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Post by Marching Observer on Oct 22, 2022 15:13:23 GMT -6
We need to give music for all to josh marchingobserver I see what you did there Still writing up some of my quick thoughts! Lot to process really.
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Post by srv1084 on Oct 22, 2022 15:16:29 GMT -6
I think there were a number of really great performances in prelims (most of Indiana Class B killed it this weekend) but this is the nature of the game. There are only so many finals spots. Really want to echo this - I was super impressed with the Class B bands (and C as well - Edgewood was especially great). Even the A bands that are less spoken of on these forums were making a strong case for finals. The field was pretty deep here, and I am impressed with the level of creativity and achievement.
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Post by mrmatthews on Oct 22, 2022 15:21:44 GMT -6
We need to give music for all to josh marchingobserver esprit de corps?
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Post by das88 on Oct 22, 2022 16:10:18 GMT -6
This is my first year without a kid in a band program competing, so here's my mostly unbiased predictions for finals tonight in alphabetical order. Panel 1Avon Blue Springs Carmel Castle Fishers Panel 2
Brownsburg Grain Valley Jenks Lincoln-Way Mason Last 4:
Collierville Goshen Homestead Lafayette Bubble Bands:
Camdenton Franklin Central Kennesaw Mountain Kickapoo Lawrence Township Union This looks pretty good to me. Unfortunately I have this sinking suspicion that Homestead’s early time slot yesterday is going to curse them though. I hope I'm wrong because it really was a good performance! You were correct!
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Post by TeamIndiana on Oct 22, 2022 16:13:02 GMT -6
This looks pretty good to me. Unfortunately I have this sinking suspicion that Homestead’s early time slot yesterday is going to curse them though. I hope I'm wrong because it really was a good performance! You were correct! Unfortunately, yes. Something I wish I wasn’t correct about!
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Post by indyguardmom on Oct 22, 2022 16:16:53 GMT -6
Unfortunately, yes. Something I wish I wasn’t correct about! I really expected them to be in there. But I know how much it stinks to go on way too early in a competition. Fishers has been bitten by that at GN semis a few times.
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Post by das88 on Oct 22, 2022 17:02:36 GMT -6
Before I start to go into detail on the show, I would just like to make this post regarding Homestead because I would be remiss as an alum and fan without acknowledging my thoughts. Further thoughts in an additional post after. I could not be prouder of the Homestead Band because they had a truly amazing performance yesterday! Though they did not make finals, it was an incredibly tough field to compete against. Certainly 2 or 3 questionable groups making it, but it was stacked. Going on first for a set of judges has almost always been detrimental for any marching ensemble. For any band member or staff reading, know that you had a phenomenal run and that you have really set the bar high for yourself. The ceiling of your show is very high and I believe that you can achieve it. While other groups are already hitting theirs, the growth the show will continue to have can and will exceed theirs if you continue to press onward. Let this fuel you as you press onward for the next three weeks. There is no finish line for we believe! Now go out there and get it! I have no personal connection with Homestead outside of being a big fan for many years (all the way back to 90'. Yes I am old) I also thought they had a great performance Friday. But the first thing I said when I saw the schedule was, "****, Homestead is on really early." But I feel Homestead is going in the right direction and will finish out the year strong.
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Post by Marching Observer on Oct 22, 2022 17:10:47 GMT -6
Alright, so, moving back into my 'observer' mode.
Carmel - Incredible music performance! Easily the best sounding Carmel group I've ever heard. 100% deserve that caption. The guard is also amazing per usual and seems like they even picked it up another notch this year. The wind visuals themselves feel a little mushed together though as I didn't feel there were a lot of expansive sets like they've had in the past. No pun intended for last year. Perhaps it is due to their size which of course feels and probably is even larger than last year. We'll have to see how this plays out tonight since they go back to back with Avon. Speaking of...
Avon - Wow! Easily one of my favorite Avon shows from the past decade. Engaging and so much room to grow still. The performance rendered me basically speechless as this was my first time getting to see them. I did not watch any videos of them for that reason. Wanted a fresh set of eyes and was blown away. That's why the next group is a bit of a different take.
