airons0678

Bands of America Grand National Championships November 8-11, 2006 RCA Dome Indianapolis, IN 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: A vertical triangle form was speared by a horizontal line of poses that intrigued. Crooked leg squats seemed to be this group's new trademark. This was a dark, dark show, with psychotic flute "stabs" in sound. A chain reaction toss of rifles is great! Cymbal section, examine intervals (uhm PLEASE?) A trombone solo never fails me...super! This was not your normal "jazz" fare. Heh! "Improv-ish" sounds are IT, everyone. (Who says C-ville can't change with the times?) A latin flair is brought to face with a trumpet, and I am thrilled. Check out the playful body work! Shrieks of terror end this frightful soundfest. This hand had the touch of gold. My Score: 87.50 My Day 2 Placement: 8th My Overall Placement: 10th Morton High School Morton, IL Repertoire: "Two Step," "Liturgical Dances" and "Blue Rondo ala Turk" Comments: Vertical forms of varying size, but mostly twos, were across the field. Lines locked a block, and then this thing turns. Some of the lines within this thing are bent. The mellophones have their parts down pat. And speaking of folks who have their parts "down pat," how about that low brass section? Way to maintain that block form with members facing backfield, and then--little by little--members facing frontfield. Know when to bring those horns down from the box, friends. Excellent crooked leg movement, winds...but let us try to be slightly more "different." I really want you guys to stand out more than usual. This show had a strong finish, and then it went on as a clarinet plays a band off the field with a synth dude. A tuba player adds the final feedback, here. My Score: 73.70 My Day 2 Placement: 28th My Overall Placement: 49th Davenport Central High School Davenport, IA Repertoire: "The Music of Sam Hazo" including "Flight," "Each Time," and "Nova Lenio" Comments: On the uniform chest, half was blue and half was white, with a red border between the two tones. An accurate triangle form breaks with juicy sounds. There seems to be some various clarinet interval parts. Oh man, you guys have to bring the horns up on time, all right? (You're better than that, I'm sure.) Winds, excellent ceasing of sound with the DM's hands, not once, but twice. The drumline storms the front with some stinging notes. I need more eye candy, guys! The playing and marching is old-school, now. Hey, you have a swell sound, though. This show was executed nice. My Score: 73.50 My Day 2 Placement: 29th My Overall Placement: 50th 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: Two strips of blue tarps made an "X." Gock blocks of varying sound were struck, and marching was finely performed. Darn it, equipment! (The soprano saxophonist came in and out of the speakers up front.) Slander against the Gen X crowd was announced, and of course the slander is stereotypical. Every time there was a mold to be filled in a drill form it was filled with precision. "X equals infinity," cries a pre-recorded narrator. Ah! The electronics glitches were again, a problem. Despite their woes, they were steady. I felt bad for these guys because I saw them at the Towson regional (where there were NO glitches) where they were great. They were not bad here, either...but the distractions ate them, it seemed. My Score: 81.20 My Day 2 Placement: 19th My Overall Placement: 33rd Blackhawk High School Beaver Falls, PA Repertoire: "Letters" featuring music from Don Ellis including "Open Wide," "Loss" and "Strawberry Soup" Comments: "INDY HELLO" was spelled out in white letters on black plates. More black plates were to be found not only on that one backdrop, but three others, too. Plates were spun, "Wheel of Fortune" style, to spell out words and form sentences. Okay, music took the form of words, in addition to winds and percussion--nice touch. The word "GRIEF" is spelled out as an alto horn wails with great style. Some of the wind players had their heads bowed down, as if stricken with grief. Trumpets, ease up on the tongue, eh? The saxophones go off on their own, and as they do their thing the other wind players snap their fingers. These kids worked hard out there. I commend you for your efforts. My Score: 63.90 My Day 2 Placement: 37th My Overall Placement: 76th Norwell High School Ossian, IN Repertoire: "Infinite Possibilites" featuring the music of Yanni and Craig Armstrong Comments: "With Imagination" is spelled out in red atop a tan tarp that appears to be twisted like a pretzel. This show has all sorts of energy to it, with Yanni's musical talents shining through the keyboards and speakers up front. Ooh...some are out of step? Watch, watch, watch. A basoonist and concert horn player gives this show a bit MORE of a shine...and pretty soon were are sparkling. Portions of the tarp were flipped to reveal paintings which reflect "dreams," apparently. These kids SOUND like they work too hard...and this should not really happen. I liked the backwards mini Z-pulls in two sections at the finish. These kids tore up the turf with their skills. Way to stay in the game! My Score: 82.90 My Day 2 Placement: 17th My Overall Placement: 27th Avon High School Avon, IN Repertoire: "Push" by Rob Smith Comments: The wind players are on their knees and make a pushing motion with their hands, and then in chain reaction leap the other way to the ground, as if to do a push-up. After some glorious drill, these musicians play hard. The muted trumpets DELIVER. A few solos show us what the one can do...and then the many come into play with intense sounds and shredding drill forms. Hand-on-hand, on side-A, the trumpets interract in pairs, "pushing" each other. The wide arrow form facing the upper right corner is a stroke of skill. Oh my, tight sounds! The audience claps with the sounds of the drums, and boy do these drums take off. I could feel the force of the arrow forms in the last part of their drill. Success! My Score: 93.50 My Day 2 Placement: 3rd My Overall Placement: 3rd Summerville High School Summerville, SC Repertoire: "Vertigo" featuring music of Hindemith, Newman, and Nelhybel Comments: A block of woodwinds up front skew the lines by the way they lean. The mean sound drills a hole in your brain. But soon, calm comes..but, ha ha, not for long. I was immersed into their realm, that of notes that stick you like a dagger and snaps in moves I swear you could feel. After an electronic wind gig, and motion on the swirl tarp, this band goes at it in the ballad (which had all the right stuff, with dreamy solos, perfect releases, and...okay, you had to ruin it, didn't you, English Horn soloist? Just kidding. It could have been much, much worse.) Ooh! A flute player trips and falls on the jazz run, but recovers fast. Geez, their sound is HUGE. High-quality work, here. My Score: 84.30 My Day 2 Placement: 11th My Overall Placement: 19th Columbus North High School Columbus, IN Repertoire: "Plus One" featuring music by Keith Burton and BJ Marks Comments: An "X" form, on both knees, has the attention on the auxiliary girl at crosspoint. One clarinet plays a few licks, and then another one does. The opening part of this show flows well, with the crunch of a trumpet hit clenching this band a spot as one of the "elite." A baritone duet in a circle of a baritone circle is FLAWLESS. Please spare me the "stand and play," gang. The shako tilt to the right while legs squatted together?--magical. One out of eight rifles dropped in a big feature is not bad...but it will hurt them. These kids put a lot behind the notes they made. Their musical selection did not seem to go anywhere near the end...it just went. These kids turned in a fine performance. My Score: 84.20 My Day 2 Placement: 12th My Overall Placement: 20th Meade County High School Brandenburg, KY Repertoire: "The Music of Shostakovich" including "Festive Overture," "Fire of Eternal Glory" and "Symphony #5" Comments: When the DM's hands went up, the horns snapped up. The high brass played a fanfare which slowed at the end of it, then the clarinets shot off some fast runs. Mellophones, that was dramatic. Baris and trombones, your spacing looks sloppy. Another trumpet fanfare energizes this group, which had lots of spunk. A mallet introduction introduces "Fire of Eternal Glory." I liked that they played most of their ballad on the move, but the drill was too basic, too still. Red flags are handled with the precise touch of the color guard. The trumpets had a tough time hitting some notes. The music at the end was thick and rich. My Score: 63.60 My Day 2 Placement: 39th My Overall Placement: 79th Clayton High School Clayton, NC Repertoire: "Short Ride in a Fast Machine" including "Addition," "Subtraction," "Multiplication" and "Division" Comments: Intersecting lines with winds and flags made this group look strong with the straightness factor coming into play. First one, then two trumpets went off. In no time, other wind players were joining the fun. I see feet in synch...good. Some of the winds seemed to lose the sound on the move. Outstanding uniformity, auxiliary. (The sabre work was ASTOUNDING.) Be wary on if your are sharp or flat on that grand hit, folks. Turn up the synth, will ya'? An exacto clarinet dude ground out some sweet notes. I liked the leg flip and shako tilt with that asterisk form. The cube props with designs has the message, "The Whole is Greater than the Sum of its Parts." My Score: 73.80 My Day 2 Placement: 27th My Overall Placement: 47th Marion County High School Lebanon, KY Repertoire: "SHINE: Studies in Synergy" featuring music by Leonard Bernstein, Benjamin Britten, Carlos Gardel, Aaron Guidry and Paul Hindemith including "Mvt. I Brilliance," "Mvt. II Luminosity" and "Mvt. III Radiance" Comments: Rippling arm motions, as two of the mallet players performed, preceded the show...and now that I am on the show I must compliment the flutes who tear through "Young Persons's Guide." Some nerves seemed to come through the horns...smooth out that air stream. Ah ha ha ha! Those "plumes" are actually light boards that light up in orange. (Hmmm, which band does that remind you of? Did you say, "Union"? Uh huh.) Eliminate crass, eliminate crack, eliminate crap...this goes for marching, too. Some of the light boards seemed to malfunction, which makes me think that to do without them might be better than to do with them, or else you are liable for distraction. Ha! All right! A trumpet player tried to reach for the stratosphere at the end. Not bad, bot bad. My Score: 63.80 My Day 2 Placement: 38th My Overall Placement: 77th Norton High School Norton, OH Repertoire: "SPACE: Observations from Earth" including "Windsprints Persistance 1, 2 and 3" Comments: An "X" form was straddled by two vertical lines on each side. In the rear of the field were pictures of space shuttle. After some narrative from John F. Kennedy, this group gets on the move with some phasing in the feet, flat feet, and music blatting. This band sounds anemic. I want aggression, not retraction. Pop those horns up on one solid pop, winds. The auxiliary do fine with those curved handle flags, though the flowing silk appeared too curled. These kids struggled to maintain a steady air flow. Flags, nice roll of the flag around the neck. Okay, lots of things to work on, but...their concept was vivid. Work, work, work. My Score: 59.20 My Day 2 Placement: 41st My Overall Placement: 85th Broken Arrow High School Broken Arrow, OK Repertoire: "Aqua" Comments: A gentle sound is pushed backfield with sheer breathless poise and drama. With spectacular strength, a horizontal front...just assaults. They own the time signatures set. Okay, you are loud...now what? Ooh! The side-to-side showing of the pants was a BA tradition that has stuck. Low brass, that was so good. Keep this momentum up! I wanted more than "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra," and I seemed to get it...but wait folks, it's not over yet. At the end of the show there is some color changes that go on with some lying down and flipping over. Awesome show...awesome... My Score: 90.80 My Day 2 Placement: 5th My Overall Placement: 6th 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: Facing backfield with legs extended different ways, this group "regained focus" with a brick wall of sound. I like how the trumpets flashed their horn sideways and then forward, like a snapshot. Yeah, the jazz running looked fairly strong. When this group cuts off, this group cuts off. Now they are standing tall, looking proud. A brass quintet of several ranges shines. Wow, the sound in those arc forms is pure and to the max...but you would think their feet were set in cement or something. Some Glass music give the color guard some showcase time and mallets the staging duty. Nice elbow thrust, then mooooove! A block form keeps wrapping up lines, then unthreads itself. My Score: 82.50 My Day 2 Placement: 18th My Overall Placement: 29th Gallatin County High School Warsaw, KY Repertoire: Selections from "Rent" Comments: This band, 26 members strong (total!), proved that you don't have to be a certain size to compete here. This band bravely swirled themselves around the field. Yeah, I wanted to hear more from them, but knew that that was all they had. These guys FLEW around the field, the drummers keeping a rapid beat. A concert tuba in the pit, and a mello solo, both satisfied. Rifle and sabre work were ALMOST together, and ALMOST all the catches happened (except for one). This band got the crowd to clap. Okay kids, don't be shy! We were all ears. Thanks for all your hard work. My Score: 55.50 My Day 2 Placement: 46th My Overall Placement: 91st Victor J. Andrew High School Tinley Park, IL Repertoire: "Rhapsodies of Earth" including music by Jim Colonna and Jayce John Ogren Comments: This group began their show in a scattered state, the wind players assuming different poses. Sizzling sound effects, a narrative that goes into the Big Bang theory, and music that is heavy-handed yet not broken, gets this band in motion. A half circle tarp designed like planet Earth beckons guard displays...and that is what we have. Excellent sabre workmanship, girls. (Ooh, one "hug" toss was not caught, but the other one was.) A sax quintet gets me moody: first there is the sinister, then the dramatic, and then the overjoyed, and then back to the dramatic. That block routine was scrappy, but complete. My Score: 72.90 My Day 2 Placement: 30th My Overall Placement: 53rd Lake Central High School St. John, IN Repertoire: "The Colors of Feng Shui" featuring the music of Scott Boerma, Michael Daugherty, David Fieldman and Howard Hanson including "Blue," "Red," "Pink" and "Yellow" Comments: Varying shapes of wind formations extended from white backdrops of varying shapes. When the first prop to the far left gets draped with blue, a narrator announces, "Blue the color of wisdom." This band has a mature sound, it seems. Bring those clarinets up at the exact same time, now, clarinets. Way to hustle near the end of the first movement, saxophonist. The auxiliary were a pleasure to watch, they and their slick handling of rifles and sabres. Great catch at the time of the last note before the "pink" section. Saxophonists, what's up with the intervals? (People missing?) This show has spirit, yes it does. The silent drill except for flags twirling is always a nice tactic. Fine show! My Score: 81.90 My Day 2 Placement: 19th My Overall Placement: 31st Howell North High School St. Charles, MO Repertoire: "Piano Concerto No. 1" by Keith Emmerson and "Clair de Lune" by Debussy Comments: A block-ish form was centered on the side B 45. A toe extension upwards with super retraction got this pot boiling quick. This band used the very modern tactic of no field drums...just pit (in the backfield). Do not just play through your notes, trumpets. (Listen.) The marching technique is nearly exact. The swelling sounds at a snail's pace? Dynamite! Great crack of the horns down at the end of that movement, gang. The piano music emitted from the pit was lush. Silently, the winds move away from the center of the field and towards the right corner. My Score: 81.40 My Day 2 Placement: 20th My Overall Placement: 32nd Jackson Academy High School 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: This band seemed to have a formula that worked for them with this "stage" between the 40-yard lines. (Ha ha! More like an ELABORATE set-up.) Stools were set up in the rear of the peach tarp, getting this setting to become much more, oooh, intimate? The latin style of this mini rag-tag machine suits them nicely. These kids have both strong trumpets and trombones on their team. Okay, you can't deny that these guys have a great concentrated sound when they are up front and in your face...but I wonder what would happen if one day they decide, "You know what? We are going to go BEYOND our neat borders." Stellar piano playing, pianist. Cool! It's nice to see that the guard has musical talent, too. Later on in the show, the guard dances with the poles on the mini stage. Way to MAGNIFY! My Score: 74.00 My Day 2 Placement: 26th My Overall Placement: 46th Martinsville High School Martinsville, IN Repertoire: "Zappa!" "First Circle" and "Frozen Tears" Comments: Jagged forms with the peaks nearest the fans, auxiliary in baby blue and white, and 1-2-3 (form-by-form) musicianship got this show off its feet. The trumpets seemed to have trouble rolling those notes. Two clarinets and a flute break out of form to goof around, and it was, indeed, fun. Way to brush tap and side tap those snares, snares. Pat Metheny works so well for the field, guys...so bring it up front, more. At a HALT these kids were having trouble playing it. (Oh my.) All right, clarinet mesh. (Not bad.) Okay, I saw three rifles caught in a secure fashion. These kids served up their course, which was not the worst thing. It is true, though, that these guys could do well to study, study, study music and the mechanics of it...and then put it on the move. My Score: 57.70 My Day 2 Placement: 44th My Overall Placement: 88th Grandville High School Grandville, MI Repertoire: "Ellis Island: The Dream of America" by Peter Boyer Comments: "Give me your tired, your poor, your hungry," says a narrator. The trumpets seemed to botch a release, but they come back quite strong. Secure all notes, people. This band keeps things nice and curved, and does a lot of follow-the-leader drill. A trumpet solo goes down with stunning beauty and no fear. Okay! Excellent work going on, currently. These drummers know how to whack 'em. Drill has just jumped up a notch, too, with linear forms that rotate and mesh. Still, I need more to give up my points to you. The narrator repeats the solemn opening to the show once again. More American flags are brought out and waved, and the last form we see is a star. How fitting! My Score: 64.90 My Day 2 Placement: 35th My Overall Placement: 71st Avon High School Avon, OH Repertoire: "Minimally Speaking" Comments: A narrator attempts to explain minimalism. At a high rate of speed, the flute produce some repeat notes nicely. Be wary of the direction change, kids (especially you folks up front). Many of the ballet moves were done precise...but they could sharpen them up more. I am digging how the sashes change color--first red, now yellow. A kite shaped like a bird went flying through the air. Applause was given, and then Chuck Henson ("The Voice") happily cried out, "The Avon High School Marching Band!" Oops. The band went on with their show, because they were only five minutes through this product. Ha ha! That's okay, Chuck. I don't blame you, man. (Looooong day.) Hey, at least this proves you're human, right? Great work, Avon! My Score: 62.00 My Day 2 Placement: 40th My Overall Placement: 81st Milford High School Highland, MI Repertoire: "Anthem for a Superhero" including "I. The Hero," "II. The Villain," "III. The Battle," "IV. The Aftermath" and "V. Good Prevails" Comments: Backdrops displayed a spectrum of colors, from yellow down to blue. Two masked auxiliary girls--one in gold and one in red--rumble. Woodwinds, way to enter and exit that feature! Low brass, I am hearing some nice things from you, too. The superhero stance with fist on hip and head to the side is STRONG. Oom-PA oom-PA oomPAoomPA! This group stirs some life into the audio with the visual. The bass drums tap their rims in synch. The guard girl in red makes a bunch of heroic catches with her rifle, and then she faces off with the guard girl in gold again. A huge black flag is then draped over the actors in which the girl in gold is on the ground, as if dead. I love the "hidden" backfield feature, as the winds play BEHIND the cloth props, unseen. Whew! These kids were blazing hot! My Score: 72.70 My Day 2 Placement: 31st My Overall Placement: 54th Wright City High School Wright City, MO Repertoire: "The Once and Future King" featuring original work by Mike Siler Comments: Four sets of guard folks battle each other with mock swords, and a black cloaked character states that "whoever pulls this sword from this stone shall become king of Britain." Ruckus drum beats sound off. Well, if that does not get your attention, I don't know what will! The music was hit and miss for this unit. The drill was not that demanding, and yet there were people out of form and uneven spaces. Whoa! Get in tune, mellos. This show did have a flair for the dramatic, and I was an avid listener and watcher of this unfolding story. Aaah, a crisp block form, and some crisp moves, too. You see? This band has some good in it. Thank you for putting on your show! My Score: 58.00 My Day 2 Placement: 43rd My Overall Placement: 87th ***END OF PRELIMINARY COMPETITION*** Exhibition: Murray State University Murray, KY Repertoire: "2001" - Richard Strauss, "Malaga" - Bill Holman, "In the Mood" - Joe Garland Comments: "Hi Chuck!" yells the band. "Hi Racer Band," responds Chuck. Ha ha! Classic. An ear-splitting "2001" Monolith sound had the skin on my face peeling back. These hot shots could play, and then some! I liked the arm flash during the snare rush. Woo-hoo! Yeah, let it loose! After the band cuts off, a trumpet soloist extends, and squeals to the heavens. Up and down go the horns, in a bouncy manner, as notes are bounced off our faces. "In the Mood" capped off this fun band's production. A cute dance is done by the woodwinds, and then the brass--way back there--proceed to blast away. Give it up for these fine folks! My Score: N/A My Day 2 Placement: N/A My Overall Placement: N/A Post-Prelims Thoughts: A bunch of great bands performed these past two days. I spoke to some of my Indiana friends, and they, like me, agreed that Tarpon Springs was the best band here THUS FAR. But seriously, though...it looked as if it could be ANYONE'S to win. Unfortunately, it seemed like a bunch of powerhouse bands did not give it their all, simply because they knew they COULD give it their all in semis. Some bands that I thought would be better let me down, and conversely, some bands I thought would be worse got me up. All in all, it is not a simple task to score and rank 92 bands, so my respect and admiration goes out to all the BOA judges who made this preliminary event a great one, and one to REMEMBER. Here is how I saw it thus far, with "1" in parenthesis indicating the band performed on Day 1, and "2" in parenthesis indicating the band performed on Day 2. Please note that I scored and ranked bands as soon as they were done performing. I did not go back to "change my scores," because that would not be fair to me, nor would it be fair to you. (Nor would it be any fun!) Again, these are MY personal scores and rankings. If you want to see "the real thing," please go to the Bands of America website. Thank you! And now, without further delay: ---------MY DIVISION I RATINGS--------- 1. 94.10 Tarpon Springs H.S., FL (2) 2. 93.90 L.D. Bell H.S., TX (2) 3. 93.50 Avon H.S., IN (2) 4. 92.50 The Woodlands H.S., TX (2) 5. 91.00 Carmel H.S., IN (1) 6. 90.80 Broken Arrow H.S., OK (2) 7. 90.00 Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, MI (2) 8. 89.50 Kennesaw Mountain H.S., GA (2) 9. 88.90 Lawrence Central H.S., IN (1) 10. 87.50 Centerville H.S., OH (2) 11. 87.40 Center Grove H.S., IN (1) 12. 87.30 Marian Catholic H.S., IL (1) 13. 87.00 Paul Laurence Dunbar H.S., KY (1) 14. 86.90 West Johnston H.S., NC (1) 15. 86.30 Winston Churchill H.S., TX (2) 16. 85.90 Upland H.S., CA (2) 17. 85.50 Ben Davis H.S., IN (1) 18. 84.60 Castle H.S., IN (1) 19. 84.30 Summerville H.S., SC (2) 20. 84.20 Columbus North H.S., IN (2) 21. 84.00 James Bowie H.S., TX (2) 22. 83.90 Lake Park H.S., IL (1) 23. 83.50 Louisville Male H.S., KY (1) 24. 83.40 Bassett H.S., VA (2) 25. 83.20 Cypress Falls H.S., TX (2) 26. 83.00 Roosevelt H.S., SD (2) 27. 82.90 Norwell H.S., IN (2) 28. 82.80 Connally H.S., TX (1) 29. 82.50 Brentwood H.S., TN (2) 30. 82.40 Rampart H.S., CO (1) 31. 81.90 Lake Central H.S., IN (2) 32. 81.40 Howell North H.S., MO (2) 33. 81.20 Croatan H.S., NC (2) 34. 80.00 Walton H.S., GA (2) 35. 79.10 Jenison H.S., MI (1) 36. 78.20 Northmont H.S., OH (1) 37. 78.00 Blue Springs H.S., MO (2) 38. 77.60 Campbell County H.S., KY (2) 39. 77.40 Bourbon County H.S., KY (1) 40. 77.00 Cleveland H.S., TN (2) 41. 76.80 Central Hardin H.S., KY (1) 42. 76.30 Central Crossing H.S., OH (1) 43. 76.00 William Mason H.S., OH (1) 44. 75.90 Milford H.S., OH (1) 45. 75.50 Eastern H.S., KY (1) ---------MY DIVISION II RATINGS--------- 46. 74.00 Jackson Academy H.S., MS (2) 47. 73.80 Clayton H.S., NC (2) 48. 73.80 Bellbrook H.S., OH (1) 49. 73.70 Morton H.S., IL (2) 50. 73.50 Davenport Central H.S., IA (2) 51. 73.30 Beechwood H.S., KY (1) 52. 73.00 Moore H.S., OK (1) 53. 72.90 Victor J. Andrew H.S., IL (2) 54. 72.70 Milford H.S., MI (2) 55. 72.00 Hart County H.S., KY (2) 56. 71.80 Lakeland H.S., MI (2) 57. 71.30 Kings H.S., OH (1) 58. 70.00 Miamisburg H.S., OH (1) 59. 69.80 Southaven H.S., MS (2) 60. 69.50 Springboro H.S., OH (1) 61. 69.30 Carroll H.S., OH (1) 62. 69.10 Brunswick H.S., OH (1) 63. 68.20 Normal West H.S., IL (1) 64. 68.00 South Lyon H.S., MI (1) 65. 67.90 Indian Hill H.S., OH (1) 66. 67.20 Carlisle H.S., OH (1) 67. 67.00 Mercer County H.S. KY (1) 68. 66.90 Lebanon H.S., OH (1) 69. 66.70 Lexington H.S., OH (1) 70. 65.00 Farmington Harrison H.S., MI (1) 71. 64.90 Grandville H.S., MI (2) 72. 64.50 Tippecanoe H.S., OH (1) 73. 64.30 Clinton H.S., TN (2) 74. 64.10 Shelby County H.S., KY (1) 75. 64.00 Firestone H.S., OH (1) 76. 63.90 Blackhawk H.S., PA (2) 77. 63.80 Marion County H.S., KY (2) 78. 63.70 Godwin Heights H.S., MI (1) 79. 63.60 Meade County H.S., KY (2) 80. 63.20 Collinsville H.S., IL (1) 81. 62.00 Avon H.S., OH (2) 82. 61.20 Marrieta H.S., OH (1) 83. 60.40 Metamora Township H.S., IL (1) ---------MY DIVISION III RATINGS--------- 84. 59.80 Herscher H.S., IL (1) 85. 59.20 Norton H.S., OH (2) 86. 58.90 Eastern H.S., IN (2) 87. 58.00 Wright City H.S., MO (2) 88. 57.70 Martinsville H.S., IN (2) 89. 57.50 Greeneview H.S., OH (1) 90. 57.20 Buckeye H.S., OH (2) 91. 55.50 Gallatin County H.S., KY (2) 92. 53.40 Western Brown H.S., OH (1) My 30 Semi-Finalists (In Random order) *Note: I only have 30 here, because the classification of bands (by school size) are kept secret so as not to sway the judging.) Norwell H.S., IN Ben Davis H.S., IN Lawrence Central H.S., IN The Woodlands H.S., TX James Bowie H.S., TX West Johnston H.S., NC Centerville H.S., OH Louisville Male H.S., KY Avon H.S., IN Bassett H.S., VA Broken Arrow H.S., OK Lake Park H.S., IL Tarpon Springs H.S., FL L.D. Bell H.S., TX Paul Laurence Dunbar H.S., KY Carmel H.S., IN Upland H.S., CA Castle H.S., IN Kennesaw Mountain H.S., GA Connally H.S., TX Summerville H.S., SC Marian Catholic H.S., IL Plymouth Canton Educational Park H.S., MI Columbus North H.S., IN Winston Churchill H.S., TX Roosevelt H.S., SD Center Grove H.S., IN Cypress Falls H.S., TX Rampart H.S., CO Brentwood H.S., TN Actual 35 Semi-Finalists (In Random Order) James Bowie H.S., TX The Woodlands H.S., TX Upland H.S., CA Jackson Academy H.S., MS Lake Park H.S., IL L.D. Bell H.S., TX West Johnston H.S., NC Carlisle H.S., OH Tarpon Springs H.S., FL Paul Laurence Dunbar H.S, KY Rampart H.S., CO Milford H.S., OH Connally H.S., TX Center Grove H.S., IN Kennesaw Mountain H.S., GA Ben Davis H.S., IN Columbus North H.S., IN Cypress Falls H.S., TX Central Crossing H.S., OH Plymouth-Canton Educational Park H.S., MI Marian Catholic H.S., IL Avon H.S., IN Beechwood H.S., KY Walton H.S., GA Carmel H.S., IN Brentwood H.S., TN Centerville H.S., OH Broken Arrow H.S., OK Lawrence Central H.S., IN Jenison H.S., MI Castle H.S., IN Winston Churchill H.S., TX Louisville Male H.S., KY Croatan H.S., NC Northmont H.S., OH Post-Prelims Thoughts (Continued): Okay. Okay, I can agree with the actual Semi-Finalists. I am a little disappointed that Summerville H.S., SC did not make the cut...because I felt they had quite a strong show. (The same goes for Roosevelt H.S., SD). Conversely, I did NOT feel that Central Crossing H.S., OH had a strong showing in Prelims...but maybe they will prove me wrong in Semi-Finals, as bands usually do. I was happy that Louisville Male H.S., KY made Semi-Finals this year, which is WELL deserved. (I could tell the kids were ecstatic, especially after last year's "mishap." Semi-Finals will just be a one-after-another-GREAT-band thing. As my Indiana friend, Wolfgang, put it, "BOA GN Semi-Finals is my favorite time of the year." Heh heh. It's tough to disagree with that one! And so TOMORROW we will have the Semi-Finals...a showdown between some of the greatest marching bands you will ever ever see... 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 SEMI-FINALS!***

Bands of America Grand National Championships November 8-11, 2006 RCA Dome Indianapolis, IN Buckeye High School Medina, OH Repertoire: "Moulin Rouge Opener," "One Day I'll Fly Away" and "Rhythm of The Night/Nature Boy" Comments: Two giant folding fans were placed at an angle between the side A 30 and 35. In front of these fans was a platform with ramps leading up to it on both sides. The woodwinds get their sound to me soundly. Marching technique was NOT defined. (Most of the marchers marched with bent knees and flat feet.) A trumpet soloist accomplished solo, now. The sound from this group was, as a whole, quite weak. All right, that circle form that turned was round enough. The auxiliary was same at some times and different at other times. This group made it through their show with a firm focus, and a forward sound to finish (with wind players in the pit zone). Good work! My Score: 57.20 My Day 2 Placement: 45th My Overall Placement: 90th Southaven High School Southaven, MS Repertoire: "Affairs of the Heart" including "As Time Goes By," "Every Breath You Take," "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic," "I Can't Make You Love Me If You Don't" and "Fortress Around Your Heart" Comments: In the right rear corner of the green turf were huge props that looked like cornstalks with pink flowers not in bloom. Wind players in a slight diagonal stood back-to-back, and then attached themselves with their hands. Okay, I like what I see with the legs. (Most marched in time.) The synthesizer kids pumped out some sweet tunes, and laid a solid foundation amongst "the rest." These kids had a sound that filled up the dome, but they had lots of curved forms and did not move much. The guard was pretty adept at twirling/tossing the guns. Ah, how ROMANTIC. (The trombone soloist gives one of the guard girls a pink flower after playing his solo.) This show had a lot of "heart," and was performed quite well. My Score: 69.80 My Day 2 Placement: 34th My Overall Placement: 59th Campbell County High School Alexandria, KY Repertoire: "Elements of Time" including "I. Mechanics of Time," "II. The Hourglass" and "III. The Countdown" Comments: Backdrops with roman numerals were placed on four parts of the field, appearing to mimic the structure of a clock, with 12, 3, 6, and 9. One backdrop had a picture of a clock. Excellent rotation of double-file lines, gang. Great crescendo, then disappearance, then ENORMOUS re-appearance. This group moved like CLOCKWORK. Sure, there were a few weak members here and there...but they were strongest as a whole. Just take a look at that two-click rifle catch--one to catch and one to snap it vertical. These kids bopped their heads, and hit some forms with magnificent accuracy, and the let the drums take over. Wow! This show was wide awake! Outstanding. My Score: 77.60 My Day 2 Placement: 24th My Overall Placement: 38th Winston Churchill High School San Antonio, TX Repertoire: "Deception of Perception" featuring the music of Vincent Perischetti Comments: The high platforms on the front sideline were draped with black curtains. On the platforms were uniformed horn and flute musicians. A warm backfield sound, and a serious trumpet soloist, followed by, yes, mellophone calls, soon had these "musicians" atop the platforms disrobing. Voila! There is the guard! With all the tough, tough work the guard does, I am pleased to write that there were very few drops. (Was this gang WORLD CLASS, or what?) Aaah, release, aaah...so nice. The lines in the backfield rotated awkwardly when the woodwinds up front halted to play. The rifle twirling in each hand by the rifle elites ROCKED! The end of their show was swift and harsh. All right, all right, ALL RIGHT! My Score: 86.30 My Day 2 Placement: 9th My Overall Placement: 15th James Bowie High School Austin, TX Repertoire: "A Little Night Music" including "Wilder Nights," "Moon Musik" and "Shadow Musik" Comments: This band seemed both hyped and loose as they jumped around in their straight lines before the show. A masked man with a white top hat and suit strolled around, checking his watch. Lines converged and split apart. Sweet. Whoa! These kids showed off their sound like KINGS. The ballad was moving, and the front stage couple of masked man and, later, masked woman, were standouts. These folks kept their sound to the edge with no holds barred. There was more than one time, though, when I wished they moved with they did not move. Wow, they took their show as far as it could go, yeah? To hear and see the passion is a great, great thing. These guys "had it." My Score: 84.00 My Day 2 Placement: 13th My Overall Placement: 21st Upland High School Upland, CA Repertoire: "Laws of Motion" including "Inertia," "Force" and "Action vs. Reaction" Comments: A combination of fast marching and slow marching preceded the show, as the wind players made their way from the left end zone to the block they start their show in. Creaky sounds and then 'tronic beats got them going...and then an announcement of "The Laws." Baritones, get that sound locked in. Yeah, yeah trumpets! Good golly, guys. (That was amongst the loudest sounds here.) The sabre toss from one guard girl to another was right on. Great flag snap up at the last hit of the note in the ballad. Trumpets, strengthen the horn snaps a bit more, and OOH! Horn angles? Horn angles? Horn angles? The moving block/bouncing lines move was a good one. Yesssss, trumpet squealer, haaaaa! The band stops at the word "stop." (How cool is that?) Oh, and welcome to BOA Grand Nationals...you fit right in! My Score: 85.90 My Day 2 Placement: 10th My Overall Placement: 16th Blue Springs High School Blue Springs, MO Repertoire: "Gotham: After Hours" Comments: Tall, three-pronged lampposts on rollers were situated on the left and rear portions of the field. The drumline got in a crisp diagonal form, and yes, the first notes were percussive, first with the mallets and then a snare. WHAM! This band wacks you hard with their opening hits. Don't just stand there, band...a dance move of sorts could totally be done after the trumpet section goes berserk. The swingin' jazz music of "Moondance" is smokin'! Wow...relentless, relentless, relentless. Trumpets, watch spacing. (Sousaphones, you too.) Drumline, you guys were a translation for showmanship! The end of their show was a ball of fire! Wheeeeew! Loud, louder, loudest. Oh yeah. My Score: 78.00 My Day 2 Placement: 23rd My Overall Placement: 37th 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: If you are going to practice rifle catches front and center, you had better catch them...and this girl did. Oh man...I love how the Imogen Heap music seems to fade out and give way to the announcer's announcement of this green and black goliath. A bright sound from the winds is countered with a "Heap-ish" sound from the vocals up front. That is an interesting way to hold the sax, saxophones. (Neat!) A two-step dance, plus lunge fits fine with the sax/flute duet. The playful antics of the winds on side A is a pure joy to watch. Could this auxiliary be ANY better? I mean, wow! Wow, wow, WOW! "Gotcha!" You sure did! My Score: 92.50 My Day 2 Placement: 4th My Overall Placement: 4th Eastern High School Greentown, IN Repertoire: "Persis" by James Hosay and "Last to Defend" by David Shaff Comments: The musicians were dressed like they were going on a safari, with collared white shirts that had a water canteen hanging on a strap that was hung around one shoulder, and brown pants. A rim tap, along with a sneaky synth sound, provided the mystery. These kids had a bold sound, though some notes did not come across as boldly as I would have liked. Harness all the notes as one, sections. The auxiliary work on the oasis prop--splendid. Is there a hole in the tuba line, and why are the tubas walking (not marching)? Ooh, don't get ugly on me, trumpets. All right, these explorers explored in time. The drill goes a little nuts at the tail end, which I like. Okay, this show had some rough edges, but some things worked for them. I like how they dressed the part, and had a wonderous landscape. Their props were quite, quite vivid. My Score: 58.90 My Day 2 Placement: 42nd My Overall Placement: 86th Cypress Falls High School Houston, TX Repertoire: "A Different Drummer" including music selections from "Concerto for Orchestra" by Bela Bartok and Aaron Guidry Comments: This band was unique in that they contained a full string section, all amped up. (Yes!) Three circles of grounded horns had the winds in different poses within. Drum beats activate these kids. At first, I did not hear the strings...but then the kid at the mixing board shaped up. More strings, please? Oh, don't get me wrong...the marching winds had a super sound. (I just want this band to take advantage of their uniqueness.) Most of the drill moves snapped into place. Aaaaah, violin solo, so delicate. That is great how the string section gets some visual time with swivel chairs that can make them face away of towards us. The ending of this show was not as big as I hoped it would be. Despite this, though, they pulled off quite an imaginative show. My Score: 83.20 My Day 2 Placement: 15th My Overall Placement: 25th 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: "Go Texas!" yelled the band parents of a different Texas band out here. (What class!) Five synthesizers helped get this band in the groove...BIG TIME. Wow, these kids don't even have to try! Saxophone leading that line rotation, get in front, there, GET IN FRONT. Ooh, a snare drummer caused a scare with a fall, but slotted back within the section. The mental mishaps prevailed, no? I mean, I did see one drop (a rifle). Despite these setbacks, these machines drove! That marching horn feature was stunning. Mmmm, don't run out of breath on the run to the rhombus, winds! Ha! The guard gal at the end who runs in fear almost tackles the judge on the field, ha ha! (THAT startled him.) This show was a jaw-dropper, and one to remember. My Score: 93.90 My Day 2 Placement: 2nd My Overall Placement: 2nd Roosevelt High School Sioux Falls, SD Repertoire: "The Firebreathers" including "Creation," "Life Breaths Within It," "Ritual," "Stoking the Fire" and "Dragon Flight" Comments: Two giant dragon props--one orange and one green--were divided by a large, black gate, and two cauldrons that contained colorful cloth strips blown upwards to resemble fire. Ambient sounds, with guard member draped with capes that seemed to have scale patterns, made this show stand out. What else stood out with this show? How about that jolting brass section? Ugh! Trumpet section on side B, relax, would ya'? (They seemed to choke up their sounds. Okay, these percussionists roared, and the dance "touch" by the winds--absolutely! This deep, dark show captured the mind. Form control seemed to suffice, but...ooh, trumpets, ooh--what was THAT? Ha haaa! I liked the green stream-- Yeah. Great show, great show. My Score: 83.00 My Day 2 Placement: 16th My Overall Placement: 26th 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: The field was transformed into a track event, with a huge tarp center field, and numerous strips of tarp that formed an actual orange track ON the field. The wind players had numbers on their back. Muted trumpets, running man poses, and some picture-perfect drill so amazed. A heart beat sound kicks in, and then a soprano saxophone soloist kicks in. I love the center point of focus running man pose in a verticle line bend move. These kids stretched themselves to the far limits. During the ballad, the drill is mostly stopped. Wacky trombone players loosen these champs up some. Oh no, a crucial rifle catch did NOT happen. I got chills when the runner reaches the end of his run, as the narrator announces that the ONLY race is with oneself. Touching. This show will definitely stick with me. So true, so true. My Score: 94.10 My Day 2 Placement: 1st My Overall Placement: 1st Kennesaw Mountain High School Kennesaw, GA Repertoire: "Stages" including "Admiration," "Between" and "Changes" Comments: My goodness, there was a different color on each uniform--either one of six colors. A child's voice narrates the meaning of letters in the alphabet. Whoa! THAT was a flute part for ya'! A head tilt, with flags that had a letter of the alphabet, was head strong. When adolescence is the next stage of their show, solos come into light, breaking down judgment. Oh, that sound of theirs in that triangle form is to die for! HOWEVER...and this is a big HOWEVER...that triangle basks in its glory much too long, no? There is some simple leg work with that Adams piece. Gadzooks! Those last few drill moves were frantic, with a triangle formation that JUST hangs in there on a rotation. These guys were a juggernaut in sight and sound. My Score: 89.50 My Day 2 Placement: 7th My Overall Placement: 8th Clinton High School Clinton, TN Repertoire: "Out of Darkness and Into the Light" Comments: Backdrops, increasing in "light" go from black in the far rear, to white up at the front (with shades of grey in between). An ominous sound attaches, and then when the winds face front they keep the mood intact. Argh! The rifle work was quite sloppy. I do not know if it was just me or what...but the drums seemed to be more noise than notes at times. The ballad was righteous in music, though the flat diamond form with slight movements moved me not. The trumpet section did not seem to gel. Excellent side-step work, winds, and the jazz run was full on YES! Ha ha! The cymbal player marching with a wooden arm crashed his cymbal against his arm with guts! Each band has a story, and this story was a good one. My Score: 64.30 My Day 2 Placement: 36th My Overall Placement: 73rd Walton High School Marietta, GA Repertoire: "Life Outside the Box" including "Awakening," "Contemplation" and "Rejoicing" Comments: Large cube-like props housed various parts of the winds and the guard. (The winds within posed like they were trying to break out of these things.) A member of the auxiliary is hoisted upwards by her teammates in one of the cubes on the 50 (nearest the front sideline). I hear much care for the notes they play. With some notes that went off balance, so did some of the cubes which were forced to tip a bit. I want you to dare me to fall for your drill, gang...this was far from happening in the ballad. Hey, that was a sparkling visual touch when a sabre was tossed through the roof of one of those cubes, as the cube was rotated circularly...but alas, the rifle was uncaught. The swirling form in the middle of the new "cube barrier formation" enlivened. Congrats, people My Score: 80.00 My Day 2 Placement: 20th My Overall Placement: 34th Cleveland High School Cleveland, TN Repertoire: "Dynamic Duos: A Study in Pairs and Duets" Comments: Fists linked the arms on the field, as pairs of winds and guard were nearly all around. An amped sax, and a finger twiddling baritone CONNECT! This group has a strong sound. (Check!) Now...what else do they have? I see rifles were caught nearly the same. (The second time around, though...nope.) The chest thump and holding up of two fingers at the end of the stressing first movement SANK. Superior work, everyone. The flute and bari sax "Unforgetable" duet seemed to propel, and made excel. There is that symbolic fist touch in closue. I felt the percussion show could have used some more electro in it...and oooookay. I gues my wish is your command, ha ha! Some synthetic drum beats and sc-scratching compelled. This band held their theme high...excellent. My Score: 77.00 My Day 2 Placement: 25th My Overall Placement: 40th Bassett High School Bassett, VA Repertoire: "Phenomenon"...the mysterious and unexplained Comments: Two-shades-of-grey and black uniforms had a bright orange stripe on the guantlets of the swaying marchers, and on the chest of the pit crew. Narration is loud, perhaps TOO loud. Oh my lord do these kids put out the sound...and auxiliary, you handle those arrow tools well! Great work thus far! Kaleidoscopic triangle drill represents unfathomable. Stay in step, mellos, and now...good. (Fine recovery, there.) A shrill trumpet sound startles me, and then the rifles fall into hand. Suh-weet! Incredible! The kids dance and chant in synch. This show definitely held my attention. My Score: 83.40 My Day 2 Placement: 14th My Overall Placement: 24th Hart County High School Munfordville, KY Repertoire: "Return to the Sea" including "Seahawk," "Wind on thr Water," "16 Men on a Deadman's Chest" and "Eternal Father Strong to Save" Comments: The frontdrop was designed as ocean waves. The swaying motion (in place) of the wind players fit their theme. This runt of a band had a chunky sound. The rifle work around the trumpet MAN impressed, and so did that trio toss-and-take. The marching technique came through very clearly now, now that we were in the slow segment of their act. The drumming on the African drums amongst three white sails was ENCHANTING. Ha ha! The march-by yell--inventive. This group motored its way to the end with no end in sight. Just when you think they are done, a large bell rings up front. We have lush sounds that bounce off the rear stands, now. These kids have a ton of might! My Score: 72.00 My Day 2 Placement: 32nd My Overall Placement: 55th Lakeland High School White Lake, MI Repertoire: "Pure Imagination" featuring "Land of Make Believe" by Chuck Mangione, "Pure Imagination" by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley and "Distorted" by Benoit Jutras Comments: Like Center Grove in 1995, this band used tarps that made it look like the yard lines were bent, swirled, or even RAISED! Ha! The guard in green lie face down on the center 50 "swirly" tarp, and have a long white ribbon placed on their backs, as if they are part of the yardline. The girls escape the ribbon's wrath, and make it zigzag. Here we have some ho-hum travel mu-sic. Some notes are torn up. Marching looks snazzy. Thank goodness a snare drummer was "on" on the backwards march or a falling snare drummer would have been the story! The ballad was this band's strongest link. Willy Wonka echoed throughout...and now we've come to the end. Excellent collapsing diamond form, and the guard on the spinning platforms was death-defying, and bored-defying, too. Yay! These kids PERFORMED it! My Score: 71.80 My Day 2 Placement: 33rd My Overall Placement: 56th Plymouth-Canton Educational Park Canton, MI Repertoire: "The Passion Within" including "The Dancer," "The Painter," "The Musicians" and "The Lovers" Comments: A large, round, solid white tarp was placed on the 45, with red folding chairs facing the circular direction. Wind players sat on the chairs with arms folded. Down a high platform's ramp a guard girl came. A dance upon this tarp tickles the mind. Instantly, I am welcomed to their world of the artsy. (Who better to do this type of show than PCEP?) A singing lady enchants me...and then, with triumph, a violin--spectacular. They held me tight and did not let go. Wow, this show got me to shake with fists in tight balls. Thank you for moving me, Plymouth! This show was WHITE hot! Wooooo-hooooo! Yes! Yes, yes, yes! The guard mimicking violin moves was...stellar. I don't think the PCEP parents knew the show was over, because they went nuts at the finishing chord...and then the show went on. Lovely, lovely stuff. My Score: 90.00 My Day 2 Placement: 6th My Overall Placement: 7th Alan Irons Fountain Valley High School Marching Band 1993-1996 Pacific Crest of Diamond Bar 1997 Nashua Spartans 1998-1999 UCSB Class of 2002

