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Post by trumpet2006 on Jul 21, 2024 9:07:19 GMT -6
How do you think the 2024 ISSMA season will play out? Will Avon, Evansville North, Edgewood, and Forest Park successfully defend their title? Or will another group take the win?
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Post by indyguy8362 on Jul 21, 2024 12:07:53 GMT -6
i only really know about class A so i’m only going to talk about them. i think overall nothing crazy is going to happen in comparison to 2023. If you told me i had to predict something crazy it would be the 3rd place band beating the 2nd place band in a caption.
obviously: 1-2 Avon, Carmel
(this gap is shrinking imo)
locks: 3-5 Brownsburg, Castle, Fishers
this just feels right: 6 Homestead
75% locks: 7-9 Carrol, Center Grove, Goshen
10 is a blood bath. Noblesville, Lawrence, Westfield, Penn, Franklin Central, and Hamilton Southeastern- any of them could make it and i’d be excited to watch them maybe jump into 7-9.
regardless of who makes it and where, state is getting better and better every year. i just hope no one gets a dumb penalty leaving them out.
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Post by sheperd135188 on Jul 21, 2024 12:25:11 GMT -6
I think class A is going to have the obvious top 5, but the rest is gonna be a shake up. All of the class A bands have really been improving and I think its going to be a fight this year. I am hoping for someone unexpected to make it, but we will see.
For class B, there was a clear top 4 last year in EV North, Greenwood, Northview, and Jasper. I would be happy to see any of them win. However if I had to choose one, I would choose Jasper. I really like the direction they are going in for their shows, so I think they are a contender. Of course everyone is going to have a chance here.
As for class C, I don't know much, but I really want Western to win. Edgewood has had some great years, but I think Western has been doing great as well.
And finally for D, I think that we are going to have to wait and see. These smaller bands always vary in show quality, so it will be based on how well they perform. However I'm hoping Jimtown performs well because I would love to hear them announced as class D state champions.
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Post by thewho on Jul 21, 2024 13:38:49 GMT -6
Disclaimer: This isn't meant to be a comprehensive view into Class A at all, just off the top of my head here. It got waaay longer than I expected so I'll try to getting around to the other classes if I have time. Avon and Carmel are on absolutely steam rollers right now at the top. Carmel is a bit of an interesting case right now, as Andy Cook will be retired after this season and had a bit of a shake-up in the staff. Nothing major at all, though, that I think would knock Carmel off at all. Fishers had quite a bit of a setback this past season and I'm hearing they've been relatively stable, so I'm hoping we'll get something on par of 2022 because they'll need their A-games again this year. Brownsburg's Paulson will have his first year with a student class that'll be familiar with this teaching style- it'll take another year before Paulson's effect is fully on display methinks, but I'm curious if Brownsburg could see a big jump in music scores for this year. Castle is indeed looking for the redemption season after missing out on state (quite cruelly, I must say). I am quite curious at what Castle will putting on for this year, as the last two years have not been conceptually on par with the strong 2021 show. Hopefully, they've been banking on something powerful for this season because while not precarious, there's a lot more bands looking to get into GN Finals on par with Castle this season. I'm super, super, super excited for the Homestead/Carroll/Goshen northern contingent this year: - Carroll got the validation that their program is headed in the right direction with the best show they've had in their history. This year is a bit of retooling with not returning to Grand Nationals, unfortunately, but I really don't see this program slowing down at all yet with the momentum of this past year. The main goal this year should be to compete through a full GN's worth of a season and finish much more strongly, which I think the unique timing of this year's state finals will allow them to do as a test run. It's a big ask, but if Carroll can finish somewhere in the vicinity of Fishers/Brownsburg, that's a massive step up for the program (we'll say within 1.5 points, just not far enough behind they'd be clearly tiered below).
- While up and down last year, Goshen looked experienced and steady with an apparently fresh class of students entirely. Goshen with this group going into GN with the right show (which I'm sure Goshen 90% has been saving specifically for) will be an absolutely lethal dark horse- maybe getting into the high teens?
