BOA Grand Nationals Semi-Finals Review

[airons0678]

Okay, here is an unbiased California boy posting a BOA GN Semi-Finals review to a Texas forum...

 

Bands of America 2012 Grand National Championships

presented by Yamaha

November 7-10, 2012

Indianapolis, IN

 

It's hard to describe semi-finals at the Bands of America Grand National Championships. Imagine an all-day show with PREMIUM high school marching bands--bands that have won a BOA Regional or maybe placed 2nd or 3rd at a BOA Regional or maybe have placed in the top 2 or 3 in their state. Every band of the 34 bands is REALLY good, from 7:30 in the morning to 4:45 in the afternoon, and every band of the 34 bands is gunning to get a spot in finals. (Only 5 or 6 of these bands are a sure thing, also known as "locks.") Q: So what do we have here? A: We have a FANTASTIC show, as fun to watch as finals.

 

Don't get me wrong. Finals is ALSO fun to watch, but it is more a beauty contest between bands that are SO good that "to differentiate" is insulting.

 

SEMI-FINALS

 

Norton High School

Norton, OH

Repertoire: "The Tangled Web We Weave"

Comments: Strong, angled movement filled the first section of their show, with relatively together auxilary connection. Out of a tube prop comes a uniformed performer with a yellow flower prop, waving it around, and soon disappears through the tube. The high brass sections were not the strongest, but this is in contrast to a low brass squadron that knows their stuff, including a sousaphone solo that was really terrific. This product was direct, but perhaps too direct, to the point.

My Score: 72.30

My Placement: 31st

 

Forest Park Junior/Senior High School

Ferdinand, IN

Repertoire: "Magnum Opus," featuring Magnum Opus by Chad Gayso, Separabilia Elements by Chad Gayso, Lux Aurumque by Eric Whitacre and Philosophi Lapis by Chad Gayso

Comments: The new age pre-show music, coupled with a focal point stage really, really boosted this ensemble's professionalism. I was entranced by the hand-held geometric props the guard played with, lifting and spinning with both hands. The mellophones projected, even way out there in the back 30-40 range, but were a bit "off." Superior kaleidoscopic changes in uniform--from green to gold--and intricate tight movement on a tarp--a tarp that is soon flipped over to create flair. They drew first blood in emotion.

My Score: 73.90

My Placement: 30th

 

La Salle High School

Cincinnati, OH

Repertoire: "Reflections of a Hero," including 1 - The Villain, 2 - The Journey and 3 - The Hero; featuring music from Lost the Final Season, The Village and Red Cape Tango

Comments: Distorted mirror props twisted images of the guard. This band seemed to know their stuff, though timing was far from immaculate. I heard lots of harsh, repeated notes from the winds, which left me indifferent. The highlight of this show is perhaps the trumpet soloist costume change mid-solo, with assistance from the guard, and nifty visual elements going on--a soloist life off of the ground, and then the soloist dance. Suave!

My Score: 69.00

My Placement: 34th

 

Western High School

Russiaville, IN

Repertoire: "At the Water's Edge," featuring the music of Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel and Ralph Vaughan Williams

Comments: Wonderful building sounds, drifting in and out, collect the emotions. Western, way to display the grasp on the music, and so much so that stylistically it resonates big. The auxilary took beauty to the next level, their fabric, costumes, and overall coordination just a joy, and exiting through a path made by the marchers.

My Score: 74.50

My Placement: 27th

 

Bellevue West High School

Bellevue, NE

Repertoire: "Looking Back"

Comments: The narration coming from the speakers was not clear to me, but later on I got the sense that it was to remain secondary--the poetry spouting underneath the lofty musicianship. Marvelous interactions between the guard and the winds, dancing the day away. Rifle toss to splits, yes! Neon lighting is utilized to enhance the "love" theme of this show with a heart shape and even the skeletal structure of the snares in their central production. And here comes the bride down a path of bowing wind players, to meet the groom, to put an exclamation point on this. Lovely.