Bands of America Grand National Championships November 8-11, 2006 RCA Dome Indianapolis, IN Lake Park High School Roselle, IL Repertoire: "A New World" featuring the music from Antonin Dvorak's "Symphony #9" Comments: Six small circular forms had wind musicians on one knee (with heads down). Ooh! A pivotal drop of the rifle dismayed. I like how the saxophones played a key role in the melody. The frantic, in no time, is softened...and then a somewhat JAZZY trumpet solo is heard. Ooh! You know, a band that sings has to go all out when they do it..and this band did, this band did. And what's with the gorgeous voice of the DM on the 35? Was she great, or what? Some of the backfield marching was off base, especially in terms of UPPER BODY. (Trombones, you know who you are.) Wow, what a swell show! Lake Park STILL has it. My Score: 83.90 My Day 1 Placement: 9th My Overall Placement: 22nd Mercer County High School Harrodsburg, KY Repertoire: "The Formula: Time, Space, and Energy" Comments: The wind players, in line forms and clusters, extended their arms to their right. And off they went with accurate notes, but dizzying tongue. Get the "flah" out of the "dah," gang! Mellophone soloist, you cranked out those mid-range notes just fine, there. Your ballad, band, was killer...but I did not "feel" it, really. (It seemed to be there because it had to be there, not because it wanted to melt you or grab you or make you shed a tear. Whoa! The ending movement was lofty, intense. Oops! A flute player lost touch, but got back in it. (Recovery counts, recovery counts!) Alrighty...this show had its ups and downs, but mostly its ups. This was a fine show. My Score: 67.00 My Day 1 Placement: 33rd My Overall Placement: 67th 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: In a beaming diagonal form that got wider and wider towards the side B 30, a chain reaction is started with a baritone soloist who seems to "push" a ripple to where the form starts. Lots of chain reaction moves in this show...and all work. The electro drum beat fits so well. Do not lean into the step-off, saxes. Auxiliary, you are GREAT. WOW! Get a load of those rifle and sabre catches! IT is hard to deny that this band has a prowess for the musical. Ugh! I am sorry, remote flute soloist, that your amp equipment failed you. A sax quartet is BENDING. Yee haaaaa! There is some stationary stuff, here. Move it, move it, MOVE IT! Okay, this show finished with a nice, soft touch. Good going, guys! My Score: 84.60 My Day 1 Placement: 8th My Overall Placement: 18th Northmont High School Clayton, OH Repertoire: "Ellis Island: The Gateway to America" featuring the music of Peter Boyer Comments: Five cloth backdrops that have letters on the front spell, "ELLIS." Four scatter forms of black, white, and green control the field, while girls in drab brown fill in the spaces all over. Okay saxophones and trombones--way to connect. The first notes of this ensemble hit you with some oomph...but how strong was it? The ballad was gripping, especially with those endless flute sounds. Wow, it is not often you hear a flute trio like THAT on the field. Wild rifle catches are CONTROLLED. I loved the one-handed catches, too. Hmmm, one set of catches seemed to be in synch except for one...but that's okay, though. (No drops!) Well, well, well! This was a great show. These kids seemed to have a mature sound to them. My Score: 78.20 My Day 1 Placement: 14th My Overall Placement: 36th West Johnston High School Benson, NC Repertoire: "Declaration" based on the music of Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein and George Gershwin Comments: A near ankh design is on the field now, with perfect spacing, perfect posture, and perfect...you name it! Before they are announced into competition, our attention is diverted to a snare drummer playing a drum that appeared to be fresh out of 1776. Okay! These kids sound phenomenal. (You have "A" down...now where's "B"? Ah, I see. "B" is to come.) Oh my, rifles! Hoo boy! (I loved how they were all caught vertically.) Nice tondu! Ooh! Ooh ooh ooh! The mellos roared with great power, and geez...this whole group just NAILED it. The sassy Fosse outstretch of the arm by the guard was too good. The ballad--what can I write about it except that it was GORGEOUS? "Okay, here we go!" cries the band, in an uncharacteristic way, ha ha! Way to do it up! My Score: 86.90 My Day 1 Placement: 6th My Overall Placement: 14th Tippencanoe High School Tipp City, OH Repertoire: "El Sabor de Carnaval" including "Children of Sanchez," "Mucho Mojo," "La Suerta Del los Tontos" and "One More Time Chuck Corea" Comments: They started off scattered, all except the percussion and the guard. Snare drum fire gets this show cookin'. This group has a decent sound and a decent look. I saw one trumpet player who was not "with it" AT ALL. (Somebody call 9-1-1 on this guy, now!) Ha! The snareless drummers seem to try to woo the auxiliary (who are wearing purple and orange, and are waving red flags). Eh, one too many clipped notes? Don't just "go through the motions," people...own it! Hmmm, one mello neglected to roll the horn up to the box (like the rest) during the trumpet fanfare. Okay, trumpet quartet...way to add some spice! Great bell tones, low brass. Hoo-aah! Strong smack down, folks! My Score: 64.50 My Day 1 Placement: 37th My Overall Placement: 72nd Springboro High School Springboro, OH Repertoire: "Center Stage" including "Pagliacci," "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Dance in the Gym" from West Side Story, "Music of the Night" and "Beethoven's Ninth Symphony" Comments: Hey, that pyramid prop that had steps leading up to a platform was a sight. (I liked the cool-colored tarp, too, placed like a diamond on the field.) Great control there, trumpets! A baritone soloist ascends the platform, executes excellently, and then is replaced by a color guard queen...and speaking of "queen," ha ha! Yeah, we are onto "Queen," now, with "Bohemian Rhapsody," and I am digging it. Flutes, I love how you get involved with what the guard is doing, your flutes ALMOST looking like swords. Trumpets had a few issues with chopped notes and air flow that did not cease. Keep pushing it, gang, keep pushing it! Okay! These kids made waves. My Score: 69.50 My Day 1 Placement: 26th My Overall Placement: 60th Marrieta High School Marrieta, OH Repertoire: "Kokopelli" including the music from "Urban Dances" by Eric Morales, "The Sphinx" by Gary Gilroy, "Love Dance" by Rene Dupere and "Danse Kokopelli" by Michael Kaman Comments: A skeleton of a teepee housed a flute player on the front side B 40. Ah yeah...that flute solo was quite lifting. Tubas, this is great...though there are only two of you, I can HEAR you! Hello, saxes: what happened to spacing? Actually, the saxes are not the ONLY ones. It is the little things that count, people. Baritones, right before the next splendid flute solo there is flubber there. Ooh, I like how you all hit the 45-yard line when you were supposed to. I could tell that the kids put the time and effort into this show, but...there was too much dirt. Yeah, thank you for keeping up your strengths, especially at the very, very end. My Score: 61.20 My Day 1 Placement: 42nd My Overall Placement: 82nd Normal West High School Normal, IL Repertoire: "Fantasy on a Japanese Folk Song" by Samuel Hazo, "Three Japanese Dances--Mvt. III" and "Dances with Swords" by Bernard Rogers Comments: A pristine, white oriental bridge held two flute players in grey and black. The designs of a japanese woman and man from "way back when" were spiffy. Trumpets, up and down on your sides do your horns go, and yes...not bad. Do not lean into your step-off, flutes (after that small woodwind ensemble part). Hey! Where'd you go??? I heard some cheering and clapping after what seemed to like a flute "burp." Suave catch, sabres, and now some action on the bridge. Aren't Taiko drums great? A storming drum feature has the winds "storming" with long bamboo poles, and I must admit that, besides the swimming pole motions, the work was quite solid. These champs had the ATMOSPHERE, no doubt, rendering a thought-filled show. My Score: 68.20 My Day 1 Placement: 29th My Overall Placement: 63rd Carmel High School Carmel, IN Repertoire: "Revolution" Comments: Light blue globes occupied the side A rear, and then as your eyes travel right, larger rolling type globes of blue and green could be seen. The guard looks relaxed on their backs, and then when they get up, boy do they get up. CRASH! Off goes a cymbal and caught goes the rifles. A foreboding synth sound goes on long after the winds' sound dies off. Saxophones, when your saxophones are down, what is the correct angle? (I don't know if it's just me, but it looks a little sloppy.) This is a fascinating show. Holy...a sabre twas tossed way, way, way high! And after some acrobatics, it was GRASPED. I love how, like mice, the guard get in those blue and green contraptions and roll! This show was a total joy! So THAT'S why they are the defending BOA Grand National Champions! My goodness. My Score: 91.00 My Day 1 Placement: 1st My Overall Placement: 5th Kings High School Kings Mills, OH Repertoire: "Pastime," "The Prologue from The Natural," "Three Bags and a Plate" and "Early Light" Comments: Ha ha! That's awesome. Some of the kids "warm up" by playing catch with a baseball. After thier musical warm-up, a baritone player yells with all his might, "PLAY BALL!" Ooh! One trumpet player brings his horn up late. Not a bad rifle catch, rifles. The fugue section worked, and the rotations of lines connected. The Drum Major played a few notes on the concert horn, which is rare-but-nice-to-see. All right, guard, holding one of your own up with the knees of two of you. Ha! Audience participation amuses, as the synth organ sound plays the lead-up to "CHARGE!" These kids maxed out to the end of their fun show. Play ball, indeed! My Score: 71.30 My Day 1 Placement: 24th My Overall Placement: 57th Greeneview High School Jamestown, OH Repertoire: "6 a.m.," "Rhapsody in Blue" and "All That Jazz" from "Chicago" and "Cool" from "West Side Story" Comments: The saxophones flipped their horns with the tick-tocking wood block. Uh-oh, I heard some scattershot sounds. All right, when certain sections, like the trumpets or mellos, had unique solis, things "worked." Uh! A rifle was dropped at an unkind time. Line, line, line up those notes...please? Get in step! Wow. Please spare me the TIMIDNESS. Get aggressive, now. (Yeah, just like that big hit of yours!) Excellent recovery, flute player (who got herself back into step). This show rolled right along. Obviously, there are a lot of things this band could do better. Of the things I saw them do great, individual marching stood out the most. (I distinctly remember a flautist on her toes on the backwards march...nice.) Good work, gang! My Score: 57.50 My Day 1 Placement: 45th My Overall Placement: 89th Marian Catholic High School Chicago Heights, IL Repertoire: "VARIATIONS! a concert for young people" Comments: With black tops with gold strips in a sash-like way, and either black pants or white pants, the uniformed members formed an elaborate symmetrical form. The auxiliary took to the spaces in flowing lavendar dresses. A narrator in a tuxedo does some explaining, and walks around the field with pompous skill and pride. "How about this Irish jig?" he asks, as the rest of the band plays off these words. Uuugh...a block rotation got munched. Marian's woodwinds are amongst the best in the business, for sure...and make that BRASS, too. Whoa! Solid, solid release! Pink rifles in the backfield seem to go airborne to the lush music, but one gets dropped hard. Wow, there's the old Marian, with their sinister sounds and drill that makes you head spin. My Score: 87.30 My Day 1 Placement: 4th My Overall Placement: 12th Metamora Township High School Matamora, IL Repertoire: "The Dark Side of the Rainbow: The Music of Pink Floyd" by Craig Fitzpatrick Comments: I was whisked away to Oz with backdrops that featured the Wicked Witch's hat and the Emerald City. "The urban legend continues," says the DM, who is holding a soprano saxophone. Ha ha! The Wizard of Oz, and...Pink Floyd? Maybe. Sporadic sounds came from the amped woodwind trio. Steady as she goes, trumpets! The sop sax and mello do their stuff right. Kick the flat feet out of there, band. (Keep your minds open to spacing, too.) The oddball "Wizard of Oz" music worked, and the kids worked it hard. Get happy with those sounds, band. There's that curved "X" form, again. (Would it hurt to straighten the curves, just for kicks?) "We don't need no education," chants the band. Nice. Nice unique show. My Score: 60.40 My Day 1 Placement: 43rd My Overall Placement: 83rd Carroll High School Dayton, OH Repertoire: "End of the Line," an original composition by Andrew Markworth Comments: These kids had classy red, white, and blue unis...and the aussies with the looong feathers were classic. Hmmm...oh good, those huge clarinet gaps in form were filled. (I was a little worried, there.) All right, I was into the stop, stop, stop and more woodwind move (with music). Wow, these kids made the most of their starts and stops, and they were masters at "peeling off." Good stuff. A concert horn solo rules, and yet the rest of the band is a tad bit too motionless for my taste. Way to rip that note sky high, horn! Auxiliary, I think you should know you had great ribbon rolls. Tilted snares, way to top 'em. Ooh! The sabre is nearly dropped in the diamond form, but not. Great staging jobs in the fat arrow form. Excellent work overall, everyone! My Score: 69.30 My Day 1 Placement: 27th My Overall Placement: 61st Ben Davis High School Indianapolis, IN Repertoire: "Celestial Journey" Comments: This band broke out two huge tarps that formed a picture of part of the earth. The sound of crickets and other critters chirping were emitted from the front percussion ensemble. A recorded narrator invites us on "a journey." The music from these kings of sting is grand. The auxiliary do some dangerous work with the tuba section, but do not quite "line up." (I want to see sameness in every aspect.) A mellophone soloist goes wobbly...but is not too bad. The flute section aims their flutes at the rest of the winds in a clump, seemingly getting them to extend showmanship, with arm waves and horn "rattling." True to their nickname, they produced a giant sound. My Score: 85.50 My Day 1 Placement: 7th My Overall Placement: 17th Rampart High School Colorado Springs, CO Repertoire: "Autumn@tic" featuring "October" by Eric Whitacre and "Ride" by Samuel Hazo Comments: Like the number 5 face of dice, wind players were scattered around the field in these tidy forms. Great, great drop to one knee, guard, just as the music hit downwards. The baritone and saxophone duet was a neat take on things. A huge breath by guard gals catching their tools, one-by-one, and then a booming note accompanies the final catch with BITE. Ooh, strengthen those line rotates, you guys! A shako falls off the head of one member and becomes a safety hazard, it seems...but thank goodness for a caring judge, ha! Strong winds, strong percussion, and stronger auxiliary, here. This show went down full blast. My Score: 82.40 My Day 1 Placement: 12th My Overall Placement: 30th Jenison High School Jenison, MI Repertoire: "Enigma Variations" by Edward Elgar Comments: Strips of tarp on the far left side of side A had wind players kneeling on both knees on them (and to the left of them), and some wind players holding up orange boards. Soon, these orange boards were lifted and seemed to frame those who were dancing behind them. Amazingly, these props stood diagonally upright, which had me guessing on the mechanics of this 'till the very end. This group was non-stop in speed and pas-sion. A flute soloist goes strong, standing amongst a dreamy prop (which can only be described as puffs of cream or snow or clouds (light purple, light blue, and white). When the drifting ballad ended, I am taken to new heights with bursts of sound and fine cut-offs. Do not let the volume die! Okay, FANTASTIC. This band worked like a charm. These kids had some luring music and kickin' drill...just what they needed. My Score: 79.10 My Day 1 Placement: 13th My Overall Placement: 35th Lebanon High School Lebanon, OH Repertoire: "RED: The Dark Side of the Hood" Comments: Some of the members stood like surprised statues...and a girl dressed like Little Red Riding Hood snuch around. A guard guy dressed in black (with a hint of grey) seemed to be a troublemaker, as he stole a yellow basket. Way to stick that first big catch, guard. A form ripples about, except for a kid who does a sax solo...and he is joined by a flute soloist who contributes well. The lurching music at the end of the spooky movement moves with the "pushed" notes. Diamond form collapse to vertical line--success! Ha ha ha! The troublemaker dude get his you-knpw-what kicked by many "Hoods" in the end. Cute show. My Score: 66.90 My Day 1 Placement: 34th My Overall Placement: 68th Miamisburg High School Miamisburg, OH Repertoire: "To Tame the Perilous Skies" by David Holsinger Comments: A long, black platform up front has six clarinets and six saxophones, with ramps to the left and the right. The markings on the platform are like those found on an aircraft carrier. A solid sound of many as one consumed me. When this show went speed demon on me, los of nice things "stuck out," including a proficient guard, persistent feet, and passionate notes. Mellophones, way to work the "Holsinger mellophone specialty." I hear lots of inconsistencies in air flow and notes near the end, but these kids are real troopers. This show had a lot of gusto. They seemed to have just what they needed to gain the edge, even though a few notes and moves got splattered. Awesome, awesome work with this slough of a show. My Score: 70.00 My Day 1 Placement: 25th My Overall Placement: 58th 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: What sounds like constant instant message sending comes with keyboard typing and "Enter" button pushing sound effects. Minimalist sounds from the pit got my mind in a rut. "BOA Grand Nationals, here we are," says a female narrator "blogger." Trombone feature, almost-perfect rifle catch, and extra low tuba note--outstanding. Expert musicianship persists. Ooh, that was a harsh rifle drop, but...was it INTENTIONAL? Ha ha...maybe. (A narrative discusses failure, and he goes on to practice, practice, practice rifle catches.) Heh heh! The band "crazy dance" gets the job done. This wall of sound comes at you like a ton of bricks. My Score: 82.80 My Day 1 Placement: 11th My Overall Placement: 28th 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: Swirl forms covered much of the field and then the light swaying...I got seasick watching these guys! A saxophone quartet, and the snap of moves to a bell held this band up high. Mellos, careful not to leeean...okay? Aces, every one of them--and I am writing of the guard, now. Way to keep that sabre in motion, guard soloist near the flute soloist...yeah. A member of the band sings with dream-like beau-ty. (She is WONDERFUL!) Ha ha! I love it! The guard helps mute some of the 'bones. Things get wild and crazy with a funky drum beat and a funky woodwind ensemble (with...tubas? Yeah.) The last form is a compass rose form that puts the spotlight on a guard girl who raises her arms with passion and might. My Score: 87.40 My Day 1 Placement: 3rd My Overall Placement: 11th Indian Hill High School Cincinnati, OH Repertoire: "4 Dance Episodes 4 Band" featuring the music of Michael Torke, Michael Kamen and Gary Gilroy including "Introduction and Dance," "Fast Dance," "Slow Dance" and "Last Dance" Comments: An "S" form that curved sharply had the guard in it with flags held open. The trumpet section sounded very nervous, no? Okay, now THAT'S what I'm looking for...some gutsy sounds. These kids were on the mark with their feet, it seemed. (Impressive.) Wow, this show got better and better. Drums, good thorough beats. The two color guard girls playing on the cellos were ON. Now, on the backwards march here: do we ALL have toes upwards? (I did not see it.) Trombones, adhere, adhere, adhere with that space between you. The last bit of drill had some fight. Okay, way to go, kiddos! My Score: 67.90 My Day 1 Placement: 31st My Overall Placement: 65th Moore High School Moore, OK Repertoire: "Dot to Dot" Comments: Circular fabrics were placed all around. The wind players were set up in vertical lines of two, three, or four. The guard have these neat hoop skirts that flare out to the max. The synths repeat a string of notes perfect. Transition from Part 1 to Part 2 is seamless, as some of the fabrics of cream are flipped to show off blue, now. Ooh, bass clarinets almost bump into each other. At times, the intervals are uneven...and at times, the musical skills uneven, too. (I heard a trumpet sticking out, sound not on cue, and messy drumming.) Ah, those were some strong flute skills at the end! Okay, now get the gears in gear for that fabric set. This show was on tap. Just dinks here and there held them down. I liked the INTENT. You guys worked quite hard. My congratulations, all. My Score: 73.00 My Day 1 Placement: 23rd My Overall Placement: 52nd 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: A triangular tarp with the design of keyboard keys (on the bottom) played stage to synthesizer with a piano sound, the synthesizer having a clever outline of metal to give it the piano "look." A stirring synth sound, followed by a climax that does not inflame...but rather, sweetly knocks with a piano concoction. Ha! I love the electro concoction, too, as a guy with sunglasses does his thing with what looks like a woodwind instrument "hooked up." Now we have a different person with a different sound on this very same electronic thing. Though these kids are few, they pump up their volume big time (when they absolutely need to). This is "the little band that could"...and DID! This was a pleasant audio/visual product. My Score: 73.30 My Day 1 Placement: 22nd My Overall Placement: 51st Alan Irons Fountain Valley High School Marching Band 1993-1996 Pacific Crest of Diamond Bar 1997 Nashua Spartans 1998-1999 UCSB Class of 2002

Bands of America Grand National Championships November 8-11, 2006 RCA Dome Indianapolis, IN For ME some travelling out-of-state is usually ordinary. After all, my job requires some travel flight time. Fortunately, for me, I racked up some Frequent Flyer Miles and Hotel Rewards Points with my job, which allowed me (in conjunction with Vacation Time and Personal Holiday Time) to attend the BOA Regional Championships in Flagstaff, AZ; Towson, MD; Los Angeles, CA; San Antonio, TX...and now, the Bands of America Grand National Championships in Indianapolis, IN. But my flight to Indy was DIFFERENT. I was amongst the first to get on the plane after my layover in Dallas/Fort Worth...and since I sat in the aisle seat, I knew that I would eventually have to get up to allow a couple people in to sit next to me. So WHO asks me to move is none other than Mr. Dan Potter himself, Bands of America announcer and band/DCI fan extraordinaire! Ha ha! Too weird. Anyways, I said, "Excuse me, but...are you Dan Potter?" I recognized the guy, but I wanted to be sure. "Yes," he said. I introduced myself, and he said, "Oh my goodness. We are going to have an interesting flight." Dan has read my reviews, so he knew OF ME...but this time he got to know who I REALLY was, ha ha! We talked marching band and drum corps the whole way to Indianapolis, and he shared a few interesting stories and insights with me. Dan Potter is a real cool guy, and has a huge passion for the arts, which is great to know. He isn't just some guy who announces for BOA--he loves what he does and BOA is lucky to have him! When we got to Indianapolis, Dan and I went our separate ways. I had a relaxing evening, except...I had forgotten my "list of bands" for Thursday's (and Friday's) preliminary competition, so that I could get my notebook "prepared" for the reviews. I did not have internet access, so I was out of luck! Fortunately, my friend Daniel "Danpod" Valdez (from Texas) came to my rescue...and after calling him, he verbally provided me the order of the 46 groups performing on Thursday. (I would get the rest of the bands once I bought the Souvenir Program book.) So...a big special thanks to Danpod for that. The weather in Indianapolis was pretty pleasant for this time of year. It got colder as the days went on, but no real rain hit us, and thank goodness there was no snow. Here I was, once again, at what would surely be one of the best Bands of America Grand National Championships EVER. Here is what went on on Thursday and Friday... ***PRELIMINARY COMPETITION*** Shelby County High School Shelbyville, KY Repertoire: "One" - The Music of Channel One Suite Comments: White, blue, dark blue--from top to bottom this was the color of the center part of their uniform. A supporter of this band ran to the front of the pit and waved a giant "SC" flag. The auxiliary wore purple and sky blue costumes which were "half and half" in color. Excellent work, saxophones. I saw that you all his your spots when you were supposed to. Some were at a halt at the end of that company front, and some were marking time, so...which is it? Fade out, sax solo, zoom in, trumpet solo--nice. Low brass, in the third movement it is just a tad bit difficult to know your "style." Way to blow the house down with your air, band, and then point to us with your heart and soul. My Score: 64.10 My Day 1 Placement: 38th My Overall Placement: 74th Lexington High School Lexington, OH Repertoire: Isolation featuring "Movement," "Percussive Fragments," "Alone," "Rhythmic Regions" Comments: Dr. Tim, in his gold jacket, chatted with the director (who was in his purple jacket) and some of the kids in the band. The good doctor walked them into the dome, welcoming them to a positively life-changing experience. Six large backdrops placed together were divided by marchers in thirds. An exciting percussive beat made my ears want to hear more. Some of the music, by brass especially, was a bit "blatty." Those shades of black were great staging mechanisms. These kids hid and revealed themselves, and when they revealed themselves they played some vibrant, vibrant stuff. A scatter by most soon led to mallet repeats...and some drill that got my eyes on the move. Careful not to bounce on the jazz run, there! Okay, they had a strong finish. Not bad, not bad! My Score: 66.70 My Day 1 Placement: 35th My Overall Placement: 69th Godwin Heights High School Wyoming, MI Repertoire: "The Labyrinth" including "On the Waterfront" by Leonard Bernstein and "Medea's Dance of Vengeance" by Samuel Barber Comments: What looked like mini wood pillars of purple (on rollers) were set up in a broad, curvy form, with wind players behind each. A lone mellophone soloist cracks some, but gets back on pace. Auxiliary, I like how you show me you are multi-talented, with wrapped flags and flutes. Wow, these wind folks sound out-of-breath! (Rough morning,this morning?) "Chop chop, chop-chop-chop-chop" (during the end of the first section). The three sections of "cordoned" off wind players was a seeing touch I enjoyed. Oh man, I hate it when there are amp glitches, flute soloist, but from what I DID year, you sounded great. I loved the running through the cordoned off pathway, which made me think a train wreck would occur...but these kids played with you heard and pulled it off. Sloppy, sloppy work, but...there were some diamonds in the rough. My Score: 63.70 My Day 1 Placement: 40th My Overall Placement: 78th Carlisle High School Carlisle, OH Repertoire: "Healing Rain" including "Thunderstruck by ACDC and "Healing Rain" by Michael W. Smith Comments: High purple poles were set up to stage these kids quite well. A triangle of woodwinds were front left, while a triangle of brass were rear right. A backfield/frontfield mello duet gives this show the jump start it needs. The thunder sound effect--sweet. That rifle catch with all rifles caught--sweeter. Look at that saxophone soloist go! (There seemed to be some mic trouble, but he worked through that glitch. I must commend the pianist on synthesizer...that stuff got me where it counts. Wonderful, wonderful "effective" time when those poles were used as rain sticks. Trumpet soloist at the end of the show...you alone seemed to make the whole show "worth it." Marvelous work, veryone! My Score: 67.20 My Day 1 Placement: 32nd My Overall Placement: 66th 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: A grey-and-white checkered tarp was set up "diamond style" center field, with platforms set up on the edges. The slender figure on the 35 had a leg partially extended. Some wind players were lying on their backs, and some were not as they engaged in a chant and a dance. Articulation was on the mark (for the most part). Some of the brass overextended near the end of the first part of the show. That was a cool electronic instrument piece done by one of the drum majors. Hmmm, that was quite the sketchy start to the last movement, I felt. The shako-tilting and lunge stare-down dance was lively. Wow, this was a fun show. There were some chunks of gunk throughout, but the act went on with gusto. You have a bunch of supporters, here! (Awesome.) One of the band moms was crying after the show. Awwwwwe. They did GREAT. My Score: 76.30 My Day 1 Placement: 17th My Overall Placement: 42nd Farmington Harrison High School Farmington Hills, MI Repertoire: "Shades" featuring music of Adam Gorb and Frank Ticheli Comments: Cream, curvy gold, and green made up the uniforms of this medium sized group. A baritone soloist encircled by the girls of dance made this show ENSIZZLE. Trombones, way to play out when you need to! That was a crisp horn snap up and then down in the movement where things really got rolling. Lime green flags substituted for the light visuality of those on instruments. The "in and out of focus" pod work was standard. Ooh, getting some bad feedback on the speakers, now. (Turn that distraction off!) Some of the last notes from this group were a mess, not helped by the invasive percussion. This show started out strong, but seemed to fizzle out at the finish. (This is too bad, because they had a lot going for them with this...but c'est la vie.) Fine work, kids. My Score: 65.00 My Day 1 Placement: 36th My Overall Placement: 70th Eastern High School Middletown, KY Repertoire: Petroglyphs--"On the Footsteps of Man": Ishmael, Kokopelli, Chamba Boure, Aboriginal Art & Mdadrid Original Music by Mark Higginbotham Comments: Black triangles bordered with sparkling diamond strips entranced--these were part of the uniform tops. Many of the wind players, who had their instruments on the ground, botched the dance moves. Whoa, there! These kids had a hefty sound! Sabre solo: CAUGHT! Good. The crazy African drumming, along with some not-so-same dance moves by the far out winds was, on the whole, fine. A tuba/trumpet blind pass-through was somewhat off, due to a trumpet player going through the wrong passage. Wow. These kids had a mighty sound to them and...I was impressed. There are a few things they could do to "tighten some screws," but on the whole they performed well. My hat goes off to them. My Score: 75.50 My Day 1 Placement: 20th My Overall Placement: 45th William Mason High School Mason, OH Repertoire: "Symphonic Architecture: A Musical Journey Through Four Houses" including "I. Glass House," "II. House of Blues," "III Mad House" and "IV House of Worship" Comments: Frontdrops, most black, and some with words and pictures, showed us the theme of their show--"Four Houses." I was highly impressed by their first formations. Careful with the wavering in your motion, trumpets. Yeah, when these kids took off in their sound, they took off. The head tilt move (showing off the plumes and shakos) seems to be "the thing to do" these days. (Thanks Center Grove '95.) Whew! That trumpet soloist near the 35-yard line played with a supremely jazzy touch. Most of the feet were in time. The spooky synth effects helped "madden" them, heh heh! Trumpets, steady your breathing out. Heh! Collapse a box form to end it...uh, yeah. Ooh! I did like THAT--some inside tht block turned to reveal their black uniform backs and made a picture of the cross. Good stuff! My Score: 76.00 My Day 1 Placement: 18th My Overall Placement: 43rd Western Brown High School Mt. Orab, OH Repertoire: "Music of Tower of Power" including "What is Hip?," "So Very Hard to Go" and "Soul Vaccination" Comments: In their pit they had a tambourine player, a cymbal player, three mallet players, and a seated concert tuba player. Some of the steps the marchers took were quite awkward and UNSURE. Ha ha! Cute. The wind players sang some of the lyrics to "What is Hip?" The girl in hot pink dancing near the tenor sax player has great form! This band stressed the individual, rather than the ensemble, and this seemed to work for them. Unfortunately, a lot of what they did out there sounded and looked feeble. All right, mellos! (Way to get into your parts, now.) The direction-of-motions box form was clear, but heed the spacing, heed the spacing! Ha ha! I love the collapse to the ground which ended their class act. My Score: 53.40 My Day 1 Placement: 46th My Overall Placement: 92nd Collinsville High School Collinsville, IL Repertoire: "The Dream of Oenghus" by Rolf Rudin Comments: Jagged snow-capped mountains with black streaks stood on three parts of the field. The auxiliary, in all black (with few sparkles on back) lied on the turf in a half-fetal position. The narration was difficult to understand. The musicianship was so-so...I mean, what do you make of a horn pop to the box with no volume change? Auxiliary, the sabre work was decent. (Nice work!) Where is the sound? If there is one word to describe these guys, I think it would be "subdued." The percussion seemed to have their heads on straight. Flutes, you had me on your side...great work. You guys can DO IT. I see a lot of potential, here. My Score: 63.20 My Day 1 Placement: 41st My Overall Placement: 80th Bourbon County High School Paris, KY Repertoire: "Bi Pole Rrrr" including "Frustration," "Denial," "Conflict" and "Balance" Comments: Piano keyboard props seem to "pop out" at you. The first notes from this group hit you like a big block of ice. Wow, trumpets, the double-tonguing worked! I like how this group hit us hard with sound, backed off immediately, then came back to us with FULL force. Clever staging of a soloist with white sticks that circled this player. Geez, these kids can PLAY! They had no problems filling the dome with searing power. Excellent extension of leg and foot grab, auxiliary soloist. Most of the drill does not cover much ground, but what they DO cover is very well done. Ha ha! I have never seen that before: sections of wind players play "peek-a-boo" by popping up and playing forward from rear-field crouched positions. Yeah! This show was fun, lively, and powerful. My Score: 77.40 My Day 1 Placement: 15th My Overall Placement: 39th Louisville Male High School Louisville, KY Repertoire: "The Space Between" Comments: Sparkling diamond props hung from curved poles. In the middle of the field, the guard acted, and on the side portions the wind players stuck some arm motions with style. Their sound was heavy-handed. I was pleased with the transformed "Planets" music. A saxophone quartet had a very, very "old school" sound to it, making Holst's music even MORE unique. I was caught off guard by a few breathtaking drill moves, including a diagonal moving "t" form that unthreaded. These kids switch it ON. Stellar! (Or should I write, "Interstellar?") As nice as that star form was at the end, glaring spacing issues remained. Wow, I love that squeeze drill at the end. Their drum major at the head seemed overwhelmed. What a joy to watch. My Score: 83.50 My Day 1 Placement: 10th My Overall Placement: 23rd Firestone High School Akron, OH Repertoire: "El Toro Caliente," "My Spanish Heart," "El Toro Diablo" and "Malaguena" Comments: A long horizontal line of musicians stood proud. The intervals were not the prettiest. Ha ha! Whoa! Whoa, there, Firestone fan! This guy went crazy, like he was on steroids or something! A bunch of people got a chuckle out of that. This band wailed, dude. Form control was decent. I saw some magnificent diagonals...and not-so-magnificent line rotations. Trumpets, you have to be a little more confident than that in the ballad. (What happened to "trumpet central" like you had going in the first movement?) Okay, lay loose and blast away, guys! That's the way to do it. I am hearing some real talent from the electric guitarists up front. Whoa, flute player! (Just because you have a long ways to go does not mean you get to take a bunch more steps out of time to get there. This show had its moments. My Score: 64.00 My Day 1 Placement: 39th My Overall Placement: 75th Brunswick High School Brunswick, OH Repertoire: "The Wall" featuring the music of Pink Floyd Comments: Besides the white insignia and school name on the shoulders, these kids seemed to have the Blue Devils' uniforms from the mid-1990's. (Oh, and the silver sparkly thingy and guantlets were unlike the many-time DCI World champs, too.) PVC-pipe cube outlines were carried to the front sideline in a simple show of movement. I was not floored by their sound, but they kept me quite interested. Bird tweets ended one movement and started the next. I was involved with their portrait when things really got into high gear, but sadly they were in one spot through much of the whiplash in sound. Excellent use of vocals and visuals in the last part of their show. Okay...inventive, inventive. Those white brick wall props were an eye-full. Solid job, kids! My Score: 69.10 My Day 1 Placement: 28th My Overall Placement: 62nd South Lyon High School South Lyon, MI Repertoire: "A Brief History of Communication: Telegraph, Telephone and Cell Phone" Music of John Adams, Battlestar Gallactica and Cindy McFee Comments: A multi-colored checkered platform with the word "TELEGRAPH" was near the front side A 45 to 30. I was thrilled by the action-reaction movement by the winds in the far right corner of the field. These kids handled this difficult, difficult Adams music quite well, despite the fact the bass drummers had gock blocks to keep the squad in time at a sluggish tempo. The auxiliary are a treat for their fans, as one seems to be stuck in the 1950's with that black-and-white prop of the kitchen, with her on the TELEPHONE. (Does anyone remember what a telephone looks like these days?) Things get a little more supersonic with the "cell phone" part of their show. Way to pull out those slides, trombones on that platform. Ha ha! This show was a blast. They have a lot going for them, despite the "oops" here and there. My Score: 68.00 My Day 1 Placement: 30th My Overall Placement: 64th Bellbrook High School Bellbrook, OH Repertoire: "Star-Crossed Love: 2071" featuring original compositions by Yoko Kanno and Roque Diaz Comments: Props that were, hmmm...apocalyptic...were in three parts of the back portion of the field. The word "DANGER" appeared on a couple of these props, as well as a yellow flashing siren light. The wind players were paired up, back-to-back. "This...is a story...of star-crossed love..." says a narrator. A muted trumpet player sets this moody production afloat. I so wish I could hear what the narrators were saying. (Wasit their sound system, or what? Maybe the musicians were partly...to blame?) The guard nailed much of their work. At times the trumpets sounded muffled, muddled. A clarinet soloist makes a "dent" in more ways than one, and it is quite good. An African drumming ensemble gives an awkward part of their show an awkward start. Well, I gave this show a fair shake, but...I was not convinced enough. I liked what they were TRYING to do out there, though. SOLID attempt. My Score: 73.80 My Day 1 Placement: 21st My Overall Placement: 48th Herscher High School Herscher, IL Repertoire: "Blue Shades" by Frank Ticheli Comments: Tippy toe moves to put some stress on some notes were executed fine. Their music seemed to cut through to me at all the wrong times with a stick-out here and a stick-out there. I was pretty pleased with marching from the singles. Hmmm, a lot of jumbled notes out there, for sure. Way to take back the beat, drumline. (Was it good enough, though?) You know, what they did was not bad from a visual perspective, but I heard some unnecessary things, I think. Well, they got to the end of their show all right. I think these kids need more work on the fundamentals. Music was awry. Marching was decent. Effect was, hmmm...let us focus on music and marching first. My Score: 59.80 My Day 1 Placement: 44th My Overall Placement: 84th 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: The musicians wore all-black uniforms with a few silver buttons and a red sash. Their first form was that of a block. Excellent horn snap to play, winds. The rush slows, and then we are back to rush. I like how you bounce off your notes, woodwinds. Solos everywhere confused. These kids were on FIRE! (Excellent musical mastery.) I could excuse some of the sound glitches. The auxiliary mocking the uniformed members with yellow shakos, purple shakos, and clownish movement, was perfect! An odd "Ode to Joy" mix was played up to the max. Folks on side B, watch the forms as the woodwinds perform. Whoa! Watch the edge there, low brass. Great snaking spiral form! Ah-ha! Rock-solid job, people. My Score: 75.90 My Day 1 Placement: 19th My Overall Placement: 44th Central Hardin High School Cecilia, KY Repertoire: "Redemption" including "I. Salvation: Amazing Grace," "II. Temptation: Blues," "III. Corruption: A Light Unto Darkness" and "IV. Redemption: Be Thou My Vision" Comments: As the tender sounds of "Amazing Grace" came forth, so did the auxiliary from a little white church prop. In no time, a jazzy cymbal beat, and a guard with a lot of heart get this show airborne. I was pleased to hear these kids put out the sound, not just because they were "supposed" to, but because they wanted to. I am hearing all sorts of stylistic variations in their notes. These kids, in their black aussies and baby blue tops, looked great! Ha! Wow. A huge sound is heard, and then BOOM! A giant white flag makes a group of marchers disappear out of one form, and into the form of a cross. Some of the wind players "exit" the stage by entering the church. This show takes your breath away. My Score: 76.80 My Day 1 Placement: 16th My Overall Placement: 41st Lawrence Central High School Indianapolis, IN Repertoire: "One Hand, One Heart" featuring the music from Leonard Bernstein's "Westside Story" Comments: Platforms with heart designs were mostly near the front sideline, with a couple more encircled by wind players. A lush sound from all, except for a slight, slight trumpet and mello stickout, enchanted. Crisp those notes up, tubas. Ha ha! I love the interraction with guard, winds. As a rifle gal catches, a trumpet player poses with her. Ooh! A key sabre toss is fumbled. Ooh wee! I got chills during the "Maria" segment. Eh, that vertical line on the 50 did not "click." Okay, the dance done before "Mambo" was fun, intricate, and WON. As the siren sounds, I see a "V" form invert, with solid, solid rotations. Red ribbons were pulled from the platforms that encircled, now, and were mesmerizing. This was a gorgeous production with some flaws. Nevertheless, YES! Thank you. My Score: 88.90 My Day 1 Placement: 2nd My Overall Placement: 9th Paul Laurence Dunbar High School Lexington, KY Repertoire: "Up" by Mark Higginbotham Comments: Narration in the pit mumbles words that start with "up-" before the show begins. A sustained synth sound, mixed with a clear clarinet solo, gets the mind going strong. The energetic sound of this gang was all that you could ask for and more. Aaaaah, you have to love that echo off the corner of the dome, so deep, so full. Flagwork within decelerating woodwinds DELIGHTS. Oops, one player lost balance when crouching. A blazing synth effect is sounded as a fireball of a streamer flies by...neat! Man, these kids hug the rear, side, and corner with their musical finesse. And when they face front, watch out! I was caught up in ALL of it. The high-flying streamers at the finish--INSPIRING. Top job, gang! My Score: 87.00 My Day 1 Placement: 5th My Overall Placement: 13th Alan Irons Fountain Valley High School Marching Band 1993-1996 Pacific Crest of Diamond Bar 1997 Nashua Spartans 1998-1999 UCSB Class of 2002

Note to the TXBANDS Dot Com Gang...please feel free to post this your "Features" section. I am only posting this here right now because I am leaving for Indy tomorrow, and I don't want this stuff to get "left behind." Thanks! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2006 Bands of America Super Regional Championships presented by Yamaha Alamodome San Antonio, TX November 3-4, 2006 We could not believe that James Bowie High School did not make finals, but we did believe that finals would be ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE, nevertheless. L.D. Bell's performance was the talk of the town, and after a tight, tight caption award showdown, no one really knew if perhaps Marcus, or The Woodlands, or even Ronald Reagan could pull off a win in finals...because it was certainly a good possibility. And as for the rest of the bands? Well, let us just say that finals will be a clean slate for all and that ANYONE could end up ANYWHERE, and we will leave it at that. EVERY band in the top 12 was GREAT, and very much deserved the *distinction*. When the doors of the dome opened, the mad rush was on for seating. Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser, the great mind behind Attitude Concepts for Today, gave a moving pep talk, a Winston Churchill sax quartet played a nifty version of the National Anthem, and the judges--with their overwhelming credentials--were introduced for this evening's show. This was one of the most electrifying Bands of America shows I have EVER been to. I don't know what it is about San Antonio...this place simply reeks of greatness. Could I be watching history in the making? I very well could be... FINALS PERFORMANCES Exhibition - Loveland High School (Class AA Champions) Loveland, CO Repertoire: "Shadows of Remembrance" featuring sections from "Medal of Honor" by Michael Giacchino and Christopher Lennertz Comments: What looked to be a 20-foot flagpole was situated on the 30-yard line, stage right, about 2/3 up the field. Four honor guard personnel surrounded the flag, wearing red berets and green uniforms. During Loveland's lovely warm-up, the American flag is raised. Two brass players lunge towards the pole, one breaking pose to play a trumpet solo, and then we soon have a mello solo. The drumline is tight, tight, tight! Moves that include a high karate kick and a 360-degree turn are done within twirling grey flags (which mimic American flags). Trombones, it sounds like few or one of you are playing, at times. (Clear your tubes, gang!) Whoa! The auxiliary toss their rifles, each at different heights and different styles, and they catch them all before doing a military march forward with the rifles on their shoulders. In the ballad, a heartfelt mellophone solo is produced. A booming total band sound makes the climax worthy. Dancing around tombstones with respect, the guard--out of their drab grey uniforms--now sport dark blue tops with grey pants. Ha ha! This bass drum line throws down patterns like a top WGI unit. Statue of Liberty flags get this crowd of band fans off their hands. The wind players kneel towards the American flag in a circular cluster, and then open their arms to lower their instruments, as if to pray. The honor guard comes back into the picture in a straight line, who salute the flag with solemn duty. This was a well-programmed show. The kids should be very, very proud of their results here. This Class AA award of theirs was well deserved. A big, big congratulations to you! My Score: N/A Actual Score: N/A My Placement: N/A Actual Placement: N/A Westfield High School Houston, TX Repertoire: "The Heart of Solitude" including "Piano Concerto #2" by Sergei Rachmaninoff and "Piano Concerto #1" by Keith Emerson Comments: The auxiliary wore interesting cape-like skirts with orange on the outside and purple on the inside. The winds and percussion on the field kneeled, facing the rear, showing their black backs. A lively piano introduction with some light windy sounds got this show sparkling gently. A spiral form around the piano unwinds. I was all over what they were doing! Oh, man. This is great, great stuff. Woodwinds go off with some whimsy music, and at the same time the snares carefully cut through with some muted tapping. Uh! I am struck by the wall of sound these guys make while the piano is ravaged. Arms go down at a 45-degree angle. Aaaaah. Is the best yet to come? It sounds as if the entrance to the grand ballad "hit" (to start things off) is somewhat timid. The lunge with hand on shoulder of the person kneeling next to them by pairs of wind players across the field was a contemplative pose, and a thing of subtle beauty. Speaking of subtle beauty, did you see the triangle pictures "drawn" with the uniforms? (Westfield sure makes the most of all they do.) They end their show with bombastic joy, the piano rolling downwards. The drill was strong, but somewhat safe. These kids seemed to max out all they did, though. The ACTUAL piano on the field was a real TREAT, and rarely done (because of limited talent or logistics). Bravo! Bravo, Westfield. They were the "it" band. My Score: 88.70 Actual Score: 87.70 My Placement: 5th Actual Placement: 12th 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: Imogen Heap gets played on their speakers, and this quiets the audience with anxious ease. Props that look like trees without leaves hide many of the wind players. The guard is constantly performing, some doing flips, and some running with grace. Things settle down when the band is announced...but not for long. "One one-thousand..." counts the vocalist on the sound modulator. Lunges from behind the trees, spook. "Ready-or-not-here-I-come," are the words that spark a fire within this group. The auxiliary is near-perfect with rifles, as well as sabres! The hopping by some of the woodwinds (around the pods) is swell. Some of the brass played with a rough edge, but it did not hold them back. Booming sound suddenly evaporated, with vocal music taking the reigns, sweetly and surely. Uplifting music given to us by the trumpets was prime, and you could not help but feel lighthearted as the woodwinds on side A lied on their stomachs and kick their feet up, some of them playing visual games with each other. The domino crouch forward as an auxiliary girl engages in back flips up the lines is dramatic...not to mention acrobatic! A block form keeps on keeps on wrapping up, and then all the winds rush to the core of the block and then seem to explode outwards, leaving a guard soloist who points playfully. The word, "Gotcha!" leaves a smile on our faces. This show was quite an experience. They stretched the possibilities of what band is and can be. My heart goes out to you guys! My Score: 91.40 Actual Score: 94.95 My Placement: 2nd Actual Placement: 2nd Hebron High School Carrollton, TX Repertoire: "Music from Every Direction" featuring the music of Stravinsky, Bjork, Beethoven, and Jutras Comments: The supporters of this band rose and swayed their arms back and forth with two fingers in the air during this band's warm-up. I am told that this was the band's school alma mater. The guard seems to defy all concepts of "right" or "wrong" with their trashy costumes. (I love it!) A triangle form kneels sideways in a brief move that takes place in three sections. Auxiliary, that sabre toss is on the mark except for one, during the frantic woodwind feature. Vertical lines detach and re-attach with ease. During the ballad, a trumpet soloist hits most of his notes, and a drummer lightly taps a large drum (in between his legs) with his hands. The mellophones are unified. (Well done!) The guard work two flags each, which are light purple and magenta, adding that extra "flavor" during the most tender moments. The "up, down, left, right" game pads from the popular "Dance Revolution" arcade game come out, and oh, people knew what was coming next! One of the biggest crowd reactions came when the wind players simulated a dance from and for this game. Legs bounced everywhere, side-side in multiple directions, and even legs crossing. Ha ha! I could not get enough of this group. Wow, this show blasted, blasted, blasted away. People were on their feet well before this show ended. We are pointed at by the members, who seemed to have NO doubts. Yeah, these kids did it. Spectacular work! My Score: 86.60 Actual Score: 89.30 My Placement: 8th Actual Placement: 9th Westlake High School Austin, TX Repertoire: "The Music of the Americas" including "Mvt. I Panama," "Mvt. II Argentina" and "Mvt. III America" with music selections from "Bochinches" by Reuben Blades, "Vientos y Tangos" by Michael Gandolfi and "Javelin" by Michael Torke Comments: I was blinded by their bright orange tarps that had what appeared to be designs of the "astronomy" sort, with a star and a compass rose. On side B, with diagonals attached by numerous pairs of wind players (all kneeling), the kids emerge in ultra modern moves, as the guard in fiery yellow and orange burst out from the center. Okay, sabre catch...pretty, pretty clean. A trombone soloist steals the show with some flair through his horn, unmuted and muted. Of the pairs of brass players on side B, one faces forward, then the next one--facing backfield--faces forward. My eyes were glued to all they had to offer. A lumbering melody gets the crowd (who knew their show) to clap at specific times. In a diamond form, the brass ground their instruments and clap in synch. The rotating block form on the large diamond tarp was so-so. (It moved better than it when it was motionless.) A flute soloist completed her task, and a drill move where the members kneeled and outstretched their arms to get things more "attached" certainly filled the bill. There was too much dead time in that gorgeous block form. Yeah, the music was cherished, but let us put a spin on all that we do here. I liked that they were very, very clean. Obviously, this band worked hard to get all their ducks in a row. Congratulations, all. You proved that you deserved to be in this showcase. Awesome. My Score: 84.90 Actual Score: 88.75 My Placement: 10th Actual Placement: 10th Marcus High School Flower Mound, TX Repertoire: "The Choral Reef-Voices from Beneath the Sea" including "I. The Seaweed Song," "II. Water Music," "III. The Crustacean Review," "IV. Mother of Pearls" and "V. The Fish Hatchery" Comments: A dark grey "M" sketched on the uniform tops divided the white top from the light grey bottom that extended to the toes. In one, extra, extra long extended note, the wind players played until the announcer announced them. Ha! What a statement, huh? Colorful underwater props (that represented the jungles of one of the final frontiers) were on the outer portions of the field. This group made a bold statement by not being so bold at first. You think they are supremely fine-tuned, now? You ain't seen nothin', yet! Oh wow! The music was as perfect as perfect can be! With giant lobster claws, the guard pranced about. More prancing comes right at you with detailed seahorse and starfish props. Plume shake left, right, the knees bend...uh! Wonderful. This group seems to toy with different musical notations. When the five goliath oyster props open carefully, we gasp. Out of the sea ornaments are guard with "pearls" of silver. A uniformed member takes off with one of these pearls. A sluggish, darkish set of notes are "portrayed" by the low brass. The sound is somewhat...unmatched! They have quite a bright show, but I think the showing off of their musical abilities, rather than how they can really present the music in a truly unique, involved way, left me detached from them. Don't get me wrong...they had a great show. However, I was looking for more demand in terms of effect and integration. My Score: 90.00 Actual Score: 94.70 My Placement: 3rd Actual Placement: 3rd Winston Churchill High School San Antonio, TX Repertoire: "Deception of Perception" featuring the music of Vincent Persichetti Comments: Long diagonals of winds swallowed much of side B, as the marchers there faced the back of the field. To start things off, six concert horn players stand atop planks, at attention. A trumpet solo gives his input while a dancer involves herself with him. The horn players soon strip off their uniforms with a made look in their eyes. Ha ha ha! Yes, I was deceived, for sure! They were...auxiliary! Almost every rifle and sabre was caught in top notch time as notes cut off. We have jumping, skipping, and hopping around out there. The whole band faces a lone flute player who does her thing without a problem. A male guard member sticks his catch one time, and then the second time allows a slight bounce. (Ha ha ha! Good enough for me!) The under-the-leg catch by another guard soloist ROCKS! Guard, guard, guard. Need I say more? In what seems to be the beginning of "Fanfare for the Common Man," a trumpet soloist decides, "Nope, not gonna do it." Way to play with my mind. I love the string plucking sounds from the synths in the pit. My head spins in amazement as the guard spins...no one rifle with one hand, but one rifle for EACH hand! Wow! The end of their show was nice and crisp, but left me cold. Is there more to this show? (Perhaps, once again I become...deceived? No, 'tis the end.) This was a stellar showcase of sight, which actually trumped sound. I was not complaining, though, because Churchill brought something new and interesting to the table, as always seems to be the case. My Score: 87.00 Actual Score: 90.05 My Placement: 6th Actual Placement: 7th Haltom High School Haltom City, TX Repertoire: "Balance: The Yin and Yang of It" featuring the music of Nigel Westlake and Eric Whitacre Comments: Lime-green draping tops and cream pants were the garb of the guard, all in a circle around a multi-layer circle of wind players. Wind chimes are brushed, making the "magic" happen. The layers of the encircled circle push outwards in lunge and motion, and...yeah! I like, I like. A set of rifles come crashing to the hands, perfect, as the trumpets release strings of notes. Easy on the swelling sounds, there, trumpets. My thumbs are up to an engaging drill move in which two snaking forms invade a moving block. In pistol hold, the winds, at whiplash pace, get out of the way of their marching drummers. (A sign of respect seems to be given, as they bow down to them.) Pole props, which are tough to match in terms of maneuvering, are matched quite well by the guard. I did see some poles snap to the ground at different times, though...perhaps the only sloppy moment, here. Trumpets seem in a rush to get some of their notes out there...and you could hear some huffing and puffing. The last drill move puts a real neat touch on the classic "box" ending, as part of a block form sucks open a hole where a guard girl poses while sitting in relaxed ways...almost zen-like...and then she stands to match her peers to the right. Perfect! My Score: 85.20 Actual Score: 90.80 My Placement: 8th Actual Placement: 5th Cedar Park High School Cedar Park, TX Repertoire: "Symphony No. 10 in E Minor, Op. 93" and "Novorossiysk Chimes (Fire of Eternal Glory)" by Dmitri Shostakovich Comments: Texas Bands Dot Com? Who are they? Just kidding, Danpod! Way to give a shout out to this squad in green and black (with some "extras" in cream and red). A lunge to the side retracts by some of the brass up front--the low brass, that is. Delicate mallet parts sing the tune of "Fire of Eternal Glory" before things turn ominous. I was floored by this monster of solid sound. Drill forms locked on demand, and seemed to wipe out errors of the slight and the few. Man, these kids must have eaten their Wheaties tonight! They did not ease up one bit! The pair moment across the wide field was tight, as an amped flute solo engaged. A yellow flag was tossed and clutched with no an ounce of ifs, ands, or buts. The woodwinds on side B have some sporadic interval ticks, as the brass pound me again and again with their glory. A single trumpet player seems to mar a piece of the show by turning around to play too quickly, or playing too loudly. (Whatever the case was, it was not good.) Argh! EVERYONE heard him. EVERYONE. The last form was a rock solid form with a rock solid sound. Mr. Whoever-is-in-Charge...tear down that wall! This was a fine, fine show, but there is such a thing as being too good for your own good. Think more so out of the box, and then we will have a deal. Good work! My Score: 83.50 Actual Score: 89.55 My Placement: 12th Actual Placement: 8th L.D. Bell High School Hurst, TX Repertoire: "The Remaining" Comments: A block of wind players, with a leg of percussion at the end, warms up, and then we are soon overwhelmed by otherworldly sounds. The guard mopes around in creepy form, and then charge the front part of the 50 with crazed looks in their eyes. Solos and duets show off the individual, and a block form that splits within with a long tail heading "out there" showcases the ensemble. Downward frequency synth melodies frighten. Killer, killer crashes in sight and sound stun. As the wind players and auxiliary team crawl on their bellies towards a single auxiliary girl, I am taken in full spellbound spell. Ugh! One of those moving vertical lines that head out--not straight enough, not straight enough. Get it ALL right. I am creeped out by the hellish sounds that came forth with no mercy. A wind player skids forward on center stage, and then seems to go nuts. The other wind players are zombies, it appears. These kids can act, man! The cadet image they present with their uniforms is NOTHING like the unique image they present with their spectacle. The wind players take to opposite front corners of the field, and overlap each other in fearless fashion--the front part lying down while others "build themselves over this" in a gently sloping mountain form. A lone trumpet soloist keeps you on the edge of your seat, breathless, as a girl in red runs around the field in total fear--for eternity, it seems--and then collapses with the rest of her ensemble. I am STILL shivering. BOA Grand Nationals...get ready, get ready. My Score: 94.70 Actual Score: 95.80 My Placement: 1st Actual Placement: 1st Ronald Reagan High School San Antonio, TX Repertoire: "Symphony No. 4" by Gianinni and "Danse Macabre" by Camille Saint-Saens Comments: Flash marching, with knees popping out and toes popping up at extremely specific times (to a drum beat) is hypnotizing. I sat in awe as the "show before the show" contained music AND movement, very complex. When the winds face forward in ray forms, they emit greatness. And they are, indeed, great! Pods of wind players, in their weirdo "bishop" shakos with aside plume, send off their sound with glee. The percussion is loud and rambunctious, to the point I wanted to hear less and less. Okay, here we go. Lovely backfield playing is part of a magic show that has a hot sabre gal catching her sabre. More pods? Okay. You have to give it to their pit, which made you want to melt and be one with them. Okay, those extra long diagonal forms that led to the center circle were far from picture perfect, but that one guard chick in the middle did the task at hand. A chuckle was heard as this group toyed with childish sounds. The sign of a great group is being able to do things so well that it makes anything they do a breeze and sound REAL good, including the cool, the difficult, and even the ridiculous. I was thrilled with their final moves, which had a straight horizontal line on the push, with a squiggly line threading through it. This show was a wonder, but it made me wonder, "Why weren't they up to their old tricks...or better yet, new tricks?" I kinda wish I would "never know" some MORE. Still, this band was so up there. My Score: 89.80 Actual Score: 93.70 My Placement: 4th Actual Placement: 4th Richland High School North Richland Hills, TX Repertoire: "You Are" including "You Are What Your Thoughts Are," "Hostility," "Peaceful," "Cool," "Spiritual" and "Wild" Comments: Words of varying emotions are called out. "You are" was the unifying phrase, sung in a goose bump inducing chord. Whoa! Flagwork keeps blinding you, and drill in the mix is so fast and so furious with what those who play play that...is your head spinning, yet? Things are toned down a bit with some "intermission" stuff. However, in no time we go back to the craziness. Two rotating blocks look like slop. I love, love, love the human beat box solo, and a tuba section that grooves atop a stage. Heh heh! A tuba soloist steals it, and is given "five." (Great showmanship and camaraderie!) Symphonic excellence is exercised, as the winds point their weapons of joy to the rear, as a sabre is cutting the air high and then low to the clenching hand. The music erupts, and drill is splattered. The block form at the end of their show is not the end of their game, though, as lines from the block split off and folded and morphed until the next block form was structured. The voices from the six are glowing. This music gets stuck in your head LONG after the show is over. This is the type of show you could dream to. I was very pleased with Ricland's work, here. My Score: 86.90 Actual Score: 90.50 My Placement: 7th Actual Placement: 6th Clear Brook High School Friendswood, TX Repertoire: "Rite of Spring" by Igor Stravinsky Comments: On a downed red pillar prop sat two clarinet solists and a male auxiliary member. A bassoon soloist sounds a call to the winds and percussion on the field, who rush with great drama. The music contains steady rhythms, firstly, and then rumble to tasty but slow take-offs. A mellophone soloist seems too nervous to play, as the air stream is botched. I saw some slight flinching at the halt's drop. I appreciated the work done on the ground by this crew, the instruments seemingly caressing the audience with their music AND motion. Do I detect pillar changes? Why, yes I do! The red pillars were now lit up with a yellowish-orangeish color. Be sure not to bounce on the move too much, flutes. Trombones, way to rip those notes out of your bells! The aggression of this band was a joy to hear. These kids went all out with what they did. Some of what they did was too plain, I felt. Though this gang was on and around their props which changed colors, they needed more color in their music. I was too uptight during their rough and tough show...where could I breathe with ease? They created a dark and shimmering atmosphere, and were good at it, at that. My Score: 83.80 Actual Score: 88.25 My Placement: 11th Actual Placement: 11th Exhibition - Hidalgo High School (Class A Champions) Hidalgo, TX Repertoire: "Incrimination" including "The Incredibles Theme," "Vodoo" from the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and "Glory Days" Comments: Red walls set the stage for these champs. Minimalist music played at a rapid pace, drill forms that moved, moved, moved, and a gutsy guard was part of what made this band what they were. Ooh! A mellophone tore up a note, there. Duh-duh! Boom! Duh-duh! Boom! (I liked how the rifles were caught with ease, and on the "boom.") Way to shake those hips, girls! Heh! These girls don't skip a beat with those catches, do they? By the way, I must note that the life of the party wears red vests, and black pants with white stripes...oh, and I can't forget the masks over the eyes! I feel like I am back in the Big Band era with drum beats with meat. Excellent work, trump ensemble. (Your notes were clear and cool during the "purple" section. Low brass, way to create suspense by hitting notes and backing off. Ha ha! Mellos, you ripped those notes upwards just barely, but surely. Way to fun the fun in what you do, gang! This was a great way to cap off this night's incredible run of performances. My Score: N/A Actual Score: N/A My Placement: N/A Actual Placement: N/A END OF FINALS PERFORMANCES Post-Show Thoughts: It is hard to describe these shows so good, so...IMMEASURABLE. These top 12 bands were amongst the NATION'S creme de la creme...NOT just Texas. I think I have mentioned this before, and I do not mean to beat a dead horse...but it is so true, so true. My Results: 12. 83.50 Cedar Park H.S., TX 11. 83.80 Clear Brook H.S., TX 10. 84.90 Westlake H.S., TX 9. 85.20 Haltom H.S., TX 8. 86.60 Hebron H.S., TX 7. 86.90 Richland H.S., TX 6. 87.00 Winston Churchill H.S., TX 5. 88.70 Westfield H.S., TX 4. 89.80 Ronald Reagan H.S., TX 3. 90.00 Marcus H.S., TX 2. 91.40 The Woodlands H.S., TX 1. 94.70 L.D. Bell H.S., TX Actual Results: 12. 87.70 Westfield H.S., TX 11. 88.25 Clear Brook H.S., TX 10. 88.75 Westlake H.S., TX 9. 89.30 Hebron H.S., TX 8. 89.55 Cedar Park H.S., TX 7. 90.05 Winston Churchill H.S., TX 6. 90.50 Richland H.S., TX 5. 90.80 Haltom H.S., TX 4. 93.70 Ronald Reagan H.S., TX 3. 94.70 Marcus H.S., TX 2. 94.95 The Woodlands H.S., TX 1. 95.80 L.D. Bell H.S., TX Outstanding Music Performance - L.D. Bell H.S., TX & Marcus H.S., TX Outstanding Visual Performance - The Woodlands H.S., TX Outstanding General Effect - Marcus H.S., TX Post-Show Thoughts (Continued): As tradition hold, the announcement of today's Class Champions were mentioned first. L.D. Bell got their medals for being the Champions of Class AAA, Hidalgo got their medals for the Champions of Class A, and Loveland got their medals for being the Champions of Class AA. And then came the caption awards, heh heh! If you don't already know this now, the captions were split like someone trying to split an atom. Marcus tied with L.D. Bell for music, The Woodlands took Visual, and Marcus took General Effect. "Oh my!" I said to myself. "Could Marcus WIN it? No...they couldn't. Could they?" I was so floored by L.D. Bell's performance that I thought them untouchable...and I still do! "Marcus is going to WIN IT!" yelled Daniel Sanchez. This was especially noteworthy since the Marcus band is one of the favorites to win the Texas State Championships (UIL). Hold on there, buddy, heh heh heh! It ain't over 'til it's over...and strange things have happened in Bands of America contests before. Westfield getting 12th place was quite a shocker...oh how the mighty have fallen, these 2003 Bands of America Grand National Champions! (And Westfield was friggin' GREAT, man! GREAT!) Clear Brook 11th, Westlake 10th, Hebron 9th, Cedar Park 8th, Winston Churchill 7th (wow), Richland 6th, Haltom 5th (WOW! Good for these guys!), and then...the top four. What is quite amazing is that I predicted the top four CORRECTLY. For those of you who know me, I do my best to score and rank the bands (in terms of G.E., which is the greatest factor in BOA shows)...and I many times falter. Not this time. In fact, after Reagan's show, I looked at Danpod and held up four fingers. "Really?" said Danpod, somewhat shocked. I nodded. Reagan had a WONDERFUL show here...but after seeing an incomparable The Woodlands performance, and perfection as perfected as perfection could be WITH MARCUS, and what I thought could be the NEW greatest high school marching band/show of all time with L.D. Bell...to me it was nearly no secret. I am so, so glad the top 4 bands ended up where they ended up. This is one of the few times I felt that this was meant to be. It would be a sheer pleasure to see L.D. Bell, The Woodlands, AND Marcus make the trip to the Bands of America Grand National Championships...but two out of three is GREAT. Oh, and do not count out Winston Churchill or James Bowie JUST YET! I have a feeling that most of the Texas bands are gonna take big names when they head up north. Ladies and gentlemen, LLLLLLLET'S GET READY TO RUMBLLLLLLLE!!! Next up: The 2005 Bands of America Grand National Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana! ***THE END*** Alan Irons Fountain Valley High School Marching Band 1993-1996 Pacific Crest of Diamond Bar 1997 Nashua Spartans 1998-1999 UCSB Class of 2002

