Senators on course to make DCUK history

After an impressive win over their nearest rivals and current DCUK champion Kidsgrove Scouts, the reigning European champions Senators, from Eastleigh, Hampshire, look on course for a record eighth DCUK title.

Report by Jayson Brinkler

The Senators 'breathtaking' show "The Seven Deadly Sins" mesmerized both crowd and judges as the corps unveiled new parts of their show including a totally new ballad added just 24hrs before. The corps, currently tying with the legendary Blue Eagles with seven titles is gunning for a place in the history books as the season hots up with just one regional left before the DCUK Championships in September.

The event started with a wonderful exhibition from the Commodores Cadets - the first time the corps has performed in public, with music O When the saints, The X factor and The Great Escape. Their fun performance was met with great applause and encouragement and will no doubt become an integral part of the Commodore organisation.

First on the field to compete in National Open Class was Phoenix Rising, from Dublin, Eire, one of three non DCUK member corps with their 2008 program 'The Children of Lir', an eternal tale of evil and salvation, a story as old as Ireland itself. The music, which was beautifully arranged with Saxophones and clarinets, was magical as the show portrayed the journey of four children who are doomed to spend nine hundred years in the guise of swans, but are allowed to keep their beautiful singing voices. The Guard telling the story with wonderful masked costumes, which would have been worthy of the wardrobe of any West End stage. (3rd - 59.35)

Next to take the field was Concord, with their program 'Gangster Chronicles'. The pit looking like something from the cast of the movie The Godfather in their black gangster suits with white ties set the scene but sadly, Don Colione does not make an appearance and their backfield props of steel gates which resembles prison bars and a powerful brass line was not enough to see off the impressive performance of Phoenix as the show clearly needs more work to tighten the program. (4th - 54.45)

Staffordshire Knights was next to take the field in their dazzling new white uniforms with pink dotted motif. Their stunning new program 'Emotion in Motion' was on another level as the corps intricate brass and percussion arrangements took the Music Effect caption with excerpts from The Firebird Suite, The Planets and Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. Visually, Staffordshire was stunning in their new uniforms, which mirrored the crisp white uniforms worn by the guard. A great performance from this rapidly increasing corps with momentum. (2nd - 65.35)

Last to take the field to compete in National Open Class was the mighty Poynton Commodores. The reigning NOC champions from Cheshire once again showed their class with a stunning performance as there complex program 'The Tapestry of Life' exploded with beautiful colours and pageantry from the guard with the use of a giant sphere representing the centre of the world. The corps 15 brass had the power, tonality and complexity of 30 as the Commodores changed from G to Bb instruments only a week ago. The show takes the audience back in time from the very beginning of the Earth's creation, to when life begins. The corps tells its story through Walt Disney's album Millennium Celebrations as the guard intertwine with colorful silks representing the four elements to enable life to be created: Fire, Water, Wind and the Earth. Poynton looked fearless as the corps took another giant step forward to defending their title. (1st â?? 70.45)

The International Open Class kicked off with 6th Hove Scouts with their 2008 program 'Glorious' taking their inspiration from Religious, Gospel and Choral singers, though entertaining, judging from the crowds response it wasn't everyone's cup of tea. (4th - 58.60)
 
'The Curse of the Pharaoh's Tomb' the 2008 production by the 37th Kingswood Scouts revolves around the life of a Pharaoh Queen. The corps tackles a unique and complex brass arrangement incorporating three movements to the program 'The Temple', 'The Burial', and 'The Raid', using music from Eastern and Egyptian influences to explore the living and the after life. The show is one of the most original yet this year and looks strong going into the second half of the season. (3rd - 63.20)

Next up was the reigning DCUK International Open Class champion the Kidsgrove Scouts with a strong visual and musical program and a powerhouse of a drum line. This corps is still in with a shout and a force to be reckoned with going into the second half of the season and Kidsgrove will not relinquish their title without a fight. Their program entitled "Cirque D'illision" explores new realms of sophistication tackling core themes of perception, deception, vision and illusion. Kidsgrove's impact on GE was evident taking the Music and Visual Effect captions with their high octane brass and percussion sections and kaleidoscopic drill that captivated the crowd, this show left you breathless and wanting for more. I'm sure more is to come from Kidsgrove before finals. (2nd â?? 71.75)

The last corps of the afternoon was Senators, reorganized and focused as they closed in on another impressive victory over Kidsgrove. The corps 2008 program explores "The Seven Deadly Sins" in their own unique way with signature drill, percussion and brass arrangements. This year the Senators look a class of their own as the corps took all but one caption with impressive performances from the guard that used reflective screens and an awesome pit. Speaking to Joe Fitzpatrick, the corps Director after the show he says; "taking into account that we changed the ballad just prier to the show, the corps performance today was amazing and there are still more changes to come." (1st â?? 73.60)"