A Family Affair (A Review of West Chester)

This is the show the entire family looked forward to attending! "Our" favorite corps, Carolina Crown, was there. We were there when this baby was born, and of course even after 19 years we want to see how our kids are doing!

Also, this show allowed us to see another teenager: Jersey Surf, featuring several teens from the high school band including my neighbor a few doors down. Although the theme of the show is about the "Jersey Surf ... So Far" (in their growth, as they prepare for the 2009 step to World Class), I didn't really get it. But, in this case, that's okay. Whatever they were trying to do, they did it well. The horn line played strongly, and the color guard was engaging with skilled performers. I wrote 87, scratched it and wrote 88, but the judges said 86.35. Whatever the score, if you get the chance, catch the wave!

In 1992 in this stadium on a relative cold and damp July night, this San Antonio, Texas, native boy volunteering on tour with Carolina Crown fell in love again with a group introduced as, "From West Chester, Pennsylvania, The Crossmen"! That year was the first of three exploring planet earth. This year, I came to West Chester to see the San Antonio boys (and girls) take on "Planet X". From the opening notes, it was apparent that the World Class level corps had arrived. The new take on the popular "Planets" of Gustav Holst was unique, and was well performed. The corps seemed a bit compacted in the drill, and until the end it lacked some color. But they ended postiviely (it was evident that was well learned) and the crowd was satisfied. I said 85 and the judges marked 84.60, so no surprises there. Well, maybe one: Bones - guardian of the Crossmen family secrets - did not mysteriously appear backfield in the old home turf ...

The Glassmen then brought their "Carnival" to the field, and for the first time in a long time (probably since the Moody Blues show) I enjoyed what I was seeing from this corps! The show was lighthearted but not done lightly, and the audience (and all my kids) connected with what was going on. (Caveat: The audience also was a good bit of high school band campers.) The show was visually effective, and though the body work did nothing for me, the use of balloons (I won't give it away) was neat and was about as effective as when Suncoast Sound released one (1!) in 1984 without being as cheesy as when the Sky Ryders went over the top with "Over the Rainbow" in 1982. I said 87, and the judges said 87.40. But there was a twist ...

... as tonight, they beat the Blue Knights (given an 85.90 by the judges and an 88.50 by me). I reviewed them nearly a week ago, and nothing much changed except my perspective. Being a bit closer to the field, I saw and heard some really talented kids out there on the field. What they have been subjected to in terms of design, however, really wasted that potential. I thought there were a bit better than the Glassmen because of that, but the judges did not agree.

Now, the feast - Carolina Crown! What was the difference? A week ago they were just staring to hit their stride in performance. Now, they are in it! The kids are clearly enjoying their show and performing it, and they still have room to improve and seem to want to do so to get this show to "Finis" at just the right time - Saturday night, August 9! I am still amazed by the brass line, and look forward to seeing them all over again in just a few days. Yes, I'm partial, but ... if you disagree, at least check them out. A well done classic, with a twist! The judges said 2nd (as did I), and gave a 93.80 (as I nearly did, marking an 93.50). Sentimental favorites, yes - all my kids are Carolinians. But they deserved it tonight!

The Blue Devils performed next, and are clearly in championship mode as well. They are not coasting, but definitely cruising, and expect to knock out a few points here and there. While lacking the audience "wow!" and punch of Carolina Crown, they nonetheless leave you knowing why they are still in the lead to this point. I gave them first with a 1.5 lead over Carolina Crown, but the judges narrowed that gap to 1.05 (scoring 94.85). It will be interesting to see what happens when Phantom Regiment and the Cavaliers rejoin that mix.

The host Cadets (who just announced a "name change" on their website) are better. But they are not their best. The score, 92.90, is closing on Carolina Crown (less than a point) but reflects the relative difference, just as comparing Carolina Crown and the Blue Devils. The impact points are developing, now that the storyline is better told (although someone who had seen an earlier edition in Clifton remarked that it seemed to be "trite" now). There is better use of the guard, and the audience really wants to like the show because of this. (You could tell by the audible "aww" at a dropped sabre - there was a cheer just begging to come out!)

This show is about family, when you get right down to it, but there was a lot of clutter early that is still being refined. I almost would drop the stage (but how can you at this point?) and let the corps and guard (which, as an afterthought, seemed like an afterthought) supplement the narration. I can see and hear elements indicating this show should really kick into gear in about 2 to 2 1/2 weeks.

Unfortunately, they - and we - have only 1.

It was a nice night for families, corps and neighbors and friends! My kids seemed to enjoy the performances, and I am sure tomorrow (I am posting my own thoughts first at 0200 on 8/1/08) I will have some reactions (and maybe a visual image or two) to edit in.