|
Post by marimba11 on Aug 27, 2023 21:16:23 GMT -6
I was impressed with The Woodlands from their football video (although it still needs MAJOR cleaning), but if they did that last year, they can do it again. Round Rock I was less impressed with, but they have their signature sound that reminded me of their 2019 sonority (which is my favorite show of theirs). Hard to base much off of these 3 min clips but that's all I got
|
|
|
Post by macwinlin on Aug 28, 2023 9:07:23 GMT -6
I was impressed with The Woodlands from their football video (although it still needs MAJOR cleaning), but if they did that last year, they can do it again. Round Rock I was less impressed with, but they have their signature sound that reminded me of their 2019 sonority (which is my favorite show of theirs). Hard to base much off of these 3 min clips but that's all I got The RR opener (arrangement) reminds me of old Marcus. It's beautiful! TW sounds great and the guard is already looking strong. Wish we could have seen more drill, but it's early, and UIL.
|
|
|
Post by marimba11 on Aug 28, 2023 10:25:25 GMT -6
I was impressed with The Woodlands from their football video (although it still needs MAJOR cleaning), but if they did that last year, they can do it again. Round Rock I was less impressed with, but they have their signature sound that reminded me of their 2019 sonority (which is my favorite show of theirs). Hard to base much off of these 3 min clips but that's all I got The RR opener reminds me of old Marcus. It's beautiful! TW sounds great and the guard is already looking strong. Wish we could have seen more drill, but it's early, and UIL. I rewatched RR and I have to say I do agree. It is very clean!
|
|
|
Post by datbandman01482 on Aug 29, 2023 20:54:44 GMT -6
Fishers ... after making finals last year, beating the top gun band in prelims in 21, and being runner up in concert band for ISSMA this year ... expecting great things from them this year
|
|
|
Post by bandfan50 on Aug 30, 2023 12:23:49 GMT -6
Vandegrift, from what I've seen it looks like they're putting together something really special
|
|
|
Post by jmike16 on Aug 30, 2023 15:17:11 GMT -6
Hebron, they have almost always impressed me and I do think this show that they are doing will be different in a good way, and they will finally win Nationals.
Now on a more personal note, Lumberton. Since 2018, the band has always been right on the outside of State Finals (Excluding 2020 of course). I think the show/theme that they have going for this season will be the answer for the program. Yall, their week 1 performance is jaw-dropping. I have never heard/seen a Lumberton week 1 run-through to be so clean. There were errors but still very impressive. I am beyond excited to see my former band program finally see the results that they deserve.
|
|
|
Post by bandirectorman on Aug 30, 2023 15:53:27 GMT -6
Center Grove
|
|
|
Post by thephenixburn on Aug 31, 2023 9:40:23 GMT -6
Fishers ... after making finals last year, beating the top gun band in prelims in 21, and being runner up in concert band for ISSMA this year ... expecting great things from them this year If what I have heard about Fishers show is true they will be bringing something that has never been seen on the field…
|
|
|
Post by yayband914 on Aug 31, 2023 9:45:51 GMT -6
Fishers ... after making finals last year, beating the top gun band in prelims in 21, and being runner up in concert band for ISSMA this year ... expecting great things from them this year If what I have heard about Fishers show is true they will be bringing something that has never been seen on the field… Excited to see if that holds up! Pretty much everything has been done one way or another at this point.
|
|
|
Post by redteam1114 on Aug 31, 2023 16:40:00 GMT -6
I could very much go all cliche and say all of the bands I'm going to be seeing in person 😂
But in all seriousness, from a purely biased standpoint, really excited to see how Lincoln (SD) progresses through the season. They had their first full uniform performance last week, and even with the show still being kind of skeletal, they sounded and looked great for late August. I honestly feel that this show has a higher ceiling than their show last year had (which was considerably high itself) and can't wait to see the final product in Indianapolis!
A group that's not my alma mater I'm really looking forward to seeing is O'Fallon Township and their "Wednesday" show. Love the music selections they chose and looking forward to seeing how that theme translates on the field!
|
|
|
Post by statechamp1239 on Aug 31, 2023 16:52:23 GMT -6
If what I have heard about Fishers show is true they will be bringing something that has never been seen on the field… Excited to see if that holds up! Pretty much everything has been done one way or another at this point. Your not wrong from Baldwinsville's Godzilla Eats Las Vegas to Bellevue West's Marching Band for Dummies to O'Neill's Shrek 2: Dance Party there's not much left.
