Review: DCUK Leicester Show

Last Sunday, DCUK presented its 4th show of the 2004 season. The show took place in Leicester and featured an interesting corps line up. A review of the Open Class performances, written by Andy Hewlett. Last Sunday, DCUK presented its 4th show of the 2004 season. The show took place in Leicester and featured an interesting corps line-up. A review of the Open Class performances, written by Andy Hewlett.

By Andy Hewlett

Due to the rigours of having to look after my rather demanding 20 month old daughter I was late in arriving at the show, and got there just in time for the lunch break. Therefore I am only able to report on the Open Class corps, and apologies to the earlier corps for missing their performances.

Northern Star were the first Open Class corps of the day. They warmed up to a lovely warm sounding choral, before opening with a drum intro and Pat Metheny's 'Heat of the Day'. Star made good use of their 16 horns who had a pleasant sound, and with a very impressive static percussion section, they set the following corps a high standard to live up to. 'Candle in the Window' and the ever popular 'First Circle' completed the show and with this being their first season in DCUK, Northern Star can be justly proud of a 5th place finish and a score of 63.3.

Black Knights began their show with a strong soprano solo leading to a good musical climax. With the entire percussion section in the pit, and two players on drum kits they produced a real 1940/50s style show. 'Johnny One Note' again provided a good soprano solo as the percussion battery took to the field. The Knights then changed the mood with a laid back version of 'At Last'. The feel to this piece was enhanced by a very young tambourine player in the pit who didn't take her eyes of the drum major and kept the ensemble well in time.

The Knights show is entitled 'Feeling Good' and this certainly came across to the audience. Some lively high stepping from the horn line and colourful red, yellow and blue flags from a strong experienced guard made this an enjoyable show to watch, culminating in a good rousing ending. With the color guard winning their caption with a remarkable 90 out of 100, Black Knights placed 7th with a score of 61.4

With a show entitled 'Rhythms of the World', 37th Kingswood took us around the world, and in my opinion made more use of the full size field than any other corps today. The percussion section started in a straight line across the front of side one, about 8 paces back from the front side line, whilst the horns and guard entered from the rear of side two. Accompanied by a well performed guard soloist, 'Estancia' made an excellent opener, followed by a nicely executed drum solo from a strong battery. 'Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence' and 'Rhythm of the World' continued the theme with the guard creating a good effect by wearing Chinese style face masks, whilst at one point the drum line were out to 5 yard line on side one.

Some tricky bass parts in the closer 'Russian Sailors Dance' were again well performed as the guard moved onto rifles. 37th Kingswood finished 6th today with 61.6. Whilst their strong percussion section finished third, a 75 on the guard caption (nearly a whole point behind most of their rivals) obviously hurt. But with a new instructor now in place, these very capable young ladies should soon be up where they belong.

Poynton Commodores have come on in leaps and bounds since I saw them a few weeks ago at Aldershot. Despite marching only 12 horns, 3 guard and a static percussion line this corps performed a well produced entertaining show.

A nicely balanced horn line did a great job in the opener 'Shaft', which contained some tricky rhythms especially for the sopranos. A ballad of 'I Will Talk and Hollywood Will Listen' featured two pit players marching tenors whilst the guard performed with a striking black flag with a silver H pattern. Changing the mood with a pink silk, the tune ended in a mellophone solo, before a well played contra link took us nicely into Van Morrison's 'Moondance' which again proved a big crowd favourite. As the horn line stood still on 'the spotlight' which was on the field, they again produced a rich full sound which belied their numbers. The Commodores closed their show with 'Whiter Shade of Pale', and despite the contra player being taken ill and having to leave the field, the corps carried on and produced a good dynamic ending.

It was good to see that the contra player had recovered enough to take his place in the retreat. Despite finishing 8th today with a score of 58.5, Poynton are definitely on the up, and no doubt will be worrying a couple of corps just above them.

The Forgemen took to the field resplendent in their Vanguard style uniforms. As they opened with a controlled build into a climax and company front, I was impressed by how well this corps has matured and grown in the last few years. The ballad was well performed building to an effective climax and cut which captivated the crowed, before ending with a soprano solo.

Strong visuals were evident throughout the show, which at one point saw the entire corps line up on the 50 yard line, before being broken as a single snare player stepped out for a solo. Later the whole corps swayed together in a very effective rocking motion, which was staggered as it moved across the members on the field like a wave. The closer saw the horns move into a large circle with flags in the middle before the guard changed to rifles for the ending of the show. A 4th place today with 64.0



The field then began to undergo a nautical transformation with 3 sails appearing at the rear of side 2. With a mast at the front of the field complete with Captain Jack Sparrow looking out to sea from it, Kidsgrove Scouts captured the mood of the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' wonderfully before they had even played a note.

A percussion intro, enhanced by a ships bell chiming out from the pit as the horns entered from side two built to a tremendous climax. The guard performing from on the top of barrels looked great and added another aspect to this impressive show. A large drum line including 6 snares, 2 tenors and 4 bass drums were solid but never overpowered the 18 horns, and were complimented by a strong color guard.

The ballad featured the guard using a light blue flag which provided suitable mood for the piece, and whilst the horns produced a warm sound, the percussion went behind the sails, only to march out military style and swinging their arms. The third piece saw the guard use rifles as well as a yellow flag, and the show closed with the snare line moving into the pit to play on a rack of cymbals, which worked well.

No doubt Kidsgrove were slightly disappointed with their 3rd place and a score of 71.7, especially their position in the brass excellence category. But I think there is a lot more to come from this corps, and personally speaking I think they have the most entertaining show on the field.

The Senators hit a powerful start with a strong well controlled horn line. A nice jazz feal was created in the opener that was driven along by a powerful yet sympathetic percussion section. The ballad of Elton John's music from 'The Lion King' featured the color guard in a striking cream pink and purple costume, which was matched perfectly by the flags.

No one in the crowd could fail to be impressed by the control and complexity of the whole package as the Senators, performing a show entitled "R+(Mv)=S2k4" (Rhythm plus Movement equals Senators 2004) demonstrated excellent co-ordination between all sections. This was especially evident in the third piece which featured some superb 16th note measures across the horn line and pit. The dynamic contrast used in the show again worked extremely well, and compared to any of the previous corps, the Senators are currently head and shoulders above the opposition. A well deserved first place with 75.8 must make this south coast outfit odds on favourites to retain their title at Finals.

Cadence opened with the corps in a controversial swastika formation to convey their show theme of 'Conflict'. This was enhanced with a strong horn entry with 'In the Springtime When Kings go Off to War' in which the 4 of the guard performed with rifles before changing to a flag similar to the Union Flag, but in the German colours red, yellow and black. They later changed to a German style flag in British colours red, white and blue and worked well with the black screens placed on the field as scenery. The horn line demonstrated good skills in this demanding piece, before they moved into 'Elgar's Nimrod'. This featured baritone, mellophone and soprano solos one after another, which although in need of a little cleaning created a good effect. As the piece ended the horns performed a simple leg movement into the at ease position as the guard changed to white flags, producing a true emotional climax.

Without a break they flowed straight into the 1812 Overture which saw some good bass drum work in the intro. Somehow I felt that Cadence didn't maximise the potential of this excellent piece of music, and feel that much better GE can be achieved than was demonstrated today. However I understand that changes are expected for the second half of the season, as well as the return of some more experienced members from marching DCI. Cadence finished second toady with a score of 72.1 and I look forward to seeing them along with everyone else for the second half of the season in September.