2024 WGI Discussion Thread

[Tubalord11]

Garland was amazing! Some dirt in the first half with the rifle quartet, but their flag work was on the level of some world class groups, their timing and coronation was insane, and a cleaner run tomorrow will do them good, but dang they're pretty good, really impressive work! 

Hello Union! Our first out-of-state program just laid it down! Equipment work was very demanding, and they executed the show so well! Always so much going on all the time, really loved the props/uniforms, some very exposed solo moments they nailed, great stuff Union! 

[Tubalord11]

Much improvement from Bell since Dallas. Rough start but they pulled it together very fast, and the second half was nearly flawless. Really love how much they give emotionally, some great flag work, and their soloist did amazing. Could be a tad bit more colorful, but they performed like they wanted a second performance, great job Bell! 

For a 14-person guard, PCPS was incredible! Really beautiful flag work throughout, great use of the different colors to really express the theme, and their soloist were just fantastic! Really effective design choices, just a great show all around from out 2nd OK guard! 

Solid run from Klein Oak! Some dirt in the more exposed moments, but their group work was fantastic. Really expressive flag work, and their uniforms work so well against the colors scheme of the tarp, some really challenging saber work they killed, really good overall!  

[Tubalord11]

Some great stuff from Wylie East! Some dirt here and there, but for the most part was very clean! Really challenging body work that they made look so easy, not the hardest show equipment wise, but the nailed what they're working with, and they were zooming the second, very fast tempo change, but they did great and had a very strong finish! 

MESA RIDGE! What a performance from CO guard that I'm so happy came to Texas for the weekend. The show is amazing, I feel like I'm watching a mini theater production. They move SO well, some extremely difficult rifle/saber work in the first half, and some incredible flag work in the second half. They convey the story so well, really smart design choice to use the big house props to get the flags to the members, I mean wow, what an amazing performance!

Coppell A......FLAWLESS! I don't have much to say other than they've blown my mind away..again! They are cooking over at Coppell this year, I mean wow this group is beyond talented, can't wait to see them again tomorrow, simply magical! 

[Tubalord11]

Incredible performance from Cy-Fair to open up SO! Really fun colors, but even more so they amazing talent from this group. The show overtime grows in demand, which is something I find appealing, how the show gets progressively harder. Great stuff all around, definitely made a case to have a second performance, great job Cy-Fair! 

Amazing performance from Jordan! Very lively show, love the color scene, and the guard was just fantastic. Small amounts of dirt but overall, a very solid run. If anything is lacking from my perspective it's the storytelling, but the show is very demanding, and they performed at a very high level, amazing job Jordon! 

Marcus doing what they do best, being awesome at everything they do! A near flawless run, but I mean they are just unbelievably good, such a powerful show, and they do everything with ease, one of my favorites from this year, simply majestic, wow wow wow, incredible job Marcus! 

Also I missed most of JB but what I saw was great, they'll be performing again

[LKendrick]

Clear Brook has evolved well, impressed at how this has grown.  

[Tubalord11]

  On 3/16/2024 at 7:17 PM, LKendrick said:

Clear Brook has evolved well, impressed at how this has grown.  

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as someone pretty new to WGI, can they get hurt for that late start? I have no idea how penalties work for guard 

[Tubalord11]

I really hope they delayed start doesn't hurt them, because Clear Brook THREW DOWN! They might be closer to Marcus than I expected, because that was one heck of a run! Very dark and mysterious theme, which they portray so well throughout, not to mention the girls are SUPER talented! So many individual moments they killed, flag work was lovely, I mean wow, amazing job CB!  

Timber Creek has improved SO much since last seeing them! I think the biggest thing that's gonna be holding them back is GE, because IMO the music doesn't really fit with the theme. I'd imagine they type of audio Marcus is using, but it's pop, which isn't bad, I just don't see that in a rock-paper-scissors show. However, the show is very demanding, and they killed it, especially equipment wise, very on point, amazing job TC! 

Friendswood!! You could tell they weren't happy with their finals run from Austin ,because that was Leaps and Bounds better, I mean holy cow! The rifle work in this show is insane, but they make it look like it's nothing! Love this show a ton, can't wait for a second watch, amazing job F-Wood! 

[LKendrick]

  On 3/16/2024 at 7:20 PM, Tubalord11 said:

as someone pretty new to WGI, can they get hurt for that late start? I have no idea how penalties work for guard 

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I'm not sure how they'll handle that since they were set up on time and had a malfunction that was a risk to the performers that they had to fix.  Doesn't happen very often.  

[Tubalord11]

Coppell doing amazing like they have been all season! I'm so happy this group is having such a successful season after last year, I absolutely loved the show, but Ik they didn't score like they wanted to, but this season has been such a turnaround. Just so much to love about this show, oh and they're pretty good btw. Will be interesting to see where they land with many other groups having much better runs but they were also just as incredible as everyone else has been, amazing job Coppell! 

