airons0678

Eh. Maybe. Look for Marian Catholic to make a triumphant return to finals...

Not sure about Ayala. Their show seems a bit run-of-the-mill. Plus, they scored in the mid-80's in prelims and finals at the last BOA show (11/02). They will need to be spectacular to make it.

NOTE: Daniel Sanchez, it was great to see you again! Missed you, and I miss all the txbands.com gang--Danpod, Mike, Eric, etc.! Hope you had a nice trip back. Bands of America 2012 Grand National Championships presented by Yamaha November 7-10, 2012 Indianapolis, IN LED lights on the uniform: cheesy gimick, or "the future of high school marching band" (with quotation marks added for added pompousness)? The Texas bands got the memo. (Conversely, I guess the Indiana bands did not!) In the end I think it is a solid effect, but one that will not be long lasting. (Who remembers the year Union had the remote-controlled lightning bolt designed plate atop their shako with LED lights? That was a long time ago!) My friend Bryan Sanders and I were joking about how funny it would be if the Blue Devils were to come out with a show that had LED lights, ladders, doors, mirrors, chairs, and an actual gigantic kitchen sink prop (Bryan's genius thought, ha ha!) to boot. How far is too far when we go prop crazy? Hey, if it's effective, use it. Blinking lights? Eh. You grab my attention more when you play well and move well and generate effect inventively, tying the elements up in one neat bow. Now to the finalist selection: Most of my band-savvy friends from Texas and Indiana were dismayed that Union did not make finals. After all, in semis I had them in 6th, which probably is too generous. I did like what I saw after semis awards, when drum majors from Union shook hands and hugged the drum majors from Broken Arrow. (That's what it's about, right? Union--classy as can be, after being in finals last year but falling out due to the sheer competitiveness this year; Broken Arrow--classy as can be, potential Bands of America Grand National Champions.) I knew that tonight would be a vicious fight for 1st, or any place for that matter. There was Avon, coming off a sobering reality that wireless mics aren't always your best friend. There was Carmel, just as squeaky clean as can be. There was Broken Arrow, pushing the envelope. There was Marian Catholic, who didn't timidly negotiate creativity. And there was Tarpon Springs, and...well, they're Tarpon Springs. Everyone else, they're all good! They're the best of the best, and I could not wait to see performance excellence, where so much as a flinch could bite you. Let's see what happens, shall we? FINALS Western High School (Class A Champions Exhibition) Russiaville, IN Repertoire: "At the Water's Edge," featuring the music of Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel and Ralph Vaughan Williams Comments: It's great to see this band back in the spotlight after a well-deserved win in Class A today. I admire their courage for starting their show in the top left corner of the field, gradually inheriting the rest of the field with a warm, sonorous sound. The cool colors of the flags contrast nicely with the hot colors of the musicians' uniforms. Music wins it for these guys, each wind player more than holding their own. Great exaggerated marching from the low brass soloists after their time to represent. Mmm, that one-legged stance was tough to pull off in the ballad, and the band did that pretty well. The end of their show was smooth--the winds creating a funnel form, directing their sound to the exit tunnel, seemingly directing the way for the auxilary in their free flowing garb and silks. Exactly. My Score: N/A Actual Score: N/A My Placement: N/A Actual Placement: N/A Kennesaw Mountain High School Kennesaw, GA Repertoire: "Deliver Me" Comments: A female vocalist sings to some new age music that pulls at the heart strings--all pre-recorded for the pre-show, but enhanced by the wind players warming up. The pit, drums, and a quick mellophone/baritone duet kicks things off. Certainly, the uniforms lighting up got people talking, especially in that the colors fit the forms at times, remote-controlled. It turns out that the out-of-place saxophone notes were intended, giving this segment of the show an "off" feel. The insane, demonic "join us" narrative, followed by "be free" soon dissipates, and we are left with heavenly sounds. A girl cries, "Deliver me," and on and on and on we go with joyful music. Hustle, hustle, man; these kids hustled, even if there were missteps here and there. It all comes down to this: the musicians gathered within the carousel set-up, and the creepy carnival character with his top hat that steals the girl away. A pre-recorded, yet live-played Irish sort of tune with the lyric "caaarniiiivaaaal" is played via the synth, and it's great. Imaginative show! My Score: 89.30 Actual Score: 89.15 My Placement: 8th Actual Placement: 7th William Mason High School Mason, OH Repertoire: "This Land: Comments: Mutant tiger, zebra, giraffe, and goat creatures--the "guard," of course--prance about the field, the winds doing the same. All right, cymbal section: way to be! Snare drummer who missed the direction change: no so much. It's in the details, so I love the fact the wind players smile when they slow-gallop to the double-tonguing trumpets. This group is easy on the eyes, as each form locked IN. An unwanted clarinet sound popped out of the soft, delicate ballad, but for the most part all was well in the land of Mason. Great squadron-at-a-time flag work, guard, prepped well in advance. The ankh-like form that morphs into a thick, inverted triangle is beautious, but perhaps more beautious is when this last form opens to reveal a smaller guard performer, as if born--fragile, scared, and then...a pose! Marvelous! My Score: 88.00 Actual Score: 87.65 My Placement: 9th Actual Placement: 8th Carmel High School Carmel, IN Repertoire: "What a Tangled Web We Weave" Comments: Serious athleticism marked this gang, staying close to the ground at times for some physicality, at one point leaping out of the way to create a defacto path for an backwards arched, crawling auxilary expert who is spider-like. Though they are generous with what they play, they kept tabs on just about everything; very nice. (They saved the "special stuff" for just the right times.) I appreciated the slinking downward dance of the woodwinds near the back with the white ribbons, or web strands. And as we are in the Year of the LED Lights we are also in the Year of the Skirt, as one of the flute players "wears" a large tarp designed like a spider web--the guard helping with the movement and the display. Unbelievable flute performance from the flute soloist! At the end of their show they party, pulling out the high strands of streamer "web" and attaching to the tops of the geodesic dome towers they have positioned--the geodesic domes looking like fabricated webs themselves, only "3-dimensional." They end this show as pretty as they started it, volume pumped up proper. My Score: 95.70 Actual Score: 95.85 My Placement: 2nd Actual Placement: 1st Avon High School Avon, IN Repertoire: "Feast or Famine" Comments: Their opening form looks like a cornucopia, and I would imagine this is supposed to resemble the "feast" aspect of their product. Ringing bells, then brassy brass project, and away we go to this festive atmosphere Avon considers. Rifles-a-flyin', swirling forms (including a "toilet flush" move "of death," and ace drums RULE. Masterful performance by the male vocalist, singing and describing how we can be "heroes...just for one day." (Nice David Bowie tribute!) The vocalist's theatrics are enormous, too, throwing his hands down and pumping his fists to the powerful music. In not time, celebration mode is here, and then the famine with the guard accents due to the rifle catches on the knees--so perfect! And this guard could do no wrong, executing fabulously well. What a show! Avon clearly does not make the same mistake twice, opting to have the vocalist use a wireline microphone near the pit instead of a wireless mic which failed him during semi-finals. I would have preferred the wireless performance, simply because it heightened the theatrics and effect, but I do understand the decision to go "safe." Hearty show! My Score: 94.00 Actual Score: 93.90 My Placement: 5th Actual Placement: 3rd Broken Arrow High School Broken Arrow, OK Repertoire: "Surrender to Hope," including Darkness on the Edge, The Empty World, Ashes of War and Surrender to Hope Comments: Eerie, eerie music consumes Lucas Oil Stadium, with buzzing insect-like noises throughout the show and seemingly constant low humming distractor. And as I look towards the entrance where the winds and auxilary enter the field I see smoke and desolation, as if a war has been lost. Female "aliens" of sorts stand at least ten feet tall above the ground, their legs unseen because of massive black skirts that drape downwards and out. The brass of this group have some meat in their repertoire, and amazingly pull off some moves that even have them pulling away from their mouthpieces only to reposition their lips and come back stronger than ever. The skirted ones have these poles that press down on the front portion of their skirt suggests there is a platform and that something will happen soon. Transformation ensues, some of the "aliens" dropping beneath their skirts and uniformed members popping up cleary atop a platform. One of the skirts is now shaped like a dome, instensifying the band's aesthetic value, as they become owners of "shape." The end is filled with bizarre drama, as part of the winds go on top of and then below the extra massive skirt layed out for them in the upper right portion of the field, finally ending it all with gas mask icon greatness. My Score: 96.20 My Placement: 1st Actual Score: 95.70 Actual Placement: 2nd James Bowie High School Austin, TX Repertoire: "Stellae Errantes" Comments: Aaah, glorious sounds. Like many Texas bands, this band was talented, sculpting their music like Michelangelo sculpted David. Covered dome props have a life of their own as they move and rotate in certain parts of the field, looking like planets to no doubt reflect the "Holst" segments of their show. Concert horn soloist, can you play any more beautifully? (That was pure amazing!) This band sounds like a pipe organ--a single instrument so extravagant. The drumline knew their place, ha ha! (They stayed BACK.) However, the drumline knew how to tease us. Able to impress us any more, Bowie, besides making the "planets" line up and turning on the breast plate lights of purple? Ooh, I just get goosebumps THINKING about that deep low brass sound of Bowie's. (So rich!) This show was juicy, but tame in terms of creativity. (Footnote: SEE BROKEN ARROW!!!) My Score: 92.50 Actual Score: 89.85 My Placement: 6th Actual Placement: 6th Marian Catholic High School Chicago Heights, IL Repertoire: "My Brother's Keeper," featuring "Saturn" and "Neptune" from the Planets by Gustav Holst, Apocalyptic Dreams by David Gillingham, Totus Tuus by Henryk Gorecki, and Music for Prague 1968 by Karel Husa Comments: Did I just see a guard girl delivered to the field in a wheelchair...and she is performing?! (Wow, okay. Is this part of the show, or not? If it is, it's BRILLIANT. I wouldn't be surprised.) I love M.C. This band is bold in ALL they do, and they care not about who they offend or who they capture as long as they have freedom...and I wish more bands had the guts they had. Circle forms within an ameoba form rotate, supremely done. The toe crab-walk looks precise, and add this to the precise music and VOILA--magnifique! Breackneck woodwind pace, terrifying drums, and a missle sound that causes a death scene and preceeds a report that "a plane has struck the towers." This show had a strong message, bringing to light the desperation yet necessity of our lives. A passionate violinist plays in peace, and do I see tears in her eyes? And then the terrorist injection, and not long before peace with them...truly. I can't tell you how much I love this show. It is just so, so good. My Score: 94.40 Actual Score: 92.90 My Placement: 4th Actual Placement: 5th Ronald Reagan High School San Antonio, TX Repertoire: "Let it Shine," featuring selections from This Little Light of Mine, Daphnis and Chloe, 1000 Airplanes on the Roof, House of Silence and Aegean Festival Overture Comments: The stoic, contemplative gazes of the winds proceed positioning, some on one knee, and some with leg extending, and some standing. The brass boost things up, and then when they drop out we get this mysterious, almost horrific pit piece that leads to further treatments by onfield musicians. Small green lights on the uniform that activate with the push of a button are a nice touch to activate their "little light" concept. When they were on they were ON. Yikes! I think they missed the mark with the clarinet and "electro clarinet" showdown that was more a clarinet and "loss-of-mic clarinet" showdown during the ode to Reagan 2002 squared. Nevertheless, the plume trick and neon light plume trick worked out okay. The seemingly painted picture of sideways-laying musicians materialized GREAT. (Peaceful end.) All right, Ronald Reagan: consistent performance! My Score: 87.50 Actual Score: 87.30 My Placement: 10th Actual Placement: 11th Plymouth-Canton Educational Park Canton, MI Repertoire: "The Last Dance" Comments: A modern take of "It's the End of the World as We Know It" is played on the band's loudspeakers preceeding their strong show. The woodwinds make no effort to be noticed and this contrasts with the backfield drums and brassline. (Well played!) This ragtag team of folks slipped through a gang of scattered teammates like a snake, and after what is an uneven chord, everyone is blanketed out with a gigantic silk...of gray, of course. (I did spot spots of yellow on the coats, though-- a tribute to the PCEP yellow.) Sadly, the high toss rifle hand-off from one of the guard to her teammate did not work. My memory of this moment, however, is replaced with some nostalgia, as David Holsinger's music is cared for. What a wonderful world, indeed, and a show for the history books. Welcome back, PCEP! My Score: 86.90 Actual Score: 84.95 My Placement: 12th Actual Placement: 12th Tarpon Springs High School Tarpon Springs, FL Repertoire: "Poisoned" - Movement 1: Evil Queen, Movement 2: Mirror, Mirror, Movement 3: Snow White, Movement 4: The Apple, Movement 5: Shattered Comments: Tarpon does not hold back in decorating the field--their stage. As I look to the far left corner of the fiel I see a giant gate with smoke rising from behind it. When the gate opens, a black queen emerges, stepping over a line of wind players' backs who are on their hands and knees. The glowing red eyes of the black raven puppet props are super creepy. The musicianship is one thing, but the way this band does it on the move is unbelievable. (These kids must all be star athletes...or SOMETHING!) Woodwind licks that go on and on, as if trying to impress without a shadow of a doubt, ha ha, well...enough said. The mirroring "waves" of waving arms and twisting torsos on a vertical axis approaching and devouring the reflections made me do a double-take. Because we get nearly four minutes of "evil" I guess it's time for a "good" break, and Snow White as Tarpon sees her emerges from a mirror box prop, and then the fight for survival between her and the evil queen commences. THERE'S that Tarpon 'bone line! (I was wondering when they would make an appearance!) Co-co-com'onnn! What a show!!! They had me on a high the whole time. My Score: 94.90 Actual Score: 93.80 My Placement: 3rd Actual Placement: 4th Lawrence Central High School Indianapolis, IN Repertoire: "Col Legno," featuring the Wooden Prince by Bela Bartok, Grohg Ballet by Aaron Copland, Pavane for a Dead Princess by Maurice Ravel and Proven Lands by Jonny Greenwood Comments: Straight up and down and diagonal bamboo-type decorations contained the field. Ha! Great tuba-snare blind pass-through. The solo: muddled much? (Or not with the DM?) I'm not even going to mention what kind of solo it was. For what the winds lack the band makes up for in guard, who are elegant in their catches and a scene which has a row of planks lifted one after the other as they're crossed. I liked their sleepy music, and I don't mean that in a bad way. (It totally worked, and gave the guard something to chew on.) Things just get mad with playfulness as streaming flags go off and the winds condense visually. Some may not like the way this show ends, but...I love it! I do! The backfield DM operates a spear-like pole of orange with tribal-like agression, seemingly organizing the chaos before him, and then lifts a green one with triumph as the wind players fall in two diagonal directions (inverted "V") meeting at the center. What a great, unique way to end a show! My Score: 87.20 Actual Score: 87.35 My Placement: 11th Actual Placement: 10th Center Grove High School Greenwood, IN Repertoire: "The Guardians: The Music of J.S. Bach," featuring Ave Maria, Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, Concerto for 2 Violins, Air on a G String and Fugue in G Minor Comments: Breezy knees preceeding the ominous pipe organ, and then the fluttering birds effect. And this is Center Grove--a band that needs no introduction and is no stranger to BOA Grand National finals. Way to play the heck out of those Pearl bass drums, bass drummers. Just when you think you're about to witness a prim and proper Center Grove, they tear down what you expect, selling ladder art--both musicians and guard. Uh oh! A tuba player falls down quite hard and almost creates more catastrophe for teammates, but manages to get back in place safely. How the wind players get those ladders prepped, perfectly set, is beyond me. They take the term "simultaneous responsibility" to a high level with this show. Yeah! I like that the drums aren't afraid to play when they're needed. I liked this performance overall, but I think it was better in prelims and semis. They just seemed "cleaner," then. Nevertheless, this show was made for success, and you could totally, totally tell. My Score: 90.00 Actual Score: 87.60 My Placement: 7th Actual Placement: 9th ***END OF FINALS*** My Scores and Placements: 1. 96.20 - Broken Arrow H.S., OK 2. 96.70 - Carmel H.S., IN 3. 94.90 - Tarpon Springs H.S., FL 4. 94.40 - Marian Catholic H.S., IL 5. 94.00 - Avon H.S., IN 6. 92.50 - James Bowie H.S., TX 7. 90.00 - Center Grove H.S., IN 8. 89.30 - Kennesaw Mountain H.S., GA 9. 88.00 - James Mason H.S., OH 10. 87.50 - Ronald Reagan H.S., TX 11. 87.20 - Lawrence Central H.S., IN 12. 86.20 - Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, MI Actual Scores and Placements: 1. 95.85 - Carmel H.S., IN 2. 95.70 - Broken Arrow H.S., OK 3. 93.90 - Avon H.S., IN 4. 93.80 - Tarpon Springs H.S., FL 5. 92.90 - Marian Catholic H.S., IL 6. 89.85 - James Bowie H.S., TX 7. 89.15 - Kennesaw Mountain H.S., GA 8. 87.65 - William Mason H.S., OH 9. 87.60 - Center Grove H.S., IN 10. 87.35 - Lawrence Central H.S., IN 11. 87.30 - Ronald Reagan H.S., TX 12 84.95 - Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, MI Outstanding Music Performance - Carmel H.S., IN Outstanding Visual Performance - Broken Arrow H.S., OK Outstanding General Effect - Broken Arrow H.S., OK Screw that! I'm out. I'm never going to a BOA event again!!! Broken Arrow losing? Whatever... | | | | | | | Eh? Ha ha! Were you fooled? I was just kidding, of course. I truly loved Carmel's show, and I thought their win was well, well deserved. You know, it's kind of funny. Every time I've been to a BOA Grand National Finals the band *I* want to win never wins, and you know...I'm REALLY fine with that. I'd even be fine if the judges took the names of the bands in finals and put them in a hat to shake up and draw the names out of the hat for bands 1 through 12. (BOA experimented with the "diluted scores and placements" thing years ago, and I can see why they did that.) Hey, as long as the approximate right bands get into semis, and the approximate right bands get into finals, or even if THAT doesn't happen and everyone is recognized as a winner in life, I'm happy. These kids work so hard. When you compete at this level, appreciation trumps differentiation, and that's why I came: for some good art and better esprit. I'm out. Congratulations, all! Alan Irons, PMP, PMI-ACP Long Beach, CA

Okay, here is an unbiased California boy posting a BOA GN Semi-Finals review to a Texas forum... Bands of America 2012 Grand National Championships presented by Yamaha November 7-10, 2012 Indianapolis, IN It's hard to describe semi-finals at the Bands of America Grand National Championships. Imagine an all-day show with PREMIUM high school marching bands--bands that have won a BOA Regional or maybe placed 2nd or 3rd at a BOA Regional or maybe have placed in the top 2 or 3 in their state. Every band of the 34 bands is REALLY good, from 7:30 in the morning to 4:45 in the afternoon, and every band of the 34 bands is gunning to get a spot in finals. (Only 5 or 6 of these bands are a sure thing, also known as "locks.") Q: So what do we have here? A: We have a FANTASTIC show, as fun to watch as finals. Don't get me wrong. Finals is ALSO fun to watch, but it is more a beauty contest between bands that are SO good that "to differentiate" is insulting. SEMI-FINALS Norton High School Norton, OH Repertoire: "The Tangled Web We Weave" Comments: Strong, angled movement filled the first section of their show, with relatively together auxilary connection. Out of a tube prop comes a uniformed performer with a yellow flower prop, waving it around, and soon disappears through the tube. The high brass sections were not the strongest, but this is in contrast to a low brass squadron that knows their stuff, including a sousaphone solo that was really terrific. This product was direct, but perhaps too direct, to the point. My Score: 72.30 My Placement: 31st Forest Park Junior/Senior High School Ferdinand, IN Repertoire: "Magnum Opus," featuring Magnum Opus by Chad Gayso, Separabilia Elements by Chad Gayso, Lux Aurumque by Eric Whitacre and Philosophi Lapis by Chad Gayso Comments: The new age pre-show music, coupled with a focal point stage really, really boosted this ensemble's professionalism. I was entranced by the hand-held geometric props the guard played with, lifting and spinning with both hands. The mellophones projected, even way out there in the back 30-40 range, but were a bit "off." Superior kaleidoscopic changes in uniform--from green to gold--and intricate tight movement on a tarp--a tarp that is soon flipped over to create flair. They drew first blood in emotion. My Score: 73.90 My Placement: 30th La Salle High School Cincinnati, OH Repertoire: "Reflections of a Hero," including 1 - The Villain, 2 - The Journey and 3 - The Hero; featuring music from Lost the Final Season, The Village and Red Cape Tango Comments: Distorted mirror props twisted images of the guard. This band seemed to know their stuff, though timing was far from immaculate. I heard lots of harsh, repeated notes from the winds, which left me indifferent. The highlight of this show is perhaps the trumpet soloist costume change mid-solo, with assistance from the guard, and nifty visual elements going on--a soloist life off of the ground, and then the soloist dance. Suave! My Score: 69.00 My Placement: 34th Western High School Russiaville, IN Repertoire: "At the Water's Edge," featuring the music of Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel and Ralph Vaughan Williams Comments: Wonderful building sounds, drifting in and out, collect the emotions. Western, way to display the grasp on the music, and so much so that stylistically it resonates big. The auxilary took beauty to the next level, their fabric, costumes, and overall coordination just a joy, and exiting through a path made by the marchers. My Score: 74.50 My Placement: 27th Bellevue West High School Bellevue, NE Repertoire: "Looking Back" Comments: The narration coming from the speakers was not clear to me, but later on I got the sense that it was to remain secondary--the poetry spouting underneath the lofty musicianship. Marvelous interactions between the guard and the winds, dancing the day away. Rifle toss to splits, yes! Neon lighting is utilized to enhance the "love" theme of this show with a heart shape and even the skeletal structure of the snares in their central production. And here comes the bride down a path of bowing wind players, to meet the groom, to put an exclamation point on this. Lovely. My Score: 77.00 My Placement: 23rd Goshen High School Goshen, IN Repertoire: "Musica d'organo," featuring Coronation te Deum by Sir William Walton, Adagio for Strings and Organ by Tomaso Albinoni and Symphony No. 3 "Organ Symphony" by Camille Saint-Saens Comments: The pipe organ prop mid-field was neat, and sounded like a real pipe organ, too. (I suppose it was a real pipe organ!) Great attention to detail from this group, especially visually. It took too long for the next "big thing" to happen, and when it did I was not invested in their ways, so...nothing. Too much follow-the-leader, curving, gradually transforming drill that was so-so. I wanted more; much more. My Score: 70.20 My Placement: 33rd Bridgewater-Raritan High School Bridgewater, NJ Repertoire: Music from Sheherazade by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Comments: I was glad to hear the subtle change in volume from playing to the back of the field to the front of the field; and when called for this group unleashed a mammoth sound. The toying with the rifles was excellent, though the bodies handling them could be more in line with the drill and costume--yes, costume. This was a solid show. I can't tell you much more except that they played their music well, and ensemble visual--it worked. Was this show exciting? Not particularly. Good show. Just...good show. My Score: 75.20 My Placement: 25th Nation Ford High School Fort Mill, SC Repertoire: "The New World," composed by Frank Sullivan Comments: The countdown to lift-off with the rocket drill form created a memory, as did the interesting drill. These kids went for it! Relentless! It's "The New World" on crack! Way to shape, flautist. Curious djembe-type drums were attached to the snares, perhaps to make up for the fact they had no tenors or moving bass drummers. FANTASTIC show. I enjoyed their presentation. Everything clicked. My Score: 81.10 My Placement: 18th Ben Davis High School Indianapolis, IN Repertoire: "A Thin Line Between Love and Hate" by Don Barrett (BMI) Original COmposition Comments: As much as I liked how they presented the flute soloist who sat on top of a lifted, moving platform, she sounded out of tune. The rifle line was average, with good technique but poor execution. This band aimed for great heights, but delivered partially. Certainly, how they made their visual moves come to life alerted. I really wanted to be left with a sense of "wow," but was far from it. My Score: 75.90 My Placement: 24th William Mason High School Mason, OH Repertoire: "This Land: Comments: If there was an award for best costume design, this unit would win it. The animalistic expression from the winds, in combination with their super guard, OWNED. Way to fit the movement to the music, the section with double-tonguing trumpets, particularly. The end of their show with the "birth" of what looked like a real creature was sincerely breathtaking. My Score: 88.50 My Placement: 12th Franklin High School Franklin, TN Repertoire: "Incantation" Comments: Spooky. That's what this show is. From the start. The visual coordination--phenomenal. The guard seemed to have a firm grip on their sabers, but I sensed struggle. Great, great breathing sound creating mystery in the "odd march" part. It's always great and rare to see such execution of guard work by the winds, essentially "sharing" rifle moves. As much as I loved how this show ended (with the draping fabric), I loved how it started more. The end left me a bit cold, quite honestly. My Score: 88.80 My Placement: 11th Ronald Reagan High School San Antonio, TX Repertoire: "Let it Shine," featuring selections from This Little Light of Mine, Daphnis and Chloe, 1000 Airplanes on the Roof, House of Silence and Aegean Festival Overture Comments: I love the "To Cure a Weakling Child" vibe they have going on, except it's "This Little Light of Mine." (It COULD be a nod towards Aphex Twin.) Vertical line execution was shaky. The ball of green light on the uniforms were not quite uniform in placement and brightness. Ah ha ha! An ode to the old Reagan with the signature "plume trick" with a twist, contrasting old to new. Well done! Really stellar sound, I muse say. My Score: 87.90 My Placement: 14th Centerville High School Centerville, OH Repertoire: "With a Twist," featuring Don't Stop the Music by Rihanna/Jamie Cullum, Paranoid Android by Radiohead/Brad Meldau and Asphalt Cocktail by John Mackey Comments: The epitome of cool, this band comes out with tuxedos with no jacket and bow ties untied. And, of course, this group does what they do best, which is jazz. Right away I'm hypnotized. Marvelous snare drum brushing with cymbal line "shoulder brushes"--stylin'! Some things could be much better aligned, like the finger snapping. Wow, flutes: that sound is perfection. Classy presentation! (I would expect nothing less from the Centerville Jazz Band!) My Score: 84.80 My Placement: 16th James Bowie High School Austin, TX Repertoire: "Stellae Errantes" Comments: Geodesic dome structures on wheels, covered by tarp material the color of gaseous giants of the galaxy and with a little window to see out, are moved and turned by people inside. These kids flexed their great musicianship. Where was that concert horn coming from? Oh, there she is. (Highlight her, somehow, though...I do like how this is done later, to "draw the winds in.") The guard excellence was high, though flawed. My Score: 89.20 My Placement: 10th Marian Catholic High School Chicago Heights, IL Repertoire: "My Brother's Keeper," featuring "Saturn" and "Neptune" from the Planets by Gustav Holst, Apocalyptic Dreams by David Gillingham, Totus Tuus by Henryk Gorecki, and Music for Prague 1968 by Karel Husa Comments: Linked forms emerged from a pod of winds--brilliant. The narrative from a voice the sounded Hebrew or European ends the introductory part of the show with, "We must become the messengers." What I love about this band is that their show design outweighs anything they do, so much so that a flawed or imperfect performance really has no bearing on them. The enticing sights and sounds and incredible demand and symbolic sparks propel them...PROPEL. My Score: 92.90 My Placement: 5th Greenwood Community High School Greenwood, IN Repertoire: "Nocturne," composed by Don Barrett and featuring I. Prelude/Acquainted with the Night, II. Hide and Seek, III. Beautiful Night and IV. Unearthly Light Comments: Large diagonal tarps designed as cobblestone paths had lightpost props along the way. Spacing, guard, on that path--look for it. (So exposed!) I like that this group pushes themselves. They do not take the easy way out, even with the solos. Whoa! Did you see that high rifle toss in the middle of that tight block? I sure did. Drumline, way to keep things neat and clean. Awesome field coverage. Top job! My Score: 80.40 My Placement: 19th Center Grove High School Greenwood, IN Repertoire: "The Guardians: The Music of J.S. Bach," featuring Ave Maria, Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, Concerto for 2 Violins, Air on a G String and Fugue in G Minor Comments: Ladders litter the field, descending in size from left side of the field to right, and one big one on side B. It doesn't get much better than CG's color guard, looking like clones with those white rifles. Ha! Way to put a spin on what would have been a typical ending, musicians; music plus motion! A sax player ran right into a judge, and the judge did well to sort of say, "Pardon me," allowing the saxophonist to recover. What great, complex use of those ladders. Exquisite art! My Score: 91.00 My Placement: 7th Avon High School Avon, IN Repertoire: "Feast or Famine" Comments: The giant tadpole-like form is near perfect. Amazing brass impact; fair equipment handling. Whoo-hooooo! Danger! Danger! That form with many legs that winds the legs in like a spool bringing in the threads--fantastic! I really hate to include this, but there were major problems with the wireless mic on the vocal soloist in a key part of their show. However, because this is a band of pros they had no problems recovering (if you can call it "recovering"). One just has to see and hear ANY of their performers to know this. They finished strong; VERY strong. My Score: 94.30 My Placement: 4th Lafayette High School Lafayette, LA Repertoire: "Centaurs," featuring the music of Claude Debussy Comments: Interpretation of the music via movement--not bad. When you do complex movement in vertical lines there is really little room for error. Aaaaaah! Get there, get there, vertical lines, get there. (Even later in the show the lines are not exact!) This group shined with the brass backfield feature. The brass get an A today. Unfortunately, not only is the guard hidden (backfield), but their skin-color flags and costumes look tres plain. My Score: 74.00 My Placement: 29th Kennesaw Mountain High School Kennesaw, GA Repertoire: "Deliver Me" Comments: I cannot give enough praise to how this gang sets up their show, seamlessly combining the pre-recorded with the live. Dazzling lighted uniforms demand notice, but so does the great melodies and guard theatrics. Brilliant segueway from the salty to sweet, as evil laughter gives way to flute bliss and guard-wind crossed barriers. Ooh! A baritone player took a spill riiight before the baritone quartet he was part of, and recovered just in time. (What a pro!) Ah-maz-ing show! My Score: 90.50 My Placement: 9th Carmel High School Carmel, IN Repertoire: "What a Tangled Web We Weave" Comments: Marvelous way to put the spotlight on the feature guard girl by an open space left open by the winds. No hesitation from these kids--musically and visually, they dominate. I am in awe of a rifle catch that is caught down low as a multiple ribbons of web get instantaneously created behind it. A majorette amazingly takes her wand of a baton and pulls out all the stops in an acrobatic, finesse-filled, routine that's breathtaking; BREATHTAKING! A winning show, no doubt. My Score: 94.70 My Placement: 2nd North Hardin High School Radcliff, KY Repertoire: "Venom," including the movements Awakening, Anticipation, Alluring, Annihilation and Arrival featuring music by Mozart, Beethoven, Shostakovich and Berlioz Comments: Excellent presentation of the lead auxilary girl on the 50, winds. The middle pod of players lingers, I feel, visuals or no visuals. Let's go! Above average rifle work, rifles. The woodwinds and battery barely hold on to what the drum major has for them in the waltz section of their show. Wild death scenes emerge in the backfield with long strangs of white ribbon wrapping up wind players and guard members with flags choking them down. Nice, nice, nice. My Score: 79.90 My Placement: 21st Plymouth-Canton Educational Park Canton, MI Repertoire: "The Last Dance" Comments: A soft-spoken woodwind sound is somewhat interrupted by drums, and then totally interrupted by brass and drums. Great tension! A guy with a rifle tosses it high and...YES! (Success!) Killer transitional moment as a huge silk is flown over the field crew, "killing" them, it seems. But, as things go, they all come back to life. Superior music! I like the electronic drum pad work. All right. This show was a fine show with few setbacks. I do think that the trumpet soloist at the end should stand taller, feet together. My Score: 88.00 My Placement: 13th Rockford High School Rockford, MI Repertoire: "Calls from the Masai Mara," by Frank Sullivan featuring The Gathering, Zebras in the Grasslands, Birds of the Plains and Cheetah: Hunt and Chase Comments: Swaying animal tiki masks and the sounds of wildlife take over the field. The back and forth woodwind calls amongst the quiet brass is oh so right. Great burst of sound for the first statement, too. Fantastic "Africa" form, even if it was just for a bit. The multiple starts and stops, and stops (standstill) got tiring, and kind of threw a wrench in the gears of this band. (I speak of programming, not performers.) Scatter, and then yet another break, and then, as predicted, jazz running follow-the-leader drill. Rigid flow--too rigid. Not bad. My Score: 74.20 My Placement: 28th George Waltin High School Marietta, GA Repertoire: "by George," featuring the music of George Gershwin, Georges Bizet, George Michael and George Handel Comments: A thick exclamation point form on the 50 is heightened by a nice rifle toss in the center of the dot. I like the call and response brass and woodwind play, including a rock solid company front by the brass. A mini sax is busted out for a Gershwin moment. When the beat kicks in for George Michael's "Freedom," and then the winds blow the house down, it's hard NOT to get goosebumps. Thought fair in demand, this show is easy to like and accept. My Score: 78.00 My Placement: 22nd Tarpon Springs High School Tarpon Springs, FL Repertoire: "Poisoned" - Movement 1: Evil Queen, Movement 2: Mirror, Mirror, Movement 3: Snow White, Movement 4: The Apple, Movement 5: Shattered Comments: Let's just say the beginning of this show involves a black queen walking over the backs of wind players on their hands and knees, a long cape flowing behind her and blanketing the ones she leaves in the dust. Spectacular show. Yes, the woodwinds are moving when they're playing all that. This show is one you have to see live to appreciate--it takes the performing arts to a whole new level. My Score: 94.40 My Placement: 3rd Union High School Tulsa, OK Repertoire: "1987 in Retrospect" Comments: A big park-and-play occupies the beginning part of their show with an on-the-money saber toss. Disorganized woodwind sound followed by intense brass RULES. The guard makes what they do look easy, and I know it is FAR from easy! (Outstanding job!) The Les Mis ballad complete with singing DM was awesome! Huge showing. My Score: 92.10 My Placement: 6th Lawrence Central High School Indianapolis, IN Repertoire: "Col Legno," featuring the Wooden Prince by Bela Bartok, Grohg Ballet by Aaron Copland, Pavane for a Dead Princess by Maurice Ravel and Proven Lands by Jonny Greenwood Comments: The pre-show through introduction is epic, complete with "attached" guard by bamboo type poles and energy that knows no bounds. The guard are experts at what they do, catching and hopping around and spinning their bodies to the ground. What a balancing act, as a girl in the guard walks across raised wooden planks by her teammates, planks lowered as soon as she crosses them. Remarkable stuff, and I do mean all of it. My Score: 90.90 My Placement: 8th Broken Arrow High School Broken Arrow, OK Repertoire: "Surrender to Hope," including Darkness on the Edge, The Empty World, Ashes of War and Surrender to Hope Comments: Oh my...ri-di-cu-lous. A smoke screen is created at the tunnel where the band enters. My jaw was dropped for most of their show, which tells an original story like no other. It's filled with wonder, with skirts of black used to hid, transform, and stage. This show is not for the faint of art. My Score: 95.30 My Placement: 1st Lake Central High School St. John, IN Repertoire: "The Hero With a Thousand Faces" Comments: The trumpet entrance was not as spot on as I had hoped. The guard in white contrasted with their black flags, pretty evenly spread out on the field. Oh brass, those lines can't be crooked when you're turning that box form. Thought-provoking staging concept with outer reaches tarps on top of outer reaches tarps, coming forward, creating a "multiplying" effect. (Stages to more stages.) When these kids got in the groove, these kids got IN THE GROOVE. They had a mighty, mighty end to their product. My Score: 83.00 My Placement: 17th Bourbon County High School Paris, KY Repertoire: "The Eye of the Beholder" Comments: With interesting shakos and painted faces that together make them look like Herman Munsters, these enthusiastic kids (of which there are few) make themselves "big." Wonderful special F/X with the electrocution scene. "I'll create a mate," says a female type Dr. Frankenstein who has a barrel full of body parts. (Sick, I know. But funny.) Yesss! Beat boxing! Truly, beauty is in the eye of the beholder as the already beautiful flute soloist turns into a beautiful...monster? My Score: 74.90 My Placement: 26th Jenison High School Jenison, MI Repertoire: "Joan: Visionary, Warrior, Martyr, Saint" Comments: Nice. Within the pre-show, a shrouded figure runs through a path of winds, this after a well-blended string of pre-recorded and live music. Some sabers did not get caught as they should have in the down-the-line toss. Some trumpets wobbled. Now THERE'S that catch, sabers, right after that toss and fancy footwork. Sweet! This group was scrappy, but they got the job done. The part of the show everyone will remember, though, involves a girl getting burned at the stake--a visually stunning portrayal, yet transforming into an angelic martyr. My Score: 80.00 My Placement: 20th Walled Lake Central High School Walled Lake, MI Repertoire: "Valhalla" Comments: My eyes were directed to a "swapped places" rifle catch. Excellent, soprano sax player! Whoa! How many times did those rifles spin in the air not long before the accelerando? A cylindrical piece of the icy landscape comes forward, and it becomes a sort of monolithic, idolized piece...a maypole of sorts that smokes and unleashes an axe-weilding woman. My Score: 85.00 My Placement: 15th Northmont High School Northmont, OH Repertoire: "Timepiece," featuring Clocks by Coldplay, Time by Pink Floyd, Timepiece by Cindy McTee and Con te Partiro by Quarantotto/Sartori Comments: Pretty cool hands-of-clock drill move done that I've seen done before. Not a bad opening burst of sound, and now we slow things down a bit before things speed up again. I see a lot of flat feet out there, and a few timing issues. I have to endure a lot of notes that are out of tune and for quite a while, which, in terms of effect, overstays their welcome MOSTLY because there is no resolution. The flugel (or is it alto?) horn demonstrates excellence. Standard show. My Score: 71.00 My Placement: 32nd My Scores: 1) 95.30 - Broken Arrow 2) 94.70 - Carmel 3) 94.40 - Tarpon Springs 4) 94.30 - Avon 5) 92.90 - Marian Catholic 6) 92.10 - Union 7) 91.00 - Center Grove 8) 90.90 - Lawrence Central 9) 90.50 - Kennesaw Mountain 10) 89.20 - James Bowie 11) 88.80 - Franklin 12) 88.50 - William Mason ________________________________________ 13) 88.00 - PCEP 14) 87.90 - Ronald Reagan 15) 85.00 - Walled Lake Central 16) 84.80 - Centerville 17) 83.00 - Lake Central 18) 81.10 - Nation Ford 19) 80.40 - Greenwood Community 20) 80.00 - Jenison 21) 79.90 - North Hardin 22) 78.00 - George Walton 23) 77.00 - Bellevue West 24) 75.90 - Ben Davis 25) 75.20 - Bridgewater-Raritan 26) 74.90 - Bourbon County 27) 74.50 - Western 28) 74.20 - Rockford 29) 74.00 - Lafayette 30) 73.90 - Forest Park 31) 72.30 - Norton 32) 71.00 - Northmont 33) 70.20 - Goshen 34) 69.00 - LaSalle Actual Scores: 1) 95.35 - Carmel 2) 95.10 - Broken Arrow 3) 93.75 - James Bowie 4) 93.60 - Tarpon Springs 5) 93.40 - Avon 6) 91.95 - Marian Catholic 7) 89.90 - Kennesaw Mountain 8) 89.75 - William Mason 9) 89.60 - Ronald Reagan 10) 88.45 - Lawrence Central 11) 85.60 - PCEP 12) 85.40 - Center Grove ________________________________________ 13) 85.25 - Union 14) 85.20 - Lake Central 15) 84.80 - Centerville 16) 83.95 - Ben Davis 17) 83.20 - Lafayette 18) 82.65 - Bridgewater-Raritan 19) 82.25 - Rockford 20) 81.60 - George Walton 21) 81.45 - Nation Ford 22) 81.20 - North Hardin 23) 80.40 - Greenwood Community 24) 80.10 - Franklin 25) 79.40 - Northmont 26) 78.50 - Bellevue West 27) 77.55 - Jenison 28) 77.10 - Goshen 29) 76.95 - Walled Lake Central 30) 75.45 - Bourbon County 31) 75.05 - Western 32) 73.10 - Forest Park 33) 72.25 - Norton 34) 70.20 - LaSalle Analysis: I was fine with the bands that made it to finals. I was a little surprised Union didn't make it, but I was told they had some pulse problems for a portion of their show. And Franklin was ALWAYS a bubble band to me (and nothing more), although I did really like their product. All in all, it was a well fought semi-finals. Obviously, the judges and I had a difference of opinion on a lot of the groups in where they ended up, but that's the nature of the subjective beast. A lot of the knowledgeable folks sitting around me didn't think Kennesaw Mountain would make it to finals and thought Lawrence Central was a dud, but I had faith that these two bands would pull through. I'm not normally a Kennesaw or LC fan, but this year I became a fan of these bands for the first time. I thought both of these bands had really well-thought-out shows. Sure, they may have been sloppy execution-wise...but they were INTERESTING. As for the Class Championships results, the only "whaaa-?" moment was Bowie getting 3rd in Class AAAA, and not Avon. Technical difficulties or no technical difficulties, I feel they should have placed 3rd. But I knew that finals would be a new game, no matter what happened in semis. Extensive FINALS review to come... Alan Irons, PMP, PMI-ACP

