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Post by Jake W. on Nov 6, 2021 13:38:20 GMT -6
Speaking of musicality, that sax solo from Waxahachie just now was insanely good. Yes, tons of notes, and I love that, but the ending was so sensitive & tender in its timing. Excellent writing, excellent playing!
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Post by Jake W. on Nov 6, 2021 13:40:02 GMT -6
Waxahachie was just lovely!! Even if the group doesn't quite get the results they're after today, PLEASE keep coming to BOA SA!! This super regional is better with your attendance! What a great group.
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Post by srv1084 on Nov 6, 2021 13:40:52 GMT -6
I haven't seen much of Waxahachie before, but they're really solid. Anybody know who writes for them?
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Post by ohbandie48 on Nov 6, 2021 13:42:04 GMT -6
Ballad was definitely the best part from Waxahachie. Their color guard was looking pretty good as well, and they obviously can play. I think they are a bit weaker than I remember, could still be adjusting from COVID year.
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Post by marchingmaniac on Nov 6, 2021 13:42:34 GMT -6
Really good performance by Waxahachie! The ballad is fantastic and absolutely the highlight of the show for me. The visual program was a bit rough but the band sounds incredible. Definitely feels more like a UIL-oriented show to me so I'm interested to see how they will do at state.
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Post by vidal28rdg on Nov 6, 2021 13:45:40 GMT -6
Enjoyed seeing a lot of the DFW bands just performing now, but I feel there’s 2 of our big hitters missing, i wonder who those are😦 LD Bell and FloMo are missed for sure
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Post by asaiah on Nov 6, 2021 13:46:34 GMT -6
I haven't seen much of Waxahachie before, but they're really solid. Anybody know who writes for them? Ryan George, I think.
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Post by ohbandie48 on Nov 6, 2021 13:47:24 GMT -6
Reagan's show really seems to come alive in this stadium for some reason, even just from the opener it's immediately noticeable.
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Post by ohbandie48 on Nov 6, 2021 13:55:13 GMT -6
Yikes, pretty sure this was not a good run for Reagan. Lapse from soloist, visual performance was weaker than I expected from Reagan, and several music ensemble moments not sounding so great.
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Post by vidal28rdg on Nov 6, 2021 13:57:17 GMT -6
Yikes, pretty sure this was not a good run for Reagan. Lapse from soloist, visual performance was weaker than I expected from Reagan, and several music ensemble moments not sounding so great. This may be a bottom half finals run for Reagan yeahhh…
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Post by marchingmaniac on Nov 6, 2021 13:57:24 GMT -6
I have to admit while I think Reagan's show this year is a bit too familiar, I still enjoy it very much. They've always had a strong visual program and I think they executed it quite well. All the same though, I think this was a rough run for them. There were noticeable tears musically and the band didn't really seem to gel until the ballad. Ultimately I'd have to say they're behind the likes of Vandegrift, CTJ, the Woodlands, and Hebron, but I still very much like this show.
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Post by marimba11 on Nov 6, 2021 13:57:26 GMT -6
Yikes, pretty sure this was not a good run for Reagan. Lapse from soloist, visual performance was weaker than I expected from Reagan, and several music ensemble moments not sounding so great. There were some moments that were really nice… others where I thought they sounded weaker than usual- especially bigger impacts
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Post by br0ken.cable on Nov 6, 2021 13:58:18 GMT -6
Honestly wasn’t wow-ed by RR. It seems like they’re playing it really safe and I just feel like they could do so much more with such an interesting show concept. I also don’t think they had a good run cause there were definitely a few things that sounded out of character for them.
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Post by srv1084 on Nov 6, 2021 13:58:34 GMT -6
That really seemed like a poor run for Reagan ... something not quite clicking for them. However, there are few others who can create ambience like Reagan. What a fantastic show design, and major kudos to the sound designer. That could have easily been heavy-handed but it was so perfect. Some great visual moments, as well, and that backfield brass moment in the ballad was very memorable. If everything clicks at finals they could really challenge folks in the top half, but right now I have them kind of in the middle of the pack.
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Post by Jake W. on Nov 6, 2021 14:00:18 GMT -6
Ok, Reagan. Of course they cleaned up well. Those super extended double tonguing phrases in the opener are insanely good. Definitely some high brass blend issues otherwise which is fairly uncharacteristic for Reagan.
Overall, I feel like it's Secret World & Loop 2.0, and not nearly as engaging as either one. The pacing in particular is really similar to Secret World, but doesn't quite pull it off the way Secret World did. I wish they were bringing a stronger production to Nats, but there will be more strong Reagan years in the future!
