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Post by bigtrombone on Sept 30, 2023 12:44:22 GMT -6
I share the same thoughts about Blue Valley Southwest that I do for Blue Valley West. Love the sound they put out but wish it didn't end so abruptly.
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Post by bigtrombone on Sept 30, 2023 12:55:52 GMT -6
Eden Prairie......., this is my first time seeing them this year, and honestly, the less I say is probably for the best.
I'll say this, the kids are clearly doing their best, I want to make that absolutely clear. I just can't believe the regression they've suffered in the last few years. 8 years ago, they were beating Rosemount at Youth in Music. The state of the marching program now is honestly just really sad to see.
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Post by bandmom06 on Sept 30, 2023 12:57:30 GMT -6
To end the wild goose chase (and maybe start a new one…), we’re heading back to the hotel until finals. I have difficulty regulating my body temp and it’s just too hot! A few kids here have passed out so I’m not the only one. Is this Iowa or Texas??? Temps are unseasonably warm for late September & October for this part of the country. Thankfully (?), at Festival of Bands next week there is going to be about a 35-40 degree temperature swing during the week and the temperatures are going to range in the mid-40's to low-50's by the time finals starts. Believe me, I may be complaining about the heat today, but I guarantee in about a month's time I'm probably going to be complaining about snow. But yeah, it's brutal out today! Stay safe to those out there and stay hydrated! I'm hoping we don't freeze for the FOB parade.
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Post by bandsquirrel32 on Sept 30, 2023 13:07:22 GMT -6
Eden Prairie......., this is my first time seeing them this year, and honestly, the less I say is probably for the best. I'll say this, the kids are clearly doing their best, I want to make that absolutely clear. I just can't believe the regression they've suffered in the last few years. 8 years ago, they were beating Rosemount at Youth in Music. The state of the marching program now is honestly just really sad to see. It seems to be a recruitment issue that could correct itself in the coming years... As far as I know, their total band program is still huge and the total school enrollment is 2,800.
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Post by bandsquirrel32 on Sept 30, 2023 13:25:21 GMT -6
Looks like one of the BOX5 Mic's fell casualty to the wind!
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Post by bigtrombone on Sept 30, 2023 13:37:40 GMT -6
Personal Rankings Post-Block 2:
1. Eastview 2. Camdenton 3. Blue Valley West 4. Bellevue West 5. Davenport Central 6. Blue Valley Southwest 7. Northwest 8. MOC-Floyd Valley 9. Dowling Catholic 10. Independence 11. Limestone Community 12. Valley 13. Eden Prairie 14. Omaha Burke
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Post by bigtrombone on Sept 30, 2023 13:48:50 GMT -6
Man, the opening for Rosemount's show looked very cool. Wish I could've heard it.
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Post by Marching Observer on Sept 30, 2023 13:49:28 GMT -6
Another short break, another rankings update! One block to go. 1. Eastview 2. Camdenton 3. Bellevue West (Honestly, I could see this being anywhere between 1-4 at the moment. It was a great performance that just seemed to lack something I can't put my finger on) 4. Blue Valley West (Also see above comment lol) 5. Blue Valley Southwest (This would also follow the same logic as above except this show clearly didn't have their closer on yet which will/does hurt the rankings) 6. Davenport Central (A growingly common show theme but they performed it well. Ind visual could use the most work here though from what I could see) 7. Northwest 8. MOC-Floyd Valley (This, like so many other groups in this block, just seemed to be able to slide into just a number of places. No real weak links and clean theme) 9. Independence 10. Eden Prairie (It was already said but....wow. I didn't expect to see that much of a difference for them. I think the ambition is still there especially in the guard, but let's hope for a more full bounce back for them) 11. Dowling Catholic 12. Limestone Community (You know what your show is and you are selling it well. I liked the picture being taken of the bass drums after their feature. Once the full show is completed, that will help too) 13. Valley 14. Omaha Burke
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Post by northbanddad on Sept 30, 2023 14:04:25 GMT -6
Man, the opening for Rosemount's show looked very cool. Wish I could've heard it. We got heat issues, wind issues, mic issues, and I can’t hear one of my favorite band!
