Review: BOA Grand Nats - Day 1

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IN APPRECIATION OF 30 YEARS OF POSITIVELY LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES...

 

Bands of America Grand National Championships

November 9-12, 2005

RCA Dome

Indianapolis, IN

 

The "Audition."

 

***DAY 1 PRELIMINARY COMPETITION***

 

Knox Community High School

Knox, IN

Repertoire: "High Voltage" including "Mvt. I Power Surge," "Mvt. II Power Failure" and "Mvt. III 'Battery' Powered" featuring music by Gary Gilroy and Key Poulan"

Comments: This band altered the look of the field by using tarps that "bent" the yard lines in the form of zig zags. Backdrops with trippy bending yard lines heading towards the roof was neat to look at. A moderate volume opening had one woodwind squeak. The trombones and to baritones played their music atop slow spinning wheel platforms. One clarinet player lost her balance after putting on the brakes. This group seemed to merely play through the notes in the ballad. Sop sax solo was tender. In the last movement, some of the wind players had trouble keeping up with the drum major. Guard had solid concept of sameness, despite some moves that were out of synch. Good going!

My Score: 63.40

My Placement: 30th

 

Normal Community High School

Normal, IL

Repertoire: "Pandora's Box" Key Poulan

Comments: Bass drummers set the beat by tapping their drums with fork-like brushes. The black walls on three sides of a four-sided structuce come crashing down with guard work inside. Some of the forms that mesh look very on target. I like, I like. Keep it up! "Revenge," "Envy," "Anger," and "Death" flags are worked, as the multi-trills come a-flying. Ugh, two trumpet solos in a row were marred big time. The winds did not seem to crescendo by the drum major's command in the last movement, and the saxes seemed to struggle staying in time. Super middle connector line bringing together two triangular forms end this commited production.

My Score: 62.70

My Placement: 33rd

 

Carroll High School

Dayton, OH

Repertoire: "Capella": an original composition by Andrew Markworth

Comments: A somber middle horn solo that turned bright was marvelous. I liked how this group starts and stops movement together. Those difficult starts and stops in sound to begin the second part of the show did not seem to click. Oh man, after that on the mark classical french horn song, the rest of the ensemble biffs up the "answer" attacts. Okay, we have some scatter drill to set up a form during the ending of the horn spot. Some of the rifles come down in place. The last drill move was a simple two vertical lines that squeezed a guard gal out the front, then both lines combined. This was quite a solid show. (On a side note, I liked the three-corner hats. You don't get to see those from a marching band too often.)

My Score: 61.10

My Placement: 36th

 

West Clermont Local School District

Cincinnati, OH

Repertoire: "Future Retro," "Stick Figures," "Drum Machine," "Acoustic Curves," and "The Harvester"

Comments: The auxiliary make a stage by surrounding a mellophone soloist with outstretched, thin pieces of white cloth. The trumpets had the tongues stuck in their horns. The electric guitarist, on the other hand, was leading this group with a super rhythm. Yeah, the whole pit knew what they were doing. This auxiliary seemed to have more physical balance than the wind players out there, and their jobs were tougher! There were mostly raggedy young men and women marching, it seemed. Oh yeah! I love the contraption the snare drummers strap into in which they are flipped upside down for some upside down snare playing! Crazy. Way to make your show marinate the mind. They made fine attempts at everything they engaged.

My Score: 58.40

My Placement: 42nd

 

Archbishop McNicholas High School

Cincinnati, OH

Repertoire: "Around the World in 10 Minutes" including "Dance of the Jesters," "Suite in F," "Night in Tunisia," "Estancia" and "America"

Comments: A backdrop with a world map that had dotted lines that seemed to imply travel was located in the rear of the field. This band had a solid footing on their show with very exact and in time notes. Marching technique was no bad, as white pants and blue stripes looked straight on the forward stride. The horns are grounded, and body movement that is jagged is demonstrated by the horn players with their hands and arms. The percussion feature was able, and I enjoyed the South American or African style masks that were flashed along with the flagwork done with the orange flags (again, by the horn players). Steady on those "America" (from "West Side Story") phrases, trumpets. Okay, logical show, but a tad more of the logic would be a plus. (For example, explain more thoroughly "where we are.")

My Score: 59.60

My Placement: 40th

 

Eastern High School

Middletown, KY

Repertoire: "The Pledge"

Comments: This band recites the Pledge of Allegience before their show, while a voiceover goes in depth in patriotism. An extra enthused tuba player recites the Pledge by himself above everyone else who finishes. This band starts their show with sense. Ooh, nice booming sound by the boomas, er, tubas. Forms were gelling left and right. That blind pass-through, and those rock hard swiveling triangle forms: controlled. Way to up the ante with a heartfelt balland, and then the hands on the heart to top it all off. Great job reaching your spot on time and snapping the trumpets up, trumpets. Some flashy stuff, along with some sounds that make your head bop, was carried out. A tarp that has the word "GOD" on it way layed out. I could barely read the tarp below it with the handwriting script. This band sold a strong show.