Mid-Show Thoughts (Continued): When the top 12 bands, regardless of class, were announced as this evening's finalist bands, we frantically wrote down and analyzed names. This is what I heard: "Wait. Who's missing? Oh my god! Bowie didn't make it! Bowie didn't make it! Bowie didn't make it!" I shot a look at the kids from Bowie who sat with blank looks...they were shocked. You could not help but feel really, really bad for these guys. I mean, you have James Bowie--a band that had perhaps one of their best years ever last year, coming in 2nd Place at this very same regional LAST YEAR, and hoping to make a run at making finals at the Bands of America Grand National Championships THIS YEAR...and they get shut out. This has to have been one of the most devastating things I have seen at a show like this. NEVERTHELESS, to Bowie kids who may be reading this, I say: "Don't give up. No matter what say each judge or how bad you think you did...don't give up." I would love to see this band who many think may be "down and out" take a bunch of big names at nats. I had Bowie in 8th, and I know for a fact that I was not the ONLY one who had them in the top 12. Keep this in mind, Bowie. Keep this in mind. And now, the rest... 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 UP NEXT: FINALS***

Note to the TXBANDS Dot Com Gang...please feel free to post this your "Features" section. I am only posting this here right now because I am leaving for Indy tomorrow, and I don't want this stuff to get "left behind." Thanks! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2006 Bands of America Super Regional Championships presented by Yamaha Alamodome San Antonio, TX November 3-4, 2006 "BEEP!" That was the sound I heard when I turned on my cell phone at the airport in San Antonio, TX. "Danpod," I said. I did not have to listen to my voicemail to know it was HE who called...so I flipped open my phone and dialed the guy up. To my surprise, Danpod was here, waiting for me. The maestro of Texas band madness got to take most of the day off from work today, and because I informed him of when my flight would get in he came here to pick me up. "You didn't get a rental car, did you?" he asked. "No, not yet." I answered. "Good," he said. "You won't need one." And so with that he whisked me off to where I would stay for a short three days, and then we did lunch...or dinner...or something like that. (It was 3 o'clock in the afternoon for cryin' out loud, which was about lunchtime my time and "who knows what time?" Danpod time...but all we knew was that we were hungry, and even though my flight screwed up my eating habits as flights usually do, I was all good for chowing down.) "Chicken fried steak, chicken fried steak, chicken fried steak..." Danny boy sounded like he was having a seizure! We stopped at this restaurant that served Mexican food, American food, and food I was just not plain familiar with. "Chicken fried steak." Okay, okay! Somebody get this man a chicken fried steak! Oh, and get me one, too. After munching on tortilla chips that were served endlessly, tortillas you could douse in butter or a sauce they call "queso" (which was essentially cheddar cheese with jalapenos, tomatoes, onions, and spices), I could feel my heart murmur. "Man, this stuff is RICH!" I cried. Danpod gave me a devilish grin, which seemed to tell me that I ain't seen nothin' yet. Heh heh! When the main course came I gasped. You could almost see my mouth mouth the words, "Oooooh nooooo," in slow motion, like we were in some movie, with me the victim. On my plate were french fries, green beans, and a steak that looked like a giant piece of fried chicked smothered in gravy. "Dig in!" yelled Danpod, and did in I did...that is, until I heard a noise that sounded like somebody squeezing an empty bottle of mayo at some hole-in-the-wall deli. "What was that?" I asked. "What was what?" Danpod replied. Now it sounded like someone trying to force that last bit of white stuff out. As soon as I found out that is was my stomach making those lovely noises, I asked Danpod where the restrooms were, and ran, not walked! Heh heh! Well actually, I exaggerate, I exaggerate. The food was quite good. I think it was a combination of a McDonald's Egg McMuffin, and a Slim Jim Deli Stick and Cheese Stick (Which came in a package together) that did this to me. (I never eat like this, except when I am traveling and have few choices.) Ah well. Dan paid for the food, which was nice of him (thanks again, Dan!), and before you know it we were off again! We hung out at one of the malls, saw **** Number 2 (which was my second time seeing it...HILARIOUS, mind-numbing entertainment!), and talked life, the universe, and...yeah, band. In fact, while we were at the mall, Dan and I talked band like a couple generals discussing tactics. He and I discussed warm-up routines before BOA events (i.e. how to conquer the "limited" warm-up time/zone BOA sets for bands), as well as new trends in the marching arts. As he and I walked into an Apple product store he mentioned to me how one of the new trends for Texas bands is using an Apple iPod during performance for pre-recorded music, sound effects, and narration (to cut the risk of sampling errors on older machines). I tell you, these trips I take to see bands are definitely LEARNING experiences...and a lot of fun at that, too! The next day, Dan drove me to the Alamodome, where I met more his www.txbands.com crew, including Michael Bui, Daniel Sanchez, and Eric Salas. The Alamodome was the same great Alamodome...home to one of the most thrilling high school band shows in the nation. And now, my thoughts... PRELIMINARY PERFORMANCES (Day 1) William H. Taft High School San Antonio, TX Repertoire: (Not Listed) Comments: Ultra-modern tiki props could be found on both 20-yard lines and in the rear of the field--one on each 45. The guard wore dark, earth-tone, almost camouflage costumes. A horizontal banana-shaped form was set up by the wind players, with an arc behind them. The first notes of this group were full, but not that full "to the brim." Great spin move in motion which locks in block form which promptly dissolves. Ah! Sweet mini-running-man move. The ballad had soloists up from behind the tiki masks--a trumpet and a mello--adding some ambience. The marching technique was consistent, though the drill did not take them to the heavens. Hmmm, I kinda sorta take that back, now, since I am now seeing some crazy jazz running within a spiral form. Man, they really move in the closer. This group was full of atmosphere, with chirping bird sound effects, an elaborate kite prop that was airborne quite high, and continuous music via a synthesizer as the band made their way off the field. I was not blown away by this group, but they had solid music, solid marching, and they got their point across rather well. Excellent work! My Score: 69.90 My Placement: 26th John B. Alexander High School Laredo, TX Repertoire: "Appleseed: Humanities Last Chance at Survival" including the music of Titsuya Takahashi including "Mvt. I Appleseed," "Mvt. II Crossfire," "Mvt. III Kikan" and "Mvt. IV Password" Comments: PVC pipes formed cube "outline" props, with guard dressed in classy blue lying on their backs within. In fact, all marching members were lying on the ground like this, their arms outspread. Stomachs came thrusting upwards, and then the members rise. I love the eerie futuristic setting, with narration that had a slight reverb for every word. Ugh, some of the music sounded unsure, and crackly. Things get better with a punchy trombone section. The visuals were great, unique, and together...but they could have been much, much cleaner. Yeah, they grasped their concepts, but did not carry. Purple ribbons are stretched about on side A, when a musical impact is thrown out but does not seem to go far. Auxiliary, some rifle moves line up, and some do not. Hmmm, interesting: purple cloths drop to the rear of the cubes, and ribbons of purple hung from the instruments of the woodwinds, and ribbons of yellow hung from the instruments of the brass. Wow, this was a fascinating show. There were many times I got submerged in what they were up to. One word, though: sloppy. If they clean this up they can take more names than usual. My Score: 71.00 My Placement: 24th Robstown High School Robstown, TX Repertoire: "X" by Key Poulan Comments: The wind players were splitting the 35 and 40 yard lines on both sides of the field, and faced each other. Ah, how appropriate: the middle of the lines cave towards the 50, creating an "X" form. Okay, technique from most was in synch. Okay, trumpets, stay lined up with each other. The drum major seems like he is working way too hard. I like the snare solos in the ballad, but would they not be more effective at a piano or pianissimo? I mean, if you cut your numbers you cut your volume, so go with the flow (you know?) There are lots of shako/plume manipulations in this show, which give some added visual color. The end of their show had lots of notes and lots of steps, but not much more than that. I was not "feeling" it. The last notes of their show were out-of-place loud, it seemed. Okay, this show was coordinated well. There were some goofs here and there, with some botched step-offs, and some phasing in the feet...but for the most part, these kids stayed on target. I was impressed by their POISE. Not a bad show by any means! Good work! My Score: 65.90 My Placement: 33rd Vista Ridge High School Cedar Park, TX Repertoire: Featuring the music of John Rutter including "Gloria" and "Open Thou Mine Eyes" Comments: A gold "V" was on the corner of their black-and-red chests. Their warm-up, in a crisp block form, consisted of lush legato and crisp staccato notes. A scatter form became more organized when this group was being announced, with wind players pairing up. The woodwinds start a build that ends with increased volume...but then this power statement seems to go nowhere when the sound ends so...abruptly. The second movement is more peppy, more zany. Argh! The body movement at the end of that movement was shoddy. I see a lot of non-movement in the ballad, but caught a glimpse of a nice sabre catch by one of the auxiliary. The guard gal playing with the trumpet soloist was a fine touch. Okay, the drum parts were pretty standard. Hmmm, shortly after, the sounds that bounced off the back stands were beautiful. The end form just did not move, and though the music was "there," I could not get as involved as I would like to have been. They would do well to not be as stiff. Very fine job from all in terms of music, to sum things up...but all else, here--standard. Keep working hard, and loosen up! Relaaaaax! My Score: 69.30 My Placement: 27th East Central High School San Antonio, TX Repertoire: "Visions" by Jair Klarfield including "Light," "Shape" and "Texture" Comments: White-and-black was divided by a slight curve with buttons on the the uniform top. The "dhutting" by the drumline was quite distracting, and the initial step-off for their show was off. Low brass, yeah, give me more of that. Sock it to me! Direction change, alto sax...get it straight. These kids had their show down, but they seemed to be running through the motions. I enjoyed the rainmaker sound in conjunction with the flute solo. The alto saxophone solo was fine to start off, but then seemed to get drowned in sound by "the rest." (Turn up the volume on that mic, or invest in a better sound system.) Auxiliary, you do a decent job getting those flags around...now just work on marching each other. Okay, good: that last form locked really, really well. I was a little disappointed with the quality of sound they presented, but they were ready/steady, and did their best to push out what they had, especially in terms of their "add" moves. Keep focusing, and work, work, work blend and balance. Thanks! My Score: 63.20 My Placement: 37th James Madison High School San Antonio, TX Repertoire: "Chronometry" featuring music by Key Poulan including "Mvt. I Grandfather Clock," "Mvt. II Hourglass" and "Mvt. III Stopwatch" Comments: On the rear side A 20 was a pendulum of a half-built grandfather clock prop which swayed back and forth. The trumpet section was having trouble with some music. The bell tones were not bad, but the sustained air flow tapered off at times. Uh-oh! A flashy body move did not suffice, sad to write. I could hear individuals take huge breaths. Sustain, sustain, sustain. The last leg of the first part was not bad. "Dhut, dhut, dhut dhut dhut dhut." "Dhutting" just tells me that this band needs training wheels for timing issues...that's all. Wow, a collision of the musical sort! (Good thing they pull out of that, quick.) The lunge while facing the back stands was almost perfect, and the spacing--decent. Nice hip snap (direction change) trumpet player. The last part of their show was typical heavy volume front-and-center in-your-faces sort of stuff. They did not set themselves apart from other units, really. There was a lot of force, effortful force in their sounds. Visually, there were plenty of glitches...but I would say they "survived." They made the most of what power they had. My Score: 63.90 My Placement: 36th W. Charles Akins High School Austin, TX Repertoire: "The Pines of Rome" featuring music by Ottorino Respighi Comments: Four circular pod forms were filled with wind players, with auxiliary at the core. One of these pods had the wind players lying on their stomachs, the guard crouched down. I loved the clarinet, soprano sax, bass clarinet, and bassoon sounds atop a high platform. Whoa! Big sounds, here, big sounds! Mellos, ha ha ha! That was bright, very bright. Not bad. Oh, two bass clarinets want to play, too. Well done. I like what I am hearing and seeing in terms of interplay. The criss-cross block move was incredibly clean, yet incredibly trite. Please, please, please challenge me. Wow, I was floored by the presence--the all-around presence--of the trombones and tubas. Great chirping bird synth effects with flautist work. (Chirping birds with Respighi music is becoming more and more commonplace, no?) I see mesmerizingly clean spacing...way to work the intervals! These kids were on the mark all the time. They made Respighi sound good, which is tough to do! This show was a prime example of what a Division I rating band should sound like. They could have been a tad bit more fulfilling, however, in terms of aesthetic involvement. Nevertheless, they sold what they had very well. My Score: 79.00 My Placement: 16th South San Antonio High School San Antonio, TX Repertoire: Selections from "King Kong" including "Mvt. I King Kong Opener," "Mvt. II Beautiful" and "Mvt. III King Kong Finale" Comments: Four backdrops that were designed like walls made of stone were on the rear sideline of the field. Three small clarinet clusters were located near the front of the field, and four circle forms were made with the rest of the marchers. I like how the flute sound cut through the rest. The one-by-one horn flash move (which consisted of instruments held in a horizontal way) was gold. Whoa! They went so loud they went raspy, there. Ha ha! Great way to end the first part of their show, with a "Ha!" and then an "Ooga booga!" A giant prop of a hand is revealed, with a guard gal who danced atop it. (The hand must represent the hand of King Kong.) Mellophone soloist, you nailed most of your music...that crack had me reeling, though. I see a lot of flat feet out there. The percussion show was full of flams, but as I glance at the whole field I am seeing a lot of swell dance moves. Hmmm, this show seemed unusually short. They had a clear concept, and now they just need to present. My Score: 62.00 My Placement: 41st Seven Lakes High School Katy, TX Repertoire: "It's All About Time" featuring music by Key Poulan including "Chronometry" Comments: Five cloth obelisk props curved outwards near the front 50 to the mid right 30. Two diagonals of wind players were not really straight, and the show has not even started yet! Come on, now. The trumpet snap upwards was brisk, and the orange fabric surrounding them staged them well. Some of the form issues dealt more with lines not being straight, and intervals, intervals, intervals. Ooh! There is a trumpet stick-out there...and a few more. Is everyone not on this team, now? Everyone, everyone, everyone needs to play! I do like the leaping step sizes to hit the last form at the end of the first part. The auxiliary operate different-colored, shiny fabrics really well, really focused on the pair work. Please trumpets, work on playing and moving, because you sound hideously awkward. Woodwinds, that was a swift, clear feature near the finish. And the finish? Well, it was rushed (like the rest of their show seemed to feel like). The rhombus form ar the end lacked clarity. The music was inadequately blended. There was, however, lots and lots of effort put forth with show design, and I could clearly see the intent. This was a tough, tough show, and the kids should be commended for attempting it. My Score: 64.00 My Placement: 35th Del Valle High School El Paso, TX Repertoire: "Romeo and Juliet" including "Gymnopedies No. 1" by Erick Satie, "Romeo and Juliet" by Sergei Prokofiev and "Romeo and Juliet" by Peter Tchaikovsky Comments: The instruments were grounded, which included concert french horns. Varying poses were struck, such as arms extended, arms above heard, and hands on hips. Some marching members wore white pants, while others wore navy blue pants (to match their tops). The first hit of their show was sufficient. Auxiliary, you were fairly consistent with those rifles. Each time I saw a rifle dropped, though, I cringed. Okay, thus far they have a clear set-up, the music drives, the motion provokes interest. The woodwinds make their parts count in and out of pose, and the rest of the band contributes heartily, too. Watch the wah-wahs, high brass. Percussion feature featured, though some of the notes were out of alignment. I am hearing some sharp--that is, sharp "in a good way," not an "out of tune way"--double-tonguing. Nice! The jazz runs once and again DELIGHT, and really make the most of the contrast between the white and blue pants. The tender ending, with guard "hooking up" the arms and legs on the ground, was pretty sincere. My Score: 68.70 My Placement: 30th Coronado High School El Paso, TX Repertoire: "Road Trip" including "Candide," "Hunting Wabbits," "Sonoran Desert Holiday" and "Rocky Point Holiday" Comments: Four giant highway signs with exit numbers were seen. In what looked like prom gowns, the guard wore flowing green. I like the "body sculpting" in some of the pod forms out there. Intensity built and built, until...excellent. With legs apart, this group blasted. The car horn sound effects were cute. The difficult, difficult music of Candide was pretty stable. Wow, this whole show was pretty stable. The simple-yet-effective visuals seemed to propel them. The seated duet in flashy yellow-and-black car seats (by trumpets) gripped me. And how about that trumpet note exteeeeended? (Was that great, or what?) An "S" form slinks through a company front, and satisfies. The only complaint I have, really, is that much of the music has breathing spaces so noticeable, so lackluster. The whole of their show is not bad, though. They put out the sound, and tacked on lots of glitz. (I like that.) Their product kept clicking, and clicking. My Score: 70.00 My Placement: 25th United High School Laredo, TX Repertoire: "Attraction" featuring the music of "Scheherazade" including "Mvt. I," "Mvt. II" and "Mvt. III" Comments: With bright orange tops and black pants, this group used a lot of pods to portray their start. A few guard folks seemed asleep, and woke not at the sound of the foreboding low brass...but the sweet and succulent sounds of a flute solo. Okay, that forward chest-swiping move does not look the greatest, even though you performed it legit. Make sure that lunge looks exact, all. I was quite pleased with how this band sounded. The end of their first tune, especially, had some bite. In the second movement, the clarinets seemed on top of each other at times. Solo here, solo there...all systems were "go." Very, very nice. Again, I am looking for consistency left to right when I see moves like ripples and lunges. Ooh! These kids double-tongued like wizards. Eh! The motionless woodwind block while their pals joined them looked smarmy. The last thing they did was bend their legs and rip their horns up to the box with their own special style. Okay, this show was quite involving, and at times quite smudged. My Score: 68.00 My Placement: 32nd Winston Churchill High School San Antonio, TX Repertoire: "Deception of Perception" featuring the music of Vincent Persichetti Comments: Two very broard diagonal forms dominated the right side of the field, mimicking a lower cased "y." A sleek right triangle form could be found on side A. A trumpet soloist played next to a guard soloist who danced with his shako, then danced with him. Wow! Extreme balance was displayed when the soloist twirled her sabre in an awkward body position. Oh, how I love how the concert french horn ensemble atop platforms strip out of their uniforms, and yes, BECOME auxiliary. This is great! The band goes nuts, visually, and then shine their own spotlight on a flute soloist by staring her down. (Great staging, here.) A male sabre solo goes awry, but the guts stood out. The transition between movements was a little lengthy...but here is a dull point. Less or no "dhuts" would suit them better, I think. Geez oh geez, was this guard hot or what? All I saw were catches, some more stylized than others...and that two-handed rifle twirling--absolutely incredible! The end of their show was short and sweet. I was going to write that it was "too abrupt," but I like that they did their own thing...they were not like every other band. Wow, again, that GUARD! These kids were smokin'! My Score: 85.60 My Placement: 6th Smithson Valley High School Spring Branch, TX Repertoire: "What Dreams are Made of..." including "I. Symbols," "II. Sensations" and "III. Pathways" Comments: Eight block forms hugged the outer regions of the field--four on each side. In the middle of the field, dressed in brilliant blue, was the guard, in an "X" form, with a gal at the center of it all. I was pleased by the sound of this large group, but why the statue look? Let us break out of the mold, shall we? Move, halt, move, halt. I see where this is going. Excellent staging of the mellophone and saxophone soloists, letting the guard soloist highlight them by dancing around them. Uh-oh. (Some problem with the sax soloist's mic.) The second part of their show was so, so tame. Horn flashes to help kick off the third movement? Is that all? The heart-pounding trombones made the seats in the stands shake. The percussion feature seemed to meet the challenge. Their show ended with pride. Unfortunately, they did not push it in terms of how they interest or how they innovate. They made a move, but was it bold enough? Hmmm, not really. I applaud the effort, though. My Score: 65.50 My Placement: 34th Loveland High School Loveland, CO Repertoire: "Shadows of Remembrance" featuring sections from "Medal of Honor" by Michael Giacchino and Christopher Lennertz Comments: Three honor guard members saluted, as one raised the American flag on a flagpole. The wind players formed two circles around this flag, which soon broke and unwound, and then soon another formation flexed. A trumpet solo stirred. I got chills when I heard these kids wail. I love the grey guard uniforms which looked like band uniforms...and they even wore grey shakos with grey plumes. Whew! That was intense, man! Spacing between the saluting auxiliary line was off, and the break of the salute was sketchy. The woodwinds set up tombstones in a long rhombus form on side A, and then go on their merry ways. The guard, now dressed in "looser" outfits of purple and grey, have quite a moment with white fabric that they let drop during a high impact point. The drumline tears it up like madmen. Two rotating blocks attach, creating a long rectangle form which percussion slot into. The circle form at the end paralleled the start form, except it was tighter around the flag. Aaaaah, how appropriate that the players around the flag kneel. This was a sweet, sweet show. My Score: 76.60 My Placement: 19th Klein High School Spring, TX Repertoire: "Perennial Seasons: Breaking the Cycle" Comments: Props of large, single flowers--each differing in color--was on a splitting each major yard line from 15 to 15 on the front sideline. The concoction of sound mixed well, and I could appropriately appreciate individual parts of the whole (like the flutes and the trumpets). Wow, drumline...wow. (I hope those were not ticks I was hearing! Lots of "flah flah flah"!) The trumpets seemed to let go of some of their notes, too. Many forms were crystal clear or gelling. One noticeable form at the start of their show was shaky only because it was symmetrical, and one part was noticeably "off." The pistol hold by the winds to get the next movement rolling was "alike." I like! This ensemble sounds amazing, still. I want less "still" (you know what I mean?). Out of nowhere a yellow baseball-diamond-shaped tarp is pulled out, and guard work is performed on it. Okay, this show definitely has the moments of shine. Again, play more on the move, and I think that will help! Exceptional work, nevertheless. My Score: 75.00 My Placement: 21st PRELIMINARY PERFORMANCES (Day 2) Hendrickson High School Plugerville, TX Repertoire: "Music is" including "I. Music is Meter," "II. Music is Method," "III. Music is Melody" and "IV. Music is Movement" Comments: Old red chairs with metal legs were set up in side-to-side concave and convex arcs. The musicians (except for the synth player, in a tuxedo) wore modern looking uniforms, half white with a splash of half blue for the tops, and blue for the bottoms. "What is music?" asks the narrator, who turns out to be the young man in the tuxedo. Exiting the poses was sloppy for some. The side rim taps of the snares help keep this band tick like a clock in perfect synch. Ha! A cute moment occurs when the winds seem to bowl the narrator over with their sound. Yeah, this narrator is quite energetic, taking himself and his headphone microphone around the field. (Great acting, man!) The introduction of each section is neat, breaking down the varying elements of a music program. I love it! The guard is "almost forgotten" by the narrator, who then introduces them with a gock block. Heh heh! Classic. Superior groundwork by a solo auxiliary member near a different "leveled" flute quartet (who use one of the chairs effectively to assume their poses. Ugh! A vital sabre drop tarnished, as well as a crooked tuba section during a line rotation. The end of their show was as full of energy as their narrator was, which is great to see this early in the morning. (Talk about defying the odds, huh?) This was a show that was genuinely fun. My Score: 78.20 My Placement: 17th Harlingen High School Harlingen, TX Repertoire: "La Nouba" Comments: The diagonals set up on side B were picture perfect. The woodwinds break in and out of poses, and right away I am dunked in their show. The music was twiddled up quick in terms of volume during the 180 move, but man were these kids clean and cool. I enjoyed the "A Night at the Roxbury" style head bop to the side after a funky body swivel. A bari sax player goes skipping to the 50 yard line to do his thing, Stevie Wonder style. The orange pipe arch held up by two trumpet players while the rest of their section plays a festive diddy was cheap, yet effective (in staging). Uh! The ballad was so controlled, and the synthesizer player played a magnificent role here. Careful trumpets, on the move. (Some notes SPLIT!) I took kindly to the dance moves they performed...lots of arm movements...mmm, perhaps too many arm movements. A squat move in silence completes their show. This was a squeaky clean image type of show. I wanted a little more dirt, if just for the sake of standing alone. I have seen numerous "La Nouba" shows with similar programming. Fine job, crew! My Score: 81.00 My Placement: 14th Harlingen South High School Harlingen, TX Repertoire: "A Day in the Life..." including "Fanfare for New Era" by Jack Stamp, "Nightscapes" by Andrew Yozviak and "Push" by Rob Smith Comments: The sunrise or sunset picture divided by five backdrops looked very cartoonish, yet very stylish. A long ringing sound, which sounded like a continuous telephone ring, sounded. A bike rode by that had a paper kid on it. Wow, double-tonguing trumpets. WOW, double-tonguing trumpets! Form control was pretty strong. They got their show started with a big bang. The ballad was pretty simplistic in terms of step size and drill design. I was moved by the baritone soloist, and furthermore by the total band "hit." Ooh! Where did that trumpet stick-out come from, though? Don't be a hero, man! Saxophone lunges were aerodynamic, and the orange rifles that fell into hands fell into hands. Sleek! I was entranced by the cheesy techno sound that had the kids "feeling" the beat with precise dancing. The end of their dance segment gives me an, "Okay, we are definitely at the completion." Smoothen up the transitions some more, please. Okay, this was a solid show! These kids definitely have potential. My Score: 74.30 My Placement: 23rd Seguin High School Seguin, TX Repertoire: "Symphonic Dances" including "Symphonic Dances" by Sergei Rachmaninoff, "Scottish Dances" by Malcolm Arnold and "Wedding Dance" by Jaques Press Comments: The auxiliary wore fiery costumes of red with orange and yellow trim. There was some iffy spacing issues in the back part of the field where the winds players were lined up. This group had a lofty sound, which you sure could not take away from them. Ooh, a missed step-off by at least one person. Tuba section, then trumpet section, then trombone section show off. Hmmm, lots of splinters in the rhombus to length-wise triangle form. I was not fond of the move-halt-play thing, which this band definitely took advantage of. The saxophone soloist, in red, sounded tense. Yuck! I hate it when I see people out of step. How many weeks do we have until the end of the season? Not many, not many. There seemed to be interval issues everywhere I looked. Some rifle experts were more skilled than others. Uh-oh, some kids dropped the ball at the end in terms of tone quality. The last sounds of this band were strong and sure. Not much mesmerizes you, per se. However, they seemed to reach a solid level of musical excellence. Focus on music, but more on marching and effect. You guys get an "A" for effort, though. Good going, good going. My Score: 68.50 My Placement: 31st Marcus High School Flower Mound, TX Repertoire: "The Choral Reef-Voices from Beneath the Sea" including "I. The Seaweed Song," "II. Water Music," "III. The Crustacean Review," "IV. Mother of Pearls" and "V. The Fish Hatchery" Comments: Giant orange coral backdrops covered much of the front sideline. Like pieces of coral, the guard wore all orange with coral "twig" extensions in their hands. Holy cow. How long are they going to keep that single warm-up note extended? (This is a sure sign that they are here to play with the best of them.) So...perfect. The stick claps by the drummers seemed to reflect a trickling water, aquatic environment. Was I in a concert hall, or the Alamodome? (I could not tell the difference!) Man alive were these kids ace musicians or...wow. A few line rotations were off some. Ha ha! The seahorse march "to the rescue" gave me a great vibe! I am seeing some rock solid drill moves, and detail you wouldn't believe. Giant clam shell props are moved forward, opening to reveal guard gals with silver ball props. (Okay, I guess those were meant to be oysters, ha ha! Sorry. My bad.) I like the "squeezed" box drill move with plumes tilting. A rifle was dropped as the drill got a bit more chaotic than usual. This show was like butter, musically. Rich, rich, rich. The arm raise with some sways made them seem like they were underwater, like seaweed. This band pulled a bunch of sweet moves with this show...but it did not seem to get to the innovative stratosphere. There is more than being clean, and more than being interesting, too. Think about it... My Score: 88.30 My Placement: 2nd The Colony High School The Colony, TX Repertoire: "Water Currents" featuring the music of Key Poulan Comments: A curved pin wheel form with lots of legs rippled towards and away from the center mid-way up the 40. The flute soloist did the job, and then some. (VERY nice.) The march forward in a long rectangle form, with some spot switches thrown in, was acceptable. Excellent work, auxiliary. I caught a glimpse of that rifle catch. The vertical lines that zigzag back and forth like a rubber band during the drummer show enticed! Lovely saxophone solo, saxophonist. Quality, quality, quality. Hearing these kids was a true pleasure. They convinced during the ballad, with a note that echoed and echoed and echoed towards the rooftop. Outstanding flute and clarinet blind pass-through in the next section, and a clarinet feature that had me tapping my foot to their beat, which was Middle-Eastern-style. They engaged in a dance, which was too brief and did not exhibit the human anatomy enough. My goodness, though...for a band this size to put out such a big, quality sound...I was surprised. These kids worked hard, but made it look EASY. (I give them big props for that.) Top job, guys! My Score: 75.80 My Placement: 20th Richland High School North Richland Hills, TX Repertoire: "You Are" including "You Are What Your Thoughts Are," "Hostility," "Peaceful," "Cool," "Spiritual" and "Wild" Comments: A tight block of wind players was located in the front left corner of the field, and they faced the rear. All mics were checked before the show. Six vocalists call out words and sing, as the winds and marching percussion creep their way across the front portion of the field. Aaah yeah! The low brass are dominant, and the rest of the gang builds intensity with no snags at all. Simple music is played up to the max. The human beat box on a platform with a black curtain behind it got one kid on it doing "the robot," and was quite a moment, quite a moment. Instrumental and vocal sound were unified. I could not help but think of some of the abstract stuff Steve Reich has done when I saw this show. (Anyone ever heard, "Three Tales"?) Clarinets, fix those horn angles at the start of the last movement. A block form gets developed from intricate patterns, and then dissolves and re-forms in the same way. This was a pretty artsy and smart show. I could do without some of the edge from the low brass (and other sections). Nevertheless, wow...this was a shimmering sensation. My Score: 85.00 My Placement: 7th Bel Air High School El Paso, TX Repertoire: "Prophecy of the Earth" by David Gillingham Comments: Numerous large, black backdrops dotted the outer rims of the field. The pit was shadowed by a series of these backdrops. There was a gaping hole in the baritone section. Their sound was big, but raspy. Clear it up, folks! A charming soprano saxophonist pops up from behind one of the pit backdrops. The trumpet section takes part in some sinister music, flipping one of their legs, and then the mellos follow suit. Fine work, all. Concert french horns play a sweet melody into a set of microphones, but I can not hear them! Argh! The INTENT was there, at least. This group presented a thick ensemble sound, here. The bicycle style marching technique was utilized well. Okay, okay...impressive line rotations, guys. The move where a horizontal line of winds is "filled in" is basic, yet proper. The flute soloist in the middle portion of the field rocked, and I dug how she got involved with the guard in that body focus form. This show was a bit scrappy for my taste...but the concept shined through enough. My Score: 69.00 My Placement: 28th Clear Brook High School Friendswood, TX Repertoire: "Rite of Spring" by Igor Stravinsky Comments: Dark red pillars on yellow platforms helped align some of the wind players. The dancing by a male guard soloist is choreographed very well. Now THAT is what I call groundwork, woodwind players on side A. They are lying face down, do a stretch upwards move with the upper body, do some push-ups, and then flex on their side. A mello player needs to attach better to the sax line some time before the big rhombus-collapse. Okay, not bad, not bad at all...their sound is glorious. One of the drum majors sings on a yellow platform with dramatic arm maneuvers. Thud thud thud! (Ha ha! You have to love that big Taiko drum.) Okay, ladies and gentlemen, let's ditch some of those curvy forms for something more TOUGH. Yeah, that blind pass-through was neat. The end of their show resembled chaotic themes, but this group was not quite "Chaotic" enough, visually. Other than the petering out of the visual at the ending, this show had some spunk. They were a Division I band, for sure. My Score: 77.00 My Placement: 18th Westfield High School Houston, TX Repertoire: "The Heart of Solitude" including "Piano Concerto #2" by Sergei Rachmaninoff and "Piano Concerto #1" by Keith Emerson Comments: Scattered around the field on one knee were the marching winds and percussion. A piano player playing an actual piano upon a platform on the 40-yard line was enchanting. Here, the winds were more a background to this magnificent soloist. However, the others soon come into their own. I loved the complicated woodwind totality, fresh with snare brushing...and then a snazzy woodwind ensemble tears it up right in front of the pianist "in charge." Whoa! The sound from all melted me. It seemed perfectly blended and balanced HUGE. There it is, folks! Ha ha! And the lunge with domineering confidence (right in front of the judge, of course) must have startled. In a large rectangle form, the wind players do a shako tilt with their heads, a body reach to the side in domino fashion, and then with uniform-color-coordination-effectiveness, triangles within the formation could was created with some rotating and some remaining. Their show was frantic at the end, musically more than visually...but they showed some tenacity. They were a marvel. The piano soloist was a marvel. Spectacular work, gang! My Score: 86.00 My Placement: 5th Creekview High School Carrollton, TX Repertoire: "Divine Inversion" featuring the music of Verdi and Madonna Comments: A rigid crown form of winds stood silent as the synth carried some heavenly sounds to the roof! Yikes! These kids leaped to their spots in no time, shocking and aweing. The behind-the-back rifle twirl was magical by one guard gal, and then a set of guard gals prop themselves up on some of the trumpet players. This show had some fancy moves thrown in, along with some good ol' fast paced music and marching. Wow! I like how the quick steps immediately slowed, exercising control of control. The ballad was full of silky sounds. Ha haaaaa! The "Madonna" moment, where the whole group goes crazy on the "Material Girl" stuff, with the auxiliary screaming like cheer girls, is stunning. The sound is gruff, and somewhat choppy...but it gets the job done. This show had a sharp entertainment edge. They could pump it up a bit in terms of uniqueness, but doing Madonna was sure a curveball, heh! Way to work it, all! My Score: 81.90 My Placement: 13th Whitesboro High School Whitesboro, TX Repertoire: "In the Beginning" featuring the music of Key Poulan including "Mvt. I Let There Be Light," "Mvt. II Moon Dance" and "Mvt. III Sun Dance" Comments: A wind sound effect is made with the keyboard, the pod of wind players out there swaying like reeds. Fine flag toss at the climax of sound and drill. Trumpets and trombones, you guys hit your notes with a delicate touch. Woah there, folks...some of you were thrown off balance with that forwards-to-backwards direction change. Eh? The drill did not do much for me. The vanilla writing of marching moments weakened them. (This just made the sketchy forms, the holes in their forms, and the awkward step-offs THAT much more noticeable. I saw lots of fine posture going on--I will give them that. These kids kept the push pushing. Vary the volume some, please! Okay, that last form had the musical might. This was not a bad show, but they can do so many things to spice it up. If they master the musical and visual well enough, they can broaden their horizons...but I recommend they broaden their horizons sooner than later. Why not take a stab at a totally new direction? My Score: 63.00 My Placement: 38th Cedar Park High School Cedar Park, TX Repertoire: "Symphony No. 10 in E Minor, Op. 93" and "Novorossiysk Chimes (Fire of Eternal Glory)" by Dmitri Shostakovich Comments: Two shades of green caught my eyes off guard. I saw exact lunges, and red, erect, upside-down flags. A depressing, yet firm low brass sound stuck me from their block form. Yes! This group affirmed their presence with clenching sounds. Intense, brotha, intense! Can you give the whole brass line a pat on the back, please? Hooo! Four block forms folded, creating two block forms. Drill was, yes, on fire! Beautiful, beautiful marching technique from just about all, all right. The woodwind showcase was stellar...and it was all done on the move! The brass sounds soon came back, and were quite INTIMIDATING. (They seemed to almost blow a hole through the dome's rooftop!) A high step move is not on the same page. We have some menacing stuff, here! One trumpet player stuck out like a sore thumb near the end of their show. Okay, some things good, some things bad...but I think mostly good. My Score: 82.50 My Placement: 12th 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: Pre-recorded music by Imogen Heap is blasted. A block of wind players are in "careless" poses, as if just back from a battle. Then, before their name is announced, they assume regimented posture. A sound modulator modulates the voice of one of the DMs. There is lots of abstract stuff going on...and I LOVE IT! "Ready-or-not-here-I-come," is shouted, and then this group is off the rocker. Oh my oh my oh my, color guard. (If there was a glitch, I did not see it.) Whoa! Two rhombus forms seal, and then a string of notes knock me out. The placement of the eerie Heap vocals throughout the show leaves me on the edge of my seat, yet smiling. The "asterisk" body poses by the woodwinds on side A look great, all the while the brass get down with their bad selves. Various musical abilities are shown off as if they are child's plays. Some forms seem a little TOO clumped near the end, but it pays off with an explosion of wind players running away from the center where a guard girl remains, with the word, "Gotcha!" shouted. These kids were a treat to see perform. My Score: 87.50 My Placement: 4th Haltom High School Haltom City, TX Repertoire: "Balance: The Yin and Yang of It" featuring the music of Nigel Westlake and Eric Whitacre Comments: A tight pod of winds on the rear 35 is encircled by winds on both knees who are encircled by sitting guard with one knee folded and one knee up. Middle Eastern sounds are generated, and after drifting melodies emerge, lightning fast tempos fly. And these kids fly like birds, man. Boom! Boom! Boom! All rifles: CAUGHT! These kids had a sweet sound, but I think individuals took them down, unfortunately. Careful there, ha ha! That was a dangerous yet fun drill move where two curvy lines of wind players slink their way through a large moving block form. The percussion slap some notes down with zero tolerance. (The wind players can only bow to this greatness, and do! And then they do a leg-crossing jump which makes them red hot.) Again, there are "the few things" that drag down the whole. I love Haltom's unique take on the oft overplayed "October," which takes the later portion of the tune at a rapid pace. This show was a treasure. My Score: 83.80 My Placement: 10th Hebron High School Carrollton, TX Repertoire: "Music from Every Direction" featuring the music of Stravinsky, Bjork, Beethoven, and Jutras Comments: Large black tarps with orange arrows pointed towards the corners of the stadium. The guard, in clashing outfits, make a stabbing motion towards us. This group takes no time at all to fire on all four cylinders. After a multi-pointing horn flash, woodwinds send off their notes with ease, as the guard toss sabres, open their arms, and then catch them. Just when you think they are putting on the thrusters, they pump it up some more. A trumpet soloist introduces us to a "new world"--that is, the masterstroke from Bjork the Great. I got goose bumps from this introduction of theirs--a prelude to a percussion diddy, and then a simplistic trumpet melody, and then...whoooooa, dude! Dance Revolution??? Too cool. "Up, down, left, right," is shouted. Arrow forms are made with drill. This group takes it to the max with some more video game jump moves, and then the pointing of the index finger towards us to conclude it...whew! Breathtaking, yeah? You bet! My Score: 84.20 My Placement: 9th Westlake High School Austin, TX Repertoire: "The Music of the Americas" including "Mvt. I Panama," "Mvt. II Argentina" and "Mvt. III America" with music selections from "Bochinches" by Reuben Blades, "Vientos y Tangos" by Michael Gandolfi and "Javelin" by Michael Torke Comments: Two orange diamond-shaped tarps cover the field--one bigger than the other. A triangular orange tarp is placed up front, to the right of the pit, where most members are kneeling. What sounds like Indian music is ejected from the speakers and pit toys after a few suspended bass drum crunches. A trombone soloist gives us a fest for the ears, with and without a mute. A downshifting change of pace takes place, and then we have another 'bone show, this time with some audience participation. (The hand claps from their fans and supporters is great!) The touchless salsa moves by pairs of wind players facing each other--awesome! The band seems to connect with outstretched arms perfect. Oops, a trumpet player almost gets tripped up on a halt. Okay, way to recover, pal. This was a clean-cut show with few errors. Coordination rocks, but they lacked the blatant. My Score: 83.00 My Placement: 11th Americas High School El Paso, TX Repertoire: "Medea Neoteric Sketches" Comments: Various curved forms took center stage, while the outer stage had members in some poses. Hmmm, the first part of their show seemed too...mechanical. Their sound was somewhat restrained. Auxiliary, your handling of the rifles was a delight. Auxiliary, auxiliary, auxiliary--great work. This group produces some great music, though I think some folks played their roles as individuals too well! Aaaaah, Adagio. Adagio is so, so tough to pull off...you are greatly exposed and doing justice to it...wow. Now, these kids did not do a bad job at doing Adagio, and I was super impressed with a super duper high toss of a rifle (by an auxiliary soloist) which was GRASPED! There seemed to be some sludge in those low brass instruments. (Clean that out, folks!) Okay, this show had some momentum, but the look and sound was like that of a bad carbon copy. This show was technically not that bad...but could use some more definition. My Score: 68.90 My Placement: 29th James Bowie High School Austin, TX Repertoire: "A Little Night Music" including "Wilder Nights," "Moon Musik" and "Shadow Musik" Comments: Several vertical lines spread fifteen yards apart, with marchers and dancers at one-step intervals, was a razor sharp sight to see. Of course, the forms fold outwards, ha ha! (I did not see that coming...NOT!) Well, I like the variations in the forms. Hmmm, some trombone grit. The trumpet section produced results! Make those lines straight in that mammoth rotating figure. A trumpet soloist makes the most of his solo while a masked gentleman in white dances with a lady in flowing white. Blech! That form which encircles the primary dance soloists could unify more. I see some kids in this band not taking full advantage of the marching style. That compacting form which has the man and woman lifted above all, was classy. I wish the guard had more tools to play with...that they use their bodies to express themselves is dandy, but...I have seen many, many auxiliary units overshadow. Their show goes far, but I'd like to see them take it further. I see they have a "Phantom" theme going at the end. Perhaps they can hone in on that "Phantom" theme and really rip out the heart. My Score: 84.70 My Placement: 8th Waller High School Waller, TX Repertoire: "Happy Holidays" including "Mvt. I Labor Day," "Mvt. II Groundhog Day," "Mvt. III Valentine's Day" and "Mvt. IV Independence Day" Comments: All right, the first several drill moves--not bad. I see one guy really emphasizing technique in marching, but this is not good when everyone else is not in the same frame of mind. I hear a bunch of trumpets in this timid band. Ah, where did that wacky trumpet sound come from? That was kinda cool that is was both hidden and "on the move." What was it that the band was yelling? If you are going to yell something out, be sure it is both loud and clear. Even spaces in drill were few and far between, I must admit (with some regret). Some of the kids did not make it to their spots in time in the last form of the ballad. Excellent horn pop to the box, brass guys! The patriotic tunes were a joy to hear, of course. Uh! Rip my face off in the company front! (That is what company fronts are all about, okay?) These kids seemed to run out of gas early on in their show. The maintained air stream, but they could have shaped it much, much more. Good effort, everyone. Good effort. My Score: 62.50 My Placement: 40th Colleyville Heritage High School Colleyville, TX Repertoire: "Reaching for the Note" featuring the music of Leonard Bernstein Comments: A goal-to-goal straight line of winds stood still, then broke into many pieces. Wowzers! They take that sound to the box with pieces of Bernstein, too. I searched for more finesse in their music, but it was rust, rough, and rushed. In the ballad, several lines of woodwinds remove their shakos and extend their arms with the shakos in hand. The mallets are on target, but seem broken at one of Bernstein's crazy musical sections. Ha ha! That is touching. I love the concept of the auxiliary conducting certain sections of the band with batons, and then getting together to conduct the whole band. (The drum major is still in charge, of course.) The many-ray form to finish off that section was all delight. Eh, there were some rough patches of sound from sections, MOSTLY the brass. (They seem to get too excited and lose control.) This was a great mix and match show, but sometimes consistency comes off, oh, more CONSISTENT. Admirable job, everyone. My Score: 74.90 My Placement: 22nd Judson High School Converse, TX Repertoire: "Once Upon a Time in Graceland..." Comments: I dig that slight but straight diagonal of sousaphones. A quintet of saxophones of varying size ELECTRIFY. Was that an Elvis impersonator I hear? The King lives? Ha ha! The side step leaps were a bit dirty. Auxiliary, you nail that rifle catch on your stage behind the saxes...great work! (Your directors seem to love it, too. I was sitting near them.) When the totality of the field squats, the holes between the knees are far too different. (I do not recommend that visual in the future...but that is just me.) The guard dance with microphone stand props on the tarp, with nightclub style. A caped crusader from the mallets does his human beat box solo, and then the rest of the band gets involved with this, and strike an "Elvis" pose, with fingers outstretched towards the roof. Okay, this was a spiffy show. Ladies and gentlemen, Juson has left the building! (Sorry, I couldn't resist!) My Score: 80.00 My Placement: 15th Hidalgo High School Hidalgo, TX Repertoire: "Incrimination" including "The Incredibles Theme," "Vodoo" from the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and "Glory Days" Comments: Eight bulky backdrops painted like brick walls were streaked along the left to back rear of field. These kids had their notes down, for the most part. The trumpets seemed to either play it too safe or struggle with the upper registers. Auxiliary, those rifle tosses while the wind players were in that block were killer. This group seems to need safe drill to make it through the day. Whoa! Were those bass drums played on their side? Drumline, that was a spark of life! These kids seemed to have a good time, and that COUNTS! The guard, now dressed in sparkling purple, do a neat trick to hid themselves with their purplish silks, and then, "Voila!" (They "appear out of nowhere.") Flute duet, way to trilllll! Ooh! Make sure the last form is the best form. Okay, nooooot bad. My Score: 62.90 My Placement: 39th L.D. Bell High School Hurst, TX Repertoire: "The Remaining" Comments: A disturbing, disturbing melody from the pit gets your heart pounding faster. The show has not yet begun! The guard rush the 50 and act like wild women. A block of wind players rotate a block, and then wreck it my sprinting wildly towards the left. Ooh! The synths go whacked, and then some more sharp, slicing notes are drilled into your mind! These kids are monsters with making you, no, FORCING you, to feel their "wrath." A super sudden collapse to kill the overwhelming onslaught of sound is just breathtaking, and makes you want to bask in what they are all about. A "mountain" of wind players forms with kneeling, and a girl in red is hoisted up in the center (like a volcano spewing lava). Haunting melodies are ejected, a flute leading the pack. Flying flags cut through the stale air, and wow does that wind player skid on the 50, ha ha! Too cool! The momentary halt in those triangle forms was too long, I felt. Move it, move it, move it! Just when you think the show is done and good, some more drill takes place, and then the band is split in two. Wow...this was just...wow... My Score: 93.40 My Placement: 1st Ronald Reagan High School San Antonio, TX Repertoire: "Symphony No. 4" by Gianinni and "Danse Macabre" by Camille Saint-Saens Comments: With hypnotic drill moves pulled off effortlessly, and with guts, this band "warms up." I sat in amazement. What nerve, huh? Ha ha ha! They make no secret about what they're about. The prelude of their show is seamless into the first part. Eh! I wish some of the saxes were not placemats for drill moves. The woodwinds stage some major rifle tosses caught with pride, with two swift horizontal lines. Sabres handled with a magic touch, touched. Dual opposing and mirroring movement occur during a sweet, sweet Regan-esque synth-onic sound, and then we reach a pinnacle of sorts with a sun form containing extra long rays, with a guard girl in the center who catches her sabre on cue. In many woodwind horizontal lines of three, the woodwind at the end travels around the two in direction of drill. At times, the trumpets sound like they are forcing it. Okay, this was a solid show. I am not sure if this is the type of Reagan show you can fall in love with...but it sure was purty! First-rate job, nevertheless, team! My Score: 88.00 My Placement: 3rd END OF PRELIMINARY PERFORMANCES EXHIBITION - University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX Repertoire: (Not Listed) Comments: With some complex drill moves, including some humongous steps, this band went out to the deep end. I like the leg spread squat move, which had sound force-feeding us. The auxiliary was pretty handy with those flying rifles. A trumpet soloist squeals with fervor. As with most great college bands, the trumpet section shines greatly. One by one, a section of marchers is activated, and then we are pulled into their ballad, which enchants. Wow, excellent work on halting and moving in this. I detected no leans in any step-offs. This group knows how to let loose, too. Just look at them take off near the end of their show. Powerhouse, man, powerhouse! My Score: N/A My Placement: N/A Mid-Show Thoughts: I knew there were going to be at least one or two GREAT bands that should make it to the next round...but won't. When prelims was over, I was still in shock over L.D. Bell's AMAZING performance. Could this be the best high school marching band show of all time? Better than Plymouth '99, Lassiter in '98 or '02, and...dare I write it? Spring '93? It could be...it could be. It is not often a show like this comes around and stuns you...and this one stunned me, through and through. The other Texas bands were super. It has been said that the top 12 bands at this regional--perhaps even the top 20-25 bands here--could take down ANY of California's best (and the best bands in most states) ANY day...and I do not doubt that one bit. Now, here is the breakdown of my preliminary results and actual preliminary results: My Division Ratings (Note: Division Ratings Not Announced) William H. Taft H.S., TX - II John B. Alexander H.S., TX - II Robstown H.S., TX - II Vista Ridge H.S., TX - II East Central H.S., TX - II James Madison H.S., TX - II W. Charles Akins H.S., TX - I South San Antonio H.S., TX - II Seven Lakes H.S., TX - II Del Valle H.S., TX - II Coronado H.S., TX - II United H.S., TX - II Winston Churchill H.S., TX - I Smithson Valley H.S., TX - II Loveland H.S., CO - I Klein H.S., TX - I Hendrickson H.S., TX - I Harlingen H.S., TX - I Harlingen South H.S., TX - II Seguin H.S., TX - II Marcus H.S., TX - I The Colony H.S., TX - I Richland H.S., TX - I Bel Air H.S., TX - II Clear Brook H.S., TX - I Westfield H.S., TX - I Creekview H.S., TX - I Whitesboro H.S., TX - II Cedar Park H.S., TX - I The Woodlands H.S., TX - I Haltom H.S., TX - I Hebron H.S., TX - I Westlake H.S., TX - I Americas H.S., TX - I James Bowie H.S., TX - I Waller H.S., TX - II Colleyville Heritage H.S., TX - II Judson H.S., TX - I Hidalgo H.S., TX - II L.D. Bell H.S., TX - I Ronald Reagan H.S., TX - I My Personal Preliminary Scores and Rankings (Note: Actual Preliminary Scores and Rankings Found on BOA Website) 1. 93.40 L.D. Bell H.S., TX 2. 88.30 Marcus H.S., TX 3. 88.00 Ronald Reagan H.S., TX 4. 87.50 The Woodlands H.S., TX 5. 86.00 Westfield H.S., TX 6. 85.60 Winston Churchill H.S., TX 7. 85.00 Richland H.S., TX 8. 84.70 James Bowie H.S., TX 9. 84.20 Hebron H.S., TX 10. 83.80 Haltom H.S., TX 11. 83.00 Westlake H.S., TX 12. 82.50 Cedar Park H.S., TX 13. 81.90 Creekview H.S., TX 14. 81.00 Harlingen H.S., TX 15. 80.00 Judson H.S., TX 16. 79.00 W. Charles Akins H.S., TX 17. 78.20 Hendrickson H.S., TX 18. 77.00 Clear Brook H.S., TX 19. 76.60 Loveland H.S., TX 20. 75.80 The Colony H.S., TX 21. 75.00 Klein H.S., TX 22. 74.90 Colleyville Heritage H.S., TX 23. 74.30 Harlingen South H.S., TX 24. 71.00 John B. Alexander H.S., TX 25. 70.00 Coronado H.S., TX 26. 69.90 William H. Taft H.S., TX 27. 69.30 Vista Ridge H.S., TX 28. 69.00 Bel Air H.S., TX 29. 68.90 Americas H.S., TX 30. 68.70 Del Valle H.S., TX 31. 68.50 Seguin H.S., TX 32. 68.00 United H.S., TX 33. 65.90 Robstown H.S., TX 34. 65.50 Smithson Valley H.S., TX 35. 64.00 Seven Lakes H.S., TX 36. 63.90 James Madison H.S., TX 37. 63.20 East Central H.S., TX 38. 63.00 Whitesboro H.S., TX 39. 62.90 Hidalgo H.S., TX 40. 62.50 Waller H.S., TX 41. 62.00 South San Antonio H.S., TX Class Championships Awards (Actual): Class A 3rd N/A 2nd Whitesboro H.S., TX 1st Hidalgo H.S., TX Class A Highest Achievement Outstanding Music Performance - Hidalgo H.S., TX Outstanding Visual Performance - Hidalgo H.S., TX Outstanding General Effect - Whitesboro H.S., TX Class AA 3rd Waller H.S., TX 2nd Hendrickson H.S., TX 1st Loveland H.S., CO Class AA Highest Achievement Outstanding Music Performance - Loveland H.S., CO Outstanding Visual Performance - Loveland H.S., CO Outstanding General Effect - Hendrickson H.S., TX Class AAA 3rd Ronald Reagan H.S., TX 2nd The Woodlands H.S., TX 1st L.D. Bell H.S., TX Class A Highest Achievement Outstanding Music Performance - Marcus H.S., TX Outstanding Visual Performance - L.D. Bell H.S., TX Outstanding General Effect - The Woodlands H.S., TX My Finalists (In Random Order) Haltom H.S., TX Cedar Park H.S., TX Ronald Reagan H.S., TX Winston Churchill H.S., TX Hebron H.S., TX James Bowie H.S., TX L.D. Bell H.S., TX Westlake H.S., TX Marcus H.S., TX Richland H.S., TX Westfield H.S., TX The Woodlands H.S., TX Actual Finalists (In Random Order) Haltom H.S., TX Ronald Reagan H.S., TX Clear Brook H.S., TX Cedar Park H.S., TX L.D. Bell H.S., TX Winston Churchill H.S., TX Hebron H.S., TX Westlake H.S., TX Westfield H.S., TX The Woodlands H.S., TX Richland H.S., TX Marcus H.S., TX

