2024 BOA San Antonio Super Regional (Nov. 8 & 9)

[klkflute]

  On 11/9/2024 at 5:40 PM, jetliner said:

It's the times like this where I feel bad that I don't quite have it in me to write up positive comments for literally everyone, because there are truly great things about every single show here.

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for real, i could never be a judge because i could never pick between bands since everyone’s is so amazingly executed and has so much talent in it

[Tubalord11]

  On 11/9/2024 at 5:40 PM, jetliner said:

It's the times like this where I feel bad that I don't quite have it in me to write up positive comments for literally everyone, because there are truly great things about every single show here.

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yeah, idk how the judges do it, because everyone has just been so so good today, finals are going to be insane 

[natertater21000]

  On 11/9/2024 at 5:43 PM, Tubalord11 said:

yeah, idk how the judges do it, because everyone has just been so so good today, finals are going to be insane 

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It’s really hard, even when judging something like region auditions and solo ensemble. Takes a lot of continued mental focus. 

[rdmmp]

  On 11/9/2024 at 5:28 PM, jetliner said:

The key to being a student on here is: take only the positive comments, and leave only positive comments.

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Solid advice not just for students, but anyone who posts here or anywhere else for that matter.

[talkalot]

  On 11/9/2024 at 4:57 PM, Tubalord11 said:

UMMM SOUTHLAKE, HELLO?!?! They just absolutely laid it down; I mean holy cow. Idk about ya'll but that looks and sounds like a finalist band to me. This show is just filled with GE, great work WW small ensemble, ya'll have been amazing all season. The visual aspect of this show are great, yeah that's some really hard drill and it was very clean. Musically their best run as well imo, really tight and big sounds. Would not be surprised at all if we see them tonight, holy cow SLC, that was awesome!! 

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I find it ironic that they’re less and less of a bubble band this year with all the bubbles in their band 😂

[tubapop]

  On 11/9/2024 at 5:35 PM, TexasEx said:

No Vista Ridge is interesting 🧐 

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i wouldn't take that list seriously, dude has cedar park twice

[Tubalord11]

Great run from Waxahachie! Sax soloists were on fire, great visual design as well, amazing job ya'll! 

[jetliner]

Seven Lakes "GO BAND" guy has to be my favorite band parent shoutout at this point

[AustinBandDad]

I wanted to thank everyone for their updates and comments.  My son is in his first year of marching band, so all of this is new to me - and I am learning a lot from these posts.  I do not understand the musicianship that is actually being judged, so it is interesting to hear the thoughts from those that do.  I am blown away by the sheer amount of talented kids in this competition.  
 

But it seems like there are the perennial favorites who progress year after year, and that’s great for those programs - but who are the dark horses?  Who could shock everyone this year and advance?  

[lost]

  On 11/9/2024 at 6:49 PM, AustinBandDad said:

I wanted to thank everyone for their updates and comments.  My son is in his first year of marching band, so all of this is new to me - and I am learning a lot from these posts.  I do not understand the musicianship that is actually being judged, so it is interesting to hear the thoughts from those that do.  I am blown away by the sheer amount of talented kids in this competition.  
 

But it seems like there are the perennial favorites who progress year after year, and that’s great for those programs - but who are the dark horses?  Who could shock everyone this year and advance?  

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I think Carroll has a pretty chance at being in, not really a dark-horse but a new pick. Cypress Woods if the judges reward some of that difficulty over the dirt in the program. I think Keller Central too. That’s about all three groups I have in for a surprise. McNeil as an outside shot but I wasn’t impressed with their visual program last night.

[crunchycookie3]

  On 11/9/2024 at 6:49 PM, AustinBandDad said:

I wanted to thank everyone for their updates and comments.  My son is in his first year of marching band, so all of this is new to me - and I am learning a lot from these posts.  I do not understand the musicianship that is actually being judged, so it is interesting to hear the thoughts from those that do.  I am blown away by the sheer amount of talented kids in this competition.  
 

But it seems like there are the perennial favorites who progress year after year, and that’s great for those programs - but who are the dark horses?  Who could shock everyone this year and advance?  

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I'm quite sure at least one or two groups in the block we just watched will be 'surprise' picks for finals. In particular, I think LD Bell, Sachse, or Seven Lakes could make a surprise appearance tonight.

[MarchingMafia]

  On 11/9/2024 at 5:40 PM, jetliner said:

It's the times like this where I feel bad that I don't quite have it in me to write up positive comments for literally everyone, because there are truly great things about every single show here.

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I so agree with this! Had to get everyone packed for the road trip to SA and missed the rest of the morning line up. 

Have seen several of the shows at other contests already and know they did beautifully today as well. I do think sometimes Vandegrift and Hebron get an automatic leg up in preference because of reputation and past performances, but there's no arguing they are both tremendously talented programs. It's not as if people are saying they are amazing and in reality they aren't. Those bands are both tremendous. 

There are a lot of underdogs in the fight though that are putting out podium worthy performances who I think maybe don't get the credit they deserve for not only hanging with some of these behemoth legends, but honestly outperforming in my opinion in terms of pure aesthetics, emotion and audience engagement.

