DIVISION I Blue Devils..............78.5 - All Captions Cavaliers................73.2 Santa Clara Vanguard.....69.0 DIVISION II (no Division III category) Mandarins................63.9 - GE Pacific Crest............63.7 - Perc., Music Blue Devils B............63.6 - Visual SC Vanguard Cadets.......53.3 EXHIBITION Spirit of Sunnyvale Marching Youth Band Blue Devils C Corps Vallejo High School Percussion Ensemble Thanks to Tim Haan for emailing us these scores! Thanks to Mavroudis on r.a.m.d for these scores!
Good morning,
Here's a review with my usual society chatter...
The morning after and I dreamed wonderful shows last night. This is going to be some season with Division II in a horse race for the top spot and Division I shows still evolving. (some holes and minor incomplete guard work for all).
Fighting commuter traffic was a bear but the pot of gold was seeing the stadium and lots o' buses in a pretty row. From the stadium you could actually see all three major corps trucks lined up. Fulfilling sight. In the stands- which were fairly packed (about 2 or 3 thousand?) - I found many familiar faces. Greeting and thanks to my surrounding bench partners: Vickie Tallman, Rich Garcia and Martha Leeson (looking all the happy lovey-dovey couple ;), Bill from back east (sorry - forgot the last name :(, and Albert (ditto). See you guys tonight at PP!
The first group up was Vallejo H.S. (didn't see them) who performed the National Anthem. Next in exhibition was Spirit of Sunnyvale Marching Youth Band. They have no DM, flutes, or colorguard, yet still produced a six man snare line! It was a unique show with two trumpets up against the stadium on opposites sides to start the show. Their ending had them playing a phrase over and over while they marched off - kinda like a record that fades out. Very gutsy program (Bartok) with nice brass sounds, even with the saxes, and drill design. Congrats to Dave Gary & team.
Mandarins - came on first and went on to *be* first. What a fabulous new uniform! The first in almost a decade from what I understand. Like a cross between Cadets and a Shogan. They are dark plum with gold trim, black pants, and a gold apron (somebody let me in on what it's called?) that hangs in front and back - loin cloth look for a better choice of words. The shoulder seams fall below the actual shoulders giving them a broader visual. I was told they're working for an Asian Warrior look. The guard is also sporting a new look based on last years' costume, but gold lame, silver apron, and black boots. It's very tight and I had to keep Rich and pals in check. Breakdown: 13 horns, 10 guard, 9 pit, 5 bass, 3 snare, 2 tenor. Sound and look much bigger. Interesting show: Passport (music from "The Ghost Train Trytich" by Eric Whiteacre.
They open with "The Ride" which begins with a solo snare drum in an excellerondo and mellophone. The horn's phrase becomes the segue between each of the movements carried on next by a soprano, mallets, and then contra. All the guard flags (and there are several) are in metallics which I believe would be connected to the train theme. A unique drill move this year is horn passes through the pit. It gets crowded and the judge got caught on more than one occasion between a xylophone and a gong.
The subsquent pieces are "At the Station", "The Motive Revolution" and "Bullet". This last bit has a guard member running through the back ranks with an old fashion fire fan (accordian style with two handles) billowing what looks like smoke into the air but is probably baby powder. Great idea. West coast folks will be pleased to hear that the popular taiko drum solo from last year is back - brush sticks on tenors and snares, plus six wooden drums on the front and one big one to the side. They got a great ovation. They have a great show, but also great competition...it really is tight out there.
SCV Cadets - Almost filled ranks! They have 23 horns (4 contras!)/ 3 Tenors/5 Snares/3 Basses/5 Pit and 2 DM. Their show this year is from the movie, "Evita". The 6 guard - which includes 2 guys - wear tan tailored pants and white shirt. The corps opens with "Requiem". A train whistle (popular theme this year), segues into "Buenas Aires". Flags are pink/orange/ and gold rainbow style. "I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You." (which in the program said "I'd be Surpirsingly Goof For You." :) has several nice horn solos. Guard is on sabre & tenors go on conga, drum set and tymp. During the drum solo, the guard is on black and gold flags. (black and metallic is very popular too). "Don't Cry for me Argentina" is a big number where they play to the side instead of the usual back field. Wonderful company front. "A New Argentina" begins almost jazzy and ends with a furious drill and music book. Looking forward to seeing this young group mature in the next couple of weeks. They've come a long way already.
Pacific Crest - A new look for this 4 year corps. They wear the same white jacket and black pants, but the a red sash. The guard - which is actually up to 14 with 2 guys - has gorgeous deep burgandy costumes: velvet bodice, and knit leggings (sewn as one piece) with a long train like a bustle in the back. The guys where all black with a burgandy vest. The DM (Hi, Adrian!) is in all black with red trim. Breakdown: 8 pit/ 5B/6S/4T/3C/28H/1DM/14G. They also sport metallic flags while performing to the music of "Frankenstein." Bits of this were first heard several years ago by the Mandarins, but PC is doing their entire show based on this music: "To Think of a Story", "The Creation", "The Escape", "Friendless", and "Evil Stitched to Evil."