NOTE: Because some Texas bands are going to be going up against some of these bands at BOA Grand Nats, I thought I should post this here. Enjoy! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2006 Bands of America Regional Championships presented by Yamaha Towson University Towson, Maryland October 22, 2006 by Alan R. Irons with Albert Shimabukuro It was "that time of day" again; time to clear the stands for the top 10 bands. The sun got lower and lower, the sky lit with orange. As I made my way around the "U" of the stadium's edge, I glanced across the field again to see the trees near the band entrance which were all sorts of warm colors. I started up my car to get the warm air flowing. Rather than fight an enormous crowd to get to the hotdog, I had my own little dinner of sweet 'n salty peanut butter granola bars, dates, and a couple of Lindor truffles. I called up my best friend, Albert, who was off work by now. Albert said that he and Charlie were on there way to Towson, and I offered to buy tickets for them prior. When I was given the "yes" to purchase the tickets, I did. The lady who sold me the tickets accidentally gave me three Finals passes instead of two, and when I found this out I was honest by returning the extra. Since Albert and Chucky were still on their way when they opened the gates, I left the tickets at Will Call, and got the save the best seats I could find in the house, which were 4 "yellow chair" rows up and on the 50-yard line. Though the sun was gone, the cold was not as cold. (I think this had to do with the wind dying down.) Right before Finals started, Albert and Charles showed up. Albert had his notebook with him, and he was excited to see the terrific. What you will see now is a somewhat DIFFERENT review. There will be my comments and my scores and actual placements, and there will be Albert's comments and his scores. Hear ye, hear ye! We can now get this show on the road... FINALS PERFORMANCES Croatan High School Newport, NC Repertoire: "The X Factor" including "I. The X Factor," "II. X Marks the Spot," "III. The X Generation," "IV. X=" and "V. The X Factor" Comments: The marching members had baby blue plumes, black shakos, baby blue (blank) tops, and black pants. A giant "X" tarp was rolled out onto the field, the center portion raised. The auxiliary wore a mixture of light blue and bright green spandex costumes. Everyone performing on the field gets close to each other in an overlapping position, and points their arms towards a soprano saxophone soloist. Soon, the wind players are drumming on gock blocks of different pitches. The kids doing the clacking dance and partake in light, jumpy, twist poses with the guard. I enjoyed what I was hearing quite a bit. Some of the spacing throughout some of the formations was partly off. Some of the wind players take a seat in folding chairs provided by the guard, and are surrounded by a nice round circle of the guard (who act as one, accordingly). Some jazz running after a clean pass-through looks good. Clarinets, way to hit your spot and offer some scrumptious music. Yes, guard, yes! Those girls who twirled all caught their rifles not once, but twice. Some of the mid-field pit did not seem to come across to me as singularly as I would have liked. This hot group ended their show as they started it. The hypnotizing soprano saxophonist is amazing. These guys were top notch. Size does not matter here, of course, and this tiny unit was a prime example of quality over quantity. This rocks! My Score: 73.90 Actual Score: 76.65 My Placement: 7th Actual Placement: 6th and... ALBERT wrote: -Light blue w/sea green CG -Lack of parent support, students -Have no pre-warmup set up nor professionalism -Walking into the field, sound check kinda disturbing -Not clean attacks with wood blocks -Marching stability upper body wobbly -Strong skills with uniformity of G.E. -Good sax solo -Transitions from one set-next not crisp -Great band/full sound -Brass line pretty clean -Difficulty of pit is not of the hardest found -C.G. good consistent movement w/each other -Again great balance of sound -Attacks need to be uniformed -25-25 decent field coverage -3rd movement so far is most impressive -Intervals work/marching needs work -Sound was solid from mid 2nd movement to the third movement. Color guard has great overall visual yet difficulty level was not up there. Sound is amazing for the size. Great balance. *GE: 65.00 *Music: 68.00 *Visual: 63.00 James Madison High School Vienna, VA Repertoire: "King Lear" including "Act I, Scene i;" "Act III, Scene i" and "Act V, scene iii" Comments: The front sideline was mostly hidden by a black cloth barrier and the pit. The wind players, in mostly black, with a fake sash of red that widened at the bottom, were in a cross form, with a horizontal line capping the top. Saxophones, then trumpets, then clarinets play a gig, and then more sections follow suit. This group's sound is very bright and firm. Go guard gals! A center line of flags were twirled and tossed and caught. Ugh! There were a few feedback problems with the electronics. I like the spot-switch move within the upside-down Oklahoma form. Great snap to the box at the end of the first movement, as well as the snap downwards. There were very few spacing rips. Baritone soloist, way to nail your thang. Uh-oh! Did a trumpet come in early? (It sounded like it did during the dhut-dhuts.) Trumpets spot switch in their block, and clarinets do a three-man pin wheel in their line. Music reigns supreme with this band and...wow, I am out of words. I just heard some mad double-tonguing from the trumpets. The last notes of their show were a reflection of the first notes. I felt the warmth of the tubas and the electric bass guitar. They blanketed me with those fine, subtle sounds. My Score: 73.00 Actual Score: 73.35 My Placement: 8th Actual Placement: 8th and... ALBERT wrote: -C.G. Jester's colors -Black uniforms w/red sash -Walking in phasing. Back of line brass -Marched in lazy -Good intervals opening set -Great opening visual -Lines/guiding when taking turns -Mid brass/low brass need to be louder -Visuals awesome -Good flag work -Distraction of reverb from speakers -Electric bass is overpowering in opener -Ascending triplet accent needs to be cleaner. Do not "flam" -Woodwind solo amazing sound. Little sharp at times -Great work C.G. -Nice rich pit sound -Trumpet attacks early -Visuals w/horn and body great -C.G. rifle cross toss/pitch -Flute posture weakening in 3rd movement -Towards end visuals and sound was stronger and stronger. Some were leaning and anticipating moves too often. *GE: 69.00 *Music: 68.20 *Visual: 64.00 Wakefield High School Raleigh, NC Repertoire: "I Believe" including "Imagination," "Unicorns," "Dragons," "Ghosts," "Santa," "Mermaids," "Leprechauns" and "Do You?" Comments: Extra large flower props in flowerpots dotted the outer corners of the field. A large prop that appeared to be a book with pages sat on the back 50. On one knee, the winds and percussion faced the center of the cross form they made, which was encircled by auxiliary. The opening notes from this group were not full and firm. Where was that punch? Some of the line rotations worked. Adhere, adhere! A dragon picture appears when a page of the book is flipped. Really, really watch the DM when you hit those notes separated by dead air. Ooh! Ah! That hurt. Come on, you guys! CONCENTRATE. The middle horns sounded skewed after the dragon song. Smooth sax job, sax man (before the "mermaids" section.) The guard is, well...distracting...with their yells. (Sorry, it seems to detract, here. The winds, on the other hand, sound great.) I like the uplifting leprechaun melody, which seems to have a touch of Riverdance, and yes, LUCK. (I think this part of their show is amongst the best. The drill at the end of their show is too fluffy and tame. I can't help but be pleased with the question mark ending that keeps the mind on the ball and keeps you in touch. My Score: 70.10 Actual Score: 76.15 My Placement: 10th Actual Placement: 7th and... ALBERT wrote: -White leotards -Red front/black pants -Flower props with castle rooks -C.G. awesome movement -Soft balance -Marching flutes up front no clean -Sax body posture weak -Uniform attacks from brass -Drum major not clean with show -Nice saber toss. Clean. -Trumpet (indiv.) you're in a band not a solo! -Intervals beginning of Santa -Great clean sound in Santa. -C.G. great visuals -Mermaids great sound -Uniform quad in leprechauns for rifles -Really like this show. Has a great theme. Balance out the sound, the attack. In step of marching. Intervals. Posture feet (ex. Tuba). *GE: 70.00 *Music: 69.00 *Visual: 67.10 McLean High School McLean, VA Repertoire: "Tribute to Malcolm Arnold, The Dance" including "English Dances (set one) Mvts. II, III, and IV" and "Scottish Dances Mvt. II" Comments: Two drum majors, in Scottish garb, warm up a block of winds from the side. The winds had cream tops with a red plaid sash-into-cape, and black pants. In no time we are brushed with bell tones, and then a rather forceful brass section assaults. Ha ha! Who didn't wake up from that? The follow-the-leader snake form was a bit simple, no? Okay, there were some out of line when the big block of players first rotates, but things get better when it goes on. Heh heh! A sluggish, dopey portion of the show has great, nifty sound effects (courtesy of the pit). The kids really act out legit. With tradition on their sleeves their bagpipe man cranks out a quick diddy. Low brass, great work on being the last ones to play on that release (and kudos to the rest of the gang for allowing this to occur. (Argh! A stupid helicopter is overhead. Sorry.) The music of these kids hit the mark big time. Sousaphones, way to come into your own with soli SUCCESS! Okay, this band went in the shallow end. I need more bite; more grit. They were, however, musically "happy." Thanks for keeping the show alive with music! My Score: 71.20 Actual Score: 72.45 My Placement: 9th Actual Placement: 10th and... ALBERT wrote: -Looks like green SCV 90 (DM). Scottish color. -Simple but very effective marching visual -Phenomenal sound (wow) -Opener marching not too complex but very clean -2nd movement intervals work -Great marching visual -C.G. triple not clean -Great marching displayed by bagpipe -Traditional style of Scottish march BRAVO -Drums or lack there of? -In most of the 2nd movement sound is great -Sound/visual with CG nice timing -Tuba soli need fingering lessons (proper technique) -Awesome closer -Best Drum Major of the night -Lack of percussion and difficulty of marching, but made up for with clean show *G.E.: 68.00 *Music: 70.30 *Visual: 70.00 Norwin High School North Huntingdon, PA Repertoire: "Day and Night" Comments: I was hoping the Drum Major would strike the famous one-leg crouch pose with arms folded but alas, it was not to be. Wow, rifle catch! (And right with the cut-off, too.) Again? Geez. This band showed me why they had such a tradition of excellence. I heard some true crescendos in there. Woo-hoo! Thank you, Norwin. The flutes had a sharp feature, and so do the clarinets. At times, it does not seem that the band is following the DM's volume change signals as strictly as they could. Okay, in those arc forms the sound is great, but...what's with the hold-up, there? (show me some fancy body moves!) The auxiliary are clear with those pom-pom style rings. Really bash those cymbals, drum kids. (The rack is there to rack.) The adrenaline rush was there at the end. This band stuck it to us nice and deep. My Score: 76.70 Actual Score: 78.35 My Placement: 6th Actual Placement: 5th and... ALBERT wrote: -Blue navy/UCLA-ish -7? 8 rifle? -Great sound -Mis-aligned row -Great movement -Amazing quick-step march, beautiful sound -Slight interval issues -Great set switch movement -CG clean rifle line -Attack of brass line -Flute pitch -Stick height from snare line, 3rd movement great balance, attacks and release AWESOME! *G.E.: 71.00 *Music: 75.00 *Visual: 73.00 North Penn High School Lansdale, PA Repertoire: "Voices of Genius" including "Mishima" by Philip Glass, "The Canyon" by Philip Glass, "That Next Place" by Thomas Newman and "The Chairmen Dances" by John Adams Comments: Shiny, silver helmets could be seen--these, with blue curled plumes. The auxiliary, with colors consistent to the marchers, were interspersed between the field percussion. A slick backwards/forward move gives this band the look they seek time and time again. I like the brass players with arms spread, spinning within the circle forms. The voiceovers of great men and women in history really enhance this already solid performance. (Who is that who mentions "practice," by the way? Martha Graham?) Some of the horns out there sound a bit cold. (Really listen, people.) A few squeaks escaped from the strong woodwinds. Arm chop moves one way and then another way are done with precision. Is it just me, or did the beginning of "The Chairmen Dances" movement falter somewhat? There was a slight fade, and then they were back on track. (What was that about, hmmm?) The audience is on their feet when the band smacks us with their finals chords. However, it is the BAND that decides when their show is over, and a light piano tune signals the time for them to exit. Ha! These kids left skid marks. Give them another hand! My Score: 78.00 Actual Score: 74.45 My Placement: 4th Actual Placement: 9th and... ALBERT wrote: -Helmet with blue Phantom color -Visual opener amazing -Marching difficulty high -Best opener sound, yet -Great use of the field -Clean 5 rifle -Visually awesome, sound clean -Little need to critique marching some more -Pit work is great -Constant movement -Beautiful release -Tubas--fingering technique and embouchure needs to be tighter for pitch jumps -Leaving field still marching phasing -Pit wow *G.E.: 76.7 *Music: 75.8 *Visual: 74.0 King Philip Regional High School Wrentham, MA Repertoire: "Roman Festivals" by "Ottorino Resphigi" Comments: A slash of sparkling green and gold came across a chest of cream. All below was pure black. The first form of this group was purposely undefined. A platter tap that sped up instantly kicked things into high gear once the platter was thrown out the window. Gorgeous trumpets, gorgeous. My, my did they take you aback with their sound, TOTAL. Great opposing lunges in four diags. They were full on power, but careful enough not to use too much power. Each form locked solid. No mistakes here? Maybe! Just hear the trumpet soloist who played to the rear, and REALLY turned it on. Ah ha ha ha! Percussion slowed and sped their rolls like drum machines, my friend. Aye carumba! Who was this band? These kids came out of nowhere with the whip and raised the bar way high. One of the goofy moments of the evening occurred when a director or instructor of this group stood in the stands and jumped, flapped his arms around, and just was so INTO what the band was doing. (To some, this may have been humorous or even distracting...but I say that here is one of the best "coaches" there is--the one who is just as excited about the show as the performers are.) Way to wail, mellos! Oops, slight cracks, trumps, slight cracks. These kids pushed and pushed and pushed themselves. Besides the faint grinding of the engine near the end, this band flat out ruled. What a WHAT A show. My Score: 83.80 Actual Score: 82.85 My Placement: 2nd Actual Placement: 1st and... ALBERT wrote: -3/4 white green BD style uniform -Dynamics great -Marching clean -Sound of a drum corps -Body visual not clean from lean to lean -Dynamics awesome -CLEAN SOUND!!! -Great solo -Individual rifle solo 8 of 10 -Volume in middle went sharp, horns -Drums 9/10 -Marching amazing -CG Flag vs. Rifle 9/10 -Pit wow -Despite your boy 25 McGuire, AWESOME show. Volume, tone, look and feel was superb. Attack and release awesome. *G.E.: 79.00 *Music: 78.50 *Visual: 79.00 Westminster High School Westminster, MD Repertoire: "Wood, Glass and Metal" including "Kaval Suiri" by Petar Lyondev, "Heroes Symphony" by Philip Glass and "For Whom the Bell Tolls" by Metallica Comments: The guard, in three tones of blue and one tone of black, held wooden poles upright in between the marchers. The first form is an extended "C," with the bottom part tailing. A trio of flutes clash with some interesting sounds. Great work, here! Careful not to lean, tubas. Careful not to splay, mellos. The rifle handlers had their work down, for the most part. (I did see one of them drop, but they got right back in the groove.) Ha ha! One of the contra-style tubas makes it look too easy, with one hand on the knee and sound as full as can be. After a domino move where turn-arounds lead to a solo wood block player, some taps bring this player to a slowing halt, and then the player poses. Nice. Mellos come in with some slightly unsure sounds. Man, it seemed like all the brass players forgot to eat their Wheaties tonight. (What is going on?) Okay, there trumpets, some regained. This was a difficult show. Every time you think they are down, though, they get back up. These kids have guts. My Score: 77.00 Actual Score: 82.20 My Placement: 5th Actual Placement: 3rd and... ALBERT wrote: -Subtle blues with CG -Wood block opener -Trombones watch pitch, not in balance -Impressive blind marching with brass -Cleaner solo, needs to play with more confidence -Window marching/marchers need to be re-thought or re-done -Low difficulty in marching -Sax phasing -Pit awesome -Pitch and sound of closer awesome, but majority of show lacks the power or dynamic of the closer -Not much use of field *G.E.: 67.00 *Music: 72.00 *Marching: 69.50 West Johnston High School Benson, NC Repertoire: "Declaration" featuring the music of Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein and George Gershwin and Inspired by the Declaration of Independence Comments: The first thing you think of when you see these kids is simply, "These kids look sharp." Once the mic is checked, this band is ready to roll...and we have a drum roll of sorts, as a snare drummer with an old style snare drum approaches a banner that reads, "Declaration." A rifle girl is with this drummer, rifle upwards. A narrative gives the "Declaration of Independence" some flesh and blood. The sound this group throws out there is so controlled, so "cherished" (as the narrator indicates). Wow! THERE was a dash of razzle dazzle with that rippling audio AND visual moment. The woodwinds play with our minds as the guard goes off with their rifles. Oh yeah! These kids were good and they knew it. A mellophone soloist massages the solo, but a whiff of "Yikes!" tears it a bit. That vocal soloist was wonderful. The sound system helping the vocal soloist wasn't wonderful, though. Yes! Now that's what I call style, trumpets. This band has all the ingredients. This team shined so much that you could see your reflection! My Score: 83.00 Actual Score: 81.00 My Placement: 3rd Actual Placement: 4th and... ALBERT wrote: -CG Black -Teal/white -Talking on field by band members -I like the 60's/70's drum march in -Best marching posture of the night -Turn around volume impressively clean -Light, beautiful sound -Timing of body/horn flash off (essential for timing) -C.G. rifles great timing -Nice reversal of march -Guiding of lines for visual -Tuba pitch for solo -GE of CG AWESOME -Marching very impressive -The rolling of toes -Musically breaking down -Great individual solos cute -Trumpets 2nds 3rds clean articulation -Awesome marching *G.E.: 75.00 *Music: 74.00 *Marching: 79.50 Kiski Area High School Vandergrift, PA Repertoire: "Viva Las Vegas" Comments: "It's showtime!" yells a fan of theirs. The auxiliary costumes were flashy--they had purple plumes coming out of their head, and flowing orange dresses with neckties. They spell out "Vegas" with their drill and, ha ha, you have to love the sounds of fun and games in the casinos. The trumpets had swagger. These boys and girls took you on a smooth ride to a party, man. "BAM!" The flags hit the turf with the last punch of a note. I am spellbound by the showmanship by a saxophone. (Boy, he can play! He's a PLAYER, yo. Playa, playa, playa!) We must be in a jazz lounge. Hey, a dollar sign form! (Cool.) This group pulls out all the stops. The cutesy roulette move, with the drumline acting as the spinning wheel hinge, was mighty mighty. This band seemed like they were in a class of their own. You have to see them to "get it." Man. My Score: 85.00 Actual Score: 82.25 My Placement: 1st Actual Placement: 2nd and... ALBERT wrote: -CG Dr. Suess. Band black/white. -Bones, great job -Good marching with swing tempo -Crisper work for horn flash -Timing needed for turn-around (GE)) -Great solo (tenor sax) -Trumpet needs to scale back -Balance comes and goes. Not a fat sound. -Good marching transitions/posture -What to say? Great sound and nice look. At times there is a significant drop or lack of rich sound. Great "show." *G.E.: 75.00 *Music: 71.00 *Marching: 78.00 END OF FINALS PERFORMANCES EXHIBITION - Towson University Towson, MD Repertoire: (Not Listed) Comments: Heh heh! You gotta love the announcer's remarks on how Towson University hopes that this year will be a part of a long tradition of rain-free BOA shows at Towson. One, then many trumpets, go fingering nut. Power, and then more power--this unit jams! A super fly super high rifle catch makes the audience gasp and go wild. Some diagonals were not straight in a double-rhombus form, but they ended fine. A trombone soloist is money, and he KNOWS it, ha ha! Check out the guard chick in orange throwing an 8 with her sabre. Now comes the true test: "Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody." Ha ha! The cymbals are having waaay to much fun. Mello, you rock my world. This band has a ball. Aaah, it's so great. Why do I write? I should sit back; take it all in. This is a SHOW. The band rushes the track to take one more swing at us, and oh does it knock us out. My Score: N/A Actual Score: N/A My Placement: N/A Actual Placement: N/A and... ALBERT wrote: (Nothing. He sat back, relaxed, and enjoyed the show. He made the comment that their band was almost on par with RCC, which is a great compliment.) Post-Show Thoughts: Albert was amazed by what he saw tonight. I was, too! The display of pageantry here CAPTURED. To wait for a score and a rank was not a treat...what we just saw here in at this place was a treat. My Results: 10. 70.10 Wakefield H.S., NC 9. 71.20 McLean H.S., VA 8. 73.00 James Madison H.S., VA 7. 73.90 Croatan H.S., NC 6. 76.70 Norwin H.S., PA 5. 77.00 Westminster H.S., MD 4. 78.00 North Penn H.S., PA 3. 83.00 West Johnston H.S., NC 2. 83.80 King Philip Regional H.S., MA 1. 85.00 Kiski Area H.S., PA Actual Results 10. 72.45 McLean H.S., VA 9. 74.45 North Penn H.S., PA 8. 75.35 James Madison H.S., VA 7. 76.15 Wakefield H.S., NC 6. 76.65 Croatan H.S., NC 5. 78.35 Norwin H.S., PA 4. 81.00 West Johnston H.S., NC 3. 82.20 Westminster H.S., MD 2. 82.25 Kiski Area H.S., PA 1. 82.85 King Philip Regional H.S., MA Outstanding Music Performance - King Philip Regional H.S., MA Outstanding Visual Performance - Kiski Area H.S., PA Outstanding General Effect - Westminster H.S., MD Post-Show Thoughts (Continued): What happened to NORTH PENN??? North Penn came in 9th after what seemed like such a success story. Even Albert was shocked to learn that they scored and placed so low. (Did they receive a gnarly penalty, or something?) Whatever the case may be, certainly they fell hard. My results did not exactly parallel the judges' results...but I felt that the way things turned out was just fine (except for North Penn). This was an exciting, exciting show. The suspense was in the air when all three caption awards went to three different schools. "Interesting," I said out loud, more than one time. And sure enough, things got twisted, as the top three bands were within ONE point of each other! When the King Philip Regional High School Marching Band was announced as the champion, I did not think there was a soul around that did not think they deserved it. A fun time was had by all. Me? I was ready to stretch, ready for quiet, and ready for sleep. Hey, wake me up when the next BOA event is here. Next week? What do you mean next week? Oh, oh, oh. Los Angeles. Okay. I'll be there. Will you? Next up: The 2006 Bands of America Regional Championships in Los Angeles, California. Alan Irons Fountain Valley High School Marching Band 1993-1996 Pacific Crest of Diamond Bar 1997 Nashua Spartans 1998-1999 UCSB Class of 2002

NOTE: I know this is not really a "Texas-related" topic...but I felt I should share this with you anyways, because some of these bands will be competing against the Texas bands going to the BOA Grand National Championships (most notably West Johnston). Enjoy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2006 Bands of America Regional Championships presented by Yamaha Towson University Towson, Maryland October 22, 2006 I was in a meditative state. Here I was, high in the sky, all is calm, on a jet plane. My flight was to Washington, D.C. where I would see my best friend, Albert Shimabukuro. Albert and I were in the Fountain Valley High School Marching Band together (Fountain Valley, CA)--he a tuba player and a grade level below me. When I finished high school, we adventured into the realm of drum corps with the Pacific Crest (Diamond Bar, CA). He and I then went our separate ways when I went to New Jersey for school and he stayed in California with other goals. When I came back to California, he and I were still far apart, as I lived in Santa Barbara and he lived in Fountain Valley. He quickly departed confidently this state after becoming disillusioned with LIFE with dad and mom and ex and foes and more. Now, in Washington, D.C., and living with Chuck Swain--another friend of ours who played percussion in the same band we were in--he was steadfast; content. As I sat in my comfy leather seat I stared at the screen ahead. JetBlue Airways reigned supreme. I looked left. I looked right. I looked straight. I was bored. But not quite. As I flipped through channels I was entranced by a program that caught interest--Madonna's Blonde Ambition Tour, which was caught on tape, documentary style, and here on VH1 Classic. Now, let me warn you that I am not a fan of Madonna or her art...but this art; this art SHOCKED. People seem to think that Janet Jackson flashing her breast at Super Bowl (wardrobe malfunction, right?) went too far in taking art to the next "level." But Madonna was far, far ahead of J.J. when it came down to pushing, or rather, blasting envelopes. I came to find out that in 1990, during her "Blonde Ambition Tour," Madonna was threatened to be put under arrest in Toronto for her "Like a Virgin" act which had a simulated **** routine in which two men in cone bras sexually touch her. At the time Madonna said that she would rather not perform the show than alter the content. Interesting. Has all been said and done? I thought this over...and then I took out my iPod to hear the sweet sounds of Boxcutter's "Oneiric," Philip Glass's "Symphony No. 8," and Plaid's "Double Figure." There is more yet to come. When you are stuck on a plane you are, in a way, forced to be CREATIVE. You are with you, you are with you, you are with you, you are with you, you are with you...and I am with I. Then it perhaps is no surprise that I busted out my notebook to write fiction. I had to write about a man in a bunker. Yes, this "man in a bunker" thought, indeed, is STRANGE. However, a co-worker and I somehow reached that idea, and therefore we challenged each other to create a story with topic in focus. We shall see if mine tops his--we have until Thanksgiving weekend, heh heh! Oh the joys of our words. While in the United States capital, I walked for miles and miles to see the White House, the Washington Monument, the World War II Memorial, the Reflecting Pool, the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Memoria1, the Korean War Memorial, the D.C. World War Memorial, and the Capital Building. I have seen all this in textbooks and on television, but when you are there the experience is overwhelming. The Lincoln Memorial, I think, affected mostly here. The words of Lincoln linger--words like "freedom" and "insurgent" which are used to this very day. On the day of the Bands of America Regional Championships, long sections of highways were driven. Towson University was not hard to get to. As always, I was way too early. The sun crept up on Johnny Unitas Stadium. I briefly gazed upon the field. It was carved out of the earth, this cement structure, and had plenty of seating, a pale green field, and banners hung snugly. It was cold out, so I dressed warm. When I got my seat I thought back to my days in Jersey City. "I'm back." PRELIMINARY PERFORMANCES New Milford High School New Milford, CT Repertoire: "Channel One Suite" Comments: With pride, the New Milford High School Marching Band took the field with the wind players in a few horizontal lines to warm up. Their uniform tops were white above a silver sparkly "sash" which divided the above from the green lower portion and black pants. The auxiliary struck various Fosse-like poses, they wearing purple, grey, and black. A tympani roll, plus some rolling wind notes onwards got this story on the forward. There seemed to be several pulse problems, and I so wished for some more speed. This show demands speed. Wow, auxiliary, those twirling sabre tosses to kick off the ballad were fine. Hmmm, slightly shaky trumpet solo, buuut he got the job done. Most of the step sizes for this group were 6-to-5, and a few drill moves were above average. I noticed one sax player miss the direction change. The percussion feature--lackluster. Was there a bass drum player (or two) missing? Ha ha! Yeah, I like that this band lets loose and seems to enjoy themselves during the big, loud times of their show. (They'll get points for that, for sure.) Oh, did you have to end your show in a crissy cross basics block? All right, not a bad show. However, this show was too timid; too cautious. The forms were not the cleanest, either. The big thumbs up goes to the guard, who seemed to have all their chores done. My Score: 52.70 My Placement: 25th West Springfield High School Springfield, VA Repertoire: "Industrial Strength" featuring music by Paul Hindemith, including "Symphony in B flat for Band" and "Symphonic Metamorphosis" Comments: The auxiliary maintained golden cogs. In concave and convex horizontal arcs that do not touch, the wind players were called to attention, and snapped. I was jolted by a low brass smack and a trumpet arc with the players kneeling or standing at different heights (with the tallest in the middle and those around him ascending downwards on both sides). My, my...these kids put out the sound. I was chilled by the warmth of the brass, and the sweet of the woodwinds. Lots of good stuff happened with the drill. I could see those white toes from a mile away. Some spacing was askew. That triangle portion was not spiffy enough, but I liked the rotation in slow-motion running-man style, with the final bout of visual moves rendering horns on the ground and both arms extended forward and clasped somewhat. I like the cream and orange tops of the unis, with the navy blue (or black) pants that had an orange stripe. Great guard moment up front with a ripple move of flags to the ground as a trumpet soloist does his thing within this stage. I really, really like the "final approach" of this group from the backfield forward with funky, thunderous beating drums. Those ending rotations in rhombus and bigger rhombus forms were messy. The end of their show had might. Not too much magic was going on visually, but lots of magic was going on musically. Because this show was not "balanced" in terms of G.E., I was thrown off balance. I must write, though, that there were several specks of excellence, here. My Score: 58.60 My Placement: 18th East Irondequoit School District Rochester, NY Repertoire: "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished," "No One Mourns The Wicked," "The Water Is Wide" and "The Awakening" Comments: Several black backdrops made an arc around the marchers. The marchers were dressed in what appeared to be long black coats, and white pants. Ah ha! After a snappy narration, the wind players get in a right triangle form and play with might, balanced. Lots of punchy notes going on! Trumpets, woodwinds, and low brass have their own special feature, and they pulled it off. The auxiliary broke out of their black jumpsuits to reveal costumes of different colors. ("Colors of the rainbow," or so says the narrator, more or less.) The brass dropping out for a bit so the woodwinds could have some time in the sun was just a LITTLE awkward. Hmmm, we went from "Wicked" to "Copland." Ok-ay. Now the marchers were wearing their traditional white uniforms, complete with helmets and baby blue capes. (They did a costume change.) Hold those rotations steady, everyone. First we have lines that break apart to rotate, most rotating better the second round, and then multiple arcs puff outwards. This show was one to hum, and contained some smooth rhythms. The costume changes were tricky...however, I did not think this greatly enhanced the show. (Routine, routine, routine.) They painted a decent picture, though. My Score: 56.50 My Placement: 22nd James Madison High School Vienna, VA Repertoire: "King Lear" including "Act I, Scene i;" "Act III, Scene i" and "Act V, scene iii" Comments: A vertical line of black and red trailed up the 50-yard line, and a spear of players horizontally cut through this line. The auxiliary wore magenta, orange, black, and red costumes. The edges of the horizontal line busted apart, woodwind notes erupting. Neato! I like how the center line splits into a circular form, and then a band "spread" form is increased in architectural bliss with a simple few steps by some. Woodwinds pin wheeled around each other, and sections of brass followed suit, all marking their territory with lucid, regal sounds. Good. Good snap at the end of the first movement. The woodwinds strike different poses and play luscious stuff, while the brass forms a circle, facing inwards, and ground their horns to bend and flex and pose their way to fame. The formations are so nice at the end of that tune. I feel like I am back at Medieval Times with those ancient-sounding woodwind riffs. Four rifles were dangerous tossed over one another in a four-man horizontal line, and one seems to drop and bounce off a flute player's knees! (Ouch!) Giant, soaring purple flags with yellow fluorescent streaks ripped through a locked geometric form. The end notes paralleled the start notes, and...wow. This was a strong, strong show. My Score: 69.90 My Placement: 10th Powhatan High School Powhatan, VA Repertoire: "Ritmo Vivo" including "Caipora," "El Corazon del Pueblo" and "Isle de Flores" Comments: This smallish band warmed up in a brief way. A slash of white divided the grey and black of their tops, and the black of their tops melded with the black of their bottoms. Two diagonal lines of players had guard folks within. (The auxiliary were even within the straight drumline which attached the duo.) These kids moved around greatly at first, and then took "staccato" steps in reduced motion. Haaa! Good, trumpets and mellos--I love that confidence with your music and then you showing off some more by crossing your legs. One-by-one, the woodwinds and then brass break away from their form in sneaky fashion, slithering away and then rocking to the side and forward with some sneaky music. Hmmm, a little too much standing around, perhaps? Ugh! The third song is mushy. Rifle line, good catch (except for uno). Great showmanship from two trumpets, a mellophone, and a saxophone precede a clunky drum feature. This show was both hit and miss. Their routine was bold, sooo...I polished them up. They went to rags at the end of their show, but they will make up for it in time (I think). Solid effort, y'all. My Score: 55.00 My Placement: 23rd Chantilly High School Chantilly, VA Repertoire: "Sandscapes" including "I. Desert Journey," "II. Village Celebration," "III. Mirage" and "IV. Escape" Comments: A right triangle form of purple and black paralleled an opposite right triangle of tan--these were the musicians and the auxiliary. In the center of the field and facing backfield, separating the two corners of triangles, was a trumpet player. An auxiliary soloist in her flowing, tan dress, faced forward. "That's kinda cool," blurts out the band mom next to me, as the band triangle left corner rushed forward and then morphed with some fancy schmancy moves. The brass stream of sound was pretty firm. Oh my ears! A trumpet trio seemed to get off on the right foot, and then let the squeals REALLY squeal. Pods of marchers break and travel, and the heads snap sideways as other wind players embrace some cutesy moves. The music was groovy. I loved the jumpy dance moves with the arms that extend forward. The winds faced the back stands to let the sound ricochet off the cement block back to us. The company front from out of the blue (still faced back, now front) was not exactly grasped. Use all the counts to get to the 40, piccolos. The toilet flush into the block form was pretty decent, but the lines soon go down the toilet, afterwards. Ooh, now I like how the end of their show sorta reflects what they did at the start, except the auxiliary triangle is where the winds triangle was, and the winds triangle is where the auxiliary triangle was. This show, I am proud to write, was tight. They were good to go. My Score: 62.50 My Placement: 15th Oswego High School Oswego, NY Repertoire: Selections from "Gettysburg" Comments: This ensemble rolled out 8 large, white tent props, and 3 larger ones of the same color. When some of the marchers faced the audience to their left, I saw blue, and when some of the marchers faced the audience to their right, I saw grey. (I think I have seen this concept used somewhere else before. Hmmm.) The auxiliary wore a patriotic (and vibrant) red, white, and blue. A six-piece woodwind ensemble does their thing with grace, then gracefully slides into a block. (Ah! This band did some of the same music West Genesee used in 1995, when West Genesee went to Grand Nationals. Great music!) The block was loud and boisterous, but not much else. Blend, balance, blend. Okay, another block to block off the first tune. Spacing was somewhat clean during the backfield fun. Both a trombone and trumpet player were spread too far, though. Interesting! A call to arms is made when the side tents come closer to the 50, and then they are opened up to reveal racks of flags (like weapons?). Two "sides" pick up the flags and slowly, yet aggressively come towards each other, with some guard "victims" falling to the ground. We then have some flagwork from the wind players that ends with a flag-snap to the ground with the foot, and a proud salute. What fine SHOWMANSHIP! A domino of rifle tosses are done right, except for the second to the last. A worrisome moment came about when the wind carried some of the tents away. Okay, this show got the picture across. There were some rough moments, but they came through. My Score: 60.40 My Placement: 16th Calvert Hall College High School Baltimore, MD Repertoire: "Gotham," including "Intro. Aerial View of Gotham," "I. A Closer Look at Greed and Corruption," "II. Innocence" and "III. Purification of Gotham" Comments: Supreme! I was quite, quite impressed by the composure of these performers. In a scattered formation, facing the rear in their black and red, were the uniformed ones. Those in costume wore classy vests, with shirts and ties. A teasing 360-degree turn, along with some pit gusto, moved this marvel right along. Some sketchy trumpets sounds ensue. Snare drums, that was right on the money. Great work! Trumpets, do not drop any more gasoline into this perfect glass of wine. Okay, the melody is a LITTLE more secure, guys. The brass mesh into the arc was not bad, except for some stragglers who were moving during the still. The folding triangle form that retreated--a treat. Are those crutches I see twirled? (Interesting, those grey handle pipe props). I hear a lot of bounce in the sound...clean it up with some better technique, all. Auxiliary, way to grip that flag toss preceding the move to the triangle form. This group mixed up the sight and sound with passion, but were a bit on the flub side of things. They should scrub the living daylights of the parts that require music and motion combined. Basics block warm-up exercises on the move, anyone? Keep up the good work. My Score: 57.30 My Placement: 19th West Allegheny High School Imperial, PA Repertoire: "Black, White, and Red All Over" Comments: Red, White, and black cloth cubes made a stage around the ensemble. I like how the pod of wind players moves as one when they are supposed to, and branch out at other times. Keep the initial line rotations straight, now. (No curves allowed.) The flute solo, amplified, was so pure. Though I was fond of the first tune this band played, I felt some more power was needed. They did not have the strength in numbers, of course, but I could hear some really, really nice stuff from the few. You! Flute! Brave! She had the marvelous sound AND the moves, all right. Yes, another arc to the max, this time the ripple winner with sound tacked on (for a neat effect, yes.) Grey tops with red sparkle sashes criss-crossed to a double company front which merged into a single company front. The last few forms of their show had an Oswego parent crying, "Yes!" I could not agree more. West Allegheny had the edges of their show beveled and sanded down. They were "in touch" musically and visually, and with some slick tricks up their sleeves without going too far they had my vote for a fine show. Good going, crew. My Score: 64.70 My Placement: 14th Cypress Creek High School Orlando, FL Repertoire: "Grimm: Twisted Tales of a Dreadful Journey" including "Into the Forest," "Lost," "The Spell," "Nightmare" and "Rescue" Comments: This band literally had enough tree props--which were quite detailed--to create a small forest on the field. With horns held in front at the waist, the wind players waited...silently...steadily. Uh-oh! Some of the trees, which were on rollers, started to roll off the field with the wind. Some of the kids broke and scattered to save their eye candy. Fortunately, all were secured in time. An aura of mystery was created, as the low brass bopped their way to stardom. "Red Riding Hood" girls emerged from the trees to dance, and dance they did with super flagwork despite the windy weather. Some band parents collected a fell tree. (Penalty?) The auxiliary, in stylish plaid pants, brown coats, and sailorish neckties (bowed), operated sabres and "air" with charismatic beauty. When the trees are turned around, evil faces appear. Ooh! Scary! Ha ha! A gal playing the sole "Red Riding Hood" appeared to be dead in the middle of the field. I appreciated the rifle staging, in which one guard gal aims her rifle at one who catches a high rifle toss. The music and marching of these kids were pretty spot on. There were a lot of nail-biter moments with trees skidding off this way and that way. These confident performers, however, did not seem to let this bother them! (They worked around the speed bumps, reduced from severe to mere.) This band knew their stuff, and then some. Way to work the crowd! My Score: 73.30 My Placement: 8th Wakefield High School Raleigh, NC Repertoire: "I Believe" including "Imagination," "Unicorns," "Dragons," "Ghosts," "Santa," "Mermaids," "Leprechauns" and "Do You?" Comments: A storybook with the title "I Believe" was on the back 50, and large enough to read. Full-sized medieval towers stood on the front far side corners of the field. Scattered about were huge flowerpots with multi-colored flower props. Different voices narrate the fairy-tale-themed show. It was a show which seemed rushed. (So much to cover, perhaps?) Lock the beat, band, yeah? Some of their linear rotations were spun well, and some not. Much of their sound...subdued...but they went straight away, despite this. Excellent crouch to the side move that ends with feet together, upright. (Everyone should come up at the same time, though.) After the fun, festive Christmas tune, some zapping noises came from the pit, which were unsavory. (Feedback of sorts.) Oh yeah! Give me that wondrous sound, band! The wind players are rocking on water--on the water (mermaid) tarp, that is. Some in the audience had a chuckle with the Irish accented boy who announced his belief in "Leprechauns." Wow! What a stellar rifle toss and CATCH! (Juuust barely.) The finishing touch on this show was tame, with ho-hum criss-cross box-box drill, but they redeemed themselves somewhat with the jazz run to the far reaches of the field, some open-ended narration, and an almost-picture-perfect turn of the storybook page. "Do You?" Uh-huh. Ha ha! Well done. My Score: 65.50 My Placement: 13th Westminster High School Westminster, MD Repertoire: "Wood, Glass and Metal" including "Kaval Suiri" by Petar Lyondev, "Heroes Symphony" by Philip Glass and "For Whom the Bell Tolls" by Metallica Comments: The first form of this band was textbook--perfect form and spacing throughout. The snare drummers tap wooden blocks together, and soon some flutes throw down a spurt of sound. The brass gets in line, too. Ooh! That rifle catch was not exact, but nice attempt. The march-halt-march-halt taking of turns that molds into joyous sounds is special. Ha ha! That was delicious. The curved form dominos from one end to the other, activating the end person with a block device who ends the song with a gallant pose. The Philip Glass music is interpreted with magnificence with window props and solis. The quiet comfort of this tune is soon broken, though. A loud metallic beat intervenes. Angular props are brought out with strong grip. Guard, you are on the mark time and time again. Wow! If there is any "little band that could," this was IT! (Did they prove their critics on the BOA forums wrong, or what? Heh heh!) They played and marched their butts off. Whew! Awesome, awesome work. My Score: 78.80 My Placement: 6th Scotland High School Laurinburg, NC Repertoire: "Stained Glass" including "Cathedral One," "Nimrod" and "Cathedral Three" Comments: The audience gasped at the garb of these folks. "They're cool looking, aren't they?" said one man. "Wow!" said one woman. Indeed, they wore fancy Scottish garments, complete with caps and kilts. I was seeing red plaid, with a splash of black and a touch of white. Emerging backwards from the vertical lines of musicians was the auxiliary (with excellent erect posture). The "ding dong ding dong" notes of the winds, which descend, were shaky. Okay, really work on that sound on the move. At times, it seemed as if some were not playing their horns? (And this was a pretty large unit, too, so...) I admired the complexity of music, and admired the adherence to spacing. They lingered too long in one spot while they played their slow, lush tune. Then they moved. Then they halted AGAIN! Puh-leez. Okay, the engines get going once again, and I cannot help but spot a fine mesh up front with the tubas. That was a primo catch of the rifles, guard (during the drummers' feature). This group got in a tight block form at the end, and increased their volume a little. Still, lots of little botches hurt them. An interesting fact: This band has worn the same style of uniform since 1956. Talk about tradition! My Score: 57.00 My Placement: 20th Herndon High School Herndon, VA Repertoire: "Chain Reaction" featuring music from "El Cid" and "Ben Hur" by Nickolas Roza Comments: A long horizontal line was skewered with some vertical lines...integrated in these lines were the guard in clashing-colored costumes. Some hurried music and motion was slowed to get some gallant Roman era music flowing. Wow! Sitting in Indian style were the woodwinds who had hand gestures going, and with red gloves! Trumpets, you had some sweet double-tonguing action going on. Ooh, make sure you snap those horns up to the box, one and all. A skinny rhombus form bows to the drumline, as one person at the end leaps with gusto! Woo-hoo! The folks sitting behind me are greatly impressed. Forms seem to be quite accurate. Some spacing issues, especially noticeable in the flute section when they face the back of the field, are concerning me. These kids are fearless in motion. At times, this non-stop si-ren goes at a whiplash pace. The only "ifs" and "buts" are the flawed forms. If they could clean up their act a bit more they could become scary good. The music was raw and and wrenching and rough. I could feel their passion from here all right. I tip me hat to ya, sires. My Score: 69.00 My Placement: 11th Susquehannock High School Glen Rock, PA Repertoire: "Life/Time" including "I. Time," "II. Duty," "III. Passion" and "IV. Life" Comments: Black backdrops were set up in arc form, each one with a word. There was "Time," "Urgent," "Stress," "Duty," "Passion," "Heart," "Journey," and "Life." (All the words were scripted different.) Out of nowhere popped out music ones who carried their sound simply. The tuba and electric bass guitar combo worked pretty well. (The booming sound sufficed here.) I liked the bell tones banged out by the winds at the beginning of the second movement. Hey, that was quite a pleasant surprise, folks! I like the way the timid sounds were dented with some ruckus. Effective contrasts, everyone. Nowhere to be found were visuals that got your jaw to drop or anything. The step size here and there was small to medium. (I mean, no wonder they sounded so super.) A banner that reads, "Live the life you imagined," is unwound. The end of their show had some push, but I need to be pushed harder. This is Bands of America, not some local circuit show. If you make my heart race, you make my bones chilled, you make me stand up and cheer, you WILL be rewarded...you did not do this, but you had a swell show. Be proud of what you just did, but be wary that the "others" are tough. My Score: 56.90 My Placement: 21st West Johnston High School Benson, NC Repertoire: "Declaration" featuring the music of Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein and George Gershwin and Inspired by the Declaration of Independence Comments: A tarnished-looking set of backdrops show the word, "Declaration." A militaristic tap of the snare drummer who walks with a guard gal precedes the show and stuns once the show starts, for the rifle is tossed high and slid into place! (For a moment I thought the drumming was coming from another band off the field. Nice attack of the senses, WJ.) Yee-aah! Immaculate is the legs, toes, and...whew! Can I call these kids the unofficial "Cadets" of North Carolina? The music, at moments, is stunning. Runs here and runs there give me that warm and fuzzy feeling. Watch the slop, trumpet or trumpets, right at the tail end of that spectacular drill move. My goodness, a spine-tingling mello soloist, then brass ensemble, then vocalist, then everyone...I am more than satisfied, here. I was clapping during that gorgeous cut-off. Yeah, these kids were that good. This band was Quality with a capital "Q." Ha! This is a classic moment: after a flautist does super a tuba "blows" her away, making her flutter off. This act goes all out, man. It's not over 'till it's over, and these kids put a spin on the end of their own show with a group pose that can only be described as "as pretty as a picture." My Score: 82.60 My Placement: 3rd Norwin High School North Huntingdon, PA Repertoire: "Day and Night" Comments: This band had a wild and crazy cheering section of fans here. L.J. would be proud. The trumpet section seemed a bit off kilter. Things settled in, though, in no time at all...and I was taking delight in their music. A light speed morphing block, full of searing music, never failed. From left to right, the field went breaking. I gawked at the accuracy, here. Look at the arm raise to the side from every other person, with intervals so beautiful. Aaah, a gentle ending with backs turned away from us and then the changing of the guard as the drums make their mark. A long cymbal rack is bullied, but not so much so as I would have liked. (When you bring those things out, really use them, really use them.) There were some minor glitches that stuck out, like a rifle drop front and center, and a group of wind players that leaned into a big step-off. This band was conservative with their nice synthesizer, and it paid off with total balance, I think, but not enough with the effect (which, perhaps, could have enhanced their percussion feature to a greater degree). I did not think their show was in the right slot at most if not all the right times. They have a talented team, nevertheless. Norwin, to this day you still rock 'em sock 'em. My Score: 81.90 My Placement: 4th Briar Woods High School Ashburn, VA Repertoire: "Reflections of the Imagination" featuring the music of Serge Prokofiev including "I. Fun and Games," "II. Romance," "III. Nightmare" and "IV. Heroic Adventure" Comments: An extended "S" form which contained the uniform colors of white and black and a hint of orange slinked and winked. One trumpet solo comes in, the soloist standing on platform of side B. Besides a brief snag, both of the players sounded same. Notes did not seem to be lining up in time, and it was even more evident at times with wind in conjunction with percussion. A baritone soloist on the bright green platform on the right 40 wins with his solo. Hmmm, do I detect a mark time move? (Please cut that out, somehow, and put in something else--anything--please.) This was a stagger show. Start segment. Stop segment. Start segment. Stop segment. And you get the point, I hope. (This had the tendency to be quite annoying.) Yes, the drummers are guilty of being involved with stoppage, too. Yeah, this show rolled right along. There were some parts that gleamed bright. Overall, though, there was not much to make you really remember them. I suppose they could be given some credit for their break-play routine. Congratulations to them for being invited to play at Carnegie Hall next year, by the way! My Score: 54.90 My Placement: 24th Kiski Area High School Vandergrift, PA Repertoire: "Viva Las Vegas" Comments: A strip of shiny gold atop white on the left breast was a mark of class for this classy, prime-time band. Smokin'! The drum major pulls this giant lever next to him on the podium, and the sounds of the casino spray out from the pit. Low brass, way to get on one knee and do your thing. Cool jazz, dudes. I love the stylin' trumpet line, marching with teasing toes. The last form, which was an arc with a divot, was on fire. With a slight hole or two, I call "blemish." Oh yeah, these kids were the kings of cool! I fell head-over-heels in love with their groundwork. The kids get on the ground to a razor sharp sax routine, bop their heads, snap their fingers, and are so sooo relaxed. A sexy auxiliary gal seems to flirt with the romancing sax prodigy. Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow. The synth man kicks his machine into high gear with blips and fast-paced sample starts and stops as the field drums slap into place a groovin' beat. Now that's a wonderful pin wheeling drumline in that circle of wind players, and this depicts a roulette table with the narration declaring, "We have a winner!" We do, indeed, thus far! "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas," says a female narrator. Heh heh! My Score: 85.90 My Placement: 1st South Brunswick High School Monmouth Junction, NJ Repertoire: "Opposing Forces" featuring "Push" by Rob Smith Comments: A drum cadence gets this monster of a unit on the field. Three mass arrow forms point to the center of the field where three guard ladies are showing off their flexibility in nice poses. I like the little tug-o-war match up front behind the pit in which the narrator emphasizes, "For every action is an equal or positive reaction." This band had strength in numbers, for sure. I was a little disappointed with flute angles, during a slide. (Get those elbows across!) The colored rifles caught in sequence were exact exact now. Keep this phenomenal work up! The differences in man/woman, male/female are stressed, and in a shade of ballad we see a double-layered heart form. Faster and faster we go, it seems. I was on the lookout for the speed craze, but could not find it, and was not quite thrilled. I did see a fair move where some ducking action catches the eyes. This show had a bundle of mesmerizing moments. Sure, this show was not a back breaker to groups, but it will be "in the hunt." MY hearty congrats to this squad, and my hopes that they will hit the big time some day soon. My Score: 72.00 My Placement: 9th McLean High School McLean, VA Repertoire: "Tribute to Malcolm Arnold, The Dance" including "English Dances (set one) Mvts. II, III, and IV" and "Scottish Dances Mvt. II" Comments: Every 5 yards, from 30 to 30, were vertical rows of wind musicians now. Flags of different oranges were pointed down and sideways and then brought up same. This giant block of sound shrinks and shrinks to a squished block, then expands. These kids had a handle on their music. It is hard to go wrong with Sir Malcolm Arnold if you do it right. I thought the "arm burst" move (with arms making a circular motion outwards, like a breast stroke) when the last notes of the first tune were played was wicked wicked. Hee hee! What were those sounds that flew out of the fit during the goofball segment? Hey, we have a bagpiper! The man on the pipes was strict and stern, and that was the way it was! (He played his part well!) Okay band, during that power blow--super foot angles and bending. I am glad to see this was not a stationary band. Ah ha! Well, now. These kids pop in some glitzy vis moves when you least expect it. Good. Very good. Trumpets, keep those sustained notes firm. Air, air, air. The end of this show was the toughest for them. Did these kids do Sir Malcolm Arnold right? I think so. My Score: 68.00 My Placement: 12th Central Bucks High School West Doylestown, PA Repertoire: "The Cloud Nine Express" including "I. Industrial," "II. Journey," "III. Winters Edge" and "IV. Arrival" Comments: Some glittery, wintry cloth backdrops rounded out the right rear portion of the field. Some flutes and clarinets pointed their instruments outwards...some attention to space could be used with these folks, though. Uh, narration? Louder please, louder. The pit sounds were more noise than melody at times, it seemed. (Yeah, I know it may have been INTENDED that way, but still.) Things to get better and better. Middle horns, those notes are sketchy, but okay I suppose. Ewe! Hmmm. (I don't know.) Moving on...drumline, way to set the rhythm with that small ensemble in front of the pit. Be gentle with that block rotation, now. A pleasant trumpet solo has the auxiliary taking out boards with a picture of it snowing outside from behind the backdrops. I smiled at how that wedge form approached the soloist and made the soloist the tip of the form. (Clever writing, here.) The percussion feature MAGNIFIED. This band was certainly a contender. I was surprised to hear less over more in drumming, and my laser ears go to the pit. Please, please, please turn up the narration (or have your band director invest in a bigger or better sound system!) This show was well rounded, I think. Good stuff, good stuff. My Score: 59.00 My Placement: 17th North Penn High School Lansdale, PA Repertoire: "Voices of Genius" including "Mishima" by Philip Glass, "The Canyon" by Philip Glass, "That Next Place" by Thomas Newman and "The Chairmen Dances" by John Adams Comments: The words "Voices" and "Genius" were in bold on backdrops on the front sideline. My eyes were glued to a hypnotizing set of moves that made the most of their blue front and grey back uniforms. Some thrilling narration of greats such as John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. were mixed with awesome music. The piano part was played up near the end of the first tune, the repeating chord laced with narration on the theme "practicing" and OOH...it was good! A mostly bass clarinet and clarinet soli ballooned these kids to the extreme. These kids had no shame in the way they used other people's voices, but they used their "own" just as much, and this tag-team relationship really, really worked. "The Chairmen Dances" was relentless in sight and sound, and the dynamic duo of a single uniform was just striking. Good...good, good, good. They did Adams justice by finishing the tune with a trailing keyboard sound, as the wind players quietly escaped. Perfect. My Score: 79.50 My Placement: 5th King Philip Regional High School Wrentham, MA Repertoire: "Roman Festivals" by "Ottorino Resphigi" Comments: The wind players played in a scattered form until, in brief, the visual is resolved. And sweet, sweet resolution it was! More stunning, perhaps, is the trumpet section. Trumpets, trumpets, trumpets. (They met the task at hand like all-stars.) Nice tondu, rear of triangle form. They took the east coast style of marching to the extremes...so, so good. A curly metallic percussion toy in the pit created slush-ush-ing sounds. This band pinpointed all! My oh my. And do not let the size of this group fool you, for their sound was just as big as the big guys here. Ha! A mesh is about to happen and then doesn't. (Thanks for the tease!) The percussion is maniacal in percussion. Just try to do what their snares do. Some drifting melodies are nailed, and you can't help but think, think, think when you see what these kids can do. Two block forms attach onto each other, and then rotate, and then zooooom! This band books it, and then puts the cap on their sheer run of breathtaking excellence. The audience was in shock, and so was I. My Score: 85.00 My Placement: 2nd Croatan High School Newport, NC Repertoire: "The X Factor" including "I. The X Factor," "II. X Marks the Spot," "III. The X Generation," "IV. X=" and "V. The X Factor" Comments: This was, perhaps, the one of if not the smallest bands of the day. Huge strips of blue marked an "X" on the field, with the winds and guard riding each other like playing cards. Now taking up space on the tarps, the winds engage in some dance moves, and then they take gock blocks of differing size to make neat musical sounds. These kids hold themselves to very high standards, I could tell. Musically, each one of them gives their all. Though there is no drumline, a rhythm section near the back 50 and the pit up front can do not wrong, it seems. (And, oh yes, they do more than enough to accommodate, I think.) The "unmotivated" acts pokes fun at the "Generation X" label to the "X-treme." (Ha ha! I had to have some fun, here.) Great starts and stops from all make this band one to watch out for. You gotta love those baby blue and black unis. Whoa! Did you see that rifle catch in one click? Beautiful. A soprano saxophone solo begins so so perfect, but then, aaaaaah, shrillness results. HOWEVER...not all is lost, here. A recovery, along with some stunning dance moves (thanks, winds!) makes this show just a slightly dirty gem. My Score: 75.00 My Placement: 7th Exhibition: Towsen University Towsen, MD Repertoire: (Not Listed) Comments: The band parked themselves on the track right in front of the audience. "Okay, Blue Devils, forte!" yelled their band director. Ha ha! Of course, the band performed the famed Blue Devils progression chords. After that they played a warm-up with some more interesting chords, much louder. It took a while for this group to get all set up, but it was worth the wait. A steamy, jazzy trumpet soloist is joined by his buddies with music that just grows and grows in might. A guy in the guard tossed his rifle sky high, struck a one-legged pose with arms folded, and then nearly caught the rifle with one hand, but it caught it with both hands. No doubt, this band was full to the brim with skills. The band hoots and hollers at a trombone soloist who takes his sweet time with his solo. Soon, the band joins in with fervor. An exchange between the trombone soloist and trumpet soloist occurs. Next we have some handclaps and other audio-visual moments. Ha ha! Good times. And last but not least, here come the sounds of Queen. Need I write more? Yes! Here comes the sounds of Tower of Power, too! These guys don't know when to quit, and that is just fine by me. My Score: N/A My Placement: N/A Mid-Show Thoughts: East coast bands are unique in that they are mostly small in size but very strong in how they perform. Most of these squads are not shy when it comes to playing difficult music or marching difficult drill. (The woodwind sections are VERY ADEPT.) For the most part, the bands that used electronics used electronics for stabilizing, not modifying. (I think Kiski Area would be one of the few exceptions to this.) When it comes down to doing more with less the east rules...but I do think they could do more "with more" (for the sake of challenging more bands that are nationally recognized). On a bright note, I was very, very pleased to see such a DIVERSE crowd. Not only did we see bands that rarely compete against each other, we saw bands that shared their interpretation of what they thought was "good." Obviously, some bands were good, but some bands were better...and it is through this learning process all bands can get much better! Now, here is the breakdown of my preliminary results and actual preliminary results: My Division Ratings (Note: Actual Division Ratings Not Announced) New Milford H.S., CT - III West Springfield H.S., VA - III East Irondequoit School, NY - III James Madison H.S., VA - II Powhatan H.S., VA - III Chantilly H.S., VA - II Oswego H.S., NY - II Calvert Hall College H.S., MD - III West Allegheny H.S., PA - II Cypress Creek H.S., FL - II Wakefield H.S., NC - II Westminster H.S., MD - I Scotland H.S., NC - III Herndon H.S., VA - II Susquehannock H.S., PA - III West Johnston H.S., NC - I Norwin H.S., PA - I Briar Woods H.S., VA - III Kiski Area H.S., PA - I South Brunswick H.S., NJ - II McLean H.S., VA - II Central Bucks H.S. West, PA - III North Penn H.S., PA - I King Philip Regional H.S., MA - I Croatan H.S., NC - I My Personal Preliminary Scores and Rankings (Note: Actual Preliminary Scores and Rankings Found on BOA Website) 1. 85.90 Kiski Area H.S., PA 2. 85.00 King Philip Regional H.S., MA 3. 82.60 West Johnston H.S., NC 4. 81.90 Norwin H.S., PA 5. 79.50 North Penn H.S., PA 6. 78.80 Westminster H.S., MD 7. 75.00 Croatan H.S., NC 8. 73.30 Cypress Creek H.S., FL 9. 72.00 South Brunswick H.S., NJ 10. 69.90 James Madison H.S., VA 11. 69.00 Herndon H.S., VA 12. 68.00 McLean H.S., VA 13. 65.50 Wakefield H.S., NC 14. 64.70 West Allegheny H.S., PA 15. 62.50 Chantilly H.S., VA 16. 60.40 Oswego H.S., NY 17. 59.00 Central Bucks H.S. West, PA 18. 58.60 West Springfield H.S., VA 19. 57.30 Calvert Hall College H.S., MD 20. 57.00 Scotland H.S., NC 21. 56.90 Susquehannock H.S., PA 22. 56.50 East Irondequoit School, NY 23. 55.00 Powhatan H.S., VA 24. 54.90 Briar Woods H.S., VA 25. 52.70 New Milford H.S., CT Class Championships Awards (Actual): Class A 3rd N/A 2nd Briar Woods H.S., VA 1st Croatan H.S., NC Class A Highest Achievement Outstanding Music Performance - Croatan H.S., NC Outstanding Visual Performance - Croatan H.S., NC Outstanding General Effect - Croatan H.S., NC Class AA 3rd West Allegheny H.S., PA 2nd King Philip Regional H.S., MA 1st Kiski Area H.S., PA Class A Highest Achievement Outstanding Music Performance - King Philip Regional H.S., MA Outstanding Visual Performance - Kiski Area H.S., PA Outstanding General Effect - Kiski Area H.S., PA Class AAA 3rd North Penn H.S., PA 2nd Westminster H.S., MD 1st West Johnston H.S., NC Class A Highest Achievement Outstanding Music Performance - North Penn H.S., PA Outstanding Visual Performance - Westminster H.S., MD Outstanding General Effect - West JOhnston H.S., NC My Finalists (In Random Order) West Johnston H.S., NC King Philip Regional H.S., MA Kiski Area H.S., PA Cypress Creek H.S., FL Westminster H.S., MD Croatan H.S., NC Norwin H.S., PA James Madison H.S., VA South Brunswick H.S., NJ North Penn H.S., PA Actual Finalists (In Random Order) North Penn H.S., PA James Madison H.S., VA Kiski Area H.S., PA King Philip Regional H.S., MA Wakefield H.S., NC Croatan H.S., NC West Johnston H.S., NC Westminster H.S., MD Norwin H.S., PA McLean H.S., VA Mid-Show Thoughts (Continued): One word; two syllables: DOGFIGHT. Yes, the splitting of captions in the "class means nothing" classes of Class AA and Class AAA (because of a certain band from Pennsylvania and a certain band from Massachusetts) led me to believe that it this regional was ANYONE'S to win. I felt that the it would come down to the wire between Kiski Area, West Johnston, and King Philip Regional. As for the rest of the bands, I was pleased to hear who made top 10. I was 8 for 10 on my predictions of who'd make the dance at this regional. (Not bad.) I was not surprised South Brunswick did made it in, but I was surprised Cypress Creek did not make it in. I was not surprised McLean made it in, but I was surprised Wakefield made it in. Many parents expressed the concern that their band would be hurt by the fact the wind took down some of their props, and I told them that I did not think so. Now, I might be wrong in this about Cypress Creek, because I did see NON-STUDENT get a prop off the field (likely for safety reasons). Did the Timing and Penalties judge give him the right to do this? (I do not know.) Nevertheless, I doubt the wind (or a penalty, if registered) would have much effect on those "hurt." It seemed like each kid out there gave it their all, and that made this show a good one in or not in the top 10. 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 UP NEXT: FINALS (WITH GUEST REVIEWER ALBERT SHIMABUKURO!)***