I wasn't able to catch Hebron today, but with a notably absent FloMo and some Covid rough edges still from most everyone, I really think it's difficult to call a clear winner heading into Finals. I would even bet that we see some solid mix ups, and names landing where they aren't expected to (either above or below).
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Post by ohbandie48 on Nov 6, 2021 14:02:18 GMT -6
My personal rankings separated by tiers from Prelims (bands in parentheses I did not watch, but are educated guesses):
TOP 7 Claudia Taylor Johnson Vandegrift Hebron
(Vista Ridge) Ronald Reagan The Woodlands Marcus ---------- BOTTOM 7 Keller Cedar Park (Coppell) Leander (Rouse)
Cedar Ridge Westwood ---------- Round Rock James Bowie
Pearland
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Post by marimba11 on Nov 6, 2021 14:02:31 GMT -6
I think Hebron won prelims
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Post by vidal28rdg on Nov 6, 2021 14:09:34 GMT -6
I think Hebron won prelims Bands that had very good runs today, ones that felt like they went off without a hitch, are definitely gonna get rewarded, Hebron, CTJ, Vandegrift, Rouse(top half spot at SA potentially👀) Marcus, the Woodlands all look really good heading into finals!
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Post by lostchoirguy on Nov 6, 2021 14:14:57 GMT -6
Enjoyed seeing a lot of the DFW bands just performing now, but I feel there’s 2 of our big hitters missing, i wonder who those are😦 LD Bell and FloMo are missed for sure Actually quite a few tip DFW area bands aren't here. Some of that because they don't usually do BOA or the super regional, but others are a bit of an enigma. On top of Flower Mound and Bell you've got Prosper, Southlake Carroll, Haltom, Wakeland, Forney, Lone Star, Summit, Highland Park, Collectible Heritage, Lake Ridge, Duncanville, Mansfield, Allen... I could go on for a while. Usually at least 4-5 of these groups come to this contest
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Post by vidal28rdg on Nov 6, 2021 14:17:21 GMT -6
Enjoyed seeing a lot of the DFW bands just performing now, but I feel there’s 2 of our big hitters missing, i wonder who those are😦 LD Bell and FloMo are missed for sure Actually quite a few tip DFW area bands aren't here. Some of that because they don't usually do BOA or the super regional, but others are a bit of an enigma. On top of Flower Mound and Bell you've got Prosper, Southlake Carroll, Haltom, Wakeland, Forney, Lone Star, Summit, Highland Park, Collectible Heritage, Lake Ridge, Duncanville, Mansfield, Allen... I could go on for a while. Usually at least 4-5 of these groups come to this contest Too many to mention!! Immediately after I posted i wanted to mention SLC and Prosper. And you could still name 10+ more notable bands too
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Post by Jake W. on Nov 6, 2021 14:19:19 GMT -6
I think your locks are CTJ, TW, Marcus, Vista, Vandy, Reagan, & Hebron. I’m not necessarily saying that will be your top 7, and I could see any number of those groups getting knocked down to the bottom half, but it’s difficult to imagine any of those 7 not making it in.
There are so many groups that made a great case for finals otherwise. I truly wouldn’t be a bit surprised to hear any combination of Leander, Cedar Park, Cedar Ridge, Rouse, Bowie, Round Rock, Pearland, Coppell, Cypress Woods, Westlake, Westwood, Timber Creek, Keller, Wylie, or Klein Oak announced, or any combination of those groups not announced. I know it seems crazy to think of a Finals without or with some of those groups, but all were fairly equaled in performance stature, and it’s sort of where we’re at this season. A huge number of excellent groups are going to be left out this evening.
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Post by marchingmaniac on Nov 6, 2021 14:20:54 GMT -6
My attempt at predicting finalists (in no order):
Claudia Taylor Johnson Vandegrift The Woodlands Cedar Park Cedar Ridge Hebron Rouse Marcus Vista Ridge Ronald Reagan Coppell Keller James Bowie Leander
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Post by vidal28rdg on Nov 6, 2021 14:21:09 GMT -6
I think your locks are CTJ, TW, Marcus, Vista, Vandy, Reagan, & Hebron. I’m not necessarily saying that will be your top 7, and I could see any number of those groups getting knocked down to the bottom half, but it’s difficult to imagine any of those 7 not making it in. There are so many groups that made a great case for finals otherwise. I truly wouldn’t be a bit surprised to hear any combination of Leander, Cedar Park, Cedar Ridge, Rouse, Bowie, Round Rock, Pearland, Coppell, Cypress Woods, Westlake, Westwood, Timber Creek, Keller, Wylie, or Klein Oak announced, or any combination of those groups not announced. I know it seems crazy to think of a Finals without or with some of those groups, but all were fairly equaled in performance stature, and it’s sort of where we’re at this season. A huge number of excellent groups are going to be left out this evening. As is typically the case, but yes, so many wonderful programs vying for only 14 spots always makes it tough!
