July 31, 1998, Ypsilanti, MI - DCI Midwestern

Blue Devils..............93.6 (Brass, Vis Ens, GE(all), Color Guard)
Cavaliers................92.3 (Percussion, Music Ens)
Madison Scouts...........88.4
Crossmen.................85.5
Bluecoats................84.7
Carolina Crown...........81.6
Colts....................81.4
Boston Crusaders.........76.5
Pioneer..................74.6

Thanks to Michael and
Brandon Hilton for emailing us these scores!


Recaps - July 31, 1998, Ypsilanti, MI - DCI Midwestern

Recaps here (opens a new page with recaps thanks to DCI).

Review - July 31, 1998, Ypsilanti, MI - DCI Midwestern

Thanks to Billy Ruhlen for emailing us this review!


Editorial notes:

The "Heat" was on in Ypsilanti this evening. There were Hot shows to go along with what looks like to me to be 5 of the top twelve. Only one disappointment and with this being the 4th big show I have been to there was one really BIG surprise.

In order of Finish

1. Blue Devils 93.6 Their show is a good contrast of the original Romeo and Juliet and the modern version, West Side Story. I liked the mellow opening leading into a very powerful finish of the 1st number. Guard is looking excellent as usual. They look to me to be with it enough to win the championship once again!

2. Cavaliers 92.3 the only three words to describe it... "OH MY GOD!" This was the best show that I have seen out of them since 95! I mean, don't get me wrong, all their shows have been good, but this was out of this world! They didn't look too clean in Dekalb, but now, Holy Mackerel! The guard this year is phenomenal. Hornline is very loose and looks to be proud of it! Drumline looks very clean! Look for them to be in the top 3 if not closer to having the ring on their finger once again!

3. Madison Scouts 88.4 I was truly disapointed in where the judges placed them. I felt that they were better than the Devils tonight, but not better than the Cavies. Horn line was very good! They have definitely spent a lot of time on drill. The low brass was thumpin! They end this years' show the way they always do, loud and powerful!

4. Crossmen 85.5 I was not impressed with their show this year! I might be just spoiled from past Crossmen shows (ex. 95-96). Hornline was good, but drill work could be cleaner! Once again, not a very impressive Crossmen show!

5. Bluecoats 84.7 I was very satisfied with their show this year. Good spread of both guard and horns. Percussion had some flaws, but overall was good. I like the African Style Jazz. It adds the extra pizazz the show needs to please the audience! But I do disagree with the other person who early in the season said there was too much singing in this show. I like it! More of it!

6. Carolina Crown 81.6 This was the 1st I have seen them this year and I must say, I was rather impressed with the show! It was, what I would call, Traditional Crown! They truly show the essence of their show Heroes... now and then with a very excellent guard. The battery and pit could use a little work but overall a very good performance!

7. Colts 81.4 This years' Colts has a very good change of pace from last years' show, Blood, Sweat, and Tears. The guard lacks the pizazz that it had with that show but the excellent arranging and great sound from battery, pit, and hornline makes up for it! I like the great swing arrangement of Crown Him With Many Crowns. I think that their score represents their show very well!

8. Boston Crusaders 76.5 Good ending to their show this year but their wasn't any energy in it until the end! You have to have energy throughout to make it work! The portion I liked was that Conquest is back and as bold as ever! The Guard has worked hard and showed it tonight! Hornline could use a little work both on notes and drill before they get to Orlando!

9. Pioneer 74.6 What were the judges thinking?? This was the best I have seen them yet and it will be the third time this season! New uniforms can make such a big difference! Snares, battery, horns, pit, and guard were all totally with it! A great overall performance and it looks good to go to Orlando. But I do think they deserved a better score maybe mid 80s. Don't know though!


Review - July 31, 1998, Ypsilanti, MI - DCI Midwestern

Thanks to Lillian Arganian for emailing us this review!


Editorial notes:

This was a perfect weekend for drum corps, just absolutely perfect. A little bit hot in the concourse of Rynearson Stadium during the souvie-hunting, but the stands were cool and very pleasant by 7:30 p.m., with a gentle breeze making the evening one to enjoy.

I notice Saturday (August 1) was reviewed, but not Friday, so here goes with my very first attempt at this, though I have followed drum corps for many years. The scores have been posted, but you might like a little "color."

That is one thing I love about drum corps--the color!! At one point I thought I'd flip! One of my faves, Bluecoats, came on, followed by Crossmen, followed by Madison, then Cavies and then--Blue Devils!! Overkill, and to die for, and all the superlatives. It is just so exciting to view something like that, one superb corps following another.

