June 23 LaPorte, IN

Thanks to John D. Weldy on CompuServe for the following review!

Show Review  6/23  LaPorte, IN

This was kind of a culture shock for me, being the first show I've seen
from this side of the drum major since '92.  Also, it's the first time
in two years I've seen any of the littler corps.  I'm always amazed my
first time out how much better the corps get as you go through the 
night.  Which brings us to...

8th Place - 23.5 - Coachmen
This little tiny corps (that I usually enjoy just because they play 
jazz) started out pretty well, considering their size, with a much-
used standard among div. III corps...the rehashed BD standard!  
Maybe it was just BD playing in my head, but the opener (don't 
remember the name...sorry) actually sounded pretty good.  It was
the rest of the show that made me moan.  The Coachmen suffer from
severe cases of small corps-itis and not knowing the music-itis.
As such, the stronger members (a mello, 2 sops, and a bari --
please forgive me...I'm a horn person) often stuck WAY out.  I've
also got a problem with corps whose drumlines outnumber their 
hornlines...BALANCE!!!  Overall, though, it really wasn't a bad
show and should improve considerably in the next month or so.

7th Place - 35.0 - Quad City Knights
They came on with a MUCH improved presence and confidence than I
have ever seen from them.  I then noticed...yes, I AM at a drum
corps show!!  The corps carries "Sunset Boulevard" with dignity
and character and does know most of their notes!!!  Look out
for them in August!!

6th Place - 36.4 - Americanos
The Americanos have character!!  From the opening conga solo, to the
"Drum & No Bugles Corps" drum solo, to the comedic "Girl from Ipanema."
They are truly a must-see and (IMHO) should be quite a bit more than
1.4 above the Knights.  This is what drum corps is all about!

5th Place - 50.1 - Troopers
At hearing their placement below Pioneer, the crowd moaned, but knew
that their corps was placed fairly.  I can summarize the Troopers'
Aaron Copeland show in two phrases..."Low Impact" and "Sink or Swim."
This show is extremely difficult from a finesse and tone quality
standpoint.  There are a few hits, but they are few and far between.
In fact, I'd expect this show more from the Blue Knights than the 
Troopers.  Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad show, it's very nicely
written and, if they can pull it together, will take them as far as
they want to go.  The biggest problem right now is in the baritone
line.  In order to pull this show off, the low brass MUST be
immaculately gorgeous.  As it is now, the contras are providing
more than an ample base, but the baris just aren't cutting it.
It's not that they're not up to par, there's just too damn few of
them!!!  This could easily be the Troopers' achilles heel.  If they 
can pull out some more baris and pour on the finesse, they'll swim up
to 13th or 12th, but right now, they're sinking.

4th Place - 54.3 - Pioneer
Easily the nicest suprise of the night.  I had heard just hours before
that Pioneer had beaten the Troopers last night.  I thought, "How many
penalty points did Troopers have?"  Tonight I saw it for myself and 
was totally blown away!!!  The show is both new and classic Pioneer
at the same time.  The marching is great.  The hornline is fabulous!!
There has to be some by-law that prohibits such a fine corps from
remaining in Div. II...they're just gonna beat too many Open Class
corps!!!  If they could keep up the intensity we may just have two
Green Machines to watch on Saturday night!!!

3rd Place - 73.1 - Cadets of Bergen Co.
The 1995 Cadets are pure emotion.  They have one of the finest and 
most creative programs I've ever seen.  Right now they suffer from
lots of dirt, but the potential is there to give them their 7th.  As
a friend put it, "I got chills down my back twice tonight, and neither
of them was during 'America'...they were both during Cadets' show."
The highlight of the show is the big dance production number, "Swing,
Swing, Swing," where several guard members jump atop ala 92 BD boxes
and perform a wondrous "Tap dance" that is not to be missed.  This was
the only tune to get a middle of the show standing ovation all night.
Once you see it you'll not wonder why.  The biggest problems come in
the last 1:30, beginning with a big rush to get all the junk off the
field that virtually hides the beautiful quintet.  This made me wonder
if all that stuff was really needed.  The boxes were great, but the 
several drumsets just didn't add the same flair as they did last year.
My guess is that they're the next thing to get nixed.  Then the closer
comes, which is just the "same ol' same ol'" generic, fast and furious
DCI closer.  

