tour talk 2010

August 14th, 2010
GOOD TIMES
The corps had a wonderful performance at DCI on Thursday, enjoyed their Banquet/Party on Friday and went to see the Top 12 on Saturday night. After a great time at DCI, the CasQuads are ready to return home.









August 9th, 2010
MOVIN' ON UP
The corps continues to progress. After a free day at Niagara Falls, Sunday night in Buffalo, NY, the corps had its' highest score since 2007. They scored a 76.6 solidly beating Pioneer and closing the gap on Jersey Surf. Cascades have their last regular show tonight in Ohio as they make their way to the DCI World Championships in Indianapolis this weekend.

Pictured is the battery warming up in Allentown, PA.







August 4th, 2010
SPECIAL TOURING CONSULTANT
This is Pooh. Pooh has been involved with the activity for almost 2 decades. Pooh loves colorguard. Pooh has toured with many corps and winter guards. Pooh is hyper-critical of the pageantry arts and has been known to send video critiques to his fellow designers after the season. Pooh is.










August 3rd, 2010 - pnj.com
FLORIDA NEWSPAPER POSTS PICTURES
Here are a few photos from the Pensacola News Journal

View Photos >





August 2nd, 2010 - youtube.com
2ND HALF OF THE SHOW
Here is a video of the second half of the show in San Antonio.

Watch Video >








August 1st, 2010 - Jenn Freeman
GROUP PHOTO





July 31st, 2010 - DCI Commentator Atlanta
NICE COMPLIMENT
I don't care what this corps has been scoring. They are back from the dead and they look and sound solid. I salute everyone who helped bring the corps back to competition.
- Michael Boo



July 30th, 2010 - facebook.com
GUARDING THE BEACH
The Cascades Guard enjoys a rehearsal on the beach!

"Just wanted to let you all know how much I appreciated your show that I saw in Midland, Texas. As background I am a former Band Director from Ohio and have taken bands to the Rose Bowl Parade, etc. I liked your entire show. Particularly how you gave the audience many live portraits to observe at the beginning before the judging started officially. Also there was a part of the show where you just did not blast but actually played very softly and in chorale fashion. Takes a lot of guts to do this. Your color schemes were spot on as far as I am concerned. Continue to improve and be proud of yourselves."

- Dennis F. Roquemore (a new fan on ScadeSpace!)





July 29th, 2010 - youtube.com
SMOOTHIE MACHINE
The Cascades Bass Line performs in San Antonio's I & E Competition.

Watch Video >










July 29th, 2010 - dci.org Interview
THIS IS WHY I DO DRUM CORPS
Cascades' Bass #5 Aaron Morton predicted his life would change this summer as he marched his first season with a World Class corps.
It has, but not without a considerable amount of challenges.

DCI's Dan Potter talks with Aaron and shares his audio blog from tour in today's Field Pass presented by Zildjian.

Listen to Interview >






July 29th, 2010 - youtube.com
FIRST HALF OF SHOW VIDEO - TEXAS
Found a video, they're looking good!

Watch Video >









July 28th, 2010
Free day in Florida must be a blast, because we haven't heard a peep from anyone.


July 27th, 2010
BILOXI BEACH
Ah, nothing like practicing on the beach! The brass enjoyed a sectional rehearsal on the sands of Biloxi, Mississippi. Score tonight: 72.05 - Colorguard beats Teal Sound and Spirit.





July 27th, 2010
MID-SEASON INTERVIEW
Interview with Drum Major Patrick Beare as he discusses the season so far and our goals for the next three weeks.

Watch Video >









July 26th, 2010
UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
The corps had a great performance tonight scoring a 71.80
Beating Mandarins in Visual Performance, Guard Achievement, Brass, Music Ensemble and beating the Troopers in Percussion!











July 25th, 2010
INDIVIDUAL & ENSEMBLE COMPETITION
Sunday in San Antonio, the I & E competition was held, this is where soloist and smaller ensembles from many corps compete against each other outside of the regular field competition. Notable Cascades' accomplishments:

2nd Place, Dance Ensemble
5th Place, Flag Solo - Sam Lorta
2nd Place, Flute Solo - Morgan Kudlich
3rd Place, French Horn Solo - Karl Koemmpel
4th Place, Percussion Ensemble
3rd Place, Tuba Solo - Will Obregon

View a Full List >





NEW PHOTOS ON SCADESPACE!
Benjamin Koch added some new photos from the south western part of tour.

Check it Out >



July 24th, 2010
SAN ANTONI0 - A LITTLE LANDMARK
The little corps that could. For the first time since 2007, the Cascades have placed higher than a corps and have been steadily keeping pace with other competitors by placing higher in visual performance & music captions. Congrats Cascades!