My Score: 75.30

My Placement: 19th

 

Ben Davis High School

Indianapolis, IN

Repertoire: "The Raven" featuring the music of Frank Sullivan and Miklos Rozsa including "Mvt. I Fate," "Mvt. II The Raven," "Mvt. III Lenore (Spellbound)" and "Mvt. IV Nevermore"

Comments: Purple drapes hugged the read sidelines and 0 yard lines. A rolling cage held some guard girls in black, and they waved their arms up and down. A vibrant clarinet solo accompanies a poetic voiceover. The slow stride-forward in the forms preceeding the final "give it to the crowd" sound seemed somewhat restrained. Ha ha, yeah! I love those flute and clarinet sweeps of notes upwards. The spacing was crazy even. Remarkable work. Brass, know, know, know when and how to bring those legs together (in the ballad.) Gorgeous work with that you play, certainly. The synth crescendo, with the battery making a full frontal assault, along with the body tilt of the wind players in the backfield, is special. Yeah, that was proper.

My Score: 80.30

My Placement: 9th

 

Center Grove High School

Greenwood, IN

Repertoire: "Conspiracy Theory" including excerpts from Sing Sing: "J. Edgar Hoover," "Goop," "Nightmare" and "The Hands of Fate Parts 1 and 2"

Comments: The huge file folder tarp with the word "Top Secret" (in red) and the FBI seal on it was a sight to see. "FBI" is repeated, as a funky beat is set by the pit and the snares. I love how the guard get in the act with the file folders, putting them away in huge file cabinets, and then bringing them back to dance with. Killer section by section rifle toss that is caught with the rifles tilted downward, followed by a gunshot sound. Perfections! I am savoring every bit of the ballad that features both single and double time marching, and constant sound that sizzles. Backwards marching is shaky. The "Keep it a Secret" samples are magnificent, as well as with what goes on with the drums, and the winds holding their horns like guns (and appear to be on the assault). Papers fly everywhere at the end of their show.

My Score: 84.80

My Placement: 5th

 

Centerville High School

Centerville, OH

Repertoire: "BLUESprint" including "Blue Light Red Light (Someone's There)" by Harry Connick Jr., and Ramsey McLean, "Second Draft" by Andrew Markworth, "Blue" by Joni Mitchell and "Sprint" by Andrew Markworth

Comments: Facing backfield in laid back poses were all the wind players except saxes. Right off the bat we get that slow, showy jazz sound. Precise movement comes not from a few, not from most, but from all. The woodwinds toy with what they are doing, which is great to see. They swing their instruments away with an intricate body move, then go back to the marching stuff. Great job, guys. Ugh! A bunch of vertical lines look like slop in the jazz run from side B to side A, and one rifle toss just does not make it to the hands in clockwork fashion. The ballad is juicy. Amped 'bone to start the next movement really takes advantage of the amplifier, and his unique sound stung. Clean up the drill, Centerville. The difficulty of the moves gets the jaws to job, and now they just need to step it up. They performed to their style to the extreme.

My Score: 82.60

My Placement: 7th

 

South Lyon High School

South Lyon, MI

Repertoire: "Pictures at an Exhibition" by Modesto Mussorgsky

Comments: I like how the auxiliary presents the three drum majors by "framing their heads with large picture frames. A full body size picture frame frames the trumpet soloist that brings alive this majestic show. Specks of dirt seemed to fly from the trumpet section sound, just specks. I did think highly of that leg extension and hop move they did, though. Several different colored banners were strewn across the field, as a genuine baritone did his thing atop a spool platform. The percussion had flair during their feature, and during one part of it the guard framed each of the snare drummers with a frame. Memorable, memorable. What's with the huge hole in the tuba section? The shoulder to shoulder company front was energized and absorbing. They had an all encompassing sound. Excellent. Old school, but excellent. This type of show is hard to make fresh, but they made a very strenuous attempt at it.

My Score: 66.00

My Placement: 26th

 

Brunswick High School

Brunswick, OH

Repertoire: "Road Trip" including "Internal Combustion" and "A Light Unto Darkness" by David Gillingham, "Pastime" by Jack Stamp, "U.F.O" and "Motown Metal" by Michael Daugherty

Comments: This show starts uncomfortably. Low reed sounds, followed by some harsh brass sounds, followed by some old time horn honks from the pit...you see what I am getting at? That clarinet and flute block does not seem to join in harmony. (Spin those lines at the right time.) Sign props up front indicate a city name and its population. The first two cities are Roswell and Oklahoma City. A small Dixie style band was background to a guard guy doing some flips across the field. I like the harsh vibrato style of playing, trombones. One of the 'bonists stalks the guard, the guard standing their ground with some above average sabre work. Some half-way decent drill wraps up the show, and the music pleases. Overall, not bad.

My Score: 64.00

My Placement: 28th

 

Reeths-Puffer High School

Muskegon, MI

Repertoire: "Africa: Ritual, Song and Celebration" including "Prelude from The White Witch Doctor" by Bernard Hermann, "Nowhere in Africa" by Niki Reiser and "Kumbalawe" by Dupere Rene

Comments: I wish those auxiliary intervals were more even up front. (Somebody step them off!) They start their show off by swinging around these ropes with strange devices attached that did some rattling. This show meanders a bit in the beginning, but seems to ignite near the end of the first movement with a noticeable crescendo and a collapsing triangular form. Way to go! I like the artistic touch on the shakos, with the zebra design and the crooked (plumeless) top. The circle dance was intact. The mesmerizing jazz run in front of the green and black twirling flags got the heart pounding a little harder. The swift, tight end of the show got my head nodding. Way to work this Africana theme.