- Homestead has to be looking at the big cash cow this time around-GN Finals. A much more smoother-than-expected transition to Cain has given credence to the that idea, especially given Homestead outright outperformed out of their next 8 slot into the top 22 safely. If the show is there, Homestead would solidly be in the conversation for Finals. All of this will come down to how well Cain and the design group gels together... and honestly, given how well last year went, I don't really have any massive concerns. Based solely off of last year's trajectory, I'm much more bullish on Homestead being up with Fishers and Brownsburg than the other two with the right show.
And the massive pool of bands: - Center Grove being out of semis was so disappointing (yet again...), so they're very obviously ramping up to get their names back in the conversation. Last year was the best show since the 2017/2018 years for the staging style they've gone for. I'm quite curious how Center Grove is going to handle this group of kids and whether the show will be strong enough to push them past semis- I think Center Grove is capable of more beyond what we saw in 2023, but again, dependent on how strong the group of kids are.
- Noblesville is going to dazzle so many people at GN this season! It's really hard to make an argument a program that has rapidly improved in a short amount of time, have a guard on precipice of WGI SW class, and the clear talent the band has. At this point, it's all on the show to pull everything together because Noblesville can 100% do far more than 2023.
- I'm hoping Westfield can climb the ranks further up until A. It's still such a young program doing so much that I get the impression the program is still experimenting with their formula. We'll see if Westfield can catch Campbell County or Prospect at Obetz. Indy Super finals a bit of too much to ask for right now, but if Westfield can solidly put themselves very close to finals (i.e. 14-16), that's already a huge step forward.
- Penn caught my eye last year with a much stronger season they've had in the past. The show wasn't quite as strong as it needed to be for state finals, but I was wholly encouraged by the steps the design took in being a more modern show. I'm keeping an eye on them on dock for state this year.
- On the heels of their band director retirement, Floyd Central is shaping up for a GN trip this year. FC has always been a relatively patient program, steadily improving overall before finally breaking through in 2021. They haven't quite figured out their way back yet, but I'm hoping this trip means FC is ready to swing for the fences after hitting singles for years in A.
Franklin Central and Hamilton Southeastern are on the upswing, but may need another year or so to cook in the oven. Who knows, though? I can see both climbing, but it would also need a top-notch show which I can't say in full confidence they are capable of yet (I'd like mention in more detail but I don't have too much to comment on at the moment unfortunately). There's also a lot of terrific Class A bands looking for that breakthrough- Ben Davis, Columbus, Decatur Central, Whiteland, Elkhart, and Perry Meridian. Columbus is the big one I'm keeping my eye on in particular- the program is still ways off of making a big splash but I think the program is positioned better than the rest to make that next jump up. |
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Post by trumpet2006 on Jul 21, 2024 13:39:40 GMT -6
We don’t know much about shows but it’s gonna be a thrilling season to watch
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Post by trumpet2006 on Jul 21, 2024 13:50:33 GMT -6
Class B is without a doubt the most competitive class before Covid happened in 2020 the state champion would almost always place in the top 3 the previous year now we are in the post covid era you are seeing any band winning state or getting 2nd 2023 Evansville North won state and Greenwood got 2nd when the year before North got 5th and Greenwood got 4th like in 2022 Jasper won and Northview got 2nd despite Jasper getting 5th in 2021 and Northview getting 6th Greenwood North Jasper and Northview are clear front runners for the 2024 title but Concord and Greenfield Central cannot be ruled out
It is obvious for Class D C A who are the front runners but class b will once again be a bloodbath
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Post by 70sguardchick on Jul 21, 2024 14:54:59 GMT -6
