July 18, Saginaw, MI

Thanks to Richard Vincent Lamb for directly emailing this review to us!

Crossmen win easily in Saginaw

   July 18, 1996 -- Saginaw, Michigan...Crossmen swept all captions to 
defeat a field of seven corps, including fellow DCE members Boston 
Crusaders and five DCM Division III corps, led by the two-time DCM 
Division III Champions Golden Lancers and the host Northern Aurora.  
Despite cloudy skies and intermittent rain, the enthusiasm of neither the 
corps nor the audience was dampened, as the corps put on energetic 
performances and the audience responded appreciatively. 

   Crossmen scored 78.8, handily beating Boston Crusaders, who tallied 
71.1.  The Golden Lancers  came in third with a 64.5, followed by 
Northern Aurora, 62.1, Coachmen, 46.2, Marquis, 39.9, and Bandettes, 35.8.

   Crossmen grabbed the attention of the fans from the opening move and 
never let it go as they presented an entertaining show that was probably 
as fun to march as it was to watch and listen.  The silent expansion of 
the brass and guard from a file on the 50-yard line to the crisp 
appearance of 80 flags accompanied by a powerful drum entrance drew oohs 
and ahhs from the crowd.  The strong performance by an exciting horn line 
and and impressive and flashy drum line impressed the fans during the 
rest of the opener.  The focus shifted to the coed guard during the 
second number, as four couples bumped into each other, acted very 
naturally as they strolled forward through the horns, and then performed 
a very expressive dance ending in an embrace.  The entire corps 
enthralled the corps during Birdland as each section of the hornline 
had two features, the drums soloed several times, and the guard set the 
mood, strutting in pairs with the hornline and then finishing the show 
with all flags.  Crossmen received the second and loudest standing 
ovation of the night.

   The opening of Boston Crusaders show demonstrated that they have a 
powerful hornline, a good drumline, and an engaging show concept.  The 
quiet buildup from the solo baritone through the brass quintet to the 
entire corps as it emerges from behind the four backdrops, each one 
depicting a movement of their show, and then ending with the entire 
hornline at the front of the field playing at almost ear-splitting volume 
drew an enthusiastic response from the audience.  From that point on, the 
show belonged to the guard, whose multiple uniform and equipment changes, 
along with their well-executed equipment and dance work, captivated the 
audience.  The guard covered for the brass, who were rough in spots 
during On the Town and came in third to Golden Lancers in Brass 
Performance.  Despite their minor flaws, Boston Crusaders broke 70 and 
drew the first standing ovation of the night.

   Golden Lancers have added much to their show since their first 
performance in Toledo during June, beginning with their new black shakos 
and continuing with a completed guard book, many equipment changes, and 
poses by the brass during the standstill parts of the show.  Watch 
especially for the big flags during the soft section of the opener, the 
windsocks and wings during the second number, and the the two different 
sets of flags during the closer.  The corps strength was in its musical 
performance, especially its brass, which earned second in brass 
performance with a controlled sound with excellent blend, balance, and 
intonation.  The visual program is not as strong yet, as the corps came 
in fourth in GE Visual and Visual Performance behind Northern Aurora.  
The corps still earned an enthusiastic response including a few scattered 
specators giving them standing ovations.

   Northern Aurora put on an entertaining performance to appreciative 
hometown fans.  They had a very strong visual performance, earning third 
in GE Visual and Visual Performance, and tying Golden Lancers for third 
in overall GE. Their efforts closed the five to seven point gap between 
them and Golden Lancers at DCM Championships to two points.  

   Coachmen engaged the audience with their Urban American Landscape 
show, particularly with the Amazing Grace section, where the guard 
invited the audience to clap along.  Despite the rain which fell on their 
show, they never let down, earning fifth in all captions except for sixth 
places in Musical Ensemble and Total Ensemble. The fans applauded the 
other Michigan corps warmly.

   Marquis DM Sabrina Curran attracted the eyes of the spectators when 
she opened the show by pulling her baton from the front of her dress.  
She led the corps in an African themed show with music composed by Robert 
Smith.  The theme was best developed during the drum solo, during which 
the guard donned African-print skirts over red leotards and performed 
with spears, finishing with the guard surrounding the horns and pricking 
them, to which the horns jumped up in mock pain.  They drew  sincere 
applause from the crowd.

   Bandettes opened the competition with their Gypsy show.  They 
entertained the audience with good soloists and one of the strongest 
performances from this corps at this time of the season this decade, as 
the corps showed great improvements in marching technique and brass 
playing over earlier incarnations of the corps during the 90s.  The 
soloists in particular demonstrated competence and assurance.  The fans 
rewarded their efforts with a warm ovation.

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Last updated: July 19, 1996

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