My Score: 76.20

My Placement: 17th

 

Plymouth-Canton Educational Park

Canton, MI

Repertoire: "Performing Inside Out" featuring the music of Steve Reich, Michael Nyman, Christopher Rouse and Frank Ticheli including "Mvt. I Control," "Mvt. II Breath," "Mvt. III Tension," "Mvt. IV Chaos," "Mvt. V Release" and "Mvt. VI Structure"

Comments: Elaborate ramps of white between "hiding place" backdrops of greyish purple spruced up the rear field. A stark white tarp had an embracing pod of guard. Those on the edge of the tarp did a move to face inwards after facing outwards. I am thrilled with the music and motion coming right at me on this stage, the guard getting in place to spell "CONTROL" with the letters on their bodies. Now the whole field is utilized, the tarp reduced in size, bearing a swirling pastel design. That engulfing sound in the ballad rings for more than a couple of seconds. Nice. The tarp is folded yet again and again to let the drummers take over the front green section of the field, along with some sinister sounding brass that are clear in what they play. The chaotic dance moves are executed after monotonous dead ahead marching. This band boasts a unique style. Some of the forms expanded and contracted like an accordian. Even with the flaws, this show was charming.

My Score: 83.00

My Placement: 6th

 

Castle High School

Newburgh, IN

Repertoire: "Deja View - Four Points in Time" featuring music by Frank Sullivan

Comments: The two vertical lines up the 50 were not perfectly straight, now. Whoa! The drill is becoming non-stop amazing. I am fond of those very complex melodies at a low volume. It takes just as much, if not more skill to play soft than loud. A squeeze is put on a circle form as it shrinks when a lone of clarinets in a loop tighten their knot by going through the sideways-travelling horizontal line. The circle form, with rays of wind players on their knees is dazzling, and the sound is just paradise. Both sides of the field engage in spectacular music and marching, as the sousaphones, of all instruments, and the drumline, set their "phasers" on "kill." I was glad they did not end their show the way I thought they were going to end their show. (That would have been too easy.) A jingle or two later from the pit, and this group is stylin' with drill and drill forms that lock in all the right places.

My Score: 81.50

My Placement: 8th

 

Croatan High School

Newport, NC

Repertoire: "The Ladder of Success" by Frank Sullivan

Comments: 7 tall and 8 short lavender colored ladders take an inverted "V" shape on the field to stage the band. The recorder voiceover was barely audible. I head, "Ladder of Success," and that's about it. Excellent jazz run, stop, then high leg lift move, trumpets. If the voices from the speakerboxes were sharpened, then we might have the narrative effect going on. Ooh, one baritone player trips and falls hard marching a big step size backwards. Thank goodness he gets up quick and back into the swing of things. For this small band there is a lot of difficult, difficult drill moves. Musically, they are not as defined, but they did a marvel of a job moving. Still, I (and others) need to be more involved. Too much...disappointment. Nevertheless...shap style.

My Score: 71.90

My Placement: 23rd

 

Normal West High School

Normal, IL

Repertoire: "Metroplex" by Robert Sheldon, "My Funny Valentine" by Hart/Rogers and "Ride" by Samuel Hazo

Comments: A gradual bringing up of the horns is followed by an underwhelming sound, even though everyone is located at the very front of the field. Wow, my eyes are trailing here and there, as the music, and consequently, the motion, seems to reflect all the chaos of a city. The drum major does her thing with the alto horn, while another alto hornist (in uniform) sits on a stool and does her's. A traffic light on the field is mostly green (and sometimes changes to red), and stands in front of a hand designed backdrop of a cityscape. A lot of wavering sounds, and when they do a drill move that is one to stand up and take note up, that is wavering, too. Too bad. The 360-degree move and the powerhouse chord did not have the impact I expected, but it did succeed. All in all, I would say this show was a success.

My Score: 60.60

My Placement: 38th

 

Louisville Male High School

Louisville, KY

Repertoire: "Ayres of the Isle"

Comments: A door-bell-like sound echoed relentlessly in the pit. The guard, dressed in red, hold these long, medieval sytle axes. I appreciated what the pit was doing, with the dance club style sound and vocalization by the synth. Get the goose steps in line, goose steppers. Awesome sound, band. The "London Bridges Falling Down" tune magnified by the synth in a stuttering style stuttered its way to greatness. This group made a name for themselves with all the ambiguous drill moves. (They seemed to overdo it, like those neato but time and time again used head-tilting moves...head-tilting moves...head-tilting--okay!) What this group did was top notch. The clever arm extension with the ding dong ding dong moment, was fitting.

My Score: 78.40

My Placement: 11th

 

Gilbert High School

Gilbert, SC

Repertoire: "The Hypar Effect" by John Meehan

Comments: A silent drill move is fine, and then the sound comes...which is also fine. I was hoping the pit would not cover for the tough musical parts. Oh well. Some of the sections in this band, like the saxes, do a hefty thinking job getting their parts down pat. Ayala this band was not, but they did an okay job of borrowing Ayala's show from last year. (It is tough not to draw a comparison if you saw Ayala here last year). This band really needed a synthesizer instead of an electric guitar to make the percussion sound more bold. How come whenever I see a band do a stellar job at an all-original show, it is usually never quite as good the second time a around when it is done by a different band? I'm sorry, but it just ISN'T! This group played and marched their tails off, but it seemed too much of a lost cause. (Too bad, because this is a real fine marching band.)

