BOA Austin Regional - 9-27

[jmj]

Here is the schedule as of 9/5 for the BOA Austin Regional on 9/27.  This contest is absolutely stacked.  There are 26 bands on the schedule and I would say over half of them have a legitimate shot at being a finalist.

 

9:15 AM  - Cuero HS - Cuero, TX

9;30 AM  - Westwood HS - Austin, TX

9:45 AM  - Cinco Ranch HS - Katy, TX

10:00 AM - John B. Connally HS - Austin, TX

10:15 AM - Vandegrift HS - Austin, TX

10:30 AM - Hendrickson HS - Pflugerville, TX

10:45 AM - Aledo HS - Aledo, TX

11:00AM - Cedar Park HS - Cedar Park, TX

LUNCH

12:00 PM - Ronald Reagan HS - San Antonio, TX

12:15 PM - Vista Ridge HS - Cedar Park, TX

12:30 PM - Leander HS - Leander, TX

12:45 PM - Pflugerville HS - Pflugerville, TX

1:00 PM - Earl Warren HS - San Antonio, TX

1:15 PM - Anderson HS - Austin, TX

1:30 PM - Cedar Ridge HS - Round Rock, TX

1:45 PM - Westlake HS - Austin, TX

2:00 PM - Sandra Day O'Connor HS - Helotes, TX

BREAK

2:45 PM - Lehman HS - Kyle, TX

3:00 PM - Dripping Springs HS - Dripping Springs, TX

3:15 PM - Round Rock HS - Round Rock, TX

3:30 PM - James E. Taylor HS - Katy, TX

3:45 PM - McCallum HS - Austin, TX

4:00 PM - Wakeland HS - Frisco, TX

4:15 PM - East View HS - Georgetown, TX

4:30 PM - James Bowie HS - Austin, TX

 

[knoxisawesome348]

Other than San Antonio and maybe Indianapolis or Atlanta, I would call this the most competitive BOA regional. 

[knoxisawesome348]

Finals placements are so incredibly difficult to predict for this regional. There are 5 grand national finalists attending that have made it since 2010 + vandegrift (would have also made it last year imo), westlake, leander, and some others.

 

My finalist predictions in order:

 

1) James Bowie - They're consistently the strongest group early on and beat every one of these bands at SA last year. Their tendency to be clean right out of the gate makes me believe that they'll win Austin again this year.

 

2) Round Rock - Almost winning both performance captions in GN semi-finals last year bodes well, but I'm not sure if that'll translate to an early season win. They certainly have the potential, but they were the definition of late-peaking last year so I think they'll slide in at 2nd and perhaps snag a caption.

 

3) Cedar Ridge - 5th in GN semi-finals last year also bodes well for this group. They placed 8th at BOA Austin last year but 3rd at Conroe (+music cap.) so I'm not sure how they'll do. They're one of the top groups in Texas for music performance in my opinion but they also peaked late last year. They improve enormous amounts each season and I think that trend will continue. (Nearly positive they'll win BOA SoCal.)

 

4) Vandegrift - Last year was Vandegrift's year for sure. Music at SA and 4A state champion, Vandegrift's only issue now is their director change. Of course they may place higher, and could even win, but it all depends how clean they are by this point. They typically are pretty strong at the start of the season compared to some of these other groups.

 

5) Cedar Park - They're already looking better than last year, and last year they still did very well. They have the potential to steal class AAA away from Vandegrift.

 

6) Westlake - They made SA finals and placed 6th at Austin last year as well. I think they'll do decently well, but could potentially fall below bands like Reagan or Leander.

 

7) Ronald Reagan - Their 7th place finish at Conroe last year makes me think they'll have  a slow start again. By San Antonio they'll probably be as strong as ever, but Austin is a very early regional.

 

8) Leander - I've seen some videos from their show and I really enjoy it. They're using the same music that Avon did last year in their opener, and being the first band out of finals at SA last year, I think they're going to place pretty well.

 

9) Anderson - They placed 7th last year at Austin above Cedar Ridge, so they have the capability to do some damage.

 

10) Vista Ridge - Their bronze medal at UIL last year makes me think that they'll squeak in at #10. Of course, this spot could easily go to a number of other groups.

 

Other potential finalists:

- Pflugerville

- Wakeland

- Southwest

- Hendrickson

- James E. Taylor

- Connally

[Xenon]

This is going to be an extremely tough regional. The big question is going to be the fact that it is so early in the season. Most shows probably won't go much (if at all) past their ballad, most body work won't be in, many props won't exist yet, etc. But every band will be excited and still give it everything they have.

 

6 of these bands have been BOA Grand National Finalists before.

