1999 DIVISION III SCORES and REVIEWS

"Deftly balancing two works of Leonard Bernstein, this champion performed with both elan and drive. The depth of content and presentations keeps this West Coast stalwart at the top of the competitive heap. Mandarins are always attractive and know how to play in any division." -- 1999 Season Review By Field & Floor Monthly

Best Drums: Cavaliers (Nominees: Pioneer, Bandettes, Blue Devils)
Best Horns: Santa Clara Vanguard (Nominees: Blue Devils, Mandarins, Racine Scouts)
Best Drill: Cavaliers (Nominees: Blue Stars, Yokohama Scouts, Boston Crusaders, Santa Clara Vanguard, Glassmen)
Best Color Guard: Cavaliers (Nominees: Crossmen, Carolina Crown, Patriots, Mandarins, General Butler Vagabonds, Citations)

AUGUST 14 - DCI OPEN CLASS FINALS - MADISON, WI
98.4 - Santa Clara Vanguard (tie) (High Brass, General Effect)
98.4 - Blue Devils (tie) (High Visual, Color Guard)
97.0 - Cavaliers (High Percussion)
96.4 - Cadets of Bergen County
93.7 - Glassmen
93.4 - Madison Scouts (Spirit Of Disney Award)
92.5 - Blue Knights
91.2 - Phantom Regiment
88.6 - Boston Crusaders
87.0 - Crossmen
86.3 - Carolina Crown
86.0 - Colts

AUGUST 13 - DCI OPEN CLASS SEMIFINALS - MADISON, WI
98.6 - Blue Devils
97.6 - Santa Clara Vanguard
96.8 - Cavaliers
95.5 - Cadets of Bergen County
93.8 - Glassmen
93.0 - Blue Knights
92.2 - Madison Scouts
91.7 - Phantom Regiment
86.7 - Crossmen
86.5 - Boston Crusaders
85.3 - Carolina Crown
85.2 - Colts
83.0 - Bluecoats
81.3 - Magic of Orlando
78.4 - Southwind
76.9 - Spirit of Atlanta
75.3 - Pioneer

AUGUST 12 - DCI OPEN CLASS QUARTERFINALS - MADISON, WI
97.8 - Blue Devils
97.0 - Santa Clara Vanguard
96.8 - Cadets of Bergen County
95.8 - Cavaliers
93.4 - Blue Knights
93.3 - Glassmen
92.1 - Madison Scouts
91.7 - Phantom Regiment
88.5 - Crossmen
87.7 - Boston Crusaders
86.5 - Carolina Crown
85.8 - Colts
84.5 - Bluecoats
82.6 - Magic of Orlando
78.8 - Southwind (tie)
78.8 - Spirit of Atlanta (tie)
77.8 - Pioneer
76.5 - Patriots
76.3 - Kiwanis Kavaliers
73.9 - Mandarins (In the Top 20, earning a track on the 1999 DCI Championship CD)
73.8 - Troopers
73.7 - Spartans
73.2 - Tarheel Sun
72.2 - Les Etoiles
71.6 - East Coast Jazz
70.2 - Blue Stars

"All I can say is WOW! Great job today. I was not sure what to expect from them because of their repertoire -- rather aggressive for a smaller corps. But did they ever prove themselves. The arrangements of both Candide and On the Waterfront were fantastic, and the corps pulled off an incredible show. Very exciting! The soprano soloist was fantastic too. Score and placement were dead on once again." -- Tim Kviz, RAMD Newsgroup

"Chalk up another WOW. This was the best I've ever seen them. Great book, well written and very well performed. A deserving champion!" -- Frank Schoenback, RAMD Newsgroup

AUGUST 11 - DCI DIVISION III FINALS - MADISON, WI
93.7 - Mandarins (High Brass, Color Guard, General Effect)
92.2 - Blue Stars (High Visual)
89.3 - General Butler Vagabonds
88.5 - Phantom Legion (High Percussion)
86.3 - Yokohama Scouts (Spirit Of Disney Award)
84.4 - Raiders
83.3 - Yamato
82.7 - Lake Erie Regiment
Best Drum Major: West Coast Sound

"The Patriots and the Mandarins smashed all opposition in a convincing manner and were crowned 1999 Division II and III champions tonight at Camp Randall Stadium. The Patriots easily fended off a strong performance by the defending 1998 co-division II champion Spartans. It was a different story for the Mandarins, having placed second to the Blue Stars in the afternoon division III marathon. The resurgent perennial division III champion regained its usual composure tonight and was able to defend the title it has now held for four consecutive years.