My Score: 61.70

My Placement: 35th

 

William Mason High School

Mason, OH

Repertoire: "Sevens: Symbols, Colors and Groupings" featuring music by Samuel R. Hazo

Comments: A domino up and down motion by the wind players in curvy forms that extended the width of the field were done, as the pit repeated some rings. The mellophones were bright. Whoa, wailing mellos, whoooa! Ensemble marching far outweighed individual marching. I liked what this band had to offer, but they need to work on unifying moves. Feet were all over the place in the ballad, and I mean ALL over the place. (Saxes...guilty.) Top job on the double-tonguing. ( A little harsh, but...not bad.) Mellophones, there you go again. Splendid job. This show had some bite, but maybe too much bite.

My Score: 73.00

My Placement: 21st

 

Whitehall High School

Whitehall, PA

Repertoire: "CLUE" including "Thriller," "Mission Impossible," Music from "Psycho," "The Pink Panther," "Crimestoppers Medley" and "Secret Agent Man"

Comments: Multicolored backdrops with question marks were in the rear of the field, while a game board tarp with the word "Clue" in the center was in the middle of the field. The opening Michael Jackson favorite, "Thriller," was heightened by a pretty solid rotate of a triangle, followed by the theme from "Mission Impossible." This group ought to invest in a better sound system, or turn of the volume of the narrator in the pit. I like how the end of the word "Psycho" is accented ("Psych-O") to fit the all rhyming poetry. Okay, ha ha ha, who wrote this poetry? When high-stepping, trumpets, careful not to let the sound high-step, too. The guy in the trenchcoat who was narrating was quite a showman. (First a poet, now a...showman?) He cried, "1, 2, 3, 4!" and did a little dance with the guard. Outstanding. The band ends their show by collapsing onto the field, and then get up and shriek as they run off the field. Not the most professional of shows, but nevertheless, fun.

My Score: 60.20

My Placement: 39th

 

Mt. Juliet High School

Mt. Juliet, TN

Repertoire: "Reflections of Earth" by Gavin Greenaway

Comments: Interspersed between near holographic-looking cubic props were the wind players. The bottom-heavy bottom sound dragged them down. This is a show where you kind of have to be ahead of the DM. Way to straighten that curvy line before the halt, wind players! Auxiliary, mold those motions into one at the relaxed feature. I like how the "plumes" matched the props in style, cubic shaped in themselves. (Very snazzy.) What a great one-handed rifle catch by the guard that was! Hmmm, drumline outran the band at the end, it seemed. Either that or the band was the "tortoise." The very, very end of the show was strong, with the few bops in sound and in moves the legs out and in.

My Score: 59.00

My Placement: 41st

 

Norwell High School

Ossian, IN

Repertoire: "Circadian Rhythms" featuring the music of Jeff Beal, Thomas Newman, and Karl Jenkins

Comments: A gigantic digital clock matches the time on the stadium clock almost exactly. Lying flat on their backs is one section of wind players, while another section is down on one knee with the head down. A definition of "Circadian Rhythms" is given real quickly, and then this show comes to life. Some of the horn snaps seemed to be off. Not good. Those were some Slick and slender rifle moves, auxiliary. One flute player majorly forgot to halt when she was supposed to, and she was way up front. The narrator, who is live, seemed to be running through the motions with what she had to say. Oh, now that's nice. (One of the auxiliary is singing beautifully.) The amped accoustical guitar has a soothing sound to it. Heart beats are heard, as the large heart monitor light board behind the drum major is lit up in blue. Man, I hate to see a band with a great concept struggle, and they were really struggling near the end. Horn snaps were noticeably not together, and the music was lagging. This could, have, should have, would have been a great performance.

My Score: 76.40

My Placement: 16th

 

Metamora Township High School

Metamora, IL

Repertoire: "American Landscapes" by Craig Andrew Fitzpatrick including "Colonial Saturation," "Riverscape," and "Terian'acle Frontier"

Comments: Instruments were raised above the heads, and then the wind players dropped their instruments with their heads and gently swayed. Duh, duh, duh-duh-duh. The winds were right with the snare taps. Okay, percussion, don't overplay. The jazz run style was great, but form maintenance, form maintenance...needs to be there. Someone call for help on their individual marching technique. SOS! SOS! Okay, things seem more in the groove when the trumpets have one of their arms on the shoulder of a fellow trumpet player. This band sort of undersold the end of their show. Do not run out of air, all! Alright, a gallant effort was given.

My Score: 57.70

My Placement: 44th

 

Tippencanoe High School

Tipp City, OH

Repertoire: Music from "The Incredibles"

Comments: A vertical row of auxiliary were face down in the fetal position. The music sounded apprehensive, perhaps because the tempo was slower than you would expect from this kind of music? Okay, things seem to shift more towards uptempo near the end of that first segment. The color guard operated silver colored, scythe-blade-like props reasonably well. The bari sax dude appears to be playing the heck out of his bari sax, but...I don't hear him. For a long while, this band is motionless, with some on their feet and some down on one knee...but way too long. Trumpets, your feature before the mesh and the percussion feature was stylistically very strong. Congratulations. Mellophones, you don't even need me to write about how good you are. This band made a prompt, joyous gesture.

