BOA Grand Nationals 2015 - Texas Bands Going?

[Jellyfishes]

  On 4/11/2015 at 3:09 AM, principalagent said:

As for GN, I'm thinking its going to be four Texas bands in finals (but I would love, love, love to be wrong on that).

And if 3 Texas bands made finals? Technically you'd be wrong, which you would love(-:

 

Hahahahaha I'm joking

[principalagent]

So Bell pulled out of Nationals and won't be at San Antonio either.

[Hard Core Band Fan]

  On 4/22/2015 at 10:05 PM, principalagent said:

So Bell pulled out of Nationals and won't be at San Antonio either.

Really? Why?

[principalagent]

  On 4/22/2015 at 10:19 PM, Hard Core Band Fan said:

Really? Why?

 

I don't know why, but that's what the BOA website says for both the Atlanta Super Regional (which precludes San Antonio) and Grand Nationals.

[LKendrick]

Either they have a nationals conflict or perhaps want to go to somewhere they could be a little more competitive (not an insult I promise)?  Just speculation on my part.  

[principalagent]

Rumor now has it that Cedar Ridge is out too, although still yet to be publicly confirmed.

[scoobydoo]

Cedar Ridge's head band director is leaving. There is a job posting for it. Apparently they were informed at a band booster meeting that they were not going to GN. On  the Cedar Ridge band FB page there are some comments about if from some really unhappy parents.

[Hard Core Band Fan]

  On 4/25/2015 at 5:40 PM, scoobydoo said:

Cedar Ridge's head band director is leaving. There is a job posting for it. Apparently they were informed at a band booster meeting that they were not going to GN. On  the Cedar Ridge band FB page there are some comments about if from some really unhappy parents.

That's too bad. I was looking forward to seeing them there again. That still leaves us with 5 Texas bands going this year.

[principalagent]

On a brighter note, Keller's (and a couple of other band's) chances of making finals just shot way up over the past week.

[Xenon]

  On 4/22/2015 at 10:57 PM, principalagent said:

I don't know why, but that's what the BOA website says for both the Atlanta Super Regional (which precludes San Antonio) and Grand Nationals.

One thing to note is that it will be significantly cheaper to have the only big trip of the year be to Atlanta instead of to both SA and GN (Indy).

 

And they haven't been to Atlanta before, so it will be a unique experience while also saving money.

[Hard Core Band Fan]

  On 5/2/2015 at 2:19 PM, Xenon said:

One thing to note is that it will be significantly cheaper to have the only big trip of the year be to Atlanta instead of to both SA and GN (Indy).

 

And they haven't been to Atlanta before, so it will be a unique experience while also saving money.

 

I think they'll do great there and look forward to seeing them perform in Atlanta. I'm sure they will make Texas proud as usual. Everyone going for the GN finals will be poking the hornets nest this year, probably worse than ever before. It will be fun for the fans, but tough on the participants.

[Pear]

Hey though this is not in 2015 I wanted to give you guys some knowledge that I think you will look forward to.

 

Leander has made it known to its students and parents that they will be attending Grand Nats in 2016 after (Hopefully) a very successful State UIL year in 2015.  

 

Though it is not this next year it is still very exciting!

[HighSchoolBandNerd212]

  On 5/13/2015 at 5:05 AM, Pear said:

Hey though this is not in 2015 I wanted to give you guys some knowledge that I think you will look forward to.

 

Leander has made it known to its students and parents that they will be attending Grand Nats in 2016 after (Hopefully) a very successful State UIL year tin 2015.

 

Though it is not this next year it is still very exciting!

2016 might also be another UIL State year for Leander (as well as Vista Ridge and Vandegrift) if they move up to 6A (which will probably happen).

That would be a unique experience for Leander to go to the UIL 6A State Marching Contest (pending area advancement) and Grand Nationals in the same marching season.

[Jellyfishes]

.

[principalagent]

  On 5/14/2015 at 2:26 AM, HighSchoolBandNerd212 said:

2016 might also be another UIL State year for Leander (as well as Vista Ridge and Vandegrift) if they move up to 6A (which will probably happen).

That would be a unique experience for Leander to go to the UIL 6A State Marching Contest and Grand Nationals in the same marching season, both for the first time (this sounds somewhat like Flower Mound in 2014)!

 

Leander is both a former Grand National (1999) and 5A(6A) State finalist (1996, 2000).

[HighSchoolBandNerd212]

  On 5/14/2015 at 4:45 AM, principalagent said:

Leander is both a former Grand National (1999) and 5A(6A) State finalist (1996, 2000).

I stand corrected. Thank you for pointing that out.

 

Though I do believe Leander has the potential to make both UIL 6A State and Grand Nationals, should they choose to attend the latter and moved up to 6A by then.

