airons0678 Posted November 14, 2006 Posted November 14, 2006 Bands of America Grand National Championships November 8-11, 2006 RCA Dome Indianapolis, IN Centerville High School Centerville, OH Repertoire: "Psycho" by Bernard Hermann, "Color and Light" by Stephen Sondheim, "Let Me Fall" by Benoit Jutras and "Candelabra Rhumba" from "Le Tombeau de Liberace" by Michael Daugherty Comments: A vertical triangle form was speared by a horizontal line of poses that intrigued. Crooked leg squats seemed to be this group's new trademark. This was a dark, dark show, with psychotic flute "stabs" in sound. A chain reaction toss of rifles is great! Cymbal section, examine intervals (uhm PLEASE?) A trombone solo never fails me...super! This was not your normal "jazz" fare. Heh! "Improv-ish" sounds are IT, everyone. (Who says C-ville can't change with the times?) A latin flair is brought to face with a trumpet, and I am thrilled. Check out the playful body work! Shrieks of terror end this frightful soundfest. This hand had the touch of gold. My Score: 87.50 My Day 2 Placement: 8th My Overall Placement: 10th Morton High School Morton, IL Repertoire: "Two Step," "Liturgical Dances" and "Blue Rondo ala Turk" Comments: Vertical forms of varying size, but mostly twos, were across the field. Lines locked a block, and then this thing turns. Some of the lines within this thing are bent. The mellophones have their parts down pat. And speaking of folks who have their parts "down pat," how about that low brass section? Way to maintain that block form with members facing backfield, and then--little by little--members facing frontfield. Know when to bring those horns down from the box, friends. Excellent crooked leg movement, winds...but let us try to be slightly more "different." I really want you guys to stand out more than usual. This show had a strong finish, and then it went on as a clarinet plays a band off the field with a synth dude. A tuba player adds the final feedback, here. My Score: 73.70 My Day 2 Placement: 28th My Overall Placement: 49th Davenport Central High School Davenport, IA Repertoire: "The Music of Sam Hazo" including "Flight," "Each Time," and "Nova Lenio" Comments: On the uniform chest, half was blue and half was white, with a red border between the two tones. An accurate triangle form breaks with juicy sounds. There seems to be some various clarinet interval parts. Oh man, you guys have to bring the horns up on time, all right? (You're better than that, I'm sure.) Winds, excellent ceasing of sound with the DM's hands, not once, but twice. The drumline storms the front with some stinging notes. I need more eye candy, guys! The playing and marching is old-school, now. Hey, you have a swell sound, though. This show was executed nice. My Score: 73.50 My Day 2 Placement: 29th My Overall Placement: 50th Croatan High School Newport, NC Repertoire: "The X Factor" Original music by Frank Sullivan including "The X Factor," "X Marks the Spot," "The X Generation," "X=" and "The X Factor" Comments: Two strips of blue tarps made an "X." Gock blocks of varying sound were struck, and marching was finely performed. Darn it, equipment! (The soprano saxophonist came in and out of the speakers up front.) Slander against the Gen X crowd was announced, and of course the slander is stereotypical. Every time there was a mold to be filled in a drill form it was filled with precision. "X equals infinity," cries a pre-recorded narrator. Ah! The electronics glitches were again, a problem. Despite their woes, they were steady. I felt bad for these guys because I saw them at the Towson regional (where there were NO glitches) where they were great. They were not bad here, either...but the distractions ate them, it seemed. My Score: 81.20 My Day 2 Placement: 19th My Overall Placement: 33rd Blackhawk High