Their loud opening statement captured the crowd and continued into the second piece with screamers at the climax of the ballad. During this, the guard uses wooden crosses - probably symbolizing death. I have a problem with this since I find it disrespectful, and can only take heart in the fact they don't twirl them. Large white flags with gold cross augment the ending production. During the last piece waring horns and guard confront while the six snares go on tenors so there's ten ten-ors. Awsome sound and a 'wow' from the crowd.
Blue Devils B - They're going to Finals this year and have a great crowd-pleasing show to showcase. Breakdown: 16 Guard/ 10P/26H/6S/4T/5B/and 5 MARCHING cymbals. (just had to make special mention of that. ;) The musicians are wearing the same uniform as last year, but the guard is wearing a full black body suit with high waisted mustard colored tops. Black fringe hangs from the waistline. Powerful salsa music including "Nutville", "Guanguano", "Night of the Capricorn Moon", "Minuano in Six Eight" and "Paso Doble". Opener swings. 2nd piece, a ballad has a sweet sop solo. One of the cheeriest sights was a mom holding a sign up after they played: "That's My Kid!"
Cooking up some fare for the Cybercorps party this afternoon at PP... got a little distracted...
During intermission, we were treated to two exhibitions. The first one was BLUE DEVILS C corps. For the first time, this group - made up of 7 to 13 year olds - will be touring to So Ca for shows. Too cute- every year we hear it in the stands and it was especially enduring this year. Breakdown: 11 horns (2 extremely young), 1 DM, 3 pit, 13 guard (1 guy), 3T/6S/5B. The guard wore red shifts and white tights (red shirt and white pants for the guy) and the little musicians wore new dark blue jackets. Music was Americana although the show title is "Smokin' Blue". They did selections from "Grand Ol' Flag", "Bandstand Boogie", "Sing Sing Sing", and "Rock n Rool Part 2". This latter piece had the familiar "HEY!" sign which gets the audience going. They fall down at the end which is cute. But the one that sent us into tears of laughter...because it was so cute...was the poor sop who had to...um...use the facilities.....bad. Rich and Martha were laughing so hard, I thought they were going to pee themselves. It was just this poor kid who didn't know what to do and young enough to get away with it. Hey kid - I wish we could get away with it as adults too. Best of luck to you! I hope someone tells the kid we in true empathy - the only bathrooms in the area were on the other side of the school. (Martha dared me to write about it - and I couldn't resist.)
Vallejo Percussion Ensemble - This group of 18 percussionists (including two female tenors!) did an engaging version of STOMP that had the audience staying in their seats. "One, two, three, quatro" and rap dancing to trash can rythmns were memorable. Thanks Merlin Chestnut for this entertaining group.
SANTA CLARA VANGUARD - You'll forgive me if I'm a little prejudice here. (My daughter, Emily, is marching guard). The show is just FILLED with visuals augmented by a very intense and driving music book. I never know where to look because there's so much going on.
The musicians don't have their new uniforms yet and wore a stripped down version of last year (white tunic, green pants/aussi, and copper gauntlets.) The guard however received their costumes earlier in the week and they are stunningly classy: black velvet body suits with an off the shoulder cut that's trimmed in gold.
The Berstein music comes from three sources: "On The Town" which opens and closes the show, "On the Waterfront" which in this case represents San Francisco's waterfront, and the driving "Age of Anxiety." Their show, "Fog City Sketches" begins with a lone sop 'crying' on a "Lonely Street." Three baritones answer his call while the guard is either pulled out of a wave down the 30, or part of a towering moutain of bodies. (They have one guy and one lady at the top. He wears all black.) There are no drums during this opening number. At the end, the guard goes from dancing to beautifully crafted/designed gold flags. The second piece, "The City's Edge" starts with pounding percussion and a sabre toss by the guard. The rapid drill movement never stops and has scary pass-throughs.
"City Dreams" - the ballad - is just a lull before the zany wackiness of "A Day in the Park." Look close and you'll see a multitude of characters and antics: a horn walking a dog (and listen for the barking dog too!), flying cymbals, rippling sops, skipping, fights, and much more.
"Anxiety Within", "The Golden Gate", and "Fog City Sketches" complete the show's rep. One of the numbers features red two- tone flags while the final piece brings back the gold flags. Someone mentioned the score difference between BD and SCV - don't think this is going to stay this way. SCV's show is complex both visually and musically meriting time for improve- ment.
CAVALIERS - I didn't know what to expect after people talked about this silent minute opener. What I saw was a Stanley Knaub-type piece that is fresh and fun. I don't think it's been explained in detail, but here's what I remember: The announcer says, "Cavaliers, you may take your 60 second warm up." The instruments are deposited and the entire corps gathers in a group circle left off the 50. I was barely high enough to see that the corps members in their green became a "C" while the guard, dressed in black with a silver square on their chest, filled in the center and open edge of the letter. They begin with deep breathing - one entity expanding and contracting - they yell "shoop" (?) and at one point groan. I'm guessing this is the emergence of the "Firebird" upon which their music is built. There was some nervous laughter from older people unfamiliar with innovative dance, but mostly respectful viewing. Then they have a rapid spin expansion that's really stunning. Like unraveling pair of wings? Imagine all this and not once did I hear "duts" from drumless drummers, or other audio beats. I think it was purely from eye-balling the DM. Then a tympani comes in.
