2023 Top 15 Most Enjoyable Shows

[lostinthebands]

Hi all! Throughout the end of the season, I was thinking about how there were so many groups that had really enjoyable shows to watch, whether it be through music success or GE radiating throughout the audience. You don’t have to specifically rank them, but I’d love to hear 15 of your favorite, more enjoyable shows to see this year! (Plus, it gives me more bands to watch in my freetime that I may not know 😄)

[smiten82]

15 if my favorites were in no order! Separated into tiers of how I liked each group! Some very unique shows this year from everyone.

Tier #1

Hebron- Amazing brass, gorgeous ballad, love the rotating circle,
very powerful group with great musical selections and soloists
Centerville- Huge jazz fan, amazing solos, very artistic detailed visuals
Woodlands- Amazing guard
Mason- Beautiful uniforms, pretty music, great woodwinds
Blue Springs- Very mysterious, good guard solos
———————————————-
Tier #2

Vandergrift- Just overall flooded with effect
Leander- That tuba soloist-
CTJ- That sax soloist-
Broken Arrow- Gorgeous show and music, wish they would of attended nats this year
Fishers- Who doesn’t love Christmas, also more jazz!
—————————————————-
Tier #3

Avon- Stunning visuals
Lakota East- Very creative, neat uniforms and visuals, love their use of the sticks
Bixby- Very fun show, loved their musical selections
O’ Fallon- Nice theme, and use of guard
Center Grove- Great singer

[crowncrawler]

In alphabetical order:

Avon - visual spectacle with a killer flute soloist
Bridgeland - super impressed after just one watch
Castle - lovely show, such a shame they got screwed at ISSMA semi-state
Catawba Ridge - super entertaining show brimming with energy
Cedar Park - highlight was that wonderful ballad
Claudia Taylor Johnson - 🦩, enough said
Hebron - WOW...challenges Reagan 2019 as my favorite high school show
Lake Travis - super underrated show
Leander - loads of fun, and that soloist gave me life
Pearland - wasn't ready for how strong their brass would be this season
Rouse - incredible show with insane sound and masterful dynamic work
Stoneman Douglas - really impressive show that needs more attention
Tarpon Springs - endlessly entertaining, their best show in years
Vandegrift - regardless of how you feel, their ensemble sounds heavenly
The Woodlands - also extremely entertaining and one of my favorites from them

[statechamp1239]

1. Carmel, IN
2. Westlake, TX
3. Gahr, CA
4. Leander, TX
5. Cedar Park, TX
6. Dobyns-Bennett, TN
7. Clear Brook, TX
8. Fishers, IN
9. McKinney North, TX
10. Bixby, OK
11. River Bluff, SC
12. Beavercreek, OH
13. Skyridge, UT
14. Madison Central, KY
15. Unionville, PA
-------------------------------
16. Westfield, VA and NJ

[gotterdammerung]

My 12 Finalists for 2023 Most Enjoyable - Not in Order

1) Bentonville, AR - My 2023 all around favorite. Sunflowers...nuff said!
2) Blue Springs, MO - Not a fan of narration in shows BUT in this show it works. Most complete concept start to finish and the guard (especially the solo dancer) was amazing.
3) Woodlands, TX - Always THE most fun band that has THE most fun during their shows. I had them taking Grand Nationals after their perfect Finals performances. Each year I cannot wait to see them perform!
4) Pearland, TX - Stunning show and the colors of visuals/costumes/uniforms were amazingly beautiful.  Especially in the show friendly lighting of Lucas Oil
5) Vandegrift, TX - Not a lot of junk on the field which I appreciate.  The synergy between the band and vision dance company is amazing and although not traditional it works every year as proven by their 2023 highest score nationally from BOA San Antonio.  No clue why people feel the need to knock programs that pull off such difficult programs musically and visually as they bring a different level of performance to each competition.  
6) William Mason, OH - STUNNING!  Just stunning!  Like Pearland their uniforms/costumes were so amazing and of course they are a very talented bunch musically.
7) Round Rock, TX - Round Rock's show this year was wonderful. Balance of visuals with great music and the feature solos, duets, etc. were amazing.  Their trumpet soloist is so talented and she nailed it at BOA Grand National Finals. So impressed.
8) Keller, TX - Again...fantastic show at Grand Nationals and their visuals were amazing. LOVED the uniforms
9) Avon, IN - Quite simply Guard Gone Wild!!!!!!  The show really highlights their powerful guard to the point where I forget what music they played BUT both band and guard put in four performances (yes four as Champ gets encore) that were such a treat. Blessed to have been there and to meet the wonderful Avon families.  I think we got the right Grand Nationals Champion again this year and NO there is no discussion about who might have been there. Avon is one to watch over and over
10) Carmel, IN - They define polish and perfection plus the kids and families are so positive and nice to chat with off the field.  Classic show for everyone to enjoy!
11) Hebron, TX - Musicality, the most iconic uniforms in the nation imo and one heck of a show.  Like Woodlands blessed every time we get to enjoy Hebron!  Iconic program and 2023 performance.
12) CTJ - Another show that really popped in Lucas Oil and a shame they did not make finals. But I LOVE them every year and this show did not disappoint.  
13) Indiana Public Schools Showcase - Grand Nationals - for every kid fortunate enough to live in a district with band programs grades 6 to 12.... there is another kid who does not enjoy the same access to band.  THIS showcase was off the charts and my favorite moment of Grand Nationals.  THIS is where our donations to BOA/Music for All go and these are the kids we support through those donations.  Watch this show then send a message to their director letting them know what a fantastic job they did.  Powerful performance with a tremendous message.  One of two that brought mist to my eyes (the other was Blue Springs).