My Score: 77.00

My Placement: 23rd

 

Goshen High School

Goshen, IN

Repertoire: "Musica d'organo," featuring Coronation te Deum by Sir William Walton, Adagio for Strings and Organ by Tomaso Albinoni and Symphony No. 3 "Organ Symphony" by Camille Saint-Saens

Comments: The pipe organ prop mid-field was neat, and sounded like a real pipe organ, too. (I suppose it was a real pipe organ!) Great attention to detail from this group, especially visually. It took too long for the next "big thing" to happen, and when it did I was not invested in their ways, so...nothing. Too much follow-the-leader, curving, gradually transforming drill that was so-so. I wanted more; much more.

My Score: 70.20

My Placement: 33rd

 

Bridgewater-Raritan High School

Bridgewater, NJ

Repertoire: Music from Sheherazade by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Comments: I was glad to hear the subtle change in volume from playing to the back of the field to the front of the field; and when called for this group unleashed a mammoth sound. The toying with the rifles was excellent, though the bodies handling them could be more in line with the drill and costume--yes, costume. This was a solid show. I can't tell you much more except that they played their music well, and ensemble visual--it worked. Was this show exciting? Not particularly. Good show. Just...good show.

My Score: 75.20

My Placement: 25th

 

Nation Ford High School

Fort Mill, SC

Repertoire: "The New World," composed by Frank Sullivan

Comments: The countdown to lift-off with the rocket drill form created a memory, as did the interesting drill. These kids went for it! Relentless! It's "The New World" on crack! Way to shape, flautist. Curious djembe-type drums were attached to the snares, perhaps to make up for the fact they had no tenors or moving bass drummers. FANTASTIC show. I enjoyed their presentation. Everything clicked.

My Score: 81.10

My Placement: 18th

 

Ben Davis High School

Indianapolis, IN

Repertoire: "A Thin Line Between Love and Hate" by Don Barrett (BMI) Original COmposition

Comments: As much as I liked how they presented the flute soloist who sat on top of a lifted, moving platform, she sounded out of tune. The rifle line was average, with good technique but poor execution. This band aimed for great heights, but delivered partially. Certainly, how they made their visual moves come to life alerted. I really wanted to be left with a sense of "wow," but was far from it.

My Score: 75.90

My Placement: 24th

 

William Mason High School

Mason, OH

Repertoire: "This Land:

Comments: If there was an award for best costume design, this unit would win it. The animalistic expression from the winds, in combination with their super guard, OWNED. Way to fit the movement to the music, the section with double-tonguing trumpets, particularly. The end of their show with the "birth" of what looked like a real creature was sincerely breathtaking.

My Score: 88.50

My Placement: 12th

 

Franklin High School

Franklin, TN

Repertoire: "Incantation"

Comments: Spooky. That's what this show is. From the start. The visual coordination--phenomenal. The guard seemed to have a firm grip on their sabers, but I sensed struggle. Great, great breathing sound creating mystery in the "odd march" part. It's always great and rare to see such execution of guard work by the winds, essentially "sharing" rifle moves. As much as I loved how this show ended (with the draping fabric), I loved how it started more. The end left me a bit cold, quite honestly.

My Score: 88.80

My Placement: 11th

 

Ronald Reagan High School

San Antonio, TX

Repertoire: "Let it Shine," featuring selections from This Little Light of Mine, Daphnis and Chloe, 1000 Airplanes on the Roof, House of Silence and Aegean Festival Overture

Comments: I love the "To Cure a Weakling Child" vibe they have going on, except it's "This Little Light of Mine." (It COULD be a nod towards Aphex Twin.) Vertical line execution was shaky. The ball of green light on the uniforms were not quite uniform in placement and brightness. Ah ha ha! An ode to the old Reagan with the signature "plume trick" with a twist, contrasting old to new. Well done! Really stellar sound, I muse say.

My Score: 87.90

My Placement: 14th

 

Centerville High School

Centerville, OH

Repertoire: "With a Twist," featuring Don't Stop the Music by Rihanna/Jamie Cullum, Paranoid Android by Radiohead/Brad Meldau and Asphalt Cocktail by John Mackey

Comments: The epitome of cool, this band comes out with tuxedos with no jacket and bow ties untied. And, of course, this group does what they do best, which is jazz. Right away I'm hypnotized. Marvelous snare drum brushing with cymbal line "shoulder brushes"--stylin'! Some things could be much better aligned, like the finger snapping. Wow, flutes: that sound is perfection. Classy presentation! (I would expect nothing less from the Centerville Jazz Band!)