Blue Springs - I got to watch the live stream of them from St. Louis and goodness was I basically speechless after them as well from watching it. Getting to see it live, I was a bit more prepared. This show is incredibly beautiful and really wish they would have brought it to Grand Nationals. This will more than likely go down as my favorite Blue Springs show or at least, in terms of enjoyability, be there with "This Land". Funny how my two favorite shows of their's are nature based huh.
William Mason - The same thing could really be said about this show. Absolutely beautiful show. And the show isn't even finished as that ending just felt like a bit of a tag. That means that this show has even more surprises coming leading up to Grand Nationals and I can't wait to see where this 'Odyssey' leads us.
Fishers - Another gorgeous show and I love the lights. The stars are really aligning for this group as each year is just another step forward for them. How far this band can go has yet to be seen but its way down the road it seems. As for this show, the potential is all there to carry them into Grand National Finals this year. Just like our next group.
Brownsburg - Such a talented group of performers that have bought into this style of show. Their meteoric rise is due in small part to the kids beleaving in and trusting the process the staff has given them. Like Fishers, how far it will take them looks to be quite a ways away but they are travelling down the road full steam. This show, while I feel super busy visually and I have feelings towards full leg skirts on the band, they've integrated it well into the program and are also on a great path to make Grand National Finals.
Lincoln-Way Community - What a visual delight imo. I enjoy all the contrast you've presented in the show though everything seems to start to slow down about halfway through. Endurance? Perhaps. Keep at it and your first Grand National Finals spot could very well be had this year. The musical contrast was very well presented in all the musical selections and I thoroughly enjoyed the performance.
Jenks - Boom! Came our roaring and what a fun show. Like LWC though, things seemed to come visually to a screeching half about halfway through and slow down when everything was on a roll. I'd have loved it if that intensity was presented through the entire show but musically, dang! Just a fun ride from beginning to end for certain. Can't wait to see it again tonight!
Union - Probably the biggest shocker of the finalists as they were not on many people's radar on making finals here coming into the weekend. However, they came out and took care of their business and will get a chance to perform again tonight so good on those kids getting that opportunity!
Lafayette - They don't seem to do BOA too regularly but when they do, they seem to make an impact. They always 'objectively and subjectively' make the case of being the best band year in and year out on being the best band in Kentucky. Certainly one of the loudest groups we'll hear tonight!
Centerville - A show that they are really maxing out right now! The kids each year buy into the bands unique persona of jazz band and put on a crowd pleasing show. Always accessible and a tremendous guard and percussion to back up the band.
Grain Valley - Our lone AA representative and showing that making the St. Louis Super Regional Finals was no fluke. And the fact that they'll be coming back for Grand Nationals in a few weeks, they are going to be really pushing for it to be a set of three performances with perhaps having two AA bands in Finals for the first time in quite a few years! They'll be riding their strong visual program deep into the season but there are lots of other crazy good AA bands yet for them to face.
Castle - Always a contender now in BOA that can never be underestimated. Such a strong musical presence and the pieces they've chosen this year are great. Hopefully we'll see the visual gel a bit more and see those ramps light up a bit with numbers as the season goes. They've got momentum on their side to reach another Grand National Finals. The countdown is on for them and the band's drill already has that incorporated.
Goshen - Easily one of the best Goshen shows ever and they keep surprising each week. Is this a swing for them for the future? I hope so! Cause strong Indiana bands represent Indiana well, but just makes other bands in the state better too because of healthy competition. They've really maxed out this show putting their full potential on display. They've come out hungry and it shows as we'll get to see how much farther it can go once it comes time for their Grand Nationals appearance!
Okay so it took me a bit longer to post than I wanted. But I needed my own restroom break, get food and drink, etc. I'm also only human. Good luck to all the bands tonight and have a great run!!