First of all, all the corps were enjoyable and entertaining. There is simply nothing like a live performance! All were sharp and musically pleasing. The changing colors of the unis through the years are sometimes surprising, but one gets used to them quickly.

Pioneer looked very sharp and at first glance made one think of Madison, since the uni change is quite radical. (I loved the previous guard unis of the rich green gowns--they were beautiful.) Their show was performed with precision and style and led to a standing "O" which was well-deserved.

Boston Crusaders was next and had a good musical show, but less excitement than Pioneer, I thought.

Colts are always good to see and played with class.

I have enjoyed seeing Carolina Crown progress through the years; a few years back they had a clever chess program. This year's unis are a rich bluish-purple color that is right on the mark. They continue to improve and will do well.

Then the Bluecoats came on, and from then on the show started taking people's breath away! They entered the field with precision, only the white plumes of their helmets swaying ever so gently in the evening breeze. Their program was a killer emotionally; The Four Seasons of Jazz started with an original tune for winter and followed with (I think) It Might As Well be Spring. Sorry if I got that wrong. Summertime was next, a Latin arrangement that really sizzled. And, of course, the trademark Autumn Leaves. But this rendition really tore at the heartstrings; Coats typically give it their all and this was no exception. Would love to see them skyrocket at Finals.

Crossmen gave an excellent show with their typical big sound. Madison marched on with their precision drill, half the corps from each end of the stadium, then that knife-sharp march to the center. They played with typical Madisonian fire, style and pizzazz, and their 3rd place finish and score elicited many murmers of discontent from the audience. Drum corps would not be drum corps without them. Their guard was outstanding and went through several very rapid changes in uniform while not missing a step. Great, great Madison sound, as always.

That leaves Cavies and Blue Devils. One right after the other. Gorgeous. Cavaliers are just dazzling. That buckle on their hats really picks up the lights and enhances their overall look. The excitement level seemed to go up and up as they gave their show, as is their style. Cavies draw a good response from the Ypsi crowd, for some reason--perhaps second only to Glassmen, who are, of course, right over the border, in nearby Toledo, Ohio. Great performance and a delight to watch and hear.

Blue Devils--are the Devils. Awesome, man. The show was one of the Romeo and Juliet theme, and crossed over between Tchaikovsky's R and J and Bernstein's West Side Story. The merging was done with great skill from one composer to the other and back again, seamlessly. Guard executed beautifully. The sound--what a sound. Those great romantic themes came across with emotion, engrossing the listeners. Always gratifying to hear the reprise show, where they just stand there and play at you. Very few people left; most hung around just to hear them again.

It is always wonderful to see the Olympic finale, all the corps marching on together, drum majors front and center. The audience at Ypsi is a well-schooled one, and applauded each corps after its performance and gave a well-deserved hand to the entire assemblage.

At the On-Stage show next day, Madison and Blue Devils performed. Madison's soloists, ensembles and full corps simply blew the walls down. Magnificent sound and excitement!! People were cheering their lungs out. Devils' program was a dramatization of what a drum corps is all about, and incorporated a clown figure and a safari-type jungle explorer, who met those "strange animals, the contras" and the sopranos and other elements of the corps in stage entrances and exits. At one point two snare players "attacked" each other in a little tribal warfare that delighted the crowd.

Michael Cesario was on hand to chat with the audience and the hosts. At one point someone said he wasn't sure where the preview would be next year. A voice from the audience called out "Ypsi would be nice."

Have to second that one. Encore!!


July 31, 1998, Grand Haven, MI - Prelims

Phantom Legion...........85.8
Manderins................85.0
Raiders..................80.9
Senataurs................80.7
Yamato...................80.6
Blue Stars...............79.6
St..Johns................78.1 (?)
3rd Regiment.............72.5
Erie Regiment............72.1
Emerald Knights..........71.2
Marion Cadets............69.3
Lone Star................68.9
Conqueror II.............68.5
Knight Storm.............67.8
Volunteers...............60.6
Racine Scouts............57.0
Bandettes................52.1
Kingsmen.................45.4

Since I haven't seen these posted yet, I called the DCI office and got the
scores for Grand Haven Prelims. Some interesting numbers.

Thanks to cdave on r.a.m.d for these scores!

July 31, 1998, Grand Haven, MI - Finals

Div. II
Capital Sound............83.2
Americanos...............82.1
Alligiance Elite.........79.1
Les Stentors 
  de Fleurimont..........69.5

Div. III
Mandarins................88.1
Phantom Legion...........85.0
Les Senateurs 
  de Joliette............76.3
Yamato...................76.3
Bayonne Raiders..........75.4

Thanks to Rick Carpenter and Jean-Francois Theriault
for emailing us these scores!

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