Also, we can talk about how fun that show is and how committed the group is all day long, but when did Mustang get so GOOD?! Their brass has a laser focused sound that was clean and so startlingly clear. And that GUARD! Really, I haven’t noticed any WGI activity or movement up on their part, what the hell happened?!
I’m loving these Oklahoma bands and their meteoric rises up the ranks. I remember Mustang had attended GN & STL a few times, nothing ever came of it though. 2018 I watched them in GN Prelims. They had clearly brought Wes Cartwright on and I thought these guys are gonna finally make Semis, and they did! Deservedly so. Then the dinosaurs in 2019 and now, I absolutely have them up there with Blue Springs, O’Fallon, & Coppell. They can unquestionably finish in the teens at GN, and we all might need to have some talks about majorly shifting their expected GN finish. I could see this program really developing far in the next month.
Also, we can talk about how fun that show is and how committed the group is all day long, but when did Mustang get so GOOD?! Their brass has a laser focused sound that was clean and so startlingly clear. And that GUARD! Really, I haven’t noticed any WGI activity or movement up on their part, what the hell happened?!
Surprisingly a lot of Wes guards stay away from WGI. I have a couple of theories why: The style of instruction places a large emphasis on performance and audience connection, but very little on technique (I had to relearn the basics in college). They’re always huge and always intense, but not particularly clean, especially in more technical aspects. Many of them also take the time that could be spent on winter to prepare the fall show. IIRC the only reason Camdenton attends WGI at all is to get exposure because MCCGA sheets are far more forgiving. I’d love to see a BA or Mustang winter guard make a strong competitive debut, but I don’t think it’s likely.
Former Cammie and Tiger. Probably cheering for a Missouri band. MIZ!
As a classically trained performer since I was 6 (that's over 40 years ago) I wish I had the exquisite ear that you have. My conducting mentor (Bob Page) is probably looking at your post from the nether wishing he had your ear. The top Texas bands have a unique and incredible sound that isn't replicated anywhere else at this time. But, you probably know best.
First of all, that is certainly not a power ranking - it is merely a list of bands with outstanding musical ability to refute a previous poster's comment that "only 3 other bands can compare to Texas" (paraphrase).
To your "unique and incredible sound" for Texas, I say that it is not unique if nearly everyone is doing the same thing (i.e. "Texas Loud").
I was watching a video of the incredible Flower Mound 2021 show last night (side note - it has a fantastic design). What struck me was the crescendos. These were not executed by the ensemble starting at a level of 1 and increasing through 2, 3, 4, and 5. It was accomplished by having the high woodwinds at a 5, adding low reeds at a 5, adding low brass at a 5, adding middle brass at a 5, and finally adding the trumpets at (you guessed it) a 5. Oh, by the way, they were all standing still at this point, refuting the concept of "simultaneous visual demand" raised by another poster.
(Crescendo example aside, FloMo is the best show I've seen so far this year.)
Well I think there’s something to be said about how Texas bands have been diversifying their musical color palate. I think many frequent Texas band observers would agree that it’s easy to distinguish each band from the other just from how they sound ‘cause it really, really isn’t the same “Texas LOUD” it’s all bleh sound that some people think it is. Hebron is easily distinguishable from Flower Mound as they are from Marcus this year. Vandegrift is a completely different sound than The Woodlands, CTJ is different from Reagan. I could go on, but I guess my main point would be is that Texas is probably the best at making their music be the personality and the heart of their shows more than even the visual designs sometimes. And I personally don’t mind that at all. Being around it for so long it’s been kind to me haha
Also, we can talk about how fun that show is and how committed the group is all day long, but when did Mustang get so GOOD?! Their brass has a laser focused sound that was clean and so startlingly clear. And that GUARD! Really, I haven’t noticed any WGI activity or movement up on their part, what the hell happened?!
Surprisingly a lot of Wes guards stay away from WGI. I have a couple of theories why: The style of instruction places a large emphasis on performance and audience connection, but very little on technique (I had to relearn the basics in college). They’re always huge and always intense, but not particularly clean, especially in more technical aspects. Many of them also take the time that could be spent on winter to prepare the fall show. IIRC the only reason Camdenton attends WGI at all is to get exposure because MCCGA sheets are far more forgiving. I’d love to see a BA or Mustang winter guard make a strong competitive debut, but I don’t think it’s likely.
Yeah I think you are spot on here with that assessment!
It’s the absolute commitment from the performers coupled with the complete ridiculousness that sends me.
I feel like it’s that way for a lot of bands with this same designer, tbh
And who is that? I know Colton Hines does the music and sound design but who does their visual design and/or programming?
Last Edit: Oct 23, 2021 9:50:26 GMT -6 by yayband914
*ATTENDANCE LISTS ARE ON THE FIRST PAGE OF EVERY COMPETITION THREAD, EXCEPT GRAND NATIONALS, WHICH IS AT THE TOP OF THE MOST RECENT PAGE IN THAT THREAD.*
The BOA attendance lists that the HornRank community helps to compile are unofficial, and any bands designated as “confirmed” should be taken with a grain of salt until the official lineups are released by Music for All.
And who is that? I know Colton Hines does the music and sound design but who does their visual design and/or programming?
Wes Cartwright.
Oh, I didn’t know that was a Wes production, too. Didn’t scream his name to me for some reason.
