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Post by cybrunette on Apr 9, 2024 8:02:54 GMT -6
Question for anyone who's seen shows this year: what groups/shows are not worth missing on Thursday, especially those with iffy chances of advancing to (semi)finals? Maybe the show is deeply emotional or existential. Maybe there's an unforgettable moment/event. Maybe it features a style of dance/equipment/soundtrack that we rarely see. Maybe the group is from unbelievably far away. Maybe they only have five members. Maybe half of them are in eighth grade and there's no seniors. What shows should we Not Miss? (I can't watch on Saturday, and I'll watch World Class Semis and A Class Finals on Friday. So Thursday is my only chance to catch any World groups that get preliminated, any A groups that miss finals, and any Open groups, period.) I'm not sure what regionals you've watched already, but I'd say to start planning out with all the groups from regionals that Flo decided to skip out on streaming for prelims. We never got to see any Florida regionals (I'm still curious as to why lol), the vast majority of midwestern regionals, & all the western regionals that weren't in California. Definitely the groups from Japan; Ichigo Ichie (IA), Netherlands; Sensation (IW), Puerto Rico; Imperium (IA), & Hawaii; Mililani (SO). As far as SW groups that you're afraid you might miss in semis, there are only 3 groups that will not move on which IMO for that small a number it feels like figuring who the 3 are is up in the air. El Dorado, Milford, Chino Hills, & Sunlake are the groups that have been trailing behind all season. If I had to make a prediction I'd say Sunlake & El Dorado are the 2 biggest worries that might not make the cut from their performances I saw 3-4 weeks ago. I personally think Marcus is going to take it for SO, they've been brilliant all season! Most of the SO groups from Texas have been a pleasure to watch grow (sad Coppell isn't making the trip). Ayala was looking great as well, but it's been a while since I've seen them so I don't remember if they were as clean as comparing to Marcus or Westlake.
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Post by theclownemoji on Apr 9, 2024 9:53:51 GMT -6
As far as SW groups that you're afraid you might miss in semis, there are only 3 groups that will not move on which IMO for that small a number it feels like figuring who the 3 are is up in the air. El Dorado, Milford, Chino Hills, & Sunlake are the groups that have been trailing behind all season. If I had to make a prediction I'd say Sunlake & El Dorado are the 2 biggest worries that might not make the cut from their performances I saw 3-4 weeks ago. I personally think Marcus is going to take it for SO, they've been brilliant all season! Most of the SO groups from Texas have been a pleasure to watch grow (sad Coppell isn't making the trip). Ayala was looking great as well, but it's been a while since I've seen them so I don't remember if they were as clean as comparing to Marcus or Westlake. Love these takes! I also wish that Coppell was going to make it. El Dorado is ranked 6th in SW last time I checked! They have an amazing show this year that I see in the top half of finals. They popped an 86 on 3/17. Tbqh, all of the SW shows this year are great. They're really one big pack with no egregious outliers in scores. I would try to catch prelims if you can -- everyone has really stepped it up. For SO, I'm leaning towards Ayala, but I agree that Marcus is also so strong. I'd love to see both of these programs back in SW. I thought that Noblesville got snubbed at the mid east PR. That show is sooooooo solid. I haven't seen anything like it tbh! My do not miss list (based only on what I've seen this year/ what I like):Lockport Township SA Lake Central SO (so many great moments) Palm Desert HS SW (they are moving in a great direction) Adlai Stevenson SA Noblesville SO Arcadia SW (!!!) Northmont SO Georgia IO (do not sleep on this VERY TASTEFUL show) La Voute IO Allegiance IO Maharlika IA Bellbrook SW The Woodlands SW PDCMS SO James Bowie SO Carmel SW (a risky and mature show!) Ayala SO Sensation IW Origins IW I haven't seen the Florida SW contingent, but I expect to love West Broward and Stoneman Douglas. Flanagan is having an amazing year, so I'm excited to finally see them!