School Beaver Falls, PA Repertoire: "Letters" featuring music from Don Ellis including "Open Wide," "Loss" and "Strawberry Soup" Comments: "INDY HELLO" was spelled out in white letters on black plates. More black plates were to be found not only on that one backdrop, but three others, too. Plates were spun, "Wheel of Fortune" style, to spell out words and form sentences. Okay, music took the form of words, in addition to winds and percussion--nice touch. The word "GRIEF" is spelled out as an alto horn wails with great style. Some of the wind players had their heads bowed down, as if stricken with grief. Trumpets, ease up on the tongue, eh? The saxophones go off on their own, and as they do their thing the other wind players snap their fingers. These kids worked hard out there. I commend you for your efforts. My Score: 63.90 My Day 2 Placement: 37th My Overall Placement: 76th Norwell High School Ossian, IN Repertoire: "Infinite Possibilites" featuring the music of Yanni and Craig Armstrong Comments: "With Imagination" is spelled out in red atop a tan tarp that appears to be twisted like a pretzel. This show has all sorts of energy to it, with Yanni's musical talents shining through the keyboards and speakers up front. Ooh...some are out of step? Watch, watch, watch. A basoonist and concert horn player gives this show a bit MORE of a shine...and pretty soon were are sparkling. Portions of the tarp were flipped to reveal paintings which reflect "dreams," apparently. These kids SOUND like they work too hard...and this should not really happen. I liked the backwards mini Z-pulls in two sections at the finish. These kids tore up the turf with their skills. Way to stay in the game! My Score: 82.90 My Day 2 Placement: 17th My Overall Placement: 27th Avon High School Avon, IN Repertoire: "Push" by Rob Smith Comments: The wind players are on their knees and make a pushing motion with their hands, and then in chain reaction leap the other way to the ground, as if to do a push-up. After some glorious drill, these musicians play hard. The muted trumpets DELIVER. A few solos show us what the one can do...and then the many come into play with intense sounds and shredding drill forms. Hand-on-hand, on side-A, the trumpets interract in pairs, "pushing" each other. The wide arrow form facing the upper right corner is a stroke of skill. Oh my, tight sounds! The audience claps with the sounds of the drums, and boy do these drums take off. I could feel the force of the arrow forms in the last part of their drill. Success! My Score: 93.50 My Day 2 Placement: 3rd My Overall Placement: 3rd Summerville High School Summerville, SC Repertoire: "Vertigo" featuring music of Hindemith, Newman, and Nelhybel Comments: A block of woodwinds up front skew the lines by the way they lean. The mean sound drills a hole in your brain. But soon, calm comes..but, ha ha, not for long. I was immersed into their realm, that of notes that stick you like a dagger and snaps in moves I swear you could feel. After an electronic wind gig, and motion on the swirl tarp, this band goes at it in the ballad (which had all the right stuff, with dreamy solos, perfect releases, and...okay, you had to ruin it, didn't you, English Horn soloist? Just kidding. It could have been much, much worse.) Ooh! A flute player trips and falls on the jazz run, but recovers fast. Geez, their sound is HUGE. High-quality work, here. My Score: 84.30 My Day 2 Placement: 11th My Overall Placement: 19th Columbus North High School Columbus, IN Repertoire: "Plus One" featuring music by Keith Burton and BJ Marks Comments: An "X" form, on both knees, has the attention on the auxiliary girl at crosspoint. One clarinet plays a few licks, and then another one does. The opening part of this show flows well, with the crunch of a trumpet hit clenching this band a spot as one of the "elite." A baritone duet in a circle of a baritone circle is FLAWLESS. Please spare me the "stand and play," gang. The shako tilt to the right while legs squatted together?