[XMenAlum]

I'm excited too! I do find it interesting that you neglected to include Hendrickson or Dripping Springs on your finals list. Both groups have tremendous histories of success and I think you'll be surprised... But we'll just have to wait and see I guess

[DMD14]

It's going to be a tough competition. I can't wait to see Cedar Ridge and Round Rock Highschool placements Saturday.

 

I watched one of Round Rocks practices the other day and it was pretty scary looking at how many people they are marching. Very loud no doubt, although i'm not sure i'm feeling the disney theme they've been doing lately. I can't imagine how hard it is to clean their drill with 200+ marchers.

 

And Cedar Ridge, wow. They just added props on the field, (I am very uncertain what they are supposed to be though..) but it sure is interesting. With minor drill problems they look really good in the standings. They sure proved themselves last year, I hope they do it again.

 

Can't wait to see these 2 Grand Nationals Finalist groups perform. Goodluck to them both!

[scoobydoo]

The Disney theme in the beginning sounds great. It lasts for about a minute then quickly goes  into the Wind and the Lion. The ballad is Polovtsian dances. Guard work is great, especially in the ballad, just beautiful. Looking forward to BOA Austin. Looks like the weather is going to be good this year, unlike last.

[Jellyfishes]

.

[jupiter15]

  On 9/16/2014 at 11:46 PM, knoxisawesome348 said:

Finals placements are so incredibly difficult to predict for this regional. There are 5 grand national finalists attending that have made it since 2010 + vandegrift (would have also made it last year imo), westlake, leander, and some others.

 

My finalist predictions in order:

 

1) James Bowie - They're consistently the strongest group early on and beat every one of these bands at SA last year. Their tendency to be clean right out of the gate makes me believe that they'll win Austin again this year.

 

2) Round Rock - Almost winning both performance captions in GN semi-finals last year bodes well, but I'm not sure if that'll translate to an early season win. They certainly have the potential, but they were the definition of late-peaking last year so I think they'll slide in at 2nd and perhaps snag a caption.

 

3) Cedar Ridge - 5th in GN semi-finals last year also bodes well for this group. They placed 8th at BOA Austin last year but 3rd at Conroe (+music cap.) so I'm not sure how they'll do. They're one of the top groups in Texas for music performance in my opinion but they also peaked late last year. They improve enormous amounts each season and I think that trend will continue. (Nearly positive they'll win BOA SoCal.)

 

4) Vandegrift - Last year was Vandegrift's year for sure. Music at SA and 4A state champion, Vandegrift's only issue now is their director change. Of course they may place higher, and could even win, but it all depends how clean they are by this point. They typically are pretty strong at the start of the season compared to some of these other groups.

 

5) Cedar Park - They're already looking better than last year, and last year they still did very well. They have the potential to steal class AAA away from Vandegrift.

 

6) Westlake - They made SA finals and placed 6th at Austin last year as well. I think they'll do decently well, but could potentially fall below bands like Reagan or Leander.

 

7) Ronald Reagan - Their 7th place finish at Conroe last year makes me think they'll have  a slow start again. By San Antonio they'll probably be as strong as ever, but Austin is a very early regional.

 

8) Leander - I've seen some videos from their show and I really enjoy it. They're using the same music that Avon did last year in their opener, and being the first band out of finals at SA last year, I think they're going to place pretty well.

 

9) Anderson - They placed 7th last year at Austin above Cedar Ridge, so they have the capability to do some damage.

 

10) Vista Ridge - Their bronze medal at UIL last year makes me think that they'll squeak in at #10. Of course, this spot could easily go to a number of other groups.

 

Other potential finalists:

- Pflugerville

- Wakeland

- Southwest

- Hendrickson

- James E. Taylor

- Connally

Don't count out Dripping Springs. Mr. Lancaster always has a strong bunch

[Jellyfishes]

.

[Lynn]

honestly Leander was so fast and furious + clean on top of it I thought they were amazing. I do wish Cedar Ridge would have done a bit better I think they are a late blooming band though

 

this was a very tight competition

[yungmellophone]

  On 9/28/2014 at 3:56 AM, MusicalClarinet said:

Suprised by Leander. Not bashing them, but I prefered Round Rock and Reagan wayyyy more.

I was surprised by how well they performed. Stunning from all finalists, but Leander's impact is in another level this year.

[XMenAlum]

If you read my earlier comment I mentioned that despite what many people her thought, Dripping Springs and Hendrickson could make finals... And they did. Super impressed with them

[Fned88]

I did not attend however I'm a little suprised Westlake did not make finals.

[Jellyfishes]

.

[jmj]

Just a few brief thoughts on yesterday's amazing day of marching...

 

-The performance level was so high for it to not even be October yet!  I am so excited to see where these shows go over the next month.