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Post by srv1084 on Nov 6, 2021 14:24:05 GMT -6
Can't wait to see how wrong I am:
1) Hebron 2) Claudia Taylor Johnson 3) Vandegrift
4) Marcus 5) The Woodlands
6) Ronald Reagan 7) Vista Ridge 8) Cedar Park
9) Rouse 10) Coppell 11) Leander 12) James Bowie 13) Johnson 14) Cedar Ridge ---------------- 15) Cypress Woods 16) Keller 17) Round Rock 18) Pearland
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Post by ohbandie48 on Nov 6, 2021 14:24:49 GMT -6
My attempt at predicting finalists (in no order): Claudia Taylor Johnson Vandegrift The Woodlands Cedar Park Cedar Ridge Hebron Rouse Marcus Vista Ridge Ronald Reagan Coppell Keller James Bowie Leander Ah i forgot about Coppell and also missed their performance, but I would expect them as a finalist as well.
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Post by dallasmavericks on Nov 6, 2021 14:29:37 GMT -6
After prelims finalists predictions:
1. The Woodlands 2. Claudia Taylor Johnson 3. Vandegrift 4. Vista Ridge 5. Hebron 6. Ronald Reagan 7. Cedar Park 8. Marcus 9. Cedar Ridge 10. Round Rock 11. Rouse 12. Leander 13. Coppell 14. Keller
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Post by br0ken.cable on Nov 6, 2021 14:44:16 GMT -6
Finals should be really interesting. It’s gonna be a tight competition.
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Post by marchingmaniac on Nov 6, 2021 14:44:51 GMT -6
AAAA caption placements went about as expected for me, which is a first.
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Post by yayband914 on Nov 6, 2021 14:44:53 GMT -6
How many times are we going to see prelims awards posted? 👀
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Post by cinnamonpromenade on Nov 6, 2021 14:46:14 GMT -6
I only got to see the final two blocks of yesterday and the last block today, but here were groups with shows I'd rewatch if only for entertainment value and/or for design ideas:
JOHNSON (BUDA) - I watched this one with audio muted (I was at work, lol) and LOVED what I saw. I can see why this won the Midland regional! Great visual design that felt very fresh and not at all overwrought.
JACK C. HAYS - A genuinely inspired production. Wow, what a special season these kids must have had. I am grateful to have seen this show.
CHURCHILL FULSHEAR - What a mature show to offer an ensemble that’s still growing into themselves. The kids were set up for success thanks to smart choices. The visual design felt more like a work of art than a mere marching band show.
VANDEGRIFT - I LOVE this show because I could FEEL the kids’ investment in the show, even from the high-cam. They made me believe in what they were performing. Bravo to the visual staff for leveraging their students’ musicality to their advantage—those kids moved so musically!!!
LEANDER - BRILLIANT “small band” visual design. Nuance in the drill textures and choreography generates intrigue without demanding 100% physical exertion 100% of the time. Regardless of how this places, this may be my favorite Leander ever!
JAMES BOWIE - Of all the shows I watched in prelims, I most want to rewatch this one. WOW, what a bold show!! It takes a lot of chutzpah to do a show this abstract, and I think they nailed it. A show like this only works if your kids can perform it. I commend the adults in the room for not only knowing HOW to translate this to their kids, but to make their kids CARE enough to commit to it. Truly, this show is ahead of its time. I am flabbergasted. Bravo to these kids!!!!
The Woodlands - Yes, yes, and yes. Everything about this was so fun and so damn impressive. I REALLY want to know the story behind this colorguard and the strategy devised to get them to do what they’re doing. WOW!!!
PIONEER - Here’s a great example of how to stylize a box show to fit YOUR band. Nothing was particularly innovative—and yet, all the design choices fit the ensemble like a glove. There was great variety in visual and sonic textures throughout. Young directors and designers, take a look at this show to see what it looks like to set up a smaller group up for success!
MARCUS - The planning, the craft of the ballad visually… Just absolute genius. So tasteful, so subtle, so effective!
WAXAHACHIE - Really well-detailed visually. The band and the show felt alive and inspired the whole time. I love the style of show Waxahachie has gone for these past few seasons. It’s great branding, and yet not so limiting that they’re pigeonholed into any one kind of show. Always fresh and exciting from them!
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