The Mandarins presented one of their most sophisticated shows to date, to a Leonard Bernstein book. The brass established confident interpretation of the difficult charts right at the beginning, dazzling the crowd by moving effortlessly through the wild articulations of Overture to Candide . The corps displayed innovative uses of sound and filled the field in the introduction of On the Waterfront.

The auxiliary, performing some of the highest tosses in division III, regained its usual proficiency after a shakier performance during prelims. One of the strongest Mandarins corps in memory simply could not be denied its status as the best division III corps in the world." -- Daniel Buteau, DCWorld Staff

"I just wonder how, year after year, a corps can come out with so much talent. I love candide, and they did it justice. On the Waterfront was very fun to watch. These guys are champions, and they act like it. And, btw, nobody can party like the bluestars and the mandarins =)" -- John Fischer, RAMD Newsgroup

AUGUST 11 - DCI DIVISION II FINALS - MADISON, WI
96.3 - Patriots (High Brass, Percussion, Visual, General Effect, Color Guard)
95.3 - Spartans (Spirit Of Disney Award)
93.6 - East Coast Jazz
91.6 - Americanos
88.7 - Jersey Surf
Best Drum Major: Teal Sound

DIVISION III PRELIMS
92.9 - Blue Stars
92.8 - Mandarins
89.5 - General Butler Vagabonds
87.4 - Phantom Legion
86.5 - Yokohama Scouts
85.5 - Raiders
84.0 - Lake Erie Regiment
83.8 - Yamato
82.2 - Cincinatti Glory (tie)
82.2 - Capital Regiment (tie)
81.8 - West Coast Sound
81.3 - Les Senateurs
80.0 - Citations
75.7 - Emerald Knights
75.0 - Legend of Texax (tie)
75.0 - Edmonton Strutters (tie)
74.5 - Conquerer II
73.8 - Academie Musicale
73.6 - Phoenix
72.0 - Knight Storm
70.3 - Marion Cadets
66.3 - Spectrum
66.0 - Bandettes
64.6 - Cadets of Brooklyn
63.8 - Racine Scouts
55.3 - Illusion
55.1 - Scenic City
50.9 - Ridge Raiders
50.8 - Joliet Kingsmen
50.2 - Decorah Kilties
43.4 - Twilight Optimists
00.0 - Memorial Lancers (withdrew)
*** Top Eight Corps to Divison III Finals tonite ***

AUGUST 10 - DCI CHAMPIONSHIPS
SUN PRARIE, WI
DIVISION II PRELIMS
93.8 - Patriots
92.7 - Spartans
91.1 - Americanos (tie)
91.1 - East Coast Jazz (tie)
89.2 - Jersey Surf
88.8 - Seattle Cascades
85.3 - Capital Sound
81.7 - Allegiance Elite
76.7 - Teal Sound
74.7 - Kips Bay
70.6 - Stentors
69.3 - Dutch Boy

Performing Overture to Candide and On the Waterfront by Leonard Bernstein, the defending division III champion is primed and ready to defend their title here today. As we have come to expect, Mandarins are well-trained and are not afraid of challenges, and this program fits that mold perfectly. The always talented brass line is featured during Make our Garden Grow with a controlled and balanced sound from the baritones and contrabasses. Drill is intriguing and easy to follow. This will be a hard act to follow and a tough score to top today." -- Pat Chagnon, DCWorld Staff