|
|
|
Post by allthingschaotic on Aug 31, 2023 17:06:14 GMT -6
Fishers ... after making finals last year, beating the top gun band in prelims in 21, and being runner up in concert band for ISSMA this year ... expecting great things from them this year they will be bringing something that has never been seen on the field… I went to Lucas Oil Stadium, And saw what I never had seen: A [redacted] was placed in the midst, Where I used to march on the green. And the gates to the [redacted] were shut, And 'Guys why are there so many Texas bands this year" writ over the door; So I turn'd to Lucas Oil Stadium, That so many sweet flowers bore. And I saw it was filled with fear, And anxiety where smiles should be: And Judges in green polos, were walking their rounds, And binding with tapes, the drops & mistakes.
|
|
|
Post by asdfghjkl on Sept 1, 2023 20:40:36 GMT -6
Bentonville is giving me major Blue Springs vibes this year. They’re definitely not messing around this year.
|
|
|
Post by ilikeguard on Sept 2, 2023 11:07:10 GMT -6
Camdenton props and uniforms look great. Very classic Camdenton feel. It sounds like they’re rebounding from the pandemic well – the marching band is only about 150 from what I’ve seen, but that’s up from last year and the middle school band is back to pre-covid numbers. It also looks like they’ve paid off the new trailer, which is fantastic news. I’m really looking forward to seeing this one! But of course I’m going to hype them up 😉
|
|
|
Post by allthingschaotic on Sept 2, 2023 23:35:08 GMT -6
Ok, aside from the dumb Garden of Love reference and in no particular order... - Hebron, TX
- William Mason, OH
- Archbishop Alter, OH
- Keller, TX
- Claudia Taylor Johnson, TX
- The Woodlands, TX
- Rock Hill, TX
- Cedar Park, TX
- Leander, TX
- Mustang, OK
- James Bowie, TX
- that one spaghetti show that's not a texas band
From schools I have already seen:
- Lone Star, TX
- Wakeland, TX
- Westwood, TX
|
|
|
Post by hewhowaits on Sept 3, 2023 5:34:30 GMT -6
So, what? Only 375 or so?
|
|
|
Post by allthingschaotic on Sept 3, 2023 11:59:31 GMT -6
So, what? Only 375 or so? I think it was around 280.
|
|
|
Post by Allohak on Sept 3, 2023 13:24:30 GMT -6
So, what? Only 375 or so? I think it was around 280. Whoa that is actually way small. Like medium-slightly large BOA AAAA band size. Makes me wonder...recruitment issue, or did they go to an audition group to cut size on purpose?
|
|
|
Post by jakeymam12 on Sept 3, 2023 13:45:47 GMT -6
I think it was around 280. Whoa that is actually way small. Like medium-slightly large BOA AAAA band size. Makes me wonder...recruitment issue, or did they go to an audition group to cut size on purpose? Pretty sure it was on purpose, or at least that's what I've heard.
|
|
|
Post by macwinlin on Sept 3, 2023 13:56:10 GMT -6
Based on the band’s recent video, they still have their numbers. I’m sure they’ve just intentionally limited membership for their competitive group.
|
|
|
Post by allthingschaotic on Sept 3, 2023 15:58:58 GMT -6
I think it was around 280. Whoa that is actually way small. Like medium-slightly large BOA AAAA band size. Makes me wonder...recruitment issue, or did they go to an audition group to cut size on purpose? On purpose. express.adobe.com/page/miJ8FNwi6HHnu/
|
|
|
Post by MadScientist on Sept 4, 2023 15:31:53 GMT -6
I don’t see things changing much at Nats TBH. I.E. Carmel will put most fans to sleep musically (innovation, lack of brass valve demand and overly long power minor chord sustains with extensive melodic 90’s dissonance writing) while Gaines brings his design genius and scores amazingly! Yes, I would agree. However, I find Carmel's show design a bit lacking in innovation in recent years. I think 2021 is a good example. #1 I know that many loved that show (The Expanse), but the general design was basically the same as Center Grove in the late teens: an arc of wall/curtain/shield props with the band in the middle. I know many on here maligned this design by CG and complained about. But this is basically what Carmel 2021 had. Was is just the Carmel had a bazillion kids out there that made it so "innovative"? #2 Every year, I see a bunch of bands doing the "now you see me; now you don't" routine with props. So I was less impressed that Carmel did the same thing. #3 Playing atop a wall prop? Seen it already, a lot. #4 Playing 2 pieces of music that are arguably overdone in marching arts. The kids did an amazing job, but I was personally disappointed with the show design. And last year, playing Barber (also done a lot, including the GN previous by Vista Ridge), their opening big block set was very reminiscent of Avon 2009 Comm-UNIFORM-ity (spelling?) opening triangle block set when they played the same piece. Homage? Creative plagiarism? Coincidence because there show was about squares (although Carmel's block set was a rectangle)? You decide. But the rest of the design seemed to me to be elements from all the recent shows I'd seen from them. I didn't find much to differentiate them from their previous shows, nothing pushing their design forward. Again, my opinion, and how I saw it. We can see what they have in store this year, but I'm not holding my breath for a unique design. There's a football game video from 8/25/23 (Carmel vs. CBC). They show the halftime performance, though there's no sound and they cut off the video after 2 minutes, but you can get an idea of what they are doing. Of course, we'll all see this Friday at BOA Louisville.
|
|
|
Post by boahistorybuff on Sept 4, 2023 17:17:31 GMT -6
I personally love Carmel, but as you all know I really like some of those circa 90s and 2000s era designs. With Carmel, their shows do tend to grow on me the more I watch them.