The 2023 Gotterdammerung Medalists for Most Enjoyable Shows:

Gold: Indiana Public Schools Showcase
Silver: Bentonville, AK
Bronze: Blue Springs, MO

I will link the videos to the top 3 as they become available.  

What are your thoughts?

[statechamp1239]

Nov 14, 2023 12:05:04 GMT -6 gotterdammerung said:

My 12 Finalists - Not in Order

1) Beltonville, AK - My 2023 all around favorite. Sunflowers...nuff said!
Silver: Beltonville, AK

Bentonville from Arkansas (AR) not AK that's Alaska.

[gotterdammerung]

Nov 14, 2023 12:11:28 GMT -6 statechamp1239 said:

Nov 14, 2023 12:05:04 GMT -6 gotterdammerung said:

My 12 Finalists - Not in Order

1) Beltonville, AK - My 2023 all around favorite. Sunflowers...nuff said!
Silver: Beltonville, AK

Bentonville from Arkansas (AR) not AK that's Alaska.

Nice catch!  FIXED! More coffee is brewing!!  Long Bandtober and Grand Nationals week.  Recovering from the goodness. 

[mk72]

Here's my very loosely ranked list of fave/most enjoyable shows of the season! I had the privilege of watching all of these bands live except for Vandy, and I'm super grateful for that I'll spare everyone the trouble of reading my thoughts for all 15, so I'm including a brain dump on my 3 fave shows + a short blurb for the rest haha. 

1. The Woodlands- Do I even need to explain this one? Ever since I saw this show on Box5 at Conroe, I was impatiently waiting the moment I got to see them live at LOS, and they didn't disappoint in the slightest! Maybe they weren't as polished musically as they could've been, but I'll be damned if I said they weren't powerful. I have never felt LOS feel as electric as it did each of the 3 times they went on, and this show has solidified itself as some of my favorite band watching experiences I've ever had since following this activity. 

2. Carmel- Every time these students take the field, it feels like a formidable, angelic force has come to reveal some sort of prophetic message onto us (no pun intended). The sheer cleanliness is enough to keep me mesmerized, but that coupled with their incredible showmanship really sold this show for me. The first time I saw the whole show in its entirety was at Thursday night prelims, and I'm glad I did that bc the feeling that performance and the 2 subsequent ones gave me are simply unmatched.

3. Vandegrift- Admittedly, I'm not a fan of the concept of the show, but it doesn't even matter when taking how much these kids throw down into consideration. Not often is there a show that garners most, if not all, of its enjoyability (for me personally) from just the sheer precision of the performance, and this is one of them. Dare I say that as of the last couple years, they have consistently been the cleanest band (alongside Carmel), and it's always truly a wondrous feat. Very jealous of everyone who got to witness this show live hahaha. 

4. Franklin- pure, unadulterated fun without sacrificing quality!
5. Blue Springs- one of the most masterfully constructed shows in the past couple years imo
6. Bentonville- the embodiment of absolute joy
7. Round Rock- in your face cleanliness that's illegal to overlook!
8. Hebron- seeings 100s of HS kids pull off what they do year after year is nothing short of incredible
9. Fishers- who can dislike anything they do?? This year is no different to that
10. Dobyns-Bennett- their finals run at COC really sold it for me. They're one of the best in the game at creating captivating atmospheres!
11. Keller- my underdog of the season. A beautiful show in every sense of the word.
12. Avon- the perfect marriage between subtle artistry with consistently thunderous performances!
13. Tarpon Springs- yet another show who's technical proficiency deserves to be marveled at
14. CTJ- can't express how much this show grew on me! No one does campiness as effectively as CTJ
15. Lake Hamilton- probably the biggest surprise of the year for me, how can you dislike them??