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Post by elsie on Oct 22, 2022 18:41:21 GMT -6
Well! Sadly Homesteads days are over. It certainly frees up a finals spot for a band at nationals! Maybe even a semifinal spot depending on the recaps…how exciting to see the marching world turn!
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Post by oboe12 on Oct 22, 2022 18:43:16 GMT -6
Listen, I'm probably a lot higher on them than most, but I dig Lafayette. I have them highest of the bottom seven right now.
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Post by oldschoolsaxophone on Oct 22, 2022 19:11:35 GMT -6
Well! Sadly Homesteads days are over. It certainly frees up a finals spot for a band at nationals! Maybe even a semifinal spot depending on the recaps…how exciting to see the marching world turn! I wouldn’t necessarily say that! We thought the same thing with William Mason many years ago, in an arguably even more dramatic fashion. I think it will be interesting to watch Homestead for the coming years and how things happen. They’ve always had quite the supportive school staff. (Keep in mind the kids read these posts too! It’s okay to be critical, and I’m guilty of that too. We should use proper expressions for that stuff though, I wouldn’t want my kids reading that!)
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Post by TeamIndiana on Oct 22, 2022 19:31:39 GMT -6
Well! Sadly Homesteads days are over. It certainly frees up a finals spot for a band at nationals! Maybe even a semifinal spot depending on the recaps…how exciting to see the marching world turn! I wouldn’t necessarily say that! We thought the same thing with William Mason many years ago, in an arguably even more dramatic fashion. I think it will be interesting to watch Homestead for the coming years and how things happen. They’ve always had quite the supportive school staff. (Keep in mind the kids read these posts too! It’s okay to be critical, and I’m guilty of that too. We should use proper expressions for that stuff though, I wouldn’t want my kids reading that!) Yeah, I’m not really sure of what to make of what’s happening with Homestead currently. On one hand, this show is far superior to last season and they really are sounding much better than they have in a long time. On the other hand, they are obviously struggling compared to pre 2020. Visual is where they are struggling the most. They don’t have a full time dedicated guard caption head and it shows. Individual visual is not up to their historical levels and visual design seems a bit stale compared to the current competition. As for this particular contest, I think their draw as band number 1 in their panel is what caused them to ultimately miss finals. As a bubble band, that is a terrible position to be in. Their run Friday was really pretty good.
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Post by bandisgreat2325 on Oct 22, 2022 19:52:23 GMT -6
Well! Sadly Homesteads days are over. It certainly frees up a finals spot for a band at nationals! Maybe even a semifinal spot depending on the recaps…how exciting to see the marching world turn!
Like all bands, these kids work their tails off. I would hope as parents, alumni, and fans we aren't crass about anyone's strengths or weaknesses, good or bad draw times, tech woes, multi-kid pile ups, falls or injuries, or any other mishap on or off the field. We understand this is high school marching band we are talking about, not pro sports. Please be kind.
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dcfw
Newbie
Posts: 5
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Post by dcfw on Oct 23, 2022 9:29:21 GMT -6
I wouldn’t necessarily say that! We thought the same thing with William Mason many years ago, in an arguably even more dramatic fashion. I think it will be interesting to watch Homestead for the coming years and how things happen. They’ve always had quite the supportive school staff. (Keep in mind the kids read these posts too! It’s okay to be critical, and I’m guilty of that too. We should use proper expressions for that stuff though, I wouldn’t want my kids reading that!) Yeah, I’m not really sure of what to make of what’s happening with Homestead currently. On one hand, this show is far superior to last season and they really are sounding much better than they have in a long time. On the other hand, they are obviously struggling compared to pre 2020. Visual is where they are struggling the most. They don’t have a full time dedicated guard caption head and it shows. Individual visual is not up to their historical levels and visual design seems a bit stale compared to the current competition. As for this particular contest, I think their draw as band number 1 in their panel is what caused them to ultimately miss finals. As a bubble band, that is a terrible position to be in. Their run Friday was really pretty good. With the preliminary numbers up on BOA, and HS 9th in music, 10th in VE and 29th in Visual, this analysis seems very spot on.
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