2nd Place - 74.1 - Madison Scouts
The crowd was audibly very put-off by Cadets' placing, and were doubly
so at Madison's.  I usually pride myself on being able to tell when 
the judges are going to veto popular opinion, but this came as a
complete and utter suprise.  Here's the reason...The Scouts are 
RED HOT!!!  I have never seen a corps so clean on June 23!!  They are
truly relentless!  They'll whisper in your ear and then tear your face
right off!!!  They have proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that
"El Toro Caliente" is no bull!!!  The only problem I can see is a big
black (no, red) mark called the color guard.  UGH!!!  I don't mean to
offend anybody, but I have never seen a group of men with such a lack
of masculinity!!!  The toreador dance is one of the most godawful
pieces of crap that I have ever witnessed upon the football field!!
They're definately going places with this show, but where may depend
upon the color guard.

1st Place - 75.6 - Cavaliers
To tell you the truth, I don't exactly know what it was that made 
myself and hundreds of other fans so displeased with the Cavaliers
tonight.  Maybe it was the "generic drum corps ending" to Mars.  
Maybe it was the debatably nonexistant impact of their odd guard
props.  Maybe it was the sopranos who played with tone brighter than
Madison's sops.  All I know is that hundreds of people booed at 
Cadets' and Madison's placements even more vocally than the Troopers'
and a few even booed the Cavvies directly.  They've just got that
certain something about them that makes judges like them and crowds
not.  Hopefully, this will be rectified by August, because parts of
"The Planets" are really nice.

Well, there you go.  My first review.  Just let me wrap it up by 
heartily agreeing with all the people who hate the infamous DCM
"America" retreat.  Why is it that DCM is stuck in the dark ages
just about everywhere except where we want them to be???

-------------------------

Thanks to Chris Komnick on CompuServe for the following review!

Comments:
Troopers - One of their 1st shows of the season, showed
good potential but lacked execution. Marching about 70
members, they're repetoire is based on Appalachian Spring
and is a very challenging book. Hence, many exposed movements
proved too challenging at this point. Drill has many nice
moments and is well designed for the corps size. Guard is
traditional with very nice rifle and flag work. They performed
the starburst to end the show but without music. I was confused
as to whether they plan on adding something here.

Pioneer - I really enjoy watching this corps and saw noticable
improvement from earlier in the week. The horn line has great
potential and is starting to get a handle on the book, which is
a variety of Irish-based themes and an Enya closer. A noticable
aspect of this corps is the confidence they display in their
performance. Can't wait to see them in August.

Cadets - This is an interesting mix of the artsy Cadets and an
impressive fan-focused Cadets. They perform an "American" music
theme including pieces from "Born on the 4th of July" and "Far
and Away", plus a hot number Swing Swing Swing. The opener
is very fast paced and challenging both musically and visually, it
has a lot of potential but is far from being there (scary considering
how well they're scoring). The Swing number is HOT, with about 10
drum sets, tap dancing guard, and a packed wall of brass on the front
line between the 40-50 yard lines. Looks to be another good season.

Scouts - Once again drew several SOs from the crowd with this amazing
horn line. They have at least 6 MF proteges marching sops. Also, check
this Mello line, especially in the opener. A better view of their drill
reveals some field coverage issues in the early and middle part of the
show. A full corps company line in the closer is very impressive. They
won brass and drums but finished 3rd in visual (odd considering Cadets
stand still for 1/3 of their show). I can't help but think the guard
isn't helping in this area. Their placement received quite a display of
displeasure from this crowd. The point spread really surprised me.

Cavaliers - Seem to have a weaker show than what I saw on Monday, but
jumping 4 points shows why I don't judge. Having a better chance to
see their drill, I was very impressed with several moves and how well
it developed with the music. Horn line is very strong in Mars but had
2 major phasing problems, most noticable in Jupiter. The color guard is
quite strong, but the large PVC pipes don't cut it compared to the
rest of the show. This show obviously has the respect of the judges and
is probably going to continue scoring well since a lot of potential
exists, especially in ensemble brass.

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