Since there WAS one Texas band at this show... Bands of America Regional Championships St. George, UT October 29, 2011 Pre-show Thoughts: Cold!!! Prelims Review Uintah H.S. Vernal, UT Director: Brian Gibson Drum Major: Ashley Luck Repertoire: "Lost" My Comments: This very small band had solid timing at the start of their show. I sought a more "husky" theme, and what they gave me was just...fair. Guard handle on rifles was beginner, and the same could be said for the flags and drums. My Score: 43.30 My Placement: 32nd Actual Score: 45.00 Actual Placement: 32nd Tooele H.S. Tooele, UT Director: Marilyn Syra Drum Major: Braden Smart Repertoire: "PICANTE," featuring 1. Estancia, 2. Late in the Evening, 3. Caliente (Percussion Feature) and 4. La Suerta De Los Tontos My Comments: Yikes. Clarity in first horn snap was not what I had hoped for. Wow, this little band that could, could. I'm diggin' the music, and the fullness of it--GREAT! Go tubas, go! Ha ha! Dancing low brass and bari saxophonist for the win! Flagwork, as simple as it was, was mostly together. Uh oh, almost lost me there in the last tune. My Score: 56.90 My Placement: 26th Actual Score: 61.70 Actual Placement: 25th Mountain View H.S. Meridian, ID Director: Vanessa Perala Drum Majors: Katherine Roberts and Peter Taylor Repertoire: "Stained Glass" My Comments: Nice, aggressive line rotations to kick off the show, an sharp stabs of sound. Percussion = strength of this ensemble. Prop placement was mobile and made sense. Way to go with the pole angles during the solid drums feature, guard. (There's still work to be done, though.) My Score: 64.00 My Placement: 23rd Actual Score: 68.30 Actual Placement: 21st Stansbury H.S. Stansbury Park, UT Director: David Blanchard Drum Majors: Aren Mann and Jonathan Cunningham Repertoire: "Music of Karl Jenkins," including: In Caelum Fero, Zarabanda/Palladio, Cantus song of Aelous and Adiemus My Comments: Sneaky introduction. The only thing that comes to mind when I think of introductory G.E. is: mellow. I'm glad this band got better as time passed, though. Attention to detail was moderate. Tenor drum trumpet soloist--I like the multiple responsibilities. This show was very jagged. My Score: 53.90 My Placement: 27th Actual Score: 58.95 Actual Placement: 28th West Valley H.S. Hemet, CA Director: T.J. Hepburn Drum Majors: Chelsea Napier and Shawn Hockenberry Repertoire: "Macabre," featuring 1. Bump in the Night, 2. Haunted Lullaby and 3. Death Danse My Comments: Unfortunately, the amplified narrator was muffled. (I could barely hear what he was saying!) What an awkward beginning. It took a while for this thing to get on its feet. I think it is rather nonsensical to have one wind player on the field with a big white plume when everyone else has a black plume--drum major or not. Battery and pit percussion, you guys were just a saving grace. My Score: 48.40 My Placement: 31st Actual Score: 58.10 Actual Placement: 29th Timpanogos H.S. Orem, UT Director: Jared Morris Drum Major: Jared Larsen Repertoire: "OperaTooney," featuring Looney Tunes Main Themes, Funiculi Funicula, Haanera from "Carmen," Flight of the Bumblebee, Ride of the Valkyries and Orpheus in the Underworld My Comments: Drum major with bunny ears, haha! Nice touch. This band may not have been timid, but that is how I perceived them. Great presence, alto saxes! Solid control, all. The yellow rifles against the yellow guard costume is not smart if you want to make that rifle stand out and contrast well. Heeeey, impressive visual performance...and musically, though bite size, was PRECISE. My Score: 50.00 My Placement: 29th Actual Score: 56.85 Actual Placement: 31st Monarch H.S. Louisville, CO Director: Clare Church Drum Majors: Nathan Taylor, Alexa Burg and Charlie Davies Repertoire: "H2O," featuring Rainstorm, Calm, Waters, Rushing River and Storm at Sea My Comments: I like the pre-show sway by the field crew, and the wind/water sound effect. Way to bring the pic center focus, guard soloist with umbrella. Beautiful introduction, band. Yeah, they had some mis-steps, but body movement--secure! Great tension production. Ooh, nice work with that long, deep blue silk, and...percussion rocks! Well-tailored show. My Score: 68.20 My Placement: 21st Actual Score: 69.55 Actual Placement: 20th Highland H.S. Pocatello, ID Director: Jay Ronk Drum Majors: Matt Estes and Ashley Asper Repertoire: Selections from Antonin Dvorak's "New World Symphony," including: Mvmt 1. Allegro Molto, Mvmt 2. Largo and Mvmt 3. Allegro con fuoco My Comments: A percussion beat to start a show? That kind of show lacks confidence, or at the very least, finesse. And with New World Symphony, you gotta have finesse! GREAT toss of rifles, in sequence. Okay, this band held my attention moderately well. My Score: 61.20 My Placement: 25th Actual Score: 66.70 Actual Placement: 22nd Orem H.S., Orem, UT Director: Howard Summers Drum Majors: Nicholas Pope, Meredith Bates, Kaitlin Rodgers and Amy Jamison Repertoire: "Alexander Nevsky," including Mvt. 1 Battle on the Ice, Mvt. 2 Field of the Dead and Mvt. 3 Entry into Pskov; featuring music by Sergei Prokofiev My Comments: Before the show starts it looks like the wind players are hammering invisible spikes in with their instruments. I really like the recorded narration, really adding flavor to this Russian-themed show. Musically and visually this band was pretty on top of their game. Great fighting choreography between wind players and one of the guard with a saber, of course. My Score: 66.90 My Placement: 22nd Actual Score: 72.80 Actual Placement: 15th Covina H.S. Covina, CA Director: Daniel Franco Drum Majors: Terence Cho and Nancy Zapien Repertoire: "Solaris," by Frank Sullivan My Comments: This group has, I would say, an "intermediate" visual repertoire. I'm feeling the groove when the electric guitar intensifies. As for an ensemble sound--messy, muddled. At times this group plays demanding stuff, but you can tell it is too hard for them. (I give props to them for trying, though!) I love the push up from the ground move by the winds as a means of highlighting the battery drums. Ugh! Much of this show is too sloppy for my taste. Hmmm. Well, a mighty, mighty effort. My Score: 52.00 My Placement: 28th Actual Score: 60.00 Actual Placement: 27th Arbor View H.S. Las Vegas, NV Director: Justin Klarer Drum Majors: Boyden Bulloch, Tanner Horn and Jean Valenzuela Repertoire: "The Raven" My Comments: The narrator, beginning with, "Once upon a midnight dreary," draws me in. Who is that guy seated, facing away from the audience? Great creation of MYSTERY. Pretty solid run thus far! Those descending triplets, trumpets...they can use some work. (Double-tonguing technique might work here.) Wow, the director made a pretty dangerous decision placing his guard high up there on those door props! My Score: 71.70 My Placement: 18th Actual Score: 73.55 Actual Placement: 14th Sky View H.S. Smithfield, UT Director: Randall Beach Drum Majors: Sarah wood, Becky DeFriez, and McKenna Partridge Repertoire: "Rock Me Blue!" including: Your Attention, Blue Rondo a la Turk, Up to the Roof and Blue Shades My Comments: I like the winds/battery/guard integration in the pod form that sways back and forth before the show starts, and then some thundering electronics. Way to rock the key-tar, dude, but I wish it were louder. The running man and hand vis moves were fine, but just too JAGGED, and predictable! Oooooh yeah trumpets. (Nice work!) Love that plumber's nightmare of an instrument down in front, and what a unique sound! Is this a Blue Man Group thing? Entertaining! My Score: 77.30 My Placement: 11th Actual Score: 80.30 Actual Placement: 7th La Cueva H.S. Albuquerque, NM Director: John Converse Drum Majors: Hailey Buster, Erica Bogenschild and Paul Christodoulou Repertoire: "From the Top," featuring the music of Benjamin Britten and Edward Elgar My Comments: This group comes onto the field in a "high school-ish", disorderly fashion, which fits the theme they're bringing us. Some of the mechanics--disjointed. This group does challenge themselves. Well done head tilt and triangle hit to close out that movement. Okay, lots of shining star moments for this band! Haaa! Love the guy in the stands who yells at the top of his lungs, "Finish it!" before their show ends. Calm down, dude! My Score: 72.00 My Placement: 17th Actual Score: 74.95 Actual Placement: 13th J.M. Hanks H.S. El Paso, TX Director: Horacio Gomez Drum Majors: Brittany Prater, Caitlyn Collette and Joseph Johnson Repertoire: "The Fallen," featuring music by Silvestre Revueltas, Ludwig van Beethoven, Philip Glass and Samuel Barber My Comments: The backfield music and drill pre-show was superb. Great, the music was right "in the zone." Excellent interpretation of the Philip Glass music, woodwinds. Way to cap things off, rifles! Typical Texas musicianship...strong! Spacing, wind player to wind player, was above average, too. My Score: 80.90 My Placement: 6th Actual Score: 80.05 Actual Placement: 8th Clovis H.S. Clovis, NM Director: Bill Allred Drum Majors: Aaron Phillips and Jacob Mendoza Repertoire: "The Flutter Effect," featuring Fetes and Nuages from "Images for Orchestra," by Debussy, Flight from Cirque du Soliel's "Ka," and an original composition by Will Pitts My Comments: Even though this is the pre-show, side-profile of marching folks looked off, person-to-person. I appreciate the oboeist work--nice job! The music is solid, the marching is decent. I wasn't as thoroughly engaged with this band as I was Hanks, and this may have had something to do with transitions. Ooh, cover down on those vertical lines during the majestic part. Sweet--butterfly form to match the butterfly flag flying through. My Score: 79.80 My Placement: 8th Actual Score: 81.15 Actual Placement: 5th Mayfield H.S. Las Cruces, NM Director: Neil Swapp Drum Majors: Richard Chavez and Kendra Hernandez Repertoire: "Veil," including selections from: Samuel Barbar's Medea's Dance of Vengeance and Edward Elgar's Cello Concerto My Comments: Right when this band went on my brother called me for some assistance with the FVHS band, so I had to leave the stadium. Sad face. Oh well. I knew they had a strong show as I saw it last night at the Red Rocks competition...so I am going to guesstimate they scored an 82.80. My Score: 82.80 My Placement: 5th Actual Score: 81.00 Actual Placement: 6th Davis H.S. Kaysville, UT Director: Steven Hendricks Drum Majors: Samuel Ward, Jessica Allen and Jacob Christensen Repertoire: "Boo! In the Hall of the Mountain King," by Key Poulan, featuring: 1. In a Darkened Hall, 2. Masked By Shadows and 3. Mountain King My Comments: The show before the show has the band appearing frightened and acting out in various visuals. Well done! This big band makes an IMPACT! And yet the "control" is conveyed. Great brass toss back and forth to keep your attention scattered. The guard are saber masters, one-handing those catches and rolling those things around the back with finesse. Wow, the drumline just leaves you in awe. Fantastic show. My Score: 86.90 My Placement: 4th Actual Score: 82.90 Actual Placement: 4th Corona Del Sol H.S. Tempe, AZ Director: David DuPlessis Drum Majors: Hannah Pfotenhauer, Jessica Bowman and Nicky Redmond Repertoire: "Joy!" original music by Michael Pote and Michael McIntosh My Comments: Line rotations at the beginning of the show are OK. Watch the cover-downs, vertical folks. Ooh! Again. Cover...down. The band leaves itself way too exposed and suffer because of it. The trumpets are streeeeetching themselves! Nice moment there with the circle form in the middle of the vertical lines. My Score: 70.90 My Placement: 20th Actual Score: 71.60 Actual Placement: 17th Lehi H.S. Lehi, UT Director: Nate Seamons Drum Majors: Garrett Guymon, Rachel Struthers and Dallin Johnson Repertoire: "Time," featuring Perpetuo Moto from "Equus" by Eric Whitacre, Persistence of Memory from "Sunset" by Wataru Hokoyama and Stopwatch by Key Poulan My Comments: Wind players meander around the field, looking confused, asking each other what time it is, and in the rear of the field is a big clock that is going haywire. Yay! This band makes great use of its resources. Way to play to your strengths! Aaaaaaand, they're engaging, too. Yeah, this is a GOOD show. Bravo! My Score: 73.80 My Placement: 14th Actual Score: 65.10 Actual Placement: 23rd American Fork H.S. American Fork, UT Director: John Miller Drum Majors: Lauren Hafen, Cameron Thomas, Logan McAllister and Andrea Cox Repertoire: "Shades of Conflict," including selections from: Medea's Dance of Vengeance, Harrison's Dream and Serenada Schizophrana My Comments: In the pre-show the guard is the center of attention until one side of the field does melancholy drill and music, and then the other side. Ha ha! I love the horns up fake-out. There are few flaws with this band and everything they do is WAY good. My Score: 89.40 My Placement: 1st Actual Score: 85.10 Actual Placement: 2nd Grantsville H.S. Grantsville, UT Director: Eric Nix Drum Major: Aubrey Wilcox Repertoire: "Africa," featuring Ceremony, Song and Ritual My Comments: The wind players are in a circle, bowing on the knees, and the drumline in the rear part of the field sway side to side (as does the pit) with some weird, bug-like sound effects coming from the synth. Every musician does his/her part in this tiny group. For the most part the guard is in time. Ooh, spinning bass drums, haha! Excellent showmanship! My Score: 49.90 My Placement: 30th Actual Score: 57.00 Actual Placement: 30th Vista Murrieta H.S. Murrieta, CA Director: Donald Wade Drum Majors: Brandon Bird, Kira Golombek, Joel Martin del Campo and Megan McDonald Repertoire: "Ascension," featuring Mvmt I. Death, Mvmt II. Into the Fire, Mvmt III. Purgatory and Mvmt. IV Ascending to Paradise My Comments: The wind players take the field in a somber sort of way, and soon they place themselves in circle-inside-circle forms--three of them to be exact. The backfield music thing goes on way too long, and then when they face front fie,ld I am not hugely impressed. Not a great start, but not a bad one. Weird...they sound like they are not in time with the DM before the drum feature, yeah? Hmmm. A trombone player gets lost in the mix, it seems. Despite all the "darns," still...a decent show, better than many groups here today. My Score: 75.10 My Placement: 12th Actual Score: 75.75 Actual Placement: 12th Westlake H.S. Saratoga Springs, UT Director: Brek Mangelson Drum Majors: Mary Funk, Kylie Lincoln and Janelle Morgan Repertoire: "Paradox," featuring music by Anthony Melillo, Jay Bocook and Richard Saucedo My Comments: Lots of snap crackle pop in the speakers of the mid-field pit. I love the soloist work, but the pit distracted. I hate to see a group unplug things, but in this case that is what I would definitely do...ad I'm not sure if this is what they did or not but it stopped...oh and then it came back to haunt us. Other than distractions, this show was spot on. Way to fight past it all, all. Where is the director to help with this nonsense? They are allowed to run out onto the field to assist in emergency situations without getting a penalty, right??? My Score: 71.00 My Placement: 19th Actual Score: 63.65 Actual Placement: 24th Mountain Crest H.S. Hyrum, UT Director: Jason Petrovich Drum Majors: Chris Duvall and Angela Cheney Repertoire: "Corner Pocket," featuring I. Rack 'em up, II. The Break, III. Inside the Corner Pocket, IV. Eight-Ball Tango and V. The Celebration My Comments: I like how the field is transformed into a big pool table before the winds come to the center, in focus. Okay, show me what you got, people! Great use of field space in the ballad, and elegant work with the 8-ball flag by the guard dude that got many cheers. My Score: 72.30 My Placement: 16th Actual Score: 72.70 Actual Placement: 16th Montezuma Cortez H.S. Cortez, CO Director: Rodney Ritthaler Drum Majors: Hayden Cook and David Burch Repertoire: Selection from Antonin Dvorak's "New World Symphony" My Comments: The pre-show for this group was fine, except they gave away a lot of their big moments. At times it seems like they were negotiating the musicality by skipping a note (or reducing a note) here and there. Not bad. I liked that the guard was together, but I wanted to give them more compliments. My Score: 63.50 My Placement: 24th Actual Score: 61.70 Actual Placement: 26th Coronado H.S. Henderson, NV Director: Danielle McCracken Drum Majors: Lanie Cohen, Josh Arendt, Barry MacNeill and Andrew Bennett Repertoire: "An American Passage," featuring I. Silverado, II. With Each Sunset and III. Chorale and Shaker Dance My Comments: I like the slow, old west, good ol' days start to this show, but it is safe, safe, safe. The show does kick it into high gear once the drums throw down some beats...and then the wind players do a little dance and, yeah, "Yee-haw," indeed! Man, this group can indeed play, especially when motionless. Okay, not bad. Nothing spectacular despite all the right notes and moves. My Score: 74.20 My Placement: 13th Actual Score: 70.85 Actual Placement: 18th Fountain Valley H.S. Fountain Valley, CA Director: Gary Wampler Drum Majors: Zach Siegman, Zach Jones and Anthony Ho Repertoire: "Monolithic," an original composition by Scott Director My Comments: Since I have ties to this group (my brother is the associate director), I will not "review" this band in the strictest sense...but I will say that they have a unique show based on a structure that appears to have mirror-coils within and could quite simply be referred to as a "monolith." There is a pre-show with pre-recorded music that sets the mood, a storyline of sorts that pertains to the members of the field being "influenced" by this monolith in ways you have to see (pulling you in like a big tractor beam, making you insane?). The show has lots of dynamic contrasts, and LOTS of percussive shades and AGRESSIVE moments. The end of the show is a sort of book-end to the beginning. It is quite fascinating, and it has been a pleasure working with these hard working kids! I assist with the visual program, and visually thee kids are doing all we have asked them to do and more...and they STILL want to be fed, haha! Their run this afternoon was ROUGH, I thought, and--no excuses--they simply failed, and I think they knew it, too. The pit was too loud, the last movement--a very challenging movement, btw--did not quite "get there." Despite their faults I'd say they will make finals. It would take much more for them to NOT make finals. My Score: 79.50 (I'm being generous!) My Placement: 9th Actual Score: 77.45 Actual Placement: 9th Foothill H.S. Henderson, NV Director: Travis Pardee Drum Majors: Olyvia Johns, Keoni Sailer and Brittany Stradling Repertoire: "Angels in the Architecture" My Comments: The band gets eerie quickly, with these tube things you swing around your head that makes a whirring sound. Initial attacks from this group were quite solid. Well done! The singing portion of their show brought chills. Fantastic work! My Score: 79.40 My Placement: 10th Actual Score: 77.10 Actual Placement: 10th Upland H.S. Upland, CA Director: Ernie Miranda Drum Majors: Jarrett Catlin, Brandon Thomsen and Helen Schulz Repertoire: "The Gates" My Comments: Hey! They stole Fountain Valley's 2005 show (entitled "Threshold")! Well, not really, though FV used the famous "gate" props, too! The big orange gate props were based off the original ones in Central Park (NY) some time ago. Upland has an awesome show...just magnificent brute force, yeah? The booming synths shake you! Man, the brass sound big even far back in the corner, there. Ooh, don't lose it, woodwind players. Ha! Great one-two-feet kick-up after that saber toss near the baritone soloist, and caught great! Marvelous show! My Score: 87.50 My Placement: 3rd Actual Score: 86.40 Actual Placement: 1st Lone Peak H.S. Highland, UT Director: Curtis McKendrick Drum Majors: Julia Isom, Chris Running and Adam Prusse Repertoire: "Hold Your Breath," featuring music from Joseph Organisciak, Dmitri Shostakovich, Maurice Jarre and James Barnes My Comments: The sounds of seagulls and ocean waves permeate. This group has a bunch of solid performers. I love the balanced sound. The forms gelled, the technique was strong in the feet, and these kids carried themselves well! My Score: 73.00 My Placement: 15th Actual Score: 70.05 Actual Placement: 19th Mead H.S. Spokane, WA Directors: Bob Lewis and Terry Lack Drum Majors: Ashley Hall, Lexi Johnson and Jacob Sok Repertoire: "Electric" My Comments: Whoa! Big sound, excellent craftsmanship. There were some rough patches in the show, but...they overcame. Why go for the half-hearted toss for your downstair's neighbor, guard girls on the towers? Too risky? My Score: 80.00 My Placement: 7th Actual Score: 76.50 Actual Placement: 11th Clovis West H.S. Fresno, CA Director: John Lack Drum Majors: Caroline Weaver and Emma Guerrero Repertoire: "The Immovable Do-Re-Mi" My Comments: Sound of Music mixed with Star '93? Heck yeah! My Score: 89.10 My Placement: 2nd Actual Score: 84.50 Actual Placement: 3rd My Overall Placement 1. 89.40 American Fork H.S., UT 2. 89.10 Clovis West H.S., CA 3. 87.50 Upland H.S., CA 4. 86.90 Davis H.S., UT 5. 82.80 Mayfield H.S., NM (guessed score because I had had to leave) 6. 80.90 J.M. Hanks H.S., TX 7. 80.00 Mead H.S., WA 8. 79.80 Clovis H.S., NM 9. 79.50 Fountain Valley H.S., CA 10. 79.40 Foothill H.S., NV 11. 77.30 Sky View H.S., UT 12. 75.10 Vista Murrieta H.S., CA 13. 74.20 Coronado H.S., NV 14. 73.80 Lehi H.S., UT 15. 73.00 Lone Peak H.S., UT 16. 72.30 Mountain Crest H.S., UT 17. 72.00 La Cueva H.S., NM 18. 71.70 Arbor View H.S., NV 19. 71.00 Westlake H.S., UT 20. 70.90 Corona del Sol H.S., AZ 21. 68.20 Monarch H.S., CO 22. 66.90 Orem H.S., UT 23. 64.00 Mountain View H.S., ID 24. 63.50 Montezuma-Cortez H.S., CO 25. 61.20 Highland H.S., ID 26. 56.90 Tooele H.S., UT 27. 53.90 Stansbury H.S., UT 28. 52.00 Covina H.S., CA 29. 50.00 Timpanagos H.S., UT 30. 49.90 Grantsvile H.S., UT 31. 48.40 West Valley H.S., CA 32. 43.30 Uintah H.S., UT Actuals 1. 86.40 Upland H.S., CA 2. 85.10 American Fork H.S., UT 3. 84.50 Clovis West H.S., CA 4. 82.90 Davis H.S., UT 5. 81.15 Clovis H.S., NM 6. 81.00 Mayfield H.S., NM 7. 80.30 Sky View H.S., UT 8. 80.05 J.M. Hanks H.S., TX 9. 77.45 Fountain Valley H.S., CA 10. 77.10 Foothill H.S., NV 11. 76.50 Mead H.S., WA 12. 75.75 Vista Murrieta H.S., CA 13. 74.95 La Cueva H.S., NM 14. 73.55 Arbor View H.S., NV 15. 72.80 Orem H.S., UT 16. 72.20 Mountain Crest H.S., UT 17. 71.60 Corona del Sol H.S., AZ 18. 70.85 Coronado H.S., NV 19. 70.05 Lone Peak H.S., UT 20. 69.55 Monarch H.S., CO 21. 68.30 Mountain View H.S., ID 22. 66.70 Highland H.S., ID 23. 65.10 Lehi H.S., UT 24. 63.65 Westlake H.S., UT 25. 61.70 Tooele H.S., UT 26. 61.70 Montezuma-Cortez H.S., CO 27. 60.00 Covina H.S., CA 28. 58.95 Stansbury H.S., UT 29. 58.10 West Valley H.S., CA 30. 57.00 Grantsville H.S., UT 31. 56.85 Timpanogos H.S., UT 32. 45.00 Uintah H.S., UT Class A 1st - Montezuma-Cortez, CO 2nd - Grantsville, UT Outstanding Music Performance - Montezuma-Cortez, CO Outstanding Visual Performance - Montezuma-Cortez, CO Outstanding General Effect - Montezuma-Cortez, CO Class AA 1st - Mead, WA 2nd - Orem, UT 3rd - Highland, ID Outstanding Music Performance - Mead, WA Outstanding Visual Performance - Mead, WA Outstanding General Effect - Mead, WA Class AAA 1st - Clovis West, CA 2nd - Clovis, NM 3rd - Mayfield, NM Outstanding Music Performance - Clovis West, CA Outstanding Visual Performance - Clovis West, CA Outstanding General Effect - Clovis West, CA Class AAAA 1st - Upland, CA 2nd - American Fork, UT 3rd - Davis, UT Outstanding Music Performance - Upland, CA Outstanding Visual Performance - Upland, CA Outstanding General Effect - American Fork, UT Post-Prelims Thoughts: It warmed up as the day went on. I knew at least 2 good bands that are "finals worthy" would not make finals. Special thanks to the Sky View mom who was handing out free sandwiches to people (because they brought extra), so because I didn't have time to hit the snack bar for lunch I took advantage of this and got a delicious roast beef and cheese sandwich. REALLY nice of them. I would say the whole audience was respectful. Utah people are super duper nice. I love Hansen Stadium at Dixie State College, but for this competition it was just a wee bit too small. Dan Potter asked that "if you saw your band in prelims, please consider leaving the stadium and sitting on one of the grassy hills on the outer part of the stadium so that other parents/fans can see THEIR prelim band." I saw a lot of courtesy. There seemed to be a string of bad or mediocre or unfortunate performances from Grantsville to Fountain Valley, and I'm not sure what was up with that except that Westlake--who performed BEAUTIFULLY at the Red Rocks show last night--had a disasterous show with their technical difficulties AND a small plane overhead that decided to make a few circles above the stadium to see this band's show, except...everyone was distracted by this dumb plane and would rather have seen the performance! Lame. Let's see, what else? Vista Murrieta not making finals was somewhat of a shock, considering they were 2nd place at the BOA Hemet Regional last year and overall had a great year last year. Nevertheless, I think that VM was lacking in show design AND performance, which is a double-whammy. (It's not a bad show, but not a great show either.) Mead I thought was better than 11th, but their show did not dazzle like other shows dazzled...and thinking back to it I can see why they did not make it into the top 10. I have to give BIG props to Foothill H.S. from Nevada for making finals. I predicted that they might "sneak in" and they did! Watch out for this band. I'd say they're the best band in Nevada, now, and one that is on the up-and-up. (They had an impressive show last year, too, I believe.) Once again, the BOA judges were all awesome. Not only do I think they got the scores and rankings right, but I think they were EXTRA helpful, courteous and smart. If you heard the judge tapes for the bands you would know why. (I've listened to all the tapes for Fountain Valley TWICE and I am just impressed, impressed, impressed.) Congratulations MFA/BOA on a great, well-run preliminary contest. FINALS Review! Did I mention I love Clovis West's show? They only have 64 wind players and they play like a professional wind symphony. Oh, and their show design is BRILLIANT! They mesh the Sound of Music with all sorts of "dark" or emotional material, including Adagio for Strings. Upland is just a powerhouse--big, bold, and letting their guard shine at all the right times. American Fork has a great show, too! I thought American Fork would win it, but they came up short perhaps because Upland's just "that good." Davis took down Clovis West, and because of their strong showing I think they no longer deserve to be known as the "2nd Best Band in Utah" even though, well, they really ARE the "2nd Best Band in Utah." But they are a great band in their own right, and they proved that to me. Clovis and Mayfield--the New Mexico rivals--PERFORMED great, but did not "wow" me by their presentations. Sky View was just fun...plain old fun...and good for them for placing 7th. Well deserved, Sky View, and "rock me blue" you did (yeah, insert cheezy joke HERE). J.M. Hanks is clean...clean, clean, clean! I think Hanks could have moved up a few spots had they a more interesting show. I absolutely loved Hanks's pre-show performance. Good job Fountain Valley for moving up one spot to 8th, as THAT was the show I was looking for but did not get in prelims. And what more can be said about Foothill that I have not said before? Foothill rocked top to bottom, and their guard work was strong. Foothill had all sorts of angles, shades, atmosphere to their show, including SINGING...and I was diggin' it. I did not score or rank the bands for finals, but here is how it ended up (for reals): 87.30

