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Post by yayband914 on Oct 14, 2023 21:19:58 GMT -6
Finals Cutoff:12. Lakeside H.S., GA 68.55 ----------------------- 13. Carolina Forest H.S., SC 68.30 14. Corinth Holders H.S., NC 67.50 Crazy that Lakeside got the same score in prelims AND finals. 🤯 That doesn’t happen often!
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Post by marimba11 on Oct 14, 2023 21:25:33 GMT -6
Byrnes in 4th?! There is a lot of park n bark in their show but wow I would have had them second. Nafo sounded amazing in finals but to overcome Clover and Byrnes is something crazy.
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Post by onehundredacres on Oct 14, 2023 21:42:16 GMT -6
Finals Cutoff:12. Lakeside H.S., GA 68.55 ----------------------- 13. Carolina Forest H.S., SC 68.30 14. Corinth Holders H.S., NC 67.50 Crazy that Lakeside got the same score in prelims AND finals. 🤯 That doesn’t happen often! Was curious as to how frequently something like that happens. Better than the score dropping between rounds like it has since Lakeside started BOA. Is it common practice to switch around some of the subcaption judges between prelims and finals? My assumption is yes, but want to make sure.
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Post by yayband914 on Oct 14, 2023 21:49:24 GMT -6
Crazy that Lakeside got the same score in prelims AND finals. 🤯 That doesn’t happen often! Was curious as to how frequently something like that happens. Better than the score dropping between rounds like it has since Lakeside started BOA. Is it common practice to switch around some of the subcaption judges between prelims and finals? My assumption is yes, but want to make sure. Yup! Judges that judge effect in one round will often judge one of the performance captions in the other. And/or, judges that judge individual in one round will often judge ensemble in the other.
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Post by coleeich on Oct 14, 2023 22:26:11 GMT -6
Congrats to Wando and all of the other participating bands!
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Post by boahistorybuff on Oct 15, 2023 3:05:15 GMT -6
Congrats to Wando on regional win number 4. Wando has won more regional titles than any other South Carolina band.
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Post by N.E. Brigand on Oct 15, 2023 12:10:14 GMT -6
I appreciate how Catawba is so innovative but still nails it. Uniqueness is so important as we look into the future of marching artsThat's one school of thought, but I think it's a claim that needs more analysis.
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Post by saturdaynightlights on Oct 15, 2023 12:28:21 GMT -6
I appreciate how Catawba is so innovative but still nails it. Uniqueness is so important as we look into the future of marching artsThat's one school of thought, but I think it's a claim that needs more analysis. Why do you feel that way?
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Post by yayband914 on Oct 15, 2023 12:28:45 GMT -6
I appreciate how Catawba is so innovative but still nails it. Uniqueness is so important as we look into the future of marching artsThat's one school of thought, but I think it's a claim that needs more analysis. It’s a quality/trait that only works for the “top 5-10%” of the activity.
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Post by philodemus on Oct 15, 2023 12:38:29 GMT -6
When a formula works in a competitive activity, others will follow it. Over time, things begin to converge and uniqueness disappears…
Then someone hits upon a new formula and are rewarded for standing out.
Others follow the new formula and the cycle begins again.
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Post by N.E. Brigand on Oct 15, 2023 13:01:07 GMT -6
That's one school of thought, but I think it's a claim that needs more analysis. Why do you feel that way? I think some people think "new" necessarily means "improved." That's not necessary the intent of jvp's post. But for those who do think that, it's worth pointing out that there's a contrary view view that says the greatest works of art actually represent the end of a particular path of development rather than the beginning.
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Post by 1970 on Oct 15, 2023 15:55:21 GMT -6
HS Bands are very often influenced by the Drum Corp activity. If DCI continues on the current path it's on we will eventually (sooner than later) see that activity cease to exist... or become something much less influential. The creativity levels could become something different... or not.. but it remains to be seen what is going to become of things.
