Glass Bowl Stadium is a superb venue for a drum corps show, and for a multitude of reasons, the show was very well attended. First corps of the night was Cincinnati Glory. Ten horns is not enough, obviously, but my hat is off to the staff, but mostly the kids, for hanging tough. It probably seems futile, and it may be futile, but don't let anyone deprecate the effort and the guts it takes to give a full performance with a third (or less) of a corps. I know the frustration and agony of several seasons like that... God Bless You, Cincinnati Glory, the drum corps fraternity respects your courage and your dream.

Next up, Capital Regiment, looking great and sporting a larger group than last year. The book isn't particularly memorable... so what? Ohio can use twenty more drum corps, and Glory and Cap Reg. are boldly stepping off the starting line. Take note Glassmen and Blue Coats: you had best reach down deep and help these corps in any way you can (by the way, they may be doing that already, I don't know!)

Americanos were next. Bizet's music is timeless, and the treatment at the hands of the horn and drum arrangers is exquisite. I salivate to think of what this book could sound like with a full complement of players. Americanos' bugle line was small but tasty. Yet another hopeful sign of good things to come.

Phantom Regiment's new uniforms are cool, and to me, they made the biggest statement of the evening musically. I heard them saying, "We are back, don't you dare write us off!" Phantom's horn line knocked me out! By the 10th of August the Rite of Spring will be burnt into the pages of Drum Corps history as one of the greatest presentations of all time. (You heard it here first)

Madison Scouts were next, and surprise, surprise, surprise... the crowd loved them. The arrangements are neat as usual, and even I, a visual ignoramus, could see some real challenging stuff in the drill and guard. It should be a real dogfight all season long in the Glassmen, Cavaliers, Madison Scouts, Phantom Regiment rivalry. When the guard show is completely learned (written?) it should be great fun to watch as well as listen to. Others I spoke to indicated the drum section was not particularly well prepared, just passing along a stray comment, I don't really know.

Following an intermission (which in my opinion is always better than following Madison) came Pioneer. They seem to be "up" this season from what I remember of last year. I, like many other old-timers, have ranted and raved at show writers to go back to recognizable music. Pioneer's book is Brigadoon and it's really memorable, "sing-able" stuff. Alas, it is also hopelessly dated and I must admit that it doesn't work nearly as well as I thought it would (does reality ever measure up to our memories?) Bravo, Kids!!!

Speaking of dated, Southwind's show seems lost in the 70's or 80's. I like their look, I like their technique playing and marching, and they are fundamentally sound in every respect, but I didn't get a single musical or visual surprise in their book. Do not take this as a criticism of the kids or their caption instructors, only of the show design. It felt like the designers did not really believe that the quality or quantity of personnel would be on hand to pull off an ambitious book. I bet they never make that mistake again. Bravo, Kids!!!

Colts looked great in new uni's... should be a great visual tool. Horn line was dynamite (in my opinion, very underappreciated in recent past). What's up with the pit, though? I should have acknowledged another bias above... they don't write nearly enough rests for the melodic percussion in this book or in many others. My opinion (flame away if you must) is that the constant multimallet attack of the marimba destroys the ensemble by adding a dense layer of sound that detracts unless used sparingly and tastefully. When will some show designer get the guts to reduce the pit size and increase marching members? Bring the snare drummers up front if you need more players in the pit for special effects.

I have always been a big Cavaliers fan (what's not to like?) and was really eager to hear and see the new show. I hope it grows on me as time passes, but first hearing was not particularly satisfying. This is probably not a completely valid comparison, but the Niagara Falls music seemed a pale and amateurish composition exercise when compared to Phantom's Stravinski. Oh well, I guess every composer suffers in comparison to him. Truth be told there was much about all the color guard uniforms and routines from each corps that I "just didn't get." Having said all that I was particularly clueless about the cavies' guard, what is that all about?

Last on were the Glassmen as hosts of the show. I had been eagerly anticipating the new show ever since I heard the word Gershwin (see earlier comments), but Piano Concerto in F is almost completely unfamiliar to me. It seems destined to score really well, and the kids really execute the book pretty well for this early in the season (ditto all the corps). I liked the guard uniforms (and wigs), but as usual, couldn't figure out how the dance movement enhanced the music or drill at all. I know it can be done, having seen the Cadets and Santa Clara in previous seasons, but few designers seem to be able to integrate the guard into the production in a sensible fashion. Maybe the damned guard routine has to be written first instead of last?

General Observations: Foul weather throughout the Midwest for the entire week preceding this contest made me worry that many of the shows would be "unlearned." In fact, it seemed to me that ALL units were further along than last year. The level of brass playing gets better and better with each passing year. The intonation of the bugles (or trumpets, I guess) is the best I've ever heard. Have we reached some sort of saturation point in the free drill? Where is it going from here? Those of you lucky enough to catch more live contests as this season progresses will have to judge that, as I'll be unable to attend any more contests due to work and family commitments. Write reviews and I'll "go to contests" with you on RAMD.

Enjoy!!!!!