From: v067q3ey@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (Harold F Mayfield)
Newsgroups: alt.drumcorps
Subject: DCI North Comments & Scores
Date: 21 Jul 92 16:55:00 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: University at Buffalo
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41

Let's try this again......

Here's the comments on the corps that participated at DCI North in reverse
order of placement.....

As I write about each corp, I will give a rating on the overall show.
Was it really exciting to me, or just o.k. (my opinion)!

**** - Excellent
 *** - Good 
  ** - Fair 
   * - Poor

11. Orlando Magic
    Once again they did music composed by Danny Elfman. I thought the 
arrangement was good, but this corp is really to small to compete in Div I. 
There's about 85 members marching, And I think it would more rewarding to them 
to march Div II. The horn line played with the usual mistakes at this time, but 
it needed more horn players to give it a more full sound. The drum line is 
playing an easy book, and they are still very dirty. I think the highlight of
this corp was the color guard, and their props. The drill had alot of holes, so
you could not understand the designs they were doing. They should make the 
top 25, but some where in the 20's. I give it this rating because it still
needs alot of work. This show still has potential.
SCORE: 63.00  Rating: * 1/2

10. Dutch Boy
    They did 'Unforgettable, 'Avalon', and 'Beauty and the Beast'. The horn
line seemed to play well with some phasing problems. But I think this corps
biggest problem is their drum line. They were very dirty, at times I could 
not tell what they were playing, but from what I could hear it seems that the
book is somewhat difficult. I thought the drum solo was different but nice.
One thing to listen for when you see them is their saprano soloist, he is really
good. They will be in the top 25.
SCORE: 65.00  Rating: **

 9. Sky Ryders
    Well once again they changed their uniforms. Now they have a 27th Lancer
look, and with the music they are playing it completes the package. This show 
was very boring. The music is not really exciting, and the color guard does
nothing spectacular. This is just another show. Musically this show will not
have the emotional impact that the 'Wizard of OZ' had. So they have to add 
excitment to it through colors, and more props. GE wise this show is lacking.
SCORE: 69.00  Rating: *

 8. Bluecoats
    What happen to the Bluecoats of old. Their shows have been lacking
the excitment that had the spectators at the end of the show yelling BLUE!
First of all, their uniforms are the negative of Phantoms without the capes.
The horn line sounded good, and drum line still needed some help, but the 
overall show was a basic drum corps show. I think their best feature is the
horn line, they have to work on the rest of the corp to make it to the top 12.
I do not think they will make the top 12. Top 25 yes. 
SCORE: 72.00  Rating: **


  7. Spirit of Atlanta
     It was nice to see the old uniforms, and to hear some southern jazz.
Musically the show was good, the horn line sounded very good, and the drum line
was back to form. Also the color guard which are all females look very good, 
Spirit's been lacking a good guard. The entertainment of the show will increase
as they keep cleaning it. I want to see it at finals. I think they will make the
top 12. Probably 12th.
SCORE: 73.20  Rating: **


  6. Glassmen
     Hey this is a suprise!!!!! The way they are going they could be in finals.
I thought this show was good, but I could do without the uniforms. Every section
of the corp is good, it's not just one section pulling the others. Hint: At the
opener look at the drum line, they are not using snares, and toms. You have to
see it for yourself. It's quite nice, and the drums that they use add to 
the music. They should keep improving and make the top 12. Musically this is a
good show. 
SCORE: 75.30  Rating: ** 1/2

  5. Velvet Knights
     With the Floats teaching the drum line you can definetly hear the Blue
Devils music. There's one section of the show where the snare line do 16th
notes real slow and then speed up. (Hey: didn't BD do this in '86) But 
enough of that, I thought this was by far the funniest and most entertaining
show of all night. (I wish the Bridgemen was still around) This show has alot
of potential, every section is good. They just have to clean. If you watch 
this show closely, you will see that in all the songs played, VK pokes some
fun at SCV. Not only the fake attempt Bottle Dance. This show is worth
seeing..
SCORE: 77.70  Rating: *** 1/2   

  4. Crossmen
     This year the Crossmen suffered a change in staff. Now most of the 
instructors are from the CADETS. And if you look at this show, you will
see some Cadets stuff in it from the past. The show is good, but there's
one section that I think needs help, and that's the drill. But otherwise
the horn line is good, the drum line is very intense as always. Also
the color guard uniforms are tie die top and bottoms. Personally I think 
they should change these uniforms, because it doesn't go with the rest of corps
uniforms.
SCORE: 82.40  Rating: ***

  3. Cadets of Bergen Co.
     Well personally I hate this corp, but I'll give my honest opinion. Color
guard is wearing dark blue aviation jackets which seem to be very warm, and 
I hate to see this color guard do a show in 90 degree weather. The drill was 
the usual Cadets. The brass and drums are good, but they have the same style of
arrangement. Also I don't think the margin between the Cadets and Crossmen 
should have been so big. The night before at DCE they were
only 9 tenths of a point from each other.
SCORE: 83.90  Rating: ** 1/2

  2. Phantom Regiment
     This show was great. First of all, the new uniforms had the people on 
their feet before the show started. The drill was the usual Phantom drill, 
and with different colors coming out during the course of the show it was 
hard to watch everything. You definetly had an eye full. The horn line was 
incredible, and they played an extremely hard book. The drum line was good, 
but for this corp to compete with the Cavies, this drum line is going to have
to clean up. It was really nice to hear the '1812 Overture' again. 
A must to see!
SCORE: 84.20  Rating: ****     High Brass Award!

  1. Cavaliers
     This show was also great. There high section is the drum line, this
line played a tough book and played it well. Also watch the color guard,
well when watching the Cavies you should always watch the guard. The color
guard is very strong and so is the drill. The horn line is strong but not as 
strong as Phantoms.
This show is also one to see.
SCORE: 85.90  Rating: ****     High Drums Award!
                               High General Effect Award!


Well that's it, hope you'd enjoyed!!!!



Harold Mayfield

'85 Bridgemen
'86 Phantom
Newsgroups: alt.drumcorps