2011 BOA San Antonio

[drummerjoe]

  Danpod said:

I hate to say this but I am wary of results from judging sheets that have an "Auxiliary" caption.

 

Yea, I'd agree, it skews results big time. It's the reason Round Rock won prelims and the reason Cedar Park came in fourth place in a local contest last year. (Cap City)

[NewMexicoBandsman]

I'm tempted to just take the finals list from BOA Conroe, add Bowie in 3rd place, maybe throw in a Flower Mound or Hebron to spice things up, and just submit that as my prediction for this event. BOA Conroe was just so stacked

[latorre]

  Statebound said:

This is a great post and I can't disagree with much of it. I was able to get over to Carrollton for the TOC finals and you can add Mansfield and Haltom to your "locks" for BOA SA, particularly Mansfield who I believe will be in the top tier. Both shows are tailor-made for BOA judging and quite impressive. Haltom's "grim reaper" program should play well the week of Halloween.

 

On the other hand, Hebron finally put in their 3rd set and they have a long way to go. The muscial performance is typically strong (they received 1st in music caption) but the show has no buzz and I have no idea where manequins and break dancing fit in. Actually, I need to give the break dancer kids some love because they were very entertaining:) I was gently informed by a Hebron parent that they have not missed a finals in any event they have entered in over 5 years, so they have 3 weeks to pull it together.

Edited October 20, 2011 by latorre

[shmeh]

  drummerjoe said:

Yea, I'd agree, it skews results big time. It's the reason Round Rock won prelims and the reason Cedar Park came in fourth place in a local contest last year. (Cap City)

 

What's the difference between taking first place by a percussion caption and taking first place by an auxilary caption?And/or taking last place by a percussion or auxilary caption?

Edited October 19, 2011 by shmeh

[Drum major]

  Draak Vader said:

Having witnessed Saturday's contest at Vista Ridge first hand as well, I think predicting the BOA chances of any of the bands that participated in the VRMF based on their resulting scores and rank positions, in prelims and/or finals, would yield dubious results at best.

 

Am I being cryptic enough?

 

Finally, someone who gets it

[scoobydoo]

  Drum major said:

Finally, someone who gets it

 

 

Yup, and I got what you got what he got.

[Jo Ann]

Have seen both of them and neither is very exciting or memorable. Just my opinion.....

 

  Abbie123 said:

Anybody seen Leander's Show or Vista Ridge's this year?

[Saxapwn94]

  amablkml said:

Let me throw Mansfield into the mix.

They were very strong at birdville finishing 2nd to

Flower Mound and finished 1st at Carrollton ahead of Haltom, Hebron and Rowlett

Mansfield finished first at Carrollton.

[mellopwn1]

  NewMexicoBandsman said:

I'm tempted to just take the finals list from BOA Conroe, add Bowie in 3rd place, maybe throw in a Flower Mound or Hebron to spice things up, and just submit that as my prediction for this event. BOA Conroe was just so stacked

 

I am very interested to see the outcome of 2-4. For me, Marcus seems likes the clear winner even now. They came out with ssuch a strong lead at BOA Houston and only seem to be building upon it. They sounded and looked great then AND WON when they didn't even have a closer on the field! That in itself is all the proof I need that they will be levels beyond where the were then a month later at SA. However, 2-4 seem like a total toss-up. As of now, I don't have confidence that Bell will be able to just walk into their usual 1st or 2nd place here...they might...but it's no guarantee. Right behind them, not just Bowie, but also The Woodlands, is having a breakout season. I think either of those two have the potential to jump ahead of Bell to 2nd. Bowie's early season win and sheer drive might be enough to do it, and we all know how The Woodlands whips itself into shape by November, making them no slouch either.

 

This could be the first time in YEARS that LD Bell places out of the top 2 at a regional! Since 2006, if I'm not mistaken. Does anyone else think I might be right?

 

No matter what, though, I see the top 4 being (random order):

 

Bowie

Marcus

The Woodlands

LD Bell

[sax_man 2007]

  mellopwn1 said:

I am very interested to see the outcome of 2-4. For me, Marcus seems likes the clear winner even now. They came out with ssuch a strong lead at BOA Houston and only seem to be building upon it. They sounded and looked great then AND WON when they didn't even have a closer on the field! That in itself is all the proof I need that they will be levels beyond where the were then a month later at SA. However, 2-4 seem like a total toss-up. As of now, I don't have confidence that Bell will be able to just walk into their usual 1st or 2nd place here...they might...but it's no guarantee. Right behind them, not just Bowie, but also The Woodlands, is having a breakout season. I think either of those two have the potential to jump ahead of Bell to 2nd. Bowie's early season win and sheer drive might be enough to do it, and we all know how The Woodlands whips itself into shape by November, making them no slouch either.