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Post by bigtrombone on Sept 30, 2023 14:07:48 GMT -6
Visually, I like what Rosemount is putting down. I'm still not sold on their high brass yet, though we'll see if things change tonight. Overall, a very solid performance from them! Sucks we weren't able to hear the opener.
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Post by statechamp1239 on Sept 30, 2023 14:37:57 GMT -6
Who's ready for one of Iowa's greatest bands! I hope they fix a lot of those messy parts from their old videos.
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Post by bigtrombone on Sept 30, 2023 14:40:08 GMT -6
And here comes our second Class A Dutch band! Welcome to BOA, Pella!
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Post by ilikeguard on Sept 30, 2023 14:41:22 GMT -6
BOA is asking drum majors to line up out of uniform because of the heat. It’s too much for these Iowa and Minnesota kids.
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Post by ilikeguard on Sept 30, 2023 14:43:31 GMT -6
And here comes our second Class A Dutch band! Welcome to BOA, Pella! Does anyone have a member count? They look huge on my tiny screen
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Post by bigtrombone on Sept 30, 2023 14:50:00 GMT -6
Pella killed the BOX5 mics!
Wait they're back nevermind.
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Post by statechamp1239 on Sept 30, 2023 14:54:28 GMT -6
And here comes our second Class A Dutch band! Welcome to BOA, Pella! Does anyone have a member count? They look huge on my tiny screen They have 202 members.
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Post by ilikeguard on Sept 30, 2023 14:56:54 GMT -6
Pella could win I’m not even kidding
Is this the best 1A band in the country? I’m having a hard time seeing Murray, Alter, or MC being any better than that.
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Post by bigtrombone on Sept 30, 2023 14:57:53 GMT -6
I liked the soloist parts of Pella's show.
Honestly I'm not sure how to feel about Pella. They play loud, but it just felt like there was no sense of nuance.
That said, they're likely going be our Class A Champions, and I'm so glad they're finally competing in BOA. They also get points from me for playing Children's Hour of Dreams. Gives me Lincoln 2017 flashbacks.
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Post by statechamp1239 on Sept 30, 2023 14:59:41 GMT -6
Pella could win I’m not even kidding Is this the best 1A band in the country? I’m having a hard time seeing Murray, Alter, or MC being any better than that. That's what I'm saying. They just need time and cleaning up, plus the soloist had way better run last week so I hope for a better run tonight. They could do it wishing them luck.
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Post by ilikeguard on Sept 30, 2023 15:01:01 GMT -6
I liked the soloist parts of Pella's show. Honestly I'm not sure how to feel about Pella. They play loud, but it just felt like there was no sense of nuance. That said, they're likely going be our Class A Champions, and I'm so glad they're finally competing in BOA> It was amazing from my phone! Saw about 75% of the show 🙃 but what I did see was very very good and will be difficult to beat. You’re definitely right that it’s going to come down to nuance. Even with the lineup 2019 had, this might go down as the most competitive Iowa yet!
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Post by coleeich on Sept 30, 2023 15:10:33 GMT -6
Pella was very impressive!!
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Post by Allohak on Sept 30, 2023 15:13:09 GMT -6
Pella could win I’m not even kidding Is this the best 1A band in the country? I’m having a hard time seeing Murray, Alter, or MC being any better than that. From the field they...were really really really really really good. Welcome to BOA Pella!
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Post by bigtrombone on Sept 30, 2023 15:14:50 GMT -6
IT'S HOME TEAM TIME FELLAS!
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Post by yayband914 on Sept 30, 2023 15:25:09 GMT -6
I liked the soloist parts of Pella's show. Honestly I'm not sure how to feel about Pella. They play loud, but it just felt like there was no sense of nuance. That said, they're likely going be our Class A Champions, and I'm so glad they're finally competing in BOA. They also get points from me for playing Children's Hour of Dreams. Gives me Lincoln 2017 flashbacks. BOA loves nuance until they don’t.