--magical. One out of eight rifles dropped in a big feature is not bad...but it will hurt them. These kids put a lot behind the notes they made. Their musical selection did not seem to go anywhere near the end...it just went. These kids turned in a fine performance. My Score: 84.20 My Day 2 Placement: 12th My Overall Placement: 20th Meade County High School Brandenburg, KY Repertoire: "The Music of Shostakovich" including "Festive Overture," "Fire of Eternal Glory" and "Symphony #5" Comments: When the DM's hands went up, the horns snapped up. The high brass played a fanfare which slowed at the end of it, then the clarinets shot off some fast runs. Mellophones, that was dramatic. Baris and trombones, your spacing looks sloppy. Another trumpet fanfare energizes this group, which had lots of spunk. A mallet introduction introduces "Fire of Eternal Glory." I liked that they played most of their ballad on the move, but the drill was too basic, too still. Red flags are handled with the precise touch of the color guard. The trumpets had a tough time hitting some notes. The music at the end was thick and rich. My Score: 63.60 My Day 2 Placement: 39th My Overall Placement: 79th Clayton High School Clayton, NC Repertoire: "Short Ride in a Fast Machine" including "Addition," "Subtraction," "Multiplication" and "Division" Comments: Intersecting lines with winds and flags made this group look strong with the straightness factor coming into play. First one, then two trumpets went off. In no time, other wind players were joining the fun. I see feet in synch...good. Some of the winds seemed to lose the sound on the move. Outstanding uniformity, auxiliary. (The sabre work was ASTOUNDING.) Be wary on if your are sharp or flat on that grand hit, folks. Turn up the synth, will ya'? An exacto clarinet dude ground out some sweet notes. I liked the leg flip and shako tilt with that asterisk form. The cube props with designs has the message, "The Whole is Greater than the Sum of its Parts." My Score: 73.80 My Day 2 Placement: 27th My Overall Placement: 47th Marion County High School Lebanon, KY Repertoire: "SHINE: Studies in Synergy" featuring music by Leonard Bernstein, Benjamin Britten, Carlos Gardel, Aaron Guidry and Paul Hindemith including "Mvt. I Brilliance," "Mvt. II Luminosity" and "Mvt. III Radiance" Comments: Rippling arm motions, as two of the mallet players performed, preceded the show...and now that I am on the show I must compliment the flutes who tear through "Young Persons's Guide." Some nerves seemed to come through the horns...smooth out that air stream. Ah ha ha ha! Those "plumes" are actually light boards that light up in orange. (Hmmm, which band does that remind you of? Did you say, "Union"? Uh huh.) Eliminate crass, eliminate crack, eliminate crap...this goes for marching, too. Some of the light boards seemed to malfunction, which makes me think that to do without them might be better than to do with them, or else you are liable for distraction. Ha! All right! A trumpet player tried to reach for the stratosphere at the end. Not bad, bot bad. My Score: 63.80 My Day 2 Placement: 38th My Overall Placement: 77th Norton High School Norton, OH Repertoire: "SPACE: Observations from Earth" including "Windsprints Persistance 1, 2 and 3" Comments: An "X" form was straddled by two vertical lines on each side. In the rear of the field were pictures of space shuttle. After some narrative from John F. Kennedy, this group gets on the move with some phasing in the feet, flat feet, and music blatting. This band sounds anemic. I want aggression, not retraction. Pop those horns up on one solid pop, winds. The