mellopwn1

Dang, wish I was going. I think this is harder than usual to predict because 1) it's obviously more competitive at the top 2) the lack of videos means we don't know much about TW, Bowie, CTJ and other traditionally strong programs. I don't think we can count them out just yet. As a side note, I think color study is a much better show – but I seem to be the outlier.

Can't find the picture from earlier, but their new FB profile has the updated jacket: https://www.facebook.com/twhsband/photos/a.447659373424.229251.19279833424/10153335815243425/?type=3&theater They have green hat covers a la Reagan, too.

They are cool! Very similar to Reagan's new uniform, while still very unique. My only complaint is how the green is a little too bright and fluorescent, but the leaf design is dope nonetheless.

19 All-Staters has more to do with area alignment, methinks, but I agree they are a good band.

WOW! This show is exquisite. Very thoughtful, consistent, and well executed product and not AT ALL what they put on the field at Conroe. I really do agree that their visual GE is off the charts and that it is really clean. I mean, look at the block rotations. Pretty darn good. I still think Hebron, Marcus, and CTJ might out-music TW, but I think they have a real chance to win on a combination of GE and visual. I think, personally, they are ahead of Bowie at this point.

Okay, cut Rubisco some slack. He was not being "skeptical" or "negative" with his explanation. He is seeking a reasonable explanation for the three point swing between prelims and finals -- that's a big deal, and wacky judging has happened before. It seems like TW had somewhat of a lackluster performance and CTJ had an outstanding one, which basically explains it. Rubisco is just trying to account for this, no malice intended. CALM DOWN EVERYONE!!!! Besides, Rubisco knows what he's talking about when it comes to marching band.

It's more than likely the James Bowie from Arlington, not the James Bowie from Austin.

While there are several examples of small bands finding success in the BOA arena, the most applicable would be Vandegrift at 2010 BOA The Woodlands (now BOA Conroe, although in the same stadium). They had about as many winds as you guys (maybe even less) and managed to place 3rd in finals over The Woodlands and other great, well-established bands. SFA has definitely seen some rough times over the past few years, but I'm sure Chreste knows exactly what to do to squeeze maximum results out of limited resources. Vandegrift succeeded because of high individual execution and great ensemble coordination. Numbers allow you to hide mistakes so you guys at SFA just need to remember that every member matters. And if it doesn't happen this year, it will eventually. It's been about 8 or 9 years since I've been *excited* to see an SFA show, and I proudly say that I'm looking forward to how Bob Chreste shapes the program in his image.

Pines of Rome is sort of the quagmire of high school band. Although the kids really buy into it because it is a sexy piece of music, you're right that the transcription is NOT that good. On top of that, it is just incredibly tough. I remember Coppell did it a few years ago and it turned out similarly (although TW probably gets the edge here). Another 4A school (I think Wylie?) did it a few years ago, too, and it had a lot of the same problems. And, of course, even Langham Creek's performance caught a lot of flak when they performed it in San Antonio as the reigning 5A honor band. It captures the extremes of volume and technique, which makes it darn hard to balance and clean, as you can hear. The moral of the story is that you play Pines of Rome to have fun, not win Honor Band (and there's nothing wrong with that).

Spring ISD has two grand national champions. Spring HS (1993) Westfield HS (2003) And, of course there is the Region 9 trifecta of Spring HS (1993) Westfield HS (2003) The Woodlands HS (2013) So, no, it is not strange that clusters of musical excellence appear in middle class suburbs of large cities.

It is not uncommon for bands to have 100+ sets, not including subsets

When someone said that Bowie sounded weak, I don't think they referring to their volume. I watched the BOA Austin videos and Bowie lacks a lot of the refinement and blend that they've had in the past couple years. But that was so early in the season it's probably not indicative of much. It's just that their brass sounded harsh with individuals sticking out of the bands sound. So they don't sound weak from a volume perspective, they sound weak from an ensemble quality aspect. I think this will improve a lot by the end of the season, though.

The only problem I see with Hebron is that they are remarkably DONE. The drill looks finished and the body movement is all put in. It's the direct opposite of Marcus, Bell, The Woodlands who have yet to finish their drill, let alone clean or put in movement. While there is certainly a lot of points to be head in cleaning the visual and music, there is still the possibility that Hebron's trajectory to success may flatline come BOASA.

I just watched The Woodlands' Conroe video, which is a little wonky (Mr. Video seriously screwed up the levels....volume all the way up and I can hardly hear anything), and they have a long, long way to go in terms of fine line perfection. I wouldn't predict them as such clear cut winners, especially considering the lack of footage for the Dallas bands. But I agree, this is a **very** exciting year for Texas bands....

Wow! How does the 6th place band win GE?

The Woodlands has GE on lock, even at this point. They look BIG, and the guard looks larger and all around BETTER than it has for many years. The only thing that can keep the win from TW next week is cleanliness, but they still have a week to clean up. Marcus has the refinement. Avon has the power and the velocity. The Woodlands has a healthy combination of the two. Nationals cannot come soon enough.

Not a huge fan....kind of blah.

I don't think he was ever a director.....he does arrange their music though. He also arranges for Phantom Regiment, The Woodlands, and several other top groups as well.

Eaaaaaaaaaaasyyyyy there. No need to get so defensive. He didn't say Bowie was the scum of the earth or anything. It's true that they VISUALLY did not compare with the top of the top at nationals. It doesn't mean they are bad people, nor a horrible program. He never said anything attacking Bowie. It's a fact that their visual scores were disproportionately low (12th in finals almost across the board), and the evidence in the show supports those numbers.

Now that I actually go back and check we're both right, really. 2001 there was a ridiculous .95 gap between 1-5, while in 2003 it was 1.35 points. Same difference! PCEP was on fire that year, I agree. "Wild Nights" (or Adams in general, really) is a great piece of music.

I'm hoping that 2013 Nationals will turn out crazy like in 2003 when 1-5 was only separated by 1 point. Sacked stacked stacked.

Marcus and The Woodlands, we're looking at you!!!!

I saw Bowie at State on Tuesday, and I'm not sure they can capture the music caption against the likes of Avon, Carmel, etc. They were certainly powerful, but there were a lot of moments when the kids seemed to lose a bit of control and "let loose." That can't happen this weekend if they are aiming for the top.

They have snazzy new uniforms (as of last week) and they definitely sound nice, but I don't think they can stand up to the competition for the last couple finals spots. Not when the field is this deep.

Tarps and narration are HARDLY new ideas but I will say that TW does a decent job of pulling it off without being corny.