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Post by cybrunette on Sept 30, 2023 15:29:01 GMT -6
Great end for prelims! Wish the audio wasn't out for that bit during Rosemount, but excited to see where everyone lands!!
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Post by coleeich on Sept 30, 2023 15:29:46 GMT -6
Lincoln was very enjoyable! I love the mello runs in the opener
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Post by ilikeguard on Sept 30, 2023 15:31:34 GMT -6
I absolutely adore Lincoln’s design. It’s clear they work so much of the show around the guard, which is what makes me not care too much that they marched less than some other groups. Pella and Lincoln are night and day; without seeing Rosemount, I think these are my top two, and I think Lincoln’s dynamic playing and superior show design put them in front for me.
Top half, IMO, is Lincoln Pella Rosemount Eastview Camdenton Bellevue West
(Side note - I got the Wes question answered. He’s still on at Camdenton. I wouldn’t have even been skeptical if not for the very non-Leon drill, but the uniforms and flag work are a dead ringer (and I got direct confirmation, which helps.))
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Post by bigtrombone on Sept 30, 2023 15:46:41 GMT -6
Finalist Predictions:
1. Rosemount 2. Lincoln 3. Eastview 4. Pella 5. Camdenton 6. Blue Valley West 7. Bellevue West 8. Blue Valley Southwest 9. Davenport Central 10. Northwest 11. MOC-Floyd Valley 12. Bellevue East
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Post by Marching Observer on Sept 30, 2023 15:46:50 GMT -6
With Preliminary awards just a little bit away, here are my final Preliminary rankings. Shame I will not get to see exactly how some of them perform tonight when it (hopefully) cools down for some of these groups. But ilikeguard should have your back!
1. Rosemount (I mean....come on. Excellent playing and superb visual quality throughout the whole show and we still haven't hit October yet) 2. Lincoln (See comment above...though the endurance did begin to show signs of fading towards the end. Keep the intensity going and that'll keep going far) 3. Eastview 4. Pella (So from what I gather, this is a 1A group. Like....lol WUT?! Does the entire school get pushed into band cause wow! Plus they move and play really well with just a fun fun immersive design. However, as pointed out, a bit more dynamical range (and I'm not just talking about volume) in the playing could really elevate them further) 5. Camdenton 6. Bellevue West 7. Blue Valley West 8. Blue Valley Southwest 9. Millard South (Another solid performance from a band I've never seen before. Perhaps I've underestimated the great plains states a bit because each of them have done far better than I anticipated) 10. Davenport Central 11. Bellevue East (This is a tough show to sell. Not only is it not overly accessible, but it's tough music to pull off. Having an incomplete show doesn't help either. But you've shown you have the chops to move and play this music at the same time. Just about laying the rest out and cleaning) 12. Northwest 13. MOC-Floyd Valley 14. Rock Island (I haven't seen this group in a long time and I think they have improved a lot. Having only their overalls to march in due to the heat certainly is going to show a drain on the band but they powered through it and performed admirably well) 15. Lake Park (Oh Lake Park, you are still a decent band and your potential is there for all to see. Just have to seize it now and really go all in!) 16. Independence 17. Eden Prairie 18. Dowling Catholic 19. Limestone Community 20. Valley 21. Omaha Burke
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Post by bigtrombone on Sept 30, 2023 15:50:34 GMT -6
I liked the soloist parts of Pella's show. Honestly I'm not sure how to feel about Pella. They play loud, but it just felt like there was no sense of nuance. That said, they're likely going be our Class A Champions, and I'm so glad they're finally competing in BOA. They also get points from me for playing Children's Hour of Dreams. Gives me Lincoln 2017 flashbacks. BOA loves nuance until they don’t. I admire the in-your-face style they play with. It's when it gets to a point where their ensemble sound is completely out-of-control that I don't like. Though looking through the general consensus of people that are there, it might just be a me/Box5 issue and they sound completely fine in person.
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