auxiliary do fine with those curved handle flags, though the flowing silk appeared too curled. These kids struggled to maintain a steady air flow. Flags, nice roll of the flag around the neck. Okay, lots of things to work on, but...their concept was vivid. Work, work, work. My Score: 59.20 My Day 2 Placement: 41st My Overall Placement: 85th Broken Arrow High School Broken Arrow, OK Repertoire: "Aqua" Comments: A gentle sound is pushed backfield with sheer breathless poise and drama. With spectacular strength, a horizontal front...just assaults. They own the time signatures set. Okay, you are loud...now what? Ooh! The side-to-side showing of the pants was a BA tradition that has stuck. Low brass, that was so good. Keep this momentum up! I wanted more than "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra," and I seemed to get it...but wait folks, it's not over yet. At the end of the show there is some color changes that go on with some lying down and flipping over. Awesome show...awesome... My Score: 90.80 My Day 2 Placement: 5th My Overall Placement: 6th Brentwood High School Brentwood, TN Repertoire: "A Spiritual Odyssey" including Awakenings - "Joy" by Joseph Curiale; Mysteries - "Nimrod" by Elger; Resolutions - "Religion" from Naqoyqaatsi" by Philip Glass and "Exultate" by Hazo Comments: Facing backfield with legs extended different ways, this group "regained focus" with a brick wall of sound. I like how the trumpets flashed their horn sideways and then forward, like a snapshot. Yeah, the jazz running looked fairly strong. When this group cuts off, this group cuts off. Now they are standing tall, looking proud. A brass quintet of several ranges shines. Wow, the sound in those arc forms is pure and to the max...but you would think their feet were set in cement or something. Some Glass music give the color guard some showcase time and mallets the staging duty. Nice elbow thrust, then mooooove! A block form keeps wrapping up lines, then unthreads itself. My Score: 82.50 My Day 2 Placement: 18th My Overall Placement: 29th Gallatin County High School Warsaw, KY Repertoire: Selections from "Rent" Comments: This band, 26 members strong (total!), proved that you don't have to be a certain size to compete here. This band bravely swirled themselves around the field. Yeah, I wanted to hear more from them, but knew that that was all they had. These guys FLEW around the field, the drummers keeping a rapid beat. A concert tuba in the pit, and a mello solo, both satisfied. Rifle and sabre work were ALMOST together, and ALMOST all the catches happened (except for one). This band got the crowd to clap. Okay kids, don't be shy! We were all ears. Thanks for all your hard work. My Score: 55.50 My Day 2 Placement: 46th My Overall Placement: 91st Victor J. Andrew High School Tinley Park, IL Repertoire: "Rhapsodies of Earth" including music by Jim Colonna and Jayce John Ogren Comments: This group began their show in a scattered state, the wind players assuming different poses. Sizzling sound effects, a narrative that goes into the Big Bang theory, and music that is heavy-handed yet not broken, gets this band in motion. A half circle tarp designed like planet Earth beckons guard displays...and that is what we have. Excellent sabre workmanship, girls. (Ooh, one "hug" toss was not caught, but the other one was.) A sax quintet gets me moody: first there is the sinister, then the dramatic, and then the overjoyed, and then back to the dramatic. That block routine was scrappy, but complete. My Score: 72.90 My Day 2 Placement: 30th My Overall Placement: 53rd Lake Central High School St. John, IN Repertoire: "The Colors of Feng Shui" featuring the music of Scott Boerma, Michael Daugherty, David Fieldman and Howard Hanson including "Blue," "Red," "Pink" and "Yellow" Comments: Varying