BOA San Antonio Finals Results

[Dynasty]

Yes. Multiple ones will be in the press section this week (Both Prelims and Finals reviews)

[Xenon]

  the_n00b_trombonist said:

Is anybody going to write a detailed finals review?

I actually wasn't. After posting live thoughts for almost every band in Prelims I was pooped and wanted to be able to just sit back and enjoy Finals. I've also already posted quite a few thoughts about the Finals shows here as well. Besides, there was a webcast!

[Danpod]

I'll put up something soon, as soon as I find out where I am. I woke up 30 miles outside of town with a $20 bill pinned to me.

[treblemaker]

I can't wait for the reviews! I like reading about all the awesome bands and what people thought of their shows.

[flutearmy]

  Quote

I actually wasn't. After posting live thoughts for almost every band in Prelims I was pooped and wanted to be able to just sit back and enjoy Finals.

 

is there a way to go back and read those now? i really wanted to hear about all the bands i didn't get to see

[selby]

  Xenon said:

Every time I hear parents in the stands complaining about how much money x band's props must have cost, I always chime in and let them know that they most likely weren't bought, they were made by band parents. You are absolutely right that it is all about effort, and that effort is on everybody's part, not just the kids, not just the directors, but the parents too.

 

Marcus' flag hiders on the front sideline were just standard black flag hiders until the parents got ahold of them and made all of the beautiful flowers on them.

 

Bell's huge white silk last year was just a bunch of white flags until the parents went through the logistical nightmare of sewing them all together.

I understand that they make the props but in order to make them, they have to spend money on the supplies, and not all bands have the money to do that.

[itsstephenyo]

K. Here's a mini review of some bands I remembered. It's not in depth at all, since I really didn't even plan on writing anything. This is all from memory.

 

Brazoswood- They come out onto the field playing sound of thunder and rain. Props in the background have pictures of rainstorms and clouds. This band has an incredible ensemble sound. I could see why they won music caption at BOA Houston. They started this finals night off with a bang and set a very high standard for the night.

 

Cedar Park - I was a little disappointed. This band didn't blow the crap out of my face. I was waiting the whole time for a HUGE Cedar Park chord, but it never came. Nevertheless, they played and marched very well and had a well designed show. Great fun to watch them.

 

Marcus - This was the first time I've seen their show. The only possible way to describe this show is "Wow!" They won music caption tonight BY FAR. The best sounding band all night. I know it's a little cliche, but they truly sound like a concert band. That's about the best compliment you can give to a band. Their drill is a little easy but very effective, as there are many sets designed to look like flowers, and many marchers use their bodies as leaves and flowers. My favorite Marcus show, ever.

 

LD Bell - Bell was RIGHT after Marcus. Wow, two of the best bands in the nation duking it out one after the other. I had my jaw open the entire time during this show. The little girl singing, the eerie guard member looking like corpse, the creepy theme from Pan's Labyrinth, EVERYTHING IN THIS SHOW WORKED! This band was just incredible. Loved it, loved it, loved it. Possibly my favorite show of all time.

 

Hebron - Unfortunately for Hebron, they performed AFTER two of the best bands in the nation. However, they definitely held their own. They had a bit of a tear at the opener, but held it together and, after a very cool Soulja Boy dance, finished it out strongly with some cool follow-the-leader drill. First thing I noticed was how loud this band is. I really didn't expect the wall of sound you get from this band. In terms of sheer power, this band hangs with the best of them. Very hard drill. Good stuff.

 

Colleyville Heritage - First time I've seen this show live. Flute soloist is incredible. Very, very talented young woman. Wow. This is a cool show that utilizes the theme well. This band has really come up to the top this year, and I'm sure they plan to stay. Great job, Colleyville.

 

Westfield - Pretty awesome opening. Band marches on while a euphonium soloist plays some Metallica (maybe? I'm not sure.) Euph soloist is awesome. The whole time he's running around like he's completely lost. I gotta admit, though, I did not like this show. Something about it just didn't capture my attention. The solos were freakin' sweet, though.

 

Berkner - First year back at BOA after a bit of a hiatus and this band delivered. First thing I said when I saw them on was, "wtf Berkner is laying on the ground?!?!" Yea, Frank Troyka did some really cool stuff with this band. They play very well and drill was really clean. Very well deserved finals spot. Great job, and welcome back, Berkner.

 

I'm gonna post this half first before it deletes again...

[MBandMom2008]

  selby said:

I understand that they make the props but in order to make them, they have to spend money on the supplies, and not all bands have the money to do that.

 

 

And where does the money for those supplies come from? From fundraising. Car washes, bake sales, concession sales, clean ups. If they will pay us for it, we'll try it. No one in our band program has an open checkbook to finance what we have.