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Post by 4score on Oct 15, 2023 18:12:52 GMT -6
HS Bands are very often influenced by the Drum Corp activity. If DCI continues on the current path it's on we will eventually (sooner than later) see that activity cease to exist... or become something much less influential. The creativity levels could become something different... or not.. but it remains to be seen what is going to become of things. I often think High School band is more innovative than DCI.
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Post by marimba11 on Oct 15, 2023 19:08:04 GMT -6
Wow!! What crazy weekend! I'm just sitting down in the airport ready to board my flight home and finally able to get my thoughts down, mostly on the top 6. Pardon the spelling.
Wando - I feel like this was maybe the cleanest Wando I've seen this early... maybe ever. The music was just super crisp, and all sounds were really at the highest level. Quite a step up from 2021 in terms of sound production. You could tell from the confidence that the performers were exuding that they were going to win. I counted winds size and they weren't much above 100 or so, but there was no way you could tell for most of the show. They were so clean. Maybe the last 30 seconds wasn't as tight at the rest of the show, but they can clean that super-fast.
I do have to say though that I just couldn't connect with the show. Someone said it felt very Marian and I agree. There were amazing moments and conceptually it was super thought-out, but to me personally the music selections didn't grab me like they have in the past. Their finals performance deserved the 3 point spread IMO.
Catawba Ridge - The best designed show a Fort Mill band has EVER put out. To think 2 years ago nobody even knew who they were is just incredible. I absolutely love the midnight soundtrack so this show was just everything I could ever want. The Sax solo, just amazing! The sound of that first hit was unbelievable considering it was from a 2A band. Brass is super strong considering their size. Staging and emotional effect just worked so well. They're in great shape going into Troy.
Nation Ford - The next 3 I can see why they were scored so close. Nation Ford actually was the biggest shock for me the entire day. Their cleanliness in brass (of course Ray Linkous) and how much they moved was really incredible for what is a mid-size BOA band. The closest thing I can compare it to is honestly like Marcus maybe 2021. Just a super precise show where all the students were just consistently engaged the entire time, they really nailed even the tough parts. Of course, they are no Marcus and are fighting for semis I'd assume at GN, but they are doing better than I expected. I'm actually really glad our SC 4A bands were in line with our 5A bands!
James F. Byrnes - I wish there could be 3-way tie for 3rd. Byrnes is REALLY clean. Perhaps a slightly easier show than last year, but just as entertaining. They play with such precision and never overplay. This show really has legs, and the guard was super believable in their costuming. I sort of wish the wind members felt into it as much as the guard felt integrated into the concept - the wind members seemed rather stoic at times. There are some great sounds coming from this band. I wish their ending was finished! That may have hurt them slightly.
Clover - WOW. I think they are the largest band in SC I heard from a parent. I really didn't know where to place them, amazing sounds and what a cool and current concept. The guard consuming was fantastic. I think when on the move they didn't sound as strong perhaps the bands above them, but full ensemble moments were great. Of course, their world class drumline is amazing. They come so far in the past few years, and I can't wait to see how they do at state. I also wish they would spread that huge band out a bit more, some of the drill and staging wasn't perhaps the best.
Green Level - I LOVE Arrow of the gods so that opener was just amazing. Maybe the least clean of the top half musically, but lots of energy. Guard was really impressive, and staging was really working.
I hope they have this show here again, it was so convenient!
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Post by scbanddad on Oct 16, 2023 7:13:46 GMT -6
Honestly, I'd rather have rain than wind. But that's being pretty selfish as a parent who may or may not have to hold a prop. Can't decide which is the lesser of two evils. Rain = slippery marching surface and damaged electronics. Wind = flying props, and the tuba players and bass drummers get tossed around. Turned out we had crazy wind for prelims and a bit of a spit here and there. By Finals time, it was PERFECT. I tried to help where I could with bands brings sails to the staging area - that wind was not making things easy! Glad they allowed parents to stand at props, even if the sound isn't great at the back of the field. We had a great day and I think it was very well run for a first time host!
