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Post by hewhowaits on Nov 5, 2021 4:47:03 GMT -6
San Antonio is here. This thread is for discussion of preliminaries over the next two days.
Friday, November 5 8:15 a.m. – Box Office Opens 8:30 a.m. – Stadium Gates Open
9:30 a.m. – New Braunfels H.S., TX 9:45 a.m. – Hargrave H.S., TX 10:00 a.m. – Pecos H.S., TX 10:15 a.m. – Byron P. Steele II H.S., TX
10:30 a.m. – BREAK
10:45 a.m. – Legacy of Educational Excellence H.S., TX 11:00 a.m. – Smithson Valley H.S., TX 11:15 a.m. – W. Charles Akins H.S., TX 11:30 a.m. – Earl Warren H.S., TX 11:45 a.m. – Hutto H.S., TX 12:00 p.m. – James Madison H.S., TX 12:15 p.m. – Weiss H.S., TX 12:30 p.m. – Cuero H.S., TX 12:45 p.m. – Robert E. Hendrickson H.S., TX
1:00 p.m. – BREAK
1:30 p.m. – Waller H.S., TX 1:45 p.m. – Lake Travis H.S., TX 2:00 p.m. – Rouse H.S., TX 2:15 p.m. – Westlake H.S., TX 2:30 p.m. – Round Rock H.S., TX 2:45 p.m. – Mission Veterans Memorial H.S., TX 3:00 p.m. – Tom Glenn H.S., TX 3:15 p.m. – William H. Taft H.S., TX 3:30 p.m. – John B. Connally H.S., TX 3:45 p.m. – Crockett H.S., TX 4:00 p.m. – Pflugerville H.S., TX 4:15 p.m. – Cedar Ridge H.S., TX
4:30 p.m. – BREAK
4:45 p.m. – Johnson H.S., TX 5:00 p.m. – Veterans Memorial H.S., TX 5:15 p.m. – Keller Central H.S., TX 5:30 p.m. – Cedar Park H.S., TX 5:45 p.m. – McNeil H.S., TX 6:00 p.m. – Winston Churchill H.S., TX 6:15 p.m. – Jack C. Hays H.S., TX 6:30 p.m. – The Ann Richards School, TX 6:45 p.m. – Westwood H.S., TX 7:00 p.m. – Churchill Fulshear H.S., TX 7:15 p.m. – Vandegrift H.S., TX
7:30 p.m. – BREAK
7:45 p.m. – Leander H.S., TX 8:00 p.m. – James Bowie H.S., TX 8:15 p.m. – Timber Creek H.S., TX 8:30 p.m. – Jourdanton H.S., TX 8:45 p.m. – Coppell H.S., TX 9:00 p.m. – Hidalgo Early College H.S., TX 9:15 p.m. – Douglas MacArthur H.S., TX 9:30 p.m. – Keller H.S., TX 9:45 p.m. – Claudia Taylor Johnson H.S., TX 10:00 p.m. – The Woodlands H.S., TX 10:15 p.m. – William J. Brennan H.S., TX
10:30 p.m. – Friday Competition Concludes
Saturday, November 6
6:45 a.m. – Box Office Opens 7:00 a.m. – Stadium Gates Open
7:30 a.m. – Sandra Day O’Connor H.S., TX 7:45 a.m. – Azle H.S., TX 8:00 a.m. – Sachse H.S., TX 8:15 a.m. – James E. Taylor H.S., TX 8:30 a.m. – Clear Creek H.S., TX 8:45 a.m. – Vista Ridge H.S., TX 9:00 a.m. – Seven Lakes H.S., TX 9:15 a.m. – Pearland H.S., TX
9:30 a.m. – BREAK
10:00 a.m. – John B. Alexander H.S., TX 10:15 a.m. – Dawson H.S., TX 10:30 a.m. – Brazoswood H.S., TX 10:45 a.m. – Oak Ridge H.S., TX 11:00 a.m. – College Park H.S., TX 11:15 a.m. – United H.S., TX 11:30 a.m. – Friendswood H.S., TX 11:45 a.m. – Hebron H.S., TX 12:00 p.m. – Cypress Woods H.S., TX
12:15 p.m. – EXHIBITION: Diboll H.S., TX 12:30 p.m. – BREAK
1:00 p.m. – Wylie H.S., TX 1:15 p.m. – Granbury H.S., TX 1:30 p.m. – Pioneer H.S., TX 1:45 p.m. – Marcus H.S., TX 2:00 p.m. – Wylie East H.S., TX 2:15 p.m. – Klein Oak H.S., TX 2:30 p.m. – Waxahachie H.S., TX 2:45 p.m. – Ronald Reagan H.S., TX
3:00 p.m. – Preliminary Competition Ends EXHIBITION: Missouri State University 3:15 p.m. – Presentation of Awards
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Post by hewhowaits on Nov 5, 2021 4:53:50 GMT -6
Panel 1 New Braunfels Hargrave Pecos Byron P. Steele Waller Lake Travis Rouse Westlake Round Rock Veterans Memorial (Mission) Tom Glenn William H Taft John B. Connally Crockett Pflugerville Cedar Ridge Leander James Bowie Timber Creek Jourdanton Coppell Hidalgo Early College Douglas MacArthur Keller Claudia Taylor Johnson The Woodlands William J. Brennan John B. Alexander Dawson Brazoswood Oak Ridge College Park United Friendswood Hebron Cypress Woods