Well, in all fairness, there WAS one Texas band there (Victoria Memorial). Thanks for the compliment! -Alan

2006 Bands of America Regional Championships presented by Yamaha Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, Arizona October 14, 2006 The rain was gone, for the most part. I shook from skin to bone as I made my way to my car to start it up and turn on the heat to let my blood thaw and run as it once did when I was in the dome where arm and hand were sore from write and wrote. Chill and shrill was HERE. "Let us in!" yelled one of the band fans. No more have I seen more those who are out want more in. And then the doors opened. And then the seats taken. And then the time passing. A trombonist respectfully played the National Anthem, and in grand BOA tradition we were prepped--prepped to cheer EVERYONE on. (I even got a back rub out of it, and from all people a lady who happened to be a MASSAGE THERAPIST who had a freshman baritone daughter in the fine Onate band. Oh, and regarding Onate: hello Onate backers! I sat with these friendly, classy people during finals. Some of them were very curious about where I would post this REVIEW...so I gave them the low down.) When it was time to start the show, I had pen in hand and mind on band. Let us see some glorious things! FINALS PERFORMANCES Coronado High School Henderson, NV Repertoire: "Attraction: The Music of Scheherazade" including "I. The Story of the Prince Kalendar," "II. The Story of the Prince and the Princess" and "III. The Festival at Baghdad" Comments: The field was filled with vertical lines. On the rear 50 are what appear to be bottles from the desert. (Perhaps genies were inside?) A few of the wind players holding golden flags (along with their instruments) display total integration between wind players and auxiliary. The dark, solemn notes of the low brass boomed outwards. All right! Technique in marching, member to member, was magnificent. They were on target when it counted with most forms. A sloppy attack seemed to slow them down a bit, but not too much. The flutes, in a circular form, point their instruments towards the center, rendering a flash of nickel. Mmmm. The sweet sound of the woodwinds resonates. The interaction between some of the wind players, and the guard dressed in red (with faces covered with red fabric, as is tradition in parts of the Middle East and Africa) was, yes, romantic. A bunch of notes thrown out, followed by a horn flash, and an arm extension, was pretty exact. There were a few things--sight and sound--that were tweaked wrong. The symmetrical form at the end of their show was still, and still. Their music was luscious. I was left with just a tad bit of incompleteness. The razzle dazzle was missing. They simply put on a clean, safe performance. My Score: 62.00 Actual Score: 69.60 My Placement: 10th Actual Placement: 10th Onate High School Las Cruces, NM Repertoire: "Propelled by Wind" featuring the music from La Nouba including "Once Upon a Time," "Porte," "Distorted," "Reve Rouge," "Urban" and "La Nouba" Comments: On the back left 20 yard line were the wind players covered with a multi-colored fabric. The auxiliary at the ends of the fabric held it in place. Five mechanical windmills were placed in the right rear corner of the field. A whirlwind of movement is captured as soon as the fabric is lifted. Supreme musical control was evident. I like the right arm then left arm flash near the end of the first movement. Outwards stretching of the instruments in circular pods is a sight to behold as the pit and a gal on flute go at it. Awesome rifle catch, auxiliary, and I do not have to mention to the woodwinds that they nailed their work proper. A drunken style march towards the backfield was funny, yet perfect. This group fit the mood they made to the max. Soon, the windmills are positioned so members can integrate their drill within and without. The music is heartfelt, and they force you to see what they are up to. So far, this show is key; this show is on the mark. A shakin' dance is done to vocals, and the crowd goes wild. Sweet singing by a male and female vocal duet melds right with what was blown or what is hit. This show was a wonder. Fabulous. My Score: 69.80 Actual Score: 77.00 My Placement: 6th Actual Placement: 6th Corona del Sol High School Tempe, AZ Repertoire: "Strange Humors" including "Strange Humors" by John Mackey, "Concerto for Orchestra, Mvt. II Giuco della coppie" and "Concertino for Four Percussion and Wind Ensemble" by David Gillingham Comments: The saxophones and mellophones encircled the blob that was the rest of the wind players. The drumline was scattered to the left, and the auxiliary assumed various poses near the front sideline. The leg bends by the saxes were okay. (Not exact, but okay.) Way to kick it into first gear with that sound, band. An upper body swivel to the rear of the field worked. There were just a few notes that went to pieces, and one trumpet kept blowing through a moment of breath. A tenor sax and alto sax duet was featured as two forms cleanly moved away from them, who were in the center of the field, so that they could be in the spotlight. (Great staging.) The auxiliary were masters with those noodle props and, yes, even got the spectators to laugh some. (way to INVOLVE!) Holy sustained notes, CdS! Nice work. Ack! Things get a tad bit nasty with some sound, following the rifle gals getting lost within the blockish forms. The flutes zipped up that "V" form quite well. Use all the counts, now. We rush, rush, rush to the end with whiplash music and an awful tough drill move that can only be compared to what the Santa Clara Vanguard did a few times during their show in 1999--a split block folding move "of death." They let go of some safe to catch some cool. Can you say, "Impressive"? My Score: 64.30 Actual Score: 70.30 My Placement: 8th Actual Placement: 9th Casa Grande Union High School Casa Grande, AZ Repertoire: "In Diversus Motus" including "I. Niagra Falls," "II. Sonata for Trumpet by Eric Ewazen," "III. Colchester Fantasty, Mvt. IV" and "IV. Niagra Falls" Comments: A roundish diamond form inside a roundish diamond form was seen, with the winds in blue, gold, and black. In the middle of these diamonds was the guard, wildly waving their flags. (I liked how the silks matched their outfits.) This group takes no time at all to get revved up. During a jazz run by the clarinets, one clarinet falls terribly, splitting the instrument. Whoa! This brave player re-assembles the clarinet and recovers just...in...time. One set of sabre tosses, and then another, are caught. Beautiful. I think their sound was wavering a bit in the slow part of their show. (Trumpets, does that ring a bell?) The inwards bending and outwards bending arc that barely touches each other--so fine. I saw some weapons glitches, but they were few and far between. Hmmm, this show was shorter than I thought it was. They ended what they had with a punch, but I craved more. This is not the evening to go half way, what with all the competitiveness here? My Score: 63.90 Actual Score: 72.25 My Placement: 9th Actual Placement: 7th Victoria Memorial High School Victoria, TX Repertoire: "New World Dances" featuring the music of Martin Ellerby including "I. Earth Dance," "II. Moon Dance" and "III. Sun Dance" Comments: When the wind players face the rear, I see black. It was not 'till they faced front that I saw a touch of cream. In the center of the field was a dancer with a white wooden frame. A gentle piano sound was generated, while the wind players made their bold remark which just got bolder. Line meshes and rotates were, uh, acceptable. This show has some spark. Those orange-and-purple flags passing through that rhombus form was more tacky than subtle. Clean those diagonals up (or at least sweep them under a rug, ha ha!) I adored that amped sax solo...so Nymanesque! Wow. That ballad was a keeper. Good, good rifle catch in succession, guard. No! Do not move at a halt! (I don't care HOW bad the form is going to be because you did not make it in time.) Okay folks, let's get this show done. The sound they have is glorious, no doubt. This was a ready, steady, go type of show. What they lacked is some flair, visually, no doubt. I know they will do it in time. If only the rest of their show was as good as that ballad. Wow, the ballad by itself--my thumbs way, way up. My Score: 65.00 Actual Score: 70.55 My Placement: 7th Actual Placement: 8th William S. Hart High School Newhall, CA Repertoire: "Voyage of the Seven Seas" including "I. Setting Sail/The Kraken," "II. Song of the Sirens" and "III. The Cyclops" Comments: A diamond tarp depicting a compass rose digested some of the 40, and about 5 yards on either side. Look at those heavy duty backdrops with an ocean grid and islands of myth. The sound of seagulls, the sea, and ringing could be heard as the woodwinds prepared. Ah yes. This band could play with the best of them. Now, I was a little higher up in the stands for finals, so I hope my ears were not deceiving me in that this group seemed more subdued. Much of their drill work was on the mark. I like that utmost controlled one-leg stand, clarinets. Suh-weet. I see the guard has a field day with silks. (Are there any other tools in your kit besides silks?) Flutes, when you are put on the spot you do not crack. Great! The percussion feature started with tenor sticks crossed. I like the fade-in-and-out "aaah!" synth sound. A spiral form expands, and so does the fluid, flashy, flooring sounds. Give these kids a hand for taking control. A rectangle form up front and in your face morphs a tad from ends to in, the center line unmoved. This was a stellar show. My Score: 74.90 Actual Score: 80.65 My Placement: 2nd Actual Placement: 2nd Jenks High School Jenks, OK Repertoire: "Exuberance" including "Noisy Wheels of Joy," "J'ai ete au bal" and "New Century Dawn" Comments: Sketches of curves were on stage. With delicate hands, the instruments rise. Some notes seemed out of whack. (Intentional? Yeah, I think so.) A mellophone soloist does a goofy leg lift, and later a playful clarinet solo is a match. Wow, trumpets exposed! Okay, that's the way to do it. Aaand uh! Sabres go bouncing off. Musically, not a bad end to Part 1. A tuba solo gets a hand from a baritone, and then comes in a mello expert. Ha! That unique sound stuck with me tonight. The woodwinds shook like an upright snake, with notes of note. This group, thus far, went nuts (and I mean this with sincerest admiration). I was very impressed, flutes--your soli rocked. This band shrinks the volume to nada, and then comes back with the warmest sound. The rest of their show was almost picture perfect. Hey, how about that high note when the trumpets attack? Wowzers! This band gets my kudos, big time. My Score: 73.30 Actual Score: 79.00 My Placement: 3rd Actual Placement: 4th Ayala High School Chino Hills, CA Repertoire: "Fear" featuring the music of John Meehan, Caleb Rothe and Ike Jackson including "I. Claustrophobia," "II. Aquaphobia," "III. Metallophobia" and "IV. Kinetophobia" Comments: A claustrophobic move jump starts their show of fear. I like that guard moment when that guy is lifted and goes falling backwards, and then he gets stuck in a spinning form while his body language depicts fright. The low brass takes turns giving their input. A slight trumpet flaw, buuut, I don't have much of a chance to think about it, ha ha! Woodwinds stretched along side A, keep the spacing even and make sure your step-offs are exact. Okay, the lunging, creeping move combined with chunky sound consumed me. The percussionists were good, almost too good. The mechanical drum hits were so good and so fast and so ripe. Ha ha, yay for metal pole playing, and the choreography sells. Auxiliary, you have improved ten-fold. (Thank you!) Sabres were handled with care; rifles were airborne with "click"! This meaty show gripped you and then some. I was squeezed, all right. The lasering, zapping, humming, soaring sounds--it's all good. You are in for a ride when you see this band take the field. Good for them. My Score: 76.50 Actual Score: 83.10 My Placement: 1st Actual Placement: 1st Air Academy High School United States Air Force Academy, CO Repertoire: "Area 51" featuring the music of Mark Higginbotham including "Beyond," "Area 51," "Mystic Rhythms," "Northern Lights" and "Warp" Comments: Good tactic, synths. What we have here is a show before the show. The woodwinds, like clockwork, get moving. Their sound is as one, and repeats with passion. Mellophones, facing the left end zone, then facing front to us--marvelous. The spacey sounds engulf you. After this we soon get into a contra bass clarinet and bassoon gig. These kids can dance, let me tell you. Oh yeah, that in-your-face sound with everyone visually "with it" is sick. Sick, sick, sick. (Actually, I used the word "sick" because some kid behind me gasped it when the band did this.) Also, way to get back into "military" mode. It's like flipping a switch for these guys. I saw one person out of step, and then fixed it. (Nice work.) COME OOON! Yes! The forms went this way that way, all ways. Their dizzying flash--breathtaking. They tied up all loose ends by hitting the crowd one more time, up close and personal. Nothing personal, just business, right? Whatever. They bowled me and the rest of us down. Strike! My Score: 73.00 Actual Score: 78.30 My Placement: 4th Actual Placement: 5th Pomona High School Arvada, CO Repertoire: "Scale and Beyond..." featuring music by Richard Saucedo and Ray Ulibarri Comments: Great three-dimensional pose, wind players, kneeling at different heights with arms outstretched. They played happy music and thrived. A diamond form dissolves in segments. You can't go wrong with a random jazzy woodwind segment, can you? Ooh, this band smoked! Catch those rifles the same, rifles. There are many spacing issues in that flute/clarinet snaking form. I think this band had their show down, but could have done more to help us make sense of it. Here is one of the few shows I would actually suggest narration (or some sort of device) to help us go beyond "black vs. white" and "one may be more heavy/less heavy than the other." You see? I am all for shows that are symbolic and cerebral, but try to make it mean something more than simply "it is," you know? I know "it is." The music and marching could not be more pleasant. This group knows how to play the game. However, I was expecting more from this group that used to take BOA Regionals and Grand Nationals by storm, and this just did not happen today. Sorry. Do not get me wrong--their show was just fine. It was nice to see them back in the swing of the BOA scene. My Score: 72.70 Actual Score: 80.05 My Placement: 5th Actual Placement: 3rd END OF FINALS PERFORMANCES EXHIBITION - Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ Repertoire: "Shout It Out Load: The Music of KISS" including "Shout it Out Loud," "Detroit Rock City," "Beth" and "Rock 'N Roll All Night" Comments: A monstrous, brassy sound propelled. Did these kids get their sugar high, or what? Most of the drill was up front where it belonged. Obviously, loudness was desired. A double file of trumpets pass a flautist on the fifty. I like how much of where they marched and how they marched was crisp. The baritone soloist was outstanding. Ha ha! The 7-member cymbal section surrounds one of their own and create a sort of sparkling stage. Yeah, it's hard to go wrong with KISS music when you want to get the crowd on your side. Party on! The blue cadet tops and black pants did not fit the mood of this group. Look at this bunch of wild and crazy kids. There we go, now. Some head bops! "I want to rock and roll all night...and party ev-er-y day!" Bravo, NAU. The drum major had her face painted, in Kiss and NAU fashion, of course. This band showed us why they were king of their dome. My Score: N/A Actual Score: N/A My Placement: N/A Actual Placement: N/A Post-Show Thoughts: I felt that most of the bands in finals either had a weak preliminary performance and a strong finals performance or a strong preliminary performance and a weak finals performance. Ayala had the best performance of the night, I felt. Air Academy seemed to be pumped up for their act, which caused me to think that they may be the first Class AA band in a while to make some noise in the west. (I would not have been surprised had Air Academy snuck in to the top three.) I did not think Coronado was finalist caliber...but after seeing their fiery Scheherazade production, I doubted myself (which, in this case, of course, was a good thing). The rest of the bands did not hugely stand out, but I think in terms of quality this year's regional beat last year's, despite the fact there was no Etiwanda or Upland or Union. My Results: 10. 62.00 Coronado H.S., NV 9. 63.90 Casa Grande Union H.S., AZ 8. 64.30 Corona del Sol H.S., AZ 7. 65.00 Victoria Memorial H.S., TX 6. 69.80 Onate H.S., NM 5. 72.70 Pomona H.S., CO 4. 73.00 Air Academy H.S., CO 3. 73.30 Jenks H.S., OK 2. 74.90 William S. Hart H.S., CA 1. 76.50 Ayala H.S., CA Actual Results 10. 69.60 Coronado H.S., NV 9. 70.30 Corona del Sol H.S., AZ 8. 70.55 Victoria Memorial H.S., TX 7. 72.25 Casa Grande Union H.S., AZ 6. 77.00 Onate H.S., NM 5. 78.30 Air Academy H.S., CO 4. 79.00 Jenks H.S., OK 3. 80.05 Pomona H.S., CO 2. 80.65 William S. Hart H.S., CA 1. 83.10 Ayala H.S., CA Outstanding Music Performance - Ayala H.S., CA Outstanding Visual Performance - Ayala H.S., CA Outstanding General Effect - Ayala H.S., CA Post-Show Thoughts (Continued): I don't think anyone was surprised that Ayala won it all--they were good. I like how Hart went up one spot from prelims to finals. I really, really think Hart should have taken the Outstanding Music Performance award in prelims, but...c'est la vie. (They proved themselves enough in finals.) I will now take the time to give a quick "welcome back" to Alan Perkins, the former director of El Toro High School and the current director of Victoria Memorial High School. Though Victoria Memorial has a lot of work to do to get the level I think their boss wants them to be at, I think they showed great promise for the future with that ballad, oh that ballad. Some notable improvements: Jenks! (Where did THEY come from? Last year 8th, this year 4th? I applaud your efforts.) Also, what's with Casa Grande Union? (A band that was not a finalist last year, and this year a finalist AND a new Arizona powerhouse, outdoing the feared Corona del Sol. Way to turn heads!) I thought this show was a success. A big hand should be given to the event staff, who went above and beyond in kindness, patience, and knowledge. I see that Brent Wilson, Chief Financial Officer, was here, and--I think--Natalie Mince, Event Manager, was here, too. But don't let the fancy titles fool you! Brent and Natalie went to great lengths to make sure all went well, interacting with directors, students, parents, and fans alike. Chuck Henson and Dan Potter were not announcing this show (they were probably in Houston, TX and St. Petersburg, FL), so we got a generic announcer who was not bad...but I wish was just a tad bit more CONSISTENT. (For example, he announced Air Academy as "Air Academy" in prelims and as "United States Air Force Academy" in finals...and he announced William S. Hart as "William J. Hart" during the prelims participation awards.) Nevertheless, for being near perfect, the speaker was decent...and at least he had true enthusiasm when he yelled for the bands to "break ranks." Yes, I had a lot of fun out here, besides the fact I paid too much for my rental car, and besides the fact I had to find a different motel to stay at because of stupid www.hotels.com, and besides the fact I almost froze to death because my room key card would not work when I got back from the show and there was no one to help me because the front desk was closed! But I shall save those stories for another time, another place. At least I survived, right? I think the hot dogs I had for lunch and dinner were more of a threat to me than anything else. (Stadiums need to stop serving stadium food for once!) Okay, I am dragging this out waaay too long. And what's with all the capitalization and parentheses? (I need to CUT THIS OUT.) Okay, I'm done...for reals, now...good-bye! Next up: The 2006 Bands of America Regional Championships in Towson, Maryland. Alan Irons Fountain Valley High School Marching Band 1993-1996 Pacific Crest of Diamond Bar 1997 Nashua Spartans 1998-1999 UCSB Class of 2002

What's all this? What's all this? A "band show"? --|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|-- ...oh go & send in the feathers firm, the shiny crest, the jackets crisp, the buttons fine, the proper pressed, the gauntlets sharp, the rolling feet, the afloat mind, the sweaty heads, the thumping heart, the flexing strength, the showy time, oh go & send in... --|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|-- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz Hmmm... AbcdefghIjkLmNOpqRStuvwxyz Ah HA! A bcdefgh I jk L m NO pq RS tuvwxyz Yes. AILNORS bcdefghjkmpqtuvwxyz Now: AL NIRO S and, AL_NIRO_S insert; insert ALANIRONS Ready? ALAN IRONS a review by-- Alan Irons (and that's that.) --|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|-- 2006 Bands of America Regional Championships presented by Yamaha Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, Arizona October 14, 2006 I will never tire of this: Bands of America aka BOA aka Music for All, aaand aka the best band shows...oh (sorry), the best band shows PERIOD/./endofline Flagstaff. Last year I drove here; this year I flew here. To see what it's like here, read what I wrote last year. (It hasn't changed much.) j/k. I wouldn't do that to you now, would I? (Would I?!) To step off the plane and breathe the air here--and I do not exaggerate--is quite an experience. Trees, trees, and more trees. Arizona is not just a big fat desert, you know. No, not dessert...DESERT. (Git yer mynd owt o da gutah). Well, come to think of it, Arizona *is* a big fat desert...except for Flagstaff. Yes, it's beautiful here. This is the main pit stop for those who want to see the Grand Canyon. And to think I have been here twice and have not once seen the Grand Canyon. Ha! What's all this? What's all this? A "band show"? Ha! Indeed. Flagstaff. What do you say we get these thoughts on this band show of band shows on the road with words that will light up these kids to the max? Indeed. Flagstaff. Indeed. Okay. Here's how this is going to work. What you will soon read is an analysis of all the bands that came to this show. Uhm, all feedback is welcome, through this thread, PM (Private Message), e-mail, or whatever. Oh, and while we're at it I think I will mention that this review will be split into two parts, with "Part 1" covering prelims and "Part 2" covering finals. (FYI, this is Part 1.) I think that's about it. Yeah, I think that's about it. Enjoy. And now some "Pre-Show Thoughts": (The weather was nasty. Cold, rainy, cold. As I drove down San Francisco Street within the NAU campus, I was blinded by white--it was not the rising sun; it was the "rising" J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome. This monolithic thing of wood will make you gaze in awe in that it is one of the oldest domed structures still standing and bearing the burden of being art. Oh yeah, this was it all right. I parked my tan car, was one of the first to be on site, and bought my day pass. Before you can think it I was in the dome, and got my seat, albeit an UNCOMFORTABLE seat, within the sea of blue and yellow which spelled "NAU." The Astroturf looked old and worn, but clear and stiff. Soon, people dressed in yellow t-shirts were around me--some naive, some excited, some forward-looking, and some sentimental. These people were, after all, from CORONA DEL SOL HIGH SCHOOL--the only Arizona band to make finals here last year (and placed 10th), and back with the hope they will make it once more. We shall see, we shall see. The famously on-time BOA crew got the first band on on-time. No beats were skipped, here.) PRELIMINARY PERFORMANCES Gilbert High School Gilbert. AZ Repertoire: "Sundance" featuring the music of Frank Ticheli Comments: Gilbert strolled into the left end zone in their cream and black tops. They were in two files. A snare drummer tapped them onto the field. The auxiliary, up front near the pit, wore skintight outfits that had shades of dark orange, orange, and yellow. The on-field winds and percussion warmed up in a spiral form, letting their warm-up tune echo off the rear cement. The spiral was then set up in direction of motion, with a nice ripple of horns up to attention position. Great, great trumpet solo to get things on track. Flutes, not bad. I like the sound. Clarinets, really match each other in posture and control (in forms). Yikes, flutes...use all the counts getting into that straight-line mesh that rotates upon lock. I hear a lot of unsteady air out there. I see a lot of hosed intervals out there. Wow, where did that sound come from? Excellent wake-up call in the ballad, followed by a sweet top to bottom release. Drumline, your parts were quite efficient, but not noteworthy. (The same goes for that percussion feature dance by the winds, though it was quite exact, quite exact.) The end of their show was scrappy, granted...but it worked, AND I liked the risks they took with those morphing rhombus and diamond forms. This group just needs a kick in the rear in individual and ensemble visual, and a show that intrigues (rather than a cardboard cutout). My thanks for such a super effort, though. They have improved big time over last year. My Score: 61.70 My Placement: 12th Desert Mountain High School Scottsdale, AZ Repertoire: "Gangsta Jazz" Comments: A black and white checkered tarp stretched along the front left 35 to 50 yard lines. A drum set was set up in the corner of this stage, with platforms all around. Ooh, wind players now...you have some big time holes in those diagonal forms. Ha ha! Yo, trumpet solo, yeah! We have some screamers in this org. Look at all the bouncing on each stride, and flutes--those horn angles are poor. Come on, come on, come on. Yowzers. Low brass, way to pump out that sound. This was a loud fest, for sure. Listen to each other trumpets, listen. (I am now referring to the crass second movement stroller.) The dueling trumpet players were showy, but classy? Eh! Man, you can't help but love the bravado. The steamy jazz bar this band seems to set up gets steamier with a sax quintet and the drum set groovy. Argh! Come in nice on those attacks, trumpets. Though basic, the field drums...well, I'd like some more precision first off, because the mud prevails. Is the trumpet section the only section playing, here? It sure seems that way at times. Ooh! The drill at the end of their show is horrible. The lines that intersect go to mush, and...what more could be written except that some major cleaning needs to be done? Give a hand to these kids, though, for their FEARLESSNESS. They go all out and then some. My Score: 57.70 My Placement: 17th Desert Ridge High School Mesa, AZ Repertoire: "Prologue," "Murder," "Insane," "Sympathy and Tenderness," "Board of Governors" and "Facade" Comments: Bright red tops with a "DR" insignia in a silver diamond symbolized this group's presence...and they shined with some morbid backfield notes. Okay, all folks have to halt at the same time. I have my eyes glued to that technique, and some things that should happen do not happen. Witness late horn snaps downwards, and some schlocky formations. Musically, there were some late attacks. Neat. I am hearing some vocal music (or chants, more like it) by the winds and drums. I have to admit, at times the marching technique member-to-member is, yes, crisp. Okay, a lot of dead time between the slowish movement to the fastish movement. (As the great Michael Cesario once said, "We are in the MTV generation." Your show should be on the move all the time.) Someone give the flag girls some work, please! (Right now they are just going spot to spot with their flags upright.) The fact this band covers the rest of their show at a halt is somewhat of a letdown, but they perform. Aye! Those final releases bit! Okay, they have some work to do. Their biggest strength was their technique and, yeah, GREAT. Now let us look at the big picture--all. Good work! My Score: 55.10 My Placement: 19th Jenks High School Jenks, OK Repertoire: "Exuberance" including "Noisy Wheels of Joy," "J'ai ete au bal" and "New Century Dawn" Comments: Here we have some clarified forms. Nice way to start things off, Jenks! Yes, that hand wave move after those short notes worked. Wow! Holy smokes! I love that flag toss over some of the marching members. I was instantly involved, now. Hmmm. One of those flutes up front missed the knee-bend move. These kids are nailing all their forms, and more so these kids are nailing all their notes. What a great start! A drum diddy here, and a marching fade-away there, and soon we have a tuba solo, a baritone solo, and a mellophone solo. These kids were quickly becoming a pure joy to see and hear. Go clarinets, go! Ha ha! They shook it like it was no one's business. The camaraderie on the field was extremely evident. Their final movement was shrill at first, and then got back to mine. Aaah, gorgeous flutes, gorgeous. I can not help but notice some blind pass-throughs and sweet complex forms on side B. And they go more and more gentle, musically, displaying UTMOST control. Watch the lean into the step-off, sax player. (Yeah, you know who you are.) This show was an all around delight. The highlight of their show is their dazzling mastery of sight and sound, especially near the end, when the quiet actually dominates the noisy. If only more bands took this approach. Indeed, sometimes less IS more. Congratulations on a fine, fine preliminary performance. My Score: 74.30 My Placement: 3rd William S. Hart High School Newhall, CA Repertoire: "Voyage of the Seven Seas" including "I. Setting Sail/The Kraken," "II. Song of the Sirens" and "III. The Cyclops" Comments: They began scattered, legs apart, tops waving. The sounds of seagulls and the sea, combined with super woodwind finesse...how could you not get goose bumps? Ugh, one flautist almost trips. (Nice recovery, there.) Geez, low brass! What a mighty, mighty statement! They may be small, but they make David look like Goliath with sound...and yes, ha ha, they DO NOT overblow! Nice rippling lean, mellos and saxes. I am stunned by their musical wizardry. If we were in a concert hall this would still suffice. Okay, now the kids are on the move, big time. The percussion feature is groovy, man! YES! You go on a ride with these kids, and yet these kids are not doing anything overly complex...they just do what they do VERY well. The traveling rectangle form at the end is a lame way to end things, but a spark of hope lies with the intersecting and outersecting lines from opposite sides to the middle. There was a bit of a scare with a wind player almost getting swiped at the legs with a flag, but all is well, all is well. Look out, Outstanding Music Performance award, because I think Hart will have their name on it. My Score: 77.00 My Placement: 1st La Cueva High School Albuquerque, NM Repertoire: "I. Hurricane 2000," "II. Wind of Change" and "III. Deadly Sting Suite" Comments: Ave Maria floated to the dome's rooftop. I liked the silver helmets and the curled plumes. The opening posture of the wind players was feet spread apart and backs hunched over until the Drum Major calls them to attention. Forte seems to be this group's forte, if you know what I mean. Forte, forte, forte. Hmmm, anything new? Nope. Great guard work atop those red, yellow, and blue car hood props. Ha ha! Cute lean into opposing directions, players, once in those sharp vertical lines. The kids are definitely making the drill flow smoothly. Spacing is obtuse in many spots. I do like this music in the ballad. It is loud and clear and sweet. The car hood props transform into Berlin Wall props, and are a nice touch. Some of the instrumentalists get some big silver flags and carry them onto the spread field. More work with those big suckers would be a welcome sight. Hmmm, the drill near the end of their show had some geometric intensity. Here we go again with the big, bad sound. Uh, yeah, some of the sound was "bad" in a good way and "bad" in a bad way. This group was full force! I'd love to see them exercise other dynamic options besides, loud, loud, and extra loud, because I think it would help them take a huge leap in maturity. My Score: 60.00 My Placement: 14th Onate High School Las Cruces, NM Repertoire: "Propelled by Wind" featuring the music from La Nouba including "Once Upon a Time," "Porte," "Distorted," "Reve Rouge," "Urban" and "La Nouba" Comments: Grey and black could be spotted in the distance--a blob form that is soon covered with a colorful circus tent tarp. And then they are revealed with spunk. A visual flourish, some mystery music, and then a sparkling mix of both overwhelm. The end of the first song is somewhat bland, and so is the end of the second song. The woodwind players sure have their parts down and I give them credit for their attention to detail during the raising and lowering of their bodies during that visual moment. The goofy leg swipe marching fits with the oom-pah-pah music and the soli by some wacky woody players up front. Really get those straight legs and high toes synched up when moving slowly, trumpets. Sub-di-vide. Yeah, the gentle backfield music amongst the windmill props is so good. What finesse! This group gets into a huge triangle form and boogie down with some fantastic dance moves. A kid up front on a mic chants with the motion, and too soon we are near the end of their show. The rectangle that crisses and crosses is prosaic. Please, humor me with something DIFFERENT. Aaah! Such a good show deserves such a good end. Something about those neat and tidy forms up front must be luring. Perhaps they can end their show like they started it? (Under the circus tent?) This Reagan-esque tactic really does provoke. Splendid work, Onate, despite this. Splendid work. My Score: 73.50 My Placement: 5th Corona del Sol High School Tempe, AZ Repertoire: "Strange Humors" including "Strange Humors" by John Mackey, "Concerto for Orchestra, Mvt. II Giuco della coppie" and "Concertino for Four Percussion and Wind Ensemble" by David Gillingham Comments: I noticed near flawless marching technique in pistol hold as the marchers entered the field. Lyrical sounds stretched forth, as the wind players, scattered, played to the hands of their lead. At the start of their show, saxes and mellos face forward. I was worried by the nervous sound to begin, but they soon regained focus. The melodies swept 'round and 'round. They were sticklers on technique. The blind pass-through in the first tune that was so obvious and so careful did not have the impact I searched for. Ugh! A clarinet player fell hard to the turn on side A, but got up in no time. (Excellent recovery.) Aaah yes, ensemble. I love that warm, balanced, precision sound. Vertical lines passing through the drumline, are those supposed to be vertical line? (I think so.) The complicated sound this band supplies is right on. Sure, there were a few glitches, but...I was still, still entranced. Ooh, don't drag, guys, don't drag. I clenched my fist as the band went into warp drive, steering this music with passion. Hooo! Nice, nice, nice. Whoa, there! (A saxophonist almost tumbles downwards, but regains balance quickly.) This band is reaching for the stars, but it not quite there, yet. Musically, they are phenomenal. Overall and visually, they leave some to be desired...but not a lot. Wonderful job, everyone. I was on my feet clapping before thier show ended. My Score: 68.40 My Placement: 7th Desert Vista High School Phoenix, AZ Repertoire: "Seated Perspectives" including "I. Arrival," "II. Compassion" and "III. Finale" Comments: I appreciated the auxiliary costumes--simple, yet effective, with distinguished white collar on the blue top, and black bottoms. Whoa! This band comes at you like a Mack truck. Thanks for sharing such a massive and bright pleasant sound, here. The folding chair props are cheap but serve their purpose well. A lone, old-time snare drum tapper rolls along with a well-tuned trumpet. Uhm, but later on--trumpets? In tune? (Really listen.) Yeah, I like how every other wind player stands on the chairs and there is a wind player in between them (on the turf)...the look is "seismographic." Come on, guys! Pull it together with that musical and visual prowess you showed me earlier. I see some uneven lines and curves, and marred rotations. They have a lesser grasp on what they are doing at the end of their show versus the start of their show. It was rushed, it was sloppy, it was moderate. (If it were not so obvious, I might have let it slide, but no.) My advice to them is to really polish the fine parts some more, and work, work, work the last 3/4 of the show. They have a lot of distinct moments working for them with this show, and I think they can kick it up a few notches. My Score: 65.90 My Placement: 9th Deer Valley High School Glendale, AZ Repertoire: "Shades of Autumn" including "October" by Eric Whitacre and "Ride" by Samuel Hazo Comments: A solo here, a solo there, clashing solos, and then a burst of energy from all and...okay. Uh oh, we have some gnarly pulse problems now. Smooth out some of those forms. Oh man, I hate to see the tearing, or more like it, shredding! Notes were punched too hard, drums were way too loud, and I just got the feeling that no one really cared about what they were playing. Sad. They had a majorette on side A performing some amazing moves with three batons, so it might not hurt to incorporate her more in the show maybe with other equipment or weapons. Okay, that collapsing block from near the rear of side B did not look too shabby. Good work, guys! Drumline, your feature was pretty on target. Watch those stick heights. Yeah, these kids were tripping over themselves with this book they were attempting. Ha ha! I must admit, as guilty as I feel writing this, that they've got guts putting this on the field with their skill level. Some more laps around the field might help them with ENDURANCE. Good effort, band. My Score: 51.10 My Placement: 22nd Mountain Pointe High School Phoenix, AZ Repertoire: "Ellipses" including "River of Life" by Reineke, "Lament" by Garcia and "Dragons Fly on Wings of Time" by Neeck Comments: There were likely at least three members not here to perform. Holes! I hate holes. (Maybe those in charge of the band can make the kids work for their spots by using shadow marchers.) Okay, these kids got off to a lively start. Do not jump the gun, trumpets. Watch. Waaatch. I was pleased to see they were painting the forms with some gentle brushstrokes. The single-time marching by the brass and double-time marching by the woodwinds was a treat for the eyes, and really complimented the music. There was quite a bit of lag going into the next part of their show. The folks in that rhombus form could be moving...somehow. (The possibilities of what they could do there is so much.) You have to love a band that makes the attempt to blend and balance the sound to the best of their abilities. Though there was a lack of hitting every note, and hitting every note in time, I could not complain about their oomph. This show was neither the sharpest nor the quickest, but it had a knack for the complete. They could gain an edge if they tighten the screws, and add, add, add. Way to sell your show. My Score: 52.90 My Placement: 21st Millennium High School Goodyear, AZ Repertoire: "The Hypar Effect" featuring the music of John Meehan including "Dome," "Sphere" and "Helicoid" Comments: Their shakos had no plumes, and yet the shakos could have plumes. Why not? The rain? I am not the biggest fan of mallet features before the big impacts (to get things rolling). Oh my, this music bears little emotion and resembles caution. Things are so MECHANICAL to this point and I...I just don't like it. How could you not compare this show to Ayala's show some years back? (Two way different things.) The circular flute form with flutes flaunting their stuff was a gleam of hope. The auxiliary made a bold statement during the ballad, with some graceful poses and hopping. (Those arm streamers are catchy.) Get in tune, mellos, or drop out. Argh! Okay, back to the show. The big, booming low brass made my 15 minutes. Aaand so did the trumpets. Hey, things are not looking too bad after all! Push, push, push to the end EVERYBODY. For these kids this show was quite a challenge, but they made it to the finish despite their struggles. I hope they keep practicing and keep not just the big things, but the little things, in mind, like recognizing intonation and making the necessary adjustments. My Score: 53.10 My Placement: 20th Air Academy High School United States Air Force Academy, CO Repertoire: "Area 51" featuring the music of Mark Higginbotham including "Beyond," "Area 51," "Mystic Rhythms," "Northern Lights" and "Warp" Comments: The synthesizers sting you with eerie futuristic music. What stands out the most right now is some strong melodies and skewed line rotations, as odd as that combination might be to you. So far, this was a mixed bag full of tricks. I chuckled at the playful visual display which was enhanced by the music of a contra bass clarinet player and a bassoon player amped to a tee. Great! Wow! These kids are rocking with a full on, relentless sound, and head-banging drum thwacks. Some flute players partake in ballet turns with nice balance. In a short while we reach a halted triangle form that directs their sound to the dome's right corner to bounce it and cook it well. Two right triangles meet side by side to form a box, and then the box rotates, and then we are back to what they do best, which is rock out. Ha ha! They are quite the entertainment. This was a strong show with some dents and scratches, but...look out for them! They will turn heads! My Score: 70.00 My Placement: 6th Tucson High School Tucson, AZ Repertoire: "The American Dream" featuring music by Robert J. Sanchez and J.D. Denton including "American Fire," "American Heart" and "American Soul" Comments: In a really, really tight pod, the wind players bow to the center where the guard raises their hands each time this happens. (It looks like a beating heart, and the red uniform tops really make this!) Soon, the winds disband and retrieve their horns, which are lying in a triangle formation. Saxophones, you are starting to bug me with those inconsistent horn angles, non-existent feet-rolling, and, yeah...this should be a wake-up call for you. The music is gelling. The moments of clarity are striking me. I like what I hear much more than what I see. Note: the ballad falls into place nicely. Now we are graced with some singing voices, and a lonely tuba fella. Interesting words are called out by the band (which I can't make out), and then we go back to horns. Very suave. Saxophones, in that pod you made your music special. Okay, this show had its moments. Again, dirty visually, decent musically. There were some moments in this show where I was pleasantly surprised. My Score: 56.20 My Placement: 18th Mesquite High School Gilbert, AZ Repertoire: "Sonoran Desert Holiday" featuring the music of Ron Nelson including "Homage to Perotin" from "Medieval Suite" and "Sonoran Desert Holiday" Comments: The opening symmetrical formation was soothing. I saw a wide range of deep blue. The auxiliary wore light forest green tops with black pants. A six-man team of middle horns and a sax perform. Yesss. I was floored by that awesome sound at a halt--this was their first big statement, and it was shaped well. "Medieval Suite" rang with joyous hollers by all. Special thanks need to go to the mellos. Some forms deteriorated too much, and for too long. Do not be a sight that is hard to watch! The ballad seemed to roll off the tongues with ease, but there was little pizzazz. Let us see some stuff that will make you not "just another band," like some unique ballet poses, or even some GROUNDWORK. (I haven't seen groundwork in a while, since...hmmm, BOA San Antonio and BOA Grand Nationals last year?) (Take a hint from some of the best guards in the biz.) This was a well-rounded and well-suited program. My Score: 61.00 My Placement: 13th Basha High School Chandler, AZ Repertoire: "Circuitry" featuring the music of Key Poulan and Shaun McAnear including "Electrons," "The Connection" and "Overload" Comments: The gold and black musicians contrasted with the silver and black auxiliary, yet the colors were classy all the same. The synthesizer and woodwinds sustain a note until the woodwinds change things up a bit. One member stumbles, but is not hindered for long. The electronic pit is fun to hear. They rule. Whoa, whoa, whoa! What's with all the moving when you're supposed to be at a halt? (That was just ridiculously obvious.) Okay, I can see some diagonals in that form at the first tune's end. The thumping, low range synth beat leads this onward-minded gang. Some of the sounds are scattered and deranged. Is head-bopping the only thing you can come up with during that super cool percussion feature, staff? Come ON! Geez. This show was not band. Whoever programmed the synthesized music knew what he or she was doing. I liked that this group seemed to want to be on the cutting edge with enhanced sounds...but the basics need to prevail. Where oh where was the glitz. If you are going to tempt me you had better follow through! These guys were missing something. Not a bad show by all means, but this could have been a great one. I think...I think they are on the right track. My Score: 59.50 My Placement: 16th Covina High School Covina, CA Repertoire: "Storm Horizon" featuring the music of Scott Hickey including "I. As the Storm Approaches," "II. Outflow Boundary" and "III. Storm Chasing" Comments: Snap those horns up together, all. While at a halt, in a scattered formation, the winds hum a few dull notes. I noticed some flutes not executing horn maneuvers at the right moments. Okay, these kids do not want to play with the big boys, because all I am seeing are these tame, cutesy horn flash moves. Where's the body? (Where's the beef?) Give that gal who tossed that flag within the circle of wind players a pat on the back. (That was her moment to shine, and so she did.) Most of the guard had their work down pat, they in their hodgepodge of sparkly blue and black tops. Great transition from fast to slow, band. Ooh. Did you hear that? I sure heard that. It was not good. Weed that stuff out. Excellent work at halts and step-offs...the timing was just about right each and every time. I really made the effort to get into this show, and that should not happen here. As their show progressed, it seemed to regress. Keep working hard. My Score: 50.30 My Placement: 23rd Palo Verde High School Las Vegas, NV Repertoire: "Fear-a-Phobia" featuring original music by Dr. Kyle Kindred Comments: I could make out some diagonals in a mass form of winds. Oh nice. They form zigzags and then straight lines and then repeat this. Ha! (Clever. The wind players brush the air around them in worried fashion.) The freaky deaky aura of this show sure came across as such. "Fear of flutes?" Again, a comedic element, as the other wind players run in panic from the flautists. Ooh, pretty steady body balance during that one-legged lift. I am digging this music. Auxiliary, those are some spooky fabrics you wave on those poles. (I am starting to think of the movie, "Beetlejuice.") Now match the rifle work, match it. A paranoid trumpet soloist, who stops every so often to "watch his back," has some fine moments, but some cracks, too. Is a snare drum tap necessary to start the next part? (It's like marking time!) Trumpets, way to sustain those high notes that repeat, and repeat, and repeat. I feel for you! I am smiling at the random spots of footwork, including sidesteps, shuffles, and pointing. My, my trumpets--again, you never fail to impress. This group goes to the end of the earth to succeed with their abstract show, and in many ways they succeed at this. But man, the heady moments are almost too heady. I could tell the audience really started to settle in with this show near the end, and it needs to happen much, much sooner. My Score: 65.00 My Placement: 10th Casa Grande Union High School Casa Grande, AZ Repertoire: "In Diversus Motus" including "I. Niagra Falls," "II. Sonata for Trumpet by Eric Ewazen," "III. Colchester Fantasty, Mvt. IV" and "IV. Niagra Falls" Comments: The double diamond form was not exactly sharp at the points, but I see it was not exactly intended that way when they moved by rotating it. Ear-splitting notes sort of catch you off guard. Nice peek-a-boo move, trumpets. Flutes and clarinets jazz run OKAY, but from up here I say get the forms in gear. Ah! Relentless. I like it. Boom tap-tap, boom tap-tap. (Simple, yet proper pit writing, and the rest of the band responds to it well.) I like the seasick sounding low brass, as the upper brass wail a seductive melody. The halts are a bit much, and when you do them be as clean as can be. (Nothing sticks out like a sore thumb for than halts that do not render a sparkling form.) Yeah, this band will be in the thick of things, here. They performed well. My Score: 63.20 My Placement: 11th Ayala High School Chino Hills, CA Repertoire: "Fear" featuring the music of John Meehan, Caleb Rothe and Ike Jackson including "I. Claustrophobia," "II. Aquaphobia," "III. Metallophobia" and "IV. Kinetophobia" Comments: Ayala's wind players got in a gigantic roman numeral two form. the pit generated some creepy effects before the "II" collapsed and thrashed us with menacing musical notes. The low brass had their time in the spotlight, and it was a good one. The brass and woodwinds stretch across the field, with the trumpets going fingering nuts. Excellent turn-'round rip-ple. Aaah, I now see the blank guard dresses with a flowing blue outer layer. Okay, that sabre toss once and again around those giant bouncy balls is decent. Eek! What's with almost everyone dropping? (This especially at "that" time.) The rifle work needs to lock more, too. Let us have some legitimacy, here! The percussion rage on with varying methods of sticking...that metal pole pounding was tasty. The end of their show was chock full of piercing strength. The theme of this show was secure, no doubt, but I got the feeling that this show was in pieces, all over, and sappy. I guess what I am searching for in this mad, mad, mad, mad world of theirs is some CONSISTENCY. The auxiliary, especially, has to shape up or ship out. Again, the "C" word. My Score: 74.70 My Placement: 2nd Coronado High School Henderson, NV Repertoire: "Attraction: The Music of Scheherazade" including "I. The Story of the Prince Kalendar," "II. The Story of the Prince and the Princess" and "III. The Festival at Baghdad" Comments: The low brass is supreme in their stance. The music and motion here go together like a horse and carriage. Well done. Almost every solo is nailed. (I know, it's tough!) Here is a show that has the concert quality, but not the marching quality. Yeah, the forms were not bad; in fact, the forms were not bad at all. But I'd be lying to you if I told you that any of what they were doing was not easy. The trumpet section handles purplish flags, and gracefully does a hand-off to the guard members. Flutes, flash those flutes together. The step-size is too small through much of this show, and the tempo is way steady, way steady. You could throw a rock at this band and they would not flinch. Their show got some polite applause, but man...WAKE ME UP!!! There was little to no velocity by the finish. Thank you for the brilliant musical performance. That's all. My Score: 59.80 My Placement: 15th Pomona High School Arvada, CO Repertoire: "Scale and Beyond..." featuring music by Richard Saucedo and Ray Ulibarri Comments: Three skeleton pyramid props, and a giant scale on which to weigh things on on the back 50, were awe-inspiring. A pyramid form of clarinets moves, sending out strings of beauty that was sound. This band builds, and builds, and builds. Good stuff. Way to get that stretched, curvy form of woodwinds on the move with that fleeing music, drill dude. A struggle for balance is played out with white versus black large ball props, and yes, it appears these things have the ability to change in color. The sweeping music is grand, yes. There is nothing overly spectacular, though. A snazzy 70's-ish tune gets the hands clapping. "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"? I like the contrasting white clad and black clad guard gals who climb one of the pyramids on opposite sides. (The contrast was poignant.) Unfortunately, they had a lukewarm ending. My Score: 73.90 My Placement: 4th Victoria Memorial High School Victoria, TX Repertoire: "New World Dances" featuring the music of Martin Ellerby including "I. Earth Dance," "II. Moon Dance" and "III. Sun Dance" Comments: One of the guard members carried a white frame, and danced about with it. A heavy-sounding piano solo erupted. How about that solid sound? The drill forms went every which way, and all was standard from here on out. Yikes, auxiliary, I see you with those bright orange and purple flags. (Be as one.) The lovely sax solo was background to swelling chords. Steady trumpets...steady. That sax guy went to work on the serenading, wow! The ballad was concise. Was there something to be harkened to much later? I'd seriously debate that. Use those muscles to put the brakes on. Hmmm. An unfinished show? Oh man, these kids are going to be dead in the water, here. They stand and play for quite a long time. Oh sure, their music is joyous, soulful, and precise...but you have to get MOVING. This show will be a tough one to judge. They seem to be quite centered, but devoid of staying power or substance. My Score: 67.20 My Placement: 8th Exhibition: Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ Repertoire: "Shout It Out Load: The Music of KISS" including "Shout it Out Loud," "Detroit Rock City," "Beth" and "Rock 'N Roll All Night" Comments: My jaw dropped upon seeing the majorette toss her baton so high, and catching it RIGHT on cue. The brass section was planted up front for one reason and one reason only--to blow your face off. Ha ha! (And the clarinets knew it, too. They stopped playing for a moment to clap along, and got the crowd clapping, too.) The rock ballad, "Beth," was hammered into something stunning by an outstanding baritone soloist. There was a good time to be had by all with this group. Nice direction of motion pass-through by the mellos who hurried aaand...got there. These kids need to be put out by a fire extinguisher, because they were on FI-AH! My Score: N/A My Placement: N/A Mid-Show Thoughts: Now, here is the breakdown of my preliminary results and actual preliminary results: Division Ratings (Note: Division Ratings Not Announced) Gilbert H.S., AZ - II Desert Mountain H.S., AZ - III Desert Ridge H.S., AZ - III Jenks H.S., OK - II William S. Hart H.S., CA - I La Cueva H.S., NM - II Onate H.S., NM - II Corona Del Sol H.S., AZ - II Desert Vista H.S., AZ - II Deer Valley H.S., AZ - III Mountain Pointe H.S., AZ - III Millennium H.S., AZ - III Air Academy H.S., CO - II Tucson H.S., AZ - III Mesquite H.S., AZ - II Basha H.S., AZ - III Covina H.S., CA - III Palo Verde H.S., NV - II Casa Grande Union H.S., AZ - II Ayala H.S., CA - II Coronado H.S., NV - III Pomona H.S., CO - II Victoria Memorial H.S., TX - II My Personal Preliminary Scores and Rankings (Note: Actual Preliminary Scores and Rankings Found on BOA Website) 1. 77.00 William S. Hart H.S., CA 2. 74.70 Ayala H.S., CA 3. 74.30 Jenks H.S., OK 4. 73.90 Pomona H.S., CO 5. 73.50 Onate H.S., OK 6. 70.00 Air Academy H.S., CO 7. 68.40 Corona del Sol H.S., AZ 8. 67.20 Victoria Memorial H.S., TX 9. 65.90 Desert Vista H.S., AZ 10. 65.00 Palo Verde H.S., NV 11. 63.20 Casa Grande Union H.S., AZ 12. 61.70 Gilbert H.S., AZ 13. 61.00 Mesquite H.S., AZ 14. 60.00 La Cueva H.S., NM 15. 59.80 Coronado H.S., NV 16. 59.50 Basha H.S., AZ 17. 57.70 Desert Mountain H.S., AZ 18. 56.20 Tucson H.S., AZ 19. 55.10 Desert Ridge H.S., AZ 20. 53.10 Millennium H.S., AZ 21. 52.90 Mountain Pointe H.S., AZ 22. 51.10 Deer Valley H.S., AZ 23. 50.30 Covina H.S., CA Class Championships Awards (Actual): Class A 3rd N/A 2nd N/A 1st N/A Class A Highest Achievement Outstanding Music Performance - N/A Outstanding Visual Performance - N/A Outstanding General Effect - N/A Class AA 3rd N/A 2nd Covina H.S., CA 1st Air Academy H.S., CO Class AA Highest Achievement Outstanding Music Performance - Air Academy H.S., CO Outstanding Visual Performance - Air Academy H.S., CO Outstanding General Effect - Air Academy H.S., CO Class AAA 3rd William S. Hart H.S., CA 2nd Pomona H.S., CO 1st Ayala H.S., CA Class A Highest Achievement Outstanding Music Performance - Pomona H.S., CO Outstanding Visual Performance - Ayala H.S., CA Outstanding General Effect - Ayala H.S., CA My Finalists (In Random Order) Jenks H.S., OK Desert Vista H.S., AZ Victoria Memorial H.S., TX Ayala H.S., CA William S. Hart H.S., CA Palo Verde H.S., NV Corona del Sol H.S., AZ Onate H.S., NM Pomona H.S., CO Air Academy H.S., CO Actual Finalists (In Random Order) Jenks H.S., OK Ayala H.S., CA William S. Hart H.S., CA Casa Grande Union H.S., AZ Victoria Memorial H.S., TX Onate H.S., NM Air Academy H.S., CO Pomona H.S., CO Coronado H.S., NV Corona del Sol H.S., AZ Mid-Show Thoughts (Continued): One of my favorite moments during a BOA event is the announcement of the 10 finalist bands. The SUSPENSE is such that you could hear a pin drop. Tonight was no different! One by one, the names of the bands that made finals were announced. Corona del Sol was one of those groups on the "bubble," meaning that they could make it or perhaps get knocked out of the mix. When band #9 was called, and their name was not "Corona del Sol," I could see some of the backers of the band gasp in fear. Heh heh heh! THE CORONA DEL SOL HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND, FROM TEMPE, ARIZONA! "Oh [expletive]," yelled one of their band moms. 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 UP NEXT: FINALS***