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Post by facethefoliage on Oct 16, 2023 8:39:31 GMT -6
Wow!! What crazy weekend! I'm just sitting down in the airport ready to board my flight home and finally able to get my thoughts down, mostly on the top 6. Pardon the spelling. Wando - I feel like this was maybe the cleanest Wando I've seen this early... maybe ever. The music was just super crisp, and all sounds were really at the highest level. Quite a step up from 2021 in terms of sound production. You could tell from the confidence that the performers were exuding that they were going to win. I counted winds size and they weren't much above 100 or so, but there was no way you could tell for most of the show. They were so clean. Maybe the last 30 seconds wasn't as tight at the rest of the show, but they can clean that super-fast. I do have to say though that I just couldn't connect with the show. Someone said it felt very Marian and I agree. There were amazing moments and conceptually it was super thought-out, but to me personally the music selections didn't grab me like they have in the past. Their finals performance deserved the 3 point spread IMO. Catawba Ridge - The best designed show a Fort Mill band has EVER put out. To think 2 years ago nobody even knew who they were is just incredible. I absolutely love the midnight soundtrack so this show was just everything I could ever want. The Sax solo, just amazing! The sound of that first hit was unbelievable considering it was from a 2A band. Brass is super strong considering their size. Staging and emotional effect just worked so well. They're in great shape going into Troy. Nation Ford - The next 3 I can see why they were scored so close. Nation Ford actually was the biggest shock for me the entire day. Their cleanliness in brass (of course Ray Linkous) and how much they moved was really incredible for what is a mid-size BOA band. The closest thing I can compare it to is honestly like Marcus maybe 2021. Just a super precise show where all the students were just consistently engaged the entire time, they really nailed even the tough parts. Of course, they are no Marcus and are fighting for semis I'd assume at GN, but they are doing better than I expected. I'm actually really glad our SC 4A bands were in line with our 5A bands! James F. Byrnes - I wish there could be 3-way tie for 3rd. Byrnes is REALLY clean. Perhaps a slightly easier show than last year, but just as entertaining. They play with such precision and never overplay. This show really has legs, and the guard was super believable in their costuming. I sort of wish the wind members felt into it as much as the guard felt integrated into the concept - the wind members seemed rather stoic at times. There are some great sounds coming from this band. I wish their ending was finished! That may have hurt them slightly. Clover - WOW. I think they are the largest band in SC I heard from a parent. I really didn't know where to place them, amazing sounds and what a cool and current concept. The guard consuming was fantastic. I think when on the move they didn't sound as strong perhaps the bands above them, but full ensemble moments were great. Of course, their world class drumline is amazing. They come so far in the past few years, and I can't wait to see how they do at state. I also wish they would spread that huge band out a bit more, some of the drill and staging wasn't perhaps the best. Green Level - I LOVE Arrow of the gods so that opener was just amazing. Maybe the least clean of the top half musically, but lots of energy. Guard was really impressive, and staging was really working. I hope they have this show here again, it was so convenient! Thanks for a great summary! I had similar thoughts of the groups as you. I wasn't surprised by Wando grabbing the overall victory, but the captions had a few interesting finds (especially in music). Wando rightfully won music, but Catawba Ridge was right there in both prelims and finals. Speaks to the great year-over-year growth from CR as their program has blossomed so nicely. Their sound is maturing quickly, and (as you mentioned) they punch well above their weight in 2A. Their show was so very impressive as well (I thought their GE captions deserved a bit more love). Their overall package was the biggest positive takeaway for me.
I was very encouraged by the fact that the overall growth of the Carolina bands was on full display. The school splits have been tough on the Fort Mill and Cary areas especially, but it looks like they are finding a strong footing. Nation Ford has stepped forward this year. Green Level as well. When you throw in some very strong showings from Clover and Stratford (both were super impressive), include the regular stalwarts of Wando and Byrnes, and this region has become very formidable in a hurry. I was more impressed with the overall field this year vs. last year's Carolina Regional. It's such a great thing for this area, where some smaller schools are struggling to maintain funding and interest in their musical arts departments.
