Is your corps ready?

But some are more equal than others.

The pettiest show I've ever watched, and I adore it so so much. I think it may be my second favorite show of all time, second only to Sinnerman obviously.

Repertoire

The Battle on the Ice by Sergei Prokofiev
Polyuska Polye (O Field, My Field) & Symphony No. 4 in D Minor by Lev Knipper
Symphony No. 11, Mvt. 2 by Dmitri Shostakovich
Concert Românesc, Mvt. 4 by György Ligeti
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra by Samuel Barber

The repertoire really fits the show in every sense! It's highly dramatic, classical & sort of intense. It never gives you exactly what you want. As for the voiceover, let's address the elephant in the room- "All drum corps are created equal, but some are more equal than others" . We're all aware that this is a dig at the G7, and the "upper" corps for seeing other corps as below them. I think that adding it late in the seasons solely for finals week is the perfect move, it gives nobody time to react until they can't do anything about it. That little detail sticks in my mind 24/7.

Music

This is one of the first shows where rather than passion, the performers really conveyed rage through the music. There's some moments of completely clarity, but most of the show is suspenseful and feels like a buildup to the very end. And that closer!!! GodDAMN!!!

Visuals

I need to talk about the masks. Not only is the idea of all of the guard wearing animal masks & not showing their faces an aspect of corps not considering the performers themselves as people, but it's just so PRETTY. And even sneaking up behind the drum major and putting the mask on them? And walking into the awards on all fours? The color guard really put their all into the meaning of the show, and it worked out in their favor so well. They may not have placed amazing, but they're easily the winner of 2014 in my heart.

Controversy

Quick recap of why this show exists: the G7 essentially wanted to split into a different circuit, declaring themselves as a "higher" classification of corps. Also in 2013, at Lucas Oil BAC was penalized for using baby powder at their finals performance, something they were allowed to do throughout the season. So as a way to protest against the G7's classifications AND get back at the judges, they created this whole show. Where the baby powder comes into play is when, during finals week, they gave the guard baby powder to tease the judges with. It's fun. I really love how petty it is, and I think that they had every right to do it!

Images

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