My Score: 84.80

My Placement: 16th

 

James Bowie High School

Austin, TX

Repertoire: "Stellae Errantes"

Comments: Geodesic dome structures on wheels, covered by tarp material the color of gaseous giants of the galaxy and with a little window to see out, are moved and turned by people inside. These kids flexed their great musicianship. Where was that concert horn coming from? Oh, there she is. (Highlight her, somehow, though...I do like how this is done later, to "draw the winds in.") The guard excellence was high, though flawed.

My Score: 89.20

My Placement: 10th

 

Marian Catholic High School

Chicago Heights, IL

Repertoire: "My Brother's Keeper," featuring "Saturn" and "Neptune" from the Planets by Gustav Holst, Apocalyptic Dreams by David Gillingham, Totus Tuus by Henryk Gorecki, and Music for Prague 1968 by Karel Husa

Comments: Linked forms emerged from a pod of winds--brilliant. The narrative from a voice the sounded Hebrew or European ends the introductory part of the show with, "We must become the messengers." What I love about this band is that their show design outweighs anything they do, so much so that a flawed or imperfect performance really has no bearing on them. The enticing sights and sounds and incredible demand and symbolic sparks propel them...PROPEL.

My Score: 92.90

My Placement: 5th

 

Greenwood Community High School

Greenwood, IN

Repertoire: "Nocturne," composed by Don Barrett and featuring I. Prelude/Acquainted with the Night, II. Hide and Seek, III. Beautiful Night and IV. Unearthly Light

Comments: Large diagonal tarps designed as cobblestone paths had lightpost props along the way. Spacing, guard, on that path--look for it. (So exposed!) I like that this group pushes themselves. They do not take the easy way out, even with the solos. Whoa! Did you see that high rifle toss in the middle of that tight block? I sure did. Drumline, way to keep things neat and clean. Awesome field coverage. Top job!

My Score: 80.40

My Placement: 19th

 

Center Grove High School

Greenwood, IN

Repertoire: "The Guardians: The Music of J.S. Bach," featuring Ave Maria, Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, Concerto for 2 Violins, Air on a G String and Fugue in G Minor

Comments: Ladders litter the field, descending in size from left side of the field to right, and one big one on side B. It doesn't get much better than CG's color guard, looking like clones with those white rifles. Ha! Way to put a spin on what would have been a typical ending, musicians; music plus motion! A sax player ran right into a judge, and the judge did well to sort of say, "Pardon me," allowing the saxophonist to recover. What great, complex use of those ladders. Exquisite art!

My Score: 91.00

My Placement: 7th

 

Avon High School

Avon, IN

Repertoire: "Feast or Famine"

Comments: The giant tadpole-like form is near perfect. Amazing brass impact; fair equipment handling. Whoo-hooooo! Danger! Danger! That form with many legs that winds the legs in like a spool bringing in the threads--fantastic! I really hate to include this, but there were major problems with the wireless mic on the vocal soloist in a key part of their show. However, because this is a band of pros they had no problems recovering (if you can call it "recovering"). One just has to see and hear ANY of their performers to know this. They finished strong; VERY strong.

My Score: 94.30

My Placement: 4th

 

Lafayette High School

Lafayette, LA

Repertoire: "Centaurs," featuring the music of Claude Debussy

Comments: Interpretation of the music via movement--not bad. When you do complex movement in vertical lines there is really little room for error. Aaaaaah! Get there, get there, vertical lines, get there. (Even later in the show the lines are not exact!) This group shined with the brass backfield feature. The brass get an A today. Unfortunately, not only is the guard hidden (backfield), but their skin-color flags and costumes look tres plain.

