BOA San Antonio Prelims Review VI

[RobbieRob]

Sorry this took so long. I got sleepy last night. Plus my hands feel like they are going to fall off. I need to see a massage therapist. Can anyone refer me to one?

 

The last block of the BOA Super Regional was the most exciting, 'cause you knew some great bands were gonna get knocked out of finals.

 

Here' Part VI:

 

Marcus H.S., TX

Now that...is perfection. I could tell these guys would be one to watch for based on their warm-up. "The drum major (?) prancing around on the field is a welcome innovation," I pondered, "As he signaled sections to start their show and he flexed his muscles to the swelling sounds." There's little movement to begin, but when they do move I can see lots of ways they could be rewarded. Uh! That sound! Marvelous. Best music, byyy far. They kept things simple, but that does not mean their show was easy. No, their show wasn't easy by a long shot.

Robbie Rob gives them a score of 91.90

 

Haltom H.S., TX

They had a very relaxed method of prepping. The rumbling piano sounds provided some atmosphere, along with the sounds of the outdoors. The natural crescendo based on the backfield to frontfield turnaround was okay, but maybe a bit harsh on the trumpet end. The drama created with the bumblebee "problem" was outstanding. Great tension added by mellophones following that bubbly percussion feature, and then releeeeease. The symmetry ruled. Ooh, bass drum, stay on the ground a little longer. (Relish the moment.) Fine work, band.

Robbie Rob gives them a score of 89.60

 

Whitesboro H.S., TX

The silence into what should have been a bigger sound than their initial sound was decent. Starts and stops were spot on. Everyone needs to look the same, however. I caught quite a few members out of step, and that's unacceptable. Coordination fundamentals were excellent, auxiliary. Yes, the percussion AND auxiliary were musical in their roles. Intervals in the drill need mucho work. Not bad.

Robbie Rob gives them a score of 64.50

 

Hidalgo H.S., TX

The robotic moves of the guard up front was a great portrayal, here, of androids--their theme. This was a great show. The synth played a strong role, of course, and the crisp, firm notes from the wind players played one, too, although they could have varied their sounds more. The intent was there, and they followed through VERY well. Don't lounge too much, now. Flow was not too free, but my attention span stuck.

Robbie Rob gives them a score of 64.10

 

Edinburg North H.S., TX

If you're going to stage something significant, unless you have some massive flash, don't stick it on the far side of the field. What would you like me to notice more? The flags center field? Or the drama on the bench near the Christmas Tree? They were way settled in on that tempo. Is it time to put the feet up and relax? Fine roll-up form. Fine craftsmanship with the snow angel carving and ice skating play.

Robbie Rob gives them a score of 65.50

 

Keller H.S., TX

This show took off in no time. I need more punch in that big block, though. Some of the low brass sounded raspy, but they had no fear. The magnetism theme was played up well with a giant magnet prop feeding its way into a form. There we go--a more gentle, friendly low brass. They created a sound that peaked but seemed to dissipate. Don't leave your veins running with ice water, but more so don't leave MY veins running with ice water. Aaaah! Ha ha ha! The band seems to fling into the main guard unit at the center of the field, the snare drummer the last to get "caught" (despite his resistance). Brilliant!

Robbie Rob gives them a score of 87.80

 

The Woodlands College Park H.S., TX

Everyone is into what they are doing. I like the uniformity. Errr. The soloist and the DM and the rest of the band are not jiving. What a disappointment. Those triplet flurries are muddy, no? They get back on track, barely. Wow, there's so many concern horns out there for their feature, yet I can't hear them! (Play out more, or get amped!) The air-only sound through the horns is savvy. At times this group seems unsure of themselves. 'Tis a shame, because for the most part they have a mature sound.

Robbie Rob gives them a score of 85.40

 

Fossil Ridge H.S., TX

The end of the first phrase was choppy. Let it ring, no? Oh my, trumpets...don't go dropping gasoline in that oh-so-nice glass of wine. This show did not take the road not taken, if you excuse the term I stole from another band's show. These kids need to loosen up! I hear tight throats and wobbly sounds here, there, and everywhere. I understood what they were communicating, but I need to be in more wonderment. Insert big vocal chants or something bizarre. The more bizarre the better.

Robbie Rob gives them a score of 82.90

 

Hebron H.S., TX

I am glad to see some paranoia at the start of this production. No, really! I am. It seems to add to the "Watchful eye" props blinking and staring around the field. Ooh, one clarinet player is way out of file on the halt, but at least he/she is not moving and once on the move...recovers! Now THERE'S a way to stage--have sections of two wind players create "windows" for the flag girls. This dynamite blaze of sound could use some cool drill to accompany it. Great "Psycho" sound effect and scream of bloody murder, but more could be done here.

