221 Comments
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Matthew Carstensen's avatar

Thanks everyone! Good night!

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Blue Stars - 75.75

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Phantom Regiment - 73.6

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And Elsa's finishes off Phantom's encore, so now we wait for scores.

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A bit more dynamic contrast in places would be excellent, however this is absolutely classic Phantom

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I'll never get over how much they're booking it at the end of this show. And still sounding full.

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Their backfield playing has always been a highlight, and something to look forward to. Some funky intonation tonight though

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Just absolutely gorgeous sound from this corps. I do wonder if their focus on large ensemble moments as opposed to more individual or small ensemble moments is hurting them from a scoring perspective, but man it sounds great

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Our final corps tonight is the Phantom Regiment. It's good to see them back marching their show, as they went through a COVID outbreak recently too, forcing them to withdraw from some shows as well as perform a standstill at another

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The transition from that brass hit to the hornline getting behind the props is why Bloo is at such a high level consistently. So much attention paid to the little things

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This Keytar solo will be remembered for a long time. What a moment

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These props along with Boston's trees are easily my favorite of the season

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The build that the percussion and low brass provided into the hit is just so fun.

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Now entering the field are perennial fan favorites, the Bluecoats. Will they be able to join Boston and Crown in the 80+ club tonight? Let's see.

Jen Barton's avatar

First 80 of the season for Boston. 81.85 for crown

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Is that about how you thought things would shake out tonight?

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It appears that the Cavaliers will be doing another standstill this evening, as they've had to go into COVID protocol.

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This visual design is aggressively Kevin Ford.

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It does feel like they're running into the same problem Boston did in 13, as well as BK did in 16. The uniforms are don't have as much contrast as they could with the field. Makes everything so much harder to read up top.

Jen Barton's avatar

The green masculine guard performers blending into the grass makes a depth perspective problem

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They certainly seem to be succeeding in spite of these issues.

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100% - I'm interested to see the scores tonight, especially against Regiment

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This is very much a show that grows on you, I think. But that being said, they're doing an excellent job at selling it.

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It's just a LOT - so much color and texture and layers and things - I hope so much more clarity for them as the season continues

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Back over in Illinois, the Blue Stars are exploring War and Peace, as well as playing some fantastic music from Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812.

Jen Barton's avatar

I just saw how high their score was from last night..... 😳😳😳

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San Antonio is gonna be insane this year

The Brazilian's avatar

Jeffs drill at the end there screams his whole life work -- MARCH MARCH MARCH PLAY PLAY PLAY

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This and Boston to the end of the season feels like it's going to be a slugfest, and I. Can't. Wait.

Jen Barton's avatar

Massive slugfest of two entirely different aesthetics.

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It's a home show for sure and the Crown fans are LOUD - but the performers ELICITED this response. It is NOT gratuitous. The crown performers are absolutely joyous, electric and believable

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Some clarity left to find visually in this last 30 seconds but it is ON ITS WAY

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Okay hip switch baritones!!

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And somehow the flag line changed silks as I typed that last comment ..

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Wow that rifle trick is insane - turn and jump rope over another rifle / the TRUST

The Brazilian's avatar

all the band kids dance

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the tuba dance line!!!

Jen Barton's avatar

Might be my favorite of the season

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The tubas are so far away from me and insane to vibe with them so badly

Matthew Carstensen's avatar

They had to have been so excited to find out that they got the chance to have that visual feature up front.

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Very funky transition musically coming out of that though.

Jen Barton's avatar

Love the footwork snares

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Benedictus is such a glorious piece of music, and the vast majority of this arrangement just lets that shine.

Jen Barton's avatar

Watch those arabesques trumpets

Jen Barton's avatar

Odd to see side 2 brass not moving right now under the phrase.

Jen Barton's avatar

But the clean white top and eggplant pants... just shines in the moment

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Maybe that's the point

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And the drum corps veterans of the world have to love Sabre streamers! 🥰🥰🥰

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The orange sashes are giving an unfinished feel to the brass - I know it's part of the long ball - but it takes away from the professionalism during that production - and with how clear the music is, I'm torn. The moment now is worth it maybe? I'm sure they're workshopping

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It's also so obvious when they're not connected during the ballad.

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I hope one of their members is keeping track of the amount of times that they say "Right Here, Right Now" throughout the season

Jen Barton's avatar

The color play off the saturated instrumentalists and pastel guard is so smart - it keeps active color without washing the guard performers out

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Absolutely insane talent and instruction in this hornline. So impressed that they've been able to keep that up for for as long as they have.

Jen Barton's avatar

So much going on - I definitely feel pulled side to side and moment to moment - it's overwhelming

Jen Barton's avatar

Such a clever way to delete the hornline lol!