mellopwn1

While I don't think anything poor of Churchill as it's a great program, I'd just like to point out that schools such as Avon (three time national champion) march large numbers of freshmen as well. It was reported that in 2010 Avon marched 40% freshmen. A "young band" does not always equal a lower level of execution, contrary to what people think.

Honor band is in the concert hall....Marching band isn't. Just because Friendswood and Hebron are the current honor bands, it by no means translates to them being the best sounding bands on the field.

While I agree that their visual book is extremely demanding, I really don't think think their music is terribly challenging. Marcus and Bowie, to name two, seem much more technically demanding....but I'm just one man.

Okay, good! I just checked MFA and saw them on the list and was all "oh crap!" Glad to see the guys around here are on top of things!

Heads up to the TxBands staff: you left Keller off the predictions list for BOA SA so that's going to screw everything up if they make finals. I noticed right AFTER I entered mine...

Although there are no separate captions for CG and drumline in BOA, you have to remember that both of those components make up a significant portion of the music and visual scores. Having a very good colorguard and/or drumline is an asset in any circuit you compete in. I agree that they might not hold the same influence in comparison to other contests, though.

I am very interested to see the outcome of 2-4. For me, Marcus seems likes the clear winner even now. They came out with ssuch a strong lead at BOA Houston and only seem to be building upon it. They sounded and looked great then AND WON when they didn't even have a closer on the field! That in itself is all the proof I need that they will be levels beyond where the were then a month later at SA. However, 2-4 seem like a total toss-up. As of now, I don't have confidence that Bell will be able to just walk into their usual 1st or 2nd place here...they might...but it's no guarantee. Right behind them, not just Bowie, but also The Woodlands, is having a breakout season. I think either of those two have the potential to jump ahead of Bell to 2nd. Bowie's early season win and sheer drive might be enough to do it, and we all know how The Woodlands whips itself into shape by November, making them no slouch either. This could be the first time in YEARS that LD Bell places out of the top 2 at a regional! Since 2006, if I'm not mistaken. Does anyone else think I might be right? No matter what, though, I see the top 4 being (random order): Bowie Marcus The Woodlands LD Bell

Lucas Oil is MUCH bigger...

I didn't get to see College Park during finals because I was under the stands, so who knows about them, but I can comment on Westfield and Brazoswood. The Big Red Band's show doesn't make much sense to me this year. It's called "Atmospheres," but I don't really understand why. The whole thing is performed at a very high level, but the concept really isn't gelling and the musical selections (although played fantastically) don't flow well at all. Their lack of success at LSP this year is definitely and issue of design, in my opinion. Brazoswood is just a little carried away with their sound this year. These guys are always big and loud (and this year is no exception), but they are overblowing just a bit this year. "A View Askew" is all loud, all the time, with a sound that is big and bold, but sometimes a little out of control. It really needs more dynamic contrast so the big, "melt your face" moments have more of an impact, and to save the kids' faces a bit. Don't get me wrong, though; by no means was B-wood "bad" last night. You also have to consider that Dawson, CTJ, and Cy-fair all either are attending this competition for the first time and/or are having a break-out, much better than expected competitive season, too. When you look at it that way the results are a lot less shocking in comparison to last year.

Really, the only two big changes between prelims and finals are College Park (3rd to 8th) and Cy-Fair from 6th ti 3rd, although TWCP seemed to have somewhat of a lackluster run in finals and Cyfair completely rocked the house! I was surprised how close Dawson is to CTJ score-wise! They have gotten so much better in the past few years!

Call me crazy, but I don't think that Bowie's show is anything out of the ordinary. In fact, the visual design is not excessively challenging/remarkable and the concept itself is, dare I say, cheesy. HOWEVER, what is extraordinary is the level of execution of the very difficult and tasteful music book. On one hand I want to say that their design might hold them back in the long run, while on the other I am reminded of Marcus 2007 where I had the same exact thought around this time but then they went off to get the highest regional score in BOA history. In other words, I think Bowie has the potential to place anywhere from 1st-5th based on the climate of competition And final product. Excited to see the ending to this story! Also, when looking at Flower Mound, it might be helpful to consider Pflugerville 2010. It may have been a little less dramatic, but they shocked everyone last year by coming out of nowhere at Arlington and placing 4th. By the time SA rolled around, they ended up on 15th place. I'm not saying this will happen to Flower Mound necessarily, but it raises the point tht erly season success does always determine late season triumphs, and vice versa.

woohoo!

Agreed.

It really is unfortunate for Pflugerville, especially after their 15th place (also 1 out from Finals) Prelims performance last year at San Antonio. I can imagine that with such a loaded lineup and hectic schedule, it was an accidental oversight on BOA's part, but I still feel like Pflugerville should get some sort of formal apology. I hope Eric Martin or someone else from BOA takes care of that; P-ville deserve it.