Someone had to do it so I thought I'd have some fun... "SEEDS" BASED ON LAST YEAR

Bands of America Grand National Championships FINALS presented by Yamaha November 13, 2010 Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis, IN Theme: "Celebrating the Past, Embracing the Future" (Picture on the front of the program shows a black and white picture the first BOA Grand National Champions, The Live Oak Emerald Regime from Morgan Hill, CA, and someone who appears to be a part of the Ben Davis Marching Giants (in vibrant purple), from Indianapolis, IN.) ***FINALS*** (Class A Champion - Exhibition) Bourbon County H.S. Paris, Kentucky Director: Eric Hale Drum Major: Rachel Quinn Repertoire: "R.E.M." Comments: I am taken by the way this group takes the field, marching in two files with great marching technique towards the focal point prop--a bed--and then they tell us, "Sssh." After what is calming, soothing music, a radio announcement plays, warning of stormy weather in Indianapolis which was, to an extent true! (It was raining outside Lucas Oil Stadium.) Wowzers, the brass line is in command, and the guard finesses their way through their performance. At one point in the they pat their heart with passion. Criss-crossing diagonal forms lead to whiplash music that never fails to impress. Seven guard girls carrying signs--each with the word of a deadly sin--emerge, and then some drummers in skull masks get revealed with a prop that flips around with some stationary drums, and to top it all off a demon-like giant puppet pops up from behind them to let out an evil laugh. Gosh, that was beautiful alto horn soloist...and way to support, BAND! Outstretched arms in a straight vertical line makes that line rip apart, and then back to the big, big sounds. Marching technique was not where I would like it to be, but of all else they sold their show. This was a fine show worthy of all the honors they took here. Congratulations! My Score: N/A My Placement: N/A Actual Score: N/A Actual Placement: N/A Kennesaw Mountain H.S. Kennesaw, Georgia Director: David Starnes Drum Majors: Frankie Bidwell, Amber Davis, Kelsey Jorgensen and Anna McLean Repertoire: "Awakening Angels" I. "Awakening" II. "Rejoicing" III. "Protecting" IV. "Resurrection" and V. "Benediction" Comments: Flutter running onto the field with arms firmly planted on the sides was this green and grey great. A curvy white tarp covered nearly half the field, as gorgeous pre-recorded vocal music is emitted. Some of the short-range marchers seemed to tip-toe to their spots...get as much technique out of those feet as you can! Yes you can, brass, yes you can, and more please! (Ha, I sound like Oliver.) With the white of the guard on those white tarps it is as if the light pink silks are floating by themselves. Oh man, the drums on the 40 were so well trained--excellent work! The woodwind trio of flute, clarinet, and oboe made their music dance to the heartbeat of the pit. Flat on their backs, now, the wind players take "Adagio for Strings" to a whole new level by rocketing it to the stadium's roof, and then with grace they get up all while keeping it going. Bravo! Beautiful rifle toss, rifle soloist, though perhaps caught one beat too soon? (Debatable.) At the end of their show is a wall of unadulterated sound, and it grew, and it grew, and it grew (and the drumline went nuts, throwing DOWN)! Strong performance here when it counts the most. Did anyone here doubt it? My Score: 89.90 Actual Score: 91.90 My Placement: 9th Actual Placement: 6th Marian Catholic H.S. Chicago Heights, Illinois Director: Greg Bimm Drum Majors: Samantha Greene, Kaitlyn Van Tuyl and Katherine Johnson Repertoire: "On Being Hit On The Head," including: "Are You Experienced" by David Lang, "Symphony No. 2 Mvt. 1 & 3" by Christopher Rouse; "Deus Ex Machina" by Michael Daugherty and "Blink" by Joel Puckett Comments: The auxiliary sat comfortably on chairs on side 1, while an upside down flag form of sorts took most of side 2. Greg Bimm's voice narrates this complex THING. The hands of the wind players go to their head to show us that the head is the place of "trauma," and then all sorts of worries and nonsense figures--like how fast one hits the ground per second--are spouted by the narrator. Sound here, sound there, sound everywhere. Marian Catholic does the organized train wreck thing extremely well, and of course a train wreck it is not! ("It is all part of the plan," as Mr. Bimm might say, including a trapped musician who is in a hole in the middle of a tarp.) Careful not to lean into the step-off, marching crew. Perfect, band...way to open up the field for the twirling flag gal, flashing a vibrant green on a dim field. When this black machine gets revved up, WATCH OUT! This band does not want to slow down, despite Greg's orders. "Death be not proud," and "Life and death" are enormous themes to bear, and this band had no qualms or second thoughts about it. This was my favorite group of the evening. How audacious... My Score: 97.20 My Placement: 1st Actual Score: 90.40 Actual Placement: 7th Cedar Park H.S. Cedar Park, Texas Director: Steve Wessels and Bob Chreste Drum Majors: Suzanne Dailey, Katherine Velasquez and Leah Havens Repertoire: "GENIUS," music representing Gustav Mahler, Albert Einstein, Pablo Picasso and Leonardo da Vinci. Featuring "Symphony No. 5" by Gustav Mahler, "Symphony No. 1" by Gustav Mahler, "Cloudburst" by Eric Whitacre, "Equus" by Eric Whitacre, "Rhapsody On A Theme of Paganini var. 18" by Sergei Rachmaninoff" and "Feste Romane" by Ottorino Respighi Comments: A confident fanfare of the lone trumpet, a blast of brass to the ears, and clear and concise movement meant all was well in "Cedar Park World." There were some timing issues with the flags, but nothing major. Ooh, don't move at a halt trumpet player facing BOA banner near the 40. Fantastic work to build all these breathless moments, some of which includes a rifle toss in a mass oval form of wind players and a light melody by the DM flute player. I appreciate how a paint brush form appears and how a paint brush in the middle of the form is so blatant...and way to direct my eyes, gang. (It's like walking the dog, isn't it? Great work!) Two solid company fronts make my ears burst, and then no, they back off like it's nothing, and then they crank it up one...more...time. Incredible! The design in this show is sorely lacking, and I guess there is only so much you can do with a show based on geniuses. However, it seemed like this group wanted to show off their skills more than tell us a story or want to make us care deeply about their product. They are great, but vanilla, er...mint chocolate chip! My Score: 88.00 My Placement: 12th Actual Score: 87.95 Actual Placement: 10th Tarpon Springs H.S. Tarpon Springs, Florida Director: Kevin Ford Drum Majors: Brianna Hartwell and Charles Shannon Repertoire: "Paranormal," including: 1. "I Know I Am Not Alone," 2. "Those We Don't Speak Of," 3. "This is No Ordinary Dream," 4. "Those We Can't See" and 5. "This Is The End, Let Her Go In Peace" Comments: The wind players seem lost in gentle and memorable music, swaying side to side and looking upwards, as if they are going to be abducted by an alien spacecraft or something...and then beats bend these guys out of shape. Great, great stop drop and roll moves, actors! They ARE actors after all, aren't they? I am in a trance as this group moves at a high rate of speed and spits out notes like a pro symphony. I feel like I am in a movie when the phone rings and a creepy voice tells a girl in yellow--our protagonist--to "pick up the phone," over and over again as she is being chased. (She picks up the phone, of course, and she is told to watch her back.) Don't you love it? It's like a horror film where you scream at the movie screen, "Don't do it!" Ooh, control there, trumpets! Man, I can't take a breathe during this show until things ritard and our eyes gaze towards the soprano saxophone soloist. The "levitated girl" scene (where the bed prop doubles as a special f/x prop as it somehow hydraulically lifts the girl who is sleeping in the bed) was thumbs up. Out comes a clarinet from one of the doors to taunt and frighten, as the scared girl tries to avoid all things "bad," and the wind player plays menacingly, and LOOKS menacing. The auxiliary are on fire right before the ending rock-out section except for a sabre toss. Many in uniform run up the ramps in the back of the field and literally leap off a platform and land who-knows-where, and in the end a flipping member attempts to "get the girl" and by this time I am done with this utterly ridiculous, far-out show. A+. I'm thoroughly convinced. My Score: 94.70 My Placement: 6th Actual Score: 93.35 Actual Placement: 4th Carmel H.S. Carmel, Indiana Director: Richard Saucedo Drum Majors: Kristen Pileri, Aaron Suggs, Nick Pfister and Katherine Dawson Repertoire: "Stop and Smell the Roses," an original composition by Richard Saucedo and Michael McIntosh Comments: A bunch of roses lay behind the drum major's feet. Linear forms of short nature are spread across the field. A near-runner's crouch aaand they're off! I am digging the guard lifts by the wind players, and the horn hand-offs, guard-to-winds. First rifle toss...perfecto! Their music leads you down paths you've likely never been down, and to be in the dark like this is rare and great. I love the classic Carmel "running man" poses, and yes, this band MOVES. Off-red umbrellas open following the accordion sounds. Even the 7/8 signature is not a hindrance. Like Tarpon, it is tough to keep up with these guys. Uh! Unbelievable sound paves the way to all kinds of caught tosses and a thrust of the sabre upwards! Uh! TOO good. Metamorphasizing forms go and go and set up a one-by-one line of rifle tosses that just click. Out come pink roses from the shakos, and that euro-accordion melody, and I can honestly say that this band "brought it" with NO holding back. Wow! My Score: 96.00 My Placement: 5th Actual Score: 92.05 Actual Placement: 5th Broken Arrow H.S. Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Director: Darrin Davis Drum Majors: Justin Anderson, Manessah Miller and Matthew Aschkenas Repertoire: "ZO," inspired by "The Wizard of Oz" Comments: In almost sickeningly cheery demeanor the wind players from this program enter the field in a parade-like way proclaiming with their music, "Ding dong, the witch is dead!" (Or...something of that sort, ha ha! This IS, after all, "ZO"--a Broken Arrow interpretation of "The Wizard of Oz.") After demonstrating what a great sound they have, electronic banjo and other odd string notes (some intentionally out of tune) hit you as the marchers shake their heads (and plumes) with glee. What kind of weird and wacky world are we? The awkward axe props are tossed with ease and all caught from what I could see. Ha ha ha! I believe Broken Arrow's director, standing right in front of me, yelled, "Ha ha! Tin Man!" during this sequence, as if he was trying to tell the judges something about his great show. (He was like a child watching his masterpiece come to life--I love it! He seemed to be having more fun than ANYONE in the stadium, as well.) The Ozma like beauty making her way with her long, long cape is bowed to in jerky fashion by the wind players in a form like a river, and--ha ha!--GLORIOUS--those trailing her seem to mock her by lying on their backs and kicking their feet in the air. Those winged monkey costumes are perfect, and somewhat creepy and authentic AND funny and...wow, could this show be more endearing? This band seems to glide off into the sunset on bright red bikes while tooting their own horns, and they should! Thank you for making me part of your story in just a few minutes. Amazing. My Score: 96.80 My Placement: 2nd Actual Score: 96.25 Actual Placement: 2nd Avon H.S., IN Avon, Indiana Director: Jay Webb Drum Majors: Brad Klemmensen, Jessica McKinney, Ashley Hancock, Ian Conklin, and Haley Hunter Repertoire: "Iconoclash," including: I. "Magnum Opus," II. "Everybody Hurts" and III. "Schadenfreude" Comments: Have you ever seen a more perfect opening form? As the hands thrust forth, the Victorian era sleeves shake. The harpsichord music in a flush turns into Beethoven's 5th. (If you never thought you'd hear Beethoven's 5th at BOA Grand National Finals, well...now you have!) And then Beethoven's 5th turns into...rock music?! Despite what you may think, this show was slick, slick, slick. The big change of pace comes when the winds lie down as if to sleep and then promptly rise. Can the guard be more impressive? I mean, they are catching these sabres while held bending backwards held by the backs by the feet of their buddies on the ground, and then flex, CATCH, yes! The drumline is flawless to my eyes, all communicating WELL. Hmmm, that rifle toss was suspect after that goose-steeping block of Prussian-like musicians, but besides that they pack a wallop of a sound that could make the stadium seats shiver. Holy moly were these guys on fire or what? My Score: 96.70 My Placement: 3rd Actual Score: 97.70 Actual Placement: 1st Lawrence Central H.S. Indianapolis, Indiana Director: Randy Greenwell and Matt James Drum Majors: Cal Lennon, Ryan Gandy and Nick Baird Repertoire: "Evolucion," featuring the music of Darmon Meader and Astor Piazzolla, including: "Baroque Samba," "Oblivion," Aconcagua" and "Libertango" Comments: A decidedly electronic accordion sound is the last sound to be heard as a ripple move on red pathway tarps complete. The saxophone section seems to go through the motions with their feature, but when the rest of the winds let loose it is a different story. The toe-first glide moves by the musicians give off a relaxing vibe, as does the sounds of the oboe solo, and then a group of vis-expert-winds hold themselves up on their side as if to do a sideways push-up. This music is so Love Story ISH, and you can tell they chose the right colors--red, dark red, lavender...you get the picture. I love how the lead guard soloist in all red chills on her back in the midst of a circular patch of red tarp, essentially "disappearing." There seems to be a lot of bounce on the move, musicians, so cool it. The push-up mode guard is placed strategically as the winds gather 'round a purple guard soloist who vanishes as the winds cover her and then uncover her to reveal "the red one" in her place. Beautiful. My Score: 92.90 My Placement: 8th Actual Score: 89.10 Actual Placement: 8th Center Grove H.S. Greenwood, Indiana Director: Kevin Schuessler Drum Majors: Blake Wilde, Kelley James and Melissa Guerrero Repertoire: "Something Wicked This Way Comes" Comments: Straight diagonal forms rotate to vertical forms. The flutes flow with the music, using their legs for some of the notes and their partners in crime to finish it (with one fell leg swoop). As absurd as it seems, one of the lead guard guys is tied to a tree in the center part of the field and is left there as the music darkens and the drums of the battery cruise here, cruise there, cruise everywhere, and then go to be "framed"--all four basses, all eight snares, and all four tenors. Seemingly "part of the tree," the tied guy comes out with what looks like a tree bark mask, accentuating the drum parts. The long black capes suit the drummers well, who signify black, bleak, and blech! The coda for the show echoes the beginning, as winds go backfield, leave the flags to their flagwork 'till they circle the "magical" tree that swallows one of them and dispenses the guy who had been captured and transformed back into the man he was in the beginning. I pondered the meaning of this curious show, and...I'm not even sure if that's necessary. It is what it is. It's wondrous! My Score: 89.20 My Placement: 10th Actual Score: 85.75 Actual Placement: 12th Stephen F. Austin H.S., TX Director: Dustin Winson Drum Majors: Nicholas Tieh, Chelsey Bravenec and Muhammad Mahdi Sugar Land, Texas Repertoire: "Miss Understood," including: "Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture" by Tchaikovsky, "Adagietto" from "Symphony No. 5" by Mahler and "Urban Dances" by Danielpour Comments: The winds warm up on their own in a professional way, calm, clear, and quiet while facing the back. The dance team takes a seat next to the winds in the back curved formation and every other member does specific choreography, the long flowing garment they wear flowing gently. Once these kids get on the move they seem to take down all in their path in music. Excellent arm sweep move, dancers, curved arm thrust complete. Very slight musical glitches intervene, including a trumpet that seemed to be in la-la land on the turn-around (during the ballad). Hmmm, pretty strong finish there--well done! In no time we are in "go" mode, and we are treated to expert music and whiplash motion. I love the part where one mellophone player rushes backwards on the 50, seemingly pulling a zipline full of fellow players as the upside down "V" form condenses into a single line--now THAT is demanding stuff! I like how relentless this band is in change of pace. Ha ha! It's as if they are saying, "Breaks are for wimps!" These guys were no wimps. My Score: 93.80 My Placement: 7th Actual Score: 88.50 Actual Placement: 9th L.D. Bell H.S. Hurst, Texas Director: Van Matthews Drum Majors: Madison Read, Haley Houk, Lucy Kang and Bryce Swift Repertoire: "Honor: we will remember" Comments: The battery drums enter in formation, then proceed to do their own drill while tapping orderly and fittingly. The auxiliary take part in the drums' strict sounds and the rest of the band salute the nation with their take. Swirling trumpet parts soar and a jet sound flies, and in no time we are in the midst of L.D. Bell's "war." The rush of the flag that looks strikingly American following the stab hits is a desperate, passionate move. Oh my do these kids sound impressive at a halt, and look there in the back as the army guard clash with the angel guard, symbolizing this life and no doubt what lies beyond here. The tombstone props of mostly crosses and some stars of David multiply and before you know it you are hit in the face with this respectful show--a sea of markers marking the service of our great men and women who have died for this country. The double-time woodwind squad grates against the long, important tones the brass belt out. It is hard not to shed a tear when the small American flags are placed on the gravestones. (I have to admit that I came close in prelims, but...I held back, ha ha ha! Nevertheless, I was quite moved if not just by the pure significance.) Taps is played, and then it fades to silence. Can it get any better? Absolutely wonderful. My Score: 96.30 My Placement: 4th Actual Score: 96.05 Actual Placement: 3rd Union H.S. Tulsa, Oklahoma Director: Matt McCready Drum Majors: Acille Sammur, Landis Tindell and Cecily Yoakam Repertoire: "ReInvention" Comments: Two files of winds from the tunnel entrance make their way to the field and seem to explode outwards, and prior to sharp music, catches, and happy face after happy face. They should be happy! Things locked left and right! Oookay, a long, long line of winds has some difficulty rotating their form but, fear not! Ha! I am thrilled to the bone that the mellophones get to play a prime role with the guard and are utilized well as they take those fabrics and drape it over their shoulders as they make their way to the front backdrops (for disposal). The distinctly modern synthesizer sound tells us we are in THEIR world, now, and it is looking more and more modern. Guard gracious, those sets of yellow flags blind you, and then you get drowned out by the overall sonic objective. This show was by the numbers. 'Tis a shame there was not more to "think" about, but when you're good you're good. I just wish there was more thought put into the design than just enter, have a little bit of this, have a little bit of that, and then GOOD-BYE! It's like that "Where's the BEEF?" advertisement that some of you might be too young to remember. (Heck, even I am too young to remember, but YouTube it!) When Union was done with their finals-worthy show, so was this awe-inspiring, indelible competition--this bands of America rock, and the rock that is bands of America. My Score: 88.30 My Placement: 11th Actual Score: 87.15 Actual Placement: 11th ***END OF FINALS*** My Finals Placements: 12. 88.00 Cedar Park H.S., TX 11. 88.30 Union H.S., OK 10. 89.20 Center Grove H.S., IN 9. 89.90 Kennesaw Mountain H.S., GA 8. 92.90 Lawrence Central H.S., IN 7. 93.80 Stephen F. Austin H.S., TX 6. 94.70 Tarpon Springs H.S., FL 5. 96.00 Carmel H.S., IN 4. 96.30 L.D. Bell H.S., TX 3. 96.70 Avon H.S., IN 2. 96.80 Broken Arrow H.S., OK 1. 97.20 Marian Catholic H.S., IL Actual Finals Placements (and Awards): Exhibition - Bourbon County H.S., KY (Class A Champion) 12. 85.75 Center Grove H.S., IN 11. 87.15 Union H.S., IN 10. 87.95 Cedar Park H.S., TX 9. 88.50 Stephen F. Austin H.S., TX 8. 89.10 Lawrence Central H.S., IN 7. 90.40 Marian Catholic H.S., IL (Class AA Champion) 6. 91.90 Kennesaw Mountain H.S., GA 5. 92.05 Carmel H.S., IN 4. 93.35 Tarpon Springs H.S., FL (Class AAA Champion) 3. 96.05 L.D. Bell H.S., TX 2. 96.25 Broken Arrow H.S., OK 1. 97.70 Avon H.S., IN (Class AAAA Champion) --Highest Achievement Awards-- Al Castronovo Memorial Esprit de Corps Award - Broken Arrow H.S., OK Outstanding Music Performance Award - Avon H.S., IN Steve Brubaker Outstanding Visual Performance Award - Broken Arrow H.S., OK Outstanding General Effect Award - Avon H.S., IN (BOA Fan Favorite Award - Broken Arrow H.S., OK) THE END ai

