Quarter Finals

. ***** This paragraph is post- show .

Crazy how close I get —- I missed on Madison ….I liked them, and I thought the judges would tighten it up a bit for 2nd and 3rd … guess not :-) And I had Crown over BD … oh well … THIS IS ONLY GOING TO SUBSCRIBERS TONIGHT. PLEASE CONSIDER A PAID SUBSCRIPTION …. $6.00 a month . as i say … we have some interviews this week you will like

Well …. I feel like a DCI Judge. I have seen these corps so many times … it is tough to get excited. I did feel, for the second performance in a row, that Madison has somehow raised its performance and EFFECT to a new level. The unwinding rectangle at the end is bad-ass :-) ( you know I would like that)

Second … a confession. I did not see anyone until the Crossmen.

Personal Matters … Buying a new clothes washer, and I forgot the info I received from a repairman at home. My typical self these days :-) I will be sure to see most of those folks tomorrow.

As for the block from The Crossmen through the Troopers

THE COMMENTS

Crossmen — I am a bit disappointed. At first viewing, I thought they were in the top 12 or close. But as the season wore on, the program seemed to be lacking. I do not mean to “harp” … it is difficult for me to understand the attachment to the past. I will leave it there.

Madison — I liked them in the Akron show, and I liked them again tonight. They generate effect. It looked like a legit standing ovation at the end of the show. I do worry about the guard scores and maybe the visual ensemble. I think they are in “the 12” … if not tonight … then tomorrow?

Pacific / Spirit —- about what I have seen recently. I initially thought PC would make it, and I am not going to be surprised if they do … but … when you compare then to Madison and Spirit … well …. the judges have come to like Spirit and Madison …. they could be the crowd favorite … for sure in the mid level corps. That has to be worth something

Troopers — I would be worried about the Colts for sure …they are already over them. They could move up over some others … they could … but that is that. They made their move over the past weeks. What I believe … they are in the 12

If someone is out … it is Madison. If someone is in .. I think it is Pacific Crest

Onward

Colts — I learned to love them. The references, the development… well done. From the long accelerando to the end is just fabulous. I just do not think there is anywhere else for them to go. 9th seems to be the resting place.

Cavaliers — Watched upstairs … the visual design is strong. The shoe makes some sense … the percussion is top-notch. They are on an upswing … but so are the Blue Stars. Makes it tough … let’s see what happens

Blue Stars — I wish they had used a bit more voice. Yes, the show makes sense, and yes, the judges know the charts, but the audience … some … but not all are Sondheim fans, except for Wicked :-)

Phantom —if I were judging, I would be tempted to put the Cavaliers and Blue Stars over Phantom in effect. I cannot imagine it will happen. Also … the brass did not appear to have the best of shows this evening. (Too excited with all of the alumni there ??? kidding maybe)

SCV — Came a long way. I can even follow the storyline. Percussion .. hell yes … brass .. a few times not as tight as it could be … and there is the question of adjudicators appreciating the trade-off for the story … and not caring. That question … could affect the guard scores. I would be thrilled to say they could move, but it does not look like it. And as I watch Boston, it looks less like it

Boston - Excellent. Percussion on fire. Here is why I believe they started to fade. An example …. when I first went to Cirque in Vegas, I was blown away. After seeing 5 or 6 Cirque shows as they traveled the country, I was less blown away, and I guess … more like appreciative. The tricks are only tricks and eventually the coolest fades. Just my opinion but that is why I think they finish 4th.

Crown —- let me leave it here. The best brass section I ever heard. One more … if the percussion line gets any kind of a decent score … they could be about a point down

Blue Devils —- all you have to do is listen to the crowd … after Crown, the reaction is not even in the same ballpark. They do all well … but not well enough, and the show, although much improved over the beginning of the year, just does not have the effect/entertainment/wow of Carolina or the Bluecoats. The guard is stellar, and the drum line should be a solid 3rd. It is the effect scores that will keep them in 3rd place. is that the 3rd time

Bluecoats —- the first night of the coronation. No one is going to get in their way, and no judge is going to have a change of heart

All for now ….

I will write this somewhere else, but it looks like I have interviews with Jay Bocook and Tom Aungst tomorrow. An I am going to give a video chat … but to get in for those, you have to be a subscriber … and if a paid subscriber … I am going to do a post season chat and interview .. where you can ask questions but for that one you will have to be in that $6.00 a month group

Here is the link … take a look …

PS …. did you go and subscribe ??? I hope so :-)