Caballeros...............78.2 - Percussion, GE Bushwackers..............78.0 - Marching, Brass Sunrisers................74.6 Hurricanes...............70.1 Skyliners................65.3 Chieftains...............55.2 Thanks to Bud McCormick for emailing us these scores!
A classic drum corps battle is shaping up in DCA these days-- not only between the boys in upstate New York (Syracuse and Statesmen), but between the Jersey corps, Hawthorne Caballeros and Harrison Bushwackers, as well. Knowing this definitely added to this afternoon's excitement as the two corps battled it out in the sweltering afternoon heat and humidity at Veterans Stadium in Bayonne, NJ. Today's show was my first this season, and I was treated to some fine performances and intense competition that left me hungry for more. Here are the corps in order of finish.
Caballeros - 78.2 - Percussion, GE
Although smaller in number this season, Hawthorne can still pack a power-punch. Their horn book is as exciting or more so than years past complete with great sop soloists, big chords and "park-and-barks." Cab's guard, also smaller than years past, had some great moments. Hats off to the drill designer and choreographer for giving them moments of good exposure. Their drumline sounded good and clean, but a little non-existent at times. I wasn't sure if it was the humidity, the tuning or what, but their drumline wasn't nearly as exposed as the other sections. Are they trying to hide them? They have a nice feature, but it's easy to forget they're out there if you're not looking right at them. If they can do something about this, they have more than a good shot at taking another title (again, I haven't seen Syracuse or Statesmen yet).
Bushwackers - 78.0 - Marching, Brass
If you're looking for an example of a corps who performs with heart and soul, see the 1997 edition of the Harrison Bushwackers. Man, I was floored at the beginning of the show, as the horns hit you right off the bat, standing on the front sideline. The show has a lot of great elements to it and will bring the house down in Allentown come Labor Day weekend (just as they did today). Keeping pace with Cabs despite holes in the drill, dirty but talented drumline, and skillful but rough colorguard says a lot about how much this corps means business this season. If they can close or fill the holes, wash the drum book and tighten-up the ensemble, we could see an upset in August.
Sunrisers - 74.6
Nice new look and much improved over last year. Holsinger works well with this corps. Especially liked was the ballad a la Cadets 93 (I loved it then and still do) and the drum line has a lot of nice features. Their guard looks very experienced and expresses the music quite well. A very enjoyable show.
Hurricanes - 70.1
Great things come in this small package. Tight ensemble visually and musically and nice volume. I was pleasantly surprised. A brief and to the point review embodies this corps style better than any other.
Skyliners - 65.3
New York. Like the city they come "boy, if it were clean, it might not be so bad." Their show looks cool, but they're just not performing it yet. A lot of emotion out there. If they can channel their emotion and concentrate more on performance, this corps would have a lot more potential.
Chieftains - 55.2
Much, much, much, much improved over last year. What a difference a year makes! I like the uniforms and the show music. By the bronze look of their skin you can tell that there's some hard work going on in the Lehigh Valley of PA, and it's starting to show. Keep plugging away folks, I think you'll be pleased with the outcome and should be already. The glaring problem that demands immediate attention, at least from where I was sitting, is ensemble, particularly the timing of horns to drums and making sure that attacks line up. If they can nip this in the bud they're on their way toward good things. Look forward to some growth in that organization in the years to come.
In addition to the competing corps were performances by the host Bayonne Raiders DCI Division III junior corps, and the Blessed Sacarement Golden Knights Alumni corps. Bayonne performed well to a very receptive home audience. Their all jazz show is very much a crowd pleaser. They have quite a way to go if they are going to make a run for the Div. III title in Orlando, but it looks as though they are a serious contender for finals to say the least.
It was great seeing Sac perform. I get a kick out of seeing young people and seniors perform on the field together. Their old uniforms shone in the afternoon sunlight and I felt as though we were back in the 60's. Even the music they played was the old corps-style that I remember hearing on my dad's old phonograph records. They looked as I imagined the old drum corps did on those records.
In all, it was a great day of drum corps, a terrific way to open my season. See you all in Fair Lawn, NJ, next week.
DIV I Cadets of Bergen County..86.2 Bluecoats................80.0 Boston Crusaders.........73.2 DIV II/III Tarheel Sun..............77.6 Delta Bridage............72.6 Gen. Butler Vagabonds....59.4 Academie Musicale........Exhibition Thanks to Richard Jenkins for emailing us these scores!
Well, this is the first review I've posted this year, but I had such a good time at the show, I thought I'd go for it.
General Butler Vagabonds
The Vagabonds had the bad luck to follow the Tarheel Suns, who put on a
spectacular show. But, they did fairly well. I liked their music, but they
had a lot of basic musical problems, such as not playing together, bad
tone quality, etc. Still, they did well. One thing: I really, really
didn't like the guard work. It scared me.
Delta Brigade
I had my doubts about the Delta Brigade. For starters, I had never heard
of them. For another, they had some...interesting props. Anyways, they
were outstanding. Their horn line had surprising seniority, their drums
were fairly clean, and the show was quite enjoyable. Some of their visual
things were corny, but I guess it couldn't be helped.
Tarheel Sun
I see why they are the Division II AD champs!! They were amazing. They
definitely set the crowd on fire. They should be a top corps this year, and
in a few years could be challenging for finals. I really enjoyed them, and
hope to see them again.
Academie Musicale
Poor Musicale had mechanical problems with their buses or something, and
didn't show up until about 8:30. They went on at the end in exhibition.