Unfortunately, I did not mention in my prelims review that there was a very touching tribute to George N. Parks. Dr. Tim had lots of nice things to say about him, and present were students or former students of his whose lives he touched. Mr. Parks, thank you for all you've done for the drum major and leadership community, and music in general. I did not know you, but you have certainly made POSITIVELY LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES for thousands, and no doubt helped pave the way for the excellence that is MFA/BOA. He will be sorely missed by the family, indeed. I knew little of what to expect today except that most if not all of the performances would be great. I tried to erase all that I had seen the past few days so that I could start off with a "blank slate." It was like "Finals (Plus Some)" with sure finalists showcasing all they've got and vying for the top Class awards, and then "everyone else" who would LOVE to be rub shoulders with the best of the best--essentially being the best of the best. If there is anything I have learned here over the years it is that being a finalist IS winning...you are in a whole new world of competition. (The call it "World Class" in WGI. I call it "Out of this World.") Here are my thoughts on SEMI-FINALS. I wrote down my thoughts on each group as they went on and performed, and then I assigned them a number based on G.E. "overall" (based on all the things I have learned over the year of the marching arts and BOA as peformer, fan, and recently as visual staff.) As Dennis Miller would say, "Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong..." ***SEMI-FINALS*** Adair County H.S. Columbia, Kentucky Repertoire: "The StoryPeople," inspired by works of Brian Andreas Comments: You know, some shows you remember by how they began or how they progress or how they finish. This show was memorable by how it began...before it actually began. Pre-recorded music grabs your ears, as does a guard girl who seems to seduce the band onto the field wearing a unique spandex costume with typewriter "storybook" words on it. Only a few glitches hindered them, it seemed, as rotating lines were not straight enough and the sax section brought up their horns in a distorted way during their performance up front. The finish of their "story" was clean enough, and the scroll unveilings was a win. Excellent show. My Score: 86.80 My Placement: 24th Godwin Heights H.S. Wyoming, Michigan Repertoire: "Five Stages of Grief," Including: 1. "Denial," 2. "Anger," 3. "Depression," 4. "Bargaining," and 5. "Acceptance," original music by John Meehan and Tom Weidner Comments: This scrappy group got down to business immediately, but their sound seemed sucked into No Man's Land. I could hear the feet in the horns real well. Bravo, guard, for the above average symmetricality and asymmetricality. Those blue and green poles have to be angled perfect, girls. All right, GREAT rifle toss that went from the sides and ended in the center, though the center rifle was caught upside down. This show was a hard one to sell, I think, because grieving is different for everyone, perhaps in more or less stages or a different order of stages. They did not finish their show strong. Gotta finish strong! My Score: 74.20 My Placement: 34th Brentwood H.S. Brentwood, Tennessee Repertoire: "In the Woods...LOST!" including: I. "In the Woods," II. "Lost" and III. "No Escape," featuring music by Javier Navarette, Anouk and Hans Zimmer Comments: The wind players rush the field from the tunnel to get into a slanted huddle with somber sounds. I can just hear a rogue trumpet in the first big musical spot. Near perfect toss of those eye-catching orange sabres. The very subtle, almost too subtle turn-around of the wind players to the flute melody is well done, as the feet go to third position. Trumpets, get those notes in tune! Great intrigue created as the robed woman is seemingly ostracized by the mob of winds around her. They have a clever ending, as the heroine is swallowed by the "evil tree." Semi-solid product! My Score: 79.70 My Placement: 33rd Morton H.S. Morton, Illinois Repertoire: "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas," based on the World War II story of two boys on opposite sides of the fence music by Craig Fitzpatrick Comments: Before I get into my review of this group, I'd like to share a cool story--while waiting to get into the stadium I met one of the band moms outside who told me they were NOT expecting to make semi-finals, and were just THRILLED to be there; that they had worked hard all season, and at one of their shows back home a jewish organization bussed a bunch of people to watch their show and were very touched. I love these types of stories! Now to the review...FANTASTIC poise by this ensemble, only moving by the DM's command. The drama here is weapped in the ugly history of the German holocaust, yet the show is allowed to build to that point with cheerful music, then music of innocence, then music of realization. Realization comes with the touches of this fine program, with above average drum and flag work and visual elements that contribute to the theme. Though I could hear the fatigue seep deep into them this did not stop them from telling this moving story, and I dare say that will be the thing that will put them over some of the groups in their class. My Score: 80.10 My Placement: 32nd Lafayette H.S. Lafayette, Louisiana Repertoire: "The Awakening," including: "Spring" from "Three Botticelli pictures," "The Pines of Rome" by Ottorino Respighi and "Aurora Awakes" by John Mackey Comments: Magnificent obvious stage of orange, with huge orange silks that flow in all directions. I am not jolted by their first phrases, but I can see that what they are doing is pretty on target. Expert handling of expert book, trumpets. Musically, there are but slight flaws. Visually, I liked the blind pass-through drill and forms that mesh to create one form. The guard made sure the rifles were caught in time most of the time, but woe be to the catastrophe on side 1. There is that "worship circle" form that is more of a parenthesis, I felt, than that which goes back to the source. My Score: 85.10 My Placement: 29th Ben Davis H.S. Indianapolis, Indiana Repertoire: "The Maze" Comments: The cinematic style of field entrance suited this band, I felt, and the mellophone solo was sloppy, but served its purpose. The body movement that went beyond upper body was a welcome sight, with hands and feet on the turf. The trumpets had handling issues, but the reeds were IT! The saxophone army mesmerized--I love this Philip Glass piece to pieces. Guard, great toss after toss and catch after catch of those rifles, but even better toss after toss (technique). I will let a lot of the note flubs pass 'cause this group DRIVES and creates interest. My Score: 85.10 My Placement: 26th Western H.S. Russiaville, Indiana Repertoire: "Amelia Earhart," music of Philip Glass, Samuel Barber and Damien Rice Comments: The old time aircraft transmissions in the rage of windy skies haunts. The snow angel movment on the field emotes. Silky baritone solo, baritone soloist! The narrative is not intrusive, here...well done! Each form on the field glides and drifts with beauty, and I am so pleased that they go to extremes to make sure the forms lock and that the means to getting to these forms is just right with tall bodies, all counts taken, and pure guiding. Yum! I can go on and on about their sound but I'll just sum it up by saying they seem twice as big as they are. The disappearing act at the end is a must see, like Star Wars. My Score: 87.50 My Placement: 21st Northmont H.S. Clayton, Ohio Repertoire: "The Changing Leaves" featuring: "Autumn Leaves" by Joseph Kosma, "Winter" from Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi, "Rite of Spring" by Igor Stravinsky, original music by Andrew Markworth Comments: The green linear forms border a tree prop's lawn, with the "roots" as the guard who pose appropriately. Yikes! A trumpet player halts outside the form obviously, but does well to sit still. Excellent (not moving after halting). I felt the plume change from green to yellow-and-orange was not sly enough, and jacked up the flow. Swell work with the snare drum stick height, as the field drums stay in synch and add, add, add to what's going on. Superb leg swivels, band...and then we zoom to the tree prop (that has been changing colors, too, mind you!) where a larger root structure--the total unit--spotlights a blooming flower prop. My Score: 83.30 My Placement: 27th Ayala H.S. Chino Hills, California Repertoire: "ICUCME," including: 1. "Don't Look At Me," 2. "Everybody's Watching Me...Gotta Be Perfect," 3. "Looking Within" and 4. "Seeing the Real Self" Comments: My eyes are drawn to the guard in a clump in all black with white mask "hats." You get faked out by the winds who neglect to hit us with their sound because they don't want us to "look at them." Well done! I appreciate the originality of intentionally messing up the rifle toss, too, hahaha! "Gotta be perfect" is right, and they strive, strive, strive for it. (Way to draw you in to this story!) Some forms were clearly dirty, but timing and technique were locked in. Great eye form with the guard serving as the pupil in the center--shades of purple, and so awesome. The percussion feature rocked, just rocked! The eyeball props were great inventive "spotlights" that became an integral part of the stage in and of itself. My Score: 89.40 My Placement: 16th Carmel H.S. Carmel, Indiana Repertoire: "Stop and Smell the Roses," an original composition by Richard Saucedo and Michael McIntosh Comments: "Running man" moves that spring up and down and deft rifle tosses to the tune of clicking and clacking gave me quite the ride. These kids were music marvels, and this was true for the brass especially, I felt. Expert full body swivels into the "running man" pose go back to what defines them. You would be hard pressed to find a fumble from this group, as each big moment gives way to another. The drawstring type moves on side 1 in the goal area that sway side-to-side to the swooning sounds of the accordian invigorates. C'est magnifique! My Score: 94.60 My Placement: 6th Stephen F. Austin H.S., TX Sugar Land, Texas Repertoire: "Miss Understood," including: "Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture" by Tchaikovsky, "Adagietto" from "Symphony No. 5" by Mahler and "Urban Dances" by Danielpour Comments: Little details, like how the flutes hold their instruments behind their backs at a perfect angle and how the clarinets do the same in front is what makes me want to stand up and clap for this group. They shower you with just...gorgeous music. They are so good they seem mechanical. As much as I am in awe I am not on the edge of my seat like I was with Carmel. Give me more of that dancer goodness, yes! (The black ribbon patch moment was great.) Oh boy, the end of their show was on the money (and I felt it topped the first part of their show). These guys are giants. My Score: 91.10 My Placement: 8th Kennesaw Mountain H.S. Kennesaw, Georgia Repertoire: "Awakening Angels" I. "Awakening" II. "Rejoicing" III. "Protecting" IV. "Resurrection" and V. "Benediction" Comments: The football field changes shape with a massive, curvey white tarp. There is some timing issues in the feet around the tubas and baris, but you wouldn't know it unless you searched madly. The white on white effect of guard on tarp was subdued, I think...not enough CONTRAST! The woodwind trio on the spiral stage spun soothing notes to the heartbeats of the pit, and then when you hear a clarinet squeak to kick off the "Adagio for Strings" segment, MAN! (That's like dropping an ounce of gasoline into a perfect glass of wine!) Good thing they finished mighty. My Score: 90.50 My Placement: 12th Walled Lake Central H.S. Walled Lake, Michigan Repertoire: "Phoenix Rising," featuring the music of Philip Glass, Mark Isham, John Mackey and Igor Stravinsky with original music by Nick Pourcho Comments: The mellophone and trumpet soloists execute well, but I wish they were amplified. (Personal taste.) The shrouded figure violently tears away pieces of the sprite-like girl, and thus the tension--epic. (The music reflects this.) Razor sharp trumpet notes, firm rifle skills, and elegant costume substitutions appeal, appeal, appeal. They nailed their show and are a shining example of "bringing it" when it counts the most. Now...is their show design WORTHY? We shall see. My Score: 89.80 My Placement: 14th William Mason H.S. Mason, Ohio Repertoire: "Underworld!" including: 1. "Love Dance of Orpheus and Eurydice," 2. "Pursuit and Capture of Eurydice," 3. "Orpheus's Lament," 4. "Descent Into the Underworld," 5. "Orpheus Negotiates with Hades" and 6. "Lost Forever" Comments: The fact the mic was not working for the concert horn soloist in their pre-show was cause for concern, but then he switched it out for a mellophone. That was a fine catch, guard, but not quite THERE. (Definition; definition, folks!) Hey, the concert horn is back and the wireless mic is now working! (Heavenly sounds.) The two pod forms with the horn player as the focal point in the winds and the white striped guard girl in the other was a fine moment. My Score: 88.20 My Placement: 18th Union H.S. Tulsa, Oklahoma Repertoire: "ReInvention" Comments: It sounded like the synth in their pit was gone. What happened? Well, despite these adverse times the band did not stop PERFORMING, and that is what makes a good band great. Yikes, the woodwind soli was muffled, probably due to the technical difficulties and...sheesh, too band for the flute solo, too. The musicians of the field had a firm grip on their sound. I like what I am seeing out of the auxiliary. This is a really, really fine show. (I know because I saw them in prelims.) They just seemed a bit "off" in this run. My Score: 89.50 My Placement: 15th Lincoln-Way East H.S. Frankfort, Illinois Repertoire: "blue cathedral" Comments: Outstanding flute and soprano sax randomness join as one, and then you get the parade of brass in your face. Sparse intonation issues interfered, as there are lots of long chords that leave them exposed. I appreciate the short, staccato musical diversity from both the trumpets and mellophones. Excellent purposeful clash of orange with black and blue. Ooh, one rifle drop. I like the smooth walk off the field, the leg capes giving them a regal sort of look. There is a lot going on in this show, and though the demand is high they don't quite hit all the marks. My Score: 87.00 My Placement: 23rd Kiski Area H.S. Vandergrift, Pennsylvania Repertoire: "Imaginarium" Comments: The childish, joyful antics on the field dissolve into a serious tone in "one, two, three." Excellent rifle toss while on the knees in that maze outline, guard. I love that Gene Wilder "Willy Wonka" sample, but ooh, saxes, bring those horns down in time. Great drill writing to have the winds enter the pink maze and then pick up the "walls" to bring forth another form. Colorful streamers are ejected smoothly, then another set of shiney string pops out with a synth hit. Fun show! My Score: 89.00 My Placement: 17th Cedar Park H.S. Cedar Park, Texas Repertoire: "GENIUS," music representing Gustav Mahler, Albert Einstein, Pablo Picasso and Leonardo da Vinci. Featuring "Symphony No. 5" by Gustav Mahler, "Symphony No. 1" by Gustav Mahler, "Cloudburst" by Eric Whitacre, "Equus" by Eric Whitacre, "Rhapsody On A Theme of Paganini var. 18" by Sergei Rachmaninoff" and "Feste Romane" by Ottorino Respighi Comments: The trumpet soloist that initiates this show is flawless! Lofty bell tones, brass! I love how their sound fits the visual package, as lunges have a role. When this group kicks into high gear watch out! You can't argue that these kids aren't exciting--they play well and they move very, very fast. Ha, some of those drill moves are a safety hazard. They let chords ring and ring. The guard does not seem to push boundaries, they are--at least--in the right place at the right time. My Score: 90.80 My Placement: 11th Center Grove H.S. Greenwood, Indiana Repertoire: "Something Wicked This Way Comes" Comments: A hooded figure with a walking stick makes his way towards a tree prop, and then a guard girl whisks it away from him until he brings her back and dances with her 'til he is "stuck" on the tree and then tied to it as in some ritualistic maypole dance gone wrong. There are a lot of snare drums on the field, but they are controlled very, very well. Enter the drum feature--pulled off like a World Class WGI show. Their guard is amazing. Some of what they do may seem like smoke and mirrors, but that is the nature of the beast, and they do what they do with SUCH conviction. My Score: 91.80 My Placement: 9th Bourbon County H.S. Paris, Kentucky Repertoire: "R.E.M." Comments: The wind players put oomph into their rear field music section, and soon enough they face front to rip your face off with a wall of sound. Oh, did I mention this was one of the SMALLEST bands of the afternoon? They took the reigns on volume control with intense drama. And speaking of drama, these guys go all out with props that seem to robotically move, tarps that fold over to create new landscapes (like heaven vs. heck), and a bed that rolls about. Some forms were rocky, and some of the sounds they made were OVERdone. Ah ha ha! Too good! The main character slams on the alarm clock as he wakes from his sleeping state. Was it all a dream? Nope. Involving show! My Score: 87.30 My Placement: 22nd Marian Catholic H.S. Chicago Heights, Illinois Repertoire: "On Being Hit On The Head," including: "Are You Experienced" by David Lang, "Symphony No. 2 Mvt. 1 & 3" by Christopher Rouse; "Deus Ex Machina" by Michael Daugherty and "Blink" by Joel Puckett Comments: Oh man...immediately I get goose bumps from the documentary, "come with me" style of this band. The narrative is cerebral, yet interesting, and MUSICAL, too! The way the green plumed member gets stuck in the middle of that "floating" tarp...thing...even as it moves, is pure art, and...I'm in awe! Odd time signatures or odd visual steps are just part of what makes this group so great--they carry themeselves super well. Never mind the fact the music is absolutely gorgeous and the guard work is nothing short of spectacular. I love it when marching bands make marching band interesting, and yes, mysterious. Yes, you CAN do that on a football field. My Score: 95.90 My Placement: 1st Centerville H.S. Centerville, Ohio Repertoire: "Every Which Way," including: "Jubal Step" by Wynton Marsalis, "Adjustable Wrench" by Michael Torke, "Shadowplay" from Cirque du Soleil's "Ka" by Rene Dupere and "The Way Up" by Pat Metheny Comments: A meaningful synthesizer feature sustains while the winds take to the field from the field entrance tunnel. The bouncy sax quartet means business! Love it or hate it, they execute very, very nicely. Hmmm, the "lounge" jazz music does not have the bite I want it to have. When you put your band on cruise control for too long, no matter how great the execution, you will have effect issues. For example, at times I thought I was listening to the Centerville Jazz Band of the mid late 1990's which, although wouldn't be a bad thing BACK THEN does not seem have the same impact as, say, Kiski Area's jazz RIGHT NOW. I was looking for those "moments" that could make me say, "Remember when Centerville did [fill in blank]?" I actually liked Centerville's show...a lot. However, I don't think it was finalist material. My Score: 88.00 My Placement: 19th Plymouth-Canton Educational Park Canton, Michigan Repertoire: "The Source" Comments: This group gets things set up JUST in time! The drab-grey-to-black stage is there for the winds' taking--more grey-to-black on the uniforms. The amped chorus behind the black curtains disturbs! What a neat, grandiose way to make bigger your guard soloist in the back--wear bright yellow with rays of yellow ribbons extending forth. I'm massaged by the beauty of the choral music and the drill. Okay, those diagonal forms left and right are not perfect, but CLOSE. The winds, clad in bright yellow now, look like they are on clouds when they march, as a HUGE tarp swallows the field. My Score: 91.50 My Placement: 10th Lafayette H.S. Lexington, Kentucky Repertoire: "CHIME," music from "Bells for Stokowski" by Michael Daugherty, "Tubular Bells" by Mike Oldfield and "Carol of the Bells" Comments: In sluggish procession the winds take their spot on the field, bells ringing relentlessly. I can tell these kids will be precise by the way they prep. The transition to the saxophone quartet up front takes way too long. (Too much dead air.) This group has a nice, full "college band sound" and, ha ha, for a sec there I thought I was listening to a half-time show! (No offense intended!) Auxiliary, what are you doing way back there? Your work is fantastic! Bring it up front for us to see up close. As for the rest of the show, sometimes too much of a good thing is not a good thing, d'ya know what I mean? My Score: 85.80 My Placement: 25th Broken Arrow H.S. Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Repertoire: "ZO," inspired by "The Wizard of Oz" Comments: The rainbow form with flags as the colors is a sight to behold...and hear! The whimsical pit adds so much flavor to this product that I feel like I am in another land. Also, I love that I am not necessarily in "OZ," but a loose take on "OZ"--"ZO"! How could you not get caught up in their story? I saw a member out of step making a quick fix. The bicycle choreography, especially for the sousapones (yes, sousaphones on bicycles!), was second-to-none. There was some comic relief at the end of their show when one of the winged monkeys (looking uncannily VERY much like the real thing) tried to get in the way of a judge. After Broken Arrow's show and right before Tarpon Spring's show there seemed to be some activity on the field by Eric Martin, CEO of BOA, and a few others. There was a part in Broken Arrow's show where they poured buckets of water--albeit a small portion of it--on guard girls, and some of it may have gotten the turf wet, which would no doubt be a safety hazard for Tarpon Springs as they march an incredibly demanding show. This was but a minor break in the action, and the show went on! My Score: 95.60 My Placement: 3rd Tarpon Springs H.S. Tarpon Springs, Florida Repertoire: "Paranormal," including: 1. "I Know I Am Not Alone," 2. "Those We Don't Speak Of," 3. "This is No Ordinary Dream," 4. "Those We Can't See" and 5. "This Is The End, Let Her Go In Peace" Comments: This show is spellbinding! Stairway tarps flood the field, as do backdrops with doors. A yelling and screaming girl in bright yellow hears voices, the voices played by an electronics specialist. One key part of the show has the "victim" in bed, sleeping, when all of a sudden she levitates, and...ha ha! Ridiculous! There are a lot of detractors (for example, one of the tarps seemed to hinder this group as it kept folding over, and at times the electronic drum set seemed off or too overpowering). Talk about an amazing show, though--the most exciting BY FAR. My Score: 94.80 My Placement: 5th Avon H.S., IN Avon, Indiana Repertoire: "Iconoclash," including: I. "Magnum Opus," II. "Everybody Hurts" and III. "Schadenfreude" Comments: They mix the old with the new, repertoire-wise. I think I have yet to see a cleaner group. They go all out in sight and sound. How glorious that the mellophone soloist is essentially part of the guard routine, the arms the sabre holder. Ack! Frackety frack-frack, trumpet soloist! That's okay, they still have more in them...the show must go on! The superiority of the percussion and auxiliary is clear, CRYSTAL clear. Dynamite show! My Score: 95.80 My Placement: 2nd Lawrence Central H.S. Indianapolis, Indiana Repertoire: "Evolucion," featuring the music of Darmon Meader and Astor Piazzolla, including: "Baroque Samba," "Oblivion," Aconcagua" and "Libertango" Comments: Swirling paths red cover much of the field. The squat and extension up with the ankles rules, wind players! I am now a fan of their visual program. The music works, but...I hate to say it but they engage me as much as that one jazz band engaged me earlier. Nevertheless, this show has a lot of stellar moments with guard and musician interraction. All right! Some drumline work with stealthy block rotations--nice! Lawrence Central's excellence is defined by execution--smooth, precise, and likeable. My Score: 92.30 My Placement: 7th L.D. Bell H.S. Hurst, Texas Repertoire: "Honor: we will remember" Comments: Dancing to patriotic music as good as any is this army green guard unit, and then the clear arc form of wind players breaks into jagged lines, and then out come the orange and yellow flags by the expert handlers. A helicoptor sound effect lays low to the foreshadowing tune that gets darker and darker. When this group lays into you with their en masse sound they do not use the synth to beef up the bass (like Avon) and still sound gigantic. (I am not bagging on Avon...I simply thing of this as an compelling artistic "choice.") The gravestone props are a layer of tact that expands as the show goes on. My Score: 95.00 My Placement: 4th Lake Central H.S. St. John, Indiana Repertoire: "Seven" Comments: The shakos have these reflector things on them that are somewhat distracting (moreso than "catching"). Woodwinds, I am impressed with your multi-talented roles as you play your horns while lying down. Excellent start!--very firm and clear roman numeral 7 form to finish the intro. Hmmm, lots of drops auxiliary-wise. The physically demanding moves that take place before the "calendar" set is impressive. Go color change, go, from blue to gold (sashes)! Ugh, THE big rifle moment--botched. This is a band I'd watch out for in the future. They put on a strong show with no reservations. More of this, please! My Score: 90.00 My Placement: 13th Winston Churchill H.S. San Antonio, Texas Repertoire: "Coliseum" Comments: A Pretty decent rifle catch was caught center stage, right as the winds fire off some big notes. I love the elementary yet appropriate drum patterns, giving you that sense of Ben Hur or Quo Vadis or anything roman decadence--you name it. The guard, in their pseudo-gladiator outfits, really heighten everything, and I'm not just talking about those high ramps, either. My favorite part of their show is when the winds get in two oval forms on top of each other and slowly march, toe-first, in opposing directions. The plain yet effective vocal melody works. I was pleased by this strong showing. My Score: 87.90 My Placement: 20th Dobyns-Bennett H.S. Kingsport, Tennessee Repertoire: "Into the Light," featuring: "Do Not Go Gentle Into that Good Night" by Elliot Del Borgo and "Aurora Awakes" by John Mackey Comments: Trumpets facing backfield play an ominous muiscal phrase and soon enough the whole field is facing front. Okay, I get it: they play well and march well. Now...what else can they do to draw me in? The morbid covering of the "dead" guard girls with the white, lacey fabrics is quite strong. I see a lot of curvey drill forms out there with 8-to-5 step size, all up front. Their big "wow" factor, it seemed, was their spinning pyramid light reflector props...but really? REALLY? *sigh* Please give these kids a challenge. I think they are more than capable... My Score: 81.30 My Placement: 31st Lake Park H.S. Roselle, Illinois Repertoire: "Birds of a Feather" Comments: A piano introduction has the wind players executing choreography in a circle slash pod form pretty well. Guard, those are great feather-like flags. Steady as she goes, winds (particularly trumpets). Ah! Nice peacock fans, guard, and what a great soloist prancing around with a long, flowing tail feather. Wow, fantastic work, auxiliary, yet AGAIN! They push themselves just far enough, and ACHIEVE. (I like that. They play to their strengths, and do not "overextend.") There may be a "tick" here and there in the rest of the program, but they proved to me right here and now that they belonged in semi-finals. My Score: 83.00 My Placement: 28th West Bloomfield H.S. West Bloomfield, Michigan Repertoire: "On the Edge," including "Raise the Roof" by Michael Daugherty, "Impetuosamente" from "Pampeana No. 3" by Alberto Ginastera and "Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor" by Sergei Rachmaninoff Comments: They establish the mood from the get-go as the winds and auxiliary look as if they are going to fall off a ledge, and some of them are on high scaffolding, too! Come on now, trombones--project! Guard, so far so good with your technique, now tighten things up a bit with the sameness. Wonderful moment as the sabre girls toss while holding hands and facing different directions. I do not feel the cohesiveness from the wind players, as if tuning was overlooked or...just blend and balance as a whole overlooked. Now THERE'S a nice flourish from the 'bones. Wonderful! This show has its moments, and I applaud the originality. My Score: 81.50 My Placement: 30th ***END OF SEMI-FINALS*** At the end of semi-finals competition here are my results. Please note the "*" (asterisk) indicates the bands that are my picks to be amongst the top 12 to advance to finals regardless of class. *1. 95.90 Marian Catholic H.S., IL *2. 95.80 Avon H.S., IN *3. 95.60 Broken Arrow H.S., OK *4. 95.00 L.D. Bell H.S., TX *5. 94.80 Tarpon Springs H.S., FL *6. 94.60 Carmel H.S., IN *7. 92.30 Lawrence Central H.S., IN *8. 92.00 Stephen F. Austin H.S., TX *9. 91.80 Center Grove H.S., IN *10. 91.50 Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, MI *11. 90.80 Cedar Park H.S., TX *12. 90.50 Kennesaw Mountain H.S., GA 13. 90.00 Lake Central H.S., IN 14. 89.80 Walled Lake Central H.S., MI 15. 89.50 Union H.S., OK 16. 89.40 Ayala H.S., CA 17. 89.00 Kiski Area H.S., PA 18. 88.20 William Mason H.S., OH 19. 88.00 Centerville H.S., OH 20. 87.90 Winston Churchill H.S., TX 21. 87.50 Western H.S., IN 22. 87.30 Bourbon County H.S., KY 23. 87.00 Lincoln-Way East H.S., IL 24. 86.80 Adair County H.S., KY 25. 85.80 Lafayette H.S., KY 26. 85.10 Ben Davis H.S., IN 27. 88.30 Northmont H.S., OH 28. 83.00 Lake Park H.S., IL 29. 82.00 Lafayette H.S., LA 30. 81.50 West Bloomfield H.S., MI 31. 81.30 Dobyns-Bennett H.S, TN 32. 80.10 Morton H.S., IL 33. 79.70 Brentwood H.S., TN 34. 74.20 Godwin Heights H.S., MI Here are the actual results: *1. 95.65 Avon H.S., IN *2. 94.70 Broken Arrow H.S., OK *3. 94.55 L.D. Bell H.S., TX *4. 93.40 Carmel H.S., IN *5. 92.85 Tarpon Springs H.S., FL *6. 92.25 Kennesaw Mountain H.S., GA *7. 91.80 Lawrence Central H.S., IN *8. 91.60 Marian Catholic H.S., IL *9. 89.30 Union H.s., OK *10. 89.10 Stephen F. Austin H.S., TX *11. 88.25 Center Grove H.S., IN *12. 87.40 Cedar Park H.S., TX 13. 87.20 Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, MI 14. 86.60 William Mason H.S., OH 15. 85.25 Lincoln-Way East H.S., IL 16. 85.25 Centerville H.S., OH 17. 84.85 Lake Central H.S., IN 18. 84.45 Ayala H.S., CA 19. 83.85 Kiski Area H.S., PA 20. 83.40 Lafayette H.S., KY 21. 83.05 Walled Lake Central H.S., MI 22. 82.95 Lafayette H.S., LA 23. 81.85 Winston Churchill H.S., TX 24. 81.30 Bourbon County H.S., KY 25. 80.00 Ben Davis H.S., IN 26. 78.80 Dobyns-Bennett H.S., TN 27. 78.65 Western H.S., IN 28. 78.30 Lake Park H.S., IL 29. 77.90 Northmont H.S., OH 30. 77.70 West Bloomfield H.S., MI 31. 76.95 Adair County H.S., KY 32. 76.55 Morton H.S., IL 33. 76.20 Brentwood H.S., TN 34. 72.15 Godwin Heights H.S., MI Class Awards Class A Outstanding Music Performance - Bourbon County H.S., KY Outstanding Visual Performance - Western H.S., IN Outstanding General Effect - Bourbon County H.S., KY 1st Bourbon County H.S., KY 2nd Western H.S., IN 3rd Adair County H.S., KY Class AA Outstanding Music Performance - Marian Catholic H.S., IL Outstanding Visual Performance - Marian Catholic H.S., IL Outstanding General Effect - Marian Catholic H.S., IL 1st Marian Catholic H.S., IL 2nd Kiski Area H.S., PA 3rd Morton H.S., IL Class AAA Outstanding Music Performance - Kennesaw Mountain H.S., GA Outstanding Visual Performance - Tarpon Springs H.S., FL Outstanding General Effect - Kennesaw Mountain H.S., GA and Tarpon Springs H.S., FL 1st Tarpon Springs H.S., FL 2nd Kennesaw Mountain H.S., GA 3rd Stephen F. Austin H.S., TX Class AAAA Outstanding Music Performance - L.D. Bell H.S., TX Outstanding Visual Performance - Broken Arrow H.S., OK Outstanding General Effect - Avon H.S., IN 1st Avon H.S., IN 2nd Broken Arrow H.S., OK 3rd L.D. Bell H.S., TX In Closing: Semi-finals was amazing! Every group that made it in should be proud. For the bands that had finals dreams yet did not achieve--who cares? Hey, I would LOVE to have seen PCEP in finals. Ayala, Mason, Kiski--they ALL would have made great finalists. Nevertheless, there can be ONLY 12, and that--I think--is what helps drive this competition--what will make programs want to say, "Hey, I want to be in finals NEXT YEAR." As for what I think? I wasn't surprised Union was a finalist, and secretly I was hoping they would be (because of what I saw in prelims). Really, I could see no other band in finals except PCEP. Once again, I think the judges were ON IT today. What can we expect for finals? Well, the interesting thing about the Class awards is that you don't know who is truly ahead. It could be Marian Catholic (AA), Tarpon Springs (AAA), or Avon (AAAA)...and with how close things were in AAA and AAAA any of the other bands had a chance, too! I've always thought that BOA GN finals were kinda baloney, though, in that the excellence of the top 12 is sooooo good that to give a band a score and a ranking would almost be a disservice to them. (I guess I can sort of see the reasoning behind why BOA did away with scores and rankings as an "experiment" years ago.) However, where one stands, DESPITE THE OVERWHELMING EXCELLENCE, IS important...I think that, again, goes back to what drives us to want to be better as human beings (individually and as part of a team). In the end, though, this is just one big showcase of killer shows. What a great year for marching band! ai

Thank you, mjeppson! Daniel, no kidding! Ha ha! There was no way I was going to risk oversleeping (like last time). It was great seeing you, btw. I am glad you came out safe from that flight drama, and I hope you are feeling better! -Alan

