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Post by Jake W. on Apr 13, 2024 9:23:00 GMT -6
Ayala!!!! Frankly, that was a more interesting offering than some of their SW shows. The group handled the tempo fluctuations in the ending flag statement PERFECTLY. If they do win, I doubt it will be a clean sweep - I thought Northmont, Marcus, & particularly Centerville excelled in the movement caption.
Actually on that note, I am wondering who does take the gold! Ayala probably has consistency in each caption as their ace in the hole, but they didn't offer the unquestionable championship performance that Prelims & Semis scores alluded to. I've got to assume Centerville takes the effect captions. Northmont, Marcus, & Centerville will all crowd the top of the movement captions, and you could make an argument on any of the 5 for equipment analysis. If American Fork had had a cleaner run, I'd say they take it all. Who knows, maybe they still do! I'll also note that this is really the first time this weekend that these 5 groups performed all within a group.
Centerville's run was clean to the level of perfection and gelled into a homogenous production that was truly seamless. I think they take my vote for the gold. I can't really argue with any of the 5 winning, though. This has GOT to be the strongest top of SO Finals that I remember.
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Post by srv1084 on Apr 13, 2024 9:23:50 GMT -6
Ayala was stunning. I suppose I could find reason to believe a few groups will be walking away with the title, but Ayala as champion just makes sense to me. They transformed that space in a way that made you forget they were performing in an arena.
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Post by srv1084 on Apr 13, 2024 9:26:01 GMT -6
I can't really argue with any of the 5 winning, though. This has GOT to be the strongest top of SO Finals that I remember. You're not kidding... usually there is one or two that are easy to identify as the cream of the crop, but this year's top ~5 all have elements of a winning show. These recaps are going to be wild!
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Post by Jake W. on Apr 13, 2024 9:33:49 GMT -6
Ayala was stunning. I suppose I could find reason to believe a few groups will be walking away with the title, but Ayala as champion just makes sense to me. They transformed that space in a way that made you forget they were performing in an arena. I read this and thought yep, srv's right, Ayala OWNED the performance space. But then shit, Centerville really did too! But so did Northmont with that breathless ending and American Fork with their whimsy & power and then Marcus with their precise brand of magic! Ugh. Terrific groups!!!! I might even throw in Westake as closer to the top 5 than to Oviedo.
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Post by srv1084 on Apr 13, 2024 9:49:58 GMT -6
I love fast-paced, exciting shows, so I immediately fell in love with Main Line’s show this year. Unfortunately they were never able to get that beast of a show truly clean. Seeing them back in IO finals with such massive membership numbers this year bodes well, though, and they certainly brought some energy to that crowd!
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Post by srv1084 on Apr 13, 2024 10:08:13 GMT -6
Origins, you better stop cutting those damn onions! You’ve got me all up in my feelings!
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Post by srv1084 on Apr 13, 2024 11:57:25 GMT -6
I have to admit, Independent Open was a bit tougher for me to get through than any other class. I tend to prefer some excitement in my guard shows, or at least having them build to something larger than life. This class was filled with shows performing genuinely beautiful work to ballads or classical/choir tracks devoid of musical cues that effortlessly line up with the visual, and while that's not at all a bad thing, it was just harder to keep my attention when so much of the class is doing that. I tend to get the most entertainment from guard shows that are gritty or grandiose rather than the subdued or sublime.
Origins Open, La Voute, and Main Line were my three favorites from this class. I really feel like La Voute has the vehicle to place top 3, and only time will tell if the performance quality was enough to get them there.
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Post by cybrunette on Apr 13, 2024 12:24:50 GMT -6
Final Scores
Scholastic Open
1. Ayala HS, CA 95.600 2. Centerville HS, OH 94.550 3. American Fork HS, UT 94.350 4. Marcus HS, TX 92.700 5. Northmont HS, OH 91.650 6. Westlake HS, TX 90.800 7. Oviedo HS, FL 89.400 8. Mason HS, OH 89.050 9. Shenendehowa HS, NY 88.700 10. Dobyns-Bennett HS, TN 87.250 11. Noblesville HS, IN 86.300 12. James Bowie HS (Austin), TX 84.500 13. Dartmouth HS, MA 84.050 14. Pendleton Heights HS, IN 83.700 15. Palm Desert Charter MS, CA 83.100
Independent Open
1. Georgia, GA 95.450 2. Alta Marea Winterguard, AL 94.150 3. Ménage, TX 92.650 4. Collage, OH 92.250 5. La Voute Performance Ensemble, MO 90.350 6. Revival Winter Guard, IN 88.950 7. Glory Independent, TX 88.400 8. Pegasus Open, FL 87.600 9. Top Hats, PA 87.350 10. Phoenix Independent, OH 85.500 11. Emerald, CA 84.100 12. ORIGINS Open, TX 83.550 13. Tampa Independent Open, FL 82.100 14. Main Line Independent, PA 81.600 15. i-Squared, CA 81.500
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Post by srv1084 on Apr 13, 2024 12:40:22 GMT -6
Congrats to all the guards! Can't wait to see what the medalists accomplish in World Class next year.
See you all in a few hours. Don't forget to tune into the Miami Valley guard at 5:00!
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