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Post by supersound on Feb 27, 2022 19:14:49 GMT -6
Which shows are the most difficult performed by HS groups ? I’ve had this question on my mind for a while and i thought it could spark conversation in the off season
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Post by Subito Fortissimo on Feb 27, 2022 20:23:28 GMT -6
A lot of Tarpon Springs' shows spring to mind for me. Particularly from the 2000's when they were still considerably smaller than the typical GN finalist band. Not only were the shows very difficult musically and visually, but with the smaller ensemble size the level of individual responsibility was higher too. The smaller the band the easier it is to see and hear mistakes.
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Post by Jake W. on Feb 28, 2022 0:20:05 GMT -6
Always such a good question. There are so many different types of demand and difficulty that can be placed onto musicians, and then amplified when it's high school kids executing those musical demands while moving around on a football field. Lots of impressive stuff has been pulled off over the years. We've all seen plenty of difficult shows or moments at all levels of BOA competition, but there are only a few that stand out in my mind as being nearly impossible to replicate by almost any other band in the country besides the one performing at that moment, and sometimes even unable to be replicated by a different group or year from the same band program. I've been compiling a list of these over the years and have always thought about starting a "most difficult music books in BOA history" thread in the history area...maybe I'll get around to it if anyone's interested.
In terms of different types of demand, I really see them all pretty equally, just different. Yes, flying fingers and double tonguing are the most dazzling types of demand, but difficulty isn't just technical prowess. Exposure in the music book is one of my favorites. Pulling off long, sustained phrases is another favorite of mine. Rubato tempos and moments of true musical freedom naturally don't exist much in an activity where group movement is tied to a pulse, but there have been a minuscule number of groups that have pulled off such moments, and to me, that is the absolute pinnacle of musical demand on a football field. Length of shows is another area of demand that isn't discussed much; some of Marian's late 90s shows were 10 straight minutes of music from the winds, and maintaining tone, focus, blend, and dynamic control through such a sustained period (all while on the move) is a tall order for even the most well-trained groups. Multimeter or mixed meter music is another difficulty aspect that isn't put on the field much and is executed well even less often; many bands in the country can march impressively to a steady pulse, but it's another thing entirely to clean a group marching a piece with a pause step (for example, Avon marching Slava in 2012 in 7/8 time, or a short-short-long marching pattern). Despite its importance in concert band playing, dynamic contrast is still something that's rarely heard on the marching field beyond the ubiquitous forte-piano on, or right before, an impact. Groups from 30 years ago up through groups today all really just play with instrument layering when a softer or louder section is needed --- it is truly the mark of a high end group to demonstrate delicate skills and contrasts with dynamics as a full ensemble. Back to tempo, rapid changes are often cited when discussing difficult music books, and rightly so. It's not a fun thing to teach. Another difficult tempo aspect is sustaining a fast tempo (180+) for an entire movement. Sure, everyone does it near the end of the show when the adrenaline is going to be present anyway, but sustaining a 3 minute opener at a laser-beamed 210 bpm, for example, is nearly impossible for almost any group random across the country --- minuscule delays between sets and musical phrases at such a high speed usually settles the breakneck tempo to a lower bpm where the group can control it more comfortably.
I've got the top examples of each of these (in my mind, anyway) filed away. That makes for a long post, though, or series of posts. Sometimes just as interesting to me are the groups who attempted high degrees of demand and didn't quuuuuite pull it off --- I always, always respect a director who is willing to field some high demand stuff with their kids, whether they achieve it entirely or not.
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Post by boahistorybuff on Feb 28, 2022 7:16:27 GMT -6
I've been compiling a list of these over the years and have always thought about starting a "most difficult music books in BOA history" thread in the history area...maybe I'll get around to it if anyone's interested. I'm Interested! |
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Post by es203 on Feb 28, 2022 9:40:55 GMT -6
I've been compiling a list of these over the years and have always thought about starting a "most difficult music books in BOA history" thread in the history area...maybe I'll get around to it if anyone's interested. I'm Interested! I have a feeling a certain Texas band from Carrollton might be on there a few times. |
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Post by boahistorybuff on Feb 28, 2022 12:10:31 GMT -6
Competitive band programs have increased the difficulty of their music programs in a near-steady fashion for decades. What was considered difficult 40 years ago; not so much today. And what the top level bands do today would not even be considered 40 years ago.
A few examples of bands that took the musical difficulty up a notch from back in the day, who I feel helped propel other bands to increase their difficulty in future seasons;
In the 1970s; Live Oak HS, CA and Largo HS, FL (non BOA Competitor)
In the early-mid 1980s; Rocky Mount HS, NC
In the late 1980s/early 1990s; Marian Catholic HS, IL; Lake Park HS, IL, Westfield HS, TX and Spring HS, TX
I would actually say Marian Catholic had impressive difficulty throughout the 1990s and 2000s, seriously there are some Marian shows from that era that I still consider among the most difficult of all time.
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Post by cp823 on Feb 28, 2022 14:03:39 GMT -6
A few Texas shows from the recent past that came to mind for me:
Hebron 2013 (World of Wonder)
Leander 2014 (Color Study)
The Woodlands 2016 (On the Waterfront)
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Post by marimba11 on Feb 28, 2022 14:30:37 GMT -6
I think Tarpon 2013-2016 difficulty probably meets the top of the list in my opinion. Varying levels of achievement but some insane drill with fast music and integrated body.
Hebron 2018 comes to mind. As well as 360. Can't leave out this past year either.
Mason 2016 is another with incredible achievement.
Of course just about every Avon show too, I'd have to give the cake to 2013 though. If statuesque was cleaner they probably could have won.
Also DB 2019. Yes very much a show to teach and challenge the band instead of score big GE points, but man what a beast. Not sure i've ever seen a band start right off marching backwards like that.
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