Lastly, kudos to the hosts at Coastal Carolina. Some of the logistics were definitely a little abnormal, but they did a nice job of managing the event within the physical constraints of their layout (especially with a baseball doubleheader going on next door).
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Post by thewho on Oct 16, 2023 8:58:42 GMT -6
Can't decide which is the lesser of two evils. Rain = slippery marching surface and damaged electronics. Wind = flying props, and the tuba players and bass drummers get tossed around. Turned out we had crazy wind for prelims and a bit of a spit here and there. By Finals time, it was PERFECT. I tried to help where I could with bands brings sails to the staging area - that wind was not making things easy! Glad they allowed parents to stand at props, even if the sound isn't great at the back of the field. We had a great day and I think it was very well run for a first time host! All of us at Conway got very lucky with cooperative weather given the initial forecasts (aside from the gusts)! The rain luckily began dying out by the time the first block was performing with the worst around 8:30 or so, before the first band began performing. The gusts were pretty hefty but not as disruptive as most of us were dreading. Finals weather was PERFECT, not too hot nor too cold, just beautiful fall weather. Second of all, on behalf of BOA, thank you for the compliment. All the thanks and kudos should go to Director of Bands Gary Griffin and the students at Coastal Carolina U because it was clear the abundance of volunteers provided was required. The willingness and enthusiasm of the volunteers to make this event happen and successful for everyone was the crucial gear for making this event as every wonderful as it was. We'll see how next year's shakes out, but despite some of the hiccups regarding the field entrances, BOA is definitely feeling encouraged by the response. This is a pretty special location and I could see bands from further away make a special trip to Conway and the beaches. Congrats to Wando! Wando may have been the top pick going into the event, but this was a terrific top 6 along with a strong number of contenders below them. SC bands are climbing that competitive ladder slowly, but steadily every year.
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Post by LeanderMomma on Oct 16, 2023 14:58:22 GMT -6
If there are beaches nearby they need to schedule this one in mid September! 🐬🌊🏖️
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Post by bandjunkie on Oct 17, 2023 12:09:19 GMT -6
Congratulations to Catawba Ridge in placing 2nd and overcoming Covid which seemed to cripple other bands around them apparently. Amazing how 3 schools in same area have exact same circumstances but Catawba Ridge rises to the top. They are poised to win in Troy. I hope they do. Its amazing for a school that was built in 2019. Good to see not shying away from competition is paying great dividends and they are avoiding a toxic culture which shakes confidence in students.
I would really like to see Clover take the next step. I enjoyed their show.
Wondering if Byrnes is taking a step back and if Clover will overtake them at SC 5A competition
Happy to see Stratford do as well as they did. Would love to see more Charleston SC bands do well on BOA stage
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Post by marimba11 on Oct 17, 2023 12:16:32 GMT -6
Congratulations to Catawba Ridge in placing 2nd and overcoming Covid which seemed to cripple other bands around them apparently. Amazing how 3 schools in same area have exact same circumstances but Catawba Ridge rises to the top. They are poised to win in Troy. I hope they do. Its amazing for a school that was built in 2019. Good to see not shying away from competition is paying great dividends and they are avoiding a toxic culture which shakes confidence in students. I would really like to see Clover take the next step. I enjoyed their show. Wondering if Byrnes is taking a step back and if Clover will overtake them at SC 5A competition Happy to see Stratford do as well as they did. Would love to see more Charleston SC bands do well on BOA stage Agreed on CR. Clover will split in 2025 (I believe) so they have one more year to rise. I think Byrnes is really fine, the show honestly seemed slightly unfinished to me. Surprised both panels had them as low as they did in MPI. I thought they had great timing control and tonality.