Panel 2 Legacy of Educational Excellence Smithson Valley W. Charles Akins Earl Warren Hutto James Madison Weiss Cuero Robert E. Hendrickson Johnson (Buda) Veterans Memorial (Judson) Keller Central Cedar Park McNeil Winston Churchill Jack C. Hays The Ann Richards School Westwood Churchill Fulshear Vandegrift Sandra Day O'Connor Azle Sachse James E. Taylor Clear Creek Vista Ridge Seven Lakes Pearland Wylie Granbury Pioneer Marcus Wylie East Klein Oak Ronald Reagan Waxahachie
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Post by hewhowaits on Nov 5, 2021 5:07:08 GMT -6
Adjudicators. Specific caption assignments will be distributed on-site at band check-in.
Music - Tim Allshouse, George Boulden, Dave Carbone, Don Hill, Jay Kennedy, Matt McCready, Stephen Meyer, John Phillips Visual - Ken Giese, Michael Gray, John Howell, Bruce Jones, Greg Llacer, Adam Sage Chief Judge - Richard Saucedo
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Post by es203 on Nov 5, 2021 6:50:00 GMT -6
Are there predraws for finals slots here?
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Post by Allohak on Nov 5, 2021 7:00:55 GMT -6
Are there predraws for finals slots here? Yes, each band will make their draw at check-in
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Post by Allohak on Nov 5, 2021 7:04:02 GMT -6
Note several changes from the schedule as posted even from earlier this week:
Cedar Ridge moves from 5:00p Fri to 4:15p Fri (changing panels) Johnson and Veterans Memorial shift back 15 minutes each (4:30p and 4:45p become 4:45p and 5:00p, respectively)
Sandra Day O'Connor is not a drop, they now go on first on Sat Roma is a drop Wylie shifts from 9:45a Sat to 1:00p Sat (Roma's original spot)
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Post by Allohak on Nov 5, 2021 7:40:34 GMT -6
Anyone in the Alamodome today, LeanderMomma and I are in 112 right by the Director Viewing Area
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Post by Jake W. on Nov 5, 2021 8:40:06 GMT -6
Anyone in the Alamodome today, LeanderMomma and I are in 112 right by the Director Viewing Area Wish I could be there in person : ( Box5 shall have to suffice for this year.
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Post by Jake W. on Nov 5, 2021 8:46:56 GMT -6
WOW New Braunfels, what a way to start this contest!! I honestly wasn't expecting that performance. I remember their 2019 performance as safe, covered, and quite a mid-tier "Texas" show design (aka execution-focused and nothing particularly risky or new). I even remember being quite surprised upon viewing 2019 SA Prelims results that they had broken the top 40. WOW what a change in design and performance focus! This was passionate and electric. A fresh, current show that honestly was really unique and offered up great continuity. Where did their guard come from?? They don't have any WGI presence to my knowledge, but they've clearly got some great people working with the program! Musically, maybe a few moments of blend sacrificed at the alter of passion, but said passionate playing was greatly welcomed in my opinion. Especially those brash & brassy trombones in the closer. Hot hot hot. What a terrific performance from New Braunfels!! And a stunningly energetic way to start off this contest.
Last year they topped 80 in Prelims; I see no reason why that electric performance can't accomplish the same feat and lay down a nice gauntlet for Panel #1.