shapes of wind formations extended from white backdrops of varying shapes. When the first prop to the far left gets draped with blue, a narrator announces, "Blue the color of wisdom." This band has a mature sound, it seems. Bring those clarinets up at the exact same time, now, clarinets. Way to hustle near the end of the first movement, saxophonist. The auxiliary were a pleasure to watch, they and their slick handling of rifles and sabres. Great catch at the time of the last note before the "pink" section. Saxophonists, what's up with the intervals? (People missing?) This show has spirit, yes it does. The silent drill except for flags twirling is always a nice tactic. Fine show! My Score: 81.90 My Day 2 Placement: 19th My Overall Placement: 31st Howell North High School St. Charles, MO Repertoire: "Piano Concerto No. 1" by Keith Emmerson and "Clair de Lune" by Debussy Comments: A block-ish form was centered on the side B 45. A toe extension upwards with super retraction got this pot boiling quick. This band used the very modern tactic of no field drums...just pit (in the backfield). Do not just play through your notes, trumpets. (Listen.) The marching technique is nearly exact. The swelling sounds at a snail's pace? Dynamite! Great crack of the horns down at the end of that movement, gang. The piano music emitted from the pit was lush. Silently, the winds move away from the center of the field and towards the right corner. My Score: 81.40 My Day 2 Placement: 20th My Overall Placement: 32nd Jackson Academy High School Jackson, MS Repertoire: "The Rough Guide to Salsa" featuring "Permisso Que Llego Van Van," "Mi Tierra," "Volveras," "Descargo De Hoy" and "Everybody's Everything" Comments: This band seemed to have a formula that worked for them with this "stage" between the 40-yard lines. (Ha ha! More like an ELABORATE set-up.) Stools were set up in the rear of the peach tarp, getting this setting to become much more, oooh, intimate? The latin style of this mini rag-tag machine suits them nicely. These kids have both strong trumpets and trombones on their team. Okay, you can't deny that these guys have a great concentrated sound when they are up front and in your face...but I wonder what would happen if one day they decide, "You know what? We are going to go BEYOND our neat borders." Stellar piano playing, pianist. Cool! It's nice to see that the guard has musical talent, too. Later on in the show, the guard dances with the poles on the mini stage. Way to MAGNIFY! My Score: 74.00 My Day 2 Placement: 26th My Overall Placement: 46th Martinsville High School Martinsville, IN Repertoire: "Zappa!" "First Circle" and "Frozen Tears" Comments: Jagged forms with the peaks nearest the fans, auxiliary in baby blue and white, and 1-2-3 (form-by-form) musicianship got this show off its feet. The trumpets seemed to have trouble rolling those notes. Two clarinets and a flute break out of form to goof around, and it was, indeed, fun. Way to brush tap and side tap those snares, snares. Pat Metheny works so well for the field, guys...so bring it up front, more. At a HALT these kids were having trouble playing it. (Oh my.) All right, clarinet mesh. (Not bad.) Okay, I saw three rifles caught in a secure fashion. These kids served up their course, which was not the worst thing. It is true, though, that these guys could do well to study, study, study music and the mechanics of it...and then put it on the move. My Score: 57.70 My Day 2 Placement: 44th My Overall Placement: 88th Grandville High School Grandville, MI Repertoire: "Ellis Island: The Dream of America" by Peter Boyer Comments: "Give me your tired, your poor, your hungry," says a narrator. The trumpets seemed to botch a release, but they come back quite strong. Secure all notes, people. This band keeps things nice and curved, and does a lot