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Post by cybrunette on Apr 9, 2024 11:31:39 GMT -6
As far as SW groups that you're afraid you might miss in semis, there are only 3 groups that will not move on which IMO for that small a number it feels like figuring who the 3 are is up in the air. El Dorado, Milford, Chino Hills, & Sunlake are the groups that have been trailing behind all season. If I had to make a prediction I'd say Sunlake & El Dorado are the 2 biggest worries that might not make the cut from their performances I saw 3-4 weeks ago. I personally think Marcus is going to take it for SO, they've been brilliant all season! Most of the SO groups from Texas have been a pleasure to watch grow (sad Coppell isn't making the trip). Ayala was looking great as well, but it's been a while since I've seen them so I don't remember if they were as clean as comparing to Marcus or Westlake. Love these takes! I also wish that Coppell was going to make it. El Dorado is ranked 6th in SW last time I checked! They have an amazing show this year that I see in the top half of finals. They popped an 86 on 3/17. Tbqh, all of the SW shows this year are great. They're really one big pack with no egregious outliers in scores. I would try to catch prelims if you can -- everyone has really stepped it up. For SO, I'm leaning towards Ayala, but I agree that Marcus is also so strong. I'd love to see both of these programs back in SW. I thought that Noblesville got snubbed at the mid east PR. That show is sooooooo solid. I haven't seen anything like it tbh! My do not miss list (based only on what I've seen this year/ what I like):- - - I haven't seen the Florida SW contingent, but I expect to love West Broward and Stoneman Douglas. Flanagan is having an amazing year, so I'm excited to finally see them! You're not wrong on SW! Probably the first time in a while where I enjoy all the show themes across the board! Unfortunately I can't say the same for IW. While they perform incredibly well, I for some reason haven't been able to connect with or been hooked enough to go out of my way to watch but a small handful of groups. Sadly I have to mute Onyx whenever they're on even though they look great lol. Going back to SW, Norwin really had me engaged! If I'm not mistaken, I believe there is a IW or IO guard doing a similar theme which is exciting seeing their different takes on a Borden show. I'll be right there with you cheering for Ayala if they pull through with the win. I love their use of 'bubbles' although I always get anxious whenever guards use balls in their shows lol. I don't remember Noblesville's show that well, but I know I was thoroughly impressed with them. Such a lovely surprise of an unexpected group this season! I don't see them missing finals, but I also don't see them medaling which is fine for their recent surge of success. I've been holding off on watching anything during this WGI break so I could have a fresh watch for the 3-day weekend. Can't wait!
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Post by srv1084 on Apr 9, 2024 21:27:36 GMT -6
What shows should we Not Miss? (I can't watch on Saturday, and I'll watch World Class Semis and A Class Finals on Friday. So Thursday is my only chance to catch any World groups that get preliminated, any A groups that miss finals, and any Open groups, period.) A lot of my "must watch" groups will either be in World Class Semis or A Class Finals, so I won't bother commenting on those, but here are some others that meet that criteria: 10:36AM - Noblesville - Started in Scholastic A and were an easy promotion to Open early season. Their movement and equipment work feels a little old school, but NOT in a bad way. There is such clarity in their design that's slightly reminiscent of 2000s designs yet somehow completely modern, which is refreshing when you see how some groups have evolved towards having something happening on every single inch of the floor at all times. 10:40AM – St. Ann’s – If for nothing else, to witness one of the longest active guard programs in the country (world?). They’re making their return to Dayton for the first time since 2019. This guard continues to skew very young. I’m not sure if it’s still the case, but last I heard they typically march kids ranging from 12-16 or so (with the occasional members up to 18), with a Cadet guard open to everyone 5 and up. They’re located right in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood, and the interesting part is, there are NO schools close to the city with youth outreach for the activity (any within 20-30 miles tend to only have high school guards, and there are NO marching band/guard programs in the city of Boston). This means they’re finding kids to start with their Cadet program at a very young age with no knowledge of what the activity is and no influence in their school surroundings, unless it’s through a family/friend