My Score: 74.00

My Placement: 29th

 

Kennesaw Mountain High School

Kennesaw, GA

Repertoire: "Deliver Me"

Comments: I cannot give enough praise to how this gang sets up their show, seamlessly combining the pre-recorded with the live. Dazzling lighted uniforms demand notice, but so does the great melodies and guard theatrics. Brilliant segueway from the salty to sweet, as evil laughter gives way to flute bliss and guard-wind crossed barriers. Ooh! A baritone player took a spill riiight before the baritone quartet he was part of, and recovered just in time. (What a pro!) Ah-maz-ing show!

My Score: 90.50

My Placement: 9th

 

Carmel High School

Carmel, IN

Repertoire: "What a Tangled Web We Weave"

Comments: Marvelous way to put the spotlight on the feature guard girl by an open space left open by the winds. No hesitation from these kids--musically and visually, they dominate. I am in awe of a rifle catch that is caught down low as a multiple ribbons of web get instantaneously created behind it. A majorette amazingly takes her wand of a baton and pulls out all the stops in an acrobatic, finesse-filled, routine that's breathtaking; BREATHTAKING! A winning show, no doubt.

My Score: 94.70

My Placement: 2nd

 

North Hardin High School

Radcliff, KY

Repertoire: "Venom," including the movements Awakening, Anticipation, Alluring, Annihilation and Arrival featuring music by Mozart, Beethoven, Shostakovich and Berlioz

Comments: Excellent presentation of the lead auxilary girl on the 50, winds. The middle pod of players lingers, I feel, visuals or no visuals. Let's go! Above average rifle work, rifles. The woodwinds and battery barely hold on to what the drum major has for them in the waltz section of their show. Wild death scenes emerge in the backfield with long strangs of white ribbon wrapping up wind players and guard members with flags choking them down. Nice, nice, nice.

My Score: 79.90

My Placement: 21st

 

Plymouth-Canton Educational Park

Canton, MI

Repertoire: "The Last Dance"

Comments: A soft-spoken woodwind sound is somewhat interrupted by drums, and then totally interrupted by brass and drums. Great tension! A guy with a rifle tosses it high and...YES! (Success!) Killer transitional moment as a huge silk is flown over the field crew, "killing" them, it seems. But, as things go, they all come back to life. Superior music! I like the electronic drum pad work. All right. This show was a fine show with few setbacks. I do think that the trumpet soloist at the end should stand taller, feet together.

My Score: 88.00

My Placement: 13th

 

Rockford High School

Rockford, MI

Repertoire: "Calls from the Masai Mara," by Frank Sullivan featuring The Gathering, Zebras in the Grasslands, Birds of the Plains and Cheetah: Hunt and Chase

Comments: Swaying animal tiki masks and the sounds of wildlife take over the field. The back and forth woodwind calls amongst the quiet brass is oh so right. Great burst of sound for the first statement, too. Fantastic "Africa" form, even if it was just for a bit. The multiple starts and stops, and stops (standstill) got tiring, and kind of threw a wrench in the gears of this band. (I speak of programming, not performers.) Scatter, and then yet another break, and then, as predicted, jazz running follow-the-leader drill. Rigid flow--too rigid. Not bad.

My Score: 74.20

My Placement: 28th

 

George Waltin High School

Marietta, GA

Repertoire: "by George," featuring the music of George Gershwin, Georges Bizet, George Michael and George Handel

Comments: A thick exclamation point form on the 50 is heightened by a nice rifle toss in the center of the dot. I like the call and response brass and woodwind play, including a rock solid company front by the brass. A mini sax is busted out for a Gershwin moment. When the beat kicks in for George Michael's "Freedom," and then the winds blow the house down, it's hard NOT to get goosebumps. Thought fair in demand, this show is easy to like and accept.

My Score: 78.00

My Placement: 22nd

 

Tarpon Springs High School

Tarpon Springs, FL

Repertoire: "Poisoned" - Movement 1: Evil Queen, Movement 2: Mirror, Mirror, Movement 3: Snow White, Movement 4: The Apple, Movement 5: Shattered

Comments: Let's just say the beginning of this show involves a black queen walking over the backs of wind players on their hands and knees, a long cape flowing behind her and blanketing the ones she leaves in the dust. Spectacular show. Yes, the woodwinds are moving when they're playing all that. This show is one you have to see live to appreciate--it takes the performing arts to a whole new level.