[itsstephenyo]

Um, holy crap Hebron is going to Nats? Looks like I'll also be flying up to Indianapolis in November! I've always wanted to go and what better time to go than when my alma mater makes its first Nats appearance!

[txsmiley]

  On 3/14/2015 at 6:03 AM, aslan73 said:

Hmm, you sure? The upcoming state for Texas is in 2016, every 2 years- even numbered years. And as more bands tend to go on non-state years as it is more convenient, we'll more likely be seeing more from Texas go this year than last. And I've heard 2 different answers to this, can anyone actually for-sure confirm Hebron is going to Grand Nats? I've heard different things....so just want to be clear. 

Hebron will definitely be at Grand Nats.

[Hard Core Band Fan]

  On 6/11/2015 at 3:17 AM, txsmiley said:

Hebron will definitely be at Grand Nats.

 

Yep, txsmiley is correct. If you need further proof, go to their website and look on their calendar for November 11-15th (http://www.hebronband.org/p/calendar.html).

[Hard Core Band Fan]

Anyone have any new information or any predictions to make? The GN's are just 7 weeks away!

[LKendrick]

Brief video I saw of Hebron a few weeks ago was very nice.  Regardless, you can definitely bet on them being in the running for at least the music caption.  If they can have a show that comes together in every aspect, they could potentially do VERY well.  Really liked their drill.  

 

Round Rock, know nothing about.  Interested to see how they do this weekend.

 

The Woodlands will be The Woodlands.  Huge moments, incredibly hard visually program.  Comes down to all the elements combined.  They can probably compete for a title most years, just depends on the show.  

 

I'm almost sure all three will be in finals.  I'd bet on it.

 

Keller and Keller Central.  Two programs that I'd consider pretty close to eachother.  Keller had a really good season last year, show was really nice.  Little I've seen of this year seems in the same vein.  HUGE guard that will give some massive field coverage.  Solid musical performance as well.  I think they'll at least be in the conversation for finals.

 

Haven't seen Keller Central, could probably echo a lot of what I said about Keller.

 

I think we have 3 REALLY good bands going, that with the right show could really do some damage.  And two potential finalists depending on their shows.  Think they definitely have the talent.  

[Hard Core Band Fan]

  On 9/25/2015 at 9:40 PM, LKendrick said:

Brief video I saw of Hebron a few weeks ago was very nice. Regardless, you can definitely bet on them being in the running for at least the music caption. If they can have a show that comes together in every aspect, they could potentially do VERY well. Really liked their drill.

 

Round Rock, know nothing about. Interested to see how they do this weekend.

 

The Woodlands will be The Woodlands. Huge moments, incredibly hard visually program. Comes down to all the elements combined. They can probably compete for a title most years, just depends on the show.

 

I'm almost sure all three will be in finals. I'd bet on it.

 

Keller and Keller Central. Two programs that I'd consider pretty close to eachother. Keller had a really good season last year, show was really nice. Little I've seen of this year seems in the same vein. HUGE guard that will give some massive field coverage. Solid musical performance as well. I think they'll at least be in the conversation for finals.

 

Haven't seen Keller Central, could probably echo a lot of what I said about Keller.

 

I think we have 3 REALLY good bands going, that with the right show could really do some damage. And two potential finalists depending on their shows. Think they definitely have the talent.

Yes, quite a mystery with Round Rock. Their varsity band has had only one public performance this season and is having their 2nd tonight. Someone who was at a recent rehearsal said it was shaping up nicely. I guess we'll find out tomorrow at BOA Austin!

[That one drum major]

I'm not so sure about other bands around the state, but it is known that 3 (possibly 4) bands from LISD will be attending GN in 2016. It would be amazing to see TWHS, CRJ, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Vandegrift, Leander, Vista Ridge, and Hebron compete with Avon, Marion Catholic, Broken arrow, and maybe Tarpon all compete on the same stage. I'd assume with competition that strong, some of the best bands in the country wouldn't even make finals. Would be the most competitive GN yet for sure.

[principalagent]

Which three? I know Leander and Vista Ridge are basically confirmed because they're both alerting their 8th grade parents, but who else is confirmed?

 

Also, this will be the most competition that 3A has seen since before 4A. Because Harrison is likely not to go next year, depending on how Franklin does this year, I wouldn't be too shocked to see a LISD sweep of 3A.

[LHSax]

It's interesting that the two "confirmed" bands, Leander and VR, are the ones most likely to move to 6A next year and would therefore have to deal with the burden of doing both uil state and grand nationals. Its do-able, but I would think the bands likely staying at 5a would go next year, followed by the 6a the next year. But next year does seem like it will be the peak of this era for these bands, with the opening of the new high school putting a slight dip in numbers.