My Score: 61.00

My Placement: 37th

 

Lake Central High School

St. John, IN

Repertoire: "Phobias: The music of Bernard Hermann and Alfred Reed" including "The Man Who Knew Too Much," "Psycho," "Farenheit 451" and "Symphony for Brass and Percussion"

Comments: The narrator in the pit was one of the better "live" narrators this afternoon. Very sharp attention to detail, band. I am seeing a lot of first-rate drill moves. Good for them! And how was the stuff that was coming out of the horns? Just as good, especialy in terms of technical ability. Double blue flags are waved, while the wind players initiate a wavy, fluid movement. I did not know there was a phobia for metal and being seen. (I guess there is a phobia for everything!) I like it when a band can educate me! The guard is really flexing their muscles with the rifles and the sabres. Geez, their show really impressed. More dynamic fluff, and more drill challenges--especially near the end--would better enhance this machine. Superior job, folks.

My Score: 77.00

My Placement: 13th

 

Fairborn High School

Fairborn, OH

Repertoire: "Chronometry: The Science of Time" including "Grandfather Clock," "Hourglass" and "Stopwatch"

Comments: In an almost perfect circle were most of the wind players, the auxiliary acting as the big hand and little hand of a clock. The guard do a neat back and forth rifle flip while they push forward the hands, causing the clock form to disintegrate around. This opening first impression rocked. Now, can they keep it going? Mmmmm, scattershot sounds are coming from the trumpets. Bond, brothers, bond! The snares played bumper cars with each other for a sec, there. I see they are doing a lot of double-circle amoeba forms. Excellent on the clock flag handoff, guard. Flutes had a daunting challenge with those repeat notes. A Z-pull to help this finale really fly is accomplished. Way to do the job, band!

My Score: 63.50

My Placement: 29th

 

Broken Arrow Senior High School

Broken Arrow, OK

Repertoire: "2-4-6-0-1" Based on the musical "Les Miserables"

Comments: In grand showmanship, three uniformed members carry in a guard member, and then a smile hits my face as the pit in the backfield gets louder and louder and then fades away as the rest of the band drag themselves forth (as if wounded). I sat, stunned, as I saw music and motion go hand in hand, and utmost drama. The subtle electronica inserts were welcome. I felt more percussive pit sounds should have come forth (volume), especially since this band decided not to have a marching drumline. Ooh, yeah! The computer sound annihilates. (Give me some more of THAT.) This show was quite an experience! (NOT your typical Les Mis fare! In fact, very...alien). Gotta love that jazz run into a tight ball. (It is a wonder no one killed themselves.) "24601" spelled out in the drill...oh man. What a tearjerker show. The band crawling off the field, leaving a lone snare drummer in black with a guard girl. Very moving.

My Score: 88.40

My Placement: 3rd

 

Portage Central High School

Portage, MI

Repertoire: "Niagra Falls: Music of Michael Daugherty" including "Niagra Falls" and "Alligator Alley"

Comments: Each straight for was sharp in the beginning. No movement to move this show along? Okay, there we go now. Those were some hairy moves, brass block. That ultra leg extension seemed awkward, and was just pulled off. Yes, this band does "that lunge move" very well, along with a foot swivel move. Ooh, guard, get a firm grip on those sabres. I like how this group makes the big picture count when it needs to. One mesh, then another...nice. Reverse "Zingali Special" stopped mid-way...nice. Lining up the rhombus, that is cool. Lots of in and out on the streams of air. This group knows how to please.

My Score: 62.90

My Placement: 32nd

 

Daviess County High School

Owensboro, KY

Repertoire: "The Prophecy: A Soul's Journey"

Comments: Looking at this group, you might think they are "the red Lafayette," though with less members. (They even have the tents going, ha ha!) In all honesty, though, the uniforms are very spiffy. A lone baritone sets this group off. Ah yeeeah! I like how this group lets their sound ring for just enough time before they chime back in. I watched this group very, very pleasantly amazed. Focus is truly on the guard in the next movement, with flags and dresses flowing. This group had a complicated field show, but it did work. More backing in sound, uh perhaps a synth, would transform them ten-fold. They have all the right stuff. This band went all out, and NAILED it! Wow! What a job!

My Score: 76.70

My Placement: 15th

 

Fort Mill High School

Fort Mill, SC

Repertoire: "Piano Men"

Comments: The drum major at the helm signaled to his band to watch him, and it is no wonder why...because some of the notes, especially one of the trumpet ascensions, seemed rushed. Huge hot pink and orange flags were unexpectedly waved up front. Cute piano roll get the band to roll, too, visually. Excellent buzz roll, snares, to end the first movement. "Claire de Lune" was magnificently brought to the field. Ha ha! Touching moments--literally--when the wind players act like they are playing the piano on the sash of their partner (which is designed like a piano). This is one of those many tune "jukbox" shows that actually work.

My Score: 77.10

My Placement: 12th

 

Federal Hocking High School

Stewart, OH

Repertoire: "A Walk In The Park" including "Awakenings of the Park: A Nightingale Sang in Berkely Square," "Rumblings of the Park: Playground," "Concert in the Park: Attitude Dance" and "Romance in the Park: MacArthur Park"

Comments: A sax quartet subtlely enters, one of them--a girl dressed in a black business suit--seated This band is whispering. Now a drum cadence? (That was quite a change in pace.) The full wind player line rotate was ornate. I enjoyed the saxophone solo, but the late entrance of the other winds--most noticeably, the trumpets--ruined it for me. This show seemed to have ADD. "MacArthur Park," now? The theme may be the same, but the music did not quite seem to fit the pattern. I saw one marcher marching like a zombie. Bring the horns up to level, all. The snares looked like they were having a good time. This show was a task from start to finish, it seemed, but I must note that they at least finished it!