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Post by marimba11 on Oct 17, 2023 12:24:39 GMT -6
2026 on clover ^
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Post by bandjunkie on Oct 17, 2023 13:04:26 GMT -6
Yes, but I think they should be able to rebound nicely from the split especially with the growth in the area much like Wando did. It was a tossup between 4th & 5th place between them and Byrnes. Byrnes' program has risen and fallen throughout the years winning 7 out of 9 4A SC championships from 94-02. But I am VERY impressed with Catawba Ridge. They made no excuses and created a culture of excellence from the start. They realized that competition sharpened them instead of lesser programs that only chose local competitions that they knew they would win that ended up overinflating the egos of students and parents. Cant wait to see them at Troy!
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Post by oldbandguy on Oct 17, 2023 14:07:03 GMT -6
Congratulations to Catawba Ridge in placing 2nd and overcoming Covid which seemed to cripple other bands around them apparently. Amazing how 3 schools in same area have exact same circumstances but Catawba Ridge rises to the top. They are poised to win in Troy. I hope they do. Its amazing for a school that was built in 2019. Good to see not shying away from competition is paying great dividends and they are avoiding a toxic culture which shakes confidence in students. I would really like to see Clover take the next step. I enjoyed their show. Wondering if Byrnes is taking a step back and if Clover will overtake them at SC 5A competition Happy to see Stratford do as well as they did. Would love to see more Charleston SC bands do well on BOA stage Hello all - new guy here (marched for Byrnes back in the late 80's-early 90's). I've always browsed the boards as a guest but figured why not join the conversations. Regarding that one particular comment (bolded)...Byrnes has a new director of bands this year as Bryan Bone moved to another school in the state, so they are experiencing some transitional challenges. Their show design is super late, and it showed at Conway. They only had one week with the part 4 music and are putting the part 4 drill on the field this week. Byrnes will likely be fine by SC 5A state. I suspect we'll see an improvement even this week in Orlando. There is definitely excitement up at JFB for the program's future though. I thought overall the SC band programs were really great. Catawba was my favorite of the day - I would've never thought The Midnight would be in a show tbh but it works! The most shocking thing to me was the incredible jump from 5th to 3rd by NAFO. I've followed the marching arts for about 35 years now, and that is rare to see when the top 5 bands are pretty darn good. I'm always amazed by Wando's ability to sound like a concert band on the field. I thought the finals placements were fair. The NAFO show didn't seem incredibly different from their prelims run, but I'm not a judge and have no training to say otherwise. I also watched some really great NC bands perform. I was a little surprised with the Apex placement to be honest, but overall it was a great day in Conway. BOA did a fantastic job with it as usual. Eventually I'll learn how to separate my post from the quoted post...
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Post by bandjunkie on Oct 17, 2023 15:20:45 GMT -6
Hello all - new guy here (marched for Byrnes back in the late 80's-early 90's). I've always browsed the boards as a guest but figured why not join the conversations. Regarding that one particular comment (bolded)...Byrnes has a new director of bands this year as Bryan Bone moved to another school in the state, so they are experiencing some transitional challenges. Their show design is super late, and it showed at Conway. They only had one week with the part 4 music and are putting the part 4 drill on the field this week. Byrnes will likely be fine by SC 5A state. I suspect we'll see an improvement even this week in Orlando. There is definitely excitement up at JFB for the program's future though. I thought overall the SC band programs were really great. Catawba was my favorite of the day - I would've never thought The Midnight would be in a show tbh but it works! The most shocking thing to me was the incredible jump from 5th to 3rd by NAFO. I've followed the marching arts for about 35 years now, and that is rare to see when the top 5 bands are pretty darn good. I'm always amazed by Wando's ability to sound like a concert band on the field. I thought the finals placements were fair. The NAFO show didn't seem incredibly different from their prelims run, but I'm not a judge and have no training to say otherwise. I also watched some really great NC bands perform. I was a little surprised with the Apex placement to be honest, but overall it was a great day in Conway. BOA did a fantastic job with it as usual. Eventually I'll learn how to separate my post from the quoted post... Thats a good perspective on Byrnes. I have been a fan of theirs for a long time and I was glad to see the programs revival once again. I thought that they pushed Wando in certain years as of late but Wando is Wando and its hard to overtake not only their talent year to year but their reputation as well. I do hope that Clover and Byrnes push one another and Wando by the time 5A state rolls around. I thought it was a great BOA show at Conway that really showcased SC bands in particular who embraced competition and sharpened one another instead of taking an easy way out of competing at a local contest with no competition just to placate students and parents.