 

-Bowie - Utterly breathtaking dynamic control from all sections. Battery played with great lightness and finesse.  They were just getting started with Rite of Spring when the show ended, so I am eagerly anticipating the conclusion on this one.

 

-Leander - INTENSITY.  Bold sounds, super fast marching and a guard that is integrated beautifully and showed off their skills with both rifles and flags.  They have such intense competition even within their own district, let alone everyone else - huge congrats to them on an amazing show.

 

Round Rock - They are soooo huge! They just grab you from the start and take you on that magic carpet ride of fun!

 

Ronald Reagan - Loved this! Wonderful playing on Satie's Gymnopedie. I think by the end of this season it will be absolutely stunning once they add the final movement and resolve some timing issues in the ballad.  Their marching fundamentals just knock my socks off!  The next time you watch Reagan just take some time to appreciate how wonderful their marching is.

 

Cedar Park - There is a sforzando forte-piano crescendoing chord in the Mozart shortly before the ballad that is just a thing of beauty!  The bell playing by the winds in the ballad is just gorgeous.

 

Cedar Rige - I am not at all familiar with their music, but I absolutely found it compelling.  I love all of the stretch visuals and forms that expand and contract to convey the theme.  The singing integrates beautifully with the great sounds in the winds.

 

Hendrickson - My favorite show of the day!  Their Bolero was just lovely.  And, I like how the show came back and around to Bolero at the end and featured all that lovely dissonance that Ravel uses in the final measures with the band coming right at us with that intense sound.  The guard is great and their orange dresses really pop!  The soloist battle between the flute and clarinet was just an incredible joy to watch!!!  The entire clarinet section in particular sounded so good on the Capriccio Espagnol! 

[Pear]

It's crazy that many of these great bands would have won the other BOA Regional competitions with the scores from last night's finals. The level of excellence in this state is amazing! 

[alyglad87]

  On 9/16/2014 at 11:46 PM, knoxisawesome348 said:

Finals placements are so incredibly difficult to predict for this regional. There are 5 grand national finalists attending that have made it since 2010 + vandegrift (would have also made it last year imo), westlake, leander, and some others.

 

My finalist predictions in order:

 

1) James Bowie - They're consistently the strongest group early on and beat every one of these bands at SA last year. Their tendency to be clean right out of the gate makes me believe that they'll win Austin again this year.

 

2) Round Rock - Almost winning both performance captions in GN semi-finals last year bodes well, but I'm not sure if that'll translate to an early season win. They certainly have the potential, but they were the definition of late-peaking last year so I think they'll slide in at 2nd and perhaps snag a caption.

 

3) Cedar Ridge - 5th in GN semi-finals last year also bodes well for this group. They placed 8th at BOA Austin last year but 3rd at Conroe (+music cap.) so I'm not sure how they'll do. They're one of the top groups in Texas for music performance in my opinion but they also peaked late last year. They improve enormous amounts each season and I think that trend will continue. (Nearly positive they'll win BOA SoCal.)

 

4) Vandegrift - Last year was Vandegrift's year for sure. Music at SA and 4A state champion, Vandegrift's only issue now is their director change. Of course they may place higher, and could even win, but it all depends how clean they are by this point. They typically are pretty strong at the start of the season compared to some of these other groups.

 

5) Cedar Park - They're already looking better than last year, and last year they still did very well. They have the potential to steal class AAA away from Vandegrift.

 

6) Westlake - They made SA finals and placed 6th at Austin last year as well. I think they'll do decently well, but could potentially fall below bands like Reagan or Leander.

 

7) Ronald Reagan - Their 7th place finish at Conroe last year makes me think they'll have a slow start again. By San Antonio they'll probably be as strong as ever, but Austin is a very early regional.

 

8) Leander - I've seen some videos from their show and I really enjoy it. They're using the same music that Avon did last year in their opener, and being the first band out of finals at SA last year, I think they're going to place pretty well.

 

9) Anderson - They placed 7th last year at Austin above Cedar Ridge, so they have the capability to do some damage.

 

10) Vista Ridge - Their bronze medal at UIL last year makes me think that they'll squeak in at #10. Of course, this spot could easily go to a number of other groups.

 

Other potential finalists:

- Pflugerville

- Wakeland

- Southwest

- Hendrickson

- James E. Taylor

- Connally

[alyglad87]

Correction.

[Pear]

  On 10/19/2014 at 4:00 PM, alyglad87 said:

Just a slight correction.. Cedar Ridge placed 11th at GN last year. Marcus took 5th.

They were referring the the Semi-Finals run where Cedar Ridge actually placed 5th. In finals, however, they did fall down to 11th like you said.