July 6, Clifton, NJ

Thanks to Mark Herzing for directly emailing this review to us!

DCE used corps staff members to judge this show.  My sense was that the scores 
were up a couple of points from where a DCI panel would have scored them (just 
my opinion).  

Personnel counts may not be accurate -- caveat emptor!

In general, I wish I could wave a wand and make 80 talented horn players appear 
for the open class corps (except CBC, which is loaded).  This looks like a good 
year for East coast corps, with the exception of the thin horn lines.  

Corps:

Cadets of Bergen County (86.1) -- no count on personnel (sorry).  First time 
viewing the Cadets' show --- they definitely live up to the hype!  The use of 
props complemented rather than supplemented -- very tasteful, with the focus on 
marching, playing and guardwork.  Brass performance is a big plus.  The most 
complex sections remain a bit ragged, but the bulk of the program sounds rich 
and full.  Drums seemed very clean for this point in the season.  Guard is 
outstanding as usual.  Overall, this show reminds me of 1993, in terms of 
balance and the high degree of integration.  Barring any disasters, CBC is well 
positioned to contend for another championship.  

Crossmen (78.1) -- 44 horns, 33 percussion (9 snare, 3 quads, 5 bass, 5 
cymbals,11 pit), 32 guard, 2 drum majors.  Rumors of their demise have been 
exaggerated.  Yes, the hornline is small, but there's no obvious lack of talent.  
They are a bit bottom heavy (9 contras) but it seems appropriate for the book.  
Nothing wrong here that 6 more sops and the usual cleaning wont fix.  Percussion 
drives this show -- the opening percussion statement is a gas.  Battery seems in 
mid-season form. Guard is a pleasant surprise -- large, obviously well trained, 
lots of fun.  Overall, Xmen are light years ahead of last year.  Top 12?  No 
problem.  Given the right work ethic, they could compete for the 7 slot, IMO.  

Academie Musicale (70.4) -- 35H,19P(4S,3Q,4B,7P),17G,1DM.  Not sure why they 
decided to go open class with these numbers.  They could be very competitive in 
Division II.  Show based on "Waterworld" music is very challenging.  
Articularted brass statements generally weren't clean, but the basic talent 
level of the line appears high.  The pit is staged diagonally between the left 
35 and 45, right off the front sideline (similar to Phantom in '94, but closer 
to the audience).  Interesting, but this move severely limits the movement of 
the remainder of the corps.  If they continue to clean, they could show up on 
Friday in Orlando.

Boston Crusaders (67.7) -- 38H,23P(8S,3Q,4B,8P),16G,2DM.  Typical early-season 
Boston product.  Very dirty, difficult to read right now.  Although it's hard to 
tell at this point, the horn line seems to be a notch above last year's in terms 
of basic talent.  The music book is very challenging.  Patriotic music has the 
potential to sell really well following their mid-season clean-up.  

Spirit of Atlanta (63.3) -- 27H, 23P(6S,3Q,5B,9P),20G,1DM.  Good news/bad news.  
The bad news is that the hornline is small and generally muddy.  The good news 
is that this is a *much* better show than last year, with a lot more room for 
growth.  I liked the interpretation of "Rhapsody in Blue" -- it's not the "same-
old same-old" Spirit.  Also, the color guard is much improved over last year. I 
hope they don't get caught up in the numbers game -- this can be a decent 
stepping stone as SOA rebuild.

Division II/III

Jersey Surf (72.6) -- 37H,34P(7S,5Q,5B,6C,11P),16G,1DM.  Very respectable --
improvement over last year.  Concerns about drill clutter seemed correct to me, 
although the staff has a challenge balancing the Div I-size battery with a 
smallish horn line.  Fun show with a lot of potential for Div II success.

Dimension (70.9) -- 28H,20P(5S,2Q,4B,9P),17G,2DM.  Opener of the Rutter 
"Magnificat" was very solid and aggressive.  Remainder of the show was less 
clean.  A little smaller than last year's division II contender, but they struck 
me as pretty solid.  

Bayonne Raiders (65.7) -- 15H,11P(2S,3B,1C,5P),15G,1DM.  Pleasant Broadway show 
sold well with the home-town crowd.  Lone contrabass worked hard and to good 
effect.

Tarheel Sun (60.4) -- 30H,19P(4S,1Q,5B,3C,6P),18G,2DM.  Decent first-year effort 
with a nice Streisand show.  Great to seem some new kids on the block!

Kips Bay (56.6) -- 20H,10P (3S,1Q,3B,3P),12G,2DM.  First viewing of this 
community based corps.  Good basic show.  Another courageous lone contrabass 
effort.  

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