[cybrunette]

In alphabetical order;

Avon, IN
Beechwood, KY
Bentonville, AR
Bixby, OK
Catawba Ridge, SC
Flower Mound, TX
Grants Pass, OR
James Logan, CA
Kiski Area, PA
Lakota East, OH
Leander, TX
Round Rock, TX
Stoneman Douglas, FL
Tarpon Springs, FL
The Woodlands, TX

[statechamp1239]

Nov 14, 2023 12:13:03 GMT -6 gotterdammerung said:

Nov 14, 2023 12:11:28 GMT -6 statechamp1239 said:

Bentonville from Arkansas (AR) not AK that's Alaska.

Nice catch!  FIXED! More coffee is brewing!!  Long Bandtober and Grand Nationals week.  Recovering from the goodness. 

It's ok. We're all hitting our lows after the end of season. 

[kdivine]

My favorite shows this year, plus a couple of stretches. Some of these you've definitely heard of if you're on HornRank and some of which you probably haven't. I'm stretching the definition of "2023" to include the whole calendar year.

I'm leaving off Lake Hamilton since that one is where my son is.

These are in order of as they come to me. I am including show titles if I know them.

A. Arkadelphia, AR-- The Queen
B. Woodlands, TX-- I still have no idea what it was about, but it was fun.
C. Avon, IN [WGI-WW-SW]-- Solar Winds--Caption winner: Most Insanely Designed [Tie]
D. Irondale, MN [WGI-P-SA]- Made to Measure
E. Greene County Tech, AR--Recess--Caption winner: Most Playful and Most Likely to Maim a Color Guard
F. Paragould, AR-- David and Goliath-- Caption winner: Cheesiest props
G. Avon, IN [MB]-- Tableaux--Caption winner: Bang For the Buck and Most Insanely Designed [Tie]
H. Fountain Lake, AR-- I don't remember the name of the show, but they had a full-on pirate battle, which is +100 in my book
I. Dartmouth, MA-- Caption Winner- Best Individual Color Guard Performer
J. Dobyns-Bennett, TN [WGI-WG-SA]--The Bride
K. Bentonville, AR--Sunflowers-- Caption Winner:Most Delightful
L. Arlington,TN- "The peacock show"-- Caption Winner: Best Makeup/Costumes
M. Archbishop Alter, OH-- I mean, they made a freakin' pizza
N. Dobyns-Bennett, TN [MB]-- Caption Winner: They Put the Color in Color Guard And Best Overall Color Guard
O. Cabot, AR-- The Wild--Caption Winner: Best Use of Trampolines.

And, finally, my band of the year:

Logan, WV. This is a small town school that, as of June, had not had a MUSIC PROGRAM for at least a couple of years. They hired an alum who came in and recruited some kids to put a drumline on the field by the end of August. These kids had pretty much zero experience with music, but by the end of September they sounded like this:
www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8DXuw1m/

And then in October, this happened:
www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8DXt85U/

They are taking any donations they can get to be able to purchase updated instruments: www.tiktokbanddirector.com

[realjsnacks]

No particular order here, but they are numbered just to help myself keep track lol