 

This could be the first time in YEARS that LD Bell places out of the top 2 at a regional! Since 2006, if I'm not mistaken. Does anyone else think I might be right?

 

No matter what, though, I see the top 4 being (random order):

 

Bowie

Marcus

The Woodlands

LD Bell

 

 

I totally agree with you. I believe 2nd-4th place will be a toss up with Marcus placing first due to their flawless execution in their performance. I believe it was 2005 at BOA Arlington, not 2006 where LD Bell was out of the top 2 at a regional. With relation to The Woodlands, they will definitely use SA as a stepping stone to make a big push at GN the following week. As an alum from the 2006 Hide and Seek show, I remember this being the case.

[drummerjoe]

  shmeh said:

What's the difference between taking first place by a percussion caption and taking first place by an auxilary caption?And/or taking last place by a percussion or auxilary caption?

 

You can't use these contests to accurately predict contests like BOA that do not have these captions. And there isn't a difference, except that it shows the level of skill in your Guard/Percussion sections.

[mellopwn1]

  drummerjoe said:

You can't use these contests to accurately predict contests like BOA that do not have these captions. And there isn't a difference, except that it shows the level of skill in your Guard/Percussion sections.

 

Although there are no separate captions for CG and drumline in BOA, you have to remember that both of those components make up a significant portion of the music and visual scores. Having a very good colorguard and/or drumline is an asset in any circuit you compete in. I agree that they might not hold the same influence in comparison to other contests, though.

[Cookie_MonsterSR]

  Statebound said:

This is a great post and I can't disagree with much of it. I was able to get over to Carrollton for the TOC finals and you can add Mansfield and Haltom to your "locks" for BOA SA, particularly Mansfield who I believe will be in the top tier. Both shows are tailor-made for BOA judging and quite impressive. Haltom's "grim reaper" program should play well the week of Halloween.

 

On the other hand, Hebron finally put in their 3rd set and they have a long way to go. The muscial performance is typically strong (they received 1st in music caption) but the show has no buzz and I have no idea where manequins and break dancing fit in. Actually, I need to give the break dancer kids some love because they were very entertaining:) I was gently informed by a Hebron parent that they have not missed a finals in any event they have entered in over 5 years, so they have 3 weeks to pull it together.

 

 

I have to say its nice to see Mansfield getting some recognition. They've improved exponentially since 2006 when they made finals at a BOA event for the first time and this year their show is one of the hardest I've seen any high school band put on the field.

[Cookie_MonsterSR]

  daldhowe said:

Can we PLEASE move on to another topic.....this is so stale! How about a subject about bands that have significantly improved in the past 2-3 years......

 

 

I would say that both Mansfield and Legacy high schools have improved alot in the last few years. Especially Mansfield ever since they got the new directors the program has become very competitive and i would say that their guard could be compared to that of any of the middle to lower level DCI corps. (even though im no professional judge) Legacy has been having a great year although their show strikes me as a bit too simple even though their execution is good.

[longhornsax]

  Jo Ann said:

Have seen both of them and neither is very exciting or memorable. Just my opinion.....

 

Leander's show unexciting? Did you have ear plugs in or something?

 

And I wouldn't declare Marcus the winner just yet. They beat Bell by a point and a half at Conroe. Hardly an insurmountable gap. And I'm gonna keep pushing the Bowie bandwagon and say they have a legitimate shot at this thing. I really think they have the package to do so. Haven't heard much about the Woodlands show, but would love to see them breakout from their 3rd-5th range.

[Keller Shelton]

  takigan said:

Locks:

 

Bell - Industry Standard

Marcus - Precise as a razor. Caption-Sweeped Prelims and Finals in one of the most competitive early-season Regionals of all-time, and is pretty much unstoppable this season, much like they were in 2007. Shame they aren't going to Nationals; they'd actually have a shot at finally dethroning Avon.

The Woodlands - Back on their game

Cedar Park - Energetic and powerful as always

SFA - Incredible field presence

James Bowie - insane musical energy, and something to prove...

 

 

Bubble:

 

Hebron - issues with their show could keep them out, but they could still bounce back

Spring - All quiet on the southern front.....a storm a brewin perhaps?

Flower Mound - Having an awesome year!

Churchill - consistent finalist

Reagan - Always a late season blossomer.....the old Reagan seems to be coming back.

Johnson - Will most likely make finals, but not necessarily a lock

Westlake - Were in a bit of a slump but they seem to be making a comeback

Anderson - A new face from CenTex who's proven themselves in recent years....

Keller - consistent finalist

Legacy - Having an awesome year!

Leander - Can surprise you

Martin - A regular finalist at Arlington...and they've made the cut before here.

Aledo - Pulls out the stops in the late season

Richland - Been quiet in recent years.....but always has been a consistent finalist.

