Thanks to Greg J. Hipius for directly emailing this review to us!
Drums Along the Mohawk
Rome, NY
August 1, 1996
7:00 pm
Preshow - This was a packed stadium, as always... DATM has
been a giant show for as long as I can remember, and
tonight was absolutely no exception. I had a big surprise
when my colleague in the Phoenix Marching Band Drill Staff
(and Drum Major for the Brigadiers), Trevor, showed up
with tickets right next to mine... talk about coincidence!
On to the show; in order of performance...
Les Etoiles (7th - 65.1) What a pleasant surprise... they
are significantly smaller and younger than last year, but
they can still put up a good fight. Powerful (although
a little sloppy) horns, technically proficient percussion.
Guard was unremarkable but adequite. Really got the crowd
going right off... nice, entertaining show... especially
watch for the unique drum feature that continues through
the close of the show... a real crowd pleaser. I'll stick
with my initial prediction: I expect a possible Division
II finals appearance.
Spartans (9th - 63.4) Oops... not at all what I saw last
night. Show was a little flat tonight, it lacked a little
excitement that was there last night. The hornline was
particularly lacking... none of the nice, full sounds we
heard in Vestal. (See my summary from last night for
further show information). I have to say, we may not see
them in the top 5 of Division II if they perform as they
did tonight. :(
Kiwanis Kavaliers (6th - 70.8) Yaay! West Side Story is
far more watered down than the score I jammed with them
with during the winter, but entertaining nonetheless. I
do have to say that I could help but think of all the
corps that have performed this material a little better.
Hornline is hot... "little Devils," I heard one spectator
quip. Guard was outstanding... very energetic. Some
phasing problems in the percussion, but this seemed an
effect of unchanneled energy and excitement... channel it,
guys, and you'll be a line to contend with. Very amusing
percussion feature utilizing trash cans (oops... saw the
top of one of those "trash cans"... I didn't know there
were such a thing as "Yamaha" trach cans!!! :) ). My
prediction: a Friday night appearance in Orlando is not
out of the question, but little more is likely than 17th
or so. Good luck guys... wish I could've still been out
there with ya.
Pioneer (5th - 72.3) Same as every year: Great horns,
Great Drill, Good percussion, mediocre guard, annoyingly
comatose and repetitious show. Give these kids a new
vehicle!!! Every year, I think to myself "With a new
theme to work with each year, this corps would have the
talent to really take off." But nonetheless, the same
thing... yet more Irish music. :P Can't comment much,
since I was disinterested enough to help my girlfriend
with her crossword puzzle... I predict another win
(groan) in Division II for this group. PLEASE, Pioneer,
do me and your kids two giant favors: A) Move to Open
where your talent dictates you belong, and B) BURY the
Irish theme for at least a season.
Troopers (8th - 65.0) Where did the Troopers go, and who
is this Division III corps that has taken their place?
Mediocre, uninteresting show made them suffer in GE, the
very place they've been able to pick up enough extra
credit to offset their age and size each year. To my
dismay, it appears that they're finally performing up to
the level I'd expect from the age of the small number of
people on the field. On a lighter note, I loved the
"youngest" Trooper... look carefully. :) I predict
that these kids will se their season end, alas, at the
DCI Prelims. :(
Carolina Crown (4th - 81.1) I'm really getting to love
Crown. Another truly unique balance of innovation and
entertainment, "Chess: The Art of Strategy" shows off
the very talented group. Hornline is louder and
stronger than last year, while still retaining last
year's balanced, tasteful sound. Percussion is very
good, definitely top 12 calibur. Guard was
outstanding... much better than last year. Who writes
their drill? Whomever it is, he or she is BRILLIANT!
And no, the chess pieces do not make this field too
busy, as previously alleged... they start that way, but
I think that's the feeling that they were going for...
then they are used in a few incredibly unique fashions,
including a quadridivision of the field at one point,
at which a truly memorable concept is presented... I'll
leave the surprise to you. I predict that Crown has a
lock on a Saturday performance already at this level,
with potential for a finish as high as 9th.
Colts (3rd - 84.4) I'm not really sure what was going on
in this show; the whole concept left me confused. I
guess maybe the concept was just to belt out the book,
an adaptation of John Rutter's "Magnificat." However,
the corps performed so well, they trancended the point
at which a lack of concept would have been crippling.
What a percussion section.. some really clean playing
from them tonight. The guard was teriffic... very
expressate and emotional enterpretation of some very
tender passages. Hornline was quite powerful and seems
to have achieved top 6 talent level, but has yet to
truly balance and, well, "click" into place. Overall,
pretty darned impressive... definitely a step up from
last year. Prediction? 11th on a bad night, (dare I
say) 7th on a good night.
Madison Scouts (2nd - 90.5, Best Drum Major) WOW! Hot,
hot, hot. The corps warms up with a little medley of
last season's favorite moments... really neat. This
year's show is just as exciting, just as crowd pumping
as last years, but a touch tougher. Same golden
as last year, some powerful percussion and clean, clean
guard. But definitely a little dirty in some spots,
I will be first to admit. Drill is very tough, but
it's getting there. I reiterate what someone has said
already: this show, unlike last year's, is tougher,
and HAS NOT peaked yet... LOOK OUT. ;) My prediction?
Hmmm... I'll go with third, give or take a spot.
Blue Devils (1st - 93.6, High GE, High Percussion, High
Brass) Yes, they were cleaner. Yes, they were tighter.
High GE? Naaaah... This show is missing something.
It's missing the same thing as last year, whatever that
is. I'd love to see them find it. I don't know how they
lost it after '94. Hell, I don't even know what "It" is.
But I do know this: No title unless they get "it" back.
I almost want to say it's like someone reading a passage
from Shakespeare with great feeling, but somehow still
seeming indifferent. Ah, well. If nothing else, what a
talented group of kids! (See my summary from Vestal for
further show info). Kudos to all of you, Devils, and I
really hope you do find "it." If not, my prediction is
second. Not third, not fourth, and not first. Good
luck, kids... despite contrary belief, I am still hoping
to see you find what you're missing. :)
Well, After seeing the only two shows I am close enough to
see this year, I am convinced that '96 DCI will be great.
Now I just hope my darned PBS station will carry it... :P
- Greg -
_
/ ) SMILE! \|/ _||_ \|/
/ / _____________________________ @~/ 0o \~@
_( (_ _ / This stuff was written \ /_( \__/ )_\
(((\ \> / >| by Greg J. Hipius... | \__U_/
\\\\ \_/ / | Home: (315) 463-4345 |
\ / | Office: (315) 469-7741, x2004 | DANCE!!! 0/
\ _/ \__ ________________________/ /|
/ / | / / \
/ / |/ Celebrate life; and love, for that
/ / / is what helps us survive the former...
Seattle Web Factory
CyberCorps Web Page Designers.
CyberWebMistress Cathy DoserLast updated: August 2, 1996
Web and Page design ©1995 Seattle Web Factory