From: bfhalls@vela.acs.oakland.edu (HALLS BRADLEY F)
Subject: Re: Scores from Drum Corps North (Aug. 9th, Canton Township, MI)
Organization: Oakland University, Rochester MI.
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1992 18:04:14 GMT

In article <15128820@um.cc.umich.edu> R.Vincent.Lamb@um.cc.umich.edu writes:

>Class A
> 
>1. Northern Aurora     87.7
>2. Spartans            77.3
>3. Cardinals           65.9
>4. Patriots            65.6
> 
>Open Class
> 
>1. Blue Devils         93.4
>2. Cavaliers           93.3
>3. Glassmen            83.0
>4. Boston Crusaders    81.1
>5. Magic               78.1
> 
>Vince

Had to borrow the scores from Vince, as I didn't write them down.
Well, I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents on Drum Corps North, also...
Not a review, just some comments:

Northern Aurora:
What a relief! They finally dropped their Mother Goose shows in favor
of a real product. Man, they have really turned it around after God
knows how many years of forgettable presentations. Good job!

Boston:
I really liked their pictures at an exhibition, although I thought
that they had way to much "down time". (Soft parts). The whole show
was tastefully designed and performed well, though. I would have had
them over Glassmen for sure. (Sorry, Vince. :-) ). Totally AWESOME
drumline. Played very difficult parts with the control and finesse
typical of top level DCI drumlines. I thought the horn line was really
good, too.

Glassmen:
Well written show, although it looked like it lacked any real demand.
This is an extremely young corps, and their staff has written a show
that is easy enough for them to perform, but has enough effect to get
them into finals if the other corps near their level fade. Note: I
saw the Glenn Crosby (Blue Devils - Dutchboy - Garfield - Vanguard
percussion instructor) is working with them now. Watch out if they
can keep him around for another couple of years.

Cavies:
What an improvement over a month ago! These guys are really making a
push for finals. Do they have the show to win it all? Hard to say.
I think the top 6 corps this year are the strongest in the history
of the acivity. You have to give the edge to Star, though, based on
their strong performance during the regular season. The horn line
has improved by leaps and bounds since I saw them last. Gordon Henderson
(marching band director at UCLA) really has got them playing out of
their minds. (Sorry again, Vince). The drum line is as strong as ever,
but their book is a lot more subtle this year. I enjoy the "ram till
you die" approach better. But who listens to me?! Tons of special
effects like the Irish drumming by the bass drums, snares mounted in
the top 2 basses for use in the closer, special grooved snare sticks
used throughout the show, etc.

Blue Devils:
Here, I agree with Vince. First 2/3 of the show: an 11. Closer:
TACKYTACKYTACKYTACKYTACKYTACKYTACKYTACKYTACKYTACKYTACKYTACKYTACKY!!!!!
The Blue Devils I remember made you feel the music by playing the
music well, not by using all of these moronic gimmics. I thought we
could at least depend on BD and Phantom for traditional drum corps shows.
I guess not any more!!! What is this, anyway, show design by chance?
Man, if BD's win with this shit, I really have to worry about the
future of the activity. Well performed show, great horns and drums,
but I really feel like they let me down.

Well, that's about it. Nice to meet you too, Vince. GO STATE!!!

Off to Madison. Go Cavies!!! 

-Brad.


-- 
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Brad Halls                                "Still looking for witty quote."
Computer Science Grad Student              -me         
Oakland University
Rochester, Michigan
bfhalls@vela.acs.oakland.edu

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