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Post by kdivine on Nov 16, 2023 19:09:11 GMT -6
I am creating this thread to discuss a couple of things. Not every band is going to "win" in the sense we discuss here at length. So, first, did you see any bands in competition this year that completely exceeded what you would have expected of them? Or shows that did things that were innovative, even though their execution level might be a lot lower than what a lot of the bands normally discussed in these boards? And second, what bands "won" just by getting on the field? To the first question, I put forth Marion, AR and their show "Teased," based upon the story of Rapunzel. They normally are not in the high levels of Arkansas 6A, but at State they had a really good run and their show design and execution [they had a castle tower!]were notches above what I remember from past years. It was quite fun, and I really liked the effort they were putting into it. To the second I put forth Logan, WV. I mentioned them in the middle of another thread but I do so again because I feel like their story deserves more attention. 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/In the end of everything, the point is that kids get to participate in music. We all know music has the power to cross barriers and band develops kids into leaders, thinkers, and just general people we like to be around. [They are taking any donations they can get to be able to purchase updated instruments: www.tiktokbanddirector.com ]
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Post by ilikeguard on Nov 16, 2023 21:21:52 GMT -6
My band of the year is Sullivan (if yall weren't already able to tell). Their technical execution is still developing, but they performed the heck out of their show this year and were such a treat at GN. As much as I love Blue Springs, it was Sullivan who truly made me proud to be a Missourian this year. It has been such an honor to watch them grow these last few years. I cannot think of a band that made me nearly as emotional.
Sullivan people if you are reading this I want to hang out with you because you are cool and awesome
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Post by abtwitch on Nov 16, 2023 21:34:47 GMT -6
For me it's gotta be River-freaking-crest, who has gone from a band that struggles to even get a 2 at UIL Region to 2A State Champions in just 4 years. And it wasn't like they had an easy path to victory, they finished 3rd in prelims behind 2A powerhouse Clarksville and Panhandle, who might just be the best moving band in the entirety of the Texas Panhandle (the region, not the city). Another thing to note is that in UIL, 2A consists of schools with a 9-12 enrollment of 105-250, so these bands are smaller than a vast majority of the Class A bands that even compete in BOA, with Rivercrest coming in at 208 as of this year. Here's a video of their finals performance:
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Post by Jake W. on Nov 16, 2023 22:38:11 GMT -6
For me it's gotta be River-freaking-crest, who has gone from a band that struggles to even get a 2 at UIL Region to 2A State Champions in just 4 years. And it wasn't like they had an easy path to victory, they finished 3rd in prelims behind 2A powerhouse Clarksville and Panhandle, who might just be the best moving band in the entirety of the Texas Panhandle (the region, not the city). Another thing to note is that in UIL, 2A consists of schools with a 9-12 enrollment of 105-250, so these bands are smaller than a vast majority of the Class A bands that even compete in BOA, with Rivercrest coming in at 208 as of this year. Here's a video of their finals performance: Absolutely INSANE to me that they are marching around 75 kids with an enrollment of 208. Mind-blowing!!!! Granted, I'm sure many middle schoolers make up that number, but that's still about 10% of students in their entire DISTRICT. Jeezus. That would be akin to Avon marching around 1,000 kids, or Carmel marching 1,600. 76 kids on the field from a district of 750 or so K-12 is astounding.
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Post by ilikeguard on Nov 16, 2023 23:04:45 GMT -6
For me it's gotta be River-freaking-crest, who has gone from a band that struggles to even get a 2 at UIL Region to 2A State Champions in just 4 years. And it wasn't like they had an easy path to victory, they finished 3rd in prelims behind 2A powerhouse Clarksville and Panhandle, who might just be the best moving band in the entirety of the Texas Panhandle (the region, not the city). Another thing to note is that in UIL, 2A consists of schools with a 9-12 enrollment of 105-250, so these bands are smaller than a vast majority of the Class A bands that even compete in BOA, with Rivercrest coming in at 208 as of this year. Here's a video of their finals performance: Absolutely INSANE to me that they are marching around 75 kids with an enrollment of 208. Mind-blowing!!!! Granted, I'm sure many middle schoolers make up that number, but that's still about 10% of students in their entire DISTRICT. Jeezus. That would be akin to Avon marching around 1,000 kids, or Carmel marching 1,600. 76 kids on the field from a district of 750 or so K-12 is astounding. Love this comparison! Really puts things into perspective. Incredible job, Rivercrest HS!
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Post by boahistorybuff on Nov 17, 2023 4:26:17 GMT -6
Really like this topic.
My nominees,
Bentonville - They made history at Grand Nationals. First band from Arkansas to make Grand National Finals and they beat some pretty big name bands to do it. They also showed what it means to connect to the audience.
Lake Hamilton - Yes Arkansas bands made a statement at Grand Nationals. This band also showed us what it meant when a band has connection to their show. They sold it to the audience.
Walled Lake - Not attending a BOA regional can sometimes be a disadvantage. With Jenison and Rockford having been the most talked about Michigan bands this season, Walled Lake turned some heads with their GN Semi finals performance.
Marian Catholic - The school has lost over half of its enrollment over the last decade and this was their first season without Greg Bimm as director. The band did a good job despite these obstacles. They will always be compared to the Marian under Bimm during their BOA glory years and that is going to be a hard thing to overcome.
LD Bell - Another band that will always be compared to its earlier BOA glory years. This band made a statement at BOA San Antonio.
South Jones - First Mississippi band to win a BOA regional title since 1987. They made a statement for small town Mississippi bands.
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Post by ilikeguard on Nov 17, 2023 9:51:57 GMT -6
Really like this topic. My nominees, Bentonville - They made history at Grand Nationals. First band from Arkansas to make Grand National Finals and they beat some pretty big name bands to do it. They also showed what it means to connect to the audience. Lake Hamilton - Yes Arkansas bands made a statement at Grand Nationals. This band also showed us what it meant when a band has connection to their show. They sold it to the audience. Walled Lake - Not attending a BOA regional can sometimes be a disadvantage. With Jenison and Rockford having been the most talked about Michigan bands this season, Walled Lake turned some heads with their GN Semi finals performance. Marian Catholic - The school has lost over half of its enrollment over the last decade and this was their first season without Greg Bimm as director. The band did a good job despite these obstacles. They will always be compared to the Marian under Bimm during their BOA glory years and that is going to be a hard thing to overcome. LD Bell - Another band that will always be compared to its earlier BOA glory years. This band made a statement at BOA San Antonio. South Jones - First Mississippi band to win a BOA regional title since 1987. They made a statement for small town Mississippi bands. Lots of Arkansas magic this year!!
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Post by kdivine on Nov 17, 2023 18:05:50 GMT -6
Really like this topic. My nominees, Bentonville - They made history at Grand Nationals. First band from Arkansas to make Grand National Finals and they beat some pretty big name bands to do it. They also showed what it means to connect to the audience. Lake Hamilton - Yes Arkansas bands made a statement at Grand Nationals. This band also showed us what it meant when a band has connection to their show. They sold it to the audience. As an LH parent, I say thank you! Next year, they're doing Macy's, so I don't know whether they are going to be at GN'S as well. I would think they are otherwise doing Memphis and Johnson City again, but I am not in the know. Winter Winds is signed up for SW at WGI-Dayton in April, with regional appearances TBD [Dallas? IDK]. I do know that the Covid dip is likely over as there are large classes of seventh and eighth graders moving up over the next couple of years.
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