*ATTENDANCE LISTS ARE ON THE FIRST PAGE OF EVERY COMPETITION THREAD, EXCEPT GRAND NATIONALS, WHICH IS AT THE TOP OF THE MOST RECENT PAGE IN THAT THREAD.*
The BOA attendance lists that the HornRank community helps to compile are unofficial, and any bands designated as “confirmed” should be taken with a grain of salt until the official lineups are released by Music for All.
1. Broken Arrow 2. Blue Springs 3. O’Fallon Township 4. Prosper 5. Bentonville 6. Coppell 7. Rosemount 8. Bixby 9. Mustang 10. Camdento 11. Union 12. Southlake Caroll 13. Grain Valley 14. Lincoln
Interesting that you have Coppell that low, based on what I've seen of them so far I'm under the impression that they're safely in the top 5, and more likely top 3.
Post by yayband914 on Oct 23, 2021 10:07:24 GMT -6
I think we will be seeing James Martin again tonight despite their electronics problems. Hey, at least one of the feedback wails matched pitch!
Last Edit: Oct 23, 2021 10:09:53 GMT -6 by yayband914
*ATTENDANCE LISTS ARE ON THE FIRST PAGE OF EVERY COMPETITION THREAD, EXCEPT GRAND NATIONALS, WHICH IS AT THE TOP OF THE MOST RECENT PAGE IN THAT THREAD.*
The BOA attendance lists that the HornRank community helps to compile are unofficial, and any bands designated as “confirmed” should be taken with a grain of salt until the official lineups are released by Music for All.
Post by vidal28rdg on Oct 23, 2021 10:12:12 GMT -6
Those electronics issues from what I’ve seen haven’t reared their ugly head for Martin until now I just hope that despite that, they get another opportunity in finals🙏
Post by yayband914 on Oct 23, 2021 10:19:05 GMT -6
Bentonville’s clarinet solo, holy crap!!!
*ATTENDANCE LISTS ARE ON THE FIRST PAGE OF EVERY COMPETITION THREAD, EXCEPT GRAND NATIONALS, WHICH IS AT THE TOP OF THE MOST RECENT PAGE IN THAT THREAD.*
The BOA attendance lists that the HornRank community helps to compile are unofficial, and any bands designated as “confirmed” should be taken with a grain of salt until the official lineups are released by Music for All.
I would love to see James Martin again tonight as well! This is actually quite the stacked STL line up. It’ll be tough for them to catapult over enough groups to make it in, but certainly not impossible.
Bentonville design is incredible. Visual and GE scores are going to be great for them. Music ensemble scores might hold them back as they had some intonation issues today, but what a great show! Solidly in finals I think.
My favorite part of this regional (other than Texas pissing and moaning, natch) is that the logo and wordmark of the former St. Louis XFL team is still on the field.
You mean to tell me that St. Louis couldn't have replaced that in the previous almost 20 months that the XFL has ceased to exist? 🙄🤦♂️
Wow!! I expected bentonville to be fantastic, and boy did they deliver. They are having an incredible season!! They are finally back to the trajectory I expected them to be on after their amazing 2015 break out season, but then the school split.
I think there’s very little question they will be in the top half tonight, and I could see Bentonville easily trading some captions with the aforementioned Coppell-BS-OFT-Mustang group.
Really loving what Bentonville is being to the table this year.
My favorite part of this regional (other than Texas pissing and moaning, natch) is that the logo and wordmark of the former St. Louis XFL team is still on the field.
You mean to tell me that St. Louis couldn't have replaced that in the previous almost 20 months that the XFL has ceased to exist? 🙄🤦♂️
Fayetteville sounded and looked great! They will be in the giant group of bubble bands with BSS, Union, Bentonville West, FZN, and James Martin, who all seemed to perform at similar levels.
If Fayetteville makes it in tonight, would this be their first BOA regional or super regional finals appearance?
My favorite part of this regional (other than Texas pissing and moaning, natch) is that the logo and wordmark of the former St. Louis XFL team is still on the field.
You mean to tell me that St. Louis couldn't have replaced that in the previous almost 20 months that the XFL has ceased to exist? 🙄🤦♂️
It is… so embarrassing for the facility lol
The thing that immediately struck my eye, just got me thinking how much upkeep is being done on the stadium now since it’s unoccupied 😦
Fayetteville sounded and looked great! They will be in the giant group of bubble bands with BSS, Union, Bentonville West, FZN, and James Martin, who all seemed to perform at similar levels.
If Fayetteville makes it in tonight, would this be their first BOA regional or super regional finals appearance?
No, they’ve made Powder Springs finals once or twice.
Last Edit: Oct 23, 2021 10:45:47 GMT -6 by yayband914
*ATTENDANCE LISTS ARE ON THE FIRST PAGE OF EVERY COMPETITION THREAD, EXCEPT GRAND NATIONALS, WHICH IS AT THE TOP OF THE MOST RECENT PAGE IN THAT THREAD.*
The BOA attendance lists that the HornRank community helps to compile are unofficial, and any bands designated as “confirmed” should be taken with a grain of salt until the official lineups are released by Music for All.
Post by ilikeguard on Oct 23, 2021 10:57:03 GMT -6
Bixby’s show design is genius. That is one of the most stunning shows I have seen that hits all three captions so perfectly in a long time. I’m speechless.
Former Cammie and Tiger. Probably cheering for a Missouri band. MIZ!
Bixby’s show design is genius. That is one of the most stunning shows I have seen that hits all three captions so perfectly in a long time. I’m speechless.
I loved the ending they put on with the inverted crescent from their opening hit. Beautiful show!
Last Edit: Oct 23, 2021 11:04:31 GMT -6 by coleeich