Great run from Mckinney! First time seeing them this season and I'm pretty impressed. It does feel a times a tad bit to basic, and that they could be performing more difficult content, but they absolutely nailed what they're working with! Some pretty hard flag work/solo moments, GE was very high, just a very fun show all around, has a ton of potential to do well in Dayton, great job Mckinney! 

Wonderful job Little Elm! Such an emotional story the tell so well. Really love the flag work in this show, so expressive and it really adds nice touches to the theme. A tad bit amount of dirt throughout but still a very solid run, amazing job Little Elm! 

[Tubalord11]

Some really great stuff from Bridgeland! I was somewhat distracted during the performance, but what I saw was magical! I love how they convey their emotions so strong, really helps add to this beautiful story. The gold glitter was a nice affect, and they are super good! Flag work was definitely the highlight, super big and expressive, amazing job Bridgeland! 

SLC! What a fun show! Really love the color of the uniforms against the tarp, and they are super talented! Very exposed solo moments they nailed, really great flag work as well. Don't really understand the theme, but it kind of comes together at the end, but regardless a super fun show, amazing job SLC! 

I'll be gone for a little but should be back around the time Wylie is on 

[Tubalord11]

Great performance from Wylie! Much like Azle, some very uncharacteristic drops, definitely have a much better run in them tomorrow but still a fantastic showing! Really love the theme and they really bring it out with some great character development, love the big umbrellas, adds so much GE, great job Wylie! 

Way to go Hebron!! A couple unfortunate drops throughout, a cleaner run tomorrow hopefully but wow they are stunning! This show is just so incredibly designed, giving the performers tons of moments to show off and that's exactly what they do, so so good, amazing job Hebron! 

Some great stuff from Mckinney Boyd! Really loved the new ending, helps really put a bow on the show and adds so much GE. So much cleaner since seeing them at Dallas, super demanding show they performing so well, great job MB! 

[Tubalord11]

Also, holy cow Coppell, a 0.1 gap between them and Marcus is crazy, what a season they are having! 

[Rubisco]

Thanks @Tubalord11 for the fantastic and positive commentary again! We all appreciate it!

Already seeing some of those late-season shifts in these early prelims results. Union! And Coppell's A guard comfortably ahead after the first two rounds of Scholastic A! Is Coppell's program finally blooming, like we've been waiting for? At least competitively; we've loved the Open shows from the past couple years regardless of placements.

Glad to hear Clear Brook seems to be making a comeback. I'll have to watch that one when I catch up. Their floor is quite striking -- reminiscent of their Creep floor from two years ago.

[Tubalord11]

HELLO YUKON!!! Call me crazy but that could be contesting Hebron for number one (I'm almost 100% wrong about this lol), but WOW they were incredible!! Such an inspiring show that they convey so well, from the props to the emotional power these girls have! Super demanding show they make look like light work, I mean wow! These SA groups have been putting on quiet the show today, and I know tomorrow is going to be so crazy, but I mean wow Yukon, amazing performance! 

Lovely showing from The Colony! Much cleaner than the Dallas regional, another very emotionally powerful show conveyed so well. Really love the flag work in this show, very big and bright, resembling the ocean in this sailor show, and some very exposed flag writing they killed, great job TC! 

Also looks like Boswell is no longer in attendance as we are in break going into round 4 of SA

[LKendrick]

A lot of really off runs today creating some interesting results.  Not surprised to see Coppell A on top after three rounds, one of the better runs today. Grand Oaks in second too, love the black sheep concept. 

[Tubalord11]

Great performance from Royse City to open up our final round of SA! Really smart transitioning choices between equipment mid-way through, soloist were WOW! Super expressive body language, very big and powerful flag work, just a great show all around, amazing job RC! 

HELLO Richardson! First time viewing and all I've got to say is WOW! Near flawless run, and this show has SO many exposed solo moments they absolutely killed! Really fun and cute show concept that they bring out and "complicate" so it's not super simple. Tons of talent in this group, great job Richardson! 

Wonderful job from Louis.D.Brandies! Some dirt but otherwise fairly clean, really great expression of the theme throughout, and my goodness that last saber toss is a really risky choice lol, if that rifle goes anywhere but straight up and right back down, someone's getting hit in the head, my heart was racing when I saw they were actually having her do it lol, but really solid show, needs a tad bit of polishing but a great run from Brandies! 

[packwick]

overall the As don't seem to be having great runs, or at least not the best ones lol, hopefully they can clean things up for finals.

happy to see G Oaks 1st in their round and 2nd overall. been hypinggg them all season. flags could still use some cleaning, actually some of it's just the way it's staged, a little unclear, unfocused, disconnected. they're also smaller and don't command the space of the floor quite as much as say Hebron, but training is clear. also clearly the best aesthetic w/ that floor. it's like some minimalist pop art concoction lol.

glad to see these things from a proper high angle for once. b-land's staging weaker than i thought, well some of that was dirt. just kinda unclear throughout.

[Tubalord11]

Super cute show from Braswell! Their male soloist is super talented, and overall great work throughout. I will admit the audio is pretty harsh on the ears for a love story show, not my taste, but it does the job conveying the story, as well as these awesome performers. Really great design choices, lovely flag work and a solid performance all around, great job Braswell! 

