets
4. Carolina Crown
5. Blue Coats
6. Phantom Regiment

TOTALLY agree with these predictions CAVIES for sure this year

Re: Where is everybody?

Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 10:25 am
by s0nginmyheart
I was at the Tour of Champions show in Rockford, IL the other weekend and the Cavaliers put on such a great show! I also enjoyed The Blue Devils. Vanguard left me a little underwhelmed, sad to say.

Anyway, I think your predictions are spot on, and the results of that show were similar to your top 6 finish.

Re: Where is everybody?

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 10:06 pm
by BD94Euph
uh oh, looks like the finish might be a little bit different than my earlier predictions. Cadets are so goo late in the season... gonna be a close one!

Re: Where is everybody?

Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2011 8:59 am
by BD94Euph
Well, pretty close last night. Some pretty interesting placements that I don't believe will hold up the next two nights. Champion is still very much in doubt at this point. Tonight could cement Cadets in the top spot, or make things very interesting...