1. Avon- "Tableaux"- I knew once I saw this show that Avon was our National champion. Everything about it is pure Avon, and when you're good at every facet like Avon is, it makes you a signature of excellence. As they added on to it throughout the season, I knew they were designing it to peak at precisely the perfect time. I'm glad I was proven right. So much energy packed into 9 minutes!
2. Hebron - "Monomyth"- Every time I think Hebron can't play more notes in their shows, the next year they always prove me wrong. Literally a high school drum corps. They, like many others here, were my "I secretly hope they win" band at Grand Nationals this weekend, and though that didn't come to fruition, they never ceased to blow me away at every viewing.
3. Tarpon Springs - "On the Other Side"- Only a handful of bands can claim to have beaten Broken Arrow in the past 10-15 years, but Tarpon Springs is one of them, even as recently as this year. Being the fierce defender of Oklahoma bands that I am, I decided to check it out to see what the hype was all about. I'm proud to say it was well deserved. So much high energy and technical skill happening in such short intervals that you have to watch multiple times just to take everything in. Definitely one of the stronger Tarpon shows we've seen in recent years.
4. Rouse - "Requiem"- Rouse has had me hooked on them ever since 2021's "Papyrus", but this may be my new favorite endeavor from the Rouse House. Dark, bold, and lush sounds, followed by pounding tempos and ear-ringing, brutish hits, all of which is coming from a band that's maybe 50-60% of the size of its fellow San Antonio finalists. This show was one of the most energetic in a field that was radiating energy.
5. The Woodlands- "Day Danse"- The Woodlands consistently have had some of the most enjoyable shows of the season over the past few years, and this year was no different- in fact, it may be my favorite show of theirs in the period of time for them that I call "the Bluecoats era". It's hard to take your eyes off of that world class guard, which is a shame only because that band can MOVE! Not to mention the bopping music of Chick Corea. Was in my opinion grossly underrated at GN finals.
6. Jenks- "Unraveling"- Not many bands outside of Texas can claim to have scored in the top 6 at DFW finals, but fortunately for Jenks, they earned that distinction this year. I really would've loved to see them at 6A OBA and was disappointed to see them pull out. I firmly believe they had a chance against Broken Arrow.
7. Sapulpa- "Disco"- For those uninitiated in the Oklahoma band scene, Sapulpa is a 5A band that exploded its way to the top of its class in 2022. So, everyone was ready to see what they had in store this year. That revealed itself to be a funky, energetic show all about disco. Then they made finals at Flagstaff and my attention on them increased SIGNIFICANTLY. Many said they were in the running to win 5A this year, and I agreed. While that didn't end up happening, they did take visual and had the audience locked in at every moment- which is something only a handful of bands outside of your usual Grand National finalists can claim to have done. With more shakeups happening for 5A next year, I'm excited to see what Sapulpa has in store.
8. Piedmont- "Boomtown"- And now here comes the bias of this list. Sure, I could make the argument that there are few better feelings in this world than hearing your alma mater being announced as State Champions, but even without that, I would say they earned it 100% this year. It was also the first year under a new director, which I think makes it more impressive. Great concept, and the musical selections really grew on me as the season went on. 
9. Vista Ridge- "Icon"- I'll admit this show didn't have me convinced at first when I saw it, but it grew on me by SASR. No band can take on the "best music from the best artists" concept quite like the Ranger Band can. And that Through the Fire and Flames closer is, for lack of a better term, iconic. Fantastic job, Vista!
10. Marcus- "Above the Noise"- That percussion feature has been stuck in my head from the moment I first heard it. And even after all this time, there are few bands that can play as beautifully and elegantly as Marcus can. They truly sound like a wind ensemble on the field. 
11. Ronald Reagan "From Chaos"- Maybe my favorite Reagan show since Secret World. This is another one that grew on me over time, but once it did, I loved everything about it! Reagan are the masters of taking an abstract concept and making it easily digestible while still giving it all the impact. And I still love their uniforms despite being somewhere around 10 years old by now.
12. Round Rock- "Luminous"- We can all agree that light themes are becoming overdone, but Round Rock has done an exceptional job with theirs! Everyone talks about the trombone ensemble and the slide trumpet, but I think my favorite part may be at the end of the ballad where they all sing the last note. Just super cool, effective, and a showcase on how a light show SHOULD be done. 
13. Bixby- "Neo-SPARTA"- Hands down, most criminally underrated show of the entire season. This show may be the most unique way I've ever seen to have a 80's music show, and the storyline is one that I think is super cool, and was perhaps overlooked by the judges a bit? I sincerely hope Bixby bounces back from the results of this show, and doesn't let it deter them from the taking the risks they took with this show!
14. Vandegrift- "Spotlight"- I'll come out and say it- I did not like this show AT ALL when I first saw it. I thought it was boring and nothing like what the Vandy Bandy normally puts out. But all of that was fixed at SASR, and what I saw then was some of the biggest and most effective ensemble sound I've ever heard come out of a high school band. While I still wasn't on board with the concept, the execution more than made up for it, and I found myself captivated by each performer, and the way they played and moved. And at the end of the day, isn't that the whole point of marching band?
15. Union- "Desert Rose'- One of the hardest things to see post-Covid was the struggle of one of Oklahoma's most well-known bands, Union. This year, they came back screaming! I loved the show from beginning to end, but what was more exciting to see was the results that came from that! Probably the best Union show I've seen since 2017's "This Bitter Earth". So glad to see that they are back.

Honorable Mention: Choctaw- "A BEEautiful Life"

[hawknate14]

Nov 14, 2023 11:25:43 GMT -6 statechamp1239 said:

1. Westlake, TX
2. Gahr, CA
3. Leander, TX
4. Cedar Park, TX
5. Dobyns-Bennett, TN
6. Clear Brook, TX
7. Fishers, IN
8. McKinney North, TX
9. Bixby, OK
10. River Bluff, TX
11. Beavercreek, OH
12. Skyridge, UT
13. Madison Central, KY
14. Unionville, PA
15. Catawba Ridge, SC
-------------------------------
16. Westfield, VA and NJ

Some respect for Westfield VA, they always put out some really good shows that are also really entertaining, 2019 is the show that started my love of marching band, 2021 has my favorite gimmicky moment ever with the gyroscope

[yayband914]

These are the ones that popped into my head first, therefore I must like them the most (or at least find them the most memorable!):

Bentonville, AR
William Mason, OH
Avon, IN
Carmel, IN
Blue Springs, MO
Germantown, MS
Catawba Ridge, SC
Brownsburg, IN
Grants Pass, OR
Gahr, CA
Bridgeland, TX
American Fork, UT
O’Fallon Township, IL
College Park, TX
Choctaw, OK

[statechamp1239]