Great work from Joshua! Rifle work is the highlight for me, tons of solos/duets they killed, and their ending flag work is super expressive. Love the variations of the uniforms, and the do a great job of bringing out the theme of the show throughout, great work Joshua!

Solid performance from Vista Ridge, much improved from Austin! Again, I don't really understand the theme, and I do wish not all the colors were super bright, almost hurts to look at times. However, the members themselves nailed they run, very small amount of dirt, and the ending flag work was very good, great job VR! 

[Tubalord11]

Cute show from Red Oak! Obviously, a farm show isn't the most intriguing thing in the world, but they do an amazing job to make it as interesting as possible. Some challenging equipment work throughout, really love the props/uniforms, really helps elevate the theme, just a very enjoyable show, great job Red Oak! 

Emerson has my heart. For a second-year school, WOW!! What are they feeding these kids are already this good! Such a great designed show that allows for these girls to maximize their potential, and that's exactly what they are doing. Tons of demand from each member and they are bringing the heat, just so so good, definitely will be up towards the top in SA today, and with a tad bit cleaner run, they could honestly medal tomorrow, amazing job Emerson! 

Great performance from Pebble Hills to close out the SA competition! Really emotional story which they portrayed extremely well, very big and expressive body work! Male soloists was wow, and they were really clean, some pretty tough rifle work they nailed, definitely made a case for finals, amazing job PH! 

[packwick]

the guy in Dartmouth's guard over at Wgi East illustrates the need for some sort of all-state process to reward students WAY better than the guards they're in. also i would be SO drunk after watching this show if i played the wgi drinking game and drank every time the solo boy in the scholastic guard did the hard weapon solos LOL.

Sac is very 90s, early 00s again this year. at least the cluttered staging is worked into the chaos concept, also the Bernstein music is very enjoyable. not a great run, drops like every other ensemble moment, tho i like to view things proportionally, like just bc one person drops doesn't negate the other 10 who did it well. their talent is obvious. still a big fanboy even if it's not my fave from them.

fusion had a better performance than sac, don't think they'll be rewarded for it tho. really a very strong run. show is still too cerebral for me which is saying something. kinda a typical issue i have w/ Vanderkolff shows. provide more emotion to balance w/ the intellectual and the aesthetic.

[packwick]

plenty of fun to be had in AMP. not as well performed as usual, wondering if fusion poached some of the talent. still don't like their approach to design at all, which means most ppl probably like their approach to design LOL. the soundtrack is like the music to a Hollywood movie trailer for a movie i have utterly no interest in seeing, like King Kong vs Godzilla or something lol. theres just a question of taste level for me.

can u tell i don't really care for any IW guards this year??? not feeling the positivity course through my veins at the moment. LOL.

this is why i always say the best thing a guard can do is shut me up!!

[Rubisco]

  On 3/16/2024 at 11:57 PM, packwick said:

can u tell i don't really care for any IW guards this year??? not feeling the positivity course through my veins at the moment. LOL.

this is why i always say the best thing a guard can do is shut me up!!

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Frankly, criticism is more interesting to read. Well, insightful criticism is, anyway. If the opinion is a lazily dismissive, "This show sucks!" it's even more useless than, "This show is amazing!" 😂

[packwick]

FloMo got a bit of a glow-up performance wise. that's what the kids say right? LOL. much cleaner than i last saw it.

could see this one sneaking into finals at Dayton.

[Tubalord11]

  On 3/17/2024 at 12:21 AM, packwick said:

FloMo got a bit of a glow-up performance wise. that's what the kids say right? LOL. much cleaner than i last saw it.

could see this one sneaking into finals at Dayton.

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Great to hear! Had to miss them today but will be catching them tomorrow 

[Tubalord11]

Well, it was another great day of WGI in the great state of Texas! Unfortunately, my WGI site is still down, hopefully fixed soon, but I can still say this much. One, big shoutouts to both of the Coppell Guards, what massive improvements both in scores and each performance. As mentioned already, the top SA groups seemed to have some struggles in prelims today, don't know if it's just a coincidence or nervous, but I'm expecting a lot of jumps score and possibly some change ups in placements depending on how much each guard cleans up. Just very uncharacteristic drops/dirtiness, not what I was expecting or hoping for, but I very much think these specific groups will step it up tomorrow, I leave my worries for some of the groups here going to Dayton until after results lol! Still some really great performances all around, congrats to everyone who competed today and our finalist, I will admit I did think SO would turn out a bit differently, I'm starting to understand very fast that my rankings and those of the judges are almost the complete opposite, but I'm still fairly new around here so that's to be expected. Big things I'm looking for tomorrow: Will Coppell take Marcus in SO, will we have some more two or 3-way ties in both classes, and how tight are the scores gonna be between the top 7 or so groups in SA. Hoping everyone rest up great tonight and have some much cleaner runs tomorrow, see ya'll then!