Like a good soldier I got out of bed early to ready myself for Day 2 of the BOA Grand National Championships. Lucas Oil Stadium is a GREAT place to hold a band show: Parking was simple and varied; I know some of you may disagree, but I found the CSC Event Staff to be both kind and courteous; the food vendors were ESPECIALLY kind (and speaking of food the stadium food here is amongst the best stadium food I've ever had, everything from the Papa John's pizza to the pulled pork sandwich); the seats were easy to access (with a tad bit of walking, haha!), reasonably comfortable, and you had to search hard to get a "bad" view of the field (or a place where the sound wasn't clear). All in all I felt like I was an "exclusive" guest the whole time I was at Grand Nationals! Thank you, BOA! Now, I know some of you have been waiting for this thing, so... ***DAY 2 PRELIMS*** Broad Ripple Magnet H.S., IN Repertoire: "Avatar," including 1. "Destruction of Hometree," 2. "The bioluminescence of the Night" and 3. "War" Comments: This group starts off in a blob form in the center of the field. The narration at the start of their show goes on way too long, but it is intriguing. This group does not carry themselves with pride nor care, but individually there is a general sense of rule. Horn angles, form spacing, and even the plumes were every which way. The male and female dancers in alien costume were amongst the strongest of the performers. My Score: 47.00 My Placement: 42nd Shortridge Magnet H.S., IN Repertoire: "Music of Earth, Wind and Fire," including "In the Stone," "Let's Groove" and "September" Comments: Hey, this band is wearing Carmel's old uniforms. Great uniforms! I like the dark, brooding synth part. I think the narration by the girl in the pit is strong, especially in her fiery interpretation of "fire," but there is little to entice me. Okay, eventually we get to some lively music and then a fun little dance segment. Theeeeere we go! Excellent. My Score: 50.60 My Placement: 41st Arsenal Technical H.S., IN Repertoire: "Music of the Night," featuring "Phantom of the Opera," "Music of thje Night," "All I ask of You," "Think of Me," "Phantom of the Opera" and "Reprise" Comments: The mock auction going on on the field is amusing, and occurs before the show starts. The synth player playing the organ part is dressed like the phantom in "Phantom of the Opera." Despite the fact this group doesn't move much, they do an okay job of keeping the melody on the mark. There are a few missed notes and cracked notes, but nothing too severe. Lovely vocal segment during which choreography is fulfilled. My Score: My Placement: South Point H.S., OH Repertoire: "Trapped!" featuring: "Journey Into Darkness" by Craig Fitzpatrick Comments: NO SHOW My Score: N/A My Placement: N/A Troy Athens H.S., MI Repertoire: "Each Time You Tell Their Story," including: "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," "Medal of Honor," "Each Time you Tell Their Story," "American Patrol" and "America the Beautiful" Comments: The swing feel established by the pit is enhanced by the expanding and rotating block forms. There are some timing issues, specifically in the feet. The drums seemed somewhat off. All right, the guard, dressed in military brown cargo pants and shirts handle the rifles pretty well, and recover relatively quickly from drops or mishandles. The ballad was a strong moment for these kids. Fair production! My Score: 60.90 My Placement: 34th Avon H.S., OH Repertoire: "Music for All Seasons," 1. "April in Paris," 2. "Summertime," 3. "Autumn Leaves" and 4. "Hazy Shade of Winter" Comments: In the jagged arc form it looks like someone is missing near the 30. Great playful moment with the solo guard girl around the excellent trumpet soloist. The music, as exciting as it should be, does not go anywhere. Where are the arrival points? Where are the "oohs" and "aahs" moments? At least this band is showcasing their strength with SOLOISTS. Whoa, nice domino rifle toss, all caught juuust right. Focus more on ensemble than on visual and you should have a much more complete package. My Score: 57.40 My Placement: 38th Clearview Regional Sr. H.S., NJ Repertoire: "Memoirs of My Life Through Music," including: "Symphony No. 9 from the New World" by Antonin Dvorak Comments: The narration was distorted and amatuerish. Well done, baritone soloist and now saxophone soloist, both "presented" by the guard. The heart form is sweet, following the "I love you, Grandpa." (I think she said, "I love you, Grandpa," but the speakers don't project well and...what does this have to do with Dvorak's symphony? I guess I need to listen more, OR...this band could communicate more CLEAR-LY.) Various musical and visual parts could use some cleaning. Way to project UP, guard, especially with those bright orange flags. My Score: 59.80 My Placement: 36th Berryhill H.S., OK Repertoire: "Lead Me Not," featuring the music of David Gillingham, Bill Withers, and Evanescence Comments: Right from the start the auxiliary grips me with their free form dancing. And then when the winds emerge from behind the black backdrops with maroon stripes I am even MORE engaged. I see a lot of nice things going on with the individual and ensemble technique. Way to let the music flow and build, everyone! Great saxophone feature, with guard taking center stage--the stage WELL set by the winds. Well done, band! My Score: 71.00 My Placement: 24th Lebanon H.S., OH Repertoire: "I LOVE NEW YORK! The Many Moods of the Big City" Comments: Narration glitch. You guys have got to get the technical aspects sorted out BEFORE this event. Test, test, and test again. I understand unforseen circumstances, but...? The battery percussion is creating interest mid-field, and the sax ensemble does a standard job of delivering. Ooh, don't lean into the step-offs. Ha! Great LOUD sax solo. I like that these kids are challenging themselves. My Score: 62.40 My Placement: 30th McNicholas H.S., OH Repertoire: "Dimensions in Blue," including: "Rhapsody in Blue," "Afro Blue," "Blue Rondo ala Turk and C-Jam Blues" Comments: Aaaaah yeah, clarinet soloist...way to warm up into that "Rhapsody in Blue solo," where only a few glitches reside. It sounded like one trumpet player was carrying the ensemble...the weight of the world on his shoulders, ha ha! Most of the marching moves appear locked in. Well done in changing color with the blue plumes and blue shields. Okay, sufficiently jazzy production! My Score: 60.00 My Placement: 35th L.D. Bell H.S., TX Repertoire: "Honor: we will remember" Comments: A lone snare drummer on a drum from what appears to be the Revolutionary War era leads a sort of progression onto the field. A recording of "Adagio for Strings" plays during the pre-show, and then we are thrust into "America" before chopper sounds are heard and then a theme of war flourishes (with the drums). Wild drill. Watch the forward-to-backwards direction change. Stellar entertainment! My Score: 94.20 My Placement: 4th Stephen F. Austin H.S., TX Repertoire: "Miss Understood," including: "Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture" by Tchaikovsky, "Adagietto" from "Symphony No. 5" by Mahler and "Urban Dances" by Danielpour Comments: In domino fashion there is bending over by the winds in the back of the field, and then in pairs they make a bridge with their hands for the auxiliary. The auxiliary or "dance team" is elegant. I love the slow-mo lift of the girl and the almost mechanical rotation like a wind-up toy. The ballad is utterly, utterly gorgeous. My Score: 90.00 My Placement: 8th Governor Thomas Johnson H.S., MD Repertoire: "The Museum Will be Closing in..." Comments: The human body "exhibits" played by the guard in these spandex costumes that look like human flesh with some muscle exposed are creepy, yet stunning. Ha ha ha! I love it--the wind players try to escape the closing "museum," but are locked out and frightened. The musicianship is quite good, and the guard work--with urgency--delivers. The stare-down avoidance moves by the winds and guard is gelling. This whole show is quite amazing, and tres original. My Score: 70.30 My Placement: 25th Cedar Park H.S., TX Repertoire: "GENIUS," music representing Gustav Mahler, Albert Einstein, Pablo Picasso and Leonardo da Vinci. Featuring "Symphony No. 5" by Gustav Mahler, "Symphony No. 1" by Gustav Mahler, "Cloudburst" by Eric Whitacre, "Equus" by Eric Whitacre, "Rhapsody On A Theme of Paganini var. 18" by Sergei Rachmaninoff" and "Feste Romane" by Ottorino Respighi Comments: I enjoyed the pre-show narrative quotes referring to "geniuses," and the motion--the stop-and-pose from the performers. Yikes, it didn't sound like those tongued trumpet notes aligned. Whoa, they march their butts off, and before they get into that Einstein equation form there is bliss in sound. Oh boy...they challenge themselves with that flamingo leg lift with the foot on the knee back-and-forth freeze motions (and music exchange). Brilliant show! My Score: 87.40 My Placement: 10th Bridgewater-Raritan H.S., NJ Repertoire: "The Colors of Copland: Red, White, & Blue," including 1. "The Red Pony," 2. "Down a Country Lane" and 3. "Simple Gifts" from "Appalachian Spring," music by Aaron Copland Comments: Varying static poses occupy the field by these black clad musicians, and flowing white by the guard sells a nice contrast. Excellent air control on the move, and yes did these kids MOVE. I embraced their wall of balanced sound during the ballad. The finishing touch to their show seemed rushed. My Score: 77.50 My Placement: 21st Dobyns-Bennett H.S., TN Repertoire: "Into the Light," featuring: "Do Not Go Gentle Into that Good Night" by Elliot Del Borgo and "Aurora Awakes" by John Mackey Comments: Very nice, band. Very nice. I like how their first formation is spotlessly clean. (GREAT opening impression.) What a stirring, jet-black mood...everything is in it's right place. How morbid that the band would express loss through covering the guard with these white sheets. This group executes quite well, with only a few bumps in the road. There is just not enough velocity or variation in the way this thing was invented, I felt. My Score: 78.90 My Placement: 20th Boiling Springs H.S., SC Repertoire: "THE HUMAN ELEMENT: Comments: Nice color guard; I really like that pseudo-DNA drill that just rips wide open with square props of elements of the periodic table. The rest of the band heightens the guard's greatness with "HUMAN" spelled out on the field. What a beefy, blocky sound. Uh! Sweet en masse drill changes. Be careful drums--don't power it; ease into things. (More dynamic contrast, please! It may be that this band is used to performing outdoors, yeah?) Wonderful moments, one after the other with this band. My Score: 85.60 My Placement: 15th Lewisville H.S., SC Repertoire: "The Butterfly Effect," by A.J. Pace Comments: The pit was so loud you could not hear Chuck Henson announce them. Wow, this tiny group was amped...BIG TIME...as microphones faced their tarp stage of wild, sonic-wave-looking designs. The winds wore these bluish body-suits that defied your expectation of "marching band." (Think Jackson Academy.) I loved the beat boxing by one of the guys in the pit. These kids were fearless. At times they seemed a little TOO "hooked up," loud; and I think that how they tried to make up for what they didn't have backfired a little bit. My Score: 75.20 My Placement: 23rd Kennesaw Mountain H.S., GA Repertoire: "Awakening Angels" I. "Awakening" II. "Rejoicing" III. "Protecting" IV. "Resurrection" and V. "Benediction" Comments: I am blinded by their massive white tarp. It looks like mist is coming from their white, elevated stage (with spiral ramp). I like how this group eases into the first song and that the guard depicts this. Guitar and flute--what a sweet combination. Oh, these guys are smooth with all of the staged elements. The "Adagio for Strings" segment had minor flaws, and wow that's gutsy to sustain a note on your back and then stand up without breakage! My Score: 92.80 My Placement: 7th Metamora Township H.S., IL Repertoire: "Picture Perfect," including: "Snapshots," "Still Life" and "Capturing the Moment," composed by Dennis Llinas Comments: I like the loud clicks that made it sound like a camera was shooting. A guy in jeans and a plaid shirt runs around "taking pictures" of sections that need to be showcased. (What a smart concept, as your eyes follow him through the features.) Uh oh, I heard wavering half-air music out there, especially when it counted. Again, great, straight-forward communication. My Score: 64.90 My Placement: 29th Tarpon Springs H.S., FL Repertoire: "Paranormal," including: 1. "I Know I Am Not Alone," 2. "Those We Don't Speak Of," 3. "This is No Ordinary Dream," 4. "Those We Can't See" and 5. "This Is The End, Let Her Go In Peace" Comments: Welcome to the ultimate theatrical experience...on a football field, of all places! I am just spellbound (pun intended). Shivers good, shivers! The lines on the main tarp stage to start the show were not as straight as they could be, but look at me nit picking! My only complaint is that there is so much going on that it is very easy to miss something. My Score: 93.90 My Placement: 6th Winston Churchill H.S., TX Repertoire: "Coliseum" Comments: I like the clacking wood to get that marching, roman-soldier approach feel, and the strong arm chords--sublime! There were quite a few rifle drops, and the kids that march are not quite on the ball with form and timing. That oval form with the toe-first stepping is sharp, and while this is happening the music takes your breathe away. My Score: 86.00 My Placement: 13th Desoto Central H.S., MS Repertoire: Selections include: "Distorted" from "La Nouba," "Incantation" from "Quidam, "Flight and Battlefield" from "Ka" Comments: Their circus theme was enhanced with the handing out of what looked like cotton candy by one of the guard members in the pit. I see some flat feet out there--the black on black lower half doesn't fool me. Hmmm, if you're going to differentiate the lunge move really differentiate it...don't make it a dull question mark. Mmm, brass feature--that's tasty...and guard spotlights, good. Yes, they nailed the ending. Excellent work. My Score: 79.50 My Placement: 18th Mount Gilead H.S., OH Repertoire: "In Search Of..." including: "Hide and Seek" by Imogen Heap, "Wild Nights" from "Harmonium," by John Adams, "Steady As We Go" by Dave Matthews and "Finding Our Meaning" by Scott Hickey Comments: The beginning was problematic. I heard the air stopped with the tongue and a lone mellophone (even though there were two mellophones). I must say that I'm glad these folks had no reservations about playing out. Those ramp props were a nice touch, ramping up the dimensionality of this concoction. My Score: 59.70 My Placement: 37th New Philadelphia H.S., OH Repertoire: "CONNECT," "CONNECT Pt. 1," "Cannon," "Grace" and "Connect Pt. 4" Comments: The lead snare drummer is elevated, literally, on an orange platform held by his comrades--kind of a dangerous looking situation haha! Ooh, scary moment there, as a tuba player takes a spill on the go...but niiice recovery. Bravo rifle toss, with classy shoulder positioning amongst cheery music. I like the creative use of the platform props that become holders for lengthy ribbons. That was an abrupt ending, I felt. My Score: 61.00 My Placement: 33rd Lakeland H.S., MI Repertoire: "Scream," featuring: "Motion" by Brian Balmages and "Do Not Go Gentle In To That Good Night" by Elliot Del Borgo Comments: Let the music build more, people. Way to hang tough! Accuracy counts, and I hear a lot of crisp, clean notes. Uuuh, I just paid you a compliment and then you go off and disappoint me. Easy with those notes--don't throw them into the blender! Spectacular red, dark yellow, and yellow silk background changes, followed by a uniform plume change--hot colors also added. Too many intonation issues, guys. PLEASE listen to each other or don't play. My Score: 61.50 My Placement: 32nd Western Brown H.S., OH Repertoire: "Are You Afraid of the Dark" Comments: I had a laugh at how the tuba player on the 50 knocked on the coffin, summoning the DM who promptly gave us her salute. I was a little impressed by the marching direction changes--crisp, but could use some more flair in exactness. Musically they were blah, though I must admit that I liked the fueding PVC pipe music a la Blue Man Group. My Score: 55.60 My Placement: 39th Jenison H.S., MI Repertoire: "Pipes" Comments: They got off on the right foot with leg spreads perfectly together. The only qualm I have with this wide symmetrical staging is that I can't see the synchronisity on both side of the field very well without going back and forth, back and forth. The rifle gals knew what they were doing, for sure. The marching cymbal trio was a treat to watch, and I usually don't care for marching cymbals unless they are effective so...way to go! My Score: 77.10 My Placement: 22nd Cary Senior H.S., NC Repertoire: "That's Where Eagles Fly," including: 1. "Call of the Mountain" by Joseph Curiale," 2. "Yosemite Autumn" by Mark Camphouse and 3. "Death Hunt" by Bernard Hermann Comments: The wind players sway like reeds in the wind as if they are in a trance. A recorder seems to contribute to this. Superb visual builds by all, and then the music takes off somewhat jaggedly. The meat of this band is the woodwind section--what a display of skills! The eagle kite was a nice touch, as are the graceful auxiliary--now with wings! My Score: 79.90 My Placement: 17th Archbishop Alter H.S., OH Repertoire: "The Gift," 1. "A Gift," 2. "Emotional," 3. "Spirited" and 4. "Celebrate" Comments: This group had the most eye-catching plumes of the afternoon--a neon green. For a small band they took up a lot of space and had a different, new age take on the standard "Simple Gifts." Excellent interpretation of music by the flags. Ha ha! Great "wind-up toy" acting by the winds. This was a solid show. My Score: 66.40 My Placement: 27th Ayala H.S., CA Repertoire: "ICUCME," including: 1. "Don't Look At Me," 2. "Everybody's Watching Me...Gotta Be Perfect," 3. "Looking Within" and 4. "Seeing the Real Self" Comments: I like how the face masks on the back of the heads move around as if watching you (before the show starts). How appropriate! Ha! Intentional rifle mishandle...or was it? Clever. Hmmm, the rifle twirling is sloppy, somewhat. Excellent all-encompassing sound. I like the whisper voiceovers--introverted, yet "personal." The percussion really headlines this production. My Score: 87.30 My Placement: 11th Marian Catholic H.S., IL Repertoire: "On Being Hit On The Head," including: "Are You Experienced" by David Lang, "Symphony No. 2 Mvt. 1 & 3" by Christopher Rouse; "Deus Ex Machina" by Michael Daugherty and "Blink" by Joel Puckett Comments: The circle form in the corner of the large block form is pushing the envelope metaphorically (like a square peg in a round hole, or symbol for Squarepusher). The fascinating show concept of "being hit on the head" works, as strange as that may seem. Woo-hoo! One...handed...high...rifle toss. Scattershot musical notes just come at you and come at you again. This show was quite a marvel. My Score: 94.00 My Placement: 5th Avon H.S., IN Repertoire: "Iconoclash," including: I. "Magnum Opus," II. "Everybody Hurts" and III. "Schadenfreude" Comments: The whiplash change of pace from a prim and proper show to a rebellious "now" show was fresh. Hello brass licks, hello! Wow. The sabre work, especially the ambitious toss where the quard has to do a high toss and catch it awkwardly as they fall backwards onto the feet of another guard member is crazy! (It was not perfect, but who cares! It was nuts!) My Score: 95.80 My Placement: 1st Bourbon County H.S., KY Repertoire: "R.E.M." Comments: How unique to have the person "sleeping" in the bed prop drift away. My goodness, this small band, pound for pound, is amongst the best here...bar none. Trumpet line, there are no words to express how impressed I am with your double-tonguing and your even-Steven dynamic contrast. The voiceover narration was a tad unclear, but relatively I did get the point. My Score: 84.00 My Placement: 16th Greendale H.S., WI Repertoire: "The Ribbon," featuring "Between the Lines" by Sara Bareilles Comments: The heart-wrenching narrative of a soldier leaving his wife to go to war is great. Drums, tone it down, yeah? (I can't even hear the story! This must be another "outdoor ensemble brigade.") Blend all those notes, trumpets. I like how the male and female "love interests" play an instrument, march, and play key roles as actors/soloists, though I would like to hear more "exchange" between the two instead of all mello (for the male) and little to no sax (for the female). My Score: 79.10 My Placement: 19th Kiski Area H.S., PA Repertoire: "Imaginarium" Comments: The flamboyant "make a wish" from the "Willy Wonka" movie goes perfect with the random things that occur on the field. The guard work--refreshing. And hey, how about that keyboardist singer in the pit? It is a joy to see that maze form come apart and come to life to unveil vertical lines like a cage. Minus the minor flaws, this was one great show! My Score: 88.00 My Placement: 9th Tippecanoe H.S., OH Repertoire: "Atlantis" Comments: Super trumpet fanfare. Across the field I see fine spacing. Don't die on me, trumpets, especially since you have established yourselves as the creme de la creme. Guard programming was, eh, bland--motionless for a long while and then toss does not work for me, especially if you are not going to catch it. Great accelerando, gang--way to watch the drum major! Okay! Not bad, this show. My Score: 69.90 My Placement: 26th Meade County H.S., KY Repertoire: "The Night," featuring the music of Modest Mussorgsky Comments: After the piano sound an unsteady flute entrance. The distorted synth is prominent, now...and remains so. It is no secret that the wind players are not great, but doing what they can with what they have they don't fall apart. Pit seems out of synch, and it looks like none of them are confident enough to look up at the drum major. Great work with the tall flags in the back of the field being straight up and down, and aaah, nice DOUBLE flag feature. My Score: 62.20 My Placement: 31st Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, MI Repertoire: "The Source" Comments: The black curtain in the back is a fantastic stage tool. A chorus in black soon appears, and then the winds make their way forward. Okay, they have my attention. Yikes, bad form there...and then an equipment drop. Great mammoth sound, and sustained! I see a lot of flat, frantic feet out there. Can the guard save them? Maybe. Ha! So unexpectedly great with the tarp change in color...and the MUSICIANS! (Yeah, back in the Plymouth yellow...great self-homage.) My Score: 87.00 My Placement: 12th Broken Arrow H.S., OK Repertoire: "ZO," inspired by "The Wizard of Oz" Comments: Broken Arrow rings in "Ding, Dong, the Witch is Dead!" in eerie, cheery style, and then hit a home run with the nostalgic "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." What a fun, offbeat show--one you can easily like. The dagger-like "ZO" scripting on the field is just PERFECT. Magnificent sound, magnificent music, magnificent theatrics. My Score: 95.00 My Placement: 2nd Godwin Heights H.S., MI Repertoire: "Five Stages of Grief," Including: 1. "Denial," 2. "Anger," 3. "Depression," 4. "Bargaining," and 5. "Acceptance," original music by John Meehan and Tom Weidner Comments: I like the intensity from this group--a sort of no-nonsense approach. I am not sure the four stages of grief is an alluring subject, especially for those who have experienced loss. Backfield, don't let the curved form evaporate. For a show so deep a subject...it sure is mechanical! Nevertheless, these kids get the job finished proficiently. My Score: 65.00 My Placement: 28th Carmel H.S., IN Repertoire: "Stop and Smell the Roses," an original composition by Richard Saucedo and Michael McIntosh Comments: There was a long pause before the show began...technical difficulties, I'd imagine. Wow, this guard is blazing hot! To say their guard carries this group would not be far off, and yet the winds make the most of their intimately tailored composition...solid! Ooh, shrill flutes, HAHA! So much is going on. This is great. My Score: 94.90 My Placement: 3rd Lafayette H.S., LA Repertoire: "The Awakening," including: "Spring" from "Three Botticelli pictures," "The Pines of Rome" by Ottorino Respighi and "Aurora Awakes" by John Mackey Comments: My eyes are drawn to the big orange flags, yes. Thank you, winds, for accentuating that. So far, so good. This band is a great, but it takes them too long to really "wow" you like some of the other top calibur groups. For example, where was that great rifle toss EARLIER? I am on the prowl for new things. My Score: 85.70 My Placement: 14th (The Exhibition Bands--Riverside Community College and Michigan State University: What can be said about these great groups that has not been said before? I'll start first with their styles--incredibly different with one a corps style or "broadway theatrics" prone group with the RCC Marching Tigers and the other a traditional good ol' boy half-time party with high-steps, drum major madness, and baton tosses from the majorettes that nearly hit the stadium speakers [!?] with Michigan State. These bands were fun to watch and listen to, and provided a "big brother" means to reach the kids in high school who may be graduating soon who might be wondering where music goes BEYOND high school. It might be fun to have a drum and bugle corps perform at nats someday for yet ANOTHER alternative, or perhaps a symphony orchestra. BOA opens all sorts of doors with this kind of stuff and I love it. "Music for All" indeed!) ***END OF DAY 2 PRELIMS*** At the end of preliminary competition on Day 2, here are my results. Please note the "*" (asterisk) indicates the bands that are my picks to be amongst the top 11 to advance to semi-finals regardless of class. Please note the "!" (exclamation point) indicates the bands are my picks to be amongst "the next 8 highest scores of day 1 and day 2 of preliminary competition" to advance to semi-finals regardless of class. Enjoy!: *1. 95.80 Avon H.S., IN *2. 95.00 Broken Arrow H.S., OH *3. 94.90 Carmel H.S., IN *4. 94.20 L.D. Bell H.S., TX *5. 94.00 Marian Catholic H.S., IL *6. 93.90 Tarpon Springs H.S., FL *7. 92.80 Kennesaw Mountain H.S., GA *8. 90.00 Stephen F. Austin H.S., TX *9. 88.00 Kiski Area H.S., PA *10. 87.40 Cedar Park H.S., TX *11. 87.30 Ayala H.S., CA !12. 87.00 Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, MI !13. 86.00 Winston Churchill H.S., TX !14. 85.70 Lafayette H.S., LA !15. 85.60 Boiling Springs H.S., SC !16. 84.00 Bourbon County H.S., KY 17. 79.90 Cary Senior H.S, NC 18. 79.50 Desoto Central H.S., MS 19. 79.10 Greendale H.S., WI 20. 78.90 Dobyns-Bennett H.S., TN 21. 77.50 Bridgewater-Raritan H.S., NJ 22. 77.10 Jenison H.S., MI 23. 75.20 Lewisville H.S., SC 24. 71.00 Berryhill H.S., OK 25. 70.30 Governor Thomas Johnson H.S., MD 26. 69.90 Tippecanoe H.S., OH 27. 66.40 Archbishop Alter H.S., OH 28. 65.00 Godwin Heights H.S., MI 29. 64.90 Metamora H.S., IL 30. 62.40 Lebanon H.S., OK 31. 62.20 Meade County H.S., KY 32. 61.50 Lakeland H.S., MI 33. 61.00 New Philadelphia H.S., OH 34. 60.90 Troy Athens H.S., MI 35. 60.00 McNicholas H.S., OH 36. 59.80 Clearview Regional H.S., NJ 37. 59.70 Mount Gilead H.S., OH 38. 57.40 Avon H.S., OH 39. 55.60 Western Brown H.S., OH 40. 51.10 Arsenal Technical H.S., IN 41. 50.60 Shortridge Magnet H.S., IN 42. 47.00 Broad Ripple Magnet H.S., IN And now here are the ACTUAL semi-finalist bands announced in RANDOM ORDER with MY semi-finalist picks in parenthesis next to the ones I thought should have been in instead of the one that did get in. Center Grove H.S., IN Marian Catholic H.S., IL Lawrence Central H.S., IN Broken Arrow H.S., OK Plymouth Canton Educational Park, MI Kennesaw Mountain H.S., GA Avon H.S., IN Cedar Park H.S., TX L.D. Bell H.S., TX Centerville H.S., OH Union H.S., OK Tarpon Springs H.S., FL Brentwood H.S., TN Lake Central H.S., IN Bourbon County H.S., KY Adair County H.S., KY Stephen F. Austin H.S., TX Ayala H.S., CA Walled Lake Central H.S., MI Carmel H.S., IN William Mason H.S., OH Kiski Area H.S., PA Lafayette H.S., LA Winston Churchill H.S., TX Lincoln-Way East H.S., IL Lafayette H.S., KY Morton H.S., IL West Bloomfield H.S., MI Northmont H.S., OH Ben Davis H.S., IN Lake Park H.S., IL (Boiling Springs H.S., SC) Dobyns-Bennett H.S, TN Godwin Heights H.S., MI Western H.S., IN POST DAY 2 PRELIMS THOUGHTS: It's too bad Boiling Springs H.S., SC were not a Day 1 performer, as I think this would have been the way for them to make semi-finals, easy (as a top 11 band, even). They had an outstanding show. Lake Park in semis--I am not surprised...but good for them for making it! I don't know what class Berryhill H.S., OK was in but they shook things up with their QUALITY. (Did anyone else catch them?) I made a mental note of Bellbrook being a bubble band for semis, and I'm sad to say they did not make it though I very much appreciated their performance. Besides the "Boiling factor," no REAL semis shockers. I think the judging was top notch, as good as it could get for days 1 and 2 of prelims. This year's GN was a little lopsided with Day 2 being incredibly viscious, but I don't think you can really foresee "greatness," really, especially early season, or with bands dropping out or adding in last second. If I were in charge of BOA I would not change a thing. Keep things are the way they are, as flawed as it may be, because I think it works as well as it CAN work. The only thing I might change is bring back the division ratings. Yes, I know that clapping 3 times for a band with a Division III rating may SEEM mean-spirited...but it was a fun tradition that REWARDED groups for achievement in such a dense field. My only gripe of the day was with those in earshot of me (sitting behind me) making downright NASTY comments on bands they did not like (personally or...professionally?), including groups that were semi-finalists and finalists. Please, a comment here or a comment there--I don't mind...but rude, insensitive, close-minded words? I can do without, thanks! We should give CREDIT to these groups, even if it is the "benefit of the doubt." All these kids worked hard this year. I might not like all the shows but that does not stop me from accepting them. I like that a few IPS schools got a shot at the big time, and I don't think one could argue that they were going to get killed out there in the national spotlight--but at least they got to be part of it and how great would it be if one of those schools came back next year and improved by 5 points or 10 points or more? Maybe Dr. Tim should have a heart-to-heart with us during PRELIMS. Stay tuned for my full analysis of Semi-finals and Finals FRIDAY, 11/19. ai