Mandarins 73.650
Cascades 71.200
Pioneer 69.550






July 23rd, 2010 - drumCorpsPlanet.org
HOUSTON REVIEW
For just 3 weeks on tour, that's a pretty impressive show! Lines looked really straight in the opener, it's evident they've spent time working on that opening impact set because it hit perfectly tonight. Show's just kinda ok overall.................they should probably beat at least one corps this year.

- Galen








July 22nd, 2010
REHEARSAL & SANTA CRUZ PHOTOS
Wint Matchell added some great photos, lots of casual shots of many members.
Check it out >




July 22nd, 2010 - DCI.org
ALL TOO FAMILIAR RAIN DELAY.......
After previously performing in Odessa, Texas on July 20, Cascades (11th, 68.950) saw a drop in score in Houston, but members aren’t too concerned about the numbers. First-year brass section member Harrison Jones said he’s been enjoying what he’s learned while touring with the corps, and has grown not only as a musician, but as a person.

“I’ve learned to push where the limit is. You run into the limit one day, and the next day you find that the limit is a little bit further. It’s what you can accomplish if you’re willing to push yourself and you’re willing to be pushed.”

“I just want to have ‘the one,’” Harrison said about the corps’ performance goals. “I want to have that show where you come off the field and you’re completely spent, and everything happens. We just now had a really great performance, but it still didn’t feel like that ‘lightning in the bottle,’ that ridiculous show.”

Read The Article >

July 21st, 2010
PLENTY OF MESA PHOTOS
William Haney added tons of great pictures to ScadeSpace from the Mesa, AZ show and a few added by Benjamin Koch as well.
Check It Out >









July 21st, 2010 - DrumCorpsPlanet.com
ODESSA, TX REVIEW
"Cascades- there is a definite change in sound and professionalism from this corps then the last few (corps). They start out playing ball and skipping around in a park type setting which was very cute. They had a great sound and really enjoyed their show. First standing "O" of the night!"
Read the Review >


July 21st, 2010
THE STARS AT NIGHT.......
Today, the corps is in Houston for some rehearsal before their show tomorrow. Texas has been fascinating so far, everyone was so intrigued with the steel-enforced fence that spans more than 40 miles separating El Paso from Juarez, Mexico as the school was only walking distance away. Just wait until Ocean Springs, Mississippi where the housing school is only 1.5 blocks away from the beach! The picture is the corps waiting to perform in Odessa, TX.





July 20th, 2010
WEST COAST REVIEW
Competition was fierce between corps on the West Coast this past weekend, despite Sunday storms in Mesa, Ariz. forcing the corps into standstill performance mode. Inclement weather aside, it was no doubt another entertaining Friday and Saturday.........

Read DCI Article >








July 19th, 2010
SPOILED WATER
"Forgot how gross Texas water was." - John Park















July 18th, 2010
LIGHTNING STRIKES AGAIN
Here are some pics from the Mesa show. This is a lightning storm that occurred just as we started the show. During the beginning of our "storm in the park," rain started to fall which delayed the show for more than 45 minutes. It was hard to tell whether the thunder was coming from the drum corps or the sky. The audience loved the added effect provided by the oncoming storm! - Ben Adams





July 18th, 2010
OH THE HEAT
The Northwest Corps arrives in Arizona. It was 110 degrees and cloudy. The best choice: Early morning rehearsal and then siesta during the hottest part of the day.

View Rehearsal Photos posted by William Haney!










July 15th, 2010
SUN-BRELLAS!
The props become a useful tool to shade the northwesties from that big bright orb in the sky.










July 14th, 2010
WELCOME TO L.A.
And.........back to rehearsal! Just a few days to pound the show into perfection before the next set of competitions. Beautiful, sunny and hot, nothing but drum corps bliss.









July 13th, 2010
SUNNY SANTA CRUZ
Guard member Jessie and friend Kayla on the ferris wheel in Santa Cruz! The corps enjoyed a beautiful day in Santa Cruz, playing games, riding rides, eating at a table and all the benefits of the real world.












July 12th, 2010
MORE REHEARSAL
On Monday, the corps rehearsed working hard to improve
and really solidify sections of the show.

The photo is the Brass waiting to go to warm-up in Pleasant Hill,
standing in the shade of our buses.











July 11th, 2010
PLEASANT HILL, CALIFORNIA
The corps put on a great show and everyone is so excited about the growth of the Cascades this season. Mandarins scored a 72.4 and Cascades scored a 71.4 - Now the Cascades have a free day and plenty of rehearsal time to fine tune before their next show on the 16th in Corona, California.