My Score: 54.10

My Placement: 45th

 

Clayton High School

Clayton, NC

Repertoire: "The Pursuit of Trivial Knowledge" including "Mvt. I Pursuit of Trivial Knowledge," "Mvt. II Playing the Game," "Mvt. III Copland A's" and "Mvt. IV Final Question"

Comments: A steady, repeat beat, and a nutty clarinet solo was in there. Haaa! The tops of each shako is a different color, and you can only see it when the marchers march direction of motion backfield. The guy near the synth is operating the sampler for the "Trivial" game show host narration with extreme care, and is in perfect synch. True, the narration could get distracting at times. (I rarely saw the keyboard synth touched.) However, this show had a knack for getting people interested in what was going on. Alright, this group is steaming near the end of their grand creation. Pinwheeling forms, followed by forms in the pursuit of "Trivial Pursuit" pieces was marvelous. This sure was an involving show.

My Score: 72.00

My Placement: 22nd

 

Adair County High School

Columbia, KY

Repertoire: "Evolutions" including "Mvt. I Rhythm," "Mvt. II Melody," "Mvt. III Dynamics" and "Mvt. IV Medea"

Comments: All the heads slowly drop down and snap up, the baritone soloist strongly showing off. Slow pinwheel forms are exact. Wow! These kids have their heads on straight. They act like they are one of the premiere small bands...and yes, they are! They have a full, defined sound. The low brass provides more than enough support, and the mellophones whip up a nice concoction of runs. The "L" shaped props that are upright or laying at an angle are combined to frame a flute soloist, and later a black and white sketch. Dang, sousies, even YOU do a note run! Auxiliary, clever use of those mini "L" props, I must note. Yyyyyo! Spectacular job, guys.

My Score: 76.90

My Placement: 14th

 

Northmont High School

Clayton, OH

Repertoire: "Ancient City Suites Parts I-IV" and "Piano Concerto No. 1 Mvt. III by Emerson, Lake & Palmer"

Comments: Spooky synth noises instill wonder. Hut outlines seem to be holders for many poles, which will no doubt play a part later in their feature. "Ohmmm!" is chanted by one, then by all. The contemplative body motions rule the field. A calm piano sound then comes in, and a beautifully amplified trumpet and concert french horn duet comes in. One of the highlights of this show is during the percussion feature, in which the wind players ground their instruments and do a paganistic dance with some green and brown colored poles. The choreography is pretty precise. Yay guard, yay. Excellent rifle repertoire, mastered. Hold those notes to the end, trumpts, and then some. This was a tough ship of a show to steer, but they steered it. Pristine, pristine.

My Score: 79.00

My Placement: 10th

 

Ronald Reagan High School

San Antonio, TX

Repertoire: "You Never Know" featuring "Profanation" by L. Bernstein, "Symphonic Metamorphosis" by P. Hindemith and original music by Aaron Guidry

Comments: What you won't see on the Grand Nats video is Reagan and their supremely sweet warm-up from start to finish that "finishes" within their show. You would think an epic were starting, and in a way, it was! I liked the synth part that slowed at just the right times. The person behind the madness is indeed human! Every note from the band was crystal clear. Guard, guard, guaaard, you are smokin' hot!!! I shook my head in disbelief numerous times. "But the lips are real bad" (I think?) from the movie, "Napolean Dynamite," is used as a sample, bringing spontaneity to this already "You Never Know" show. Indeed, you never know! Guard, the part where the field is "yours" is the only part I do not like. Positioning, and extra long sleeve motion (though innovative) seems to be "off" somewhat. Can you ace it? And could there be more of a drop off of sound near the end of the show before the ultra lovely crescendo(s)? Other than my special requests, this show makes you want to yell, "Okay, I give up!" They owned the RCA Dome.

My Score: 92.80

My Placement: 1st

 

Carmel High School

Carmel, IN

Repertoire: "Suspended Symbols" by Richard Saucedo

Comments: Reagan is a tough act to follow no matter WHO goes on after them, but before Carmel we had a 15 minute break...and then we had Carmel. We shall see. This should be quite a bash. The guard uses hanging ropes under pyramid scaffolding to climb on, hang on, and use as a swing. At the get-go, woodwind upper body movement is too much...they almost pump their arms when they move! (Keep it straight!) Also, I would like to see the front ensemble, despite the magnificence in music, more in action. Killer 50 yard line mesh moves, especially with that ugly-yet-pretty synthesizer sound setting the mood. Spacing, mellos, look for spacing. When the wind players get on both knees and wave their left hand in the air while they play, I am stoked. This show has "show-off" written all over it.

My Score: 90.50

My Placement: 2nd

 

Herscher High School

Herscher, IL

Repertoire: "Summer Dances" by Brian Balmages

Comments: A semi-DNA-twister move is executed by marchers through the guard vertically on the 50. Way, way sweet. This group has a firm handle on their music, though a few notes slip. Spacing and out-of-step-ness is prevalent when things slow down a bit. Splendid turn around and bullet of music, wind players. The guard does not endanger themselves enough. (You would think with "just flags" they'd be tossing them a bit more. More tosses, please!) The whiteness of the uniform pants reveals all. This group needs to tame their sound near the end. All that rushing around has got them breathless. They are an excellent basic display of excellence.