Bands of America Regional Championships Papa John's Cardinal Stadium Louisville, KY September 23, 2006 Tornado Watch. Severe Weather Warning. Flood Watch. These words kept flashing across my TV screen at the Springs Inn in Lexington, Kentucky. "Two girls were dropped off by a cab in downtown Lexington swept into an underground storm drain." "A man was rescued out the trees due to flooding on Nicholasville Road." "A motorist died after skidding off Interstate 65 into floodwaters near Elizabethtown." Was I going to brave the weather in a two-hour drive to one of the biggest high school marching band contests in the nation? heck YEAH! It was a dark and dreary morning, the roads covered with wet. I got in my tan KIA Sorento rental vehicle with all I would need for a day that would surely be soaking. I had a baseball cap, a rain jacket, a rain poncho, a bag of cashews, a notebook, a set of pens, and plenty of maps to help me get around this state I have not been in before. At 5:30 am, there were few cars. The rain was light, but I knew I was going to be in for a wild ride when the pellets started pouncing. I drove up New Circle Road onto Highway 60, and Highway 60 all the way up to...wait. No. Police cars? Flashing lights? What was THIS? The bypass of Highway 60 was closed, likely due to flooding. There was one police car blocking the road nearby, and in the distance I could make out the lights of yet another car. "Now for a lesson in crative DRIVING," I said to myself, concerned yet focused. I broke out one of my maps and traced highway 60 which had a route leading through the business sector of Versailles. "Ah-ha!" I cried, and then I drove onwards without looking back. Whether or not you think you are going the right way does not matter when the road ahead is dark and the sides of the road are just as dark. But with sound determination, I drove on...and finally, finally reached Highway 64 (East), which would take me to the heart of Louisville. The rain came down hard, and I drove my car slow. The tires sliced and splashed through water, but with control. As miles upon miles were travelled, the bright lights and big city of Louisville soon emerged. A hop, skip, and a jump to one highway...and a quick turn off...and THERE. Papa John's Cardinal stadium, true to name "Cardinal," had a lot of red in its color. It was shaped like a horseshoe, with gates at several points around. Street sweepers were humming back and forth, and that was the most activity I saw when I was there, with the exception of a few cars parked here and there and some folks gathering. I figured those who were near the main gate would tell me what the plan was. This is when I found out that the regional had been cancelled. The plan? Ha ha! There is no plan. Well...kinda sorta. You see, the track around the field had been flooded, like a moat. The body of water there was so deep, it was said, that a raft or boat would have to ferry pit supplies back and forth and THAT, it was said, was why no field shows would commence. However, BOA did have an another plan, it seemed. We were told that the bands would perform in a standstill performance at the Louisville Male High School Gymnasium. Cool! We were also told that there would likely not be enough room for those who want to see the bands do this...and that maybe the parents of each group would get to see thier own group perform. Uh, not cool? But the point was this: this regional ain't happenin'. You can try to slice it this way or that way, but there was no way. While standing in what was now light rain, I was surprised to hear, "Alan?" Wolfgang, long one of the most mysterious and celebrated BOA forumites, was standing outside his car which was parked right next to mine! Wolfgang had driven from Indianapolis to catch this star-studded show, and was just as disappointed as I was that it was, sadly, no more. But being the hardcore fans Wolfgang and myself were, we wanted to see the bands perform anyways. And with Wolfgang's help I was able to get to Louisville Male High School by following him...but not before we got breakfast. (Thanks again for paying, buddy!) After eating breakfast and talking "band" (both locally and nationally), we made our way to the contingency place. Some sort of Vietnam Memorial service was going on at the school, which jammed one of the parking lots up. The parking lot we were in, though, was nice and clear. It was not long before we found a band, unloading their trailer and preparing. But then...we encountered the "Parent Police." Yes, the "Parent Police." Wolfgang and I, looking like we were not from 'round there, of course (because we weren't), were asked by these two Louisville Male High School band ladies, "Who are you guys with?" We were honest and had nothing to hide, so I told them we were "fans," more or less. And then the two ladies let us have it! They made us feel unwelcomed, explaining that there would be NO spectators allowed within the gymnasium (which includes parents), that Louisville Male was "lucky" to get the gymnasium since a big memorial was on site, that the only people allowed in the gym were judges and bands, and that we should probably not just move our cars but leave the premises entirely since there would be buses and trailers coming (and needing room to park and unload). And that was that! Wolfgang and I stuck around for a bit to hear the Louisville Male High School Marching Band warm up on their home turf. (They are playing what sounds like a variation on Gustav Holst's, "The Planets.") And then after seeing L. Scott McCormick arrive and do some PR work, we decided to depart. Unfortunately, this "review" did not cover the bands that were scheduled to be at today's BOA Regional Championships in Louisville, KY...but has instead given you a better picture of what WAS, what COULD HAVE BEEN, and what WASN'T. Nevertheless, it was worth a try (I hope?) Until next time, at the Bands of America Regional Championships in Flagstaff, Arizona... Alan Irons Fountain Valley High School Marching Band 1993-1996 Pacific Crest of Diamond Bar 1997 Nashua Spartans 1998-1999 UCSB Class of 2002

(Note: this is a re-post of something I wrote three years ago. I believe, in many respects, what happened "then" continues to influence the marching arts of "now." Enjoy!) The Greatest High School Marching Band of Alltime Bands of America 1993: A Ten Year Retrospect By Alan R. Irons It was ten years ago that a band from Spring, Texas won the 1993 Bands of America Grand National Championships. From then on this band has become somewhat of a legend in the high school marching band community. The 1993 Spring High School band is considered by many as "the best high school marching band of all time." You may have seen pictures of Spring '93. In 1993, Bands of America used a picture of a mellophone player from the band for the cover of their BOA Grand National Championships video, and in 1995 (BOA's 20th Anniversary) BOA used a picture of three trumpet players from the band for their BOA Regional Championships program book and for their cover of the BOA Regional Championships videos. The pictures from both years show perfect posture in regards to straightness (head-to-toe), with perfect horn angles, perfect elbow angles, and PRESENCE. The 1995 picture shows three trumpet players that look exactly the same, as if one had copied a picture of one of the trumpet players and placed it next to the picture. The photographs of the band make them look like perfect robots. You could say they were a model for all bands that aim high. Indeed, Spring High School looked great on paper, but how did they look in the flesh? I admit this is my setback, that I did not see them live in 1993. Nevertheless, videotape is the next best thing. I have watched the Spring '93 show over and over again, and have yet to see a better performance live or recorded. Everything they did was fantastic. No, it was not just perfection that helped them win...it was so much more. This group changed the image of high school band, and gained respect from those both inside and outside of the marching band community. But do not take my word for it! If you research the vast archives of rec.arts.marching.band.high-school (usenet), the Bands of America forums, and other related high school marching band discussion groups, you will find others who agree with my claims. Sure, there are some who think Lassiter '98 or Plymouth-Canton '99 are the all time best...but Spring was first, and the units of the future had to reckon with that standard. But 1993 was not just about Spring High School...it was the year a handful of students from Jackson, Mississippi beat a gigantic high school marching band from Duncanville, Texas...it was the year Lake Park High School Marching Band from Roselle, Illinois had an amazing performance perhaps overlooked because of Spring High School's history-making performance...it was the year the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park High School Marching Band continued to redefine the high school marching band as "entertainment," with their electronics and Broadway-like theatrics...it was the year the defending Bands of America Grand National Champions, the Centerville Jazz Band, failed to defend their title well enough, yet was still in contention for the top spot. I will now do a videotape analysis of these six groundbreaking high school marching bands (in performance order): Spring High School Spring, TX Repertoire: Music of Paul Hindemith: Symphony in B flat, and 3rd and 4th movements from Symphonic Metamorphosis Comments: Before the band is announced, you can hear the sound check, "Test! Test!" This sound check will forever be etched in time, because it reflects the perfect, and because it reflects the future. The garb of the marching members were black and grey: white plumes, black shakos with a standard silver sunburst, grey tops with silver buttons on the front and shoulder wings, a black sparkling sash, black gauntlets, black pants, and black shoes. (Their look was incredibly minimalist, yet incredible effective.) I have not seen a band seem to own the field like this one. This band seems to explode with the first few measures of music they perform. The confidence of this group is astounding. The first part of their show is a feast for the eyes and the ears. Their drill is extremely, extremely difficult. When the first part of their show ends, you know they will win, but this great show goes on and on. Note that the camera closeup of one color guard members reveals the ultimate in discipline: she is motionless, except for her eyes that watch the drum major. The flute soloist that begins the second movement (and plays a fine role in the rest of the show) is famous. (People write about her today!) The dangerous blind passthroughs are utilized to the max. The second movement is like a whirlwind that gets stronger and stronger. The band gets into a triangle formation that morphs into what looks like a three-sided chinese-star formation. The audience seems to love this show with a passion. The third movement, has a clarinet solo, a concert baritone solo, a concert french horn solo, and another clarinet solo. The moment when the flute soloist starts playing and there is applause is stunning. It was as if this show was meant to win. The final movement has a trombone section that knows no limits. I love how the camera close-up focuses on the upper body of the saxophones, and when they move one sax girl diagonally behind another sax girl uses her eyes only to keep the spacing between them even. Plus, it is neat to watch their upper bodies barely move as their lower bodies move. (The camera, focusing on the upper bodies, really shows how this works.) The end of the show is monstrously powerful musically, and though the last two drill moves are not much to brag about, the last two drill moves do seem to be flawless. Score: 96.55 (1st Place) Lake Park High School Roselle, IL Repertoire: Fiesta Roma Comments: The musicians of this band looked like a lighter version of the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps, with lots of blue and white to them. In a fanfare type movement, a square formation morphs into a rhombus formation. Music switches from loud and harsh, to soft and sweet, and then back again. A vocal soloist who looks italian, and who has a microphone attached to his uniform, sings in operatic italian. He sings with unparalleled expression. At one moment he creates more drama as he pulls out a handkerchief from under his uniform, and the audience responds with applause as he pats his forehead with it. (What incredible showmanship!) At the high point of his solo, the band goes crazy with sound, and the audience goes nuts with them. Oh wow, a marching member appears to have a step size of 3 (or 4) to 5 going from the far side of side B of the field to side A. Had Spring not been at this show, I think think this band would have won hands down. The end of this show is like a discharge from a double-barrel sawed off shot gun. The impact is awesome. Score: 95.25 (2nd Place) Plymouth-Canton Educational Park High School Canton, MI Repertoire: Jesus Christ Superstar Comments: This band goes all out in theatrics. Most of the first part of this show is made up of percussion and synthesized sound. This show is quite dark at times. The evil laughter from Roman henchmen is certainly effective. The "I Don't Know How to Love Him" ballad grabs hold of you tight and does not let go. Plymouth-Canton Educational Park High School know how to use electronics effectively, and boy did they do it this time. In fact, they were one of the first bands to bring this type of sound to a new plane. Score: 92.65 (5th Place) Duncanville High School Duncanville, TX Repertoire: Versanitis 1, Rocky Point Holiday, Slava, and Armenian Dances Comments: You do not understand the enormousness of this group until the marching members break away from their pods and spread themselves across the field. Their sound must have been ear splitting. Their size seemed to hamper how they moved around. There were lots of curved lines. Nice direction of motion pass-through by the auxiliary. A hint of Leonard Bernstein's On the Waterfront was heard, and then Slava which was not, I repeat, not an easy piece of music. When I went to school at Jersey City State College (now New Jersey City University), I played in the symphonic band under the direction of Nicholas Cerrato. Well, Mr. Cerrato was a big, big fan of Bernstein. (In fact, I think he may have even played under the direction of Leonard Bernstein). Mr. Cerrato had us play Slava and even we (a college level band) had a tough time with it! Duncanville handled Slava very nicely, although most of the difficult parts were played halted. Also, they did not yell, "Sla-va!" at the end, but that is a personal preference. Overall, this band did a fine job, but were left in the dust by a tiny, tiny band known as Jackson Academy. Score: 88.65 (9th Place) Centerville High School Centerville, OH Repertoire: From Earth, Wind, and Fire, including In the Sone, Got to Get You Into My Life, and Faces Comments: The auxiliary seems to tease the crowd before and after the show. The drum majors were the epitome of cool, dressed in all black with oversized white suit jackets. Chuck Henson, also known as "The Voice," does not announce this band as he announces the other bands (like "The Spring High School Marching Band," or "The Lake Park High School Marching Band.") Instead, he announces this band as, "The Centerville Jazz Band." Also, "Jazz" is scripted on the shakos they wear. This band specialized in jazz, which is interesting, difficult, and admirable. Two keyboard synths get this band rolling. The trumpets explode their sound like all great jazz trumpet sections, and the trombones sound is quite mature. The first saxophone solo is nailed. The peashooter trombone soloist is utterly amazing. Saxophones, what can I say? If you want to know how to march saxophone "properly," check this band out. The Centerville sax section does not mess around, with matched to the max sound, and perfect shoulder angles. The flutes have a neat soli where they play and dance at the same time. (Who said a flute can not play jazz?) The auxiliary claps their hands as the drum beats get bigger and bigger, and then...the FINALE! Score: 94.25 (3rd Place) Jackson Academy High School Jackson, MS Repertoire: See the World, In Her Name, and Minuano Comments: A tarp stretched from 35 yard line to 35 yard line. The design of the tarp was of a sandy beach and the ocean calm. A prop that seemed to be a tower made of sand was on the tarp, and on the back corners of the tarp were props that looked like waves, and on the front corners of the tarp were props that looked like mounds of sand. The pit was centered in the mid-part of the field. Wind players seem to come out of nowhere from behind the "mounds" and the "waves." I counted 20 wind players total. Each horn player had his or her horn angled to the box, probably to get the maximum sound from it. The drill is complex with pass-throughs and ripple movement. The first trombone soloist sounds like a pro. Some members are doing intricate body movement. This group, though small, sounds big. The end of the first movement has a rotating triangle form with a circle form spinning from within, and the it ends with wind players dropping to their knees. Some of the wind players dance with the auxiliary in the second movement, while one percussionist takes to the hand-held bells up-front. The trumpets, I think, switch to alto horns, while the mellophones stay the same. One of the auxiliary members "discovers" the giant oyster prop, opens it, and finds a black pearl inside. The auxiliary member takes the black pearl and does a few eye catching flips across the field with it. During the incredible synthesizer soli, the brass players ground their horns to pick up woodwinds, and even the guard is now marching with woodwinds! (There is a marching snare drummer at this point, too). After this marvelous showmanship, the primary musicians hand off the woodwinds to the guard and pick up the horns they had at the start of the show. The music and marching near the end of this show is on fire, with complex rhythms and drill whiplashing all ways. Score: 89.50 (8th Place) 1993 was a landmark year for high school marching bands. In my opinion, *this* was the year high school marching bands began to surpass drum and bugle corps in terms of difficulty, innovation, and powerfulness. Now I know comparing marching band to drum corps is like comparing apples to oranges, but I believe that they are closer than that. Think of it as comparing apples to pears. Both can be compared as "close" both musically and visually. The 1993 Star of Indiana Drum and Bugle Corps (from Bloomington, IN, which later became Blast!) seemed to push the envelope as far as it could be pushed in the marching arts activity, whereas Spring High School and other high schools that year and in later years picked up that torch. The Cadets of Bergen County Drum and Bugle Corps (from Bergenfield, NJ), both traditionalists and innovators since the early 1980s, may have come close to what Star of Indiana Drum and Bugle Corps did in 1993 (and granted they did defeat them in 1993), but since then they have had trouble along the way. George Hopkins, the director of the Cadets of Bergen County, tried and (somewhat) failed to change drum and bugle corps to become more relevant to the "new marching arts" by trying to include woodwinds and electronics. High school marching bands have used woodwinds, electronics, and new instrumentation for years, and with them stepping it up musically and visually, it can be argued that the drum and bugle corps art has become somewhat stagnant. (Note: There have been some exciting changes in drum and bugle corps, with brass now in "any key" and new amplification rules for 2004.) I highly recommend that high school marching band enthusiasts purchase the 1993 Bands of America Grand National Championships videos. Or better yet, I highly recommend any high school marching band enthusiast to purchase the Bands of America "Best of the Best" DVD collection, which features every Bands of America Grand National Championships winner since 1979. (With the "Best of the Best" DVDs, you get a choice of seeing most of the bands in either high-cam or multi-cam.) The future is bright for high school marching band... APPENDIX 1993 Bands of America Grand National Championships Results: 1. 96.55 Spring H.S., TX 2. 95.25 Lake Park H.S., IL 3. 94.25 Centerville H.S., OH 4. 93.85 Westerville H.S., OH 5. 92.65 Plymouth-Canton Educational Park H.S., MI 6. 90.55 Marian Catholic H.S., IL 7. 90.20 Seminole H.S., FL 8. 89.50 Jackson Academy H.S., MS 9. 88.65 Duncanville H.S., TX 10. 88.25 Center Grove H.S., IN 11. 88.25 Northrop H.S., IN 12. 86.60 Webster H.S., NY Here are some random quotes (edited) taken from usenet over the years on the Spring, Jackson Academy, and Duncanville bands of 1993: "During my 7 years of marching band experience, the greatest show to ever hit the field is without doubt Spring HS (Texas) 1993 "Symphonic Metamorphosis" show. It was more than incredible. It was in an entirely different class than any other band that year. I was in one of those other bands. (Webster, 12th place boa finals)...I know I'm not supposed to say this... but...this show probably could have challenged some of the top 12 corps from that year....( yes I know band and corps are two different animals but...)" "Do everything humanly possible to get copy of Spring High School's 1993 BOA Grand Nationals Performance. They took the championship with it. It included Hindemith's Symphony in Bb and movements 2, 3, and 4 from Symphonic Metamorphosis. I cannot say enough about this show. It is truly incredible. If you can appreciate true marching band art form (as opposed to the crap that a lot of the bands are doing nowadays) then you must see this show. It will forever change your view of what a high school marching band is capable of." "The move you are refering to is what we called the DNA move. That move was performed before the Cavies did it by Spring HS in 1993. If you have the BOA Nationals Videos from '93 (not high-cam), you won't be able to see it because of a close up on the flute soloist's nostrils. Great filming that year..." "I LOVE spring, they rock sooo hard..... all i have to say is "Spring '93...exactly!" "Scores aside, Spring was cleaner. No marching band has ever come even close to being as clean from a music and visual standpoint. (Plymouth and Hammond have come close, though.) Spring '93 was cleaner than most of the corps in 1999 DCI finals." "A lot of bands want to be like Spring '93 (probably the best show I have ever seen)." "Spring's show was the hardest marching show I think I've ever seen a band march and they made few errors. Having played both of the above pieces in a concert band, I can tell you, they did a jaw-dropping job with it. I have been to many marching competitions and marched in many too since I was in 7th grade (1984) and I think this show ranks up there will my all-time greatest. The finest of course being SCV's "Phantom" second edition." "I still say Spring '93 was the best show of all time..." "My favorite show was Spring High School in 1993!!! This band brought perfection to a new level. One of the cleanest high school shows ever." "Spring High School's Hindemith show was arguably one of the best high school shows ever put on the field." "I must say that the most amazing, if not the best, band I've ever watched was Jackson Academy HS (MS). I attended the BOA Grand National Finals in 1993 and witnessed both the largest and smallest bands I had ever seen at that level of competition. Jackson Academy HSMB had 20 winds, 12 guard, 7 perc (39 total). They pulled out a 30x25 yard tarp painted to look like a beach and lined the pit across the back edge (just behind the front hashmark). They had no percussion battery. The entire Jackson band at one point twirled flags and danced. I believe that I saw all the wind musicians playing brass instruments at one point and all woodwinds at another point. They did the most with the least, in terms of personnel, than any other band I've ever seen. Usually, given equal performances, a big band will beat a little band, but Jackson Academy finished 8th, I think, that night at Grand Nationals. One of the bands they beat BTW, was from Duncansville (TX), who was bigger than most college bands." "It was a few years back so my memory may be a bit fuzzy, but here goes...Jackson Academy is a music performance school located in [Mississippi]. There were probably fewer than thirty people in their band. From what I could determine, everyone in the hornline played two instruments and guard members played instruments in addition to their flag work. They peformed on a tarp that stretched from 35 to 35, sidline to front hash. There were marine/ocean props around the edge of the field. I believe the music was by Pat Methany(sp?) and was of a nautical nature. It was an incredible show! They scored higher than Duncanville in Finals. BTW, Duncanvlle had at least 300 to 350 members." "Hello, I saw your posting and wanted to respond. Please don't think that the size of your band would have any impact on how well your band would do at a Bands of America event. I've been attending the shows for 10 years now and have numerous stories to tell about the "David and Goliath"-type things that can happen. BOA is about excellence. Really it is! Just this past weekend Paden City HS from West Virginia made finals at the Morgantown Regional. They have 36 total members in the band grades 7 though 12 in a small country school of 250 total students. Ask any member of the Jackson Academy band in Mississippi (all 40 of them) how it felt to make finals at Grand Nationals and place just ahead of the largest band to ever come to the event? (Duncanville TX over 300 on the field). My point is that a band doesn't have to be a certain size to participate at BOA. Anyone and everyone is welcome! If you want to make finals... be the best you can possibly be, on an off the field. Play your horns well. Be creative. Show you have what it takes to make the cut. I am very familiar with your high school, I grew up just down the road in Boone County. We never had the opportunity to participate in BOA when I was in school. I highly recommend that you come to the Cincinnati Regional just to watch on October 17th. I think you'll see what I'm talking about. Have a great fall!!! Take Care, Chuck Henson (the 'Voice')" "[Jackson Academy] are great musicians. They sound like a professional jazz band, which gets them extremely high music difficulty points. Also to actually build a drill with such a small group is no small accomplishment. Talk about your "body movements". This band has invented a whole new direction. When you add in the fact that apparently most of this band can play more than one instrument, it pretty much shoots any other Class A band out of the water. Still, it takes you by surprise when you see it for the first time. And after seeing them over the last 3 years, it seems their formula tends to repeat. Guess they'll keep using it until the judges get bored with it." Past Bands of America Summer National Winners (1976-1978): 1976 Live Oak H.S., CA 1977 Murray H.S., KY 1978 Live Oak H.S., CA Past Bands of America Grand National Champions: 1979 Sylva-Webster H.S., NC 1980 Tate H.S., FL 1981 Chesterton H.S., IN 1982 Norwin H.S., PA 1983 Rocky Mount H.S., NC 1984 Rocky Mount H.S., NC 1985 Marian Catholic H.S., IL 1986 Rocky Mount H.S., NC 1987 Marian Catholic H.S., IL 1988 Marian Catholic H.S., IL 1989 Marian Catholic H.S., IL 1990 Plymouth Centennial Educational Park H.S., MI 1991 Plymouth Centennial Educational Park H.S., MI 1992 Centerville H.S., OH 1993 Spring H.S., TX 1994 Marian Catholic H.S., IL 1995 Center Grove H.S., IN 1996 Lake Park H.S., IL 1997 Marian Catholic H.S., IL 1998 Lassiter H.S., GA 1999 Plymouth-Canton Educational Park H.S., MI 2000 Marian Catholic H.S., IL 2001 Lawrence Central H.S., IN 2002 Lassiter H.S., GA 2003 Westfield H.S., TX ***END*** Alan Irons Fountain Valley High School Marching Band 1993-1996 Pacific Crest of Diamond Bar 1997 Nashua Spartans 1998-1999 UCSB Class of 2002

IN APPRECIATION OF 30 YEARS OF POSITIVELY LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES... Bands of America Grand National Championships November 9-12, 2005 RCA Dome Indianapolis, IN I was literally ejected from the pressurized dome, when I went through one of the doors held open by one of the event staff. Away I fluttered, back into the eager mix. The only question I (and many others) had was, "Where does the line start?" Semi-finals was a twisting thread of emotion of both agony and ecstasy. One after another one after another. Good schools each competed... and most "lived and died by the dome." At this point in the game, most bands spend all they have. Being a "Bands of America Grand National Finalist" this year was tougher, in fact, much, much tougher. (Anyone could have been excellent. Excellence had to be exceeded.) And so bands fell, great bands, bands I wished to see one more time, like: Castle, Seminole, and especially Broken Arrow. But after semis, there was this great sense that the job had been done. All the bands had outdone themselves! It almost did not matter WHO made finals, WHO did not make finals, WHO was the band to beat in finals. The nation's finest would be showcased, and that was enough for me to forget the "win/lose" factor...and enjoy the "win/win" factor. Because all these kids who dared to dream, or broke their nose, or lost their home...were HERE...here to be the best they could be, and were therefore (truly) "our winners in life." Let that sink in a bit. Are you ready? And now, ladies and gentlemen, our nation's finest, our BANDS OF AMERICA... ***FINALS PERFORMANCES*** EXHIBITION: Adair County High School (Class A Champions) Columbia, KY Repertoire: "Evolutions" including "Mvt. I Rhythm," "Mvt. II Melody," "Mvt. III Dynamics" and "Mvt. IV Medea" Comments: Cubic "L" shaped props assumed an arc form stretching from 10-yard line to 10-yard line. A swift baritone solo that slows sets the mood for this show, along with the "Medea" string of notes from one of the mallet players. Yeah, low brass, your section rules, and I am fond of that confidence. Again, the low brass is featured in a triangle, and provides primary back up and support. The total sound from this group is rich. A lunge and arm extension outwards by the wind players is an added bonus to the flute solo. Rolling notes upwards in an enraged way were the trumpets, this after the soothing ballad concludes. A few sax players hustle to their spot as the final segment of this show kicks into high gear. Yes! One of the near completed pictures of a sketch is generated by one of the members behind a 2-L-frame prop occurred just at the right time. Wow! This was an assured, super show. My Score: N/A My Placement: N/A Actual Placement: N/A Ronald Reagan High School (Class AAA Champions) San Antonio, TX Repertoire: "You Never Know" featuring "Profanation" by L. Bernstein, "Symphonic Metamorphosis" by P. Hindemith and original music by Aaron Guidry Comments: Half pyramid props colored purple are solid on the front sideline, and cloth on the back sideline. This utterly amazing group has been talked about so much, and it is no wonder why. The "warm-up" these kids do is a show in itself. As if doing ballroom dance moves, the wind players spin themselves with arms outstretched very elegantly. Trumpets did not seem to tie up with the mellophones during one of the melodies in the beginning. Yeah, rifle toss, that was sublime. What is great, too, is that now the saxophones are burning up the air with music. Now a total force to reckon with is not just certain sections, but everyone...and then just one clarinetist, followed by an "anything you can do I can do better" saxophonist. Ha haaaaa! The ridiculously great solos are followed by the ridiculous sample (quote), "Do the chickens have large talons?" A two-step dance done in a circular way works. As the auxiliary express themselves in the most beautiful of ways in light purple with sleeves that roll out to orange and yellow ribbons, the woodwinds play and are moving around in place just as expressively. The zapping synth sound to help end the ballad is too good. The ending of this show is almost beyond belief controlled. This show is one for the ages. My Score: 95.00 My Placement: 3rd Actual Placement: 2nd Plymouth-Canton Educational Park Canton, MI Repertoire: "Performing Inside Out" featuring the music of Steve Reich, Michael Nyman, Christopher Rouse and Frank Ticheli including "Mvt. I Control," "Mvt. II Breath," "Mvt. III Tension," "Mvt. IV Chaos," "Mvt. V Release" and "Mvt. VI Structure" Comments: Giant ramps that lead to a platform sit on every major yard line on the field (10, 20, 30, etcetera.) Grey walls seem to connect in the backfield, but passageways are in there. A girl in the guard is immersed in a white fabric that has the letter "T" on it. (She looks like she is inside of a giant sock.) A wood block keeps the rapid marchers in synch with each other. The drum major is sitting on her podium on her side, like a queen. The white tarp where most of the work was performed was folded over once, revealing the word, "Breath," and then folded over again to reveal cool, pastel colors. A triumphant trumpet one plays very beautiful, now. Uh! My goodness. The total, balanced sound from this talent rings for some while. Trumpets, low brass, way to slap me with that aggressive, chalkboard screech of sound. The tarp is folded for the last time. Green placemats with symbols are dragged, and chaos ensues. After chaos brings order, with nice contemplative lines of sound. That final, many-angled trumpet rotation was okay, really. Intense brass, on demand woodwinds, intense brass. Great, great production. My Score: 87.00 My Placement: 10th Actual Placement: 9th Lawrence Central High School Indianapolis, IN Repertoire: "Shadows and Light" including "Mvt. I Silhouettes," "Mvt. II Refraction" and "Mvt. III Speed of Light" Comments: Crystal like shards on platforms can be seen, and ramps appear to be the only way to access the platforms. In order, the wind players go face first on the ground, as if to do a push up. A tarp in the middle of the field is where the wind players "awake" first, pushing themselves up and rocking back to get the legs in the air. The clarinets, and a barely humming brass sound is just an honor to listen to. Rifles tossed are caught with finesse and passion, as are the sabres. The woodwinds up front seem to be struggling, whether it be with holding air in or holding time in, I don't know. A slowing piano roll upwards prepares this band for a grand march forwards with intriguing body movement. Get me thy wine glass so that I may toast them! A trumpet solo ends with a loving dance with a partner. A soaring synth, then band rendition of "All By My Side" is done. After an outstretching on-the-turf visual move that has "complexity" written all over it, we jump into action with simple melodies made tougher. The tender flute solo with the harpsichord accompaniment is glorious. I lurched forward in my seat as this group drew me in near the end of their awesome adventure. My Score: 95.90 My Placement: 1st Actual Placement: 5th Marian Catholic High School Chicago Heights, IL Repertoire: "Impressions in Black Granite" featuring music from Elliot Goldenthal's "Vietnam Oratorio" Comments: A broken up triangular memorial prop has wind players in black in between, along with a black and purple guard. The "Something's awry in Denmark" calls by the brass are near perfect, and so is everything else this band engages. The black pants and white pants marching display superior technique. Legs lock straight and toes are way up. The outstretched arms with hands open and fingers spread out by the wind players is eerie. The chant by those outstretching both arms to the side is even more eerie. You could hear a pin drop after the extraordinary yet unbelievably great sound of theirs is allowed to resonate with the senses and then, yes, fabulously...they proceed. The auxiliary operate their flags with tremendous intelligence. Only a few flaws remain in this show, but these are so unimportant...so miniscule. My lord, their sound can get monstrous. The woodwinds backfield allows you to catch your breath with delicate piano or pianissimo notes. You go through a lot with this band. This journey was not an easy one, but it was a thoughtful one. This was not marching band...this was something else. This band gets an "A" in my book. My Score: 91.90 My Placement: 7th Actual Placement: 6th Centerville High School Centerville, OH Repertoire: "BLUESprint" including "Blue Light Red Light (Someone's There)" by Harry Connick Jr., and Ramsey McLean, "Second Draft" by Andrew Markworth, "Blue" by Joni Mitchell and "Sprint" by Andrew Markworth Comments: Snapping fingers amidst easygoing saxophone players make you want to snap your fingers with them. In pods that go berserk with sound you see spinning flags tossed and caught in the best way. Clarinets, be extra careful not to let the squeaks slip out. The jazz running by the woodwinds was superb. Intervals and form control, saxes...focus. Ah yes, oh mighty, gentle piano sound by synth. A pitch black, dark flute sound is created, and soon the rest of the band makes the size of the ballad "extra large." (And hey, do you want fries with that?) Wonderful. A bowing to center circle soon lets a trombone player let loose with a warped, amped sound. Killer playing. Now a sax duet follows suit. Protractor-like props are fit over the body of the guard members one by one as rifles are tossed, and, ooooof course, rifles are caught. This show was a wonder. Thank you for the prime time entertainment. Centerville never fails to impress. The last string of trumpet notes seem sketchy. Nevertheless, they are true champs. My Score: 86.80 My Placement: 11th Actual Placement: 10th Owasso High School Owasso, OK Repertoire: "Fowl Play" Comments: The bird tweeting comes before music and marching expertise that lifts you up with them. Some vertical lines struggled to stay vertical. Woodwinds at a halt play some challenging stuff, and the guard executes moves as if it were a walk in the park, even though it is not. The classical french horn section of the show is quite magical, though not entirely in tune (it seemed). (Talk about having some guts to pull a thing like that.) Aye! Go gently trumpets. Go gently. The face towards side B end zone move had alright sounds. The bouncy pit sounds, and the woodwind dancers made you want to get up and dance with them. Sssh! And that is that. A swarm of bees brass sound gets brought back into focus eventually by the flutes and company. The cute "fowl" effects, along with true power through music makes this band survive. I like the second to last power chord, but they were halted with nowhere to go, it seemed. The show does not end, thankfully. Yeah, it goes on, and quite well. That gorgeous DNA form facing diagonally lowers with a single knee bend. This group got airborne a long time ago, and kept it that way. They were great, just great. My Score: 84.00 My Placement: 12th Actual Placement: 12th Carmel High School Carmel, IN Repertoire: "Suspended Symbols" by Richard Saucedo Comments: Within the pyramid tent skeletons, where cymbals are attached to the poles, are the guard who lay (on a tarp) in cross manner with arms out. Those woodwind licks are ones to watch out for. So much goes on in this show. (If you blink, you miss it.) Some of the flag work is "more than one." Wow! A guard gal that flips around like a gymnast comes out of nowhere. The morbid sax lines lead to at ease melodies. The auxiliary dressed in what looks like skydiving suits (without the parachute, of course!) seem to be the stars of the show. A double-ribbon double-helix form converges to one vertical line, yeah! Ha! What showmanship. One trumpet player tosses a mute to his comrade, and soon this muted section is off! I am in awe of the seemingly uncontrollable, wild on-both-knees musicians. This band sparks a fire that grows and grows and does not know when to quit. The winged form with tremendous sound from it gets this performance near the end in a grand way. The auxiliary sits in a "peace symbol" formation (again, reflecting the "symbol/cymbal" theme), as the pit rings so sweet, so sweet. This is such a rewarding show. Top job, my friends. My Score: 95.70 My Placement: 2nd Actual Placement: 1st Center Grove High School Greenwood, IN Repertoire: "Conspiracy Theory" including excerpts from Sing Sing: "J. Edgar Hoover," "Goop," "Nightmare" and "The Hands of Fate Parts 1 and 2" Comments: Like wavy hair, the wind players assume their first formation. The "I hope this presentation..." quote that introduces "your FBI" sets off the ringing of a phone and sirens. The "your FBI" quote is repeated over and over again, giving a sense of urgency, as the marching drums build and build their sound. Along with the alarming sirens are the alarming rifle tosses caught with laser like exactity and was, yeah, was GREAT. The legs go flying out and then become bent inward by lower winds closer to the front. A sax mesh at close intervals is made. I am really enjoying what I am hearing and seeing. The World Guard guard is nothing short of stupendous. Is that a hole I see in the tuba section? Can we close it up? Expert handle on the minimalism, gang. Repeating notes over and over again is not as easy as it may seem. I am gawking at how the phrase, "Keep it a secret," is used with the sampler. The national anthem is briefly played via an electric guitar, and as the wind players come forward in a structured, block-like form, they give a salute. Heh heh. This band is sensitive to America, so nothing too hot is there to be concerned about. This band does a one-two punch with their sound, and knocks the wind out of you. Papers from the file cabinet props are thrown about, some really flying. My Score: 89.10 My Placement: 8th Actual Placement: 11th L.D. Bell High School Hurst, TX Repertoire: "Ascension: Light of Gold" combining DiLorenzo's "A Little Russian Circus," Higdon's "Blue Cathedral" and "Concerto for Orchestra," Newman's "Angels in America" and Whitacre's "Lux Aurumque (Light of Gold)" including original material from arrangers Donald Hill and Jim Casella Comments: A clarinet and flute solo set this stage, a stage filled with bullet train sight, sound, and FORCE. The toes down technique on the slow forward slide works like a champ. Egads, yes! Now that angled triangle form seems a bit out of line with some lines. The head tilt in opposite directions by a vertical pair of wind players is radically fine. Those four lines that rotated to be vertical, and then attached in their own special ways to make a hump form were not perfect, but extremely difficult to accomplish. (Nice work!) Rifle tosses as some of the guard face backfield and some of the guard face frontfield is sensationally good. These girls are in the right frame of mind. The feet are white, but show dirt twice. One almost-straight vertical form heading to the side had feet here and there and everywhere. (The feet need to be cleaned GOOD.) I am in love with that sound, band, as most of you are on both knees. The overall look? I will not get into that. So much good stuff. This group echoes their greatness towards the far right corner of the field, and what bounces back is awesome. The kids really performed the heck out of this ambitious show. My Score: 88.60 My Placement: 9th Actual Placement: 3rd Avon High School Avon, IN Repertoire: "Equus" by Eric Whitacre Comments: Hooded guard in cream sit Indian style on the fabric of their flags. Wind players: a maniac swivel move to the ground on both knees, followed by leg kicks upwards as the body is on the ground with the horns grounded. Clarinets meet us with that lively melody that is a constant melody. What with the clarinet that does not seem to be amplified at the right place and at the right time? (You would think that would be fixed by now. Oh well.) The trombone section gets in a cluster and point their 'bones all different ways with a winding down "wwwah" sound. An electronic ray of sound that spirals downwards is swell. The wind players open their stage by taking themselves to the edges of the field. The drumline is power squared, no, power cubed. Watch, as the bass drummers do a daring pass-through through the snare drummers. This show really revs up near the end, as a triangle form seems to rotate forever and ever. The end of this show is a master stroke, with the elliptical forms that were featured in the beginning BACK, and a ripple of movement on both sides of the curves from the front to the back, and the spotlight on an auxiliary girl. This show must be one of the most demanding shows out there. My Score: 94.50 My Placement: 4th Actual Placement: 4th Richland High School North Richland Hills, TX Repertoire: "Inside Out" including "Aloft" by Jack Stamp, "Bells for Stokowski" by Michael Daugherty, "Incantation" by Jutras Benoit, "Sleep" by Eric Whitacre, and "Inside Out" by Mark Higginbotham Comments: The radiant uniforms are regal, with a sparkling silver (almost mirror-like) sash, and flaps and buttons on the chest that define. The trumpets go at it; hard hitting notes flying everywhere, as I am caught off guard left and right. The trailing up middle horn sounds that pause briefly at certain times is hard to beat. "Anger" called out by the recorded narrator leads to angry notes by the wind players. The snake charmer sax dude on the podium has his support behind him doing a shuffle type move. Now is the time the band shines the most, when they face the back stands. They play indescribably magnificently. "What dreams maaay cooome," starts a tune sang by two female vocal pros. Oh my...that just made my night. Remember that moment forever, all. I am now tapping my feet to jolly music that is in my face. After the sax man returns, hand clapping commences, and the sax man stands with pride. Smells like...victory. The clappers at the microphone may be clapping, but we are clapping harder. This is IT. Your run here was unforgettable, guys. My Score: 93.00 My Placement: 5th Actual Placement: 7th Tarpon Springs High School (Class AA Champions) Tarpon Springs, FL Repertoire: "Pathways" featuring original music from Frank Sullivan and Kevin Ford including "Mvt. I Exploration," "Mvt. II Service," "Mvt. III Courage," "Mvt. IV Sacrifice," "Mvt. V Greed" and "Mvt. VI Innovation" Comments: JFK, MLK, and special music stay adrift in the air. In the top left corner of the field, wind players are on their knees in an arrow form. Soon, the crew is on their feet and throw down some brief sounds...strong sounds, crescendo sounds, call it what you want...but GREAT sounds. After a lurching leg and arm movement to the side, woodwinds continue to toy with my mind. They execute marvelously, and seem...untouchable. The overbearing narration keeps the band down, but not in the way you think. "Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live courage" is a quote made when signs are held up. The narration about Rosa Parks was very moving, especially in light of her death not too long ago. Electronic trance sounds soon make their entrance. Whoa, saxophones! That's the ticket! The guard on triangular stands toss their rifles, do a little dance...and no, not make a little love (KC and the Sunshine Band thinkers!)...catch their rifles! Oh, AND get down tonight. Muted trumpets fade out. The quick vocal two-chant segment (female) is a sugary touch. The wind players are then led down the tarp path towards the "INNOVATION" backdrop. Fitting, isn't it? My Score: 92.00 My Placement: 6th Actual Placement: 8th ***END OF FINALS PERFORMANCES*** Post-Finals Thoughts: This was the best high school marching band competition I had EVER seen. EVER. In fact, it is difficult to convey my emotions regarding it. The experience was...euphoric. If I could shake hands with and say "thank you" to every performer who performed, I would. It was an occurrence to remember forever, and I will. My Scores and Placements: 1. 95.90 Lawrence Central H.S., IN 2. 95.70 Carmel H.S., IN 3. 95.00 Ronald Reagan H.S., TX 4. 94.50 Avon H.S., IN 5. 93.00 Richland H.S., TX 6. 92.00 Tarpon Springs H.S., FL 7. 91.90 Marian Catholic H.S., IL 8. 89.10 Center Grove H.S., IN 9. 88.60 L.D. Bell H.S., TX 10. 87.00 Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, MI 11. 86.80 Centerville H.S., OH 12. 84.00 Owasso H.S., OK Actual Placements: 1. Carmel H.S., IN 2. Ronald Reagan H.S., TX 3. L.D. Bell H.S., TX 4. Avon H.S., IN 5. Lawrence Central H.S., IN 6. Marian Catholic H.S., IL 7. Richland H.S., TX 8. Tarpon Springs H.S., FL 9. Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, MI 10. Centerville H.S., OH 11. Center Grove H.S., IN 12. Owasso H.S., OK Outstanding Music - Ronald Reagan H.S., TX Outstanding Visual - Avon H.S., IN Outstanding General Effect - Carmel H.S., IN Post-Finals Thoughts (Ctd.): "Identity" seemed to be the theme of the year. Whether it be knowing or not knowing the truth (Center Grove), looking at the stages of life (Richland), or simply wearing new uniforms (Carmel), I was challenged by each and every program. Carmel won with a homonym--symbols/cymbals--and they did not take the subject matter lightly, but rather sank their teeth into it with full intent. Carmel did not only play up the symbolism/cymbalism, but they seemed to play up the state of things in our selves, our nation, our world. You can read all you want into the peace formation made at the end of their show by the guard and the pit crew holding apart their pointer finger and middle finger, but you cannot deny that they PULLED IT OFF, AND PULLED IT OFF VERY, VERY WELL. After seeing Carmel's encore performance for their parents, the fans, and the Indy schools that showed their support, there was no doubt that the judges "got it right." Carmel WAS the best, and no one, and I mean NO ONE could take that away from them. (Sorry Reagan, but it looks like the honor of being one of the greatest bands to never win a Grand National Championships has just been passed from Carmel...to you. But that is by far no honor to be ashamed of!) Ronald Reagan was 2nd place, runner-up, the "bridesmaid," whatever you wished to call them...but do not call them simple or boring. Reagan was a true crowd favorite, and it would be unfair of me not to write that a lot of people loved them, and probably a lot more people wanted them to win. Alas, it was not meant to be for the San Antonio superpower. (Congratulations, nevertheless, to Reagan on their spectacular win in Class AAA!). As for the rest of the bands: you made the whole show worth it. What a remarkable presentation by all! Interesting to note is 6 out of the top 7 bands were from either Indiana or Texas. All in all, it has truly been an exciting and successful Bands of America season. Next year, the "positively life-changing experiences" will continue. Alan Irons Fountain Valley High School Marching Band 1993-1996 Pacific Crest of Diamond Bar 1997 Nashua Spartans 1998-1999 UCSB Class of 2002