Nov 15, 2023 12:54:31 GMT -6 hawknate14 said:

Nov 14, 2023 11:25:43 GMT -6 statechamp1239 said:

1. Westlake, TX
2. Gahr, CA
3. Leander, TX
4. Cedar Park, TX
5. Dobyns-Bennett, TN
6. Clear Brook, TX
7. Fishers, IN
8. McKinney North, TX
9. Bixby, OK
10. River Bluff, TX
11. Beavercreek, OH
12. Skyridge, UT
13. Madison Central, KY
14. Unionville, PA
15. Catawba Ridge, SC
-------------------------------
16. Westfield, VA and NJ

Some respect for Westfield VA, they always put out some really good shows that are also really entertaining, 2019 is the show that started my love of marching band, 2021 has my favorite gimmicky moment ever with the gyroscope

I fell in love with Westfield, VA when I first saw their 2013 show and ever since I've loved them. Also, my second favorite show is 2016 EX Machina.

Yeaaaa... 2021 was just wasn't for me I really didn't like it. But Westfield this year was so good I'm angry they didn't come to BOA Mid Atlantic or at least BOA Conway.

[hawknate14]

Nov 15, 2023 16:17:24 GMT -6 statechamp1239 said:

Nov 15, 2023 12:54:31 GMT -6 hawknate14 said:

Some respect for Westfield VA, they always put out some really good shows that are also really entertaining, 2019 is the show that started my love of marching band, 2021 has my favorite gimmicky moment ever with the gyroscope

I fell in love with Westfield, VA when I first saw their 2013 show and ever since I've loved them. Also, my second favorite show is 2016 EX Machina.

Yeaaaa... 2021 was just wasn't for me I really didn't like it. But Westfield this year was so good I'm angry they didn't come to BOA Mid Atlantic or at least BOA Conway

eh i agree, the show was carried by the gyro, but its such an iconic moment in VA band that I had to bring it up.  Agreed on wishing they went to BOA Mid-Atlantic. 

[brivi0800]

Gonna edit this as I think about it more! In no order (except Mason in 1st, really). I'm an art director so most of these opinions come from a design/GE/choreography perspective of these shows (with some small musical opinions from my limited knowledge of being a clarinet player in high school ). 

1. William Mason - By far one of my favorite Cartwright shows, though it feels like a modern reinterpretation of all his past ones that were my favorite ones (BA 2013, 2021, Mason 2022). The show was just so well-designed and had so many amazing GE moments. The uniforms were gorgeously designed with that mesh of warm pink-orange colors, the drill felt seamless. There were so many "ah" moments (dress spin moment after the woodwinds finish their first phrase in the ballad). The piano preshow and the tag ending that mirrors it. It also just amazes me the 100% the kids put into the choreography, like it is incredibly difficult to have to pick up all of that and put so much passion into it. The Paradise Theme from Angel ballad. I could go on for days and days. Mason's recent concepts (22 and 23) have felt so mature and so abstract. I was watching their older shows again the other day (West Side Story '15 and World out of Balance '16) and this just feels so much more...cinematic and incredibly artistic now. Someone said it felt like a Kinkade painting and I haven't been able to get it out of my mind.

2. Broken Arrow - I'm a Cartwright fiend as you can see (but incredibly interested to see how BA moves from this point on now if you haven't heard the rumors). This wasn't my favorite show of all from BA and I definitely liked Mason's work better but it was still a gorgeous show. Very regal and like a warm homage in a way to BA 2013. I loved the Lincoln Portrait opener and also appreciated the Bernstein pre-opener (those are my absolute favorite Cartwright moments alongside the tag endings). The end of the second movement is my favorite when things start kicking in and the drill picks up. Also On the Waterfront is cool, right as we move into it, there's like an ominous piano flutter that just makes it. The small moments and choices like that is what push me to love these shows.

3. Pearland - Lol, refer to comment above. Pre-show felt like a beautiful procession with the drill and the very haunting chimes of the bells. I like the costumes but then after seeing them up-close, wasn't super into it but lol, still kinda cool from apart. Also loved the tag ending with the duet in the front. Good culmination to a beautiful show (I usually shy away from shows that deal with the moon, celestial aspects lol).

4. Avon - Absolutely amazing. Incredibly fun to watch and also well art directed. Tableaux is a great motif and the interpretation of Pictures at an Exhibition was incredible. Favorite moments include the call and response from the woodwinds to the brass when they're on each sides calling the musical motif back to one another. The props are so flexible and are an incredible usage to creating bigger visuals. The ending is a pinnacle moment when all the frames begin creating a bigger tableaux moment (though I'm not a fan of woodwinds having to move the props nasjkfnajks lol) and then after the ending hits, the graceful slow melts into their final pose. Hinshaw is also my favorite drill designer. It's like pummeling fun. 

