From "See" to Shining "See"

I've had the chance to see two shows now, mostly with the same corps. In Arlington on June 26 I got to see from "up high" (which really wasn't too terribly high, unfortunately) the Bluecoats, Phantom Regiment, Boston Crusaders, Crossmen, Spirit, and Jersey Surf.

Last night (July 7) I had the honor of announcing from the field level the "hot" show in Chambersburg, where Carolina Crown replaced the Bluecoats in the line up and the Raiders joined the event.

It is quite interesting how when the calendar page turns, something else turns in the drum corps. The spring training kinks are gone, the feedback from the judges is more incorporated, and the program development that staff has planned continues to grow.

I was very much impressed with the sound from the Bluecoats, and seeing the scores tonight from Ohio see that they are in a cat-and-mouse game with Carolina Crown, which remains undefeated. When I first heard Carolina Crown's show (by cell phone) I was a bit lost; of course, that happened the first time I saw the 2009 production as well. Last night it started coming together a bit; I really loved the tango section, and the Elgar piece brought back memories of the show that really solidified their place in the Top 12, "Chess ... and the Art of Strategy".

I sense this is the Bluecoats year to challenge for the top spots, and so Carolina Crown is in the unenviable position of being the chaser and the chased. (Sorry, Troopers, they may be more "Wanted" this year!)

Phantom Regiment is stronger than last year, it seems, although the show doesn't quite click with me. Maybe I'll appreciate it more as the season progresses? The same seems to apply to the Crusaders, Crossmen, and Spirit. These shows are more literal to their musical approach, but maybe they are just working the bugs out, too. The audience seemed kind of flat both nights; maybe it was the heat. I think the Crusaders are making a run for the Top 6 again, but they have to sell the serious parts as much as the not-so-serious parts.

I think it's kind of sad when a corps draws you to think about their past when they did the music or concept before, especially if it was much stronger then. It's a dangerous game; about as dangerous as seeming to break entirely with your past, as Spirit seems to be doing.

Jersey Surf has returned to a more enjoyable show, and something the kids seem to be able to sell better. The American show worked well with the Salutes America title of the Arlington show and the American Tradition title of the Chambersburg show. It was, for the new fan, probably the most accessible show of the night. The Raiders showed effort as well with a smaller corps than the others. Perhaps we announcers should be more clarifying about the difference in World and Open Class, although there are some World Class corps that should stay closer to Open.

But, I think that is a topic for the next post.

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.

... and the Pursuit of Happiness

It's July 4th (or Independence Day) weekend, and the Cadets stopped by Maryland today in their pursuit of happiness. I pursued some happiness, too, I guess - I went to watch ensemble rehearsal (in the rain*). I marvel at the specialness of those ordinary young men and women who dedicate hours to perfecting "something".

After watching, I am eager to see the result of the work I witnessed. It was messy work**, I hope that readers can appreciate that working for something makes achieving it so much better.

Sometimes things seem to be so easy that we just "phone it in." Maybe some can do that and be successful. I don't know, though. Where is the satisfaction in that? Is that the pursuit of happiness, no matter what we do? We tend to phone in so much - parenting, voting, working, relationships.

The ensemble was not a full run though, but I got a nice appreciation for what they are attempting to do. I look forward to seeing what comes from this pursuit.

P.S. Hey, Hoppy ... the Zone was a few years ago ... ;)

Audio sampling

"My corps" did phone it in last night, though. Well, kind of! My neighbor is in the Jersey Surf, and his Mom called me as Carolina Crown took the field so I could listen. Technology is great, but limited, yet it was nice to get my first listen of the competitive season.

I had been told that the show was good but "something" was missing, and listening as best as a I could I noticed it, too. I think it is the familiarity ... we are imposing something on the show that isn't there or isn't meant to be there. It's still early, however ... way early.

* Overheard: "How is life on the road?" "It's been good. Just wet. Everywhere."
** Watch for a future post on an insight on efficiency and effectiveness.

Killer Giants

(Saturday Night Lights: A Father's Notes on Excellence)

I love football. But for me*, marching band was the only way I was ever going to get to perform on my field of dreams.

Growing up in San Antonio and Dallas, my team was America's Team, the Dallas Cowboys. What a season they had ... right up to late November. Then, inexplicably, they quit.

I've seen bands do that. They get confident in their show, and so they quit trying to be better. They stop practicing, at least mentally (which makes getting out on the practice field pointless). Then they wonder why the lost the show, or "scored 82 when, man, the show as waaay better than Band X!", which, of course, is the band that didn't quit practicing, getting just that much better, and then showed up, reached down, and performed every single time they took the field, whether practice, halftime, or a contest.

So now it's the Perfect Machine vs. the Persistent Manning. It pains me to say this, but they are NFC and NFC East at that. I'm pulling for the Giants. (But never the Redskins, even if they do have a marching band!)

Besides, even big brothers need to pull for little brothers from time to time!

* You know that movie, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"? I tell my wife her movie was "My Little Skinny Geek Wedding"!

P.S. Congrats to my neighbor, who made the soprano (oops - trumpet!) line of Jersey Surf!