The three big contests this weekend are Carrollton TOC, Vista Ridge, and Lone Star Preview, so I'm sure that people would appreciate coverage for any of those three events! Carrollton TOC: Newman Smith Band, Host http://www.nshsband.org/toc/ Vista Ridge: Vista Ridge Band, Host http://www.vrhsband.org/marchingfestival.html Lone Star Preview: The Woodlands Band, Host http://www.twhsband.org/lsp/index.shtml

I don't know about this year in particular, but in the past Coppell has not been the most successful in BOA. If they make finals at all, it is the last spots, and that "bare minimum" that would normally get a band into finals is not going to be enough given this years killer line up. Coppell very well may make finals, but they're going to have a helluva show and prove themselves worthy. IMHO.

Let's not forget last year's defending champion, Westfield, either!

Realistically, that list should include at the very least The Woodlands if not SFA and Cedar Park. Bands that score 80+ this weekend should not have any problem coasting into finals a month from now. Placements are another story, but I have 100% absolute confidence that those 6 bands will be in finals.

I think it took so long for Arlington because they edited the videos to be multicam rather than just top view, which is all they did last year. I'm willing to way a few extra days if it's for the extra quality, although I do hope they don't take quite so long... :/

My biggest question when watching their show this year is WHERE ARE THE FIRST TRUMPETS? In the preview video they put out they had an orchestral excerpt of the Shosty 10 they're playing where the trumpets are guns ablazin', pumping out super loud, high parts, but when I saw their show all I heard was the same part at least an octave lower. I never expected that kind of watering down from a band like Bell. And it's not just one part...there's just a general absence of trumpet this year, which is odd given their historically famous trumpet line. I mean, they have a Facebook fan page with 400 likes...

Not saying I condone the practice, but someone ripped the Arlington performance for LD Bell off the fan network and posted it on Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0IEK1V7mG8

That's a seriously high score for Marcus there! Does anyone have any impressions/opinions to share to supplement Takigan's blogging from yesterday?

2011 LONE STAR PREVIEWMarching Band Championship Hosted By: The Woodlands High School Alvin High School Friendswood High School Brazoswood High School James E. Taylor High School Caney Creek High School Jersey Village High School Claudia Taylor Johnson High School Katy High School Clear Brook High School Klein Forest High School Clear Creek High School Klein Oak High School College Park High School Morton Ranch High School Conroe High School Oak Ridge High School Cypress Creek High School Pearland High School Cypress Fairbanks High School Seven Lakes High School Cypress Falls High School Tomball High School Cypress Ranch High School Westfield High School Dawson High School William B. Travis High School Dickinson High School Exhibition By The Woodlands High School This competition has an absolutely STELLAR set of All-Star Adjudicators that will give these bands valuable comments, too. Adjudicators for 2011 Lone Star Preview Music: John Bell - Director of Music at Southern Illinois University Wayne Downey - Blue Devils Music Director Don Hill - Music Arranger for The Woodlands, LD Bell, Phantom Regiment, etc. Paul McGarr - Director of Fine Arts (Retired) for Polk County, Fl, Frequent BOA Judge Percussion: Brian Mason - Vic Firth Signature Artist, famous for his work with the Cavaliers, SCV, and Phantom Regiment Visual: Chris Alexander: Visual Cation Head at SCV Mike Anderson: Mike Anderson, drill designer Charlie Gumbert: Director of Pride of Cincinnati winter guard, Star of Indiana 1993 instructor, Carmel, Center Grove, TW consultant Jim Moore: Consultant for SCV, Madison Scouts, Emmy Winner and Tony Award Nominee for his part in the production, Blast! Tim Ochran: Visual Judge Coordinator for DCI, BOA judge General Comments: Michael Raiford: Famous for his work with Suncoast Sound, Magic of Orlando, numerous schools including Bowie, Ayala, etc., and his work in the Theatre Community

Now that you mention it, I think you're right...I didn't even think that the white part would be removable. In that case, they probably do have new uniforms....

Glancing at the old videos, I think it's three. At first they had the sashes, then they tore those off ~2005, then they got the white old "new" ones in 2006, then they had new black jackets in 2007, then they switched back to the 2006 white ones for 2008-2010. Not to mention the silly hat covers and endless plaque, plume, and mask additions they've made. So, really, that's three separate uniforms for the past 12 years plus numerous alterations to those 3 sets. My guess is that they don't actually have new uniforms, but they pulled out the 2007 set I am talking about since they are all black and quite sleek.