BOA vs US Bands

[NTXBandFan]

What's the difference between US Bands and BOA?

There seems to be more posts about BOA competitions here.  I see some bands participate in both.  The bands I see doing that usually place well at US Bands events, but don't make finals at even the regional level for BOA.

[principalagent]

Different circuits with different priorities, scoring mechanisms, and judging standards. It's pretty indisputable that the best bands do BOA, and even the class champions of USSBA national events largely can't make semifinals at Grand Nationals and most definitely can't make finals.

 

Your observation that the bands that place well at US Bands can't make finals at BOA regionals is also correct. When they do, it's more often than not towards the bottom (see: Brazoswood this weekend at Conroe). But sometimes a BOA finals caliber band will go to a US Bands event for kicks or to fill out their schedule. It's honestly that US Bands is not worth discussing as much because all the powerhouses and best shows are in BOA, and of course UIL as well.

[BlackJesus]

Some strong band programs will go to US Bands every now and then but hardly ever do multiple or big powerhouses attend. Although I wouldn't be surprised to see more bands attend soon since every year the competition gets tougher and great band programs don't even make Finals at BOA contests.

[NTXBandFan]

  On 10/6/2015 at 4:34 AM, principalagent said:

Different circuits with different priorities, scoring mechanisms, and judging standards. It's pretty indisputable that the best bands do BOA, and even the class champions of USSBA national events largely can't make semifinals at Grand Nationals and most definitely can't make finals.

 

Your observation that the bands that place well at US Bands can't make finals at BOA regionals is also correct. When they do, it's more often than not towards the bottom (see: Brazoswood this weekend at Conroe). But sometimes a BOA finals caliber band will go to a US Bands event for kicks or to fill out their schedule. It's honestly that US Bands is not worth discussing as much because all the powerhouses and best shows are in BOA, and of course UIL as well.

Could you give some examples on the priorities, scoring and standards?

Is it more like a junior circuit to the BOA?  Would the BOA mid-tier bands, like Wakeland, TWCP, etc... dominate? How do they compare to the smaller local competitions?

[Xenon]

  On 10/6/2015 at 7:24 PM, NTXBandFan said:

Could you give some examples on the priorities, scoring and standards?

Is it more like a junior circuit to the BOA?  Would the BOA mid-tier bands, like Wakeland, TWCP, etc... dominate? How do they compare to the smaller local competitions?

Wagner from San Antonio (Judson ISD) was the 2012 USBands National Grand Champion.

[Bonelife]

  On 10/6/2015 at 9:55 PM, Xenon said:

Wagner from San Antonio (Judson ISD) was the 2012 USBands National Grand Champion.

Wow! That sounds like a lot Texas bands could go and take the championship. Wagner's great, but they didn't place in San Antonio finals that year. Does anyone know where they placed in prelims?