That said, what I am most looking forward to this year is watching both Hebron and The Woodlands at Grand Nationals. To say I have been impressed with these two bands the last couple years would be an understatement. Hebron in particular needs to have a Grand National title under their belt.
|
|
|
Post by ilikeguard on Sept 4, 2023 20:16:08 GMT -6
Just wanted to say I also love Carmel so the scale is balanced
|
|
|
Post by WoodlandsMom4ever on Sept 4, 2023 20:34:55 GMT -6
Gotta jump on the like/dislike Carmel train… j/k. Trying to respond more and not just read without comments.
I appreciate and admire the shows that Carmel does. I admire their technique and skill levels… But I usually don’t enjoy their show’s to the same level I enjoy others.
But I’m just looking forward to seeing all the shows as they develop this year and really really hope one of the tx shows are dialed in and come out on top in November.
|
|
|
Post by marimba11 on Sept 4, 2023 21:27:21 GMT -6
I don’t see things changing much at Nats TBH. I.E. Carmel will put most fans to sleep musically (innovation, lack of brass valve demand and overly long power minor chord sustains with extensive melodic 90’s dissonance writing) while Gaines brings his design genius and scores amazingly! Yes, I would agree. However, I find Carmel's show design a bit lacking in innovation in recent years. I think 2021 is a good example. #1 I know that many loved that show (The Expanse), but the general design was basically the same as Center Grove in the late teens: an arc of wall/curtain/shield props with the band in the middle. I know many on here maligned this design by CG and complained about. But this is basically what Carmel 2021 had. Was is just the Carmel had a bazillion kids out there that made it so "innovative"? #2 Every year, I see a bunch of bands doing the "now you see me; now you don't" routine with props. So I was less impressed that Carmel did the same thing. #3 Playing atop a wall prop? Seen it already, a lot. #4 Playing 2 pieces of music that are arguably overdone in marching arts. The kids did an amazing job, but I was personally disappointed with the show design. And last year, playing Barber (also done a lot, including the GN previous by Vista Ridge), their opening big block set was very reminiscent of Avon 2009 Comm-UNIFORM-ity (spelling?) opening triangle block set when they played the same piece. Homage? Creative plagiarism? Coincidence because there show was about squares (although Carmel's block set was a rectangle)? You decide. But the rest of the design seemed to me to be elements from all the recent shows I'd seen from them. I didn't find much to differentiate them from their previous shows, nothing pushing their design forward. Again, my opinion, and how I saw it. We can see what they have in store this year, but I'm not holding my breath for a unique design. There's a football game video from 8/25/23 (Carmel vs. CBC). They show the halftime performance, though there's no sound and they cut off the video after 2 minutes, but you can get an idea of what they are doing. Of course, we'll all see this Friday at BOA Louisville. Some very good points on Carmel overall lately. 2021 was by far my fav Carmel show (Serenity coming in a distant second). What put Carmel ahead so much in 2021 was GE, particularly music GE. I think the judges ate up the Rachmaninov, esp the ballad which I get because boy that arranging was/is some of the best.
|
|
|
Post by philodemus on Sept 5, 2023 4:33:19 GMT -6
Carmel definitely has a highly sophisticated design process, but in their own way they’re ‘purists’ who put the emphasis on individual performance as much as any Texas band. Restrained props, no musician costuming, etc. The difference being that they move and spin so much better than anyone in Texas in addition to playing incredibly well.
I respect it, it’s not my cup of tea. Personally, I like my shows a bit more ‘show,’ a bit flashier.
Low brow of me, I suppose.
|
|
|
Post by hewhowaits on Sept 5, 2023 6:36:58 GMT -6
Personally, I like my shows a bit more ‘show,’ a bit flashier. Low brow of me, I suppose. That's the beauty of the marching arts - there's something for everyone.
|
|
|
Post by ilikeguard on Sept 23, 2023 16:20:15 GMT -6
Just watched a video of Beechwood this year… I don’t think it’s unrealistic to say they’re currently outperforming some of the bands that are at BOA Austin today.
|
|
|
Post by yayband914 on Sept 23, 2023 16:30:48 GMT -6
Just watched a video of Beechwood this year… I don’t think it’s unrealistic to say they’re currently outperforming some of the bands that are at BOA Austin today. What, the bottom 5? 😉 KIDDING. I totally believe the hype.
|
|