Disoriented. When I got off the plane in Indianapolis I had no idea where I was. After some time it struck me that I was in a new airport. Of course, 4 years had passed since I was last in Indiana. A lot has changed in 4 years. Overly confident, I got my rental car and programmed by cell phone's navigation device to take me to my hotel in northwestern Indianapolis, but somehow the map would not "load." I did a lot of driving guesswork, and finally pulled off the 465 to re-group and use brush off the cobwebs of my old paper map reading skills. It took me a while, but I arrived safe and sound, very tired from a long day of travel. After napping for a bit I got in my car to get some dinner in downtown Indy. After having a near death experience taking a left turn from W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St onto Indiana Ave. because I was not paying attention and I was staring at the headlights of 3 cars coming straight for me I told myself, "Time out! Let's get this day done and over with!" Confirmed. The next day was a fresh start for me, and had no troubles weaving my way to the band show main gate. This was my first time to Lucas Oil Stadium. The stadium was a thing of great beauty--large, inviting, detached. I felt like I was in BOA's bedroom as I walked the grand halls of exhibits, food vendors, and salespeople. When I reached my seat it took me a while to take in the view, and then had to put my sunglasses on to shield my eyes from the bright lights, though in time I took them off because truly you can't dim your eyes to greatness, no matter how blinding the ceilings, no matter how highlighted the entertainers. Here is my review of the 2010 Bands of America Grand National Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana. My analysis is of all the bands that performed in preliminary, semi-finals, and finals competition--the analysis expanding as we make our way through the rounds. Please know that comments, my scores, and my placements have no association to the actual outcome; that I strive to assign a number and rank according to my belief (BOA General Effect focused) and my belief alone with what I hope will be with great accuracy but knowing that the BOA judges are the experts and will do a finer job than I. My take is but a another take for you to consider. And now, without further adieu... ***DAY 1 PRELIMS*** Dorman H.S., SC Repertoire: "Between Yesterday and Tomorrow," themes by classical composer J.S. Bach highlighting Past, Present, and Future Comments: The functionality of the props is clear in conjunction with the harpsichord notes--the band on the side of the field labeled "PAST." Form control and sound control is strong. I like the role of the solo snare drummer, and ah, nice interraction with a member of the auxiliary. Some late horn snaps, some fidgeting, and finally some notes off the mark. Strong cohesive presentation. My Score: 76.80 My Placement: 24th Edgewood H.S., OH Repertoire: "Distorted," "Reve Rouge," "A La Lune" and "Urban" Comments: Line it up, gang. Some timing issues thwarted a crisp start to their show. Okay, nice sharp open arm moves, trumpets. Auxiliary does a pretty decent job with their equipment swiping, yet angular deficiency robs them of a great performance. Form control overall is sketchy. Everyone has to be on the same page as far as self-definition is concerned: is there a bend in the knee on the forward motion, or is the leg straight? Musically, harness it, harness it, harness it. Good power ending. My Score: 58.00 My Placement: 42nd Morristown Jr./Sr. H.S., IN Repertoire: Rising Dragons by Robert W. Smith, Fantasy on a Japanese Folk Song by Samuel Hazo and Mau Tan by Mark Sternberg Comments: I love the reflecting sword held by a guard member on the 50, and the huge sparkling dragon backdrop just beyond. Interesting break in momentum with the martial arts type visuals. I like how the music is linked with the motion. Beautiful, beautiful trombone solo. The auxiliary's responsibility is obvious--nice work! You've got to heed the intonation--trumpets especially. The band shines during their strongest moments, and that is always a good thing. My Score: 63.90 My Placement: 32nd Western H.S., IN Repertoire: "Amelia Earhart," music of Philip Glass, Samuel Barber and Damien Rice Comments: The cloud tarps both mesh well and are heightened by the cloud-and-sky backdrops. The fetal position poses that expand and rise are complimented by the guard. Excellent raising of volume, both balanced and timed right in how it rises. I am thrilled by the blind pass-throughs by the winds, and the snake-through set by the winds through the guard--very nice. The voiceover is properly done, though I could use some more volume there. My Score: 80.20 My Placement: 13th Indian Hill H.S., OH Repertoire: "The Machines," by Gary Gilroy, including: 1. Construction, 2. Artificial Intelligence and 3. The Machine Age Comments: Now winds, how far are the feet supposed to be apart at parade rest? Details! Ooh, right off the bat I am engaged by the forms. Wow, the trumpets sound great, as do the rest of the wind players, and you can tell they are using a lot of air. Much of the guard work looks confused as if the girls don't know the counts or the directionals. Nice dynamics, battery line. My Score: 65.70 My Placement: 29th Carlisle H.S., OH Repertoire: Selections include: "Asphalt Cocktail" by John Mackey, "Can't Help Falling In Love" by Elvis and original music by Joe Wesche Comments: Make sure your presentation is strong when you emerge from behind those beautiful autumn tree props, winds. Right now I am more focused on the drum kit cymbal drone than I am the low impact backfield music. The sabre feature in front of the brave sax solo was "meh." Hey, way to reach that high note, trumpet soloist. The most memorable moment in their show was the record player "ripping" sound that kicked these kids into high gear. My Score: 60.90 My Placement: 36th Louisville Male H.S., KY Repertoire: "One," Featuring four selections: "On My Own," "Overture to Russian" and "Ludmilla," "One Hand One Heart" and music from Prokofiev Symphony #1 Comments: My, my...what sweet symphonic sounds whent he trumpet player does his thing pre-show. Be more confident on that opening, high brass...full air, full air. (Build up that endurance!) Wonderful marching technique from almost everyone, now shape up the whole package. Gorgeous ballad! I am sitting high enough, I believe, and cannot read the words on the field tarps. Great domino execution, guard, not to mention front and back facing work. My Score: 77.70 My Placement: 22nd Talawanda H.S., OH Repertoire: "Heroes" Comments: Appropriate delicacy in sound and what is seen. Okay, now...don't deteriorate in tuning and tempo and...good--you locked it back in. I like the communication happening from the wind players in front of the backdrops. It sounds like the notes don't matter much at times; that there's just a mad rush to get to the end of the phrases. Take your time! My Score: 60.00 My Placement: 37th Logan Elm H.S., OH Repertoire: "Cirque du Soleil: Journey of Man," including 1. "Journey of Man," 2. "Flying," and 3. "Youth" Comments: Hmmm, there's got to be a way to make those visual cues happen in a more...subtle way? (Perhaps the snare player could conduct? Teach him!) Okay, if the duhting was acceptable before, it is not right now, and becoming distracting, cramping this band's style. I think it's great the band is performing in and around the PVC prop cubes, near effortlessly. Great use of color and square outlines by the guard. I wish the show would end as strong as it started. My Score: 58.70 My Placement: 40th Utica H.S., OH Repertoire: "Revenge of the Mouse," including "Fire of Eternal Glory," "Festive Overture," "Waltz, #2: Finale from Symphony #5" Comments: NO SHOW My Score: N/A My Placement: N/A Springfield Shawnee H.S., OH Repertoire: "Riverdance Opener," "Riverdance Production," "Galway Piper" and "Galway Piper" and "Riverdance Closer" Comments: Lovely trumpet solo and backfield music to start things off. Interesting that a wireless electric guitar is marched on the field. The forms are pretty clear. I would like to hear shades of other sections besides trumpets and snare drums. (Really reach for the upper decks, too, when you play!) No auxiliary, but they manage with what they have. The "Riverdance" tap dancing feature by couples (in uniform, as there is no guard like I mentioned before) was particularly eventful. My Score: 61.70 My Placement: 35th Daviess County H.S., KY Repertoire: "Lines in the Sand" Comments: Stunning "separation" drill form before the show begins with the guard in gold linking it. Beefy first notes succeed in catching my ears. Yes, the kaleidoscopic drill variety works! There is some unfortunate feedback issues with the soprano sax soloist. Way to shape the music, ha ha ha! Way to keep me on the edge of my seat, too! Fine show! My Score: 78.00 My Placement: 20th Northmont H.S., OH Repertoire: "The Changing Leaves" featuring: "Autumn Leaves" by Joseph Kosma, "Winter" from Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi, "Rite of Spring" by Igor Stravinsky, original music by Andrew Markworth Comments: The thunder shower sound effect before the show is a great way to set the mood. Excellent control, musicians, especially on the move! Now that the guard is center stage, wow, they rocked it. Nice earthy looking rifles, and in fact the guard costumes as contrast to flag colors of autumn and spring (I assume) are beautiful. Whoa! Great flip of guard girl into the "net" of wind players! Solid all around show. Solid. My Score: 81.00 My Placement: 12th Lafayette H.S., KY Repertoire: "CHIME," music from "Bells for Stokowski" by Michael Daugherty, "Tubular Bells" by Mike Oldfield and "Carol of the Bells" Comments: The energetic dancing by the guard to silence is intriguing, and then bells activate the uniformed musicians in the backfield as they come join them in varying poses before powerful musical notes. There is no denying it--these kids can play. Attention to detail is remarkable with this group. Every leg shape, every horn angle, every equipment catch is spot ON. My eyes were glued to this fantastic performance. My Score: 86.90 My Placement: 6th Walled Lake Centra H.S., MI Repertoire: "Phoenix Rising," featuring the music of Philip Glass, Mark Isham, John Mackey and Igor Stravinsky with original music by Nick Pourcho Comments: The dark, humming pit, fluctuating in frequency amongst the bells sets the mood. Ooh! The sprite-like guard soloist dances around the musician soloists, emitting joy, before dark "demons" interrupt this. The sprite/demon battle in the drum feature is breathtaking, as are the neat sound effects. Marvelous color, now, by the unhooded guard shaking ribbons of red shades. The variety that keeps me interested, and is great! My Score: 86.50 My Placement: 7th Centerville H.S., OH Repertoire: "Every Which Way," including: "Jubal Step" by Wynton Marsalis, "Adjustable Wrench" by Michael Torke, "Shadowplay" from Cirque du Soleil's "Ka" by Rene Dupere and "The Way Up" by Pat Metheny Comments: As this band takes the field their presence is stellar. I'm diggin' the funky sax quartet. This group throws you some odd, hypnotic stuff...and I am liking it! (Some of it is hard to follow, though.) There is a bit too much flow in this presentation, and little edge. Mr. Clean can't seem to help you in these aspects. You'll have to dig much deeper. My Score: 85.00 My Placement: 8th O'Fallon Township H.S., IL Repertoire: "Maria" Comments: The prelude to their show is slick. There are streaks of smudge at different times, musically and visually. Jazz runners, you have got to got to got to be in time for the jazz running to be effective. Lovely voice solo by the young lady wearing white. Excellent highlighting of the flag soloist by another flag operator. My Score: 74.90 My Placement: 27th Columbus North H.S., IN Repertoire: "Liquid Sky," I. "Cloudburst and The Storm," II. "The Calm," and III. "Celebration" Comments: A mellophone player fell hard while running behind one of the blue flags held by one of the auxiliary. Nice recovery, though! Excellent piano roll while a set of rifles are tossed (and almost all of them are caught!). I can count on this group for a mature, clean production. Yeah, there were flaws, but this group showed their true colors by how well they handled those flaws. My Score: 79.50 My Placement: 14th Adair County H.S., KY Repertoire: "The StoryPeople," inspired by works of Brian Andreas Comments: One of the better pre-shows I have seen, Adair County gets straight to the point with what they are going to present. Inventive interplay with the lead guard girl and the snare drummer. Inventive GUARD COSTUMES! Well, well, well--this group can play well and catch equipment with ease and, man...it's like there's nothing this band can't do. Sweet! I loved the theatrics. My Score: 82.90 My Placement: 10th Bellbrook H.S., OH Repertoire: "Walk this Proud Land," original composition by Michael Siler Comments: The poses evolve--great. Dooooon't lean into those step-offs, winds. Very sturdy work. Ooh, those feather-like flags are neat but hard to get in synch. Great range, percussionists, great range. This show moved and moved, but moved me little. It was a little too "by the books" for me. Not a bad show by any means, though. My Score: 79.20 My Placement: 15th Edgewood H.S., IN Repertoire: "To Tame the Perilous Skies" Comments: Lots of "air" motion with the auxiliary equipment, which is fitting I suppose, with the winds at a halt. Line up the music more, winds. The sharp, angular moves to finish the first setting--perfect! Glourious lunge moves here, and a shift in overall mood there. The tempo of this arrangement seems a bit slow, and yet it still seems challenging to these kids. Great "lift off" at the end of the show as a kid goes up a ramp and Supermans off of it (onto a mattress, I'm sure). Nice accomplishment. My Score: 75.50 My Placement: 25th Lincoln-Way East H.S., IL Repertoire: "blue cathedral" Comments: I could use more volume from the pit in the beginning...as it's a little TOO soft, there. I must say those leg capes on the winds and guard are unique! I like this band's full body sound, and up to this point this show is filled to the brim with mystery. Elegant strength! I am blown away by their creative use of color, and they are doing the very difficult very well. My Score: 83.70 My Placement: 9th Herscher H.S., IL Repertoire: "The Pursuit," featuring "The Pursuit" by Matt Conaway and "Splashes of Gold" by James L. Hosay Comments: Excellent ripple move in that mushroom form to get things in motion. The na-nah na-nah nah-naaah antics were cute and I could see the discipline in this group shine through. The battery drums seemed to overpower all the winds to the unfortunate point of noise, senseless noise. Overall, decent musical and visual execution. Various timing and clarity issues plagued their production. My Score: 59.00 My Placement: 39th Lake Park H.S., IL Repertoire: "Birds of a Feather" Comments: The eccentric bird costumes and flutter moves by the winds were different. I like different. Ooh, this band is on top of their game! Fabulous sabre toss once, and then again (later), for well deserved claps. I question the marching technique of many of those marching forward and backward. (That bicycle strid is a challenging one to make look great.) The guard is certainly pulling their weight. My Score: 79.00 My Placement: 16th Rampart H.S., CO Repertoire: "Revolution," 1. "Sevens" by Samuel Hazo, 2. "The Seal Lullaby" by Eric Whitacre and 3. "First Circle" by Pat Metheny Comments: I felt the pre-show portion was ill-timed, and unnecessary, even. Fantastic athletic moves with the quick pivot turns and somersaulting guard soloist. What a difference a percussion-less band makes when they don't play. (I'm sorry, it had to be said.) Touching moments occur when this show slows down. There are lots of space issues across the greed grid. Way to play out, flute section! Aaah, another "rush the guard soloist in the center" moment. My Score: 75.00 My Placement: 26th Moore H.S., OK Repertoire: "The Intertwine" Comments: Strong opening statement, Moore. Some of the woodwind parts seemed to fall through the cracks. Sheesh, what a dark rendition of Holsinger's "American Faces." The voiceover added to the ominous feel of the production. Bring those horns up at the same time, brass. I can barely hear the bass clarinet feature! (Amp it...or SOMETHING!) This show is deep. Ha! Love that rim shot that gets the last word. My Score: 77.90 My Placement: 21st Marietta H.S., OH Repertoire: "The Canyon" by Philip Glass, "First Drop Off/First Kiss" by James Horner and "Symphony for Brass and Percussion, Movement 3" by Alfred Reed Comments: A spectrum of hot colors flooded the field with paint-brush-like props. The contrast between the backfield volume and frontfield volume was way extreme, and now roll in the pounding drummers and you have quite the culture clash. The drum major had the most unique conducting style, yeah? (I've seldom seen such a range of pattern, so...did it work?) The musicians virtually wore all black uniforms and no, the props did not help them come alive (sad to say). This show was okay. Dynamite repertoire! My Score: 64.40 My Placement: 30th Union H.S., OK Repertoire: "ReInvention" Comments: "More Union, less Jenks!" or was it, "Moore/Union, less Jenks!" I could not believe someone would yell that when this band took the field. Jenks wasn't even at Grand Nationals this year! Real classy, band parents...NOT! Apparently, the parent who made the snyde remark was from Moore (or so I was told). Regardless of the association, let it be known that more judge the strength and character of a group off the field than they do on the field, and YOU NEVER KNOW who is watching (or listening) to you. In summary: have some class! It's sad that I have to write this kind of stuff at BOA Grand Nationals. NOW, where was I? Ah yes. UNION. With MORE class was the entrance of this group slowly filling the field from the tunnel. Fierce, fierce notes by the brass, and I was extremely impressed by the integrated musical nature of the auxiliary in form, function, and anything else you can think of. Splendid show! I liked the decidedly electronic part of the score. My Score: 89.70 My Placement: 2nd Brunswick H.S., OH Repertoire: "Metamorphosis," 1. "Awakening," 2. "Caterpillar," 3. "Cocoon" and 4. "Butterfly Comments: The "birthing" of the wind players from those black stretchy things was connected to their metamorphosis theme all right. Fine approach to this technique, individuals. Ha! That giant caterpillar train of guard was memorable, certainly, further expressing the transformation theme. Some nice moments musically, indeed, and...some not. This show was very controlled. Solid job by all! My Score: 77.00 My Placement: 23rd Bishop Fenwick H.S., OH Repertoire: "Tragic Kingdom," I. "QUEEN featuring Queen's Seven Seas of Rhye," II. KING featuring Elvis' "Can't Help Falling in Love" and III. TRAGEDY featuring No Doubt's "Tragic Kingdom" Comments: Great poise, as one of the drum majors called the band to attention. I waited and waited for that first big impact, but no dice. The pit in the center of the field does a fine job of enabling the wind players to stay in time without a conductor. The rockin' synth part had me nodding along. Okay, on-target rifle toss by the guard soloist. You had to cheer for these guys, as little as they were. My Score: 54.20 My Placement: 43rd Ben Davis H.S., IN Repertoire: "The Maze" Comments: The bizarre, creepy voiceovers before the show starts seems to indicate that we're about to go on an adventure (through a maze apparently). Not a bad mellophone spot. Top, top, top heavy for B.D. When the trumpets go away, you notice. I appreciate the complexities offered to my ears including a sequence involving the low reeds. Ha ha! Verrry nice rifle toss CAUGHT! Microphone feedback es no bueno. My Score: 82.30 My Placement: 11th William Mason H.S., OH Repertoire: "Underworld!" including: 1. "Love Dance of Orpheus and Eurydice," 2. "Pursuit and Capture of Eurydice," 3. "Orpheus's Lament," 4. "Descent Into the Underworld," 5. "Orpheus Negotiates with Hades" and 6. "Lost Forever" Comments: These guys are pretty gripping! They sketch out the way their show is going to start with finesse! Tension here, tension there, tension everywhere. (GOOD tension, I should note.) That is a stunning amped concert horn solo, and put right in the spotlight. Aaaah, and the guard takes center stage. Ooh, some of the auxiliary are victims of their costume. Really, really well done show. They draw...you...in. My Score: 87.80 My Placement: 3rd Center Grove H.S., IN Repertoire: "Something Wicked This Way Comes" Comments: Sweet, flowing movement is enhanced by the synth's piano notes. Supreme control was the name of the game! I am sucked into this now bleak presentation as once of the guard is tied to a tree prop in a cultish way. Wow, love the fierce aggression. An CG can do body movement with the best of them! Color guard, color guard, color guard...you rule. My Score: 87.50 My Placement: 4th Lake Central H.S., IN Repertoire: "Seven" Comments: These kids grasped all the fundamentals, and now I was on the hunt for detail. Were the toes as high as they could be on the forward motion? What about intervals? Shifting focus to the guard, showcase the guard more! I hate that I had to glance left rear to see sabres being caught. (Bring that stuff up front.) There were clever portrayals of the theme almost everywhere--superb! My Score: 87.10 My Placement: 5th Lawrence Central H.S., IN Repertoire: "Evolucion," featuring the music of Darmon Meader and Astor Piazzolla, including: "Baroque Samba," "Oblivion," Aconcagua" and "Libertango" Comments: Look towards the field: it's a bird, it's a plane, it's...a moving work of art! And I love every detail. Ooh, key toss dropped. Wow, when these kids play out they leave nothing behind. I am just in awe of the guard that has one of their members slowly, gently walking atop the backs of other guard members squished together in a line on their hands and knees. Superior coverage of the field, band, really utilizing your floorplan. Suave! My Score: 92.30 My Placement: 1st Morton H.S., IL Repertoire: "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas," based on the World War II story of two boys on opposite sides of the fence music by Craig Fitzpatrick Comments: What a daring show theme. I like what I hear thus far! Wow, the symbolism and accuracy is concentrated. This is quickly turning into one of my favorite shows of the day and it's because the band struck the right emotional nerve. Wow, the part where the kids get trapped between the wall of winds closing in gave me goosebumps. My Score: 78.30 My Placement: 18th North Laurel H.S., KY Repertoire: "Lux," including: "Sunlight," "Starlight" and "Illumination" Comments: The band starts things off with a bang, as they waste no time hitting you with their music. Some unsteady notes flew here and there, but not bad! This band is severely lacking a bottom voice, so tubas, tuba up or get thee a synth! Beautiful flag work guard, as you unwind out of that spiral form. Nice change of color from the plumes, too, even though one plume got completely pulled out by mistake. (Oops!) My Score: 59.20 My Placement: 38th Carroll H.S., OH Repertoire: "Pipe Dream," an original composition by Andrew Markworth Comments: Calm down the intonation, y'all. I appreciate how they use their pit to carry the beat without a battery line, a la Tarpon. Okay, the props are made to lean a bit by some of the wind players, and then they are moved to condense the stage, giving you that claustrophobic feel. There is a lot of good stuff happening in this show. My Score: 62.50 My Placement: 34th Brentwood H.S., TN Repertoire: "In the Woods...LOST!" including: I. "In the Woods," II. "Lost" and III. "No Escape," featuring music by Javier Navarette, Anouk and Hans Zimmer Comments: Okay, super--another "out of the gate" pre-show similar to Union. Big, big opening notes, but a little on the "chalkboard screech" side, trumpets. Despite some sloppy moment, this group delivers when it matters most. The flute player in a red robe plays a pivotal activation role and then, hey...more robed flautests come out of the woodwork to play. (Spectacular sabre-catching soloist, too!). My Score: 78.80 My Placement: 17th Monrovia H.S., IN Repertoire: "The Road of Life," including: "Whirlwinds" by Saucedo, "He's Gone Away" by Kirby and "Windsprints" by Saucedo Comments: I like the uniforms, which are kind of a Cavaliers look with the green and white tops and sleep hats with long white plume. Trumpets listen, lis-ten. Get in time, everyone. There we go--a "gold" moment with the rifle toss. The velocity at the end of their first movement was a great moment, too. They do a reasonable job of maintaining momentum. My Score: 58.50 My Placement: 41st Victor J. Andrew H.S., IL Repertoire: "In the Shadows of Leaves," music by Hans Zimmer and Tetsunosuke Kushide Comments: With solemn, strict narration the wind players execute typical martial arts types moves for this kind of show. Excellent symmetricality when called for. I can see how the easy-on-the-eyes drill could represent "harmony." There is not enough velocity, though. Dynamite, drums, as they make a solid contribution when they take center stage. My Score: 64.00 My Placement: 31st West Bloomfield H.S., MI Repertoire: "On the Edge," including "Raise the Roof" by Michael Daugherty, "Impetuosamente" from "Pampeana No. 3" by Alberto Ginastera and "Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor" by Sergei Rachmaninoff Comments: (Uh oh. Looks like the directors were trying to take care of a major cable management issue in the pit before the show started.) They had an okay start--a somewhat lackluster impact. I like the guard imbalance theme, and how the winds stage the "eye candy" (i.e. drums). As much as I give the guard credit for achieving, I wish I could give them more credit for achieving in perfect synch. This show got better and better as it progressed. My Score: 78.10 My Placement: 19th Ravenwood H.S., TN Repertoire: "The Jester's Deception," an original composition by Richard Saucedo Comments: Wacky conditions set, with wind players looking like they're trying to break out of neon PVC boxes...and then they do to take shape in a sort of "sleep" mode. Excellent pace, everyone. Ugh, a high rifle toss is bounced. I can't make out the narration. Was that, "The tricks start now"? Chaos becomes organized--nice. My Score: 72.80 My Placement: 28th Stebbins H.S., OH Repertoire: "For Whom the Bell Tolls," featuring music by DJ Food, Shane Kelbley and Giacomo Puccini Comments: The tall belltower prop on the 50 is impressive. Excellent use of the field with that huge "X" form that condenses. It does not sound like all the musicians are contributing--come on; full out. Excellent tuba/trombone feature! Woodwinds, make yourselves known! I want more pronounciation, er, EXCLAMATION! My Score: 62.90 My Placement: 33rd ***END OF DAY 1 PRELIMS*** At the end of preliminary competition on Day 1, here are my results. Please note the "*" (asterisk) indicates the bands that are my picks to be amongst the top 11 to advance to semi-finals regardless of class. Please note the "!" (exclamation point) indicates the bands are my picks to be amongst "the next 8 highest scores of day 1 and day 2 of preliminary competition" to advance to semi-finals regardless of class. Enjoy!: *1. 92.30 Lawrence Central H.S., IN *2. 89.70 Union H.S., OK *3. 87.80 William Mason H.S., OH *4. 87.50 Center Grove H.S., IN *5. 87.10 Lake Central H.S., IN *6. 86.90 Lafayette H.S., KY *7. 86.50 Walled Lake Central H.S., MI *8. 85.00 Centerville H.S., OH *9. 83.70 Lincoln-Way East H.S., IL *10. 82.90 Adair County H.S., KY *11. 82.30 Ben Davis H.S., IN !12. 81.00 Northmont H.S., OH !13. 80.20 Western H.S., IN 14. 79.50 Columbus H.S., IN 15. 79.20 Bellbrook H.S., OH 16. 79.00 Lake Park H.S., IL 17. 78.80 Brentwood H.S., TN 18. 78.30 Morton H.S., IL 19. 78.10 West Bloomfield H.S., MI 20. 78.00 Daviess County H.S., KY 21. 77.90 Moore H.S., OK 22. 77.70 Louisville Male H.S., KY 23. 77.00 Brunswick H.S., OH 24. 76.80 Dorman H.S., SC 25. 75.50 Edgewood H.S., IN 26. 75.00 Rampart H.S., CO 27. 74.90 O'Fallon H.S., IL 28. 72.80 Ravenwood H.S., TN 29. 65.70 Indian Hill H.S., OH 30. 64.40 Marietta H.S., OH 31. 64.00 Victor J. Andrew H.S., IL 32. 63.90 Morristown H.S., IN 33. 62.90 Stebbins H.S., OH 34. 62.50 Carroll H.S., OH 35. 61.70 Springfield Shawnee H.S., OH 36. 60.90 Carlisle H.S., OH 37. 60.00 Talawanda H.S., OH 38. 59.20 North Laurel H.S., KY 39. 59.00 Herscher H.S., IL 40. 58.70 Logan Elm H.S., OH 41. 58.50 Monrovia H.S., IN 42. 58.00 Edgewood H.S., OH 43. 54.20 Bishop Fenwick H.S., OH POST DAY 1 PRELIMS THOUGHTS: The surprise band of the day for me was Morton H.S., IL--I found their moving ode to the novel/movie THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS to be BOLD, and they did it with utmost taste. The "You're Still Great No Matter What People Say About You" award goes to Centerville H.S., OH (or "THE CENTERVILLE JAZZ BAND" *as Chuck H would say in his peppy voice). Go Centerville, go! (I love the "underdogs"!) Now, as for Ben Davis and Lake Park, hmmm...time to shape up or ship out, yeah? (I would not be the least surprised if one of these two bands DID NOT make semis. We shall see.) Finally, the best band of the day was Lawrence Central, though the fact they were the best today at what will arguably go down in history as one of the fiercest BOA GNs ever is...odd. (You would think more great bands from Day 2 would instead join the mix on Day 1, but what do I know?) TRENDS?: Tree props, circle "worship" pods (think Reagan plume-change circa 2002), plume change/wacky-colored plumes like neon green and orange-and-yellow (again, Reagan!), the show before the show or "pre-show" performance (AHEM!--you know who to thank), and tarps gone WILD (and I am not just talking about Tarp-ON Springs, haha!) Stay tuned for my full analysis of Day 2 Prelims TOMORROW, and Coming Soon: Semi-finals Showdown and Finals Madness. ai

Jackson Academy beating Duncanville (aka David beating Goliath) was 1993 and BOA Grand Nationals. From the video, JA clearly had a better show and better performance. (Love the unbiased BOA judging. Here's another great crazy results example...and Danpod and Company will remember this: 2006. James Bowie H.S. not making finals (not in the top 14) at BOA San Antonio, then merely a week or two later James Bowie H.S. making BOA GRAND NATIONAL FINALS (in the top 12) in a very, very competitive year for nats. -Alan

Yeah, I was there that year. It was close. Funny, though, because a lot of my TX friends are proud of their TX bands and even though they welcome out-of-state bands with welcome arms Carmel was not exactly received as well as, say, LD Bell. (And LD Bell had a GREAT show that year--fast, fast music and marching). And what's more funny, I think IN people feel the same way about TX bands when TX bands go up to Grand Nationals. TX and IN--two very proud marching states, and rightly so. -Alan

I know. I saw them at BOA San Antonio in '03 and BOA GN in '04. I look forward to seeing them again at Grand Nats this year, too. But the CA band that is going to San Antonio next year is not Ayala (that I know of). -Alan

1. Ayala 2003 2. No 3. Yes 4. No -Alan

Okay, I thought I would personally spice up this site, haha! Stop complaining. This is all I'll write (for now). -Alan

Yeah, and even if there were costly woodwind repairs, think of how that could stimulate the economy (and perhaps DCI's economy, with all the vendors and such at show sites!). -Alan

Great discussion. And to just_a_texas_girl, I did not intend to put down Reagan. I have great respect for Reagan, as well as other (personal) reasons I admire their program that I will not get into. I simply wanted to use their band as an example of what was "different" this year, and I was saddened (as were a bunch of txbands staff members) that it was a possibility that this band--one that was on the verge of winning BOA Grand Nationals only a few years ago--might not make finals at the BOA San Antonio! I DON'T think it's a secret that Reagan is not as strong as they used to be, and I don't think you can blame the kids for that. From what I could tell, the kids did the best they could with what they had and in the end it paid off. I'm really, really happy they made finals. I could not think of a more classy band to be in the top 14. Do I think they should have made finals? My opinion still stands as "no," but you have to remember that I am not a judge and nor are the other "arm chair refs" who come to the shows and think they have it all figured out. One of my biggest hopes is that I come back to San Antonio, TX and see some improvement from ALL bands. Wouldn't it be great if Reagan and Claudia Johnson Taylor got to the level the old Reagan was at and hold their own against groups like Winston Churchill? Never say never. There are too many great programs in Texas with great kids that CAN'T be ignored, and plenty of young talent out there that can sweep these kids off their feet and make them winners on the field and in life. -Alan

DCI has changed so much over the years. The bugles are now brass instruments, synthesizers and other electronic equipment are allowed, and there is no longer a "tick" scoring system. I say ANYTHING goes. Allow the woodwinds. I think that it will happen someday. DCI used to be THE cutting edge that high school bands would look to to copy or emulate (just take a look at some of Live Oak's shows in the 70's and 80's). NOW DCI looks to BOA--and probably vice-versa--on ways to keep the marching arts fresh and--most importantly--RELEVENT! Think of how many NEW musicians you could get interested in corps (note that I purposely took out the words "drum" and "bugle") if you added woodwinds. (Corps could probably accept more members, too!) I am all about innovation. We can stay in the past, but in time it will get old...trust me. DCI would not be where it is today if it stayed in the past. Sincerely, Alan (who used to march Pacific Crest and Spartans)

I don't think points are deducted for falls or "errors." BOA's adjudication system, like many others, uses a reward, or point "build-up" philosophy. In fact, Cedar Park may have been rewarded for excellence in demand and recovery MORE than their problems, which would not surprise me. You have to remember, though: it's all SUBJECTIVE. This is not to say that BOA does not penalize bands for particular circumstances...the only major one I can think of off the top of my head is timing. There are others (like use of pyrotechnics), but you would have to read the rule book. -Alan

Thanks, Dan! It was great hanging out with you and the rest of the txbands crew. Don't get me wrong, though. I had a fantastic time. ALL the bands were great. However, it was a surprise seeing where some of the bands are considering where they have come from and where the bands could (should?) be going. Then again, perhaps this is just me who has seen so much and tends to expect so much. Perhaps I am old and tired. You will have to let me know your thoughts on Grand Nationals when all the dust has settled. Take care! -Alan

Hello txbands.com, After some thought I would like to share with you my experience at the BOA San Antonio Super Regional, albeit not in the way you might think this will turn out. I did watch all the bands in preliminary and finals competition, and I thought the contest was all that it could be, and maybe more. But it was somewhat dulled. Of course you will have the bands that are there to be judged by some of the best judges in the nation, though they may be no where near the level of bands like L.D. Bell or Cedar Park. It is not about the "weaker" bands, though, as you have that everywhere. It was the stronger bands that shocked. Peformances being performances, this will be dealt with later. Nevertheless, as I have always felt, BOA is not just a contest, but a learning experience, or rather a "positively life-changing experience." Here we will learn from what I have to share or maybe not. I hope to learn from all of you by reading your responses. Georgetown was the first band to stick out in my mind as one that has come with the means to ring up a score that would be higher than most and I must say this was a fine performance. What I like about bands that work towards the BOA image is that they are there to show you not just what can be achieved technically, but emotionally, too. You see, I think teaching your kids aesthetic values in addition to music and movement as well all else you can associate with the stereotypical "marching band" is important, just as learning the varying perspectives on history is important. It is not about "memorize this" or "memorize that." Provide meaning. Provide a show that can make your mind imagine things, rather than make your mind think that you are good at this and good at that. Georgetown had me on the edge of my seat, and they were not the first band to do this. Leander ventured into musical territories that, I think, they have ventured into numerous times before. They had some imagination in their show, but I felt as if they could modernize much, much more. Now, before you attack me, I know this is a UIL "State" year. However, I also know that three bands played had very similar shows that were, yes, music focused: Winston Churchill, Cedar Park, and Stephen F. Austin. Now, any time I see and hear a show that is similar to what I have seen and heard in the past I do not put the show down, but deep down inside me there is a groan, a groan that reminds me of past years. I yearn for those. I yearn for the Winston Churchill 2002 show, for example. Yes, Aledo did a wonderful job of refreshing that great music, but it made me somewhat sad to know that we have to suck things from the past or re-do things for the sake of meeting a timeline or standard or...YOU fill in the blank. I firmly believe Texas has some of the best bands in the nation, but it is as if Texas "took a year off." I don't think UIL is an excuse, because I was there in 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2006, and the so-called "5A" bands did not hold back. I don't think the absence of great bands like The Woodlands or Richland is an excuse, either, because again you have bands that have the reputation that did not shoot for the stars. Fuel prices were a thing that I heard held some programs back (from BOA contests and such), but economy be darned as you have to plan for the worst in times like these. Some programs just collapsed, like Reagan! And though I did not think Reagan should have been in finals, I congratulate them for surviving. I would rather Reagan be here and be a band they did not used to be than not be a band at all! But one or two programs on the rebound does not phase me, and should not phase you. And yes, there are lots of "has beens." But what about the "are nows"? Is it UIL? What is it that is responsible? I really hope that what the many of the great bands in Texas did to themselves pays off...because it did not seem to pay off at BOA San Antonio which I have long thought of as the gauge of the nation's best. L.D. Bell was the lone group that I think earned the score they received, 100%. It is odd that I speak of program design, because most of the time I think that this is a side note, or something that I need not consider. Not here. But let me talk about the good things I saw: I saw utmost class and professionalism from each student on the field, in the stands, and in the parking lot; I saw schools like Del Valle that come from the far reaches of Texas really knock the socks off of those who are used to seeing the same set of bands contest-to-contest; I saw schools that fought through all odds (transportation, members falling down on the field) to deliver a PERFORMANCE. My favorite band of the weekend was Haltom, and I think by what I already wrote you can see why I chose them. Their show had it all, IMHO. They were not afraid to expose all aspects of their band. Even their percussion popped out of their show as if to say they were KEY (much like Westfield's 2003 show which had you see how all the parts formed the whole, whether it be obvious or behind-the-scenes...Haltom just happened to be obvious). I thought Marcus was better than L.D. Bell in prelims. I think a lot of people did. L.D. may have had a poor performance (and to say their performance was "poor" is really stretching it). What is more important, though, is that Marcus had a show that was on par with L.D. Bell, and was really, really fun to watch. Me being a fan of Greek and Roman mythology got into the characters that made their mark in pagan times. And Marcus was CREATIVE in how they treated their product, too! Did I not consider the "other" shows, though? Were Winston Churchill, Cedar Park, and Stephen F. Austin clones of each other? Absolutely not. I found some great things, different things about each show that is worth sharing. Churchill had a guard to die for (as always), Stephen F. Austin made my eardrums ring, and Cedar Park was as close to perfection, even with the glitches, that I could find, marching band, drum corps, or whatever, and they were entertaining. Who cares what "my scores" were. I do not need to share these with you to make me legit. I just hope to come back to Texas to see excellence not just in music, not just in marching...but in everything. Thank you. -Alan