Disclaimer: This isn't meant to be a comprehensive view into Class A at all, just off the top of my head here. It got waaay longer than I expected so I'll try to getting around to the other classes if I have time. Avon and Carmel are on absolutely steam rollers right now at the top. Carmel is a bit of an interesting case right now, as Andy Cook will be retired after this season and had a bit of a shake-up in the staff. Nothing major at all, though, that I think would knock Carmel off at all. Fishers had quite a bit of a setback this past season and I'm hearing they've been relatively stable, so I'm hoping we'll get something on par of 2022 because they'll need their A-games again this year. Brownsburg's Paulson will have his first year with a student class that'll be familiar with this teaching style- it'll take another year before Paulson's effect is fully on display methinks, but I'm curious if Brownsburg could see a big jump in music scores for this year.. Paulson is no longer at Brownsburg - the new Associate Director at Brownsburg is Ed Roush from Hamilton Southeastern. |
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Post by thewho on Jul 21, 2024 15:04:41 GMT -6
Disclaimer: This isn't meant to be a comprehensive view into Class A at all, just off the top of my head here. It got waaay longer than I expected so I'll try to getting around to the other classes if I have time. Avon and Carmel are on absolutely steam rollers right now at the top. Carmel is a bit of an interesting case right now, as Andy Cook will be retired after this season and had a bit of a shake-up in the staff. Nothing major at all, though, that I think would knock Carmel off at all. Fishers had quite a bit of a setback this past season and I'm hearing they've been relatively stable, so I'm hoping we'll get something on par of 2022 because they'll need their A-games again this year. Brownsburg's Paulson will have his first year with a student class that'll be familiar with this teaching style- it'll take another year before Paulson's effect is fully on display methinks, but I'm curious if Brownsburg could see a big jump in music scores for this year.. Paulson is no longer at Brownsburg - the new Associate Director at Brownsburg is Ed Roush from Hamilton Southeastern. Oh! I was totally unaware of Paulson leaving. Thanks for the correction! |
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Post by 70sguardchick on Jul 21, 2024 15:44:16 GMT -6
Paulson is no longer at Brownsburg - the new Associate Director at Brownsburg is Ed Roush from Hamilton Southeastern. Oh! I was totally unaware of Paulson leaving. Thanks for the correction! Just happened! I don’t know much about Roush yet, so would be interested to hear any thoughts… |
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Post by sheperd135188 on Jul 21, 2024 16:22:25 GMT -6
My question this year is which class B bands will be in the bubble for state. We obviously have the top 4 and then pretty consistent state appearances from Concord and Greenfield Central. Last year, the bubble qualifiers were Bloomington North, North Side, F.J. Reitz, and Munster. However, I can see a few more bands that have the possibility to make it. I really thought Pendleton Heights would make it last year, so it is definitely possible for them. Some others include Plainfield, Evansville Harrison (with Forest Park's previous director taking over), and maybe some other schools like New Palestine or Northridge. I would love to talk more about this if anyone else wants to as well. Overall, pretty excited to see how this season will turn out.
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Post by paddy on Jul 25, 2024 8:02:52 GMT -6
We obviously have the top 4 Oh sweet summer child... |
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Post by sheperd135188 on Jul 25, 2024 19:16:17 GMT -6
We obviously have the top 4 Oh sweet summer child... Ok, this top 4 may vary but there was a clear split by 3 points last year. If I were to make it 5, I would add GFC. I feel they were slightly robbed last year. |
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Post by paddy on Jul 25, 2024 20:18:55 GMT -6
Ok, this top 4 may vary but there was a clear split by 3 points last year. If I were to make it 5, I would add GFC. I feel they were slightly robbed last year. Bless your heart. |
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Post by sheperd135188 on Jul 26, 2024 6:35:17 GMT -6
Ok, this top 4 may vary but there was a clear split by 3 points last year. If I were to make it 5, I would add GFC. I feel they were slightly robbed last year. Bless your heart. You are being very confusing I'm not sure I understand what you are talking about? |
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Post by hewhowaits on Jul 26, 2024 7:06:26 GMT -6
You are being very confusing I'm not sure I understand what you are talking about? I'm sure paddy can add more context should the desire to do so exist, but at the very least leaving Concord out of the discussion of top Class B bands is seriously undervaluing that band's history. |
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Post by sheperd135188 on Jul 26, 2024 18:13:59 GMT -6
I previously said that Concord has made many state appearances performing well, so I don't understand why they felt the need to respond like that?
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