Pictured is the staff just before critique in Pleasant Hill.

July 10th, 2010 - Drum Corps Planet.org
MOVING ON UP - FREMONT, CALIFORNIA
The Fremont Show was the first time the Cascades met up with the Mandarins from Sacramento. The Cascades had a rockin' performance and won 6 out of the 10 judging sub-captions, it just so happens that a few of the number spreads allowed Mandarins to be on top by a simple little tenth of a point. Look at those national standings!

If you want to follow scores during the summer, there are quite a few places to go online:

Drum Corps Planet head to head, caption breakdowns
Blue Knights daily graph
DCI Scores daily icons










July 9th, 2010
STRETCHING IT OUT
Then it was back to rehearsal: "Must keep getting better." Rehearsal has to be enjoyable since it is what they spend the majority of their time doing. Taylor bringing back the 80's hairstyles.










July 8th, 2010
WILDLIFE IN ELKO, NEVADA
With laundry to do and some free time to adventure into the real world, a few of the staff stumble upon a polar bear. What happens in Elko, stays in Elko. Thanks to Sean Schwartz for the photo.












July 7th, 2010 - Drum Corps Planet.org
OGDEN ONSLAUGHT
"MUCH improved for the Cascades, particularly in design. Some great brass moments, nice guard work. Possibly a semis contender."
- Kevsmomm (Blue Knights)

"......while I was glad to see them return, I was less than impressed with their 2009 offering. That all changed this year with a MUCH improved Cascades on the field. Everything was better from the brass sound to the drill to the arranging; this was more like the Cascades I’ve come to know. Some definite work needs to be done on individual marching, but I like where this corps is heading. If they can clean it up, they’ll be in Semis for sure."
- Flyboy1177

Cascades' Score: 68.20


Photo of the Introduction courtesy of twitpic by markhartman010


July 7th, 2010 - Drum Corps Planet.org
WHAT IS BEING SAID
"I must say that the Cascades surpassed my expectations. I don't quite understand the show, but the corps has some passion which really showed. The show didn't bore be at all like it did in parts last year. Some of the drill looks like it has been on the field less than a week, but at least it's there! The corps is definitely in better shape than it was a year ago at this time. I really enjoyed their closer from "Annie."I think they will move up out of last this year."

".....scores are just that, scores. The reviews that are being posted say that their (Cascades) show is quite enjoyable and getting great response from the audience. Many also point out that it is definitely an improvement from last year."

In the picture: Euph John Park takes a picture of himself as the Cascades arrive in Ogden, Utah - 5:30am



July 6th, 2010 - dci.org
WEEKEND WRAP-UP FROM THE WEST COAST
"The Mandarins were passed by the Cascades in Hillsboro but came back on top in Riverside on Monday. The Cascades surprised many this weekend with their debut performance on Saturday which was nearly five points higher than the corps’ first competition in 2009."

read the article on dci.org >











July 4th, 2010 - Everett, Washington
FOURTH OF JULY: PARADE, CONCERT AND FIREWORKS
Pictured is a beautiful sunset after the corps performed a parade and then a concert at Legion park in Everett, Washington.














July 3rd, 2010 - DrumCorpPlanet.com
THE FIRST ONLINE CRITIQUES
".....he said that they were surprisingly good!..... they sounded good and that the show is really exciting and interesting this year. Also, they are beating corps so they're already doing better than last year....."

"I was at the show tonight! BK did awesome! Scades are bigger then last year(just a little), much more talented group of members (another year of maturity on the vets), great designed show and a chance to place better than last year! Can't wait to see what they keep doing with this show as the kids get more comfortable with the product. It's going to be great season for the Cascades members, family and alumni!!!"

"The Cascades definitely have come a long way from last year. Their show is much stronger and as alum of the corps I was proud to see the product they have-I know that this is a show they can compete and grow with."




July 3rd, 2010
HOMESHOW - HILLSBORO, OREGON
The corps got up bright and early in Banks, Oregon. Packed everything up, cleaned the school and made the 15 minute journey to Hillsboro, Oregon to have a few hours of rehearsal before the Portland Xperience began.

The clinic turn out was great! Lots of excitement and maybe one of the cutest moments ever seen. There was a very young boy, maybe 5 or 6 years old, he put on a snare, got in the line and rocked some 8's and 8's! Everyone got out their cameras.

