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Post by ilikeguard on Oct 14, 2022 20:10:25 GMT -6
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Post by salvation on Oct 14, 2022 20:11:40 GMT -6
Lake Travis was and will be the best playing band of the day.
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Post by Pie on Oct 14, 2022 20:28:24 GMT -6
Lake Travis was and will be the best playing band of the day. Lake Travis played incredibly cleanly and with a very impressive volume, but I personally preferred Blue Springs and O'Fallon's show design overall. Its gonna be exciting seeing how it all shapes out!
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Post by bigtrombone on Oct 14, 2022 20:39:52 GMT -6
I think we can add Hernando to the finals bubble. Great Performance!
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Post by clarinet75o1 on Oct 14, 2022 20:40:51 GMT -6
I personally loved Millard West! For it being their first BOA competition (I’m pretty sure) they performed so well!
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Post by srv1084 on Oct 14, 2022 21:01:07 GMT -6
A few thoughts on the handful of bands I managed to catch today:
Blue Springs - We all thought we knew Blue Springs and out they come with the Uno Reverse card. I’m living for this show at the moment. The pacing is unconventional, but it all seems to work for me. If that’s the end of their show I’m perfectly happy with it. Also a bit surprising to see a band that has historically been great from a marching perspective adopt more of a “staging” and body movement heavy style of a visual program. I ain’t mad about it. Nothing about this felt like a conventional marching band show to me and I loved that about their show.
Hernando - I see these folks in finals, ahead of several others we’ve been establishing as the bubble. They play with a lot of power and clarity for having only 70 winds. Speaking of which, am I the only one that finds it strange to see a band of this size have nearly 30 alternates on the sideline?
Southmoore - I could see this going either way for them with enough reason to justify both being in or out. They need a bit more time to ripen, but the bones are there for a program that could do some great things in the future.
O’Fallon - I was hoping they’d come out so strong that they would leave no doubt about making GN finals, but I just don’t see them quite there. Top half here at STL, still a lot of work to do. As a small peeve, I wish they would tune their snares tighter, especially for an indoor venue.
Lake Travis - As others have said: Lake Travis.
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Post by ilikeguard on Oct 14, 2022 21:24:08 GMT -6
Hernando - I see these folks in finals, ahead of several others we’ve been establishing as the bubble. They play with a lot of power and clarity for having only 70 winds. Speaking of which, am I the only one that finds it strange to see a band of this size have nearly 30 alternates on the sideline? I’m almost certain that they brought their middle school band to assist with props. They weren’t in uniform and most were pretty small kids. We have some different perspectives on the performance (and that’s fine). It felt very one-note to me and the GE was lacking. I enjoyed it, but I certainly wouldn’t put it over Southmoore when the latter is playing at such a high level.
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Post by ilikeguard on Oct 14, 2022 21:25:41 GMT -6
I liked how Blue Springs looked, but not how they played. I loved how Lake Travis played, but they weren’t phenomenal visually. If Broken Arrow weren’t here to sweep all the captions I’d be very interested in seeing how the captions split 🤔
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Post by theangrybavarian on Oct 14, 2022 21:47:20 GMT -6
My Block 3 Rankings Blue Springs Lake Travis Blue Springs South Hernando Millard West Edwardsville Rockwood Summit Oakville Lafayette Sullivan Mascoutah Herscher
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Post by bigtrombone on Oct 14, 2022 22:03:01 GMT -6
Honestly, looking back through last years regional scores, I'm a bit surprised that I as well as others kind of overlooked Hernando. I had forgotten that they beat Harrison and came very close to beating James F. Byrnes last year at Jacksonville.
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Post by nomorehoney on Oct 14, 2022 22:14:59 GMT -6
Bands that stood out to me tonight:
- Hernando: definitely think they're in the conversation for finals, I was really impressed by their performance considering their size
- Lake Travis: sounded incredible. relatively slow show but I enjoyed it a lot
- Blue Springs: I'm not sure what else I can say that hasn't already been said. their staging is incredible. I thought the ending was slightly underwhelming but overall I enjoyed the show a lot.
- O'Fallon: I'm biased
- Millard West: they performed well, definitely in the conversation for finals as well
- Edward S. Ville: I thought they had a pretty strong showing, especially considering their placement at the EIU competition a few weeks back. maybe top 20?
- Southmoore: looking forward to seeing them again tomorrow night. very solid
- Blue Springs South: solid performance, solid design, I hope to see them again.
- FZN: I enjoyed the uniform gimmick. I could see them being top 20
I arrived after Normal performed, so I unfortunately wasn't able to catch some of the bands that performed earlier than 5:00 today. Overall, I saw lots of great performances tonight. I look forward to seeing how it all shakes out tomorrow.
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Post by lostchoirguy on Oct 14, 2022 22:56:42 GMT -6
I put Hernando in 14th in my predictions on txbands so I definitely didn't overlook them. Though I accidentally forgot about Grain Valley, so I would probably have put them as first out.
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Post by Jake W. on Oct 14, 2022 23:53:16 GMT -6
I too am in the minority that enjoyed Blue Springs - yes, an oddly-paced show, but it worked. Almost like a monolith that's streamlined into seeing the whole rather than clear segments. I'm ok with that. I wouldn't want to watch an entire contest with shows in the same style, but it's a really mature, sleek, new design for them. I have a hard time seeing anyone touching them for the silver medal.
O'Fallon's got a nice show! I think it's a nice growth step up for them as well. They're figuring out what successful designs beyond the tarp look like, and I think this is exponentially better than their 2021 offering. I see no reason why it can't clean up to GN Finalist bubble levels.