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Post by tubafish on Nov 5, 2021 8:53:22 GMT -6
Anyone in the Alamodome today, LeanderMomma and I are in 112 right by the Director Viewing Area I'm here section 112 top row on the 50 wearing a barbecue shirt
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Post by Jake W. on Nov 5, 2021 8:55:21 GMT -6
Speaking of innovative shows, does anyone know if a Texas band has ever played Pictures at an Exhibition before? And gone with a pictures at an exhibition theme to go with the music?
; )
Congrats on your first BOA appearance, Hargrave! Always fun to watch a new band.
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Post by Jake W. on Nov 5, 2021 9:33:54 GMT -6
Steele was nice too! Neat concept with the gothic robes and great music from Bach to Orff. Lovely low reeds and double reeds throughout!
That was actually quite the solid first four bands in terms of establishing some number anchors and ranges for panel 1. I’d expect Hargrave to land in the high 50s, Pecos in the low 60s, Steele in the high 60s, NB high 70s/low 80s. Should create some clear, open ranges to start off panel 1. On to L.E.E. and panel 2!
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Post by Jake W. on Nov 5, 2021 10:46:31 GMT -6
Similar to New Braunfels, Smithson Valley had such an energetic performance of a well-crafted, engaging show! I loved it. Much improved from when I first watched them in 2019. Really nice stuff happening there.
L.E.E., Akins, & Warren were all lovely as well! Always fun to watch the non-big names in the well-known districts and find that music education is clearly healthy across the board in these big districts. I've got all three in the low 70s, or dipping barely into the high 60s if panel 2 starts conservatively.
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Post by marimba11 on Nov 5, 2021 10:56:05 GMT -6
Panel 1New Braunfels Hargrave Pecos Byron P. Steele Waller Lake Travis Rouse Westlake Round Rock Veterans Memorial (Mission) Tom Glenn William H Taft John B. Connally Crockett Pflugerville Cedar Ridge Leander James Bowie Timber Creek Jourdanton Coppell Hidalgo Early College Douglas MacArthur Keller Claudia Taylor Johnson The Woodlands William J. Brennan John B. Alexander Dawson Brazoswood Oak Ridge College Park United Friendswood Hebron Cypress Woods Panel 2Legacy of Educational Excellence Smithson Valley W. Charles Akins Earl Warren Hutto James Madison Weiss Cuero Robert E. Hendrickson Johnson (Buda) Veterans Memorial (Judson) Keller Central Cedar Park McNeil Winston Churchill Jack C. Hays The Ann Richards School Westwood Churchill Fulshear Vandegrift Sandra Day O'Connor Azle Sachse James E. Taylor Clear Creek Vista Ridge Seven Lakes Pearland Wylie Granbury Pioneer Marcus Wylie East Klein Oak Ronald Reagan Waxahachie Thank you
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Post by Jake W. on Nov 5, 2021 11:14:53 GMT -6
Hutto was really nice! I had never heard of this school before and they were a pleasant surprise. Looks like they placed in the middle of Area D, not close to Finals but solidly above James Madison, L.E.E., Stony Point, etc. Excellent music arrangements of common tunes in unique ways.
Anyone know what happened with James Madison? New directors, or maybe hit hard with Covid? They were on the rise the last few seasons! Seem to have taken a big step back both in numbers & quality.
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Post by Jake W. on Nov 5, 2021 12:08:35 GMT -6
Weiss & Hendrickson were both great!!
Weiss actually didn't blow me away like they did in the past few seasons, maybe because they have established such high expectations for themselves and aren't a blank slate anymore, but they were still an unbelievably solid group. Between Golden Goddess and Age of Opulence, they have really established themselves as a Texas band that knows how to detail out a theme from top to bottom, and I really appreciate that. Excellent color palette, fabulous music book (Sia's Chandelier bookending the show is just great). High brass seemed to have a few balance issues, and I didn't really get the deep, rich full ensemble sound I love from Weiss, but overall, a great performance that I enjoyed immensely.
Maybe it is truly all about perceptions & expectations, because Hendrickson really did impress me after their 2019 stumble. They are a band that is nowhere near ready to give up their hard-earned status among the Texas elites. I think the field will be too deep for a Finals berth tomorrow, but they should be in the mix of things. They could absolutely place in AAA at the other Super Regionals, but when you have Leander, Cedar Park, and a surging Rouse in your class...there just ain't room. Still, Hendrickson has much to be proud of this season, growing from not making Finals at Austin to top 5 at Waco and top 10 at State, and an intense, high-energy performance today. They seem to be a scrappy band that is intent on moving back up the ranks, and I love it! Electric performance from them today.
