Review: BOA GN Prelims Day 1 (Part 1)

[airons0678]

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

[itspjw]

Thanks for the wonderful review! I didn't get to see Day One so this was a great way to get an idea how the bands did.