Robbie Rob gives them a score of 88.80

 

Boswell H.S., TX

A more distinct storyline could strengthen the beginning of this show. Mic the ref. Mic the two main players in the guard. Mic everybody that needs to be heard. (Or at least fake it with voices amped up front or pre-recorded.) Great wall of trumpets plus one baritone player, though I question the use of the baritone player in this ensemble. (Noticeable, sound-wise? What's the contribution, here?) With feet apart, and having a "bandgasm" with the music, get INTO it more, yeah? Fun show. Not incredibly "serious." But...fun.

Robbie Rob gives them a score of 63.50

 

Ex. The Univ. of Texas at Arlington

College band is college band, and that's all you need to know.

 

Here are my scores for all of prelims:

 

1. 91.90 Marcus

2. 91.30 L.D. Bell

3. 89.60 Haltom

4. 89.00 Stephen F. Austin

5. 88.80 Hebron

6. 88.50 Cedar Park

7. 88.10 James Bowie

8. 87.80 Keller

9. 87.00 Winston Churchill

10. 86.60 Friendswood

11. 86.00 Berkner

12. 85.80 Westlake

13. 85.50 Clear Brook

14. 85.40 The Woodlands College Park

15. 85.00 Colleyville Heritage

16. 84.60 W. Charles Akins

17. 83.90 Aledo

18. 82.90 Fossil Ridge

19. 82.70 Creekview

20. 81.20 Judson

21. 78.50 Claudia Taylor Johnson

22. 77.90 Langham Creek

23. 77.80 Georgetown

24. 75.40 Loveland

25. 75.10 William B. Travis

26. 73.70 Leander

27. 73.20 Lopez

28. 72.90 Ronald Reagan

29. 72.90 Del Valle

30. 72.50 Harlingen

31. 70.00 John B. Alexander

32. 69.00 United

33. 68.90 Martin

34. 66.10 Klein Forest

35. 65.90 John Marshall

36. 65.50 Edinburg North

37. 65.30 Eagle Pass

38. 64.50 Whitesboro

39. 64.10 Hidalgo

40. 63.90 Mabank

41. 63.50 Boswell

42. 63.40 Calallen

43. 63.10 Azle

44. 63.00 Victoria Memorial

45. 62.80 Skiatook

46. 62.20 Dekaney

47. 62.00 C.C. Winn

48. 59.00 Waller

49. 58.90 Elgin

50. 58.20 Aubrey

51. 56.00 East Bernard

 

When the finalists were called out I could sort of agree that Leander was a finalist, but not Ronald Reagan. I would taken my pick of a bunch of bands before putting Reagan in. Did the BOA judges see something I didn't see with this band? I mean, their drill was a lot messier than most of the bands I had ahead of them, their show was not that memorable, and...whatever. I hear the world's smallest violin playing for me now. Aledo deserved to be in finals as a finalist, but I will be glad to see them again when they go on as the Class AA champs. Hidalgo wasn't a huge deal in Class A (if we are talking national level stuff), but I dug their show. Anything that starts off with the "Terminator" theme wins in my book. L.D. Bell won music, huh? I must be DEAF. Marcus blew them out of the water in music. Maybe what Marcus needs to do is play something DIFFERENT for a change. Seriously. Oh, and add some more weird electronic sounds to their show for good measure. L.D. Bell is probably going to win this one tonight. We'll see. My finals review is coming. Don't hold your breath too long or you might die.

 

Rob OUT!

 

Oh, and one more thing: don't hate on me. I know my stuff and I was harsh on all these bands because I expect greatness from all the bands FIRST and then I look and see which one's better than which when it comes to how it moves me. PEACE!

Edited November 4, 2008 by RobbieRob

[takigan]

  RobbieRob said:

Hidalgo wasn't a huge deal in Class A (if we are talking national level stuff), but I dug their show.

 

Well THAT'S discouraging . (you do know Hidalgo is going to Nationals, and is the first Class A band from Texas to do so, right?).

[pablofisco]

  RobbieRob said:

Oh, and one more thing: don't hate on me. I know my stuff and I was harsh on all these bands because I expect greatness from all the bands FIRST and then I look and see which one's better than which when it comes to how it moves me. PEACE!

 

What exactly are your credentials RobbieRob?

[Bos_flute]

I have to agree with you on the Boswell band

 

although we did try our hardest, parts of our "theme" just seemed very hazy and not convincing.

Many things that were supposed to be done just didn't happen due to the fact that many of the upperclassmen could care less about how well we could do.

very disappointing =(

 

we were going to mic the voice overs, and we had all of the equipment

but of course this is coming from boswell....

at the last minute our equipment and mics stopped working, so the best we could do was shout the parts.

 

 

I'm not trying to dis my own band or anything [[i love my fellow brothers and sisters in our Band of Gold =)]], but I just think we could have done so much better.

Oh well, at least next years show is goin to be B/A