Both Weiss & Hendrickson laid down a thick line for all Panel 2 bands to pass, and while a large number will mark and exceed that line, the precedence has certainly been set.
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Post by Jake W. on Nov 5, 2021 12:41:24 GMT -6
Waller with an unexpectedly nice arrangement of Eva Cassidy's Over the Rainbow made for a beautiful closer for their show! Marian is the only other band I'm aware of who has put her music on the field.
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Post by srv1084 on Nov 5, 2021 12:56:52 GMT -6
Lake Travis was pretty damn good, certainly the top band so far today (in my opinion). Need to keep an eye on these guys in the coming years.
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Post by es203 on Nov 5, 2021 12:58:34 GMT -6
Didn't catch the beginning of the show so I'm not quite sure what it was about, but Lake Travis was great. They just get better every year. They marched super well and there were some really technical musical passages handled well by the performers. I could see them top 20 for sure
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Post by Jake W. on Nov 5, 2021 13:03:52 GMT -6
Lake Travis was pretty damn good, certainly the top band so far today (in my opinion). Need to keep an eye on these guys in the coming years. I agree, but I don't see them getting to the next level until they break out of their usual "eh" show style. Everything they do is very wonderful and pleasant and well-executed, but none of their designs ever tend to stick out in the swath of incredible Texas bands, many of whom are figuring out how put some really smart & memorable productions on the field.
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Post by trumpette123 on Nov 5, 2021 13:07:30 GMT -6
That trio into the ballad hit for rouse 🤯
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Post by es203 on Nov 5, 2021 13:10:13 GMT -6
Rouse is unbelievable. It's almost unfair for a band of probably 150 performers to sound that good. The oboe/flute/alto sax trio in the ballad was stunning, really the entire show was stunning. I haven't been able to see this show at all this year but I see where the hype is coming from.
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Post by Jake W. on Nov 5, 2021 13:13:08 GMT -6
ROUSE!! That is by far the best they've ever been. That Elgar ballad is MUSICAL!! So many little rises and falls and the flutes leading into the hit...wow. So lovely. The low brass to start off the Bruckner closer!! Their brass is incredible, so many top notch releases and clean attacks with a wonderfully balanced sound. And what a great show design full of nuance and detail in its conception. I'm all on board with what Rouse is doing this year!
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Post by Jake W. on Nov 5, 2021 13:14:43 GMT -6
Rouse is unbelievable. It's almost unfair for a band of probably 150 performers to sound that good. Yes!! Rouse truly, truly belies their size with both their sound & visual design. I really didn't realize I was watching such a (relatively) small band. They are masterful this year at look and sounding twice their size.
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Post by srv1084 on Nov 5, 2021 13:14:48 GMT -6
Controlled, delicate, and elegant. Three words that came to mind watching Rouse. Not an in-your-face Texas brass performance, and it was smart not to go that route given their size. In some ways even more difficult to come across with such a controlled sound given how easy it is to have individual members exposed. With that said, they did manage to sneak in some moments where they let it rip and sounded like a band much larger than their size. Also a very well written visual program, cutting off a portion of the field to allow more focus on a smaller unit without feeling like it was cutting off too much of the performance area.
I mentioned in another post that even though they were doing well this season I was worried a band their size would be overshadowed by the huge quantity of larger, talented bands attending. Not concerned any longer. That show is in, and not just in the bottom spots.
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Post by marchingmaniac on Nov 5, 2021 13:14:57 GMT -6
Fantastic show by Rouse. I'll echo what a lot of us have said already in that the ballad is beautiful with those soloists. A good chance we just saw our first finalist.
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Post by srv1084 on Nov 5, 2021 13:17:38 GMT -6
Rouse is unbelievable. It's almost unfair for a band of probably 150 performers to sound that good. The oboe/flute/alto sax trio in the ballad was stunning, really the entire show was stunning. I haven't been able to see this show at all this year but I see where the hype is coming from. 120ish! I was super curious and decided to get a rough count in. I saw ~76 winds, ~25 percussion, ~20 guard. Still can't believe how good they sound with that size.
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Post by marchingmaniac on Nov 5, 2021 13:17:49 GMT -6
Yikes, Westlake is having tech issues right now. A couple minutes into their time and they have yet to start.
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Post by es203 on Nov 5, 2021 13:18:34 GMT -6
Westlake with some electronics issues?
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Post by lostchoirguy on Nov 5, 2021 13:19:16 GMT -6
That's got to be so tough for those Westlake students just sitting and waiting to begin.
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