I was helpfully informed by Martha and Bill that the opening baritone solo was his mimicking the bassoon in "The Rite of Spring" written by the same composer, Stravinsky. The guard does some incredible tosses on rifle then actually toss them to neighbors. The flags were black/grey/white and each designed with different geometric shapes.
The second piece begins with a cringing cymbal, and features the guard on sabres and multi-green toned flags. Nice use of four big basses in the pit...one might say heart clutching. At one point the corps is scattered around the field in a orderly fashion with the guard playing hide-an-seek during a drum feature. Powerful snare performance.
The third piece - the ballad - is a little shakey, but featured some red flag tossing by the guard which is an eye-opener. Lot's of equipment and drill work not completed during this last number. Silent toss is part of the closer.
BLUE DEVILS - Their Casablanca show seems to be a hit with the audience with the male guard dressed as "Rick" first in tuxedo pants/shirt/vest and bowtie then an added white dinner jacket; and the female guard as "Ilsa" in long red dresses with gold trim (I'm thinking the blond in the opening sequence of "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom") while some others open with long and full Morracan cape tunics. THe ladies use white fans. The guard is 35 strong and the whole show is flavored with middle east tones. When they performed the moon (called a strawberry moon by the weather guy) was rising in the back field.
The show begins quiet with fans waving and a conga rythmn beginning in the pit. A backfield sop begins "As Time Goes By" and we will hear this several times as a seque by very instrumentation. The opener has a "Rick" with the ladies and an "Ilsa" in the center of the horns. With a 'pow' the horns begin an overture with "Night in Tunisia" which we will hear later and then bits from "One Night in Bankok." Three key changes during this piece is an audio thrill - and includes a brass run to rival Cadets. Interesting percussion has exotic use of instrumentation in the pit including "cocktail drums" which are standing set drums, and the snares using the sides of rifles as another drumming element. The screamer at the end hits a high note and then another higher note that we all agreed was for dog ears only. Yeow! Some really wailing sops this year.
Beautiful backfield playing seques into "Night in Tunisia". The guard strips down to black body suits or sports bras. (I'm thinking there's going to be a change here?) Tenors go to the cocktail drums. Not much drill work yet, but powerful horns.
As Time Goes By sequence is based on music from "Harp Concerto, Opus 25." The guard waltzes. The sweetness of the moment is interrupted by an intense ending which features yellow flags. The retreat concert was ear-bleeding time, but we wouldn't want it any other way.
Dan Acheson handed out awards. I think the biggest shocker was the close scores in the Division II.
Hope this helps the eager souls on RAMD who wanted a peek - albiet through written word - at the western corps.
Off to Pacific Procession..... MAV
P.S. Apologies to the man with his two sons who tried to get through to a seat in the middle of Vanguard's show. Seconds before the announcer DID say not to walk around during a show. I wasn't trying to bite your head off - just trying to view my daughter's show which I had travelled three hours to see.
Recaps - June 20, 1997, Vallejo, CA
Thanks to Mavroudis on r.a.m.d for these recaps! GENERAL EFFECT ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE TOT MUS VIS TOT MUS VIS TOT BRS PER VIS TOT DIVISION II 1 63.9 Mandarins 13.4 12.5 25.9 10.5 9.9 20.4 6.4 5.2 6.0 17.6 63.9 2 63.7 Pacific Crest 12.3 11.8 24.1 12.3 10.3 22.6 6.2 5.6 5.2 17.0 63.7 3 63.6 Blue Devils B 12.8 12.3 25.1 10.7 10.5 21.2 6.0 5.0 6.3 17.3 63.6 4 53.3 SCV Cadets 9.9 10.8 20.7 10.2 7.2 17.4 5.0 4.7 5.5 15.2 53.3 DIVISION I 1 78.5 Blue Devils 14.9 16.2 31.1 12.5 11.2 23.7 7.8 8.4 7.5 23.7 78.5 2 73.2 Cavaliers 14.0 14.7 28.7 11.3 10.7 22.0 7.5 7.9 7.1 22.5 73.2 3 69.0 Vanguard 13.3 14.1 27.4 11.9 9.5 21.4 6.3 7.7 6.2 20.2 69.0 Chief Judge: Mike Rubino GE Music - Paul Hinman GE Visual - Gary Czapinski Ensemble Music - Dennis Aguilina Ensemble Visual - Marie Chadinski Performance Brass - Diane Wyant Performance Percussion - Frank Wyant II Performance Visual - Scott Pesani
Cadets of Bergen County..72.7 Madison Scouts...........72.3 Colts....................62.3 Glassmen.................66.2 Pioneer..................56.5 Capital Sound............44.8 Blue Stars...............47.1 Golden Lancers...........41.3 Wabash Crusaders.........25.1 Thanks to Bert F. Barnes III on r.a.m.d for these scores!
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