AUGUST 08 - NORTH AMERICAN OPEN - MENASHA, WI
DIVISION III FINALS
94.6 - Mandarins (High Brass, Visual, General Effect)
93.0 - Blue Stars (High Percussion)
90.1 - Phantom Legion
89.7 - General Butler Vagabonds (tie)
89.7 - Yokohama Scouts (tie)
88.3 - Yamato
85.7 - Raiders
83.4 - Cincinnati Glory
83.3 - West Coast Sound
83.3 - Citations
82.9 - Lake Erie Regiment
82.5 - Les Senateurs
75.8 - Marion Cadets
75.4 - Legend of Texas
75.0 - Emerald Knights
73.7 - Conqueror II
72.3 - Academie Musicale
71.9 - Knight Storm
70.3 - Edmonton Strutters
68.9 - Phoenix
67.9 - Spectrum
66.0 - Cadets of Brooklyn
64.6 - Racine Scouts
60.4 - Illusion
60.1 - Bandettes
51.4 - Scenic City
49.6 - Ridge Raiders
47.0 - Joliet Kingsmen
40.2 - Twilight Optimists

DIVISION II FINALS
91.8 - Patriots
90.8 - Spartans
89.0 - Americanos
87.0 - Seattle Cascades
86.7 - Jersey Surf
81.9 - Capital Sound
79.2 - Allegiance Elite
76.9 - Teal Sound
76.3 - Kips Bay
68.7 - Les Stentors
68.3 - Dutch Boy

AUGUST 06 - COAST GUARD OPEN - GRAND HAVEN, MI
DIVISION III FINALS
90.1 - Mandarins
89.2 - Blue Stars
85.4 - General Butler Vagabonds
85.3 - Phantom Legion
81.6 - Yamato
81.3 - Yokohama Scouts

DIVISION II FINALS
91.5 -Patriots
89.7 - Americanos
89.2 - East Coast Jazz
86.3 - Seattle Cascades
84.8 - Capital Sound

DIVISION III PRELIMS
89.8 - Mandarins
89.7 - Blue Stars
86.7 - General Butler Vagabonds
85.5 - Phantom Legion
85.4 - Yokohama Scouts
84.0 - Yamato
83.0 - Cincinnati Glory
82.2 - Raiders
80.6 - Capital Regiment
79.4 - Lake Erie Regiment
78.4 - Citations
73.9 - Les Senateurs
71.4 - Phoenix
70.2 - West Coast Sound
70.1 - Knight Storm
68.6 - Legend of Texas
68.3 - Edmonton Strutters
67.9 - Conquerer II
67.4 - Emerald Knights
64.9 - Marion Cadets
61.2 - Spectrum
60.4 - Cadets of Brooklyn
60.0 - Bandettes
53.8 - Racine Scouts
42.7 - Joliet Kingsmen (tie)
42.7 - Ridge Raiders (tie)

DIVISION II PRELIMS
91.4 - Patriots
87.8 - Americanos
87.3 - East Coast Jazz (tie)
87.3 - Seattle Cascades (tie)
84.5 - Capital Sound
78.6 - Allegiance Elite
77.4 - Teal Sound
76.2 - Kips Bay
69.1 - Les Stentors
68.4 - Dutch Boy

AUGUST 03 - CENTERVILLE, OH
93.4 - Blue Devils
92.4 - Cadets of Bergen County
85.6 - Crossmen
84.4 - Carolina Crown
73.9 - Pioneer
70.6 - Troopers
66.7 - Mandarins
57.3 - Cincinnati Glory

"I can see why they've been Division 3 champs, 3 years running. A very rich loud sound in the beginning of the show. The middle horns struggled a little with the ballad but pulled it of. The third number: On the waterfront was nice, with great drill to match. The guard was throwing some wonderful tosses. If you like some serious spinning, the guard gives it to you near the end of the show..WOW!! Overall, a great job on the performance, all the aspects of the show seemed to fall in place..and it was quite entertaining as well. -- Todd Barnhart, RAMD Newsgroup