of follow-the-leader drill. A trumpet solo goes down with stunning beauty and no fear. Okay! Excellent work going on, currently. These drummers know how to whack 'em. Drill has just jumped up a notch, too, with linear forms that rotate and mesh. Still, I need more to give up my points to you. The narrator repeats the solemn opening to the show once again. More American flags are brought out and waved, and the last form we see is a star. How fitting! My Score: 64.90 My Day 2 Placement: 35th My Overall Placement: 71st Avon High School Avon, OH Repertoire: "Minimally Speaking" Comments: A narrator attempts to explain minimalism. At a high rate of speed, the flute produce some repeat notes nicely. Be wary of the direction change, kids (especially you folks up front). Many of the ballet moves were done precise...but they could sharpen them up more. I am digging how the sashes change color--first red, now yellow. A kite shaped like a bird went flying through the air. Applause was given, and then Chuck Henson ("The Voice") happily cried out, "The Avon High School Marching Band!" Oops. The band went on with their show, because they were only five minutes through this product. Ha ha! That's okay, Chuck. I don't blame you, man. (Looooong day.) Hey, at least this proves you're human, right? Great work, Avon! My Score: 62.00 My Day 2 Placement: 40th My Overall Placement: 81st Milford High School Highland, MI Repertoire: "Anthem for a Superhero" including "I. The Hero," "II. The Villain," "III. The Battle," "IV. The Aftermath" and "V. Good Prevails" Comments: Backdrops displayed a spectrum of colors, from yellow down to blue. Two masked auxiliary girls--one in gold and one in red--rumble. Woodwinds, way to enter and exit that feature! Low brass, I am hearing some nice things from you, too. The superhero stance with fist on hip and head to the side is STRONG. Oom-PA oom-PA oomPAoomPA! This group stirs some life into the audio with the visual. The bass drums tap their rims in synch. The guard girl in red makes a bunch of heroic catches with her rifle, and then she faces off with the guard girl in gold again. A huge black flag is then draped over the actors in which the girl in gold is on the ground, as if dead. I love the "hidden" backfield feature, as the winds play BEHIND the cloth props, unseen. Whew! These kids were blazing hot! My Score: 72.70 My Day 2 Placement: 31st My Overall Placement: 54th Wright City High School Wright City, MO Repertoire: "The Once and Future King" featuring original work by Mike Siler Comments: Four sets of guard folks battle each other with mock swords, and a black cloaked character states that "whoever pulls this sword from this stone shall become king of Britain." Ruckus drum beats sound off. Well, if that does not get your attention, I don't know what will! The music was hit and miss for this unit. The drill was not that demanding, and yet there were people out of form and uneven spaces. Whoa! Get in tune, mellos. This show did have a flair for the dramatic, and I was an avid listener and watcher of this unfolding story. Aaah, a crisp block form, and some crisp moves, too. You see? This band has some good in it. Thank you for putting on your show! My Score: 58.00 My Day 2 Placement: 43rd My Overall Placement: 87th ***END OF PRELIMINARY COMPETITION*** Exhibition: Murray State University Murray, KY Repertoire: "2001" - Richard Strauss, "Malaga" - Bill Holman, "In the Mood" - Joe Garland Comments: "Hi Chuck!" yells the band. "Hi Racer Band," responds Chuck. Ha ha! Classic. An ear-splitting "2001" Monolith sound had the skin on my face peeling back. These hot shots could play, and then some! I liked the arm flash during the snare rush. Woo-hoo! Yeah, let it loose! After the band cuts off, a trumpet soloist extends, and squeals to the heavens. Up and down