5. Carmel - It took me a while to get onto the Carmel train, to be honest, but once it hit me what these kids were able to do and how they were able to convey an indoor symphonic performance into a very large-scale, reinterpretation outdoors of that pure high art, it made sense. The musical books is just so richly complex and dense that I had to appreciate it. 

6. Coppell - Second movement is a blast. Love that woodwind moment. 

7. The Woodlands - Yeah, I don't have to say anything about this one. Just so fun to watch. Carter's work with The Woodlands the past years have been amazing. Their shows are always this sort of alternative, fun direction that is so captivating in the musical choices. From beginning to end, it felt like they were just on grind mode. 

8. Tarpon Springs - Woooooooh! I'm always a fan of Sullivan's (is this Sullivan and Ford's work together still?) compositions and this one was a blast from start to finish. In contrast to Mason and BA with Cartwright, TS shows are always so much more...grunge in a way (not really but best way to put it) and has a greater incorporation of pop culture and other musical influences (even though it's not cheesy). Shame they didn't go to GN this year, they sound phenomenal (as clean as they did in 2014). The funk part with the beat near the end of the show with the saxophone/woodwinds is so fun. I was like ok period lol

-
need time to think about a bit more but some other fun ones that came to mind
9. Rouse
10. Round Rock
11. Flower Mound (the director has vlogs on the creative development of this show on YouTube and it's super cool to watch the transparency, I'm always a huge fan of their art shows).

[coleeich]

What does one do on the first post-BOA Saturday of the year?? Well, this is a good start.

Soo many memorable shows in 2023. This is definitely a difficult list to make!

1. William Mason H.S., OH - Just a gorgeous creation. I teared up in the ballad EVERY single time I watched it.
2. Bentonville H.S., AR - I knew from the first football game video I saw that they had something special going on this year. Such a joyful show!
3. O'Fallon Township HS., IL - I'm usually not the biggest OFT fan, but this year was a different story! Those students committed to the theme.
4. Millard West H.S., NE - COMPLETELY on the Milly Train!
5. Castle H.S., IN - So much power from Castle this year. I really liked what they brought this year!
6. Sapulpa H.S., OK - I was blown away by Sapulpa this year. Such a fun show, and the flute solo lives rent free in my head.
7. The Woodlands H.S., TX - This show was just the whole package for me. Uniforms are the only thing bringing it down for me lol.
8. Jenks H.S., OK - We didn't see NEARLY as much Jenks as we should have this year. Really loved their show a wholleeeee bunch.
9. Bridgeland H.S., TX - Another one of my favorite texas groups from this season! Just a really strong group this year.
10. Choctaw H.S., OK - It isn't a shock that I was a big Choctaw stan this year. So happy they had such a successful season.
11. Avon H.S., IN - This show was soooooo effective for me! I really really loved it, and I am glad they won!
12. Southmoore H.S., OK - Southmoore continued to raise the bar each year. I thought the music was especially nice this season.
13. Hebron H.S., TX - Undeniable power.
14. Rouse H.S., TX - The opener was probably my favorite of the season.
15. Bixby H.S., OK - This show was just so much fun to watch as an audience member.

Others: Union, Broken Arrow, Bartlett, Wakeland, Tarpon Springs, Leander, Pearland, Brownsburg, Flower Mound, Yukon, Edmond Santa Fe

[marimba11]

Honestly Catawba Ridge's show was easily my favorite from the southeast this year. Such a well-done production. 
I think design wise The Woodlands was my most enjoyable show. I also loved the American Fork RED program, such confident performers too. Dartmouth's show I thought was really well written. 

Carmel definitely had everything going for them, but the Jeremiah is maybe almost too high-brow... but the kids did great with it obviously. 

[kdivine]

Nov 18, 2023 16:39:25 GMT -6 marimba11 said:

Dartmouth's show I thought was really well written. 

Carmel definitely had everything going for them, but the Jeremiah is maybe almost too high-brow... but the kids did great with it obviously. 

Dartmouth rode on the shoulders of one really good spinner plus a completely different take on "PaaEx" than Avon did. I agree in that I liked their concept but I thought they overblew their horns.

As to Carmel, I will probably catch heck, but I thought they were very precise in both drill and music with a lot of degree of difficulty in both.....and I was bored to tears. I didn't see a whole lot of difference in concept and theme from say, Fayetteville. And their show was titled "Prophecy" but their one and only prop element recreated Moses parting the Red Sea, I think, which is considered miraculous, not prophetic. The rest of it seemed to be a lot of impressive and precise marching to and from with interesting and rather difficult music, but they could have named the show "Frog," or "Cream Cheese," or "Joe Schmo," and it would have been the same to me. I do understand why the judges placed them second, but in the national championship of me...meh. I had similar feelings about Brownsburg.