AUGUST 02 - ROTARY DRUM FEST - GREENVILLE, MI
89.6 - Mandarins
85.1 - Blue Stars
84.7 - Americanos
83.1 - Capital Sound
82.1 - Phantom Legion
75.0 - Allegiance Elite
73.0 - Yokohama Scouts

JULY 28 - EVANSVILLE, IN
89.8 - Cadets of Bergen County
85.7 - Glassmen
81.6 - Carolina Crown
72.9 - Southwind
66.2 - Kiwanis Kavaliers
65.0 - Mandarins - CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS! - (Courtesy of Chris Maher)
63.4 - Les Etioles

We counted 53, program said 58. Maybe a couple percussion and guard holes. I started writing notes on Mandarins, but stopped to watch. It was a really nice show. I love the uniforms; I really wouldn't want to mess with the DM. The guard was excellent and the flag choices fit in well. I was particularly impressed with the balance of the brass. I was afraid that the sops would overbalance with the rest of the line, but overall their ears were open. I liked the carts that were moved around during the show to enhance the guardwork; they were used really effectively. The drill was good and tied in well with the carts, but I noticed a couple baris struggling with the horn. My mom said she really like Mandarins, so you did well pleasing the average fan who knows absolutely nothing about drum corps :) -- Jenny, RAMD Newsgroup

"MANDARINS- First time I've seen them this year. Now I see why they're the Div. 3 champions :-) Overall they were very clean, had really good visual and music, and did really good at keeping my attention from the crap seats that I had." -- J.T. Alwin, RAMD Newsgroup

JULY 27 - CINCINNATI, OH
90.0 - Santa Clara Vanguard
89.3 - Cadets of Bergen County
80.5 - Colts
79.1 - Carolina Crown
65.2 - Les Etoiles
63.5 - Mandarins - CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS! - (Courtesy of Chris Maher)
62.7 - Troopers
51.6 - Cincinnati Glory

"The Mandarins have another great show this year, one very reminiscent of the mid-1980s Garfield Cadets. Their show is titled "Transformations," and features the music of Leonard Berstein (another one of my favorites). Selections include: Overture to Candide, Make Our Garden Grow, and the symphonic suite from On The Waterfront. The treatment of all three works reminds me of Garfield 1985 and 1986, but they add their own unique interpretation to the arrangements, visuals, and staging. The show is very well performed, the horn line is excellent and can pump out some sound for a smaller corps, and the guard does a wonderful job of establishing mood. I wasn't so upset when they beat Troopers, although I would have placed the Troopers a tad above the Mandarins, but more so when Les Etoiles beat both of these corps. What a joke that was, but that is my opinion. Great show Mandarins!!!" -- Jonathan Willis, RAMD Newsgroup:

JULY 10 - DCI-PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS - SAN JOSE, CA
DIVISION III
76.8 - Mandarins (High Percussion, Brass, Visual, General Effect)
61.2 - Impulse
57.7 - West Coast Sound

"Improving by leaps were the Mandarins (all captions). Great horn control in a technically difficult Candide opener proves they are veterans. Variegated lavendar-striped flags complemented the melodious soft parts. Sabre work accompanied Make our Garden Grow and included a piccolo sop duet. The last production number, On the Waterfront, gave the taiko drums their venue. After some initial concern about the guard and drill, all worries are aside as this corps has rapid learning traits and talent to steer them into elite status once more. Interesting fact: the Mandarins have won six Division III titles and seem to be well on their way to another." -- Christina Mavroudis, DCWorld Staff

"As always another great show by them. Even know they were late due to some problems, they still pulled off one hell of a show ! Great Job guys." -- Dean Golden, RAMD Newsgroup

DIVISION II
83.6 - Pacific Crest (High Brass, General Effect)
78.2 - Vanguard Cadets (High Visual, Percussion)
71.7 - Blue Devils B
67.6 - Seattle Cascades

DIVISION I
84.2 - Santa Clara Vanguard (High Brass, Visual, General Effect)
83.0 - Blue Devils (High Percussion)