I dedicate this review and all my reviews of the 2006 Bands of America Grand National Championships to my dear friend and dear friend to more than I know, Ann Colville. Ann and I were in the band all four years together, and she was the best. She was a great friend, leader, musician, and above all, A GREAT HUMAN BEING. We miss you, Ann. (October 16, 1978-September 8, 2006). Bands of America Grand National Championships November 8-11, 2006 RCA Dome Indianapolis, IN You could feel this...this aura...this...this infection. Waiting in line in the dark and the cold, at least you knew you were not the ONLY one. The revolving doors took you from one world to the next, as I was instantly transported to the "grid": here the games would start with and end with the EXTRAORDINARY--school marching bands that took art to new intense levels. When I took my seat to see the hype I knew to be true, I stretched all that could be stretched with my hand and fingers once more...and then I took out my notebook and pen, ready to write, anxious to swim; swim in a land of emotion put to sound and moves. I sat next to a father and daughter from San Antonio, Texas. Gary, the father, knew me through my writings, and he introduced himself and his daughter, Melissa, to me. Melissa played synthesizer for the Ronald Reagan High School Marching Band, and though her band was not here this year, she was here for all the bands. I thought it was great that these two took a vacation to the Bands of America Grand National Championships, and I wished more could do this. (This reminded me of the days my father would take me to band shows on "off" days.) Whether you are on the "inside" or the "outside," the POSITIVELY LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES here capitalized. Melissa shared some great insight on all the finalists, and it was great to hear about her passion for the marching arts. And now, my friends, my art, your art: ***FINALS PERFORMANCES*** EXHIBITION: Beechwood High School (Class A Champions) Ft. Mitchell, KY Repertoire: "Concerto for the 21st Century" featuring the music of Brian Morgan including "I. Allegro Mysterioso," "II. Sparks," "III. Sotto Voce" and "IV. Finale" Comments: A white, triangular tarp with the design of piano keys at the bottom was the stage for a mock piano, which, in this case, was a synthesizer encased in a pipe outline of a piano. A waist-high black backdrop at an angle stood behind the "piano" and pianist. A backfield set of chords builds and builds, and at the climax...silence! Three piano notes fill the void. I was throttled by the full, crisp sound of this group. I love the snap to parade rest with the head snap to the left. A too-cool-for-you electronic recorder soloist seems to woo the pianist, and then he goes crazy with his music. And now that I am on the subject of going crazy with music, just listen to these kids treat every attack and release with utmost care. The delicate piano features rock. The snare drummers rub their sticks on the drumheads. Form control looks super. An approach to the front in a triangle form is pure joy, and that head snap again RULES. A piano fade-away, followed by a diagonal dorm made by the winds that has them extending their arms forward with palms out and up, is perfect. I like how this band placed their Class A Champion trophy on their "piano." They earned their place here in history. My Score: N/A My Placement: N/A Actual Placement: N/A The Woodlands High School (Class AAA Champions) The Woodlands, TX Repertoire: "Hide and Seek" featuring "Concerto for Orchestra" by Bela Bartok and "Hide and Seek" by Imogen Heap Comments: Drama unfolds instantly with Imogen Heap sounds that, from the get-go, gives me the goose bumps, all the way to the tone-down of sound and their announcement into competition. Snap, crackle, and pop went the speakers. Fortunately, the voice modulation part was unscathed...but still. Rifles thrown up were all caught the same very nearly. Circle forms squatted, and heads tilted left and right in playful fashion. Whoa boy! This group punched all their notes in time and all out. An auxiliary member places her hand just above her forehead, as if searching for something. The feel-good sounds of the brass on side B helps set the mood for the childish mannerisms of the woodwinds on side A--some lying on their stomachs and kicking their legs into the air. The jump, jump, jump etcetera move from a squat position by the winds as a guard girl goes back-flipping by is spectacular! A diamond form that hides one of the guard girls seems to explode outwards while she stays where she is at and points with a firm finger, crying, "GOTCHA!" Through all the hiding, through all the seeking, this band was tops in my book. Yeah, there were little things: a sound system glitch, and even some dry drill forms. However, they seemed to nail every moment that had to, had to, had to be nailed. You took me on your journey, guys, and it was a true pleasure. Thanks! My Score: 95.80 My Placement: 3rd Actual Placement: 4th Tarpon Springs High School (Class AA Champions) Tarpon Springs, FL Repertoire: "Every Passion Has Its Destiny" including "Starting Line," "Mile 5," "Mile 10," "Mile 15" and "Finish Line" Comments: In confident stance, legs apart, around a tarp "track" around the field, mood music begins. A running man pose gets these kids on track, and uh, no pun intended. Those Tarpon woodwinds were so famous--a sax, a clarinet, a flute, and a soprano saxophone soloist on platforms. But here comes a new type of Tarpon, with a muted trumpet section tearing up the air with their razoring sound, lightly tonguing notes in repetitive fashion. Miles are counted off by the narrator who seems to endure...and endure this band does. "A race is a work of art" is an interesting thing to contemplate. As a runner runs non-stop around the track in a white tank top and orange shorts, I can not help but think what kind of shape he must be in. The ballad was moving, and I think the part that moves me the most, believe-it-or-not, is the piano repeats with the flourishing baritone ensemble. A pop beat in the pit adds a spotlight to some wacky 'bone playing, slides ripped out to really rip those notes. "I will conquer these obstacles," declares the narrator, while a guard soloist gets her tossed rifle in perfect form, unlike Semi-Finals. (AWESOME!) The win players assume and re-assume running man positions, as the runner finally finishes "the race." Wow, if that was not emotional to the core, I don't know what is! My Score: 96.40 My Placement: 2nd Actual Placement: 5th L.D. Bell High School Hurst, TX Repertoire: "The Remaining" including "Hound of Heaven" by James Syler, Philip Feeney's "Ballet Dracula," "King Kong" by James Newton Howard and James Horner's "A Beautiful Mind" Comments: With finesse, a girl on the guard on the 50 does a back bend and flip, and various other "troubled" stances while running around frantically. Clarinet players hold flags as they march around and do a slick hand-off to the auxiliary who, of course, make good use of them! The mammoth pitch-dark music is ROUGH. The creepiness takes a toll on you, but you must watch...you must. As the winds collapse to the turf following a loud crash in sound, one trumpet player seems to be shot by an unseen gun, and violently reaches forward while buckling backwards. A girl in red pops up from a mountain of white plumes, like lave spewing from an ancient volcano. The haunting synth voice seems to reflect ecstasy, and backfield sound faithfully reaches my eardrums, and then...the agony returns! A marching french horn squad has trouble with the start of their "throw down," but gets back on their feet in no time. The bopping voice sounds are nothing but a joy to hear. We seem to be pulled back in time with notes that etch your mind. And then, GASP! Oh my. Oh my, oh my, oh my, oh my, oh my. L.D. Bell did something NO ONE expected. In fact, you could hear the whole dome gasp at once. A giant white cloth covers the whole field and buries the guard in red--who shriek in desperation...and then a girl dressed in white pops up out of a hole in the middle and scurries across the cloth. Across the tarp you see bumps start to rise, as the "fallen" are here--these "ghosts," perhaps. Unbelievable. People were talking about this show LONG after it ended. Simply unbelievable. My Score: 96.90 My Placement: 1st Actual Placement: 2nd Avon High School Avon, IN Repertoire: "Push" by Rob Smith Comments: A chain reaction of leaps to the ground from the knees makes this moment one of the best visual moments of the year. The vertical lines that bend towards side A from side B are the first we see of the symbolic arrows. This show is mad in the way a constant ringing by a mallet player has the group going face first into tough drill concepts, with music that mangles. While on both knees, the trumpet players use their hands to push each other. A swirling form massages the feelings, and in sudden manner the form mutates, squeezing out, yes, an ARROW. We clap to a drumline feast for the eyes and ears. I adored that rifle catch in which the guard tossed, did a spinning motion with the hands and arms (like a basketball ref calling a "travel"), and then caught. The number of double-helix forms set in motion was like a 1-up on Spring '93. Nice. Very nice. Several arrow forms pointing at the audience came without warning. I was a victim of their force--force of sight, sound, and just plain FUN. (The push-ups, by the way, were a genius way to display a type of "push," ha ha!) These kids were SO 3-dimensional. This band had a show I did not want to see end. My Score: 95.60 My Placement: 6th Actual Placement: 7th Carmel High School Carmel, IN Repertoire: "Revolution" Comments: A guard girl, flat on her back, raises her legs so that a globe prop could be placed on it. We get eased into this show. Whimsy woodwind notes have a tender touch to them...after all, this IS The Beatles we are alluding to. A suicidal jazz run has one sax player actually turning his head to stay "with it," ha ha! A brass ensemble in some overlapping arc forms hand us some of that classic brassy beauty. The synth does the piano with a delicate sound. I loved the cross-one-leg-over-the-other-leg moving block that approached us from an angle. Clarinets, hold, hold, hold that rectangle form. Huge bass drums on their sides were whacked on up front near the side A 35 and 40, and they were whacked with a smile. (These kids SHOULD be smiling, ha ha!) An inconceivable drill move was pulled off as if it were nothing--a hinged globe form that rotated like the hand of a clock. I love those mouse wheel ball props that the guard get inside and run in, and then it is all over when one of the guard does the splits on top of one of these contraptions. Melissa pointed out to me that one of the snare drummers was not marching with a snare, which I found quite odd, but interesting. I really, really like this show. This is, perhaps, the most "accessible" Carmel show I have ever seen, and quite a GOOD one at that. I would also go so far as to write that this is my FAVORITE Carmel show. Yeah, good times! My Score: 95.70 My Placement: 5th Actual Placement: 8th Plymouth-Canton Educational Park Canton, MI Repertoire: "The Passion Within" including "The Dancer," "The Painter," "The Musicians" and "The Lovers" Comments: Spurts of flowing ballet moves pulled off by the winds give you a sense of wonderment. When the red folding chairs used to help accentuate the visuality are deposited in front of the black frontdrops, trumpets are gained and nothing is lost. Their sound is as it should be. In a worship "state," flutes and clarinets surround a vocalist who hypnotizes with her voice. The winds do a bowing move to a violin gig. The young lady on the amped violin is a SUPERSTAR, man! Trumpets, yeah! Way to mimic the solo out there, but keep on keep on keep on that timing. A climax of sustained note and sustained cheers keep this group in the mix for a long while. The guard, pretending to play the violin with violin props and sabres, do well. Vertical lines merge, rotate, and then fold into a company front which has every other member on one knee. Is this show over, now? With the reaction of the fans, you would think so! Vocal music returns, and this show has the magic sparkle it needs to knock one out of the park. Yeah, I know...the baseball analogy is cheesy, but I am running out of words for these kids who were otherworldly. Plymouth is BACK, bigger and badder than ever. In the past three years, this is the best show I have seen from them yet. My Score: 94.00 My Placement: 9th Actual Placement: 9th Broken Arrow High School Broken Arrow, OK Repertoire: "Aqua" Comments: On one knee, playing towards the backfield and their auxiliary--who seem to emerge from the ground in those flared skirts. This band takes no time at all to announce their presence. Several electronic drum beats play host to a flute/sax/clarinet threesome. Trumpets, you spin those notes with a laser exact touch, and I am attached to the way you do those rapid spot-switch moves with supreme balance. The brass make the vertical work for them in so many ways off that side B 30. Ah-ha! Block rotation: Identify. Target. Engage. Night raid! Oh, and that black side of pants to white side of pants move--I want to see more of that, because that is just way too cool. The auxiliary know their roles so well. (I kinda sorta wish there was more work to be done out there, with or without the skirt props.) A mello player in the center of a rhombus form is slightly "off mark," and let me emphasize SLIGHTLY, now. A lot of what they do out there is up close and personal, and sometimes I wish they would back up JUUUST a bit. (I think this may benefit them from a demand standpoint, but then again I could be wrong, heh heh!) When all is said and done, this band stays with you. "Time to Say Good-bye," indeed! That "river" of wind players lying down that make themselves "flow" by rolling over to change the colors between black and white (with their uniforms)...and that stellar guard ACTING ENSEMBLE...whoa...just buy the DVD, will ya'? My Score: 95.20 My Placement: 8th Actual Placement: 1st Marian Catholic High School Chicago Heights, IL Repertoire: "VARIATIONS! a concert for young people" Comments: A Playbill is posted in large format underneath the drum majors' main podium. "Good evening, and welcome to our young person's concert," says a narrator, who is extremely confident with his material. A sound-system glitch seems to diminish him a bit. Hello? I can barely hear you! Ugh. Okay, this is not the end of the world. The guard, who do double bunny-hop-like moves with one leg, and then get their rifles stretching, is great. Side-by-side, a clarinet soloist and the narrator walk down the 50 in a relaxed way. Mmmmm, just listen to the relaxed sounds of the brass, who make you feel like, oh no...should I borrow Michael Cesario's "taking a bath in chocolate" expression? Ha ha! How about NO? (But you can think of it as something like that, I suppose...or not.) A guard soloist, wearing electric yellow and black, tosses her rifle, shimmies, and catches her rifle. Marian is...well, MARIAN. They never fail to impress with what they do year after year. This band seems to have nowhere else to go since they seem to have covered every ground there is. Their last visual move is a "remember me" move FOR SURE, as the winds in white pants design a drill form in the shape of a musical note, and the winds in black pants design a drill form in the shape of the bars that hold this note (on each side of it) by lying down in horizontal lines. The narrator, now with the DM on the podium, takes a bow with the DM. Those classic Marian carnations mean only one thing: SUCCESS. This show was a blast. My Score: 92.90 My Placement: 10th Actual Placement: 11th James Bowie High School Austin, TX Repertoire: "A Little Night Music" including "Wilder Nights," "Moon Musik" and "Shadow Musik" Comments: Curved forms fold out and then loop around like boomerangs. This band turned up the dial on their volume! Whoa! Ha ha! That side-step dance, complete with "dancing" music, COMPLETES me. A rhombus attached to a slanted diamond form looks immaculate from here. The woodwinds gently squat as the ballad puts you under a spell. Hmmm, a squat...nothing wrong with that, of course, BUT...we have seen more groups transform the way things are done out there beyond those. These kids show few weaknesses. This was a FINALS band, all right! The guard, with pink feather fans, run. That egg form was lumpy, woodwinds. Hoisted in the air within a tight pod form created by all the winds are the soloist dancers--male and female--who try to reach each other with a want so great that it turns into NEED. Touching. This band covered their show firmly. I doubt they could do more to top this. This show had some moves, but they were not enough to take on some of the best and brightest here. "INNOVATE" is the word of the day. Bowie, you did what many thought you could not do. You did NOT make finals at one of the toughest (if not THE toughest) regionals in the nation, and then you make finals after competing with an extremely competitive field of Grand National Semi-Finalists. Bravo! That's all. Bravo! My Score: 88.40 My Placement: 12th Actual Placement: 12th Winston Churchill High School San Antonio, TX Repertoire: "Deception of Perception" featuring the music of Vincent Perischetti Comments: A trumpet solo is played with ease, as the girl in red around him teases him with his shako. Now, like a plane propeller, a sabre goes spinning. Mello alerts signal to the guard--not concert horn players, like they seem to be--to start stripping out of the "WC" uniforms. Are the guard members in guard costumes who are playing flutes and clarinets REALLY playing? Or is it just your imagination? Heh heh heh! The girls make funny faces, getting me more involved with their product. A flute section crossing of the leg makes it look all so simple. A perfect sabre catch is just what they need to affirm greatness, and the guard does just this. We get tricked into thinking "Fanfare for the Common Man" will be pulled on us by a trumpet soloist, but NOPE. (That would be too predictable, I guess.) The string plucking music by the synths has me thinking I am in some Indiana Jones movie or something. I am taken on a wild adventure by this gang that even goes so far as to pull a "rifle-spinning-in-each-hand" move. I like how the REAL flute players ascend the platforms by the show's end. Will the real WC please stand up, please stand up, please stand up? People were scratching their heads when a "pseudo-Chuck" came on their speakers to announce them out of competition, and not long after they start marching out do they stop and mark time in place, swivel their horns to the audience, and blast a few more notes. This offbeat show was JUST offbeat enough. These mind players prevailed! My Score: 89.60 My Placement: 11th Lawrence Central High School Indianapolis, IN Repertoire: "One Hand, One Heart" featuring the music from Leonard Bernstein's "Westside Story" Comments: Two circles, double-layered, circled platforms with a heart design. A rich brass sound entangled with a leaping one-leg-raise ballet move was just the right combination. The saxophones sax out, and the trumpets went above and beyond with and without mutes. The marching double toms (with cymbals attached) were a neat addition to the field drums. A trumpet player is part of an act, as he leans against the ground with his arm and then falls in broken form. Some focus is lost with one sabre drop, but NOT MUCH. They make a note ring on and on and on, and then let a concert baritone player pop out some high notes. Yes! The winds snap those fingers and shake those hips. The percussion terrorize their instruments, ha ha! And man, that bend downwards of pitch of the prolonged synth note pleased me. A siren goes off. "Make of Our Lives One Life..." are the words shown when a group of flags are put together. (I did not have time to make out and write down the rest, though the meaning was similar.) An embrace between man and woman from the guard has some around me going, "Awwwwwe!" Yeah, they were THAT good. Never count LC out. Never. Congratulations on a great year. My Score: 95.30 My Placement: 7th Actual Placement: 6th Kennesaw Mountain High School Kennesaw, GA Repertoire: "Stages" including "Admiration," "Between" and "Changes" Comments: Netted cages of different colors--blue, orange, and green--were set up for solos throughout the show. A piccolo solo--amazing. "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" was maxed out in ways unheard of. This drumline was exact. "Yeah, baby!" cried a guy behind me. The sections in the band that wore a color (such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, or violet) looked BRIGHT, and made the drill forms even more vivid. When the saxophone sounds rubbed gently, I saw a field of one, taking on the visuals like THE masters. Hey, if I were being extremely, extremely critical, I could write that some of the moves were not "laser precise," but so what? A triangle form that stands still does not "stand still" in terms of a triangle sound. You hear that? Wow. The wind players invade the field from the sidelines and goal lines after the colors are ripped off. Now we have the good ol' Kennesaw back, still truckin' with spinning triangle masses that formed a star mass, with music coming at you from many angles, and all this--love it or hate it--was phenomenally good. And yes, there were a bunch of folks around me who did not care for their show, including me. HOWEVER, as much as I did not care for the show, or more accurately, the show CONCEPT (in terms of being imaginative and innovative), I know quality when I see it, and I could place Kennesaw NO LOWER THAN 4TH. Kennesaw broke out the big guns, tonight. My Score: 95.70 My Placement: 4th Actual Placement: 3rd ***END OF FINALS PERFORMANCES*** Post-Finals Thoughts: People were murmuring about L.D. Bell's performance long after it was over. It was one of these things where you "had to be there" to understand the significance. This L.D. Bell "spell" lasted quite a while, but it was shows like Tarpon Springs, Lawrence Central, and Broken Arrow which kept an open mind to new wonderful things. My Finals Scores and Placements 1. 96.90 L.D. Bell H.S., TX 2. 96.40 Tarpon Springs H.S., FL 3. 95.80 The Woodlands H.S., TX 4. 95.70 Kennesaw Mountain H.S., GA 5. 95.70 Carmel H.S., IN 6. 95.60 Avon H.S., IN 7. 95.30 Lawrence Central H.S., IN 8. 95.20 Broken Arrow H.S., OK 9. 94.00 Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, MI 10. 92.90 Marian Catholic H.S., IL 11. 89.60 Winston Churchill H.S., TX 12. 88.40 James Bowie H.S., TX Actual Finals Placements 1. Broken Arrow H.S., OK 2. L.D. Bell H.S., TX 3. Kennesaw Mountain H.S., GA 4. The Woodlands H.S., TX 5. Tarpon Springs H.S., FL 6. Lawrence Central H.S., IN 7. Avon H.S., IN 8. Carmel H.S., IN 9. Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, MI 10. Winston Churchill H.S., TX 11. Marian Catholic H.S., IL 12. James Bowie H.S., TX Outstanding Music Performance - L.D. Bell H.S., TX Outstanding Visual Performance - Lawrence Central H.S., IN Outstanding General Effect - Broken Arrow H.S., OK Al Castronovo Esprit de Corps Award - Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, MI Post-Finals Thoughts (Ctd.): This year, the title of "Grand National Champion" was anyone's to win or lose. When Chuck Henson announced Kennesaw Mountain in third place, the dome went silent...and so did Chuck Henson. "In second place..." Chuck Henson said, and then seemed to pause for what seemed like a WHOLE MINUTE. I swear you could hear a pin drop. I glanced at the retreat block of L.D. Bell; I glanced at the retreat block of Broken Arrow; I glanced at the retreat block of L.D. Bell; I glanced at the retreat block of Broken Arrow. "The L.D. Bell High School Marching Band from Hurst, Texas!" Immediately, the kids in the Broken Arrow retreat block could not contain themselves, jumping, screaming, and crying. And then I looked at the kids from L.D. Bell who were just HEARTBROKEN. (They had come so, so close!) Two of the flute players from L.D. Bell's block were on the ground, embracing (and likely shedding tears). This was the most drama I have ever seen from ANY high school band show...and yet it was a fitting end. It took a long, long time for the field to be cleared. The melee of "winners in life" congratulating each other was hard to deny, ESPECIALLY after all the hard work, all the ups, and all the downs that went into this season, which ends HERE for most (if not all). Broken Arrow had achieved what some would think of as "the impossible dream," after not placing in Finals last year, and not taking a single caption or placement in Semi-Finals this year. Did they deserve to win? You bet! As much as I wanted L.D. Bell to take home the Eagle, I was just as happy to see Broken Arrow take it, with their highly creative and energetic show that DID NOT SKIP A BEAT! But what was MORE impressive was Broken Arrow's sportsmanship. After The Pride's encore performance (which L.D. Bell, in equally classy behavior, stayed to watch), they got in a tight huddle and then clapped in the direction of L.D. Bell. L.D. Bell had just finished a few chants, placing them at attention, which, to me, showed a lot of respect. And RESPECT these bands did have for each other. What a remarkable story this was of this whole event. This was "the big one," and one I will take with me for a long, long time. A fitting end, indeed! Alan Irons Fountain Valley High School Marching Band 1993-1996 Pacific Crest of Diamond Bar 1997 Nashua Spartans 1998-1999 UCSB Class of 2002 Questions/Comments? E-mail me at alan_irons@hotmail.com