Personally, I like shows that have a tangible theme or story. Bentonville, Avon, Dartmouth, and Lake Hamilton all had that and Woodlands at least looked like they were having fun and telling some sort of story, though I don't have much idea what it was. Avon, especially, worked on two levels-- a very minimalist and brilliant retelling of the classic Pictures, but also with the outfits and mass gymnastics they evoked the opening ceremony of the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, which were referred to at the time as Brezhnev's Pictures at an Exhibition-- showpieces that tried but failed to put good PR on the Soviet system. It might have been sheer coincidence on the part of their show design, but when you know the history, the show just made a lot of sense to me. Really, to me it was ballet with horns and a drumline.

[statechamp1239]

No BOA Bands:
1. Brandon Valley, SD
2. Dickinson, TX
3. Thompson, AL
4. Forsyth Central, GA
5. Mililani, HI
6. North Shore Senior, TX
7. Westfield, VA
8. Papillion-La Vista South, NE
9. Lafayette, LA
10. Paul Larence Dunbar, KY
11. Centaurus, CO &
12. James Logan, CA
13. Buhler, KS
14. Pine Creek, CO 
15. Rio Rancho, NM
--------------------------------------
16. Mineola, NY

No Major BOA events (SR/GN) and no TX:
1. Tarpon Springs, FL
2. Dobyns-Bennett, TN
3. Gahr, CA
4. Wando, SC
5. Skyridge, UT & Franklin, TN
6. Catawba Ridge, SC
7. Stoneman Douglas, FL
8. Dublin Coffman, OH
9. Pella, IA
10. Farmington, UT
11. Westlake, UT
12. Independence, VA
13. Clover, SC
14. Foothill, NV
15. San Marcos, CA & Davis, UT 
--------------------------------------------------
16. Unionville, PA & Downingtown West, PA

[came]

Nov 19, 2023 13:24:17 GMT -6 statechamp1239 said:

No BOA Bands:
1. Brandon Valley, SD
2. Dickinson, TX
3. Thompson, AL
4. Forsyth Central, GA
5. Mililani, HI
6. North Shore Senior, TX
7. Westfield, VA
8. Papillion-La Vista South, NE
9. Lafayette, LA
10. Paul Larence Dunbar, KY
11. Centaurus, CO & James Logan, CA
12. Buhler, KS
13. Pine Creek, CO 
14. Rio Rancho, NM
15. Buhler, KS
--------------------------------------
16. Mineola, NY

That Brandon Valley show really caught me off guard with how good it was, Lincoln was about how deep my SD band knowledge went 

[coleeich]

Nov 19, 2023 13:24:17 GMT -6 statechamp1239 said:

No BOA Bands:
1. Brandon Valley, SD
2. Dickinson, TX
3. Thompson, AL
4. Forsyth Central, GA
5. Mililani, HI
6. North Shore Senior, TX
7. Westfield, VA
8. Papillion-La Vista South, NE
9. Lafayette, LA
10. Paul Larence Dunbar, KY
11. Centaurus, CO & James Logan, CA
12. Buhler, KS
13. Pine Creek, CO 
14. Rio Rancho, NM
15. Buhler, KS
--------------------------------------
16. Mineola, NY

No Major BOA events (SR/GN) and no TX:
1. Tarpon Springs, FL
2. Dobyns-Bennett, TN
3. Gahr, CA
4. Wando, SC
5. Skyridge, UT & Franklin, TN
6. Catawba Ridge, SC
7. Stoneman Douglas, FL
8. Dublin Coffman, OH
9. Pella, IA
10. Farmington, UT
11. Westlake, UT
12. Independence, VA
13. Clover, SC
14. Foothill, NV
15. San Marcos, CA & Davis, UT 
--------------------------------------------------
16. Unionville, PA & Downingtown West, PA

Buhler so good it made the list twice

[marimba11]

Nov 18, 2023 19:50:53 GMT -6 kdivine said:

Nov 18, 2023 16:39:25 GMT -6 marimba11 said:

Dartmouth's show I thought was really well written. 

Carmel definitely had everything going for them, but the Jeremiah is maybe almost too high-brow... but the kids did great with it obviously. 

Dartmouth rode on the shoulders of one really good spinner plus a completely different take on "PaaEx" than Avon did. I agree in that I liked their concept but I thought they overblew their horns.

As to Carmel, I will probably catch heck, but I thought they were very precise in both drill and music with a lot of degree of difficulty in both.....and I was bored to tears. I didn't see a whole lot of difference in concept and theme from say, Fayetteville. And their show was titled "Prophecy" but their one and only prop element recreated Moses parting the Red Sea, I think, which is considered miraculous, not prophetic. The rest of it seemed to be a lot of impressive and precise marching to and from with interesting and rather difficult music, but they could have named the show "Frog," or "Cream Cheese," or "Joe Schmo," and it would have been the same to me. I do understand why the judges placed them second, but in the national championship of me...meh. I had similar feelings about Brownsburg.