 

 

Oops, we're off topic again....sorry

[itsstephenyo]

Churchill - Holy crap, greatest show, ever! I was in tears throughout the entire time. The guard was absolutely incredible. 8's, 10's, nothing phased them. Several times they utilize their rifles as actual guns and pretend that they're on the firing range. The band plays Amazing Grace as the ballad, and WOW. When they complete it, they observe a moment of silence and allow the guard to do flag work. Beautiful! Absolutely beautiful.

 

Richland - iShow. Halo music. That's cool enough. Awesome show, great design. They have iPod lookin' things as props and the band emerges from behind there as the show starts. Great, great show. Their drill is really fun to watch. Some hard stuff.

 

Reagan - Uh, I don't really remember what Reagan played, really... I do remember that many times the band does does lunging poses and attempts to grab something and, I assume "Choose" someone. They did play and march VERY well, though.

 

Haltom - Their opener reminded me a lot of PCEP when they did the Middle Eastern show. Guard members are dressed in traditional asian dresses. The best part of this show was the clarinet soloist at the end. Holy crap, best solo of the night. As he gets faster and faster in his music, the band gets louder and louder. Awesome effect. Very cool closer.

 

The Woodlands - The band has random tarp on the field, and as the show progresses, they turn them over to reveal different numbers. Profanations was really well done. Cool show. Look for it to do very well at GN.

 

James Bowie - And the award for loudest band of the night goes to.... The James Bowie Outdoor Performance Ensemble! This band packs some CRAZY power. However, I felt that it was ff, fff, and ffffffffff. A bit more contrast would've made their hits much more impactful. Still, it was nice to FEEL a band's power. Great sound.

 

Hidalgo - A very fun show from this 1A band. They had a very wholesome sound whenever they played full band. It looked like they really enjoyed themselves. I was happy they performed in exhibition. Great job, Hidalgo!

 

All right, that's it. I'm tired now. You can tell that I didn't want to write anymore at the end... Maybe I'll fix it later.

[shamilton]

Does anyone know any placements from pre-lims? Maybe up to 20th? Anything would be great.

[manuel_pablo]

  shamilton said:

Does anyone know any placements from pre-lims? Maybe up to 20th? Anything would be great.

Westfield was 5th in prelims.

[Bittybear]

  Danpod said:

Ahhh, the great old debate.

 

Honestly, I think programs are getting better with incoporating marching with art. What has happened in the past few years is that the programs with the "theatrical" productions are now utilizing the talent they have and are converting it into some fantastic musical and visual performances.

 

Marching, in every sense of the word, is still very much a part of the activity. However, marching can be artistic and graceful, especially when you implement movement of the body.

 

Sometime it seems to my eye that they play and then move and then play and then move. Granted Bell and Marcus play very well. It just seems to me that it's hard to play and move and the same time, especially if you are playing much more complex music. All I can really remember from Bell's show is the little girl humming and the big yellow thing. If some one asked me about their music, I would be able to tell them anything about it. Maybe I'm just old fashioned.

[lnbintex]

I heard Hebron was 8th in prelims.

[Xenon]

  flutearmy said:

is there a way to go back and read those now? i really wanted to hear about all the bands i didn't get to see

Saturday's live comments are still available at http://live.txbands.com

 

I can see if we can get Friday's back up there too.

[flutearmy]

thanks

[Clarinot]

Friday's comments are back up. The oldest are at the bottom.

[royfjord]

  Serardian said:

I'm gonna have to agree with you.

 

I will say, though, that Marcus does what they do extremely well.

 

Edited by Xenon: We don't need baseless demeaning comments that have already been refuted.

[PunkAsAMonk]

  royfjord said:

Edited by Xenon: We don't need baseless demeaning comments that have already been refuted.

 

I don't know how you could seriously make a statement like this and keep a straight face.

[thePIXELelement]

This thread just went into a direction that it didn't need to go to...

[treblemaker]

Can't we all just get along? =]]

[Steeldrum]

Does anyone know if streaming videos are available at Music for All for all prelim shows from San Antonio with a premium membership?

[Xenon]

  Steeldrum said:

Does anyone know if streaming videos are available at Music for All for all prelim shows from San Antonio with a premium membership?

I don't believe that they are.

[royfjord]

  PunkAsAMonk said:

I don't know how you could seriously make a statement like this and keep a straight face.

 

Well, sorry, but I did. In my opinion, LD Bell was completely robbed out of 1st place.

[JBone]

  itsstephenyo said:

James Bowie - And the award for loudest band of the night goes to.... The James Bowie Outdoor Performance Ensemble! This band packs some CRAZY power. However, I felt that it was ff, fff, and ffffffffff. A bit more contrast would've made their hits much more impactful. Still, it was nice to FEEL a band's power. Great sound.

 

That souds like a lot of contrast actually, haha. ff-ffffffffff.

[PunkAsAMonk]

  PunkAsAMonk said:

Nevermind.

 

Edit: Accidental post.

Edited November 5, 2007 by PunkAsAMonk