go the horns, in a bouncy manner, as notes are bounced off our faces. "In the Mood" capped off this fun band's production. A cute dance is done by the woodwinds, and then the brass--way back there--proceed to blast away. Give it up for these fine folks! My Score: N/A My Day 2 Placement: N/A My Overall Placement: N/A Post-Prelims Thoughts: A bunch of great bands performed these past two days. I spoke to some of my Indiana friends, and they, like me, agreed that Tarpon Springs was the best band here THUS FAR. But seriously, though...it looked as if it could be ANYONE'S to win. Unfortunately, it seemed like a bunch of powerhouse bands did not give it their all, simply because they knew they COULD give it their all in semis. Some bands that I thought would be better let me down, and conversely, some bands I thought would be worse got me up. All in all, it is not a simple task to score and rank 92 bands, so my respect and admiration goes out to all the BOA judges who made this preliminary event a great one, and one to REMEMBER. Here is how I saw it thus far, with "1" in parenthesis indicating the band performed on Day 1, and "2" in parenthesis indicating the band performed on Day 2. Please note that I scored and ranked bands as soon as they were done performing. I did not go back to "change my scores," because that would not be fair to me, nor would it be fair to you. (Nor would it be any fun!) Again, these are MY personal scores and rankings. If you want to see "the real thing," please go to the Bands of America website. Thank you! And now, without further delay: ---------MY DIVISION I RATINGS--------- 1. 94.10 Tarpon Springs H.S., FL (2) 2. 93.90 L.D. Bell H.S., TX (2) 3. 93.50 Avon H.S., IN (2) 4. 92.50 The Woodlands H.S., TX (2) 5. 91.00 Carmel H.S., IN (1) 6. 90.80 Broken Arrow H.S., OK (2) 7. 90.00 Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, MI (2) 8. 89.50 Kennesaw Mountain H.S., GA (2) 9. 88.90 Lawrence Central H.S., IN (1) 10. 87.50 Centerville H.S., OH (2) 11. 87.40 Center Grove H.S., IN (1) 12. 87.30 Marian Catholic H.S., IL (1) 13. 87.00 Paul Laurence Dunbar H.S., KY (1) 14. 86.90 West Johnston H.S., NC (1) 15. 86.30 Winston Churchill H.S., TX (2) 16. 85.90 Upland H.S., CA (2) 17. 85.50 Ben Davis H.S., IN (1) 18. 84.60 Castle H.S., IN (1) 19. 84.30 Summerville H.S., SC (2) 20. 84.20 Columbus North H.S., IN (2) 21. 84.00 James Bowie H.S., TX (2) 22. 83.90 Lake Park H.S., IL (1) 23. 83.50 Louisville Male H.S., KY (1) 24. 83.40 Bassett H.S., VA (2) 25. 83.20 Cypress Falls H.S., TX (2) 26. 83.00 Roosevelt H.S., SD (2) 27. 82.90 Norwell H.S., IN (2) 28. 82.80 Connally H.S., TX (1) 29. 82.50 Brentwood H.S., TN (2) 30. 82.40 Rampart H.S., CO (1) 31. 81.90 Lake Central H.S., IN (2) 32. 81.40 Howell North H.S., MO (2) 33. 81.20 Croatan H.S., NC (2) 34. 80.00 Walton H.S., GA (2) 35. 79.10 Jenison H.S., MI (1) 36. 78.20 Northmont H.S., OH (1) 37. 78.00 Blue Springs H.S., MO (2) 38. 77.60 Campbell County H.S., KY (2) 39. 77.40 Bourbon County H.S., KY (1) 40. 77.00 Cleveland H.S., TN (2) 41. 76.80 Central Hardin H.S., KY (1) 42. 76.30 Central Crossing H.S., OH (1) 43. 76.00 William Mason H.S., OH (1) 44. 75.90 Milford H.S., OH (1) 45. 75.50 Eastern H.S., KY (1) ---------MY DIVISION II RATINGS--------- 46. 74.00 Jackson Academy H.S., MS (2) 47. 73.80 Clayton H.S., NC (2) 48. 73.80 Bellbrook H.S., OH (1) 49. 73.70 Morton H.S., IL (2) 50. 73.50 Davenport Central H.S., IA (2) 51. 73.30 Beechwood H.S., KY (1) 52. 73.00 Moore H.S., OK (1) 53. 72.90 Victor J. Andrew H.S., IL (2) 54. 72.70 Milford H.S., MI (2) 55. 72.00 Hart County H.S., KY (2) 56. 71.80 Lakeland H.S., MI (2) 57. 71.30 Kings H.S., OH (1) 58. 70.00 Miamisburg H.S., OH (1) 59. 69.80 Southaven H.S., MS (2) 60. 69.50 Springboro H.S., OH (1) 61. 69.30 Carroll H.S., OH (1) 62. 69.10 Brunswick H.S., OH (1) 63. 