The Cadets 2006 "the zone"

This show is amazing! It has only a few lapses in the brass and minor timing problems with percussion, but the creativity, originality and expression and overall execution of the show make up the difference. The story that is told has many elements: beauty, playfulness, technical virtuousity, lush dreamlike sequences and a kickin' ending that gives me goose-bumps and quite a rush every time I listen to it.

The opener has a mysterious bit of pit percussion with the notes from "The Twilight Zone" theme song (you know, doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo-doo...). Then what follows is the verbal monologue we all remember from the series. Then comes an explosion of brass and movement like we've not heard in awhile (are you awake now? I know I am.)

Then there is some quotes from "Alice in Wonderland", with a singsongy piece... very playful and evocative of a rollercoaster ride, cotton candy in hand. :)

The ballad is so powerfully emotionally to me that I cease to be my usually
objective self! By utilizing a female voice as an instrument: not singing words but
syllables (almost like scat singing), the Cadets may have added a new tone color
to drum corps. I think George Hopkins was onto something when he suggested
this rule change. The activity has taken a new direction with all the vocalizations
that have been heard during DCI performances in recent years. Anyway, I vote this the best arranged, best sounding ballad ever!

And then, a classic Cadets ending: starts out slow, then it picks up speed, until finally, they are fast and furious and unrelenting. Such range, such power, such joy at the end when you hear the Cadets version of the "Twilight Zone" theme, with mellophones leading the final
charge. And then the final chord: rich, satisfying, full of vigor and some loud percussive beats top it off!

There you have it. My verbal take on a very visual and musical experience that takes my breath away, every time.