Even though they had very little warmup time, and as I hear, little sleep
the night before, they were great. I really liked their show, too. What
impressed me was the high quality of the sound with the little warmup time
they had. They should place high in Semis.
Boston Crusaders
Well, the Boston Crusaders are much improved over last year. Their
hornline was very mature, and their percussion was clean as well. I liked
their show as well. One question, though. Why is it that when anyone plays
"Eternal Father" they have to face backfield? Not that I have anything
against it, its just that everyone does it. It wouldn't be too much of an
imagination stretch for these guys and gals to make finals, even without a
falter. They should be 13 or 14, at the very least.
Bluecoats
Go Blue! You got to root for the home state corps, and they gave us
something to root for. They were awesome, and showed great pose and skill.
The drum feature was unbelievable, and the hornline showed why they should
be in the top 6. If the big Blue keeps this up, they will break the top 6.
No doubt in my mind. I felt tonight that they were closer to the Cadets
than their score indicated.
Cadets of Bergen County
The Cadets are on their way to the DCI Title. Their show was great. I
loved it!! In your face one minute with the horns and percussion, then a
quite lyrical section next. Great exploration of both the FFFFFFFFF range
and the ppp range. I can also see why their Percussion is blowing away
everyone else. Also, I really loved watching them after the show at their
encore. If you haven't seen it, you need to.
Thats my two cents.
One more thing. There have been some negative comments about the announcer
at the show. I know the guy, and he's a good guy. He stepped in at the
last minute to fill in. He's not an announcer, he's a pit dad. Of course,
they wouldn't have had the problem if they had got my dad to announce the
show (he announces most of the Bellbrook events, in case your wondering),
but they didn't.
I look forward to seeing the rest of the corps, and see these corps again.
Well, living in the Dayton metro area made attending this DCE (DCI-AD) show a "no-brainer". All excited after seeing the DCM results on Sunday morning, it seemed like forever before it was time to head out to the show.
The weather was good, old Ohio "too hot and too humid for drum corps".
3. General Butler Vagabonds: Well, I have never seen this corps before,
and I could have sworn that they had folded. They look like they are
wearing old Cadets uniforms. Their musical selection was from the
Sound of Music. It was recognizable and easy to follow. Not too bad.
Score: 59.4
2. Delta Brigade: All the way from Little Rock Arkansas? Why are they
in DCE? Anyhow, this small corps has a nice look and a decent sound. They
were doing some kind of "who-done-it" show. I have to be honest... after
the opening move made a question mark, I was unable to follow the show.
Score: 72.6
1. Tarheel Sun: The 1997 Div. II DCI-AD/DCE champions. They have
over 100 members, a full drum line, a nice look, and a great show.
Why they are in Div. II escapes me, but they were by far one of the best
shows I have seen this summer. They are playing Latin-Jazz and handle
it quite well. Their lead sops need to tune before their next show... the
soloists were WAAAAAAAAY out of tune. The drill is a bit dirty, but they still have
4 weeks. Pencil them in as a contender for top-20.
Score: 77.6
3. Boston Crusaders: This may be the best BAC hornline I have ever
heard. They are very "clean" and dark sounding. Balance is great.
The corps is not "pushing" to play beyond their overall abilities.
The show consists of American Music like Chester and Lincoln
Potrait. A very "safe" show. Enjoyable to listen too.
BAC has come a long way. I'd like to see them actually improve from
year-to-year... heck, then they might make finals. They are a long-shot
for top-12 because of the quality of their show.
Score: 73.2
2. Bluecoats: It has been years since I got all excited about seeing the Bluecoats. After all of the great comments on RAMD this summer, I could not wait to see them. Well, the Bluecoats do not disappoint. They are one "swingin' corps." They open with a very "fresh" version of Harlem Nocture. Move into some very EXCITING music with a COOL drum feature. Then they play a ballad-type song with the power and grace of recent PR ballads. They end the show with a late-80's ending (goes into a tag ending with 14 or so snares playing). The guard is much better than the typical Bluecoats guard. Folks, this corps has grown up. One could compare them to Blue Devils with a "darker" sound and a serious "hip" approach to jazz. My wife said that Bluecoats gave her goosebumps, and I'd have to agree. Their soprano line is a solid way of "dark" sound. Very unusual in DCI. They need more bass... the announcer did state that Bluecoats needed 1 contra and 1 bari to fill holes.... they just recently picked up another contra player.
If they make the ending a little more exciting and beef up the low-brass
a little more, this corps could and should have the top-6 corps looking
over their shoulder. Bluecoats have finally put a "top-6" product on the
field, but that does not mean that it will happen, of course.
Score: 80.0
1. Cadets of Bergen County: You have probably read countless reviews
about CBC, so I'll keep this one brief. Still a great corps. Lots of
notes... much cleaner than when I last saw them. Odd thing...
after following Bluecoats (and having seen them before), the show
was NOT as exciting. I'd hate to think that after just a couple
of viewings, they'd be "drab"... especially since I will see them
4 more times this summer. Overall, a great show.... however
what the heck is the guard doing with the "blue Cadet" hats?
They put them on and do this completely and utterly stupid
dance across the field in front of the corps? IS this new?
It made me want to throw up... it almost ruins the show.
Luckily the horn line saves the corps by playing and marching
at the end of the show.
Score: 86.2
Spartans.................81.4 Patriots.................80.9 3rd Regiment.............70.3 St. John's...............69.4 Lake Erie Regiment.......65.6 Conqueror II.............56.5 Thanks to Geoff Jones on r.a.m.d for these scores!
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