68.20 Normal West H.S., IL (1) 64. 68.00 South Lyon H.S., MI (1) 65. 67.90 Indian Hill H.S., OH (1) 66. 67.20 Carlisle H.S., OH (1) 67. 67.00 Mercer County H.S. KY (1) 68. 66.90 Lebanon H.S., OH (1) 69. 66.70 Lexington H.S., OH (1) 70. 65.00 Farmington Harrison H.S., MI (1) 71. 64.90 Grandville H.S., MI (2) 72. 64.50 Tippecanoe H.S., OH (1) 73. 64.30 Clinton H.S., TN (2) 74. 64.10 Shelby County H.S., KY (1) 75. 64.00 Firestone H.S., OH (1) 76. 63.90 Blackhawk H.S., PA (2) 77. 63.80 Marion County H.S., KY (2) 78. 63.70 Godwin Heights H.S., MI (1) 79. 63.60 Meade County H.S., KY (2) 80. 63.20 Collinsville H.S., IL (1) 81. 62.00 Avon H.S., OH (2) 82. 61.20 Marrieta H.S., OH (1) 83. 60.40 Metamora Township H.S., IL (1) ---------MY DIVISION III RATINGS--------- 84. 59.80 Herscher H.S., IL (1) 85. 59.20 Norton H.S., OH (2) 86. 58.90 Eastern H.S., IN (2) 87. 58.00 Wright City H.S., MO (2) 88. 57.70 Martinsville H.S., IN (2) 89. 57.50 Greeneview H.S., OH (1) 90. 57.20 Buckeye H.S., OH (2) 91. 55.50 Gallatin County H.S., KY (2) 92. 53.40 Western Brown H.S., OH (1) My 30 Semi-Finalists (In Random order) *Note: I only have 30 here, because the classification of bands (by school size) are kept secret so as not to sway the judging.) Norwell H.S., IN Ben Davis H.S., IN Lawrence Central H.S., IN The Woodlands H.S., TX James Bowie H.S., TX West Johnston H.S., NC Centerville H.S., OH Louisville Male H.S., KY Avon H.S., IN Bassett H.S., VA Broken Arrow H.S., OK Lake Park H.S., IL Tarpon Springs H.S., FL L.D. Bell H.S., TX Paul Laurence Dunbar H.S., KY Carmel H.S., IN Upland H.S., CA Castle H.S., IN Kennesaw Mountain H.S., GA Connally H.S., TX Summerville H.S., SC Marian Catholic H.S., IL Plymouth Canton Educational Park H.S., MI Columbus North H.S., IN Winston Churchill H.S., TX Roosevelt H.S., SD Center Grove H.S., IN Cypress Falls H.S., TX Rampart H.S., CO Brentwood H.S., TN Actual 35 Semi-Finalists (In Random Order) James Bowie H.S., TX The Woodlands H.S., TX Upland H.S., CA Jackson Academy H.S., MS Lake Park H.S., IL L.D. Bell H.S., TX West Johnston H.S., NC Carlisle H.S., OH Tarpon Springs H.S., FL Paul Laurence Dunbar H.S, KY Rampart H.S., CO Milford H.S., OH Connally H.S., TX Center Grove H.S., IN Kennesaw Mountain H.S., GA Ben Davis H.S., IN Columbus North H.S., IN Cypress Falls H.S., TX Central Crossing H.S., OH Plymouth-Canton Educational Park H.S., MI Marian Catholic H.S., IL Avon H.S., IN Beechwood H.S., KY Walton H.S., GA Carmel H.S., IN Brentwood H.S., TN Centerville H.S., OH Broken Arrow H.S., OK Lawrence Central H.S., IN Jenison H.S., MI Castle H.S., IN Winston Churchill H.S., TX Louisville Male H.S., KY Croatan H.S., NC Northmont H.S., OH Post-Prelims Thoughts (Continued): Okay. Okay, I can agree with the actual Semi-Finalists. I am a little disappointed that Summerville H.S., SC did not make the cut...because I felt they had quite a strong show. (The same goes for Roosevelt H.S., SD). Conversely, I did NOT feel that Central Crossing H.S., OH had a strong showing in Prelims...but maybe they will prove me wrong in Semi-Finals, as bands usually do. I was happy that Louisville Male H.S., KY made Semi-Finals this year, which is WELL deserved. (I could tell the kids were ecstatic, especially after last year's "mishap." Semi-Finals will just be a one-after-another-GREAT-band thing. As my Indiana friend, Wolfgang, put it, "BOA GN Semi-Finals is my favorite time of the year." Heh heh. It's tough to disagree with that one! And so TOMORROW we will have the Semi-Finals...a showdown between some of the greatest marching bands you will ever ever see... Alan Irons Fountain Valley High School Marching Band 1993-1996 Pacific Crest of Diamond Bar 1997 Nashua Spartans 1998-1999 UCSB Class of 2002 ***COMING SOON: BOA GN SEMI-FINALS!*** Quote
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