Millard West & BSS were both sleek and enjoyable. For sure not rewriting or innovating the marching band paradigm, but solid shows and good groups from top to bottom. That's an enjoyable thing to see.
I don't know if, for me personally, Southmoore or Yukon felt quuuuuite there, yet. Doesn't mean they won't make Finals, I could easily see both in, but both were dirtier than I expected and neither seems to have the design or performance chutzpah to meet the national stage just yet (although I know Southmoore has been dabbling in it for a good decade +). But both are lovely groups and I hope to see them continue to grow. Both remind me of the path that Sioux Falls Lincoln, both (OH) Lakotas, James Madison, even Jenks took - all groups that were rising or already solid in their local circuits, leapt into BOA, and took a few seasons to figure out how to play on the big stage, but managed to do so. The building blocks are clearly present with both programs, and I look forward to their continued growth and (hopeful) continued BOA participation. I see both groups on the bubble for tomorrow, at least at the end of today.
Hernando was a very pleasant surprise. I echo others - I don't know why I overlooked their noticeable 2021 results when looking through the Prelims list here. They are a great unit. I'd like to see them grab a Finals spot.
Lake Travis was Lake Travis. They play so well! I don't know if I can name a single show of theirs' beyond the junk/found items one a few seasons back. I'd like to see them perform something more interesting one of these years, but they are indeed a really well-playing group. Curious to see if performance captions can land them in the back half of Finals (and if so, then well-deserved).
Lindbergh & Timberland were also nice surprises early on. FZN & Rockwood didn't quite meet my preconceived notions of them (although I knew Rockwood hasn't been up to their early-2010s levels recently).
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Post by coleeich on Oct 15, 2022 7:09:44 GMT -6
Great sounds coming from LD Bell this morning!
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Post by bigtrombone on Oct 15, 2022 7:11:31 GMT -6
L.D. Bell is the reason I didn't drink coffee this morning. Man, their sound woke me up!
That being said, I think Lake Travis sounded a bit more refined than them but I see no reason why this show wouldn't be in the top half of finals. I also really loved the oboe soloist.
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Post by ilikeguard on Oct 15, 2022 7:25:58 GMT -6
A very Vento show from Bentonville West. They look fantastic! Though I feel like I’m watching Blue Springs South and it’s a little confusing. If it were up to me, we’d see them both in finals, but it’ll be tight.
There’s another band playing Mozart and Moonlight Sonata that I’m kind of glad isn’t here today. That would be awkward 😬
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Post by yayband914 on Oct 15, 2022 7:28:48 GMT -6
There’s another band playing Mozart and Moonlight Sonata that I’m kind of glad isn’t here today. That would be awkward 😬 You’re KIDDING me. Multiple bands playing Mozart and Moonlight Sonata?! I am absolutely crestfallen, this is first I’ve heard of it! 😂 At the very least, it seems people are starting to get the hint about pieces like Fly to Paradise. Cause everyone plays the same rendition of it, more or less. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve even heard it once yet this season, at least at BOA.
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Post by ilikeguard on Oct 15, 2022 7:30:32 GMT -6
So Washington has Wes now? This is textbook
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Post by ilikeguard on Oct 15, 2022 7:37:29 GMT -6
So Washington has Wes now? This is textbook Yeah so um
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Post by bigtrombone on Oct 15, 2022 7:44:03 GMT -6
Washington was a very nice surprise. Seemed pretty stock Cartwright.
I don't think they'll be in finals, but I wouldn't be shocked with a Top 20 finish. If they can grow their numbers in the next few years, Missouri Bands could have a new force to reckon with.
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Post by redteam1114 on Oct 15, 2022 7:47:13 GMT -6
Wow, talk about setting the mood! That's probably the most "sinister" sounding rendition of Clair de Lune I've heard that LW just had in their pre-show.
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Post by ilikeguard on Oct 15, 2022 7:54:12 GMT -6
Washington was a very nice surprise. Seemed pretty stock Cartwright. I don't think they'll be in finals, but I wouldn't be shocked with a Top 20 finish. If they can grow their numbers in the next few years, Missouri Bands could have a new force to reckon with. I say it every year, but if there were ever a time to have a state contest for Missouri, now would be the year. We aren’t just the home of Blue Springs anymore. I’m thoroughly impressed with the competitive scene that has grown in the Show Me State over the last few years.
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Post by bigtrombone on Oct 15, 2022 7:55:29 GMT -6
Great performance from Lakota West. Don't think it'll push into the top half but we should see them again tonight.
It's going to depend on what panel they draw at Grand Nationals, but I can definitely see this show in Semifinals.
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Post by northbanddad on Oct 15, 2022 7:57:08 GMT -6
Lakota West looking much better than last month in Ohio. Hard to say if they are a lock for GN semis already, but they look and sound good.
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Post by ilikeguard on Oct 15, 2022 8:02:50 GMT -6
Who said the competition here was thin? Not me
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Post by coleeich on Oct 15, 2022 8:04:29 GMT -6
Who said the competition here was thin? Not me So many bands stepping up their game this year!
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Post by ilikeguard on Oct 15, 2022 8:11:21 GMT -6
Guys it’s time
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Post by bigtrombone on Oct 15, 2022 8:23:54 GMT -6
Lincoln
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Post by northbanddad on Oct 15, 2022 8:24:25 GMT -6
Whoa Lincoln! That was a great run.
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Post by redteam1114 on Oct 15, 2022 8:32:13 GMT -6
Lovely little touch with the Star item music from Mario Kart from Berryhill!
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