So there we are, the first show, who knows what to expect...... Will the members perform? Will we have serious timing issues? Will the audience like it? Well the answer is: THEY WERE AEWSOME! With a great audience of approximately 2,000 people, the corps performed the entire production and the only group to include a pre-show. The audience was thrilled throughout the production with multiple impacts, oohs and aahs. Their first score was a 67.20 which is 5.3 points better than the first score from the 2009 season. Notable scores was the percussion scoring only .5 away and the Visual Effect scoring only .4 away from last year's finalist, the Troopers. After the show, the members received tons of compliments from fans and got to spend some time with family and friends.




June 28th-July 3rd, 2010
ALL DAYS IN BANKS, OREGON
The second week of All Day Training really brought the show to a stronger place. New members were added in and layers of body and sound design was sculpted into the program. The ensemble continued to get stronger and by Wednesday the staff started to realize how powerful the students and show has become.

The Banks community was so inviting, making the stay there truly enjoyable. The band room was renovated into a sweat shop with final uniform alterations and a madhouse of flag sewing and product delivery. Thanks so much to the parents who worked diligently to make sure the flags were complete and gorgeous. We even had Banks band parents pitch in and help out with a multitude of tasks.

On Friday, about 250 local residents came out to see our full uniformed performance of the 2010 show. It was loud and exciting and everyone had a great time.

In the picture is Chris Koenig our front ensemble instructor, Patrick Beare our lead Drum Majors and Filipe the strangest stuffed animal mascot the world has ever seen.





June 27th, 2010
THANK YOU SUPPORTERS!

The Auction was a huge success Saturday night at the Don James Center in Husky Stadium. The evening included a silent auction, live auction, and a fabulous dinner prepared by Dan Cornett. As the attendees mingled and told old drum corps stories the Portage Bay Big Band entertained the crowd with some classics. The highlight of the night was when the Corps played Imagine for the audience and received a standing ovation from the attendees. There wasn't a dry eye in the house.

In the picture are the attendees sitting down for dinner at the auction.





June 26th, 2010
HUSKY STADIUM!

As we headed to Seattle the Drum Corps got to ride in the busses for the first time this summer. The 3 57 passenger busses are only 3 years old with TV's, WIFI and extra leg room. When we arrived to Husky Stadium the members helped unload auction items and then rehearsed the show for 2.5 hours before the clinic. The clinic was a huge success with over 100 people in the stands and on the field. We also picked up 2 new horn players who got to see how great the Corps was doing. The Cascades finished the day with a run through and a standing ovation from the audience and auction attendees.

In the picture is the Corps rehearsing pre show drill.




June 25th, 2010
HOPES ARE HIGH!

The Corps continues to grow with the addition of 3 horn members in the last few days and we have more showing up in Portland in the next week. The members continue to work hard and clean the show as the 89 degree days keep us focused and attentive. This is our last day in Yakima and we are then headed to Husky Stadium in Seattle for a rehearsal and auction.

In the picture is Hannah from the mello section.






June 23rd, 2010
WHAT A VIEW!

The Corps members got to experience their first Silver Lining moment of the 2010 summer when clouds moved in to cool off the 91 degree rehearsal. During full ensemble the members worked hard to complete the final sets so they could do a full run through of the whole show this evening. The run through was better then anyone could have hoped for this early in the season. The members and staff were filled with emotion giving hugs and high fives after this great accomplishment.














June 22nd, 2010
DINNER WAS FANTASTIC!

With our Traeger Grill on tour with us this summer the members are enjoying great meals and ribs that are so tender and juicy that we had to take a nap during full ensemble. The cooks have been working long hours everyday to make sure that over 150 meals are prepared 4 times a day for the members and adults. Today's rehearsal included the learning of the drum solo and with only 10 pages left to learn the Corps will doing its first full run through any day now.

In the picture the Traeger Grill slow cooks the Ribs all day.












June 21st, 2010
THE SUN IS HERE!

The sun finally came out in the Palm Springs of Washington today while the Corps cleaned the Ballad and Closer for the 3rd day of All Days. The facility at West Valley has been terrific with 3 fields for practice and an air conditioned building for the members. The energy is high and the excitement from the members is pushing the volunteers and staff to a new level.


In the picture the Corps is practicing the ballad during music ensemble.




June 20th, 2010
FINISHING THE CLOSER!

The Corps finished the Closer today after 2 days of learning 27 pages of drill. The Corps was jazzed when they reached the dance feature in the closer and got all the movement added to the drill and music. The day ended with a full run of the closer under the lights at West Valley stadium with supporters, volunteers and staff in the stands. The excitement of the "Death Drill" at the end of the show brought everyone in the stands to their feet.

In the picture the pit is working on music during sectionals.





June 20th, 2010
AND SO IT BEGINS!