I'm not a music expert so I know there's a lot the judges are aware of that I totally miss. I only know what I like when I hear it and see it.

These kids are all amazing. Every single band that takes the field deserves to be there and they are playing their hearts out. They are literally the best of the best. 

We all have our preferences and I don't see a problem in comparing the shows themselves, that's the nature of the contest. If you're going to speak on a single band by name, and not the performance they just left on the field, please for the sake of the kids who are living the emotions of all of this, let your words be ones that lift them up.

[Miyazuu]

@CR Guard I saw that insta post I LOVE YOU GUYS MMMWAH

[AustinBandDad]

  On 11/9/2024 at 6:57 PM, crunchycookie3 said:

I'm quite sure at least one or two groups in the block we just watched will be 'surprise' picks for finals. In particular, I think LD Bell, Sachse, or Seven Lakes could make a surprise appearance tonight.

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I was in class this morning so missed most of the performances.  My wife told me that one group performed a show called Oculus, which she thought was amazing!  

[FaultLineBlues]

Whoa, hadn't caught much of Coppell today, super super solid run. I'd have then in the top half of what I've seen so far. 

[Tubalord11]

REALLY great run from Coppell!! So much to love about this show, and those kids just performed so well. Love the drill design a lot, the big curve form is so cool, and there's plenty of references to organs throughout. Musically very clean, loved the trombone feature, and that brass is just so rich with sound, I do think we'll be seeing them again, amazing job Coppell!! 

[MarchingMafia]

  On 11/9/2024 at 7:12 PM, FaultLineBlues said:

Whoa, hadn't caught much of Coppell today, super super solid run. I'd have then in the top half of what I've seen so far. 

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Hoping to see them in finals. Haven't seen their show since Bedford but it was really good even that early in the season. Bummed I'm missing the afternoon block. 

[Bandguy04]

  On 11/9/2024 at 7:11 PM, AustinBandDad said:

I was in class this morning so missed most of the performances.  My wife told me that one group performed a show called Oculus, which she thought was amazing!  

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That’s was Foster High School. They had a great show. 

[Tubalord11]

Solid run from Dripping Springs! Really love the visual aspects of the show, they've done such a great job literally threading in the drill, super cool affect at the end with pairs of members being connected with the thread. Musically some really strong moments, great work soloists, especially the ballad, some big distance between members that can create timing issues, but it's nothing for these kids. A little bit of stickouts from the bass trombone and a couple holdovers in the release of big hits, but I'd stay they still have a decent shot, great job DS! 

[bandaddy]

WOW! Just saw COPPELL! and I did not expect that… 😱
What an incredibly technical show – they brought the heat! 🔥 The musicianship was next level, especially the brass line and woodwind ensemble. The precision and skill required to execute those intricate parts was insane. 🎺. Love that balled (what a release!), and the integration of a jazzy trombone ensemble had me dancing midway through their performance. Can definitely see them in the top half... If you ever get the chance to see them live, don’t miss it. Such a unique blend of talent and creativity that left me absolutely blown away. 👏✨ #COPPELL #LiveMusic #TechnicalGenius #BrassAndWoodwinds #MusicThatMoves 

Predictions for Finals:

1. Flower Mound

2. Vandegrift

3. Hebron

4. The Woodlands

5. Vista Ridge

6. Marcus

7. Coppell

8. Rouse

9. Cedar Park

10. Cedar Ridge

11. Ronald Reagan

12. Round Rock

13. Leander

14. Pearland

 

[symphbee2]

there are SO many Pearland parents and supporters here … the energy is infectious and definitely adds to the atmosphere of their performance!

[Tubalord11]

  On 11/9/2024 at 7:42 PM, symphbee2 said:

there are SO many Pearland parents and supporters here … the energy is infectious and definitely adds to the atmosphere of their performance!

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I was about to say I think that there's some Pearland fans in the crowd...just maybe 😂

[FaultLineBlues]

  On 11/9/2024 at 7:31 PM, bandaddy said:

WOW! Just saw COPPELL! and I did not expect that… 😱
What an incredibly technical show – they brought the heat! 🔥 The musicianship was next level, especially the brass line and woodwind ensemble. The precision and skill required to execute those intricate parts was insane. 🎺. Love that balled (what a release!), and the integration of a jazzy trombone ensemble had me dancing midway through their performance. Can definitely see them in the top half... If you ever get the chance to see them live, don’t miss it. Such a unique blend of talent and creativity that left me absolutely blown away. 👏✨ #COPPELL #LiveMusic #TechnicalGenius #BrassAndWoodwinds #MusicThatMoves 

Predictions for Finals:

1. Flower Mound

2. Vandegrift

3. Hebron

4. The Woodlands

5. Vista Ridge

6. Marcus

7. Coppell

8. Rouse

9. Cedar Park

10. Cedar Ridge

11. Ronald Reagan

12. Round Rock

13. Leander

14. Pearland

 

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I think you're gonna have to alter that Pearland placement significantly 

[jmartin1056]

I don’t know which was louder: Pearland’s band or their band fans! Great show!

[jetliner]

I am rooting for a very high placement for Pearland. That's the best show of the season for me.