My Score: 64.90

My Placement: 27th

 

Greenwood High School

Bowling Green, KY

Repertoire: "Expressions in STEEL" including "Mvt. I The Crucible," "Mvt. II Tempering" and "Mvt. III The Forge"

Comments: The drifting first note was constant, and sent the wind players on their way. I like how the double rhombus forms (mirror-mirror) front and back straighten into a vertical rectangle. Neat jazz run with an industrial sound background made by the drummers banging hanging metal plates and objects. That moment of silence by the band shortly after went on and on, and it got to me. Keep the pace. Ha ha! I saw that mellos. I like the bell tones and the lifting of the body (on the toes) to signify each "ding." A "A Night at the Roxbury" head bop leads to an in-place intricate dance show, and seemed to come way out of left field. Of course, "Tap, tap, tap tap tap tap," from the drummers started it. Eeeeeeeh no. This good show might be a great show with better transitional moments. C'est la vie, though. Fine performance overall.

My Score: 69.80

My Placement: 24th

 

Kings High School

Kings Mill, OH

Repertoire: "Transmissions" by Scott Hickey including "Mvt. I CQ-CQ," "Mvt. II Cables," "Mvt. III Towers" and "Mvt. IV Circuitry"

Comments: This group has amongst the tallest props, with something that looks like an oil derrick with a blinking light on top. (It must be at least 40 feet high!) A highly robotic sounding synth diddy plays background to graceful motion by the windless wind players. This group does a fine job of playing out. Good. Highlight the solo snarist by reaching towards him works well. After a flautist flaunts her solo, she grounds her flute and starts conducting. The dissonant trumpet chord for a measure or two soon comes back as one. There's that catchy head-tilt move to make the plumes speak for themselves. The only thing of significant "oops" are the lunge movements at the start and the finish, which are not totally synchronized.

My Score: 75.00

My Placement: 20th

 

Francis Howell North High School

St. Charles, MO

Repertoire: "Night Riden' on da Riva" by Tom O'Conner, "Scootin' On Hardrock" by David Holsinger, "Take Five" by Paul Desmond and "Let's Get it Started" by the Black Eyed Peas

Comments: Cymbal taps in the pit within a kit gets some flavor from an electric guitar. Please tell me those late attacks were intentional (sensational?). Mesh to "S" flutes and clarinets looked well groomed. By the way, who was that girl in the pit what was doing the dance near the bass drums? Doesn't she have a pit toy to play with??? Juuust kidding. Actually, that little dance was pretty neato, and gave the sometimes stagnant section of the band some personality. This sleepy jazz sjow was chock full of great music and motion, including a trumpet screamer that screamed towards the BOA Grand National Championships banners backfield. I love it when the girl in the pit performs scratch. (A real DJ!) This group is great fun!

My Score: 75.80

My Placement: 18th

 

Norton High School

Norton, OH

Repertoire: "I Am..." including "I Am" by Andrew Boysen Jr., "Ninkou Latora" and "Heat of the Day" by Pat Metheny

Comments: A large uphill and downhill ramp was placed on the side B 45 yard line. "I" phrases, including, "I am a prisoner of time" and "I am creative" are recited by a pre-recorded male and female narrators. I see lots of shaky upper halves out there. A quint player rat-a-tat-tats on the highest pitched drum, and is soon joined by his comrades. Everyone else Time that music right. The relatively fine control and balance was obvious, and the ending was slow moving. An extra large "I Am" banner as the band sings, "IIIII aaaaam," to end it all.

My Score: 63.10

My Placement: 31st

 

Avon High School

Avon, OH

Repertoire: "Reflections" by Richard Saucedo including "Reflections of Form," "Reflections of Sound" and "Reflections of Light"

Comments: A swift moving flute section moves into focus, with some tight rhythms. Wowzers, nice flute and clari pass-through. Agh! Trumpets are sharp. (Flatten it out, gang.) Ick, another note butchering job by, yes, the trumpets. The mics are working some of the time for the woodwind trio on their silver boxes up front. I like the kinetictivity, though I cannot emphasize control enough, especially in terms of what exits the horn. one by one rifle toss commits! Awe, man! The synthesizer solo is ruined because of a poor electronics hook-up or SOMETHING. Bummer. Get this stuff sorted out beforehand so it never happens again. Sans the glitches, this was a well designed and pretty well performed show.

My Score: 58.00

My Placement: 43rd

 

Western Brown High School

Mt. Orab, OH

Repertoire: "A Tribute to America" including "Main Street America," "Amazing Grace," "Razzle Dazzle" and selections from "In Defense of Liberty"

Comments: A parade block form, with the school banner up front, approaches the front sideline. They throw down some hummable tunes. I am now reminiscing to the times I participated in the Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade in Huntington Beach, CA. Yikes! Be more confident on the step-off in the ballad. The mellophone soloist was a cut above the rest in her solo amongst the quartet which included other instruments. Please internalize the counts, guard. I see the guard is now playing pit instruments. (Versatile!) Excellent three-man pinwheel forms. This group could use more glitz--almost anything, really--to spice things up. Nice effort out there.