JULY 9 - MOONLIGHT CLASSIC - STOCKTON, CA
DIVISION II/III
82.0 - Pacific Crest (High Percussion, Brass, Visual)
78.4 - Vanguard Cadets
77.8 - Mandarins (High General Effect)
71.4 - Blue Devils B
68.2 - Seattle Cascades
65.0 - Impulse
61.5 - West Coast Sound

"Sacramento Mandarins -- 17-member horn line with familiar Bernstein music; not an easy feat to carry off this repertoire that includes Candide and On the Waterfront. Guard has great technique -- thank you instructors Greg Mar and Victoria Chiao; those girls throw more tosses than just about any other corps on the field. Still early season for them; focus is Madison (now the six-time West Coast Division III champs, thank you); a highly- impressive performance; enthusiastic standing-O from tonight's audience. Well-deserved High GE award." -- Sue Johnson, DCWorld Staff

"I really like this show. This corps never ceases to impress me. They are always SO small yet always SO good to listen to and to watch. On the Waterfront seemed to be a real crowd pleaser. I like their version, as it's quite a bit different from Cadets 86 and SCV 97." -- Martha Garcia (SCV Alumni), RAMD Newsgroup

DIVISION I
84.4 - Santa Clara Vanguard (High Brass, Visual, General Effect)
82.9 - Blue Devils (High Percussion)

JULY 04 - COSTA MESA, CA
DIVISION II/III
82.2 - Pacific Crest (High Percussion, Brass, General Effect)
78.7 - Mandarins (High Visual)
76.9 - Vanguard Cadets
62.8 - Impulse
59.6 - West Coast Sound

DIVISION I
80.2 - Blue Devils

JULY 03 - RIVERSIDE, CA
DIVISION II/III
79.2 - Pacific Crest (High Percussion, General Effect)
72.8 - Mandarins (High Visual, Brass)
71.2 - Vanguard Cadets
61.2 - Impulse
55.1 - West Coast Sound

DIVISION I
80.0 - Blue Devils

JULY 02 - BAKERSFIELD, CA
DIVISION II/III
77.0 - Pacific Crest (High General Effect)
72.7 - Mandarins (High Visual)
72.1 - Vanguard Cadets (High Percussion, Brass)
63.3 - Impulse
59.8 - West Coast Sound

DIVISION I
78.7 - Blue Devils

JUNE 26 - WALNUT, CA
DIVISION II/III
73.6 - Pacific Crest
68.3 - Mandarins
64.6 - Vanguard Cadets
63.3 - Blue Devils B
57.5 - Impulse
52.3 - West Coast Sound

"Among all the Div. II/III corps, I was most impressed with the Mandarins brassline and how well they handled the extremely difficult Bernstein book. While it looks like they're still working out bugs in Waterfront, the first two productions were IMO quite stellar, especially for only the second weekend of shows in CA. And for a hornline of that size (only 18 or 19 I think), they sounded huge." -- Tony F., RAMD Newsgroup

DIVISION I
76.5 - Santa Clara Vanguard

JUNE 25 - CHULA VISTA, CA
DIVISION II/III
69.4 - Pacific Crest
64.4 - Mandarins
62.1 - Vanguard Cadets
61.0 - Blue Devils B
55.2 - West Coast Sound
52.5 - Impulse

DIVISION I
72.8 - Santa Clara Vanguard

JUNE 19 - CONCORD, CA
DIVISION II/III
65.1 - Pacific Crest (All Captions)
59.3 - Mandarins
58.8 - Vanguard Cadets
57.8 - Blue Devils B

DIVISION I
Blue Devils and Santa Clara Vanguard Exhibition Only

"Mandarins: They had quite a difficult show: "Candide" and "On the Waterfront." The music, drill, and guard work were all challenging, and it really showed that this was their first competition (equipment drops galore, which is really unusual for the Mandarin guard). The highlight for me was the brass performance during "Make our Gardens Grow," which exposed the talented hornline. It will be interesting to see how the corps progresses with this show. I bet that they will be tough to beat in Madison." -- T. Patten, RAMD Newsgroup