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Post by oldbandguy on Oct 17, 2023 15:41:05 GMT -6
Thats a good perspective on Byrnes. I have been a fan of theirs for a long time and I was glad to see the programs revival once again. I thought that they pushed Wando in certain years as of late but Wando is Wando and its hard to overtake not only their talent year to year but their reputation as well. I do hope that Clover and Byrnes push one another and Wando by the time 5A state rolls around. I thought it was a great BOA show at Conway that really showcased SC bands in particular who embraced competition and sharpened one another instead of taking an easy way out of competing at a local contest with no competition just to placate students and parents. I have two kids that march for JFB now, and they are excited about how this new director is changing their focus from “beat Wando” to “become an excellent program”. I personally don’t like to see them lose to Wando, but I would be lying if I said I didn’t like what they do down in Mt. Pleasant. Wando is a stellar music program and is great for SC. I’m also a huge fan of Clover and would love to see them and JFB do better than ever at state. Last year’s JFB show was statistically the best they’ve ever put on the field and I don’t expect this year to eclipse it. But JFB, Clover, Catawba Ridge, etc are becoming pillars of SC marching arts and should join Wando in that privilege soon enough.
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Post by marimba11 on Oct 17, 2023 22:09:38 GMT -6
Yes, but I think they should be able to rebound nicely from the split especially with the growth in the area much like Wando did. It was a tossup between 4th & 5th place between them and Byrnes. Byrnes' program has risen and fallen throughout the years winning 7 out of 9 4A SC championships from 94-02. But I am VERY impressed with Catawba Ridge. They made no excuses and created a culture of excellence from the start. They realized that competition sharpened them instead of lesser programs that only chose local competitions that they knew they would win that ended up overinflating the egos of students and parents. Cant wait to see them at Troy! Lol, I mean you might as well just say it out loud. I swear Fort Mill is truly the most hated band in the southeast. We even had a judge at an early season competition my sophomore year tell us “the Fort Mill band is overrated,” on the TAPE. That made us feel real good
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Post by marimba11 on Oct 17, 2023 22:16:59 GMT -6
Hello all - new guy here (marched for Byrnes back in the late 80's-early 90's). I've always browsed the boards as a guest but figured why not join the conversations. Regarding that one particular comment (bolded)...Byrnes has a new director of bands this year as Bryan Bone moved to another school in the state, so they are experiencing some transitional challenges. Their show design is super late, and it showed at Conway. They only had one week with the part 4 music and are putting the part 4 drill on the field this week. Byrnes will likely be fine by SC 5A state. I suspect we'll see an improvement even this week in Orlando. There is definitely excitement up at JFB for the program's future though. I thought overall the SC band programs were really great. Catawba was my favorite of the day - I would've never thought The Midnight would be in a show tbh but it works! The most shocking thing to me was the incredible jump from 5th to 3rd by NAFO. I've followed the marching arts for about 35 years now, and that is rare to see when the top 5 bands are pretty darn good. I'm always amazed by Wando's ability to sound like a concert band on the field. I thought the finals placements were fair. The NAFO show didn't seem incredibly different from their prelims run, but I'm not a judge and have no training to say otherwise. I also watched some really great NC bands perform. I was a little surprised with the Apex placement to be honest, but overall it was a great day in Conway. BOA did a fantastic job with it as usual. Eventually I'll learn how to separate my post from the quoted post... I thought Byrnes really sounded lovely and I felt the member had a great grasp on the show. Although the last 30 seconds or so was missing I have no doubt by finals and Orlando they’ll be incredibly strong. You should be proud of your incredible program.