IN APPRECIATION OF 30 YEARS OF POSITIVELY LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES... Bands of America Grand National Championships November 9-12, 2005 RCA Dome Indianapolis, IN Note: Special thanks to Wolfgang and his friends who provided great insight on the bands that performed. There is the story of the band that opted not to do the show they did this year in 2001 because of the September 11th terrorist attacks. There is the story of the girl in the guard who got hit in the head with a rifle, had her nose broken with blood all over the place, and continued performing. And there is the story of some kids who lost their homes to a tornado...and they were HERE. This passion for the performing arts was, yes, a testament to the commitment Bands of America has for EXCELLENCE, a commitment that has gone on for 30 years, and will no doubt last for years and years to come. When I arrived at the RCA Dome, the atmosphere was exciting. Think of what it would be like to go to a band show where EVERY band that performed was amongst the creme de la creme. There were even bands that we amongst the creme de la creme that did not make semi-finals, like Northmont and Louisville Male. In fact, there was a lot of buzz on Louisville Male and how they did not make semi-finals. Louisville Male! Here was a band that made semi-finals last year that was thought by many to be much, much better than last year...and they were "out." Wow. I thought they would make it in. I had them top 11 easy on Day 1 of prelims. Ah well, they should know a lot of people thought they had a great show...and they should be proud of how they did. Now, time for my review of what was surely the best semi-finals contest I have seen yet... ***SEMI-FINALS PERFORMANCES*** Lone Oak High School Paducah, KY Repertoire: "A Journey" including music from "Adiemus" Comments: After swaying back and forth, the wind players let go of a smooth, sultry sound. A flute and clarinet duet is right on, and then a grand build up of sound is matched visually by a block formation. The auxiliary were very competent with their moves, and I liked their simple but bold statement of a costume, with striped color and white tops, and solid colored bottoms. This was a full blooded, decent show, and my congratulations to them for making it this far this year. My Score: 71.00 Actual Score: 69.75 My Placement: 34th Actual Placement: 34th Jackson Academy Jackson, MS Repertoire: "The Steely Dan Sessions" including "Green Earrings," "Babylon Sisters," "Third World" and "Bohdisattva" Comments: This band did not quite have the sound I was expecting, compared to last year (which was fabulous). Perhaps they are "rebuilding" this year? I do not want to be too stinging with my remarks, but to me they looked amateurish. A narrator, who appropriately sounds very boring, plays the head of a recording studio. This guy makes requests of the band and cues them to do certain things. (Interesting concept, really.) A black and white checkerboard dance floor is raised behind and above the wind players, who mostly march on a beige tarp. Truly, they pretend they are in a recording studio, and I feel like I am part of this "session." Lots of good stuff goes on in this show...and it would not be a Grand National Championships without Jackson Academy--a small band that always defies the odds. My Score: 72.70 Actual Score: 71.20 My Placement: 32nd Actual Placement: 32nd Croatan High School Newport, NC Repertoire: "The Ladder of Success" by Frank Sullivan Comments: We hear about the "ladders of success," and as the wind players move they have a strong presence. I like that. "Success" is whispered in echo-like fashion by a pre-recorded female narrator as her male counterpart narrator mentions the word. Do not let that air go elsewhere, trumpets. Okay, not bad! Some line rotations were a little loose. This band was sharp on their toes. Wolfgang, who was sitting near me, thought this showing was much improved over yesterday's showing, which is an accomplishment in itself. Excellent. My Score: 71.90 Actual Score: 33rd My Placement: 70.85 Actual Placement: 33rd Reeths-Puffer High School Muskegon, MI Repertoire: "Africa: Ritual, Song and Celebration" including "Prelude from The White Witch Doctor" by Bernard Hermann, "Nowhere in Africa" by Niki Reiser and "Kumbalawe" by Dupere Rene Comments: The guard crouches, and then some repeat measures get this black and white sensation swinging. The guard work is mad clean with those orange, yellow, green, and brown flags. The trumpet section is, for the most part, getting their notes in tune. Moving around some baskets to the far parts of the field in an arc is visually acceptable. The rears come sticking out as multiple circles of wind players roar, "aaaaaAAAH!" Their dancing is folksy, and joyous. Alright! Some singing again, understated, but fits right in with what the band is doing. A quick jazz run to the side is pleasantly surprising, in the usual sort of way. Good. This band had an "all out" performance that trumped yesterday's, and they will no doubt get credit for it. My Score: 82.00 Actual Score: 75.85 My Placement: 25th Actual Placement: 29th American Fork High School American Fork, UT Repertoire: "Through the Eyes of a Child" by John Meehan including "Mvt. I Playground," "Mvt. II Dreams" and "Mvt. III Adventure" Comments: Giant letter blocks with one that had an "A," one that had an "F," and one that had the American Fork logo, as well as a "0" and a "5" (for 2005), were sitting in the right corner of the field. In playful fashion, the wind players put their mind into the state of a child. An "I love you" is heard by a motherly voiceover (to a child). A few groups of wind players take a seat or set a pose. The music soon gets sinister. Ooh, diamond form outline. Not bad. Ha ha! The, "Neener neener nee-ner" music, with hips circling, is grand. This ensemble kept the child "focus" alive. A form that spells "Dream" in sharp, capital letters precedes a quick drummer moment. Hmmm, the turn-around after those smooth wave lines could have been more total. Yeah, they scored on their final vertical line sets that meshed. A girl that looked like "Alice" from "Alice in Wonderland" ascends a slightly raised ramp. My Score: 79.20 Actual Score: 76.70 My Placement: 28th Actual Placement: 27th Lake Central High School St. John, IN Repertoire: "Phobias: The music of Bernard Hermann and Alfred Reed" including "The Man Who Knew Too Much," "Psycho," "Farenheight 451" and "Symphony for Brass and Percussion" Comments: Those white white wigs on the guard ladies were gripping, and made them quite same. The narrator rattles off some phobias in a kind of surfer voice, it seemed. (Thanks, Keanu. Just kidding. Good work). Wow, you gotta hand it to those kids for the sweeping forms that got this show soaring. The circular pod of winds break stance to strike a pose (towards the guard in the center). Trumpets in the ballad, one or more of you poked out of tune. Properly, metal sounding objects were struck when "the fear of metal" is introduced. Way to hustle, mellos, right before the crisp quarter turn tank turret move by the trumpets and clarinets. The "fear of silence" has the wind players silent, but not the killer twirling guard clan. This show was in the groove, despite some rough around the edges sounds. In motion, they were masters. My Score: 81.60 Actual Score: 76.95 My Placement: 26th Actual Placement: 26th Norwell High School Ossian, IN Repertoire: "Circadian Rhythms" featuring the music of Jeff Beal, Thomas Newman, and Karl Jenkins Comments: On the calendar they have in the backfield, November 12 is circled with the word "BOA" written below it, in red. An arc of wind players has the instruments grounded and the humans laying flat on their backs. A large heart monitor below the drum major podium lights up in blue. A heart beat sound makes this thing come to life. Come on, wind players, serve it up to me! Eh, those opening statements were controlled, but too controlled. Excellent above and over instrument move, wind players. The quotes were well rehearsed by the narrator, but it had no "oomph." Aaah, the ballad was sweetened by an acoustical guitar, and an acoustical voice. Gosh, that girl's voice was searing good. The square form rotating around square form was razor sharp. I am feeling the rhythm in the last movement. I like how the woodwinds look at the top of their wrists before making a stand with their "on time" music. Splendid show, people. You can tell this band really upped their performance from prelims to semis. (Less errors and more power.) The ballad sold it. My Score: 83.50 Actual Score: 76.00 My Placement: 23rd Actual Placement: 28th Thousand Oaks High School Repertoire: "Dreamscapes, A Journey of Imagination" including "Windsprints," "Apollo Unleashed," "Remember" and "Windsprints Finale" Comments: The pulsating, organic blob in the far right corner of the field got this green machine breathing. Yeah! That face forward drop to the ground was burning my mind, and had some around me clapping. Ooh, that trumpet sound is so simple to pick out, and it was not pretty. The standard horn snap to diagonal position worked. Okay, the music echoed roughly throughout the structure. Drums, ease off. The superhero attacks and poses prompted by a pre-recorded narration of a little girl's dream is swell. I really like the sounds they are making in the ballad. The children narrative is realistic and sounds unrehearsed. (Interesting touch, which I believe worked quite well.) Curven out those curves near the end, band. An alarm sounds, and a glorious finale is heard. Hooray, T.O. What a way to go...they gave it their all. My Score: 77.90 Actual Score: 71.75 My Placement: 31st Actual Placement: 31st Centerville High School Centerville, OH Repertoire: "BLUESprint" including "Blue Light Red Light (Someone's There)" by Harry Connick Jr., and Ramsey McLean, "Second Draft" by Andrew Markworth, "Blue" by Joni Mitchell and "Sprint" by Andrew Markworth Comments: A "too cool for you" look exhibited by the guard who put on their fedoras is then followed by snazzy jazzy rhythms. One of those double horizontal lines that combine is straight, straight, straight. I like the sound manipulation winds, kneeling and pulling away your horns from us to the side. The swift leg up and over and down, saxes, work with your tunes, too. The cool, clear piano sounds from the pit are accompanied by the sound of a rattle and rain. The bass flute soloist on a stool is introverted, and fit the mood like a champ with her style in music and motion. Way to lock the forms the way the were meant to be locked at the end of the ballad. Hello, trombone solo! There was no fear, whatsoever, from these jazz pros. The crouch, then backwards step, was refined. You can't have a Centerville show without those sax specialists, yeah! (They sound great!) The end of their show had some, had some "individualistic" tears. Dare I write that they may be the first finalist? Hmmm, MAYBE. My Score: 86.40 Actual Score: 88.15 My Placement: 18th Actual Placement: 11th Broken Arrow Senior High School Broken Arrow, OK Repertoire: "2-4-6-0-1" Based on the musical "Les Miserables" Comments: Give it up for this loud, Vangelistic bass sound that makes way for the "Les Mis" musings. This band was one of my personal favorites. That computer sound sounded like the introduction from one of my "Civilization" computer games. Boom boom-boom boommmmm! An electro bell beat massages the first sounds from the winds, which are the flutes. That first auxiliary catch amazes, though did not click as one. The one leg back one leg side black inside white outside made their drill come to life unlike the drill of many other bands. That gorgeous sound of theirs is non-stop. Sometimes, I wish more sharp beats are shot. (A battery line, as much as I hate to admit it, might have been a blessing at times with this show.) Their concern horn soloist during the sampler sendoff was pure feel good karma. Excellent rotating triangle form, trumpets. The jazz run into a spiral with a guard manned in the center is, yes, dangerous. Ha ha! The leg flash from black to white is sweet. What a unique, fantastique show. My heart was with them. My Score: 89.10 Actual Score: 85.70 My Placement: 11th Actual Placement: 14th Marian Catholic High School Chicago Heights, IL Repertoire: "Impressions in Black Granite" featuring music from Elliot Goldenthal's "Vietnam Oratorio" Comments: "I wish I could get closer to those props," said Wolfgang. Me too. Are those black backdrops holding names, just as if it were the Vietnam Memorial? Was it...a replica? An intentionally awry flute solo interrogated. The full band sound was simply stunning. I love how the trombone soloist is matched at the same time by the flutes. Flutes, I am not going to let you get away with some of those linear forms backfield, no matter how black your unis are. The stirring flute sound is then pierced by the brass, and then...a contemplative mix of sounds by the clarinets, with a few members seemingly enacting rubbing names onto paper with just their hands. Ooh, trumpets, some of you blew it with those notes that were intended to stick out like a sore thumb. What these kids were attempting, no, DOING, was above and beyond. The vocal elements were disturbing, stinging, and quite effective. Laser tones jab me in the side as the split segments of the "wall" are pieced together. This show left me speechless. (Note: it appears those black props with names on them truly were replicas with actual Illinois war dead. This was a touching tribute!) My Score: 90.60 Actual Score: 90.70 My Placement: 7th Actual Placement: 8th Ronald Reagan High School San Antonio, TX Repertoire: "You Never Know" featuring "Profanation" by L. Bernstein, "Symphonic Metamorphosis" by P. Hindemith and original music by Aaron Guidry Comments: Bernstein bliss is lightly peppered on me in this warm-up by one of Texas's finest. My imagination is poked and prodded by the merry synth sounds, and a light, bright trumpet solo. The woodwind super fast runs are a devastating blow to other woodwind sections that try to top them. Some of the line formations that locked did not lock at the right exact time. "Squeeeeeak!" An amped clarinet interrupts, and proceeds to confirm the greatness now produced. The "Napolean Dynamite" sample in the pit was clipped off. A two-step partner dance move gets this group back in the groove, and in the slushy, swinging mood. The sleeves of the now sweatsuit-wearing guard extend outwards with yellow and orange, and soon I am seeing spirals as the guard spin themselves round and round. Beautiful. The woodwinds up front in a standstill is matched in back by swirling brass forms that soon get in place, and make for a long, vertical rhomb. This show was preeety tough to top. (It's going to take some masterful stuff.) My Score: 93.90 Actual Score: 95.05 My Placement: 3rd Actual Placement: 1st Plymouth-Canton Educational Park Canton, MI Repertoire: "Performing Inside Out" featuring the music of Steve Reich, Michael Nyman, Christopher Rouse and Frank Ticheli including "Mvt. I Control," "Mvt. II Breath," "Mvt. III Tension," "Mvt. IV Chaos," "Mvt. V Release" and "Mvt. VI Structure" Comments: A blinding white tarp is outlined by outward facing winds, guard, and marching drums. Outward then goes inward, as the central dancing pod of guard get it on, and are joined by the whole outline squad. The drill is tight, complex, and not a piece of cake by any means. A leg bend and swivel in and out, followed by an arms up and down like a bird taking a huge flap of the wings by the wind players catches my eyes. The shrouded guard member, in white, also pulls me into their world. Sheer gasps followed that front field blow down. The low down on the drumming? Fabulous. The ferocious bites by the winds are only over the top by a select few. (Not bad at all.) The head shaking and untamed guard magic, rocks. Trumpets, you rule! Steady there, woodwinds. Alright, smooth. Guard, rock on with that one hand twirl-catch-twirl move. This was a remarkable stand. My Score: 89.40 Actual Score: 89.70 My Placement: 9th Actual Placement: 9th Ben Davis High School Indianapolis, IN Repertoire: "The Raven" featuring the music of Frank Sullivan and Miklos Rozsa including "Mvt. I Fate," "Mvt. II The Raven," "Mvt. III Lenore (Spellbound)" and "Mvt. IV Nevermore" Comments: Caged girls in black seem to want to get out of their cage in slow motion. A haunting, piercing, dark sound comes from the pit. One, two, aaand then all three girls escape. "Once upon a midnight dreary..." is boldly stated by a narrator who make poetry en vogue. Wow! What a hard pop of sound by this on-the-mark gang! Very, very nice. Those leg variations work, though are done and done yet again. Let us see some full body smack downs! Technique is immaculate, and that is a big, big plus. You want to play with some of the best? You play with Big Ben. That long and slight, slight arc is hard to get just right, and this group takes a good crack at it. One synth shriek, then another, precedes a percussive destructive boom. I like the puzzle piece form that pierces a block form. Neat show. (According to Wolfgang, the narrator, who sounds like Vincent Price, is NOT pre-recorded...it is actually a female member of the band talking into a voice modulator. Way cool!) My Score: 87.30 Actual Score: 85.15 My Placement: 17th Actual Placement: 15th Cleveland High School Cleveland, TN Repertoire: "American Echos" Comments: A strong statement is made with their sound. This group goes insane when the legs come apart and the notes go flying. The medium high sabre toss caught with one hand by the male guard member is so good, so good. The mellophone solo crackled a bit near the end, but it was tasteful. Mellos, I need to make out what you are saying through those horns. The turn around again and again moves in place and soon in form is quite a sight. The electro drumbeat was a fine specimen. The last form is an upside down triangle that is almost met into a rectangle by two right triangles below it. My Score: 78.10 Actual Score: 77.95 My Placement: 30th Actual Placement: 25th West Johnston High School Benson, NC Repertoire: "All the World is a Stage" inspired by the writings of William Shakespeare and the music of Sir William Walton and Gustav Holst Comments: This band has medieval style towering structures, with a trumpet soloist occupying one of the tops of them (on a balcony). The pit seems to be part of the pit of the famous Globe Theatre. (A stairwell leads to a stage above them.) "All the world's a stage," says a pre-recorded voice. A sort of Irish jig is put out there. The "stage-like" circles of wind players disperse. The grand, lightly tongued (but not underrepresented) notes make this shining star shine brighter. The crown form had straight, precise lines within. Wow, those very clean looking unis really raises this group, I believe. (I think I am going to unofficially nickname these guys "The Cadets of Carolina." They even MARCH like the Cadets, very, very well.) Everything this band does is succinct. The lines from Shakespeare's works are a treat to hear again. The woodwinds unite with a run of notes that make you want to cheer. Though the shoulder-to-shoulder company front is not flawless, it is close enough in concept. The double zig-zag forms, one above the other, breaking apart to meld into multiple vertical lines, were whimsical. This band was My Score: 84.00 Actual Score: 79.50 My Placement: 22nd Actual Placement: 21st Lawrence Central High School Indianapolis, IN Repertoire: "Shadows and Light" including "Mvt. I Silhouettes," "Mvt. II Refraction" and "Mvt. III Speed of Light" Comments: A tick-tocking woodwind sound, along with a rubbing-a-wine-glass-with-water sound (synthesized) was oh so good. Their first big musical unleashing was strong, yet restrained. For Lawrence Central, balance in music is number one. This band wanted to create pockets of greatness that simply got better and better...and they did. One of the saxophones near the rear of that jazz running form was not holding his sax in a perfect posture sense. The ballet style lurch-forward-march move was elegant, and I love how the wind players in the rear of the field do this move "in place" on the pedestals, like wind-up toy soldiers with no place to go. The "All by my Side" melody was produced in a slightly fuzzy way on the synth, and then the real deal is the winds. Some members are now on the ground with knees up, and then flat down following some incredible, challenging body movement to get in synch. What a pure joy it is to hear the flautist send me a postcard from heaven with the synth slightly massaging the ears. Aaaaah, what an overwhelming emotional sound. Geez Louise, Tubas! Way to show your skills. (They are doing some runs!) This band is a masterpiece. My Score: 94.50 Actual Score: 90.80 My Placement: 1st Actual Placement: 7th Tarpon Springs High School Tarpon Springs, FL Repertoire: "Pathways" featuring original music from Frank Sullivan and Kevin Ford including "Mvt. I Exploration," "Mvt. II Service," "Mvt. III Courage," "Mvt. IV Sacrifice," "Mvt. V Greed" and "Mvt. VI Innovation" Comments: John F. Kennedy's voice is moving, but, of course, he was a moving orator. Rosa Parks is also paid tribute to, appropriately enough. "Pathways," says a narrator, recorded. I love how it is inferred that they should be allowed to step to the beat of a different drummer, and of course, an engaging electronic drum sound gets the ears to perk up. This show is breathtaking! The muted trumpets on the triangle pedestals are right on the money. Whoa, their sound is godly. What they play pushes you and pushes you. They do not "boom" (in sound), but they don't need to, it seems. A sabre is dropped by the same sabre gal not once, but twice...not a pleasant sight. I am digging the set of attacks that pack a punch by the brass on the "up, down, and to the sides" tarp in the center of the field. This band could have made better use of the backdrops and other props that were way out of the way. Yeah, the band was the thing to see, but so were the themes! (Last year's show played that up to the extremes!) They have saxophonists that separated themselves from other saxophonists in semis, today. They whacked you on the head with wonder. My Score: 91.00 Actual Score: 91.95 My Placement: 6th Actual Placement: 5th Etiwanda High School Rancho Cucamonga, CA Repertoire: "Traffic" featuring music by Steven Schmidt including "Highway Overture," "Gridlock," "Urban Syncopation," "Freeway Daydream" and "Highway Finale" Comments: Big yellow arrow tarps pointed in a cyclical way near the corners of the field. A double car "tweet tweet" along with a car engine starting soon leads to a narrative that sounds like a radio traffic report. When the report fades away, the musicians take the lead. The total sound seems somewhat muffled. Okay, we get a hint of the hit, next time around. Sweet flute and sax licks. What happened to the "Say What?!" yell before the retro relax in sound? (I thought that added a lot of zest in the show. But then again, perhaps it was not prominent enough to be included, being that it was only used by a small ensemble.) Horn flashing after the traffic jam sayings are pretty cunning. The cancellation of the sig alert by flipping around the "T" props with the red-light-like circles on the points to reveal the green-light-like circles was PERFECT. The rap wrap up of the next movement was confident, clear, concise, and pretty much everything you could ask for. Great work on making it work. How could you not get into that pop music dance groove? Yeah, it was "off" by the slimmest slim of margins, but still, ooh...it was good. This band really turned things up for when it really counted, which was NOW. What they just did was quite an achievement. Outstanding. My Score: 88.20 Actual Score: 83.20 My Placement: 15th Actual Placement: 17th Bellbrook High School Bellbrook, OH Repertoire: "On a Tangent" Comments: Teeter totters, or at least what looked like teeter totters, dominated the upper left portion of the field. The backfield drum major came down one of the true teeter totters. After the wandering melodies, a real high rifle toss is captured, but steps should not be taken. Another toss is completed right at the right time, making the move (and the music) secure. A piccolo player alongside a bassoonist lets go, and "ooohs" and "aaahs" the audience as people imagery transforms with the turn-arounds, purple-black. A sabre drop within that solid form was, of course, not desired, but we proceed. The first horizontal line of trumpets angling their horn to their right and the second horizontal line of trumpets angling their horn to their left is a move that catches the eye and does not skew the sound. These kids were hot, today! Bravo, Bellbrook. Bravo. My Score: 85.00 Actual Score: 83.10 My Placement: 20th Actual Placement: 18th L.D. Bell High School Hurst, TX Repertoire: "Ascension: Light of Gold" combining DiLorenzo's "A Little Russian Circus," Higdon's "Blue Cathedra" and "Concerto for Orchestra," Newman's "Angels in America" and Whitacre's "Lux Aurumque (Light of Gold)" including original material from arrangers Donald Hill and Jim Casella Comments: A light, constant sound seems to incite paradise. The first big block rotation by the brass was aaalmost there. Ooh, one baritone player almost trips on the backwards stride now. This band had some a commanding sound. The mini DNA move was a delight to behold. The human voice option played on the synth was striking. This band swallows you up with their presence. Hmmm, that crescendo in the messed up blob was jagged. Too soon, too soon! Yes, rifle catch, yes! That was the one, that one. This auxiliary is pretty worthy. You almost want to scream at some of the drill moves that do not gel, and of course, the burden-or-a-blessing white pants were a burden. (What happened to the pretty unique and traditional grey pants?) This is such a fine show. And "argh!!!" I yell to that right angle form with both knees on the ground that was so, so ick! Holy canole, man. This music was aggressive, and yet sooo complete, and at times gorgeous beyond words. My Score: 88.80 Actual Score: 92.15 My Placement: 13th Actual Placement: 4th Richland High School North Richland Hills, TX Repertoire: "Inside Out" including "Aloft" by Jack Stamp, "Bells for Stokowski" by Michael Daugherty, "Incantation" by Jutras Benoit, "Sleep" by Eric Whitacre, and "Inside Out" by Mark Higginbotham Comments: Body movement is cued by narration, and it inspires. The trumpet attacks are on the mark, mostly. This ensemble sound is--nod--yeah...it's the one. The teenage antics that bring about narration that explains growing up is done very, very well. It is almost as if the teenagers are mocking themselves (all in good fun, though!). The sax soloist seemed to charm his audience as if he were charming a cobra. I do not think you could top that sound that was produced backfield. I was not the only one who agreed with this. I have to shake off the shivers when I hear the vocal duet and utter sincerity of the entire ensemble. This band really, really made me buy their show in the ballad. (It was amongst the most emotional of the whole tournament.) The clarinet "V" intersect form was a "click" into place that seemed to echo. This show just made me want to stop writing this review to relax and enjoy what these kids were doing out there. My Score: 91.90 Actual Score: 90.90 My Placement: 4th Actual Placement: 6th Seminole High School Seminole, FL Repertoire: "About Face! - Music of the Masquerade" featuring music by Eric Whitacre, Andrew Lloyd Webber, John Barnes Chance, Roberta Flack and Marty McCartt Comments: The slightly out of phase yet intentional flute duet was super. I liked how the brass instruments were flipped to one angle towards the backfield, and then the other way towards the front, and then, of course, the full body turn-around. (Yeah, that was a bit complex! They were working their brains!) The snaking form failed to incite excite, but the drumline took care of that as they flew up on their toes with some badass notes. Good, good, good for you guys. The ballad was a dome "ring fest." Chuckles came from the audience when a pink patherish sly sax solo occurred, and when wild mannequin head "plumes" that made their debut with masquerade masks on popping up from behind black backdrops. "The first tiiime, I 'member I saaaw your faaace!," sings a girl. It just keeps getting better and better. I wish that giant sound at the end hit me more squarely. (That was the only awkward moment for me.) It was not the fault of the kids, because they did what they were supposed to do to a "T." Still, a wonderful, wonderful production. My Score: 89.00 Actual Score: 84.10 My Placement: 12th Actual Placement: 16th Lake Park High School Roselle, IL Repertoire: "It's Just About the Piano" including "Chopsticks 193," "Moonlight Piano Man" and "Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Major, Op. 10L Mvt. I" by Shostakovich Comments: A giant grand piano prop has a dancer dancing and goofing around on top. A secret trap door enables another dancer with a flag to go on top of it and do her routine. The synth "piano" player is quite talented. This group had a stately sound, and they used it to the max and to their benefit/advantage, totally. Okay, flute player, really sweet. (Perform with perfection in mind, though, perfection.) Some forms just barely snapped into place, but somehow did. Gentle on the sound, moving wind players. The candelebra on the piano prop is a sensible prop. Auxiliary, you make me want to stand up and applaud you and only you. This was a "smooth around the edges" show. They held their own, no doubt. My Score: 80.00 Actual Score: 82.85 My Placement: 27th Actual Placement: 19th Carmel High School Carmel, IN Repertoire: "Suspended Symbols" by Richard Saucedo Comments: With a firm horns up move, and a slight moment of silence before pure brass goodness, this band shocks in a good way. That was a mean woodwind feature, with a one-leg-crossed visual. The amped clarinet beneath one of the pyramid scaffoldings hit all the right notes. That crusty synth sound clogged my ears with staying power, and then there is the rest of the pack that packs a punch I was awed by all of the abilities shown. The guard, on the ground, waved metallic, gold plates, and then performed some highly involved moves that required oodles of flexibility. A baritone sax soloist showed me why he was the soloist! Whoa! As the brass players on their knees go ballistic with their sound, I was drawn in. The tympani drum makes for a great spotlight, and as I write this I am, yet again, in awe, this time of the totality of sound. This band stumbled just a bit at the start, and snowballed to avalanche proportions all the way to the end. This band fueled passion. My Score: 94.20 Actual Score: 94.40 My Placement: 2nd Actual Placement: 2nd Castle High School Newburgh, IN Repertoire: "Deja View - Four Points in Time" featuring music by Frank Sullivan Comments: A double-spoked cross form had a circle near the center. Get those arm extensions uniform. I like the low volume yet speedy sound that accompanies an inner-shifting box form that soon slides out of place by the seams. Double-tonguing trumpets, that was fab, that was fab. What tremendous responsibility, clarinets, making that knot form tighten at such a high rate of speed, AND getting that music down surely. A sloppy jazz running circle form runs horizontally within and a across a horizontal line, "unzipping" it as it goes along. This group takes advantage of this huge cavern they call "The Dome." The ballad is fully loaded, and fired with care. These kids are really working out there! An arc form gives them SOME relief, but...not much, ha ha! Their highly qualified notes pass the "interview." What a great job by these kids, some of them who lost their home to an F3 tornado. These kids left it all on the field...no regrets. I was pulling for them all the way. My Score: Actual Score: My Placement: Actual Placement: Center Grove High School Greenwood, IN Repertoire: "Conspiracy Theory" including excerpts from Sing Sing: "J. Edgar Hoover," "Goop," "Nightmare" and "The Hands of Fate Parts 1 and 2" Comments: Opening a door that has the letters "FBI" on it, and stepping out, is a color guard girl dressed in a skin tight business suit style costume. I adored that rifle catch one by one down the line after a telephone ring and then a "bang! bang!" Thus far, this band is eating up the difficulty and not choking. Those deceivingly simple repeat notes the pit plays connects the dots of time. One trumpet space in a circular form is too large, and I wonder if it must be a hole. (It must be a hole.) "Keep it a secret" is sampled more than a few times, giving you that suspicious yet delicious taste. That drumline special had a lot of potency. The instruments are gripped like guns, and soon papers from the large file drawer props are tossed around. This is one of the best Center Grove shows I have ever seen, and certainly one of my favorites. My Score: 89.90 Actual Score: 88.55 My Placement: 8th Actual Placement: 10th Ooltewah High School Ooltewah, TN Repertoire: "A Journey to the Crypt" featuring the music of Danny Elfman and Camille Saint-Saens Comments: I don't know anyone who DOESN'T look forward to seeing Ooltewah's show each year. This bunch always seems to stand out from the rest with their elaborate set-ups, and walk the walk and talk the talk skills. This production of Ooltewah's was a struggle to set up with many, many iron gates enclosing most of the field. (Ha ha! In fact, one judge has to "let himself in" to do his on field judging.) Two girls in basic orange and white band uniforms yell and run in terror as people with slick, realistic skeleton costumes pop out from behind gravestone props. One gravestone even has a tribute to Chuck Henson...or at least I THINK it is a tribute, ha ha! (11-13-1805? Clever.) The dance with some moves borrowed from Michael Jackson's "Thriller" is timeless. (The audience errupted with cheers! They loved it!) When the guard toss the rifles double-digit feet into the air they looked like they knew they were going to catch them. The baritone voice of the narrator walking around on the turf with a microphone: disturbing. (He has a good, "Hoo hoo hoo ha ha ha haaa!"). All I have to write is, "Zig zig zig!" The theatrics are impressive. I like how that one guard member twirls a rifle in the face of a piccolo player. Huge skeleton balloons are pumped with air and provide an extra fright. This show was creative, skill-full, and fun. My Score: 87.80 Actual Score: 80.80 My Placement: 16th Actual Placement: 20th Avon High School Avon, IN Repertoire: "Equus" by Eric Whitacre Comments: Two large elliptical forms locked a white-hooded guard sitting on their flags in the center. The clarinets, at a high rate of speed, get the job done with notes that repeat with zeal. One of the costumed members takes the black, curvy ramp stage up front, and is soon joined by a team of clarinets in uniform. There seemed to be a bit of a sound system problem, as some clarinet solo music dropped out suddenly. Wow, do these kids EVER stop moving? Awesome. An egg shaped form finally is as a picture, still. The front on the form goes down on one knee, quite quick, and yes, athletic. The breakneck speeds of this show rocks. When that symmetrical rhombus winged form is set, a row of rifles are all tossed and caught in front of it, all the same way, parallel to the turf. These kids were exhilarating. Wolfgang pointed out to me that Matt Harloff is Avon's director. Matt was the brass caption head for the Cadets when I auditioned for the corps in 1999. He is a good guy. My Score: 91.40 Actual Score: 92.50 My Placement: 5th Actual Placement: 3rd Owasso High School Owasso, OK Repertoire: "Fowl Play" Comments: All of the wind player and drumline forms were vertical, except one: the "L" on the far right. Bird chirping sounds were mixed in with static. The double vertical curves after a swarm of sound makes you think, "Fowl." Trombones, you guys impress the most. (You guys are super troopers.) Uh, trombones! After that compliment one of your horns go down out of synch. Naughty, naughty. Classical french horns are played well by the mello section. Some forms were pretty sketchy, and I noticed a few big, big gaps out there. Spacing just has to be there, people. A wah-wah trombone player gets the woodwinds dancing along with a jazzy pit rhythm. When the brass open up, the woodwinds really start to go wild with flags of different colors, and bouncy balls attached to a string that are bounced around. Ha ha! The "AFLAC" sample is fitting, and fully lightens the mood. This show had me groovin' along with them. My Score: 88.40 Actual Score: 86.55 My Placement: 14th Actual Placement: 12th Fort Mill High School Fort Mill, NC Repertoire: "Piano Men" Comments: A piano diddle and an accordion sound gets this keyboard show "pressed." Saxophones, flutes, and clarinets in those pods finely sequenced their notes. I now have Schroeder from "Peanuts" engraved in my mind, as I hear the "Peanuts" medley (from the "Peanuts" movies and TV specials). The piano roll downwards and upwards is classic. Way to play the synthesizer like a piano! Ayeeeee! A clari squawk made my ears tremble. The crescent moon shape in drill was picture perfect, except for one hole. Everyone needs to tilt his or her head the same way. Hey, the auxiliary dancing on their personal keyboard-designed tarps is cute (memories of "Big," anyone?), along with, what else? Piano music, of course! There were a lot of technical difficulties in this show, but the band worked around it. They had a grand old time out there. This was a show to hum along with. My Score: 78.60 Actual Score: 78.60 My Placement: 29th Actual Placement: 22nd Columbus North High School Columbus, IN Repertoire: "Catchin' Z's" Comments: A ramp that went up and up was shaped like a sharp "Z," and a tarp had a curvy, white "Z" on a blue background. A concern horn, clarinet, and a...double bass clarinet? (What the heck was that thing? It was a bass clarinet almost taller than the person playing it!)...were interestingly played, while lots of on the feet and on the ground body movement was conducted by a few in uniform. That was a stunning curved form with a point at the end, band. Oh, yeah. The domino move made this form simmer. This band had some strength to their sound. A latin style trumpeter excels and excels, all the while a guard guy performs his best nearby. The ripple style arm motion in the block traveling direction of motion backfield is great. That's the way to go out, trumpet screamer, yeah! Ho hooo. That sound nearly fell apart. "Z" flags were brought out by the auxiliary who were wearing pink...and the marchers executed some mini "Z-pulls." Man, this band should REALLY take advantage of the "Z-pull" and do one giant one. This group went all out. Thanks a bunch! My Score: 86.10 Actual Score: 75.50 My Placement: 19th Actual Placement: 30th Adair County High School Columbia, KY Repertoire: "Evolutions" including "Mvt. I Rhythm," "Mvt. II Melody," "Mvt. III Dynamics" and "Mvt. IV Medea" Comments: A brush tap by one snare drummer has the tempo really up. This little band has the intensity, no doubt. Baritones, thank you for those hefty hurls of sound. Mellophones, I know there are only two of you, but...blast those runs, blast them! Yeah! Just like the end of your opener. The towering "L" block props were carefully brought together to form frames. Nice, flute soloist...she did the task, selling her solo and taking a "bow" with her aussie. An upside down "V" form does the scissor and overextends. Saxes, that "Dance of Vengeance" spurt was a little too apprehensive. Good, control of the tempo, good. Oh my...those forms don't just rotate, they REALLY rotate. I like how the frames that are formed gradually form a picture from left to right, the first frame having no picture, the second frame having a black and white picture, the third frame having some color, and the fourth frame having even more color. My Score: 82.90 Actual Score: 78.35 My Placement: 24th Actual Placement: 23rd North Hardin High School Radcliffe, KY Repertoire: "The Power of One" featuring the music of Gustav Holst, Jutras Benoit, Donald Grantham and Sam Hazo Comments: Three vertical lines, bridged by one vertical line of blue and black, green and black, and orange and black guard looks splendid. Hail to the few woodwind solos. And this whole group has a mighty sound. Now, that extra long arc form is impressive, and difficult to do, but not as might. (Good try, though.) A block that shrinks and rotates is slick. The mesmerizing vertical lines that go back and forth are clean. Alright, some Cajun style gig is done with washboards and festive chants. Now I am in the mood for jumbalaya! (Yum!) This band flexes their muscles in the theatrics when they need to, but also in the music and the marching. Yeah, they were clean, and they were ALSO effective. I liked what they had to offer. A pair of rifle tosses got gripped great. Way to spin those many blocks around, guys! Ding! The last rifle toss is caught right with the bell ring in the pit. My Score: 84.10 Actual Score: 78.20 My Placement: 21st Actual Placement: 24th ***END OF SEMI-FINALS PERFORMANCES*** EXHIBITION - Riverside Community College Riverside, CA Repertoire: A Musical Tribute to the Rock Group Queen, including "We Will Rock You," "Killer Queen," "Another One Bites the Dust" and "Bohemian Rhapsody" Comments: "Boom boom click!" "Boom boom" went the big drums up front, and "click" went the sticks. Yeah! Rock on, RCC! YEAH!!! The electric guitars are blazing! Those flags the guard use are neat, with one shred hanging from the top of the fabric. You had to be here. RCC brought crashed the party in an overwhelming way. The rafters in the dome were shaking. Someone call the public safety inspector! Their epic production of "Bohemian Rhapsody" was enthralling. You would think you were at a rock concert, except this one had intense horn playing, loud drumming, and rifles flying every which was but lose. They are the champions, indeed! My Score: N/A Actual Score: N/A My Placement: N/A Actual Placement: N/A Post-Semis Thoughts: Whew! I think my mind was in "great bands" overload. There were sooo many great performances. If I had things my way there would be more than 12 finalists. There was no doubt that there was going to be some great, great bands that would not make finals. Here is a breakdown of my semi-finals results and actual semi-finals results: My Semi-Finals Scores and Placements 1. 94.50 Lawrence Central H.S., IN 2. 94.20 Carmel H.S., IN 3. 93.90 Ronald Reagan H.S., TX 4. 91.90 Richland H.S., TX 5. 91.40 Avon H.S., IN 6. 91.00 Tarpon Springs H.S., FL 7. 90.60 Marian Catholic H.S., IL 8. 89.90 Center Grove H.S., IN 9. 89.40 Plymouth Canton Educational Park, MI 10. 89.20 Castle H.S., IN 11. 89.10 Broken Arrow H.S., OK 12. 89.00 Seminole H.S., FL 13. 88.80 L.D. Bell H.S., TX 14. 88.40 Owasso H.S., OK 15. 88.20 Etiwanda H.S., CA 16. 87.80 Ooltewah H.S., TN 17. 87.30 Ben Davis H.S., IN 18. 86.40 Centerville H.S., OH 19. 86.10 Columbus North H.S., IN 20. 85.00 Bellbrook H.S., OH 21. 84.10 North Hardin H.S., KY 22. 84.00 West Johnston H.S., NC 23. 83.50 Norwell H.S., IN 24. 82.90 Adair County H.S., KY 25. 82.00 Reeths-Puffer H.S., KY 26. 81.60 Lake Central H.S., IN 27. 80.00 Lake Park H.S., IL 28. 79.20 American Fork H.S., UT 29. 78.60 Fort Mill H.S., NC 30. 78.10 Cleveland H.S., TN 31. 77.90 Thousand Oaks H.S., CA 32. 72.70 Jackson Academy H.S., MI 33. 71.90 Croatan H.S., NC 34. 71.00 Lone Oak H.S., KY Actual Semi-Finals Scores and Placements 1. 95.05 Ronald Reagan H.S., TX 2. 94.40 Carmel H.S., IN 3. 92.50 Avon H.S., IN 4. 92.15 L.D Bell H.S., TX 5. 91.95 Tarpon Springs H.S., FL 6. 90.90 Richland H.S., TX 7. 90.80 Lawrence Central H.S., IN 8. 90.70 Marian Catholic H.S., IL 9. 89.70 Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, MI 10. 88.55 Center Grove H.S., IN 11. 88.15 Centerville H.S., OH 12. 86.55 Owasso H.S., OK 13. 86.15 Castle H.S., IN 14. 85.70 Broken Arrow H.S., OK 15. 85.15 Ben Davis H.S., IN 16. 84.10 Seminole H.S., FL 17. 83.20 Etiwanda H.S., CA 18. 83.10 Bellbrook H.S., OH 19. 82.85 Lake Park H.S., IL 20. 80.80 Ooltewah H.S., TN 21. 79.50 West Johnston H.S., NC 22. 78.60 Fort Mill H.S., NC 23. 78.35 Adair County H.S., KY 24. 78.20 North Hardin H.S., KY 25. 77.95 Cleveland H.S., TN 26. 76.95 Lake Central H.S., IN 27. 76.70 American Fork H.S., UT 28. 76.00 Norwell H.S., IN 29. 75.85 Reeths-Puffer H.S., MI 30. 75.50 Columbus North H.S., IN 31. 71.75 Thousand Oaks H.S., CA 32. 71.20 Jackson Academy H.S., MI 33. 70.85 Croatan H.S., NC 34. 69.75 Lone Oak H.S., KY Class Championships Awards (Actual): Class A 1st - Adair County H.S., KY 2nd - Jackson Academy, MS 3rd - Croatan H.S., NC Outstanding Music Performance - Adair County H.S., KY Outstanding Visual Performance - Adair County H.S., KY Outstanding General Effect - Adair County H.S., KY Class AA 1st - Tarpon Springs H.S., FL 2nd - Bellbrook H.S., OH 3rd - Ooltewah H.S., TN 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 - Ronald Reagan H.S., TX 2nd - Carmel H.S., IN 3rd - Avon H.S., IN Outstanding Music Performance - Ronald Reagan H.S., TX Outstanding Visual Performance - Avon H.S., IN Outstanding General Effect - Ronald Reagan H.S., TX My Finalists (In Random Order) Center Grove H.S., IN Avon H.S., IN Ronald Reagan H.S., IN Carmel H.S., IN Seminole H.S., FL Lawrence Central H.S., IN Marian Catholic H.S., IL Richland H.S., TX Broken Arrow H.S., OK Tarpon Springs H.S., FL Castle H.S., IN Plymouth Canton Educational Park, MI Actual Finalists (In Random Order) Richland H.S., TX Tarpon Springs H.S., FL Center Grove H.S., IN Avon H.S., IN Marian Catholic H.S., IL Centerville H.S., OH Ronald Reagan H.S., TX Carmel H.S., IN L.D. Bell H.S., TX Plymouth Canton Educational Park, MI Lawrence Central H.S., IN OWasso H.S., OK Post-Semis Thoughts (Ctd.): Well, as you could see, I was way off about L.D. Bell. (Actually, I was way off for a few bands). I hope no one at L.D. Bell takes offense to my review, because they were a great band and got all the credit they deserved...but I just wasn't feeling it. I think that the fuzzy drill got to me. L.D. did, however, have one of the most difficult productions. In regards to the other bands that did/did not make finals: I was really hoping Broken Arrow would slip into the top 12, REALLY hoping. Their show was one of my favorites, and I felt the ideas behind it and how they performed (magnificent) were totally finalist material. I would have substituted Broken Arrow for Owasso or Centerville in a heartbeat. But hey, that's just MY preference, ha ha! And all I have to write about Center Grove is, "The Grove is back!" Good for CG for making a return to the big time. All the bands that made semi-finals were incredible. All of the kids deserved a huge round of applause, and we gave it to them. Now all that is left is finals...if you thought all the bands in semis were good, well then, finals will truly be something else. The review for that is coming soon... Alan Irons Fountain Valley High School Marching Band 1993-1996 Pacific Crest of Diamond Bar 1997 Nashua Spartans 1998-1999 UCSB Class of 2002

IN APPRECIATION OF 30 YEARS OF POSITIVELY LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES... Bands of America Grand National Championships November 9-12, 2005 RCA Dome Indianapolis, IN The Slough. ***DAY 2 PRELIMINARY COMPETITION*** I had no sleep. I just got up and went. When I was DOA ("Dozed" On Arrival) at the RCA Dome, I headed out of the frigid cold and went to the inner warmth. I got the seat I always got, lower deck, right on the 50 near the entrance tunnel. I thought, "Okay, mission is now ACCOMPLISHED." But in actuality, not quite. While I was doing my review for "Day 2," I started nodding off. I was afraid I might actually fall asleep beyond my control. So, I did what a sane human being would do...ready myself to bail. What a lark! But I did not want to leave! I had had it, though. I was tired, and my mind was fried. However, instead of leaving, I delayed. Sure, a bed sounded tempting...but I did not want to leave! Finally, I decided to drag myself up to the upper deck to see what the action was like from up there, and to meet with a friend I met last year in the same place. I found Wolfgang and company focusing on the performances, and said, "Hello." While conversing with them I found myself to be somehow "awakened." I could not finish my review, since I missed too many bands...BUT...I could include the bands I did review (before my sleep-attacks), as well as provide a summary of the day. I figure, better something than nothing, right? So I shall begin with here is what I have thus far (and I owe it to you all): Union High School Repertoire: Comments: Cactus props dotted the background. An early start to this show is meant to be. This show takes a while to really sizzle. The "hick-hop" style of music is fully explored. The female rap artist has all her lines rolling off the tip of her tongue. There seems to be lots of "stop...then go, stop...," and this happened to the extent the blows softened. Don't go soft on me, Union! The woodwinds and brass teased each other with music that could not be more different. This group has abundant energy, and they really dig deep to secure the best ranking they could receive, being "on the spot" this early in the morning. My Score: 78.20 My Placement: N/A Etiwanda High School Repertoire: Comments: There's nothing like waking up to Union, Etiwanda, Tarpon Springs...waaait a minute. Waking up to Union, Etiwanda, and Tarpon Springs? Yep. Only in (Bands of) America! The guard pupmed their fists near the beginning of the show, showing that they are "on the move." I like the change-up in music style. Oh my, right before the sig alert signal is given, a few rifles are dropped hart. The tarp on the 50 is now more colorful, with a red "X" going through the majority orange. The show seemed to have a tacked on ending. The flow simply got a lot less smoother, but this band worked through that until the end. This show seemed on autopilot, which somehow dappened their spirit. My Score: 80.60 My Placement: N/A Tarpon Springs High School Repertoire: Comments: An electronic drum beat charges up this event of theirs. The gutsy forward marching ensemble gets closer and closer to the front, really working the technique 'till near death (it seemed). Woodwind players mesh on the 50, with a splinter running horizontally through it acts as a mirror image. The "Greed" segment of their show is wild, with momey symbols on the briefcases. The exit off the field in an organized way onto a diagonal placed tarp is magical as soloists remain behind. My Score: 86.90 My Placement: N/A Richland High School Repertoire: Comments: Problems with the front ensemble electronics was solved as soon as it could be by one of the Richland staff. Slide movement in place is a, "Yes." Ooh! A baritone player takes a spill and almost takes one of his comrades with him. He made a pretty swift comeback, and soon it was as if nothing happened. The lead sax soloist has a couple "henchmen" playing a shuffling behind him. The vocal duet was absolutely magnificent. The duet started, it appeared, without much certaintly (CONFIDENCE is key!). Now, if I could only get myself to somewhere else... My Score: 88.20 My Placement: N/A Owasso High School Repertoire: Comments:Some idiot in the audience had his two-way radio running. Breaker breaker! But yes, the audience told him to shut it off. (The ballad has an "epic" feel to it. Near the end of the ballad is a very audible clarinet squeak. Okay. OKAY. The moody slowly bringing in their slides soon transformed this group to "Waving a dogeball, and chasing the qirls." Naughty me. My Score: 84.90 My Placement: N/A James F. Byrnes High School Repertoire: Comments: A male and female recorded voiceover define what a "counterpoint" is. One of the first moves this group did is a long, shoulder to shoulder company front. Geez, these kids just come out swinging. The low brass has to have "the seal." Me, being a rental car drving...does carry some risk. Whoa, whoa guard! Everyone, including the pit, appears the box is full of stand. This band had a driving section leader. The guard is getting the later. The drumline causes...and then fade out. Whoa...I am getting...sleepy...zzzzz... My Score: N/A My Placement: N/A At this moment in time I am ready for sleeping, but like I mentioned before...I did not yet give in. I reviewed one more band. I reviewed a California favorite for my fellow Californians, Thousand Oaks, which is a band later in the day, because I did not know if they would make semi-finals or not at the time. Thousand Oaks High School Repertoire: Comments: 5 moon phases are presented by tarps. The uniformed member formed a tight pod with the instruments grounded. A child narrator asks, "What are dreams?" Flute angles are a bit off. The first part of their show is quick, and you could miss it if you don't think fast. The "Fun Dreams" segment has a trumpet duet skipping to their spot. The band sound seems a bit lost in the dome. The percussion plays way too loud. I love the "Boo!" surprise, in which one guard player acts suprised and ducks for cover. Now we know that this "playing around" was not for killers in the mist. My Score: 79.30 My Placement: N/A ***END OF DAY 2 PRELIMINARY COMPETITION*** Other memorable highlights, today: Again, the majorly stacked first block of bands, which made for a pretty nice preview of "Round 2." Ooltewah had a creepy show, with members in skeleton costumes. Ooltewah also had a get-the-job-done guard, who were sometimes TOO cocky with those rifle tosses. Milford (from Ohio, not Michigan) featured a trombone player that, during one part of the show, stood out from the rest of the band by doing pop-and-lock moves, the "robot," and the moonwalk. Bellbrook had the usual elaborate set-up, this time with a giant teeter-totter in the backfield that highlighted one of the drum majors who slowly came down on it and saluted. Avon (from Indiana, not Ohio) had drill that would make your head spin, that was either fast or faster. Avon ends their show the same way it began, with a little added spice. (For what the ingredient is...stay tuned!) I did not think Jackson Academy was as impressive as last year, with the roles in their show somehow "reduced." West Johnston made a gallant return to Indianapolis. (Eat your heart out, BLUE Cadets!) Lawrence Central was the most supreme group "in the gang," with eye-popping vi-suals, and being exact in all they do. When the ratings were handed out, and all appeared to be "said and done we were a little surprised bands like Louisville Male and Westminster did not make semi-finals, but...that is the way it goes, I guess. Hey, I am going to be writing a full review for semis and finals (to be posted LATER, heh heh, not "live"...but GOOD, nevertheless.) for those of you who are wondering or have forgotten. Today was a fun-filled day of unbelievable pageantry. I am glad I stuck around and did not return back from where I came. Alan Irons Fountain Valley High School Marching Band 1993-1996 Pacific Crest of Diamond Bar 1997 Nashua Spartans 1998-1999 UCSB Class of 2002