connection that has formerly gone through the program. Their long history dates back nearly 90 years, and many members coming up through the current program are children of former members. They at one point had six competing guards, including two World Class guards, but now they’re down to two (Cadet and IA). In 2021, the rehearsal space they called home for decades stopped allowing them to rehearse there, so they were displaced heading into 2022 while trying to come back from years of no activity and no traditional recruitment pipelines. With all that in mind, they continue to pump out competitive IA groups year after year. Peep the full ensemble rifle and sabre moments – impressive with any guard, but especially with younger membership. So excited for their first trip back in five years and hoping they find their way back to IA finals, but it looks like they're right on the cusp based on where scores shook out this season. 10:56AM – Les Eclipses – The smallest guard you will see this weekend. Six members total and they won the East regional, but with a guard that size the Dayton judges could have a VERY different read of the program in such a big space. I wouldn't say they're a guarantee for finals, even with the East regional win. Still a program worth catching, just in case. 11:50AM – Origins Open – A show made for fans of the history of the activity. The juxtaposition of militaristic and modern elements, along with an emotional track (Jonsi’s “Grow Till Tall”) feels like a love letter to the activity, with an equal sense of optimism for the future of the activity and a sense of nostalgia and respect for its beginnings and those who paved the way. 12:47PM – Dartmouth HS – I know, shameless plug, but they are bringing the party this weekend. By no means a guaranteed finalist, but it’s an exciting, loosely Wonka-inspired show that will be a crowd pleaser. Heavily reliant on a talented solo performer which can potentially hurt them competitively, but a fun show that includes some EDM and K-Pop. Slight Coppell 2022 vibes. 3:40PM – Billerica Combined Schools – Their band program no longer exists (one of the few HS guards I can think of where this is the case, the other being Shenendehowah). They only manage to maintain a guard program by recruiting from local technical schools/catholic schools with students zoned for their district, and I believe last year they had no seniors and several middle schoolers. Always impressive to see what they can achieve given their situation. 6:39PM - Northmont HS - Their reemergence continues with yet another stunning show. They're on their way back to World Class if they can medal this year. 7:45PM – Sensation Performance Ensemble – Honestly not sure what to expect with their first year in World Class, but they have previously come to the US with incredibly memorable shows. 8:03PM – Main Line Independent – If you like exciting shows with massive full-ensemble moments, look no further.
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Post by theclownemoji on Apr 10, 2024 10:10:54 GMT -6
You're not wrong on SW! Probably the first time in a while where I enjoy all the show themes across the board! Unfortunately I can't say the same for IW. While they perform incredibly well, I for some reason haven't been able to connect with or been hooked enough to go out of my way to watch but a small handful of groups. Sadly I have to mute Onyx whenever they're on even though they look great lol. Going back to SW, Norwin really had me engaged! If I'm not mistaken, I believe there is a IW or IO guard doing a similar theme which is exciting seeing their different takes on a Borden show. I'll be right there with you cheering for Ayala if they pull through with the win. I love their use of 'bubbles' although I always get anxious whenever guards use balls in their shows lol. I don't remember Noblesville's show that well, but I know I was thoroughly impressed with them. Such a lovely surprise of an unexpected group this season! I don't see them missing finals, but I also don't see them medaling which is fine for their recent surge of success. Norwin is having a great year. Their show reminds me a bit of their doll program back in like... 2013 (?) I agree with IW. I have a few standouts, but sometimes I feel like the class becomes a big skill demonstration fest, which is really exciting, but I'm not always connected. I'd be so happy to see a Marcus win! I really think that they along with, Ayala, Westlake, Centerville, Northmont, Noblesville, and Oviedo all deserve medals for their shows this year. SO finals is going to be stacked from top to bottom -- there will definitely be surprises. Noblesville's show is really well done. Amazing design, writing, and staging aside, the performers are just wildly confident and graceful. We'll have lots to post about this weekend!
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