My Score: 94.40

My Placement: 3rd

 

Union High School

Tulsa, OK

Repertoire: "1987 in Retrospect"

Comments: A big park-and-play occupies the beginning part of their show with an on-the-money saber toss. Disorganized woodwind sound followed by intense brass RULES. The guard makes what they do look easy, and I know it is FAR from easy! (Outstanding job!) The Les Mis ballad complete with singing DM was awesome! Huge showing.

My Score: 92.10

My Placement: 6th

 

Lawrence Central High School

Indianapolis, IN

Repertoire: "Col Legno," featuring the Wooden Prince by Bela Bartok, Grohg Ballet by Aaron Copland, Pavane for a Dead Princess by Maurice Ravel and Proven Lands by Jonny Greenwood

Comments: The pre-show through introduction is epic, complete with "attached" guard by bamboo type poles and energy that knows no bounds. The guard are experts at what they do, catching and hopping around and spinning their bodies to the ground. What a balancing act, as a girl in the guard walks across raised wooden planks by her teammates, planks lowered as soon as she crosses them. Remarkable stuff, and I do mean all of it.

My Score: 90.90

My Placement: 8th

 

Broken Arrow High School

Broken Arrow, OK

Repertoire: "Surrender to Hope," including Darkness on the Edge, The Empty World, Ashes of War and Surrender to Hope

Comments: Oh my...ri-di-cu-lous. A smoke screen is created at the tunnel where the band enters. My jaw was dropped for most of their show, which tells an original story like no other. It's filled with wonder, with skirts of black used to hid, transform, and stage. This show is not for the faint of art.

My Score: 95.30

My Placement: 1st

 

Lake Central High School

St. John, IN

Repertoire: "The Hero With a Thousand Faces"

Comments: The trumpet entrance was not as spot on as I had hoped. The guard in white contrasted with their black flags, pretty evenly spread out on the field. Oh brass, those lines can't be crooked when you're turning that box form. Thought-provoking staging concept with outer reaches tarps on top of outer reaches tarps, coming forward, creating a "multiplying" effect. (Stages to more stages.) When these kids got in the groove, these kids got IN THE GROOVE. They had a mighty, mighty end to their product.

My Score: 83.00

My Placement: 17th

 

Bourbon County High School

Paris, KY

Repertoire: "The Eye of the Beholder"

Comments: With interesting shakos and painted faces that together make them look like Herman Munsters, these enthusiastic kids (of which there are few) make themselves "big." Wonderful special F/X with the electrocution scene. "I'll create a mate," says a female type Dr. Frankenstein who has a barrel full of body parts. (Sick, I know. But funny.) Yesss! Beat boxing! Truly, beauty is in the eye of the beholder as the already beautiful flute soloist turns into a beautiful...monster?

My Score: 74.90

My Placement: 26th

 

Jenison High School

Jenison, MI

Repertoire: "Joan: Visionary, Warrior, Martyr, Saint"

Comments: Nice. Within the pre-show, a shrouded figure runs through a path of winds, this after a well-blended string of pre-recorded and live music. Some sabers did not get caught as they should have in the down-the-line toss. Some trumpets wobbled. Now THERE'S that catch, sabers, right after that toss and fancy footwork. Sweet! This group was scrappy, but they got the job done. The part of the show everyone will remember, though, involves a girl getting burned at the stake--a visually stunning portrayal, yet transforming into an angelic martyr.

My Score: 80.00

My Placement: 20th

 

Walled Lake Central High School

Walled Lake, MI

Repertoire: "Valhalla"

Comments: My eyes were directed to a "swapped places" rifle catch. Excellent, soprano sax player! Whoa! How many times did those rifles spin in the air not long before the accelerando? A cylindrical piece of the icy landscape comes forward, and it becomes a sort of monolithic, idolized piece...a maypole of sorts that smokes and unleashes an axe-weilding woman.