Personally, I like shows that have a tangible theme or story. Bentonville, Avon, Dartmouth, and Lake Hamilton all had that and Woodlands at least looked like they were having fun and telling some sort of story, though I don't have much idea what it was. Avon, especially, worked on two levels-- a very minimalist and brilliant retelling of the classic Pictures, but also with the outfits and mass gymnastics they evoked the opening ceremony of the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, which were referred to at the time as Brezhnev's Pictures at an Exhibition-- showpieces that tried but failed to put good PR on the Soviet system. It might have been sheer coincidence on the part of their show design, but when you know the history, the show just made a lot of sense to me. Really, to me it was ballet with horns and a drumline.

I disagree on Dartmouth, what they did on an individual level was pretty amazing to me.

However, I very much agree on Carmel. I would also go as far to say that I also thought it was boring too. I thought the themeatics of it were fine, but nothing special.

[philodemus]

Some of y'all have odd definitions of 'enjoyable.'

The Actually Enjoyable Bands I Saw This Fall [Not Just Good at Banding, Actually Enjoyable... Interesting, Memorable, NOT Just Good]

• Tarpon. Tarpon. TARPON. Also Tarpon - Anyone leaving them off their list should have their pulse checked, you may be dead.
• Blue Springs, MO - The only show I saw all fall that could legitimately be called 'thought provoking' in an unironic sense.
• Avon, IN - their hornline had more visual responsibility than your color guard, and also outplayed your hornline.
• Fishers, IN - I did not want to like a Christmas show... but I did, in fact, enjoy that Christmas show. Way better than the Cadets Christmas show.
• Lake Hamilton, AR - unique. Marching band regionalism is a trend we need more of.
• Dartmouth, MA - I mean sure, it was mostly that one kid and the drumline, but that one kid is a star and so's the drumline.
• Murray, KY - anyone at Kentucky state finals knows the truth: they'd have made semifinals on score and won Class A had they come. And just plain fun.
• Pella, IA - Holy crap, how did this rise on the plains and me not hear of it? Actually entertaining, too. Keep an eye towards the corn, people.

...and... wow, that's all that come to mind. May add a few more later.

ADDED:

• The Woodlands! - I knew I was forgetting someone. Fun musical book, stunning color guard.

[70sguardchick]

I'd like to throw in Choctaw - their "bee" show was charming and I was thoroughly entertained.

[aiden]

Nov 14, 2023 11:25:43 GMT -6 statechamp1239 said:

1. Westlake, TX
2. Gahr, CA
3. Leander, TX
4. Cedar Park, TX
5. Dobyns-Bennett, TN
6. Clear Brook, TX
7. Fishers, IN
8. McKinney North, TX
9. Bixby, OK
10. River Bluff, SC
11. Beavercreek, OH
12. Skyridge, UT
13. Madison Central, KY
14. Unionville, PA
15. Catawba Ridge, SC
-------------------------------
16. Westfield, VA and NJ

How'd Beavercreek find their way in this?

[lostinthebands]

Nov 24, 2023 22:25:19 GMT -6 aiden said:

Nov 14, 2023 11:25:43 GMT -6 statechamp1239 said:

1. Westlake, TX
2. Gahr, CA
3. Leander, TX
4. Cedar Park, TX
5. Dobyns-Bennett, TN
6. Clear Brook, TX
7. Fishers, IN
8. McKinney North, TX
9. Bixby, OK
10. River Bluff, SC
11. Beavercreek, OH
12. Skyridge, UT
13. Madison Central, KY
14. Unionville, PA
15. Catawba Ridge, SC
-------------------------------
16. Westfield, VA and NJ

How'd Beavercreek find their way in this?

Its a fun, enjoyable show! Super cool marching band interpretation of the Flintstones. Pretty sure you can find a video of them on YouTube.

[statechamp1239]

Nov 24, 2023 22:25:19 GMT -6 aiden said:

Nov 14, 2023 11:25:43 GMT -6 statechamp1239 said:

1. Westlake, TX
2. Gahr, CA
3. Leander, TX
4. Cedar Park, TX
5. Dobyns-Bennett, TN
6. Clear Brook, TX
7. Fishers, IN
8. McKinney North, TX
9. Bixby, OK
10. River Bluff, SC
11. Beavercreek, OH
12. Skyridge, UT
13. Madison Central, KY
14. Unionville, PA
15. Catawba Ridge, SC
-------------------------------
16. Westfield, VA and NJ

How'd Beavercreek find their way in this?

The show makes me want to say Yabba-dabba-doo!

[came]

I know a lot of people definitely haven't seen this show so I wanna give a little shout out to Novi's show this year, tons of fun and I love the way they integrate the cultures into the show (specifically the drum break and the ballad) the whole show is just a lot of fun