July 2, Hastings, MN

Thanks to Paul Wochnick on r.a.m.d for this review!

Since the scores have already been posted I'll just get right to the chase.

1.  North Force:  Their gospel music show is starting to make some good 
progress.  I like the way they use these four large PCP pipe boxes in 
their show.  They add a lot of color and shorten the field for a small 
corps.  

2.  Govenaires:  These guys have a fun show when it comes down to it and 
thats all that matters.  I especially liked the way their drum book is 
written.  The drumline does get out of hand once in a while and 
cleanliness goes out the window, but its fun to watch them play.

3.  Troopers:  Yes, the Troopers are finally on tour.  I do like the show 
design better this year than last and the new uniforms look sharp while 
still keeping the old Trooper style.  But I must say, the show has a long 
way to go if they want to keep their positon in the top 17.  They are 
marching a large guard but a smaller hornline.  Their are a lot of holes in
the drill and the drumline is at best, mediocre.  I would love to see the 
Troopers do well this year and I hope they surprise the hell out of me 
the next time I see them with their progress.

4.  MN Brass:  This was their home show and they played well for it.  
The guard has definately improved from the last time I saw them in 
Rochester.  The hornline is very strong and have a good sound.  The 
drumline is also very solid and should be scoring a lot higher on the 
field than they are.  The only problems that they seem to have are 
ensemble tears.  Through most of the show I could hear tears in the 
hornline from side to side and very large tears between the drumline and 
pit.

5.  Nite Express:  This show has cleaned up a lot from the last time that 
I saw it in Rochester.  The style change from rock to classical was a 
very good move on their part.  These guys will definatley give Pioneer a 
run for their money.  I know there has been a lot of talk on ramd that 
Pioneer should go open division and the same thing could be said for Nite 
Express.  

6.  Pioneer:  This corps has come a long way from the first time that I 
saw them in '91.  It's so much fun watching corps make such progress in a 
relatively short amount of time.  This show has also come a long way from 
when I saw them in Rochester.  Their drumline is especially clean for 
this time of year and they have a very mature book.  Both Nite Express 
and Pioneer should place very well at DCI finals.

7.  Glassmen:  Contrary to what I thought I would see from the Glassmen I 
actually enjoyed their show.  They have a very unique way of combining 
traditional drumcorps with modern that seems to work.  I'm not a big fan 
of the way they tune their snares (it looks like they have to hit the 
piss out of the drum to get any sound out of it) but overall I enjoyed 
it.  The tiny bassdrums at the beginning are a riot.

8.  Madison Scouts:  I liked most of their show a lot and other 
parts....not so much.  Actually the only thing that I did not like was 
Bolero.  For me Bolero just seems out of place from the rest of the 
show.  Well, on to the good parts.  The opener and the drum solo tune are 
a treat to experience.  I really like the new Malaguena that the Scouts 
are performing.  I cannot understand how some people here on ramd think 
that it is essentially the same arrangement.  Their are a number of new 
things in this years arrangement that are exciting.  If you ever get the 
chance listen to the frontline.  They are playing some very tasty notes 
this year that compliment the show very nicely.  The drumline is 
absolutely incredible to watch.  They have one of the most mature books 
that I have seen so far this season.  The gold drums with the white 
hardware are very tasteful.

Just as a side note I wanted to compliment DCM for allowing victory 
concerts.  Finally I'm able to hear May You Never Walk Alone at a show.   

Paul Wochnick    |  http://www.tc.umn.edu/nlhome/g470/woch0001/Scouts.html
  Madison Scouts  |  
   Bass'91,'92    |
   Frontline '93  |  University of Minnesota
  Minnesota Brass |  History Major
   Bass '90,'94   |  Emma Thompson fan :)

Seattle Web Factory

Last updated: July 3, 1996

Web and Page design ©1995 Seattle Web Factory