My Score: 85.00

My Placement: 15th

 

Northmont High School

Northmont, OH

Repertoire: "Timepiece," featuring Clocks by Coldplay, Time by Pink Floyd, Timepiece by Cindy McTee and Con te Partiro by Quarantotto/Sartori

Comments: Pretty cool hands-of-clock drill move done that I've seen done before. Not a bad opening burst of sound, and now we slow things down a bit before things speed up again. I see a lot of flat feet out there, and a few timing issues. I have to endure a lot of notes that are out of tune and for quite a while, which, in terms of effect, overstays their welcome MOSTLY because there is no resolution. The flugel (or is it alto?) horn demonstrates excellence. Standard show.

My Score: 71.00

My Placement: 32nd

 

My Scores:

 

1) 95.30 - Broken Arrow

2) 94.70 - Carmel

3) 94.40 - Tarpon Springs

4) 94.30 - Avon

5) 92.90 - Marian Catholic

6) 92.10 - Union

7) 91.00 - Center Grove

8) 90.90 - Lawrence Central

9) 90.50 - Kennesaw Mountain

10) 89.20 - James Bowie

11) 88.80 - Franklin

12) 88.50 - William Mason

________________________________________

13) 88.00 - PCEP

14) 87.90 - Ronald Reagan

15) 85.00 - Walled Lake Central

16) 84.80 - Centerville

17) 83.00 - Lake Central

18) 81.10 - Nation Ford

19) 80.40 - Greenwood Community

20) 80.00 - Jenison

21) 79.90 - North Hardin

22) 78.00 - George Walton

23) 77.00 - Bellevue West

24) 75.90 - Ben Davis

25) 75.20 - Bridgewater-Raritan

26) 74.90 - Bourbon County

27) 74.50 - Western

28) 74.20 - Rockford

29) 74.00 - Lafayette

30) 73.90 - Forest Park

31) 72.30 - Norton

32) 71.00 - Northmont

33) 70.20 - Goshen

34) 69.00 - LaSalle

 

Actual Scores:

 

1) 95.35 - Carmel

2) 95.10 - Broken Arrow

3) 93.75 - James Bowie

4) 93.60 - Tarpon Springs

5) 93.40 - Avon

6) 91.95 - Marian Catholic

7) 89.90 - Kennesaw Mountain

8) 89.75 - William Mason

9) 89.60 - Ronald Reagan

10) 88.45 - Lawrence Central

11) 85.60 - PCEP

12) 85.40 - Center Grove

________________________________________

13) 85.25 - Union

14) 85.20 - Lake Central

15) 84.80 - Centerville

16) 83.95 - Ben Davis

17) 83.20 - Lafayette

18) 82.65 - Bridgewater-Raritan

19) 82.25 - Rockford

20) 81.60 - George Walton

21) 81.45 - Nation Ford

22) 81.20 - North Hardin

23) 80.40 - Greenwood Community

24) 80.10 - Franklin

25) 79.40 - Northmont

26) 78.50 - Bellevue West

27) 77.55 - Jenison

28) 77.10 - Goshen

29) 76.95 - Walled Lake Central

30) 75.45 - Bourbon County

31) 75.05 - Western

32) 73.10 - Forest Park

33) 72.25 - Norton

34) 70.20 - LaSalle

 

Analysis: I was fine with the bands that made it to finals. I was a little surprised Union didn't make it, but I was told they had some pulse problems for a portion of their show. And Franklin was ALWAYS a bubble band to me (and nothing more), although I did really like their product. All in all, it was a well fought semi-finals. Obviously, the judges and I had a difference of opinion on a lot of the groups in where they ended up, but that's the nature of the subjective beast. A lot of the knowledgeable folks sitting around me didn't think Kennesaw Mountain would make it to finals and thought Lawrence Central was a dud, but I had faith that these two bands would pull through. I'm not normally a Kennesaw or LC fan, but this year I became a fan of these bands for the first time. I thought both of these bands had really well-thought-out shows. Sure, they may have been sloppy execution-wise...but they were INTERESTING.

 

As for the Class Championships results, the only "whaaa-?" moment was Bowie getting 3rd in Class AAAA, and not Avon. Technical difficulties or no technical difficulties, I feel they should have placed 3rd.

 

But I knew that finals would be a new game, no matter what happened in semis.

 

Extensive FINALS review to come...

 

Alan Irons, PMP, PMI-ACP