Bands of America Grand National Championships November 8-11, 2006 RCA Dome Indianapolis, IN Winston Churchill High School San Antonio, TX Repertoire: "Deception of Perception" featuring the music of Vincent Perischetti Comments: "Deception" and "Perception" are uttered in a voiceover before the show is announced. A warm brass sound aimed towards the back cement at an angle is raw. A mellophone call makes it seem like the concert horn players on the tall, black platforms are playing, but...we are DECEIVED. Clarinets and flutes circle each other in twos. Despite their supreme sound, I am not overwhelmed. A flute soloist, who plays with some static--thanks to the shoddy set-up of electronics--does quite well. I love how the wind players around her seem to shed light on her with their stares. A sabre soloist enchants with his toss not once, but twice, with some complicated moves done. At times, the whole sound of this band is like that of a pipe organ, so organic. How can you not be in awe from that rifle twirling, one rifle IN EACH HAND? You think this show is over with their last notes? Think again! A voice that is not really like Chuck Henson's, announces them off the field, and just as the band is part-way off the field, they turn to us and blast us again. Now the REAL Chuck Henson announces them off the field, heh heh. Tricky, tricky! My Score: 88.00 My Placement: 15th The Woodlands High School The Woodlands, TX Repertoire: "Hide and Seek" featuring "Concerto for Orchestra" by Bela Bartok and "Hide and Seek" by Imogen Heap Comments: This band has one of the best introductions I have ever heard and...it is with pre-recorded music! The guard hids and seeks behind and in front of wind players set up in a block with cocky poses. A countdown goes, and in no time eerie music consumes. "Ready-or-not-here-I-come!" screams the robotic narrator. The auxiliary...I don't think they know what a "mistake" is. The rhombus that does a half Z-pull is icky. Pairs of wind players mimic each others' movements. Oh joyous sounds from side B brass! Give me more of that. Ugh! Not THAT. (A trumpet player flubbed big-time. No big loss, though.) The playful sounds of the trombones, and then later the trumpets and the flutes, get you near your feet to stand and cheer. A block form that rotates and winds up other forms ends as a diamond, and then a clump which explodes outwards with people while a guard girl revealed at the center points and yells, "Gotcha!" What is cool is that the Drum Major on the main podium points right back at her. Ha ha! COOL! My Score: 94.70 My Placement: 3rd Marian Catholic High School Chicago Heights, IL Repertoire: "VARIATIONS! a concert for young people" Comments: Black pillars and black backdrops with musical notes with various pictures intact (like a drum or a three-leaf clover) take the field. The actor presents heady concepts in terms of MUSIC is great, and has interesting voice inflection. The drill is swirling, twirling, and furious, with pictures formed and torn. (Did you catch that music note?) At times, it is tough to see where the narrator is on the field, and I wished a bigger, better "spotlight" would be placed on him. In this drill, there were some interval problems, believe-it-or-not. Nevertheless, they sounded as good as they could be with their music, which reached out to your heart and soul with good intentions. The change-ups in style showed us that Marian had all the tricks of the trade. The slinky flute form that followed the curves is killer. Wow, they had me laughing in disbelief as the wind players lied on the turf--the ones in black--to form the bars for a music note form. My Score: 89.40 My Placement: 10th James Bowie High School Austin, TX Repertoire: "A Little Night Music" including "Wilder Nights," "Moon Musik" and "Shadow Musik" Comments: Forms stretched in and out and curved around from vertical lines across the field. The running line of woodwinds that dispersed to form a rectangle of diagonals was intense, and then they straightened the lines up to down. These kids were technically accurate with their work. A masked man in a top hat and suit dances and lifts up a young lady in cream, white, and sparkling silver. A trumpet note emerged scathed. A plume of many feathers of different colors was worn by the leading lady as the sound became much more SINISTER. A curved block form--THAT was different, indeed, but excellent. The baritones prepped the big "Music of the Night" hit, which...wow. These kids maxed it out. The dancing masked couple were in the way of traffic, it seemed, but it turned out that they were not. The drill moves frightened, but more than that the drill moves impressed. This band put on a show that muscled its way into our minds. Yeah, I think they got their "revenge" (from San Antonio) all right. My Score: 87.00 My Placement: 18th Avon High School Avon, IN Repertoire: "Push" by Rob Smith Comments: A rattling thumping sound seems to throw your mind off balance with what they do. The wind players, on both knees with arms extended, hit the turf behind them in a leaping motion. Wow! You see? THIS is marching band NOW. When all the vertical lines form, a burst of controlled sound awes you. Notes are everywhere, and so are these musicians, as they mixed and matched forms like no other. I love the springboard sound from the synth, as a lunging swirling motion was made with two rhombus forms that were speared together. (It almost sounded like a record forced to run backwards.) A girl on the guard is whisked away on a rolling platform that stops at the head of an arrow form where she jumps off and runs off down the arrow's line. Ha ha! The push-ups to hit home the "push" theme CONVINCED me. The arrow forms that come right at you with FORCE in sight and sound, the multiple DNA-like drill, and angles that come at you from different angles--all of it was astounding to me. My Score: 93.40 My Placement: 5th Paul Laurence Dunbar High School Lexington, KY Repertoire: "Up" by Mark Higginbotham Comments: A synth note held out played platform to a whimsy flute solo, a sax solo, and some unphased rotating angle forms--these blew me away, man. Here, a sleeker triangle rotates, this after a saxophone celebration elevates. A concert horn solo echoes with passion. Laser sounds, and whirring industrial noises are the set-up for a jarring drum show. Streamers of bright orange fly through the air like fireballs. I love how, on one knee, the winds bounce the sound off the back seats with horns level and then horns to the "box" (still backfield). The magic goes on with take-turns music bet-ween the brass and the woodwinds. After a block forms with a tail, a 360-degree turn happens, and then a skinny rhombus form is formed by some. A bunch of orange streamers go flying during the last few notes of this powerhouse. Powerhouse. Need I write more? My Score: 88.50 My Placement: 12th Broken Arrow High School Broken Arrow, OK Repertoire: "Aqua" Comments: Whoa! A generous helping of sound got me ready. The jazz running, while a flute soloist goes off and a techno beat entrenched, was mah-ve-lous. The clarinets and saxophones shell out some "Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra" notes which can make you dizzy if you listen too hard. The crescent moon form that unfolds is there! Oh yeah. In no time, the whole roars. The ballad has constant trilling from woodwinds, valiant brass sounds, and concert horns that make you want to play concert horn. This group, though I hate to compare, sounds like Ronald Reagan from last year...except bigger! Running water sounds make this group such a REFRESHING choice. The last movement of the show, where the uniformed ones lie flat and then flip to creat a little running river that runs to the guard "oasis" is delish. My Score: 93.50 My Placement: 4th Louisville Male High School Louisville, KY Repertoire: "The Space Between" Comments: Space age sounds rev these kids up, who use the sounds of Holst to hoist them. The stylistic changes made to "The Planets" seems to mock this great work of art. You have to love a band with their own touch. The guard work--a sabre toss in particular--is clean, but could be cleaner. The pin wheeling double curve set MESMERIZES. A trumpet soloist near the side B 20 nails his gig with fire. (Check out that stance!) One baritone player appears to be out of the form near the end of the ballad (the second one from the end), and then the one at the very end seemed to "fix" things. A star form with the auxiliary in the center of it with their clashing color is crisp, and moves diagonally down the field. This show will sink some big battleships. Well done, LM! I am glad you made it "in" this year. (WELL deserved.) Well done. My Score: 83.90 My Placement: 23rd Kennesaw Mountain High School Kennesaw, GA Repertoire: "Stages" including "Admiration," "Between" and "Changes" Comments: "'A' is for admiration," claims a child-like narrator. All the colors of the rainbow were represented on the field, with certain sections of the uniformed members wearing certain colors. This show may have some child-like elements to it, but this show was far from child-like. A fugue with a high rate of speed gets more and more drill involved. Wow, this band, as Danpod would say, will make you "flip your lid." Two concert horn players bring glory to the part about "changes" in terms of adolescence. I like how the wind players on side A, in the rear, tilt their heads, put their thumbs on their nose, and then twiddle their fingers. After a gorgeous ballad that had a wall of sound on the ear drums with sheer joy, I could only be in a dreamlike state with Kennesaw. That big triangle form--it was handled just right, but you have to wonder about a sound like that at a halt. Things picked up a bit with Adams' "A Short Ride in a Fast Machine." The multi-triangle rotations that slotted into a star form was superb. I see now that the kids have lost their colors, and are now "grown ups," it seems, in their classic unis. My Score: 89.70 My Placement: 9th Tarpon Springs High School Tarpon Springs, FL Repertoire: "Every Passion Has Its Destiny" including "Starting Line," "Mile 5," "Mile 10," "Mile 15" and "Finish Line" Comments: A deep thumping at a slow rate of speed signals the arrival of this band, and then increases in speed. A humable synth sound gets stuck in your head, and is reflected at the end of this show. A chain reaction running man pose gets this band primed. The simple, yet extremely effective repetitive parts the trumpets play intensifies, as a heart beat gives so much life to this show. Careful not to lean towards the next spot, people in that vertical line. The foot drag after that amazing dance that you can hear so clearly, clearly rocks. After a phrase is finished, the runner who runs around this orange track keeps running, which is such a symbol for this group. This--one of the smallest bands here--is one of the best bands here. Wow, the visuals done out there are brave. I love how the "runners" line up, and then go out in different segments to create more drill masterpieces. "I will conquer these obstacles," states the narrator, as a girl on the guard drops her rifle. (Was this intentional?) The runner crossing the finish line is SUCH a heart tug. This show is a winner, through and through. My Score: 95.40 My Placement: 2nd Center Grove High School Greenwood, IN Repertoire: "Angels in America" by Thomas Newman, "Bells for Stokowsky" by Michael Daugherty and "Niagra Falls" by Michael Daugherty Comments: I am told by my friend "Wolfgang" that the actual title of this show is "Uncharted." The outer limits of the circle form collapse inwards, as ringing bells go haywire. In silence, a compass rose form hits with modesty, but oh is it good! The form then swirls with a tiny woodwind ensemble showing off. The guard takes rifle twirling and tosses to new levels...and, of course, after I write this, a drop occurs. A gentle flute solo, and then a majestic female voice take me to a far off place. Curved arrow forms help with this mind-bending task. Some massive curved forms have a tuba section out of whack in terms of spacing, but not bad. The guard helps the trumpets with some rubber cups, and then carry themselves away with some awkward-looking curved arrow tools, tossing them and catching them as one. The end of the show had some major dizzying, mutating drill forms. Whew! They stomped on some great groups. Go, Grove, go! My Score: 88.30 My Placement: 13th Central Crossing High School Grove City, OH Repertoire: "Dance" including "Scootin' on Hardrock" by David HOlsinger," "Red Cape Tango" by Michael Daugherty and "Castles in the Sky" by Ian Van Dahl Comments: With legs spread out and hands on thighs, a chant is done. Some members are lying flat on their backs. Yeah, there was a rifle catch that was on target. The wind players are strong at bending the knees and moving the upper bodies while they play. The music is jumpy, but I am not jumping with them. There were some notes that did not belong. The DM on the electronic recorder smiles with accomplishment when she gets the job done. Great job! A head tilt ends the zone-out "ballad." "4-3-2-1" is called out before the show goes onward. Be extra vigilent about that spacing, gang. The auxiliary starts to clap and then we clap with them. The drama was there in music, but not in music portrayal. They had a few issues with drill here and there, but besides the fact they made errors, they did not push it in terms of innovation. They were a little too stiff with their concept, and stale with repeats that simply, well, repeat. Fine show, besides "all that." My Score: 78.00 My Day Placement: 28th West Johnston High School Benson, NC Repertoire: "Declaration" based on the music of Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein and George Gershwin Comments: Multiple backdrops that have the word "Declaration" spelled out is the landing pad, it seems, for a snare drummer who is guarded by a riflist. A high rifle toss, in which the rifle is held at the tip, is a strong first impression. Hmmm, a flute player stumbles, catching my attention in that "hold" form. And not too long afterwards, I heard a woodwind squeak. Come on, you guys. All right, now we're cooking! Rifles were caught all the same way, and brass runs had me thinking "top twelve corps" instead of "top twelve band." To me, it appeared that individual marching technique was flawless. A mellophone solo is great, but the vocal soloist is greater. I like how the DM who sings thanks the veterans at the end of his tune. This band's color guard dominates! (These kids have guys, with multiple, multiple tosses, and one sabre toss that is even caught with one hand!) This show ends with a classy pose which seems to reflect a portrait of the ones who signed THE document. My Score: 87.50 My Placement: 17th L.D. Bell High School Hurst, TX Repertoire: "The Remaining" including "Hound of Heaven" by James Syler, Philip Feeney's "Ballet Dracula," "King Kong" by James Newton Howard and James Horner's "A Beautiful Mind" Comments: An auxiliary point of focus stays around the 50-yard line, and she acts quite insane. This show grabs you from the get-go. An amped trumpet brings on terror. Some of the drill forms looked dirty, no doubt...but they seemed to edge past this with hypnotizing acts of fire, as the synth rolls a note downwards at key times in phrases said and done. A lone flute soloist gives us a breath, KINDA. To see band kids crawling on their bellies, trying to reach a girl in red as if their life depended on it, was...was disturbing. The part where the marchers are out of form and are searching for ways to get back into it in terror, is great. You know, every rare once in a while comes a show that knocks the wind out of you. This is one of those shows. My Score: 95.90 My Placement: 1st Jenison High School Jenison, MI Repertoire: "Enigma Variations" by Edward Elgar Comments: What looks like orange wooden boards appear as if they will be lifted by some wind players, and are. When they are placed into diagonal slots, they are, amazingly, held up by these slots. Some wind players were not in step, and I see that one of the first snaps to the box was not in time. Aaaah! Intervals were sporadic, too. I must say, though, that they nailed all their notes fine and dandy. The whirlwind of sound that comes forth is great, but then there is the flute soloist who is a true all-star. The leg lift to the knee and lunge in a direction by every other member (and vice-versa for the others) is powerful. The battery percussion rat-a-tat-tat their way from a blue tarp that has the word "BLOCK" in orange letters, and, indeed an orange box prop is there, along with two smaller reddish ones. Volume fades in and out as a block form travels width-wise, and then we get to the nitty gritty when it splits and rotates and does all sorts of neat things. My Score: 77.50 My Placement: 29th Northmont High School Clayton, OH Repertoire: "Ellis Island: The Gateway to America" featuring the music of Peter Boyer Comments: An exaggerated Greek flag is tossed and clutched. One of the drapes from the backdrops that spelled "ELLIS" was removed, showing us an old structure from a different country, it seemed. The sabre tosses around a trumpet soloist were all contained wholly well. The music is succinct, the band makes their point, and I am pleased. The narrator, who tells of his "youth" coming to Ellis Island with his mother, is touching, and a flute soloist drives this point. The swelling wind sounds are non-stop. A flute trio wraps things up in a neat package. One, two, three sets of rifles are caught with a "HA!" The percussion invites you to their world where the sticks align. (One rifle did not enter the hands on beat, though.) A picture of the Statue of Liberty gets the fans in the stands to clap their hands. What a world of hope their show is. What they did was quite a tribute to immigrants and immigration. Inspiring! My Score: 77.20 My Placement: 30th Columbus North High School Columbus, IN Repertoire: "Plus One" featuring music by Keith Burton and BJ Marks Comments: Zigzags through every two kneeling players in an "X" form activates. Whoa! That screaming trumpet shocked! (Good for him!) A brilliant clarinet solo lays the foundation far a jazzy jazz run. A domino "push" with arms extended towards a trumpet soloist highlights the soloist well. (I like how this visual move retracts, too.) Thus far, things seem to be going this band's way. They fill the dome with a bright sound, and let it ring for just a short while. That three-leaf clover form with the heads tilted is grand. One lift-off of one rifle is not exact, I'm afraid. (How the rifle is tossed, I think, is just as important as how it is caught.) These kids made all they do look so, so easy. This band played the game quite well. My Score: 84.00 My Placement: 21st Upland High School Upland, CA Repertoire: "Laws of Motion" including "Inertia," "Force" and "Action vs. Reaction" Comments: An electronic symphony went down as the winds both practiced marching and performed by filing into a jagged box form. These guys threw out all they had in sound, which made me even more alert. The saxophone and mellophone rhombus form had some kick. The trumpets were wailing, man. Whew! The clarinets were the last ones to play in that first part, they in that fit round pod. Yes, sabre toss connect one-handed, yes! A trumpet form hits the side A 25 on time. At times, I heard some here and there "peek out" of the balance. No heroes here, friends. Ooh! A key sabre handler drops her sabre in a moving circle form that stages her. (No matter, though...she picks it up and goes on.) The circle forms on string forms looked tight. Hey there, that action-reaction line-hitting-linewhich-prompts-lunge move in that moving block form is going to make the highlight reel. These kids came to PLAY, and made their mark. I could not think of a better band to end semis, here. My Score: 84.00 My Placement: 22nd ***END OF SEMI-FINALS COMPETITION*** Exhibition: Murray State University Murray, KY Repertoire: "2001" - Richard Strauss, "Malaga" - Bill Holman, "In the Mood" - Joe Garland Comments: Oh, my ears! Where are my ear plugs? In a crown form, three building notes entice. The trumpets get in an "H" form, and then rip it open as the center slides out. Their intro is a brief but effective one. What is with "Bohemian Rhapsody" and college bands? (RCC seems to have started a trend.) A trumpet duet warp speeds the known "slow" section of this cult hit. Ha ha! This band sung the key vocals for this tune. I almost want to cry out, "Wayne's World! Party Time! Excellent!" Ha ha ha! This group is relentless with their sound, and they did not look bad, either. Thank you for your time! My Score: N/A My Placement: N/A Post-Semi-Finals Thoughts: All the bands in Semis were either gunning for the top 3 spots in the Class Placement Awards or gunning for Finals. It was funny to see bands go to great lengths to have the "edge," like WINSTON CHURCHILL, for example, who used a "fake out" ending gimmick to further strengthen their "Deception of Perception" theme. What it would all come down to is extraordinary performance and extraordinary innovation...and nearly every band HAD. I could not wait to hear the results, and who was "in" and who was "out." Here are MY Scores and Placements: 1. 95.90 L.D. Bell H.S., TX 2. 95.40 Tarpon Springs H.S., FL 3. 94.70 The Woodlands H.S., TX 4. 93.50 Broken Arrow H.S., OK 5. 93.40 Avon H.S., IN 6. 93.00 Lawrence Central H.S., IN 7. 92.80 Carmel H.S., IN 8. 90.00 Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, MI 9. 89.70 Kennesaw Mountain H.S., GA 10. 89.40 Marian Catholic H.S., IL 11. 89.20 Centerville H.S., OH 12. 88.50 Paul Laurence Dunbar H.S., TN 13. 88.30 Center Grove H.S., IN 14. 88.10 Ben Davis H.S., IN 15. 88.00 Winston Churchill H.S., TX 16. 87.90 Castle H.S., IN 17. 87.50 West Johnston H.S., NC 18. 87.00 James Bowie H.S., TX 19. 85.80 Cypress Falls H.S., TX 20. 84.10 Lake Park H.S., IL 21. 84.00 Columbus North H.S., IN 22. 84.00 Upland H.S., CA 23. 83.90 Louisville Male H.S., KY 24. 83.00 Connally H.S., TX 25. 80.00 Rampart H.S., CO 26. 79.30 Brentwood H.S., TN 27. 79.00 Walton H.S., GA 28. 78.00 Central Crossing H.S., OH 29. 77.50 Jenison H.S., MI 30. 77.20 Northmont H.S., OH 31. 77.00 Milford H.S., OH 32. 76.90 Croatan H.S., NC 33. 74.30 Beechwood H.S., KY 34. 73.90 Jackson Academy, MS 35. 70.50 Carlisle H.S., OH Here are the ACTUAL Scores and Placements: 1. 94.80 The Woodlands H.S., TX 2. 94.25 Avon H.S., IN 3. 93.95 L.D. Bell H.S., TX 4. 92.15 Broken Arrow H.S., OK 5. 92.05 Lawrence Central H.S., IN 6. 91.90 Kennesaw Mountain H.S., GA 7. 91.80 Tarpon Springs H.S., FL 8. 91.45 Marian Catholic H.S., IL 9. 91.25 Carmel H.S., IN 10. 90.10 Winston Churchill H.S., TX 11. 88.85 Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, MI 12. 88.55 James Bowie H.S., TX 13. 87.55 Centerville H.S., OH 14. 87.45 Center Grove H.S., IN 15. 86.40 Paul Laurence Dunbar H.S., KY 16. 84.80 Ben Davis H.S., IN 17. 84.20 West Johnston H.S., NC 18. 83.50 Lake Park H.S., IL 19. 82.85 Castle H.S., IN 20. 82.55 Upland H.S., CA 21. 82.50 Walton H.S., GA 22. 81.85 Central Crossing H.S., OH 23. 81.85 Cypress Falls H.S., TX 24. 81.10 Louisville Male H.S., KY 25. 81.10 Columbus North H.S., IN 26. 78.60 Connally H.S., TX 27. 78.50 Rampart H.S., CO 28. 78.40 Jenison H.S., MI 29. 78.35 Milford H.S., OH 30. 78.35 Brentwood H.S., TN 31. 78.20 Northmont H.S., OH 32. 77.15 Beechwood H.S., KY 33. 75.00 Croaton H.S., NC 34. 70.05 Carlisle H.S., OH 35. 68.05 Jackson Academy, MS Here are the Class Awards Presented at the Conclusion of Semi-Finals: CLASS A 1st - Beechwood H.S., KY 2nd - Croatan H.S., NC 3rd - Carlisle H.S., OH Outstanding Music Performance - Croatan H.S., NC Outstanding Visual Performance - Croatan H.S., NC Outstanding General Effect - Beechwood H.S., KY CLASS AA 1st - Tarpon Springs H.S., FL 2nd - Central Crossing H.S., OH 3rd - Jenison H.S., MI Outstanding Music Performance - Tarpon Springs H.S., FL Outstanding Visual Performance - Tarpon Springs H.S., FL Outstanding General Effect - Tarpon Springs H.S., FL CLASS AAA 1st - The Woodlands H.S., TX 2nd - Avon H.S., IN 3rd - L.D. Bell H.S., TX Outstanding Music Performance - Kennesaw Mountain H.S., GA Outstanding Visual Performance - Lawrence Central H.S., IN Outstanding General Effect - The Woodlands H.S., TX Here are MY Finalists (In Random Order): Broken Arrow H.S., OK Avon H.S., IN L.D. Bell H.S., TX Marian Catholic H.S., IL Carmel H.S., IN Tarpon Springs H.S., FL Paul Laurence Dunbar H.S., TN Plymouth Canton Educational Park, MI Lawrence Central H.S., IN Kennesaw Mountain H.S., GA The Woodlands H.S., TX Centerville H.S., OH Here are the ACTUAL Finalists (In Random Order): Kennesaw Mountain H.S., GA Carmel H.S., IN Tarpon Springs H.S., FL Lawrence Central H.S., IN L.D. Bell H.S., TX Marian Catholic H.S., IL Avon H.S., IN Broken Arrow H.S., OK The Woodlands H.S., TX Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, MI James Bowie H.S., TX Winston Churchill H.S., TX Post-Semi-Finals Thoughts (Continued): Who had won Semis? No one knew, because Tarpon Springs--a VERY legitimate contender for the title--came in first in Class AA (where there was very little competition), and The Woodlands came in 1st in Class AAA (after taking only one caption). The usual suspects were announced as finalists, until we hit Plymouth-Canton Educational Park...then things got INTERESTING. Who would be the remaining TWO? My guess was Centerville--a VERY worthy candidate for Finals--and Paul Laurence Dunbar--a band I thought would have a great shot at Finals, though I was not as sure with this one. When James Bowie was announced as the 11th finalist, I was AMAZED. James Bowie did not make finals at the BOA Super Regional Championships in San Antonio, Texas...and now here they were, BOA Grand National Finalists! How sweet this was for the Bowie kids, who worked so so so hard to make it into finals AND DID! The last band announced was Winston Churchill, which was not really a surprise. Four Texas Bands in Finals. FOUR. I have said it before and I will say it again: Indiana and Texas has the best bands in the nation. But will Tarpon Springs High School from FLORIDA pull off an upset? Or...is there ANOTHER? Ha ha ha! We shall see. Finals is set to be viscious. None of these 12 bands are worthy of a "placement," because they are all just unbelievably good. Just to be a finalist, wow. Just to be a finalist is AMAZING. The Broken Arrow kids, who were heartbroken when they did not make finals LAST YEAR, were overjoyed to hear their names in finals THIS YEAR. Hold on to yer hats and glasses...because Finals is sure to be a WILD one. Alan Irons Fountain Valley High School Marching Band 1993-1996 Pacific Crest of Diamond Bar 1997 Nashua Spartans 1998-1999 UCSB Class of 2002 ***COMING SOON: BOA GN FINALS!***

Bands of America Grand National Championships November 8-11, 2006 RCA Dome Indianapolis, IN I arrived for Semi-Finals early, as the sky turned from pitch dark to a hazy pink. I chatted with CSC Event Staff woman at the head of the line, who told me that she was from California, too (San Bernardino). Her circumstances were unfortunate, since the only reason she was back in Indianapolis--her home town--was because she had lost everything in a lawsuit she brought on against one of the largest trucking companies in the nation. It turned out that even though she was the plaintiff in this case, her attorney's fees were outrageous, and she refused to pay after what she felt she was a victim of CORRUPTION. (I guess she decided she would not sign any papers and not pay "one red cent.") And so now here she was, in Indianapolis, guarding a revolving door, but thankful to have a job and to be alive and two have wonderful children and grandchildren (all on the west coast, unfortunately, but nevertheless...). When the time came for us to go in, we went in. It was much warmer inside the RCA Dome. I sat on the lower-most part of the upper deck for Semi-Finals, to get a DIFFERENT perspective of all the bands, and to meet with "Wolfgang," and some other Indiana friends of mine. I ended up meeting more people than I thought I would, including some of the staff at IndianaMarching.com, my TXbands.com friends, Daniel Sanchez and Michael Bui, and big Indiana and Kentucky band fan (who knew of me and my reviews) named Bryan Sanders. I gained a lot of insight from "Wolfgang" and his crew. Oftentimes Semi-Finals is considered MORE exciting than Finals...because for a lot of bands, everything is on the line. Here are my thoughts on this fight... ***SEMI-FINALS COMPETITION*** Beechwood High School Ft. Mitchell, KY Repertoire: "Concerto for the 21st Century" featuring the music of Brian Morgan including "I. Allegro Mysterioso," "II. Sparks," "III. Sotto Voce" and "IV. Finale" Comments: The synthesizer on the front left triangular tarp of black sends off a low humming noise. As the band approaches in a triangular form they increase, increase, increase the sound, then SILENCE. Three piano notes from the synth on the right give this show an "acoustical" feel. But then, after some groovy musical exchanges between winds and "piano," an electric instrument blown into gets displayed. The kid wearing sunglasses playing it helps out the gal on the keys like a bad boy. Excellent horizontal lunge--a different direction for each of the three lines. The mello part is bright in the ballad, and not bad (with low notes). The vertical line that hits the 50 on the right count and then rubber bands is great. I am digging the head snap towards the pianist to their left, and then to the right towards the pit. The last drill form was a diagonal, which had the wind players pushing their arms forward in different ways. Okay, this was a well coordinated show. This small bunch of kids put out a lot of sound. My Score: 74.30 My Placement: 33rd Jackson Academy Jackson, MS Repertoire: "The Rough Guide to Salsa" featuring "Permisso Que Llego Van Van," "Mi Tierra," "Volveras," "Descargo De Hoy" and "Everybody's Everything" Comments: Two trombone players stand and play in a strong pose, with one foot in front of the other. They are joined by other wind players, and proceed to thrill with a mambo beat in the heavily amplified pit. Four auxiliary girls dance around a girl holding four sabres, who seems to have some trouble knowing what to do with these...and then distributes them. A diagonal line made by the wind players is rocky, but I like how the drill functions when three parts of the angle do a half pin wheel move, and then another half pin wheel move. Stools are brought out to the middle of their tarp, and musicians sit on these to give this show a more "intimate" feel. The skilled piano player gives his input with latin, and then bluesy flair. Some of the later drill moves include more simple pin wheels and a slotting spot-switch move. This show was rowdy, fun, and gutsy...but I wanted less edge, and much more VISUAL DEMAND. Nevertheless, this event would not be the same without Jackson. Entertainment plus, here. My Score: 73.90 My Placement: 34th Carlisle High School Carlisle, OH Repertoire: "Healing Rain" including "Thunderstruck by ACDC and "Healing Rain" by Michael W. Smith Comments: Two triangular forms of wind players are "full" except one, where there was a missing spot. Two mellophone soloists announce themselves, and then more and more sound is layered. The trumpet section sounds...tense. Heed the spaces in the drill, you guys. (Use that peripheral vision to really emphasize spatial awareness.) The saxophone player who wails a feel-good melody in the middle of the field is awesome. The ballad has a sweet piano part, coupled with a narrator who mentions the words "healing rain." And no sooner than these words are uttered do the long upright poles get grabbed and tilted to form rain sounds. The visual with the poles is poor, but it could have been worse. Thunder and rain sounds come with the remark, "Wash it all away." An electric guitar gives their closer a pop feel. Do not butcher those notes, trumpets. Aaaaah trumpet soloist...that was a tricky solo, and you did well with it. All right, that last chord was beefy, yes sir. Welcome to the big show! Great work. My Score: 70.50 My Placement: 35th Croatan High School Newport, NC Repertoire: "The X Factor" Original music by Frank Sullivan including "The X Factor," "X Marks the Spot," "The X Generation," "X=" and "The X Factor" Comments: A raised platform in the middle of two strips of blue tarps that made "X" was the start point for this "different" band. The gock block music and dance was super. Soprano saxophonist, of what I COULD hear, it sounded fine. Someone get those mics fixed, please! With only two tubas, you have to hand it to this band for their overall dark sound. Okay, smooth form development out there. A baritone and tuba solo adds to a somber mood, and "Gen Xers" are talked down to in the narrative. I like how the wind players sit in chairs to fit the "lazy" stereotype of Generation X. Auxiliary, when you slapped those rifles into your hands I heard a unison "click." (Super, super work!) This guard is hot, as they toss and catch with ease. A soprano saxophone solo enchants as the winds take to one of the tarp strips, ground their horns, spread out, and then perform some body work which lines up quite well. I liked that this group had a focused sound to them AND moved around a lot. These kids had a lot of heart. Splendid, splendid show. My Score: 76.90 My Placement: 32nd Brentwood High School Brentwood, TN Repertoire: "A Spiritual Odyssey" including Awakenings - "Joy" by Joseph Curiale; Mysteries - "Nimrod" by Elger; Resolutions - "Religion" from Naqoyqaatsi" by Philip Glass and "Exultate" by Hazo Comments: I saw motionless out there...good! The statuesque field performers engaged with sound that bounced off the back walls, and a crisp, clear rhombus form. I like that "sideways" horn flash. Again, drill...very nice. Two triangle forms that barely touched to make a box was a plus, as was a curvy follow-the-leader jazz run move. A trumpet, mellophone, sousaphone, trombone, and baritone work their sounds with a delicate touch. During the "posing" part of the ballad, one trumpet player goes so far as to lie on the ground, on his side, while playing his horn. The arc form to give us that FULL sound was a tad bit "Simple Simon," no? The folding triangle form that merged with another triangle form was a strong point. The pit, by the way, had those Philip Glass notes DOWN. Low brass, you anchored us with these booming low notes, and the trumpets could not outdo but did engage. Well, well, well...where did THAT sound come from? I, and others around me, were quite impressed. My Score: 79.30 My Placement: 26th Rampart High School Colorado Springs, CO Repertoire: "Autumn@tic" featuring "October" by Eric Whitacre and "Ride" by Samuel Hazo Comments: What appeared to be bright yellow bamboo poles were held at one end by the guard. In mostly tidy "blocks of 5," the musicians on the field were well prepared...but too bad the kids on synth were not. There was an awkward wait at the start of their show because the pit did not have the synths on tap, it seemed. The first part of their show was swift and in the groove. There seemed to be too much of an edge to their sound, though...and I direct this comment to the BRASS. The overly loud guard breaths during equipment catches rocked, and then the last sabre catch was met with, oh yeah, big sound. In the ballad, things were MOVING. The electronic keyboard parts played an integral role in this section. Excellent trumpet solo, and excellent bassoon/oboe duet. One mellophone moved when he or she should have "been there." Whoa! They rocked the DJ booth with that last hurrah! This show had a lot of demand, and made you "keep up" with them. My Score: 80.00 My Placement: 25th Cypress Falls High School Houston, TX Repertoire: "A Different Drummer" including music selections from "Concerto for Orchestra" by Bela Bartok and Aaron Guidry Comments: String players sat on black stools in a hexagon form, they wearing white shirts and black pants. (From their warm-up, it was obvious they were amplified.) A loose-tuned snare drum activates moves. Note the interesting bass drums played on their SIDES! This band, er, ORCHESTRA, had a rich sound. Saxophones and clarinets had minor spacing issues. Ooh, middle horns and baris, that was tasty. Good stuff! I am thrilled with that flute feature in that triangle form, in which the form soon breaks down after that flurry of notes. A violin soloist makes me want to marry her sweet, sweet sound. A sabre catch, caught vertically fine, is in synch with the notes played. Thank you for dipping me in your sound, strings. (I don't know if anything different was done from prelims to semis, but I could hear the strings MUCH better, here.) What great UNIQUE show, and hey, it was performed so well, so hard. My Score: 85.80 My Placement: 19th Milford High School Milford, OH Repertoire: "Joyful Noises" featuring "Joy" by Joseph Curiale, "Noisy Wheels of Joy" by Eric Whitacre, "The Road to Joy" by Wayne Markworth and "Tranzendental Danse of JOI" by James Bonney Comments: Ah, the kaleidoscopic drill to start things off was a sight to see, as a block splits into a four-block set with an "X" form connecting it which then spirals out. (Sweet!) Ooh! A trumpet crack! Ooh! A woodwind squeak! I must write, though, that their sound was quite DIRECT, and took you for a ride. The color guard, in pastel costumes, wear shakos and dance wacky to the wacky music. Oops! One rifle, dropped. A joyous display of fun is at its peak when one of the guard, in the middle of her comrades, raises her shako. Some "Ode to Joy" is executed with stylistic touch, but I did not get absorbed in it. (Perhaps their scrappy ways did little, here?) The threading and rotating circle forms were intense, as one flute player almost gets eaten alive by her team. Their sound seemed to come undone at the end, but they made up for the dirt here and there with their fine drill, it seemed. My Score: 77.00 My Placement: 31st Connally High School Austin, TX Repertoire: "Ourspace.com: A Symphonic Blog." Music including "New Born" by Juse, "Dance Suite" by Bela Bartok, "Everybody Hurts" by R.E.M. and "Javelin" by Michael Torke Comments: A definition of what a blog is is said out loud. "BOA Grand Nationals, here we are," says a young female narrator. The pit has a sound that seems to resemble some of Philip Glass's stuff. Ha ha! A blatty tuba sound, executed intentionally, gets some of the wind players to shake all crazy. These musicians were well trained...they hit their notes with great thought. A yong man narrating mentions the word "blur," and I must say the only blur I see is that of the top of their tarps. At the swirly standstill form following the narrative full of gripes, there seemed to be some divits here and there, and I do not know if these were holes that needed to be filled, or what. Whoa! Their sound can get HUGE when they want it to. There is that great control, again. Excellent blind pass-through with the saxes heading backwards. The rest of their show had some bite in sound, and the finishing narrative touch fit. Yeah, these kids "did not want it to end" all right. MARVELOUS job. My Score: 83.00 My Placement: 24th Lake Park High School Roselle, IL Repertoire: "A New World" featuring the music from Antonin Dvorak's "Symphony #9" Comments: Eight skinny, tall backdrops were lined up on the 50. The woodwinds, in broad curved forms, stood with wide spacing between them. The saxophones seemed "out of touch" with their first attempt. Hmmm...gel sound, gel. "Thwamp thwamp thwamp," low brass? The drill clicked. The jazzy trumpet duet spin on the famous, famous Dvorak piece spiced things up a bit, and now enter the singing band which, yes, EXECUTEs! Whoa! Where did that pretty voice come from? The drum major? Wow. This Lake Park drumline lines their parts up like a laser. And there we go again with this stellar DM voice. (Gorgeous!) Crutch-like tools of gold were spun and flipped by the guard. Oh man, drum dudes, cut dhut...ESPECIALLY during that quiet part. Okay, this show had its moments. The last drill form was a "Kodak Moment" symmetrical form. Lake Park was up to their old tricks, musically...now if only the beginning part of their show were tighter...hmmm. Excellent work overall, guys! My Score: 84.10 My Placement: 20th Carmel High School Carmel, IN Repertoire: "Revolution" Comments: Five wheel forms were made with the wind players, with a "C" form made with the guard (on their backs) and a circle form made with the guard (also on their backs). That classic Carmel eerie, abstract sound made by the winds and the pit soon comes back to earth with the "revolutionary" sounds of The Beatles. Wow! A leg-on-knee move with pairs of wind players comes across well, but the music seemed muddled a bit. SO much is going on. The booming synthesizer holds a note out long after Part 1 ends. I am thrilled with the piano sound, I might add. "Tweet!" goes a flute, and then claps. Well done! Great shaky leg throwdown, brass! The guard, in their half-Union-Jack green-and-blue costumes never drop. Way to rock 'em sock 'em, piano man! Yeeeeeah! Uh huh! The music of The Beatles is so fresh with this group. Did you catch that incredibly, incredibly difficult drill move where a globe-like form on a "hinge" rotates, in whole, around the field? Amazing. My Score: 92.80 My Placement: 7th Walton High School Marietta, GA Repertoire: "Life Outside the Box" including "Awakening," "Contemplation" and "Rejoicing" Comments: The band on the field was housed under these large pipe structures that could be solid cubes if they wanted to...and the wind players seemed to mimic "trying to escape" poses seemed to reflect this. The dissonant note to pick some of these pipe props off their feet worked! Okay, another power chord...send me a new dish, please. The woodwind ensembles at the mics up front strut their stuff with no qualms. Folding horizontal lines render some vertical lines of three to attach to two sets of longer vertical threes to squeeze up a box. When the in-and-out drum parts are heard, a box form is made with the pipe structures. I caught a glimpse of a guard girl lurching back and doing some rifle work with pride. Soon, the space within is filled with, yes, you guessed it, a BLOCK of wind players, who finish with solid attacks and releases. This show left me somewhat cold. This just seemed like your routine field show with bits of oohs and aahs here and there. They performed well, and...they performed well. Get it? My Score: 79.00 My Placement: 27th Lawrence Central High School Indianapolis, IN Repertoire: "One Hand, One Heart" featuring the music from Leonard Bernstein's "Westside Story" Comments: The wind players, in two large wheel forms, stood back-to-back (away from the circle). A head roll ensues, and then a trumpet solo and a baritone solo and...a build. The kids "dressed tha part" with vests that had the letters "LC" and loose-fitting pants. Oh, and did I not mention the uncharacteristic hats--baseball caps, that is? Whao! Trumpets, those notes reached for the stars, baby! Yeah! There were some mic problems during the concert baritone solo. All the necessary "West Side Story" elements were there, with a TWIST! The acting, the synth zaps, and the cracking of rifles were all there. The "up" arrow form of the auxiliary and "down" arrow form of the wind players contrasted nicely. The sultry body moves of the wind players felt the latin vibe with MAMBO! During a tenor drum feature, the rifles go flying, with one waaaaay up there which then went "click" right in the hands of the auxiliary gal. A siren goes off and sends the kids into the heart form, and not long after this show of love does this group show us the love with their sound. Stunning! My Score: 93.00 My Placement: 6th Plymouth-Canton Educational Park Canton, MI Repertoire: "The Passion Within" including "The Dancer," "The Painter," "The Musicians" and "The Lovers" Comments: Easels with paintings of modern art compel. Pod forms across the field have winds cupping a hand at their chest. On a blank white tarp that looks like the moon, moves that rival synchronized swimming are done with red folding chairs. The music seems to float so light, and my ears, were they to have thumbs, would give them the "thumbs up." A spellbinding vocalist sings, a violinist plays, and...wow. The music takes off with passion that strikes a chord in you. The drill is check, check, check great. I feel like I am at a Yanni concert! This show is amongst the most exciting of the morning, no doubt. "Ode to Joy" is quite a change of pace from everything else they did out there. If there is one complaint I have--if you could even think it a valid complaint--it is that they used such a well-known and arguably OVERPLAYED piece of music to cap things off. I would have thought PCEP would do follow the path that the rest of their show took, but...ah well. It was all wonderful, nevertheless. My Score: 90.00 My Placement: 8th Centerville High School Centerville, OH Repertoire: "Psycho" by Bernard Hermann, "Color and Light" by Stephen Sondheim, "Let Me Fall" by Benoit Jutras and "Candelabra Rhumba" from "Le Tombeau de Liberace" by Michael Daugherty Comments: High platforms that could be accessed by ramps or by stairs were on both 35s. A spooky, eerie narrative wishes "he would go away." I liked the crooked leg squat move, with blunt sounds. The flutes throw in a few nice sounds. A dissolving-specific aspect of a block comes into play, with pieces dissolving and coming back into focus. (This was really cool.) The staccato synth notes tense up the emotions. The trombone soloist in the ballad chokes a few notes, but gets right back on track. A mega triangle form has the guard in the center, creating "stairs" for a member with hands, and then after she ascends she falls forward. The unzipping and zipping horizontal line of wind players that has a wind player walking within the zipper until he reaches a guard girl is an aesthetic treat. The shrill "Psycho" "cuts" in sound, combined with shrieking, made this show a true class act. I have the shakes, now. Whew! With this type of work, Centerville will be well on their way to another national win. This was the best Centerville show I have seen to date. My Score: 89.20 My Placement: 11th Ben Davis High School Indianapolis, IN Repertoire: "Celestial Journey" Comments: Part of the earth is shown with a giant tarp. A set of dings and rings from the pit go on with a deep-voiced narrator. I was thrown back by their immense sound. The woodwinds aced their parts. Slick stops, marching winds. (Direction changes could use some work, though.) Be alike in those horn flashes during the ballad, brass...it just plain looks BETTER. The spiraling forms that lead to a cluster lean towards the cluster, then away. Ooh! I feel like I am on Disneyland's "Space Mountain" with that eerie synth music, and whoa be that percussion feature that blasts off with stuff that makes my head bop. Oh yeah. This is what it's all about. The vastness of the universe is "made" after field CLEARS. Now this is a show I would not mind seeing again in Finals. What an elaborate sound. My Score: 88.10 My Placement: 14th Castle High School New Castle, IN Repertoire: "Chain Reactions...the power of one" including "Mvt. I The Power of One," "Mvt. II Chain Reaction," "Mvt. III Dreams," "Mvt. IV Action-Reaction" Comments: A back-to-back per guard member diagonal splits a form of wind players, and then rips apart. The electro drum beats to kick off this show is too soft, I think. Some of the winds seemed restrained, and a sax feature, though nailed, is hushed a little. Some of the sabres tossed before the "Dreans"--er, "Dreams" segment did not connect the same. The voice and a picture of John F. Kennedy is inspiring. This band makes waves with their presentations. A remote flute soloist is awesome, though there are a few minor technological glitches. Five baritone sax dudes aim their stuff right at us and BLOOOW! A saxophone quartet accomplised. A baritone soloist at the end of the show does his thing on the move, creating a stage with kneeling members facing a "What Will You Do?" message created with black backdrops with white letters. Yeah, they had it, they had it. My Score: 87.90 My Placement: 16th Alan Irons Fountain Valley High School Marching Band 1993-1996 Pacific Crest of Diamond Bar 1997 Nashua Spartans 1998-1999 UCSB Class of 2002