My Score: 48.00

My Placement: 46th

 

Lebanon High School

Lebanon, OH

Repertoire: "Persistence: Rhythm, Melody, and Arrows"

Comments: Two large rectangle forms of wind players on opposing sides of the field have their arms outstretched to the 50 yard line. The vertical lines then converge more and more, a sort of snowball effect. The multi-angle horn flashing suits the music well. This band forms lines well. The arrow props held so that they are pointed upwards are made with PVC pipe, it appears. I like the work done where one of the auxiliary is hoisted up above the rest of her gang while holding an "up" arrow. Some notes are cracked, and some spacing is cracked before we reach the drum show. Stick heights were pretty same. Good. The clapping section of the show, where one clap is done single time, and another is done double time, is effective, especially when the guard tosses their rifles down a line from backfield to front, and catch them all. A semi-strong com-pany front sings this show to the end. Fine finish.

My Score: 62.20

My Placement: 34th

 

Marian Catholic High School

Chicago Heights, IL

Repertoire: "Impressions in Black Granite" featuring music from Elliot Goldenthal's "Vietnam Oratorio"

Comments: Some uniform pants were black, some uniform pants were white. Now wouldn't it be something if the ones with black pants had white tops? Maybe...then again, maybe not. "Black" seems to be a major thematic element in this show. One of the guard acts as if she is rading one of the memorials in black "granite." The brass players make music by simply breathing out loud. The set point squad leader in the tuba section was just off...a tad. Freaky trombone parts, there. Wah-waaah! I am digging it. This show is floating on air. You have to put your thinking cap on when you watch this group. Chants, then taps by different battery personnel, then break and form form to bring it all back to peace of mind. Don't you WISH you had "peace of mind." This show was Way, way complicated. Eerie sounding vocals by the marchers are like something out of Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey." What a stark contrast between the mega-marchers and the grandiose stand-stillers. Lavish, lavish music and marching. This band is in a class all its own...they are almost "unjudgeable."

My Score: 87.00

My Placement: 4th

 

Lakeland High School, MI

White Lake, MI

Repertoire: "Superstitions" including "Breaking a Mirror," "'13'," "Don't Walk Under a Ladder," "Knock on Wood" and "Good Luck!" featuring music by Stevie Wonder and Scott Boerma including "Superstitions," "Fanfare for a Golden Sky" and "Silver"

Comments: Lined up on the front sideline and facing backfield is most of the marching ensemble. A lone snare drummer, trumpet, trombone, and later a sax all do the solo routine, and fare well. What looks like shards of glass are taken from a mammoth frame by the auxiliary and stood upright upfront. Watch the balance in sound before the end form, all. Trumpets popped out and back in with their tonality. Numbered flags are miraculously maneuvered, as part of the orange "skin" is shed on the fabric, leaving the same numbered flag only a different color, now yellow. Their sound was quite full, and varied, too. Ooh, great coordination with the wood clapper instruments, winds! More than just their uniforms sparkled. A huge white banner with a green clover on it covered the band, and just like that, their show was over, and just like that, Day 1 of Preliminary Competition for the Bands of America Grand National Championships was over.

My Score:

My Placement:

 

***END OF DAY 1 PRELIMINARY COMPETITION***

 

Here is how I see it thus far...

 

1. 92.80 Reagan H.S., TX

2. 90.50 Carmel H.S., IN

3. 88.40 Broken Arrow H.S., OK

4. 87.00 Marian Catholic H.S., IL

5. 84.80 Center Grove H.S., IN

6. 83.00 Plymouth Canton Educational Park, MI

7. 82.60 Centerville H.S., OH

8. 81.50 Castle H.S., IN

9. 80.30 Ben Davis H.S., IN

10. 79.00 Northmont H.S., OH

11. 78.40 Louisville Male H.S., KY

12. 77.10 Fort Mill H.S., NC

13. 77.00 Lake Central H.S., IN

14. 76.90 Adair County H.S., KY

15. 76.70 Daviess County H.S., KY

16. 76.40 Norwell H.S., IN

17. 76.20 Reeths-Puffer H.S., MI

18. 75.80 Francis Howell North H.S., MO

19. 75.30 Eastern H.S., KY

20. 75.00 Kings H.S., OH

21. 73.00 William Mason H.S., OH

22. 72.00 Clayton H.S., NC

23. 71.90 Croatan H.S., NC

24. 69.80 Greenwood H.S., KY

25. 68.40 Lakeland H.S., MI

26. 66.00 South Lyon H.S., MI

27. 64.90 Herscher H.S., IL

28. 64.00 Brunswick H.S., OH

29. 63.50 Fairborn H.S., OH

30. 63.40 Knox H.S., IN

31. 63.10 Norton H.S., OH

32. 62.90 Portage Central H.S., MI

33. 62.70 Normal Community H.S., IL

34. 62.20 Lebanon H.S., OH

35. 61.70 Gilbert H.S., SC

36. 61.10 Carroll H.S., OH

37. 61.00 Tippecanoe H.S., OH

38. 60.60 Normal West H.S., IL

39. 60.20 Whitehall H.S., PA

40. 59.60 Archbishop McNicholas H.S., OH

41. 59.00 Mt.Juliet H.S., TN

42. 58.40 West Clermont Local School District, OH

43. 58.00 Avon H.S., OH

44. 57.70 Metamora Township H.S., IL

45. 54.10 Federal Hocking H.S., OH

46. 48.00 Western Brown H.S., OH

 

...and Round 2 to start in a FEW!

 

Alan Irons

Fountain Valley High School Marching Band 1993-1996

Pacific Crest of Diamond Bar 1997

Nashua Spartans 1998-1999

UCSB Class of 2002