IN APPRECIATION OF 30 YEARS OF POSITIVELY LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES... Bands of America Grand National Championships November 9-12, 2005 RCA Dome Indianapolis, IN The "Audition." ***DAY 1 PRELIMINARY COMPETITION*** Knox Community High School Knox, IN Repertoire: "High Voltage" including "Mvt. I Power Surge," "Mvt. II Power Failure" and "Mvt. III 'Battery' Powered" featuring music by Gary Gilroy and Key Poulan" Comments: This band altered the look of the field by using tarps that "bent" the yard lines in the form of zig zags. Backdrops with trippy bending yard lines heading towards the roof was neat to look at. A moderate volume opening had one woodwind squeak. The trombones and to baritones played their music atop slow spinning wheel platforms. One clarinet player lost her balance after putting on the brakes. This group seemed to merely play through the notes in the ballad. Sop sax solo was tender. In the last movement, some of the wind players had trouble keeping up with the drum major. Guard had solid concept of sameness, despite some moves that were out of synch. Good going! My Score: 63.40 My Placement: 30th Normal Community High School Normal, IL Repertoire: "Pandora's Box" Key Poulan Comments: Bass drummers set the beat by tapping their drums with fork-like brushes. The black walls on three sides of a four-sided structuce come crashing down with guard work inside. Some of the forms that mesh look very on target. I like, I like. Keep it up! "Revenge," "Envy," "Anger," and "Death" flags are worked, as the multi-trills come a-flying. Ugh, two trumpet solos in a row were marred big time. The winds did not seem to crescendo by the drum major's command in the last movement, and the saxes seemed to struggle staying in time. Super middle connector line bringing together two triangular forms end this commited production. My Score: 62.70 My Placement: 33rd Carroll High School Dayton, OH Repertoire: "Capella": an original composition by Andrew Markworth Comments: A somber middle horn solo that turned bright was marvelous. I liked how this group starts and stops movement together. Those difficult starts and stops in sound to begin the second part of the show did not seem to click. Oh man, after that on the mark classical french horn song, the rest of the ensemble biffs up the "answer" attacts. Okay, we have some scatter drill to set up a form during the ending of the horn spot. Some of the rifles come down in place. The last drill move was a simple two vertical lines that squeezed a guard gal out the front, then both lines combined. This was quite a solid show. (On a side note, I liked the three-corner hats. You don't get to see those from a marching band too often.) My Score: 61.10 My Placement: 36th West Clermont Local School District Cincinnati, OH Repertoire: "Future Retro," "Stick Figures," "Drum Machine," "Acoustic Curves," and "The Harvester" Comments: The auxiliary make a stage by surrounding a mellophone soloist with outstretched, thin pieces of white cloth. The trumpets had the tongues stuck in their horns. The electric guitarist, on the other hand, was leading this group with a super rhythm. Yeah, the whole pit knew what they were doing. This auxiliary seemed to have more physical balance than the wind players out there, and their jobs were tougher! There were mostly raggedy young men and women marching, it seemed. Oh yeah! I love the contraption the snare drummers strap into in which they are flipped upside down for some upside down snare playing! Crazy. Way to make your show marinate the mind. They made fine attempts at everything they engaged. My Score: 58.40 My Placement: 42nd Archbishop McNicholas High School Cincinnati, OH Repertoire: "Around the World in 10 Minutes" including "Dance of the Jesters," "Suite in F," "Night in Tunisia," "Estancia" and "America" Comments: A backdrop with a world map that had dotted lines that seemed to imply travel was located in the rear of the field. This band had a solid footing on their show with very exact and in time notes. Marching technique was no bad, as white pants and blue stripes looked straight on the forward stride. The horns are grounded, and body movement that is jagged is demonstrated by the horn players with their hands and arms. The percussion feature was able, and I enjoyed the South American or African style masks that were flashed along with the flagwork done with the orange flags (again, by the horn players). Steady on those "America" (from "West Side Story") phrases, trumpets. Okay, logical show, but a tad more of the logic would be a plus. (For example, explain more thoroughly "where we are.") My Score: 59.60 My Placement: 40th Eastern High School Middletown, KY Repertoire: "The Pledge" Comments: This band recites the Pledge of Allegience before their show, while a voiceover goes in depth in patriotism. An extra enthused tuba player recites the Pledge by himself above everyone else who finishes. This band starts their show with sense. Ooh, nice booming sound by the boomas, er, tubas. Forms were gelling left and right. That blind pass-through, and those rock hard swiveling triangle forms: controlled. Way to up the ante with a heartfelt balland, and then the hands on the heart to top it all off. Great job reaching your spot on time and snapping the trumpets up, trumpets. Some flashy stuff, along with some sounds that make your head bop, was carried out. A tarp that has the word "GOD" on it way layed out. I could barely read the tarp below it with the handwriting script. This band sold a strong show. My Score: 75.30 My Placement: 19th Ben Davis High School Indianapolis, IN Repertoire: "The Raven" featuring the music of Frank Sullivan and Miklos Rozsa including "Mvt. I Fate," "Mvt. II The Raven," "Mvt. III Lenore (Spellbound)" and "Mvt. IV Nevermore" Comments: Purple drapes hugged the read sidelines and 0 yard lines. A rolling cage held some guard girls in black, and they waved their arms up and down. A vibrant clarinet solo accompanies a poetic voiceover. The slow stride-forward in the forms preceeding the final "give it to the crowd" sound seemed somewhat restrained. Ha ha, yeah! I love those flute and clarinet sweeps of notes upwards. The spacing was crazy even. Remarkable work. Brass, know, know, know when and how to bring those legs together (in the ballad.) Gorgeous work with that you play, certainly. The synth crescendo, with the battery making a full frontal assault, along with the body tilt of the wind players in the backfield, is special. Yeah, that was proper. My Score: 80.30 My Placement: 9th Center Grove High School Greenwood, IN Repertoire: "Conspiracy Theory" including excerpts from Sing Sing: "J. Edgar Hoover," "Goop," "Nightmare" and "The Hands of Fate Parts 1 and 2" Comments: The huge file folder tarp with the word "Top Secret" (in red) and the FBI seal on it was a sight to see. "FBI" is repeated, as a funky beat is set by the pit and the snares. I love how the guard get in the act with the file folders, putting them away in huge file cabinets, and then bringing them back to dance with. Killer section by section rifle toss that is caught with the rifles tilted downward, followed by a gunshot sound. Perfections! I am savoring every bit of the ballad that features both single and double time marching, and constant sound that sizzles. Backwards marching is shaky. The "Keep it a Secret" samples are magnificent, as well as with what goes on with the drums, and the winds holding their horns like guns (and appear to be on the assault). Papers fly everywhere at the end of their show. My Score: 84.80 My Placement: 5th Centerville High School Centerville, OH Repertoire: "BLUESprint" including "Blue Light Red Light (Someone's There)" by Harry Connick Jr., and Ramsey McLean, "Second Draft" by Andrew Markworth, "Blue" by Joni Mitchell and "Sprint" by Andrew Markworth Comments: Facing backfield in laid back poses were all the wind players except saxes. Right off the bat we get that slow, showy jazz sound. Precise movement comes not from a few, not from most, but from all. The woodwinds toy with what they are doing, which is great to see. They swing their instruments away with an intricate body move, then go back to the marching stuff. Great job, guys. Ugh! A bunch of vertical lines look like slop in the jazz run from side B to side A, and one rifle toss just does not make it to the hands in clockwork fashion. The ballad is juicy. Amped 'bone to start the next movement really takes advantage of the amplifier, and his unique sound stung. Clean up the drill, Centerville. The difficulty of the moves gets the jaws to job, and now they just need to step it up. They performed to their style to the extreme. My Score: 82.60 My Placement: 7th South Lyon High School South Lyon, MI Repertoire: "Pictures at an Exhibition" by Modesto Mussorgsky Comments: I like how the auxiliary presents the three drum majors by "framing their heads with large picture frames. A full body size picture frame frames the trumpet soloist that brings alive this majestic show. Specks of dirt seemed to fly from the trumpet section sound, just specks. I did think highly of that leg extension and hop move they did, though. Several different colored banners were strewn across the field, as a genuine baritone did his thing atop a spool platform. The percussion had flair during their feature, and during one part of it the guard framed each of the snare drummers with a frame. Memorable, memorable. What's with the huge hole in the tuba section? The shoulder to shoulder company front was energized and absorbing. They had an all encompassing sound. Excellent. Old school, but excellent. This type of show is hard to make fresh, but they made a very strenuous attempt at it. My Score: 66.00 My Placement: 26th Brunswick High School Brunswick, OH Repertoire: "Road Trip" including "Internal Combustion" and "A Light Unto Darkness" by David Gillingham, "Pastime" by Jack Stamp, "U.F.O" and "Motown Metal" by Michael Daugherty Comments: This show starts uncomfortably. Low reed sounds, followed by some harsh brass sounds, followed by some old time horn honks from the pit...you see what I am getting at? That clarinet and flute block does not seem to join in harmony. (Spin those lines at the right time.) Sign props up front indicate a city name and its population. The first two cities are Roswell and Oklahoma City. A small Dixie style band was background to a guard guy doing some flips across the field. I like the harsh vibrato style of playing, trombones. One of the 'bonists stalks the guard, the guard standing their ground with some above average sabre work. Some half-way decent drill wraps up the show, and the music pleases. Overall, not bad. My Score: 64.00 My Placement: 28th Reeths-Puffer High School Muskegon, MI Repertoire: "Africa: Ritual, Song and Celebration" including "Prelude from The White Witch Doctor" by Bernard Hermann, "Nowhere in Africa" by Niki Reiser and "Kumbalawe" by Dupere Rene Comments: I wish those auxiliary intervals were more even up front. (Somebody step them off!) They start their show off by swinging around these ropes with strange devices attached that did some rattling. This show meanders a bit in the beginning, but seems to ignite near the end of the first movement with a noticeable crescendo and a collapsing triangular form. Way to go! I like the artistic touch on the shakos, with the zebra design and the crooked (plumeless) top. The circle dance was intact. The mesmerizing jazz run in front of the green and black twirling flags got the heart pounding a little harder. The swift, tight end of the show got my head nodding. Way to work this Africana theme. My Score: 76.20 My Placement: 17th Plymouth-Canton Educational Park Canton, MI Repertoire: "Performing Inside Out" featuring the music of Steve Reich, Michael Nyman, Christopher Rouse and Frank Ticheli including "Mvt. I Control," "Mvt. II Breath," "Mvt. III Tension," "Mvt. IV Chaos," "Mvt. V Release" and "Mvt. VI Structure" Comments: Elaborate ramps of white between "hiding place" backdrops of greyish purple spruced up the rear field. A stark white tarp had an embracing pod of guard. Those on the edge of the tarp did a move to face inwards after facing outwards. I am thrilled with the music and motion coming right at me on this stage, the guard getting in place to spell "CONTROL" with the letters on their bodies. Now the whole field is utilized, the tarp reduced in size, bearing a swirling pastel design. That engulfing sound in the ballad rings for more than a couple of seconds. Nice. The tarp is folded yet again and again to let the drummers take over the front green section of the field, along with some sinister sounding brass that are clear in what they play. The chaotic dance moves are executed after monotonous dead ahead marching. This band boasts a unique style. Some of the forms expanded and contracted like an accordian. Even with the flaws, this show was charming. My Score: 83.00 My Placement: 6th Castle High School Newburgh, IN Repertoire: "Deja View - Four Points in Time" featuring music by Frank Sullivan Comments: The two vertical lines up the 50 were not perfectly straight, now. Whoa! The drill is becoming non-stop amazing. I am fond of those very complex melodies at a low volume. It takes just as much, if not more skill to play soft than loud. A squeeze is put on a circle form as it shrinks when a lone of clarinets in a loop tighten their knot by going through the sideways-travelling horizontal line. The circle form, with rays of wind players on their knees is dazzling, and the sound is just paradise. Both sides of the field engage in spectacular music and marching, as the sousaphones, of all instruments, and the drumline, set their "phasers" on "kill." I was glad they did not end their show the way I thought they were going to end their show. (That would have been too easy.) A jingle or two later from the pit, and this group is stylin' with drill and drill forms that lock in all the right places. My Score: 81.50 My Placement: 8th Croatan High School Newport, NC Repertoire: "The Ladder of Success" by Frank Sullivan Comments: 7 tall and 8 short lavender colored ladders take an inverted "V" shape on the field to stage the band. The recorder voiceover was barely audible. I head, "Ladder of Success," and that's about it. Excellent jazz run, stop, then high leg lift move, trumpets. If the voices from the speakerboxes were sharpened, then we might have the narrative effect going on. Ooh, one baritone player trips and falls hard marching a big step size backwards. Thank goodness he gets up quick and back into the swing of things. For this small band there is a lot of difficult, difficult drill moves. Musically, they are not as defined, but they did a marvel of a job moving. Still, I (and others) need to be more involved. Too much...disappointment. Nevertheless...shap style. My Score: 71.90 My Placement: 23rd Normal West High School Normal, IL Repertoire: "Metroplex" by Robert Sheldon, "My Funny Valentine" by Hart/Rogers and "Ride" by Samuel Hazo Comments: A gradual bringing up of the horns is followed by an underwhelming sound, even though everyone is located at the very front of the field. Wow, my eyes are trailing here and there, as the music, and consequently, the motion, seems to reflect all the chaos of a city. The drum major does her thing with the alto horn, while another alto hornist (in uniform) sits on a stool and does her's. A traffic light on the field is mostly green (and sometimes changes to red), and stands in front of a hand designed backdrop of a cityscape. A lot of wavering sounds, and when they do a drill move that is one to stand up and take note up, that is wavering, too. Too bad. The 360-degree move and the powerhouse chord did not have the impact I expected, but it did succeed. All in all, I would say this show was a success. My Score: 60.60 My Placement: 38th Louisville Male High School Louisville, KY Repertoire: "Ayres of the Isle" Comments: A door-bell-like sound echoed relentlessly in the pit. The guard, dressed in red, hold these long, medieval sytle axes. I appreciated what the pit was doing, with the dance club style sound and vocalization by the synth. Get the goose steps in line, goose steppers. Awesome sound, band. The "London Bridges Falling Down" tune magnified by the synth in a stuttering style stuttered its way to greatness. This group made a name for themselves with all the ambiguous drill moves. (They seemed to overdo it, like those neato but time and time again used head-tilting moves...head-tilting moves...head-tilting--okay!) What this group did was top notch. The clever arm extension with the ding dong ding dong moment, was fitting. My Score: 78.40 My Placement: 11th Gilbert High School Gilbert, SC Repertoire: "The Hypar Effect" by John Meehan Comments: A silent drill move is fine, and then the sound comes...which is also fine. I was hoping the pit would not cover for the tough musical parts. Oh well. Some of the sections in this band, like the saxes, do a hefty thinking job getting their parts down pat. Ayala this band was not, but they did an okay job of borrowing Ayala's show from last year. (It is tough not to draw a comparison if you saw Ayala here last year). This band really needed a synthesizer instead of an electric guitar to make the percussion sound more bold. How come whenever I see a band do a stellar job at an all-original show, it is usually never quite as good the second time a around when it is done by a different band? I'm sorry, but it just ISN'T! This group played and marched their tails off, but it seemed too much of a lost cause. (Too bad, because this is a real fine marching band.) My Score: 61.70 My Placement: 35th William Mason High School Mason, OH Repertoire: "Sevens: Symbols, Colors and Groupings" featuring music by Samuel R. Hazo Comments: A domino up and down motion by the wind players in curvy forms that extended the width of the field were done, as the pit repeated some rings. The mellophones were bright. Whoa, wailing mellos, whoooa! Ensemble marching far outweighed individual marching. I liked what this band had to offer, but they need to work on unifying moves. Feet were all over the place in the ballad, and I mean ALL over the place. (Saxes...guilty.) Top job on the double-tonguing. ( A little harsh, but...not bad.) Mellophones, there you go again. Splendid job. This show had some bite, but maybe too much bite. My Score: 73.00 My Placement: 21st Whitehall High School Whitehall, PA Repertoire: "CLUE" including "Thriller," "Mission Impossible," Music from "Psycho," "The Pink Panther," "Crimestoppers Medley" and "Secret Agent Man" Comments: Multicolored backdrops with question marks were in the rear of the field, while a game board tarp with the word "Clue" in the center was in the middle of the field. The opening Michael Jackson favorite, "Thriller," was heightened by a pretty solid rotate of a triangle, followed by the theme from "Mission Impossible." This group ought to invest in a better sound system, or turn of the volume of the narrator in the pit. I like how the end of the word "Psycho" is accented ("Psych-O") to fit the all rhyming poetry. Okay, ha ha ha, who wrote this poetry? When high-stepping, trumpets, careful not to let the sound high-step, too. The guy in the trenchcoat who was narrating was quite a showman. (First a poet, now a...showman?) He cried, "1, 2, 3, 4!" and did a little dance with the guard. Outstanding. The band ends their show by collapsing onto the field, and then get up and shriek as they run off the field. Not the most professional of shows, but nevertheless, fun. My Score: 60.20 My Placement: 39th Mt. Juliet High School Mt. Juliet, TN Repertoire: "Reflections of Earth" by Gavin Greenaway Comments: Interspersed between near holographic-looking cubic props were the wind players. The bottom-heavy bottom sound dragged them down. This is a show where you kind of have to be ahead of the DM. Way to straighten that curvy line before the halt, wind players! Auxiliary, mold those motions into one at the relaxed feature. I like how the "plumes" matched the props in style, cubic shaped in themselves. (Very snazzy.) What a great one-handed rifle catch by the guard that was! Hmmm, drumline outran the band at the end, it seemed. Either that or the band was the "tortoise." The very, very end of the show was strong, with the few bops in sound and in moves the legs out and in. My Score: 59.00 My Placement: 41st Norwell High School Ossian, IN Repertoire: "Circadian Rhythms" featuring the music of Jeff Beal, Thomas Newman, and Karl Jenkins Comments: A gigantic digital clock matches the time on the stadium clock almost exactly. Lying flat on their backs is one section of wind players, while another section is down on one knee with the head down. A definition of "Circadian Rhythms" is given real quickly, and then this show comes to life. Some of the horn snaps seemed to be off. Not good. Those were some Slick and slender rifle moves, auxiliary. One flute player majorly forgot to halt when she was supposed to, and she was way up front. The narrator, who is live, seemed to be running through the motions with what she had to say. Oh, now that's nice. (One of the auxiliary is singing beautifully.) The amped accoustical guitar has a soothing sound to it. Heart beats are heard, as the large heart monitor light board behind the drum major is lit up in blue. Man, I hate to see a band with a great concept struggle, and they were really struggling near the end. Horn snaps were noticeably not together, and the music was lagging. This could, have, should have, would have been a great performance. My Score: 76.40 My Placement: 16th Metamora Township High School Metamora, IL Repertoire: "American Landscapes" by Craig Andrew Fitzpatrick including "Colonial Saturation," "Riverscape," and "Terian'acle Frontier" Comments: Instruments were raised above the heads, and then the wind players dropped their instruments with their heads and gently swayed. Duh, duh, duh-duh-duh. The winds were right with the snare taps. Okay, percussion, don't overplay. The jazz run style was great, but form maintenance, form maintenance...needs to be there. Someone call for help on their individual marching technique. SOS! SOS! Okay, things seem more in the groove when the trumpets have one of their arms on the shoulder of a fellow trumpet player. This band sort of undersold the end of their show. Do not run out of air, all! Alright, a gallant effort was given. My Score: 57.70 My Placement: 44th Tippencanoe High School Tipp City, OH Repertoire: Music from "The Incredibles" Comments: A vertical row of auxiliary were face down in the fetal position. The music sounded apprehensive, perhaps because the tempo was slower than you would expect from this kind of music? Okay, things seem to shift more towards uptempo near the end of that first segment. The color guard operated silver colored, scythe-blade-like props reasonably well. The bari sax dude appears to be playing the heck out of his bari sax, but...I don't hear him. For a long while, this band is motionless, with some on their feet and some down on one knee...but way too long. Trumpets, your feature before the mesh and the percussion feature was stylistically very strong. Congratulations. Mellophones, you don't even need me to write about how good you are. This band made a prompt, joyous gesture. My Score: 61.00 My Placement: 37th Lake Central High School St. John, IN Repertoire: "Phobias: The music of Bernard Hermann and Alfred Reed" including "The Man Who Knew Too Much," "Psycho," "Farenheit 451" and "Symphony for Brass and Percussion" Comments: The narrator in the pit was one of the better "live" narrators this afternoon. Very sharp attention to detail, band. I am seeing a lot of first-rate drill moves. Good for them! And how was the stuff that was coming out of the horns? Just as good, especialy in terms of technical ability. Double blue flags are waved, while the wind players initiate a wavy, fluid movement. I did not know there was a phobia for metal and being seen. (I guess there is a phobia for everything!) I like it when a band can educate me! The guard is really flexing their muscles with the rifles and the sabres. Geez, their show really impressed. More dynamic fluff, and more drill challenges--especially near the end--would better enhance this machine. Superior job, folks. My Score: 77.00 My Placement: 13th Fairborn High School Fairborn, OH Repertoire: "Chronometry: The Science of Time" including "Grandfather Clock," "Hourglass" and "Stopwatch" Comments: In an almost perfect circle were most of the wind players, the auxiliary acting as the big hand and little hand of a clock. The guard do a neat back and forth rifle flip while they push forward the hands, causing the clock form to disintegrate around. This opening first impression rocked. Now, can they keep it going? Mmmmm, scattershot sounds are coming from the trumpets. Bond, brothers, bond! The snares played bumper cars with each other for a sec, there. I see they are doing a lot of double-circle amoeba forms. Excellent on the clock flag handoff, guard. Flutes had a daunting challenge with those repeat notes. A Z-pull to help this finale really fly is accomplished. Way to do the job, band! My Score: 63.50 My Placement: 29th Broken Arrow Senior High School Broken Arrow, OK Repertoire: "2-4-6-0-1" Based on the musical "Les Miserables" Comments: In grand showmanship, three uniformed members carry in a guard member, and then a smile hits my face as the pit in the backfield gets louder and louder and then fades away as the rest of the band drag themselves forth (as if wounded). I sat, stunned, as I saw music and motion go hand in hand, and utmost drama. The subtle electronica inserts were welcome. I felt more percussive pit sounds should have come forth (volume), especially since this band decided not to have a marching drumline. Ooh, yeah! The computer sound annihilates. (Give me some more of THAT.) This show was quite an experience! (NOT your typical Les Mis fare! In fact, very...alien). Gotta love that jazz run into a tight ball. (It is a wonder no one killed themselves.) "24601" spelled out in the drill...oh man. What a tearjerker show. The band crawling off the field, leaving a lone snare drummer in black with a guard girl. Very moving. My Score: 88.40 My Placement: 3rd Portage Central High School Portage, MI Repertoire: "Niagra Falls: Music of Michael Daugherty" including "Niagra Falls" and "Alligator Alley" Comments: Each straight for was sharp in the beginning. No movement to move this show along? Okay, there we go now. Those were some hairy moves, brass block. That ultra leg extension seemed awkward, and was just pulled off. Yes, this band does "that lunge move" very well, along with a foot swivel move. Ooh, guard, get a firm grip on those sabres. I like how this group makes the big picture count when it needs to. One mesh, then another...nice. Reverse "Zingali Special" stopped mid-way...nice. Lining up the rhombus, that is cool. Lots of in and out on the streams of air. This group knows how to please. My Score: 62.90 My Placement: 32nd Daviess County High School Owensboro, KY Repertoire: "The Prophecy: A Soul's Journey" Comments: Looking at this group, you might think they are "the red Lafayette," though with less members. (They even have the tents going, ha ha!) In all honesty, though, the uniforms are very spiffy. A lone baritone sets this group off. Ah yeeeah! I like how this group lets their sound ring for just enough time before they chime back in. I watched this group very, very pleasantly amazed. Focus is truly on the guard in the next movement, with flags and dresses flowing. This group had a complicated field show, but it did work. More backing in sound, uh perhaps a synth, would transform them ten-fold. They have all the right stuff. This band went all out, and NAILED it! Wow! What a job! My Score: 76.70 My Placement: 15th Fort Mill High School Fort Mill, SC Repertoire: "Piano Men" Comments: The drum major at the helm signaled to his band to watch him, and it is no wonder why...because some of the notes, especially one of the trumpet ascensions, seemed rushed. Huge hot pink and orange flags were unexpectedly waved up front. Cute piano roll get the band to roll, too, visually. Excellent buzz roll, snares, to end the first movement. "Claire de Lune" was magnificently brought to the field. Ha ha! Touching moments--literally--when the wind players act like they are playing the piano on the sash of their partner (which is designed like a piano). This is one of those many tune "jukbox" shows that actually work. My Score: 77.10 My Placement: 12th Federal Hocking High School Stewart, OH Repertoire: "A Walk In The Park" including "Awakenings of the Park: A Nightingale Sang in Berkely Square," "Rumblings of the Park: Playground," "Concert in the Park: Attitude Dance" and "Romance in the Park: MacArthur Park" Comments: A sax quartet subtlely enters, one of them--a girl dressed in a black business suit--seated This band is whispering. Now a drum cadence? (That was quite a change in pace.) The full wind player line rotate was ornate. I enjoyed the saxophone solo, but the late entrance of the other winds--most noticeably, the trumpets--ruined it for me. This show seemed to have ADD. "MacArthur Park," now? The theme may be the same, but the music did not quite seem to fit the pattern. I saw one marcher marching like a zombie. Bring the horns up to level, all. The snares looked like they were having a good time. This show was a task from start to finish, it seemed, but I must note that they at least finished it! My Score: 54.10 My Placement: 45th Clayton High School Clayton, NC Repertoire: "The Pursuit of Trivial Knowledge" including "Mvt. I Pursuit of Trivial Knowledge," "Mvt. II Playing the Game," "Mvt. III Copland A's" and "Mvt. IV Final Question" Comments: A steady, repeat beat, and a nutty clarinet solo was in there. Haaa! The tops of each shako is a different color, and you can only see it when the marchers march direction of motion backfield. The guy near the synth is operating the sampler for the "Trivial" game show host narration with extreme care, and is in perfect synch. True, the narration could get distracting at times. (I rarely saw the keyboard synth touched.) However, this show had a knack for getting people interested in what was going on. Alright, this group is steaming near the end of their grand creation. Pinwheeling forms, followed by forms in the pursuit of "Trivial Pursuit" pieces was marvelous. This sure was an involving show. My Score: 72.00 My Placement: 22nd Adair County High School Columbia, KY Repertoire: "Evolutions" including "Mvt. I Rhythm," "Mvt. II Melody," "Mvt. III Dynamics" and "Mvt. IV Medea" Comments: All the heads slowly drop down and snap up, the baritone soloist strongly showing off. Slow pinwheel forms are exact. Wow! These kids have their heads on straight. They act like they are one of the premiere small bands...and yes, they are! They have a full, defined sound. The low brass provides more than enough support, and the mellophones whip up a nice concoction of runs. The "L" shaped props that are upright or laying at an angle are combined to frame a flute soloist, and later a black and white sketch. Dang, sousies, even YOU do a note run! Auxiliary, clever use of those mini "L" props, I must note. Yyyyyo! Spectacular job, guys. My Score: 76.90 My Placement: 14th Northmont High School Clayton, OH Repertoire: "Ancient City Suites Parts I-IV" and "Piano Concerto No. 1 Mvt. III by Emerson, Lake & Palmer" Comments: Spooky synth noises instill wonder. Hut outlines seem to be holders for many poles, which will no doubt play a part later in their feature. "Ohmmm!" is chanted by one, then by all. The contemplative body motions rule the field. A calm piano sound then comes in, and a beautifully amplified trumpet and concert french horn duet comes in. One of the highlights of this show is during the percussion feature, in which the wind players ground their instruments and do a paganistic dance with some green and brown colored poles. The choreography is pretty precise. Yay guard, yay. Excellent rifle repertoire, mastered. Hold those notes to the end, trumpts, and then some. This was a tough ship of a show to steer, but they steered it. Pristine, pristine. My Score: 79.00 My Placement: 10th Ronald Reagan High School San Antonio, TX Repertoire: "You Never Know" featuring "Profanation" by L. Bernstein, "Symphonic Metamorphosis" by P. Hindemith and original music by Aaron Guidry Comments: What you won't see on the Grand Nats video is Reagan and their supremely sweet warm-up from start to finish that "finishes" within their show. You would think an epic were starting, and in a way, it was! I liked the synth part that slowed at just the right times. The person behind the madness is indeed human! Every note from the band was crystal clear. Guard, guard, guaaard, you are smokin' hot!!! I shook my head in disbelief numerous times. "But the lips are real bad" (I think?) from the movie, "Napolean Dynamite," is used as a sample, bringing spontaneity to this already "You Never Know" show. Indeed, you never know! Guard, the part where the field is "yours" is the only part I do not like. Positioning, and extra long sleeve motion (though innovative) seems to be "off" somewhat. Can you ace it? And could there be more of a drop off of sound near the end of the show before the ultra lovely crescendo(s)? Other than my special requests, this show makes you want to yell, "Okay, I give up!" They owned the RCA Dome. My Score: 92.80 My Placement: 1st Carmel High School Carmel, IN Repertoire: "Suspended Symbols" by Richard Saucedo Comments: Reagan is a tough act to follow no matter WHO goes on after them, but before Carmel we had a 15 minute break...and then we had Carmel. We shall see. This should be quite a bash. The guard uses hanging ropes under pyramid scaffolding to climb on, hang on, and use as a swing. At the get-go, woodwind upper body movement is too much...they almost pump their arms when they move! (Keep it straight!) Also, I would like to see the front ensemble, despite the magnificence in music, more in action. Killer 50 yard line mesh moves, especially with that ugly-yet-pretty synthesizer sound setting the mood. Spacing, mellos, look for spacing. When the wind players get on both knees and wave their left hand in the air while they play, I am stoked. This show has "show-off" written all over it. My Score: 90.50 My Placement: 2nd Herscher High School Herscher, IL Repertoire: "Summer Dances" by Brian Balmages Comments: A semi-DNA-twister move is executed by marchers through the guard vertically on the 50. Way, way sweet. This group has a firm handle on their music, though a few notes slip. Spacing and out-of-step-ness is prevalent when things slow down a bit. Splendid turn around and bullet of music, wind players. The guard does not endanger themselves enough. (You would think with "just flags" they'd be tossing them a bit more. More tosses, please!) The whiteness of the uniform pants reveals all. This group needs to tame their sound near the end. All that rushing around has got them breathless. They are an excellent basic display of excellence. My Score: 64.90 My Placement: 27th Greenwood High School Bowling Green, KY Repertoire: "Expressions in STEEL" including "Mvt. I The Crucible," "Mvt. II Tempering" and "Mvt. III The Forge" Comments: The drifting first note was constant, and sent the wind players on their way. I like how the double rhombus forms (mirror-mirror) front and back straighten into a vertical rectangle. Neat jazz run with an industrial sound background made by the drummers banging hanging metal plates and objects. That moment of silence by the band shortly after went on and on, and it got to me. Keep the pace. Ha ha! I saw that mellos. I like the bell tones and the lifting of the body (on the toes) to signify each "ding." A "A Night at the Roxbury" head bop leads to an in-place intricate dance show, and seemed to come way out of left field. Of course, "Tap, tap, tap tap tap tap," from the drummers started it. Eeeeeeeh no. This good show might be a great show with better transitional moments. C'est la vie, though. Fine performance overall. My Score: 69.80 My Placement: 24th Kings High School Kings Mill, OH Repertoire: "Transmissions" by Scott Hickey including "Mvt. I CQ-CQ," "Mvt. II Cables," "Mvt. III Towers" and "Mvt. IV Circuitry" Comments: This group has amongst the tallest props, with something that looks like an oil derrick with a blinking light on top. (It must be at least 40 feet high!) A highly robotic sounding synth diddy plays background to graceful motion by the windless wind players. This group does a fine job of playing out. Good. Highlight the solo snarist by reaching towards him works well. After a flautist flaunts her solo, she grounds her flute and starts conducting. The dissonant trumpet chord for a measure or two soon comes back as one. There's that catchy head-tilt move to make the plumes speak for themselves. The only thing of significant "oops" are the lunge movements at the start and the finish, which are not totally synchronized. My Score: 75.00 My Placement: 20th Francis Howell North High School St. Charles, MO Repertoire: "Night Riden' on da Riva" by Tom O'Conner, "Scootin' On Hardrock" by David Holsinger, "Take Five" by Paul Desmond and "Let's Get it Started" by the Black Eyed Peas Comments: Cymbal taps in the pit within a kit gets some flavor from an electric guitar. Please tell me those late attacks were intentional (sensational?). Mesh to "S" flutes and clarinets looked well groomed. By the way, who was that girl in the pit what was doing the dance near the bass drums? Doesn't she have a pit toy to play with??? Juuust kidding. Actually, that little dance was pretty neato, and gave the sometimes stagnant section of the band some personality. This sleepy jazz sjow was chock full of great music and motion, including a trumpet screamer that screamed towards the BOA Grand National Championships banners backfield. I love it when the girl in the pit performs scratch. (A real DJ!) This group is great fun! My Score: 75.80 My Placement: 18th Norton High School Norton, OH Repertoire: "I Am..." including "I Am" by Andrew Boysen Jr., "Ninkou Latora" and "Heat of the Day" by Pat Metheny Comments: A large uphill and downhill ramp was placed on the side B 45 yard line. "I" phrases, including, "I am a prisoner of time" and "I am creative" are recited by a pre-recorded male and female narrators. I see lots of shaky upper halves out there. A quint player rat-a-tat-tats on the highest pitched drum, and is soon joined by his comrades. Everyone else Time that music right. The relatively fine control and balance was obvious, and the ending was slow moving. An extra large "I Am" banner as the band sings, "IIIII aaaaam," to end it all. My Score: 63.10 My Placement: 31st Avon High School Avon, OH Repertoire: "Reflections" by Richard Saucedo including "Reflections of Form," "Reflections of Sound" and "Reflections of Light" Comments: A swift moving flute section moves into focus, with some tight rhythms. Wowzers, nice flute and clari pass-through. Agh! Trumpets are sharp. (Flatten it out, gang.) Ick, another note butchering job by, yes, the trumpets. The mics are working some of the time for the woodwind trio on their silver boxes up front. I like the kinetictivity, though I cannot emphasize control enough, especially in terms of what exits the horn. one by one rifle toss commits! Awe, man! The synthesizer solo is ruined because of a poor electronics hook-up or SOMETHING. Bummer. Get this stuff sorted out beforehand so it never happens again. Sans the glitches, this was a well designed and pretty well performed show. My Score: 58.00 My Placement: 43rd Western Brown High School Mt. Orab, OH Repertoire: "A Tribute to America" including "Main Street America," "Amazing Grace," "Razzle Dazzle" and selections from "In Defense of Liberty" Comments: A parade block form, with the school banner up front, approaches the front sideline. They throw down some hummable tunes. I am now reminiscing to the times I participated in the Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade in Huntington Beach, CA. Yikes! Be more confident on the step-off in the ballad. The mellophone soloist was a cut above the rest in her solo amongst the quartet which included other instruments. Please internalize the counts, guard. I see the guard is now playing pit instruments. (Versatile!) Excellent three-man pinwheel forms. This group could use more glitz--almost anything, really--to spice things up. Nice effort out there. My Score: 48.00 My Placement: 46th Lebanon High School Lebanon, OH Repertoire: "Persistence: Rhythm, Melody, and Arrows" Comments: Two large rectangle forms of wind players on opposing sides of the field have their arms outstretched to the 50 yard line. The vertical lines then converge more and more, a sort of snowball effect. The multi-angle horn flashing suits the music well. This band forms lines well. The arrow props held so that they are pointed upwards are made with PVC pipe, it appears. I like the work done where one of the auxiliary is hoisted up above the rest of her gang while holding an "up" arrow. Some notes are cracked, and some spacing is cracked before we reach the drum show. Stick heights were pretty same. Good. The clapping section of the show, where one clap is done single time, and another is done double time, is effective, especially when the guard tosses their rifles down a line from backfield to front, and catch them all. A semi-strong com-pany front sings this show to the end. Fine finish. My Score: 62.20 My Placement: 34th Marian Catholic High School Chicago Heights, IL Repertoire: "Impressions in Black Granite" featuring music from Elliot Goldenthal's "Vietnam Oratorio" Comments: Some uniform pants were black, some uniform pants were white. Now wouldn't it be something if the ones with black pants had white tops? Maybe...then again, maybe not. "Black" seems to be a major thematic element in this show. One of the guard acts as if she is rading one of the memorials in black "granite." The brass players make music by simply breathing out loud. The set point squad leader in the tuba section was just off...a tad. Freaky trombone parts, there. Wah-waaah! I am digging it. This show is floating on air. You have to put your thinking cap on when you watch this group. Chants, then taps by different battery personnel, then break and form form to bring it all back to peace of mind. Don't you WISH you had "peace of mind." This show was Way, way complicated. Eerie sounding vocals by the marchers are like something out of Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey." What a stark contrast between the mega-marchers and the grandiose stand-stillers. Lavish, lavish music and marching. This band is in a class all its own...they are almost "unjudgeable." My Score: 87.00 My Placement: 4th Lakeland High School, MI White Lake, MI Repertoire: "Superstitions" including "Breaking a Mirror," "'13'," "Don't Walk Under a Ladder," "Knock on Wood" and "Good Luck!" featuring music by Stevie Wonder and Scott Boerma including "Superstitions," "Fanfare for a Golden Sky" and "Silver" Comments: Lined up on the front sideline and facing backfield is most of the marching ensemble. A lone snare drummer, trumpet, trombone, and later a sax all do the solo routine, and fare well. What looks like shards of glass are taken from a mammoth frame by the auxiliary and stood upright upfront. Watch the balance in sound before the end form, all. Trumpets popped out and back in with their tonality. Numbered flags are miraculously maneuvered, as part of the orange "skin" is shed on the fabric, leaving the same numbered flag only a different color, now yellow. Their sound was quite full, and varied, too. Ooh, great coordination with the wood clapper instruments, winds! More than just their uniforms sparkled. A huge white banner with a green clover on it covered the band, and just like that, their show was over, and just like that, Day 1 of Preliminary Competition for the Bands of America Grand National Championships was over. My Score: My Placement: ***END OF DAY 1 PRELIMINARY COMPETITION*** Here is how I see it thus far... 1. 92.80 Reagan H.S., TX 2. 90.50 Carmel H.S., IN 3. 88.40 Broken Arrow H.S., OK 4. 87.00 Marian Catholic H.S., IL 5. 84.80 Center Grove H.S., IN 6. 83.00 Plymouth Canton Educational Park, MI 7. 82.60 Centerville H.S., OH 8. 81.50 Castle H.S., IN 9. 80.30 Ben Davis H.S., IN 10. 79.00 Northmont H.S., OH 11. 78.40 Louisville Male H.S., KY 12. 77.10 Fort Mill H.S., NC 13. 77.00 Lake Central H.S., IN 14. 76.90 Adair County H.S., KY 15. 76.70 Daviess County H.S., KY 16. 76.40 Norwell H.S., IN 17. 76.20 Reeths-Puffer H.S., MI 18. 75.80 Francis Howell North H.S., MO 19. 75.30 Eastern H.S., KY 20. 75.00 Kings H.S., OH 21. 73.00 William Mason H.S., OH 22. 72.00 Clayton H.S., NC 23. 71.90 Croatan H.S., NC 24. 69.80 Greenwood H.S., KY 25. 68.40 Lakeland H.S., MI 26. 66.00 South Lyon H.S., MI 27. 64.90 Herscher H.S., IL 28. 64.00 Brunswick H.S., OH 29. 63.50 Fairborn H.S., OH 30. 63.40 Knox H.S., IN 31. 63.10 Norton H.S., OH 32. 62.90 Portage Central H.S., MI 33. 62.70 Normal Community H.S., IL 34. 62.20 Lebanon H.S., OH 35. 61.70 Gilbert H.S., SC 36. 61.10 Carroll H.S., OH 37. 61.00 Tippecanoe H.S., OH 38. 60.60 Normal West H.S., IL 39. 60.20 Whitehall H.S., PA 40. 59.60 Archbishop McNicholas H.S., OH 41. 59.00 Mt.Juliet H.S., TN 42. 58.40 West Clermont Local School District, OH 43. 58.00 Avon H.S., OH 44. 57.70 Metamora Township H.S., IL 45. 54.10 Federal Hocking H.S., OH 46. 48.00 Western Brown H.S., OH ...and Round 2 to start in a FEW! Alan Irons Fountain Valley High School Marching Band 1993-1996 Pacific Crest of Diamond Bar 1997 Nashua Spartans 1998-1999 UCSB Class of 2002

***Part 3 (of 3)*** 2005 Bands of America Regional Championships presented by Yamaha Alamodome San Antonio, TX November 4-5, 2005 The anticipation made you want to scream bloody murder. The performances in prelims were INCREDIBLE, and now that the best of the best were "sifted" out, we were ready for a major battle royale. This was like a freak show: people wanted to see the carnage! (And why not, with THIS all-star cast of Texas greats here?) Making finals was not a piece of cake for all the bands. In prelims, I laughed when the bands that made finals were announced in "random order." Random order??? Get out of here! You could hear a pin drip before the last two bands to make finals--Coppell and Hebron--were announced. Okay, truly, the bands were announced in random order (right?)...but wouldn't it be funny if BOA took a peek at the scores and said, "Hmmm, let's really get the crowd going!" Ha ha! You gotta love it. People lined up to get in the Alamodome as soon as they left the Alamodome. You could swear than some were lined up before prelims were even over! (Was dinner even an option? I guess not!) Since I did not hold a "reserved" seat ticket, I had to get my place in line quick, too, with the rest of the crazies. Fortunately, I was smart before I left the Alamodome and bought a hotdog. Yes, ladies and gentleman, a hotdog is part of a nutritious breakfast, lunch, and dinner when you are at a band show all day...NOT! (Of course you can always choose a healthy alternative, like pizza, pretzels, or peanuts...) As I stood in line I could feel the heat, not from the air, which was not bad, but from the folks in line who were extra territorial (not extra terrestrial, although...we could argue this) creatures. To protect the names of the guilty, and, the guilty, let me tell you about some band boosters who were cutting in line because they were wearing the same band booster t-shirts as the t-shirts of those who were already in line. (Not just one or two, but a LARGE group.) Well, the band boosters behind me were livid, and even went so far as to tell it like it is. Whooo! I almost had to play "ref." Calm down, people! Calm...down. The show had not even started, and the fights were just beginning... FINALS PERFORMANCES EXHIBITION: Roma High School Roma, TX Repertoire: "Convergence" including "With Heart and Voice," "Stained Glass," and "Concerto for Winds and Percussion" by David Gillingham Comments: Fooled you! This band declined to do an exhibition performance. So I will take this time to do a little rant. This band had a show that hangs with the big boys. Why did they decide they could not do an exhibition, but furthermore, why did they decide they could not even stick around for prelims awards? BOA ought to start cracking down on bands that want to bail out early, especially the ones THAT WIN ALL THE AWARDS! What is up with that? Would Roma have stayed had they made finals? Also, what are we teaching, here, when we pull the kids out of huge event like this? A commitment is a commitment. Just like I was disappointed I was not able to see Harlingen at all in prelims, I was disappointed I was not able to see Roma in finals exhibition. I don't think this was just a slap in the face to BOA, but a slap in the face to all the bands that worked hard to be here. Dan Potter, the announcer for the awards, sounded kind of awkward when he announced all the Class AA awards to Roma and had to inform us that "unfortunately" Roma could not be with us. Was Roma "too good" for everyone, or something? These are great bands, just very poor leadership decisions...and a let down. Sorry, that's how I feel, and I'm sure others felt the same way, too. Now, do they have any response in their defense? Please, let us know. My Score: N/A Actual Score: N/A My Placement: N/A Actual Placement: N/A Coppell High School Coppell, TX Repertoire: "Symphony No. 3" by Camille Saint-Saens Comments: Three sets of pipes resembling the pipes of a pipe organ hid the center section of the pit. As this goliath of a band entered the field, a synthesizer player produced some gorgeous organ music. A gradual bringing up of the horns soon led to an echoing chord, and movement from long (vertical) oval shaped forms into single lines. Pods of woodwinds did some body movement while halted. (Nothing elaborate, but...in time.) No forms were straight for some time. The dominance of the curve held them back some. Boy did the low brass in this band blow hard as one. Excellent! The responsibility of each player and marcher was great, and they fit the bill. The ballad seemed way too simple with the intervals perfectly done...because they were hardly moving! This big band fumbled the ball when it came down to above average step sizes and tough drill moves. Growling trombones and trumpets had your feet tapping to the pompous melody exchanges. In no time, the rest of the band got into this moment. The auxiliary pulls out huge see-through blue flags to increase the super presence of this already super band. The last few drill moves, which had some swiveling lines of marchers going vertical was a grand sight to see. (They should do more of that!) This show got from start to finish with relatively few (if any) flaws, and...that was the problem. Nothing was risky enough. Nevertheless, you cannot knock fine execution. Congratulations on your accomplishment. My Score: 77.60 Actual Score: 83.40 My Placement: 14th Actual Placement: 13th Ronald Reagan High School San Antonio, TX Repertoire: "You Never Know" featuring "Profanation" from "Symphony No. 1" by L. Bernstein, "Symphonic Metamorphosis" by P. Hindemith and original music by Aaron Guidry Comments: This band is something else. They had the crowd in a spell before their show even started. The synthesizers enliven this theatre ensemble, with the audience buzzing in total awe. The woodwinds are everywhere musically, and dyn-o-mite! The guard, in classy "street" garb, worked as one well-oiled machine. The hip swivel by the guard during the clarinet saxophone riffs were attractive. I love how some of the woodwinds take hold of a rifle and toss it either behind or in front of them to a ready-to-catch auxiliary gal. After a stand-up jazz "improvish" solo, a dorky sounding "Do chickens have large talons?" narrative is let loose, and catches you off guard. Brilliant. Two-step pinwheels in a smooth jazz transition brought about by the trumpets looked great. Now the guard is in a different costume, a light purple outfit that matched the half-pyramid props that were used for hiding (and changing costume). Gloves that turned into orange and yellow ribbons were spiritually manipulated by the guard, and provoked gasps. These were the music makers...these were the dreamers. A block that bent into a rhombus form by all was oh so crisp. If anything held this fine group back it was non-movement by the winds during the ribbon segment in the ballad. This group never failed to be spectacle, nevertheless. They really turn it up a notch on the G.E., and then do it some more. Fabulous job, guys! My Score: 91.80 Actual Score: 93.75 My Placement: 1st Actual Placement: 1st Richland High School North Richland Hills, TX Repertoire: "Inside Out" including "Aloft" by Jack Stamp, "Bells for Stokowski" by Michael Daugherty, "Incantation" by Jutras Benoit, "Sleep" by Eric Whitacre, and "Inside Out" by Mark Higginbotham Comments: A low, long backdrop of black covered the front sideline, hiding some of the guard tools. The voice of a small child talks about spelling his name. Another narrator, this time older, speaks of individuality. Rapid-fire trumpet notes cram their stuff down our throats. I am under their control. The red and orange flags contrasted significantly against the whiplashing blue and black uniforms. Teenage gossip and stuff about trying to fit in leads to the "anger" segment of the show. The field drummers are scattered within tossed rifles by the guard. Ah yeah, that sax solo has supreme attitude, amped just right, also. "Desire, desire. desire for an inner peace" is our next theme, and I could not help but think of the moving sounds of Hans Zimmer from "The Thin Red Line" at the start of the segment. The sound this group had was unbelievable. Two female vocalists from the pit are sensational, bringing out the best in this band. And who could forget the one-handed sabre-catch. (Not only that sabre, but other sabres later, right with the most impact-full musical parts. Claps into the microphone go far as the narrator cries, "Inside out." Uh! Too good! The solo sax guy, the DM apparently, returns! And then he descends from his stage (a raised podium), and the crowd was on their feet before the show was over. People did not just get up for them, they jumped up for them. This was an awe-inspiring show. My Score: 91.50 Actual Score: 89.20 My Placement: 2nd Actual Placement: 5th Hebron High School Carrollton, TX Repertoire: "Fused" featuring "Concerto for Orchestra" and "Music for Winds and Percussion" by Bela Bartok Comments: The cymbal players seem to form a dagger with their cymbals. Thuds of menacing nature take this pit on an adventure, baby, and me too! The jazz running slinky forms, followed by turn-jumps with legs in crouch style brought back together was amazing. Whoops, trombonist, who lost his balance and almost fell into another trombonist. This show is burning rubber. I am elated. After a flute solo comes a sax quintet with major skills. The chords played backfield were varied enough, and caused great listening enjoyment. Yeah! Way to go! The hand dip and swoosh back led to a more furious part of the show. Pods of woodwinds made a slight stage for a solo rifle dancer who, in the end of course, tossed her rifle and grabbed it. A sketchy form becomes clear, and then lots more become clear. It became clear to me these kids were great. The last form was a bit of a dull point to this show, which was a plain box that just had the horns snapping down. I want to be left with something that will leave me smiling and thinking. The end was a bit of a-- (yes, abrupt). Okay, so this was a red-hot show. How they kick it off is intriguing. The drum roll offs were no ordinary drum roll offs, and that "jump turn" was a classic for these kids...something that would make the highlight reels. My Score: 84.80 Actual Score: 82.15 My Placement: 10th Actual Placement: 14th Westfield High School Houston, TX Repertoire: "Wake From Your Sleep" including selections from "Final Fantasy VI, VIII and IX" and "I Thank You God for this Most Amazing Day" and "Hope, Faith, Life, Love," by Eric Whitacre. Comments: In an eerie synth aura, the marchers face backfield, the ones closest to the audience on the ground, and the ones furthest from the audience on their feet. A daunting pipe organ sound, along with a syncopated chant from the speakers was quite a pressure point. Great work by all! The flute soloist aced her time to shine and the rest of the band seemed to give it up for her. A new age chant, again from either the Kurzweil or the Korg, were penetrating. A scatter that seemed to last a very long time then got to block-like forms that revved up with an "aaaaaAAAH!" and jump. A horizontal line "unzipped" from each end to the 50, as drummers beat their things. Oh yeah, man! The robotic precision gave your heart a tug. Feel as one with the line! Four sets of clarinets mixed with bass clarinets were delicate with their parts, a little less so with the high brass facing backfield. The creepy sounding, "Wake!" was increased in drama and volume, and, as intended, was disturbing. This cutting edge band showed me the terror of being unable to wake from a dream. A lunge step to an earth-shattering drum beat, followed by another, consumed me. And then at last a scatter across the field ends in collapse. This was a mind bending, heart stopping, all mighty show. My thanks to you! My Score: 87.70 Actual Score: 86.75 My Placement: 6th Actual Placement: 10th Winston Churchill High School San Antonio, TX Repertoire: "E/fx" by Mark Higginbotham and John Pollard Comments: All hail the full "X" form, and red and black spotted guard holding lime green flags! The four points of the "X" and the middle of it rotate within each other, and then do all kinds of other funky drill moves. The auxiliary is a hit, making each catch loud and clear and same. I was not as impressed with the music. Holy cow, a jazz running insane fold in fold out form had a flute player tripping but getting sorted out quick. The sassy guard twirls rifles within the drumline in a straight vertical leads to two vertical guard lines, and an electro, "Do it, do it, do do it do it." Those hidden platforms behind the black backdrops up front were great stages. A mello does his thing with a style all his own. Again, that balanced guard...such finesse. Hello?! Did you see that split, and that graceful catch by the male guard member? The trombones divert my attention away from everyone else, so what makes them special? No, what makes them extra special? Crack a pose, or do SOMETHING! (The execute was excellent, though, right?) These "X" men do their thing with the "X" like they did in the beginning. Been there, done that. Now change it up a bit. Again, the music was not the end all be all. I have heard these kids rule the notes before. The auxiliary stole the show My Score: 89.50 Actual Score: 89.10 My Placement: 3rd Actual Placement: 6th Brazoswood High School Clute, TX Repertoire: "Icarus" by Key Poulan including "Daedalus (The Inventor), "With Wax and Feathers/Departure from Crete" and "Too Close to the Sun" Comments: Every other person in a vertical line lunges left or right, then brings it back to mine. My, my, my, that was a looong crescendo. Way to work the dynamo dynamics of the song. Technique person-to-person, was a slam dunk. The criss-crossing set of blocks of two sizes locked flawless. The auxiliary used those guns well, but the limbs they did not. Running or standing is boring. The pillar props in the backfield sent me back in time. Myths melted my thoughts, as did the piercing brass. Way to blare, horns! Jazz run one way, then jazz run the other way...that was tricky, changing direction. The cymbal rack on the rolling sunset/sunrise stand was utilized superbly. The show has meaning, it appears: nice touch to have the "wings of Icarus" lifted above the giant sun prop by a guard boy. I was a bit disappointed with the predictable moves. The thrill was mainly with the sound, somewhat with the moves. And auxiliary, take a look at Churchill's guard! You were not sophisticated, but I liked your stuff at the end the most. Overall, this show puts you through the wringer. This band was drama squared! Excellent, excellent work. My Score: 84.00 Actual Score: 87.85 My Placement: 11th Actual Placement: 8th Cypress Falls High School Houston, TX Repertoire: "Lines" featuring music by Key Poulan, Richard Saucedo, Mark Higginbotham and Shawn McAnear including "Mvt. I Blurring the Lines," "Mvt. II Toeing the Line" and "Mvt. III Crossing the Line" Comments: A dream state desired by a sax solo has ritualistic four-man dances being done around each guard gal. Get those blatant white poles synching. Aaah! Surprise! White poles elasticized into triangular props. Dah dee-dee dhut dee-dah. Those were some full notes, brass line. A squad of four sabres and a bow drawing motion from one of the stretchy holders is magical, as the flute solo engulfed. The bell part sounded like something out of the movie, "The Exorcist," at first, and then is twisted into something else. These kids were something else. I like how a few sets of white elastic bands are stretched way far to a guard point in the field, danced with as held together, then released like a few giant rubber bands. The thundering synths send your mind into a sci-fi labyrinth. There are those haunting bell rings again, and the band ends their show the opposite way they started, with the guard standing and the winds laying. This was a top-notch show, with a touch of innovation here and a touch of innovation there...and they performed it great! My Score: 86.00 Actual Score: 85.55 My Placement: 8th Actual Placement: 12th Westlake High School Austin, TX Repertoire: "Symphony No. 9" by Ludwig Van Beethoven and "Toccata and Fugue" by Johann Sebastian Bach Comments: A beige tarp with fancy, swirly dark brown sketches act as a stage for this ensemble, and is situated on the front sideline with the pit section situated on the curved border of it. First one guard with a flag, and then a string of trombones use it. The pit bordering the stage has just enough space between their equipment for folks to pass through in and out. The leg lift, then down, by one of the trombonists, was swell. Boom click, boom click went a bass drum and a many faceted wood block device got this group rolling like a steamroller. "Stanley Kubrick's Clockwork Orange," anyone? Actually, this music brings a lot to mind. Oh, the classics! The multi-parentheses and circle form were right on. Lots of standing around, brass. Standing around, hum dee dum, right? The "stage" becomes more occupied by a kneeling brass section towards a draped prop. The prop is revealed after a heart-smashing series of organ notes is all too familiar. The prop is, yet again, a set of organ pipes. Did they steal this pipe organ idea from Coppell, or the other way around? (Just kidding!) The pipe organ music and props seem to be quite the trend at this Regional. The show ends in triumphant stance...that's triumphant STANCE. Ah, bah humbug. This show is good enough to give a lot of national super bands some heartache. I am pleased with how they took music from back whence it all began, and made it fresh, superb, and absorbing. Their show selection would not be my personal recommended route, but they did it anyways and did a yeoman's job at. Cheers to you! My Score: 82.40 Actual Score: 85.95 My Placement: 12th Actual Placement: 11th Stephen F. Austin High School Sugar Land, TX Repertoire: "Dance Symphony" with selections from "Medea's Dance of Vengeance" and "Adagio for Strings" by Samuel Barber and "Grohg" by Aaron Copland Comments: The red from the dancer costumes was red enough to last a lifetime. The blackness of the uniforms were black black, enough to draw you in like a black hole. Mostly circles of winds were around the field. The auxiliary were scattered about. Esoteric sound was gradually bounced out from the pit. Trombones backfield seem to leap into action at breakneck pace. Whoa, take that sound into your hands, baritones (or was it mellophones?). I just heard some over blowing. Copland's "Grohg" is here, and arm and hand movement is maximized by the fluid dancers. (I like how the dancers made their way through that razor sharp marcher form.) Barber's "Adagio for Strings" is translated incredibly well by the woodwinds, and yes, the deep dark synth. Sections of dancers go down and up from hand and knees during the climax of Barber's gem. Oh, trumpets, those notes seemed to get ahead of you ugly. Intervals in rectangle work! Fish form by dance crew to three lines, yes! Man, how can you think of denying these guys? The rush of air power and step power was...quite a rush. The dancers made the most of their dance. Could the dancers play with the big guys and dolls of guarddom? They are close. Still, if they only had something...even a piece of string! I was speaking to one of their band parents about this (a long time parent who has been "in and out" of the band with his kids...very, very nice guy), and he too wonders why the dancers do not use equipment. Apparently, the dance team is one of the best dance teams out there, sans the band. I guess this is somewhat of an untouchable tradition, and I respect that. But when it comes down to comparing and contrasting marching band units, I think it does matter. But it does take impeccable skill to move the body as these girls do as one. I think what is more "bothersome" about this show is, like last year's show, they cannot seem to break away from music that is simply nothing new, despite the fact they do it ten times better than anyone else. I would to see this band break the mold...mix tradition with innovation. For example, maybe have the dancers dance all season long with no equipment, but secretly practicing with some equipment. Then at a huge show like BOA San Antonio, just at the right moment in their show, they break out the equipment! The crowd would go bananas. Just that one time only, mind you. I think it would be great, and kind of an "in your face" sort of thing, or "we can do this, too" sort of thing, you know? Alright, that's enough. REMARKABLE show, SFA. You guys set the bar high for the powerhouses. My Score: 89.20 Actual Score: 90.10 My Placement: 4th Actual Placement: 4th Haltom High School Haltom City, TX Repertoire: "La Nouba" including "Once Upon a Time," "Porte," "Urban," "Reve' Rouge" and "Tordue" Comments: Accordion music set the mood for this magnifique show! The front of winds, way to lurch at me and tear the place down. Get those arm motions in time, sousies and trombones. A sound of wind follows a sickly sweet flute solo. Top job, all. A shaking back and forth low brass and woodwind meeting goes wild. Each part of this show did not have the ultimate transition. I am not the biggest fan of "stop and go." Ooh, trumpets during that tuba and bass clari high step part was obnoxious. Get in tune or drop out! Again, a jerk of a "next phase," all. Tap tap tap tap tap tap tap, next! I tried to love the constant high brass smacks, but...nope. Too much glitch. Hey, how about those vertical lines that drifted? Nope. Again, too much glitch. Oh baby, now THAT sounds right! A folksy sort of dance to the voice of a male vocalist (who dances, too!) just fits this awkward piece into the puzzle. Yeeeah! The audience is "in." I can dig those bicycle hop steps with the heads down and the arms tight to the chest. That unique mystique defeats. This marvel of a band went all out at the end. Outstanding show. My Score: 82.00 Actual Score: 86.95 My Placement: 13th Actual Placement: 9th The Woodlands High School The Woodlands, TX Repertoire: "Competition" featuring the music of Dmitri Shostakovich, Leonard Bernstein, and Georges Bizet Comments: I could not help but glance at the auxiliary practicing their rifle tosses and nailing them. You do not show off like that before the show unless you mean business (and intend to catch every practice toss). That was a super intimidation tactic. A "Starting Line" banner is erect. As soon as the fanfare hits the ears, the guard appears to be juuust warming up. There you go again. Razor sharp catches, though so, so nit-picky I am right now with it being out of time. Turn around with arm extension by the winds is accented by one-by-one rifle tosses, and chants of "ha!" by each gal at the catch. The second to last catch, though, drop. (That's nasty when cocky, no?) Boxing rings are formed with bright orange ropes (which was a GREAT choice of color, because it catches your attention!). The auxiliary beef up the "competition" by putting on red boxer shorts over their skin-tight blue, green, and silver costumes. A bell rings of defeat, as a guard girl holds out a cloth that reads, "Defeated." A sigh is heard from the audiences. Get that rifle toss exact! Superior cut-off of sound, then horns down snap which was sooner than later. Do not jumble those notes too much now, band. The music is tough, very tough...but they manage alright. (The sign of a great music program.) The "Finish Line" banner is raised to the cries of victory by the auxiliary. Ribbons that are shot out like fireworks dazzle you. The rest of the band sprints towards the banner and go through it like champions, with a lap around the field for good measure. My Score: 85.20 Actual Score: 88.30 My Placement: 9th Actual Placement: 7th Marcus High School Flower Mound, TX Repertoire: Foul Play...Music for the Birds" including "I. Aviary at Morning," "II. Birds of a Feather," "The Chick Hatchery," "IV. Swan Song" and "V. Birds of Paradise" Comments: Bird chirps are heard in the pit. A group of guard dressed slick, like birds, go nuts (or, perhaps more appropriately, "cuckoo") near the 30 (side . Shaky plumes seem to be activated by a shaky synth two-note minimal melody. The total sound from all zooms in on you. This group was like stereo sound, no...THX sound! A+! Simple swirl drill is done at a slow and steady pace...but does it win the race? The piccolo trumpets bring much color to this avian production. Bicycle jump steps soon lead to a yellow guard "chick" besides her companions of blue. A step-by-step guard toss and catch is well done, and more well done by the catch by the "chick" on the money with the music. (Plus, that catch needed to happen. Way to get the job done!) Fanned tail feathers of what appeared to be a swan prop was a nice background to the pods of wind players around the field. Awe-inspiring sounds, band, awe-inspiring. Now the fanned feathered props are reversed on the swan props, which now appear to be peacock props. Resphigi, man. Talk about major brass mojo. Yeah! This was a happening show. My Score: 88.00 Actual Score: 91.80 My Placement: 5th Actual Placement: 3rd James Bowie High School Austin, TX Repertoire: Music by Samuel Barber including "Essays Part I, II, and III" Comments: Ruffles galore, guard...nice. A thunderbolt of red on the white half of the chest and all else...refined. Let us get this show on the road. A trumpet soloist stands apart from vertical lines that dissolve. That was masterful. There is a long standstill (which does not sit well.) But my crave for the made was made. Whoa, what an advancement. Memories of Westfield '95 coming back, ha, no memories of Bowie '05 in the making, yes. Someone give that oboe soloist a cookie. There is no doubt at all that he got the job done, no doubt...and he did the job marvelously. The rays of woodwinds up front start a note, and then proceed to bend notes in ways that feel good. They went swelling to gentle. Amazing the things you can do with a horn. These kids rivaled the best sound in the house. Spacing around the curves, woodwinds...get with it. Also, a little more timely "get there" would be helpful. A block of thunderous sound is tops, as double flags are whipped out and dazzle on demand. Now, time to catch my breath after all these utterly spectacular band performances. Bowie brought it. They sure can play when motionless. Also, the last form of the show was a bit bland. However, and this is a big "however," they lit up THEIR field with music, glorious music. A half-and-half show? We shall see. Fantastic performance, everyone. My Score: 87.00 Actual Score: 91.85 My Placement: 7th Actual Placement: 2nd EXHIBITION: Hidalgo High School (Class A Champions) Hidalgo, TX Repertoire: "COOL!" featuring music from "West Side Story" including "Maria," "Cool," "America" and "Tonight" Comments: I like how the guard effectively hides behind marchers that are moving. A speedy intro to this all-time classic, "West Side Story," ends with care. The auxiliary let out a yell to kind of give us a sense of old time gang warfare...or at least kind in the movie, ha ha! The swinging blinging sound was put to the test by three knowledgeable drum kit cats. Good! This show had all the right stuff. Less of a break between movements might improve. The percussion feature was moving, literally. A bounce-jump-bounce dance step by all the culprits works! Even that high kick made especially seen by one of the marching drums, was hot. It's ssssshowtime! Thanks for changing things up with the volume near the end. All in all, a fine performance. Congratulations on your tremendous accomplishment, today. My Score: N/A Actual Score: N/A My Placement: N/A Actual Placement: N/A END OF FINALS PERFORMANCES Post-Show Thoughts: I sat next to an ENTHUSIASTIC Coppell band parent, who I plan to e-mail this review to when I am done. He admitted his band was not a "BOA" band, but that they were sort of testing unknown waters. Obviously, Bands of America has had a HUGE affect on Texas. This gentleman took notes on bands like Ronald Reagan, to gauge what his band was doing "right" or doing "wrong." I am amazed at the dedication and skill some of the band boosters in Texas have, and no doubt they are a monumental contributing part of what makes the bands out there so great. My Results: 14. 77.60 Coppell H.S., TX 13. 82.00 Haltom H.S., Tx 12. 82.40 Westlake H.S., TX 11. 84.00 Brazoswood H.S., TX 10. 84.80 Hebron H.S., TX 9. 85.20 The Woodlands H.S., TX 8. 86.00 Cypress Falls H.S., TX 7. 87.00 James Bowie H.S., TX 6. 87.70 Westfield H.S., TX 5. 88.00 Marcus H.S., TX 4. 89.20 Stephen F. Austin H.S., TX 3. 89.50 Winston Churchill H.S., TX 2. 91.50 Richland H.S., TX 1. 91.80 Reagan H.S., TX Actual Results: 14. 82.15 Hebron H.S., TX 13. 83.40 Coppell H.S., Tx 12. 85.55 Cypress Falls H.S., TX 11. 85.95 Westlake H.S., TX 10. 86.75 Westfield H.S., TX 9. 86.95 Haltom H.S., TX 8. 87.85 Brazoswood H.S., TX 7. 88.30 The Woodlands H.S., TX 6. 89.10 Winston Churchill H.S., TX 5. 89.20 Richland H.S., TX 4. 90.10 Stephen F. Austin H.S., TX 3. 91.80 Marcus H.S., TX 2. 91.85 James Bowie H.S., TX 1. 93.75 Ronald Reagan H.S., TX Outstanding Music Performance - Marcus H.S., TX Outstanding Visual Performance - Marcus H.S., TX Outstanding General Effect - Ronald Reagan H.S., TX Post-Show Thoughts (Continued): Holy guacamole, macaroni, and any other word that is four syllables and edible! (I guess the hotdog didn't "do it" for me, grumble, grumble.) Reagan won, and who did not see that coming? Well...I think a lot of people were concerned when Marcus won the first two caption awards announced, heh heh! But Reagan pulled it off with their "general" effective show (and a fine display of music and motion to boot). Now, Marcus...where did these guys come from? I remember I saw this band a few years back and thought, "Hmmm, not bad, but not finalists," and, nope, not finalists. Not any more! "Big time, they're on their way and making it. Hooah!" (Gotta hand it to Peter for those nice lyrics.) Okay, now that I am on the subject of Marcus, what's up with BOWIE? (Not "Bowie" like David Bowie, but "Bowie" like "buoy.") 2nd Place by five one-hundredths of a point? Close one, close one. I am not going to discredit Bowie, because they had everything you would want to have in a fine performance. I thought they would come in 7th (or maybe 6th, 5th, or 4th)...but that's just me. I guess they just did not stick to my mind as much as the other bands did. I am glad the judges recognized them, because I sure did not recognize them! (In this case, thank GOODNESS I am not a judge, huh?) Great work, Bowie! This band has come a long ways from being a bubble band (the last time I saw them) to a band to bash heads with. They were contenders, contenders all the way. Speaking of contenders, did you notice how the judges did a lot of pairing up? Bowie and Marcus, Richland and Churchill, Haltom and Westfield, and Westlake and Cypress Falls were all in their little boats, and could have tied or swapped placements very easily. Indecision, you say? Maybe. But YOU try to decide who is better than whom when every band is at the top of their game! (Hey, at least it was not close to being an 8-way tie!) And for those of you who are counting Richland out at Grand Nats because of their supposed "bad" 5th place finish, mark my words: I am dangerously close to moving them from a "near-lock" as finalists to a "lock" as finalists in my crystal ball. Expect big things from Reagan AND Richland...and oh my lord I almost forgot L.D. Bell! Don't mess with Texas! I close out this review with a big thanks to all who were involved with this event. You think that going to the theatre or seeing a symphony perform is exciting? Try this show out for size. It sure won't cost as much! Have a great week, and I will see you all in Indianapolis for the Bands of America Grand National Championships. 30 years of "Positively Life-Changing Experiences." Unbelievable. I'm outta here. ***END OF PART 3 (of 3)*** Alan Irons Fountain Valley High School Marching Band 1993-1996 Pacific Crest of Diamond Bar 1997 Nashua Spartans 1998-1999 UCSB Class of 2002