Round Rock - Better every year.....unstoppable drumline

Vandegrift - The loose cannon.....never know what to expect

College Park - Also better every year....another rising star

Coppell - Maybe finals this year? They're always up there....

Brazoswood - They have good years and bad years.....this year is seeming like a good one, much like last year....

 

If I were to pick the 8 other finalists I'd guess Johnson, Reagan, Spring, Richland, Flower Mound, Legacy, Keller and Brazoswood.

 

I'm glad someone appreciates Aledo

We have a tendency to do so... watch out, as we may also be at UIL state that same weekend.

Edited October 20, 2011 by Keller Shelton

[mellopwn1]

Heads up to the TxBands staff: you left Keller off the predictions list for BOA SA so that's going to screw everything up if they make finals.

 

I noticed right AFTER I entered mine...

[mellopwn1]

  Ragneo said:

Keller has opted to go to Duncanville instead, your predictions are still good.

 

EDIT: I realize they are on different dates, but they are not going to BOA SA. (As far as my knowledge goes).

 

Okay, good! I just checked MFA and saw them on the list and was all "oh crap!" Glad to see the guys around here are on top of things!

[NewMexicoBandsman]

  mellopwn1 said:

I am very interested to see the outcome of 2-4. For me, Marcus seems likes the clear winner even now. They came out with ssuch a strong lead at BOA Houston and only seem to be building upon it. They sounded and looked great then AND WON when they didn't even have a closer on the field! That in itself is all the proof I need that they will be levels beyond where the were then a month later at SA. However, 2-4 seem like a total toss-up. As of now, I don't have confidence that Bell will be able to just walk into their usual 1st or 2nd place here...they might...but it's no guarantee. Right behind them, not just Bowie, but also The Woodlands, is having a breakout season. I think either of those two have the potential to jump ahead of Bell to 2nd. Bowie's early season win and sheer drive might be enough to do it, and we all know how The Woodlands whips itself into shape by November, making them no slouch either.

 

This could be the first time in YEARS that LD Bell places out of the top 2 at a regional! Since 2006, if I'm not mistaken. Does anyone else think I might be right?

 

No matter what, though, I see the top 4 being (random order):

 

Bowie

Marcus

The Woodlands

LD Bell

 

I agree that Marcus placing first is the most LIKELY result for SA, but given the difficulty of Bell's book this year, I think they haven't come as close to peaking as Marcus has at previous contests. If they peak at SA... Well I'd still put my money on Marcus, but a Bell win does not seem terribly unlikely. As for being overtaken by Bowie or the Woodlands, idk. I'm certainly rooting for Bowie to take it all this year, but I'm a little dubious as to whether they can edge out Bell again for second.

[Frisco_Centennial_Pit]

  NewMexicoBandsman said:

I agree that Marcus placing first is the most LIKELY result for SA, but given the difficulty of Bell's book this year, I think they haven't come as close to peaking as Marcus has at previous contests. If they peak at SA... Well I'd still put my money on Marcus, but a Bell win does not seem terribly unlikely. As for being overtaken by Bowie or the Woodlands, idk. I'm certainly rooting for Bowie to take it all this year, but I'm a little dubious as to whether they can edge out Bell again for second.

 

I don't know... I was able to see BOA Finals at Arlington, and Bowie's show this year... wow. They beat out Bell there, in case anyone's forgotten...

[drummerjoe]

I think any four of those bands mentioned have a decent possibility of winning. Gonna be a real hard night for the judges.

[Connor]

..

Edited October 29, 2011 by Connor

[Draak Vader]

I have a question that perhaps some of you who are more knowledgeable in the ways of BOA might be able to answer. There are 29 bands playing in prelims on Friday and 29 playing in prelims on Saturday in San Antonio. As I understand it, there will be 14 finalists after all is said and done on Saturday evening.

 

With that configuration, any Friday band that's not in the top 14 after the Friday prelims would have no mathematical possibility of being included in the finals. The Saturday prelims would have no bearing on that; if you're not in the top 14 from Friday it's impossible for you to be one of the overall 14 finalists on Saturday. That means 15 bands are out on Friday and BOA will know which bands right after the last one plays that evening.

 

Does BOA inform these 15 Friday bands that they're out of the running in some way BEFORE they load their kids and equipment and come back on Saturday, hoping that they're in finals; and if not, why not?

[Cookie_MonsterSR]

Alot of people are talking about those top 3-4 spots, but what about 5-9? There's going to be some heavy competition for those spots.

[Kankooku]

  Cookie_MonsterSR said:

Alot of people are talking about those top 3-4 spots, but what about 5-9? There's going to be some heavy competition for those spots.

 

 

This years compitition at BOA San Antonio is soo full of GREAT players and bands from the state of Texas and Colorado that its just impossible to predict locks and bubbles....