Thanks to Greg J. Hipius on RAMD for this review!
8. Spectrum (46.1) For a division III corps, a very good
effort. Of particular note was a high quality pit that showed
vibrance and energy, yet the control necessary not to throw off
the balance in a small corps. Also of note were the two contras,
VERY talented players that really managed to hold their own and
shine. I thought that the score might have been just a touch
under what they deserved, probably due to the rest of the field
tonight.
7. Boston Crusaders (75.5) Hmmm... for a corps that I haven't
cared much for for years, I was rather surprised. They have come
leaps andbounds from where they were when I saw them at the
beginning of the season in Hershy, PA. Yet, the group still suffers
from the key flaws I noticed then; it seems like they cleaned up
AROUND the major problems, but left the big problems. This group
is bottom heavy... a strong low brass is a virtue for them, but it
sometimes also becomes a vice as they overdo it, "frapping" some
notes, and drowning out most of the upper brass. Let's face it...
Metheny jazz just can't cook when your screamers are weak. And BAC
would have faired better choosing a program of jazz that had not
already been used spectacularly by some higher up corps. Overall,
I'm both glad to see that BAC is improving, but disappointed to see
that it's still happening at a snail's pace.
6. Velvet Knights (80.2) *sniffle* *sniffle* I miss the
good old VK! You know, the one that accepted that they'd be in the
middle somewheres, and made the best of it by being the DCI
globetrotters. This year's show is an obvious attempt to claim top
12 competitiveness, but it's not a successful one. Low points:
VERY sloppy brass section that overplays so hard, you can see their
lips flapping out their bells, and some frightening levels of
phazing between the right and left sides of the field. High
points: AWESOME drumline, one that with a slightly better
supporting hornline could have had a shot at the caption at finals.
Very impressive drill, still needs a littel touch up, but not out of
reach before prelims on Thursday. Also the book is surprisingly
entertaining, despite the disappointing lack of VKishness in their
delivery. PLEASE PLEASE come back to normal next year, VK! You
don't need to make top 12; we love you just the way you are.
5. Carolina Crown (83.2) An excellent chance at making the top
12 for the Crown. What a show!!! An excellent all around corps
performs a beautifully constucted, VERY intriguing show... Very
little here I did not like. The large silver lighning bolts were a
little anticlimactic, though, as little at all was done with them,
and none of it impressive as the rest of the show. Some really
clever drill and music made for an especially memorable drum feature.
Welcome to contention for finals, Crown, and I hope the combination
of innovation and ENTERTAINMENT that you have displayed rubs off on
the rest of us.
4. Blue Knights (82.0) Zzzzzz..... Very dull show. They do a
great job of performing the mst mediocre music and drill I can
remember in a long time. The use of big white spots on the field was
confusing at best. Believe me, the points this corps is getting are
merit points for the outstanding job these kids are doing in
performing, NOT from GE, which is virtually nonexistant in this show.
The score placing them within a tenthof a point from Crossmen was,
IMHO, a VERY big gift, perhaps in hopes of keeping them in the hunt
for suspense's sake with DCIs coming up. This group will make finals.
But my wholehearted suggestion: take this opportunity to go get
yourself a hot dog.
3. Crossmen (86.3) By far, this corps and show has matured more
since the beginning of the season than any other corps and show I
have seen. No holes are apparent any more, and this show runs
seamlessly, as if there never were any problems to begin with. The
Bones percussion shined as always,particularly during the closer.
Keep your eyes peeled when watching the Crossmen this year, as they
have some very strong visual elements to offer. But whatever you do,
don't try to count the percussionists on each instrument; the breakdown
changes faster that you can count!!! Overall, an excellent show.
Very difficult, but they've managed to grow into the challenge over
the course of the season.
2. Madison Scouts (94.4) The official explaination that has
been being fed for why they are still not beating Cadets, BD, etc.
is that the show isn't. This is the only time I have seen them this
year, but I DO NOT buy it. This show was absolutely sqeakey clean.
This show is BETTER than their title taking group of '88. I think
that the real reason that they aren't winning is just simply that
Cadets are a touch ahead, all around. .9 is not that much, and is
an imperceptible difference in quality to the human eye, and Madison
vs. CBC proved it. Madison's horn line this year is PHENOMINAL. As
always, their drill is a force to be reckoned with. Suprisingly,
this year, so is their guard. The matador theme is an excellent
vehicle for Scouts, and it WILL take them to the top four someplace
this year, have no doubt.
1. Cadets of Bergen County (95.3) CBC has the best total
package I have seen in a long time, and by far the best I have ever
personally witnessed from them. From beginning to end, Cadets show
radiates the energy and emotion, as well as the storylines, of a
broadway musical. I know you've all heard it a thousand times, but
Swing Swing Swing is a riot. I do not care how long they stood
still... I loved it. The new ending (and yes, they nixed their POC
ending with the division of male and female hornplayers) was
powerful and coherent now, and this show is ready for the finals.
How wonderful, in a time of corps struggling to survive and
make ends meet, to see proof that corps is alive and well!
-Greg J. Hipius-
Seattle Web Factory
CyberCorps Web Page Designers.
CyberWebMistress Cathy Doser
Web and Page design ©1995 Seattle Web Factory