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Post by oldbandguy on Oct 18, 2023 6:33:11 GMT -6
I thought Byrnes really sounded lovely and I felt the member had a great grasp on the show. Although the last 30 seconds or so was missing I have no doubt by finals and Orlando they’ll be incredibly strong. You should be proud of your incredible program. We are very proud. Their nationals placement last year of 14th is far and away their highest ever. It’s a bummer that their momentum took a hit but I think they’ll rebound just fine. This new director seems to have big goals and vision so hopefully we’ll see it come to pass by the time my freshman daughter graduates. For us back in the day it was simply “beat Fort Mill” (which we never did) but now it’s “make the finals at nationals”. It’s lofty but good on them for taking the steps!
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Post by marimba11 on Oct 18, 2023 10:50:46 GMT -6
I thought Byrnes really sounded lovely and I felt the member had a great grasp on the show. Although the last 30 seconds or so was missing I have no doubt by finals and Orlando they’ll be incredibly strong. You should be proud of your incredible program. We are very proud. Their nationals placement last year of 14th is far and away their highest ever. It’s a bummer that their momentum took a hit but I think they’ll rebound just fine. This new director seems to have big goals and vision so hopefully we’ll see it come to pass by the time my freshman daughter graduates. For us back in the day it was simply “beat Fort Mill” (which we never did) but now it’s “make the finals at nationals”. It’s lofty but good on them for taking the steps! Ah yes, how some things change and some things never do!! 🤣I heard that rivarily was also intense late 90s and early 2000s. I do think Bryan Bone did SO much to revive the program after their previous director
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Post by ncscbandfan on Oct 18, 2023 11:15:09 GMT -6
Had a chance to catch this show, sadly my only regional of the year that I will be able to see . Some thoughts to share out into the universe: 1. Wando - playing that well just isn't fair! No matter what the rest of the show may lack or have, that wind section was incredibly impressive which is no shock. What was a shock to me is how far their percussion were behind their winds. I think this may have led to them losing Music GE in prelims to Catawba. Also the color guard in this program is SO MUCH BETTER than years before. That hornline with a great guard is going to be a tough combo to beat. 2. Speaking of Catawba Ridge, WOW! Unreal that this program was a totally unknown 2 years ago. Whatever they have put in the water over there is working. The show was by far my favorite of the day, paced well, engaging and friendly to he audience at every level no matter how casual the fan. I'm so excited to see this program keep pushing closer to the elites in the southeast, and even becoming one in their own right. 3. Welcome back NaFo and hello Clover! I thought both had a strong showing in finals. NaFo so clean musically and visually, I do wish the show gave me a bit more but maybe by Grand Nats it will. Clover, huge sound really engaging visually, they just need to keep cleaning and they will be a threat for a silver at SC 5A. 4. Byrnes - a director change and a delayed show production seems to have slowed them down this weekend, but they will be ready to go for 5A in November, no doubt about it! 5. Interesting to see Green Level, who most agree along with Cleveland are the best bands in NC, this low at this regional with how they were beating everyone the past couple of weeks. I hope to see the Cary bands keep getting better after covid, school splits and director changes. 6. With this regional being a bit light after the top 6 it was great getting to see some of the mid-tier SC bands that usually wouldn't make a regional final get a chance to have a second performance. Special shout out to the band at Northwestern HS who hasn't made a regional final in over 20 years, and to Travlers Rest HS who overcame an incredibly long day to have a great finals performance. As for the site itself I heard complaints about the incredibly long walks from bus parking to warm up areas, but the venue itself sounds great albeit a bit windy!
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