Rankings on HORNRANK.COM

[TWHSParent]

A shirt would be good. I'd wear one too.

[TWHSParent]

Is there some sort of coordinated effort to bash HornRank here and the MFA forum? If so, why? I don't understand the angst when someone (or some website) doesn't agree with you. I find it to be a great resource, and have for the last couple of years. In my view - keep up the good work!

[Nny14]

  On 10/11/2017 at 8:14 PM, TWHSParent said:

 

Is there some sort of coordinated effort to bash HornRank here and the MFA forum? If so, why? I don't understand the angst when someone (or some website) doesn't agree with you. I find it to be a great resource, and have for the last couple of years. In my view - keep up the good work!

Just different opinions. While I don't always agree with the ranking system the format for scores is a godsend. I don't even look at the mfa recaps anymore.

[Bonertrom]

I love this activity to death, it's one of my biggest passions, but one has to remind themselves that it really is just.......Marching Band...... The whole reason marching band has such a hold on my life is because it's fun, to say the least, and part of that fun is the competition. In fact that's what got me hooked. I don't really see anything wrong with sites like hornrank putting the "competition" into perspective, it's all part of the fun. As long as you take whatever anyone says with a grain of salt there really isn't any problem. I feel like a lot of what I love about this activity is forgotten though, in forums and comment sections like this, people just need to remember the fun involved with the art. I really don't think there's anything wrong with hornrank, but the day we turn marching band into football is the day we loose the soul of this activity.

[Rubisco]

  On 10/11/2017 at 1:22 AM, Jackson1 said:

 

Now that is just breathless silliness Rubisco. Your Woodlands did great on Conroe. The show should be great by the time it gets to SA and Nats. I am pulling for them.

Oh, my sides! Actually, my comment suggested nothing of the sort, but I suppose I wouldn’t expect strong reading skills from an abecedarian.

[Jackson1]

LOL!!! Glad to have you back. You may want to spell check next time though. Peace.

[Rubisco]

<3

[LeanderMomma]

  On 10/12/2017 at 2:44 AM, Bonertrom said:

I love this activity to death, it's one of my biggest passions, but one has to remind themselves that it really is just.......Marching Band.

That's heresy I tell ya! It is not simply just marching band...it is EVERYTHING!

 

But alas, what more can we expect from a self proclaimed bone head.

[MadisonBandMan1]

  On 10/12/2017 at 3:34 AM, LeanderMomma said:

That's heresy I tell ya! It is not simply just marching band...it is EVERYTHING!

 

But alas, what more can we expect from a self proclaimed bone head.

Hey, that's insulting to us trombone players. lol no. As they all say, BAND IS LIFE!!!

[Rubisco]

Well, now that that’s out of the way, let me rephrase and elaborate on what I said in a way that’s a little less snarky.

 

The truth is that HornRank is largely the outgrowth of people’s inherent desire to know how their programs “stack up” against others around the country. Obvious, yes? In some ways, it’s sort of a balm for those kids who ask about their own programs on discussion forums each season with annoying regularity. HornRank is done in a way that is very appealing and has a sort of sophistication to it, no doubt, but there’s nothing particularly convoluted or magical about how the rankings are determined. The people who are polled to create the rankings are experienced fans who see the same shows that everyone else sees, although sometimes earlier than others see them. Perhaps the main difference is that HornRank allows these experienced and (mostly) objective viewers to “let their hair down”. That is, they can be brutally honest in a way that many of them might not be in a public forum. (As for me, I’ll never be accused of “keeping my hair up” on forums. I can’t count the number of times I’ve made people and directors apoplectic with rage!) Anyway, it’s all a combination of personal opinions about these bands’ likely season trajectories mixed with the hard realities of these bands’ performances at contests. What it isn’t is something to get worked up over (“Why is band A ranked higher than band B?! What’s wrong with these people?!”) or something to enshrine as some sort of objective truth (“Contest A has more bands in the top 30 on HornRank than contest B, so contest A is more difficult!) At the end of the day, it’s simply a fun diversion.

[Rubisco]

Oh, and as far as high school is concerned, I graduated from Westfield decades ago. Because where else would the Michi Kakutani of band thrive than in the old region 9?

 

“A weird woman who seems to feel the need to alternately praise and spank.”

 

-Salman Rushdie

[takigan]

  On 10/12/2017 at 6:17 AM, Rubisco said:

Oh, and as far as high school is concerned, I graduated from Westfield decades ago. Because where else would the Michi Kakutani of band thrive than in the old region 9?

 

 

 

[principalagent]

  On 10/12/2017 at 6:17 AM, Rubisco said:

Oh, and as far as high school is concerned, I graduated from Westfield decades ago. Because where else would the Michi Kakutani of band thrive than in the old region 9?

 

“A weird woman who seems to feel the need to alternately praise and spank.”

 

-Salman Rushdie

10/10

[CTJBandPops]

all that said - I still want a Horn Rank  Shirt - keep up the great work!!!

[justabandkid94]

LMAO........... I live for this s***.

[justabandkid94]

If you think Rubisco is biased to the Woodlands, you're forgetting him or weren't here in 2013. Which was 100% deserved.

 

Truthfully, I think this over-the-top debate over band rankings was all in Jeremiah's plan. Probably just laughing at everyone from his computer, to be honest. Lol

 

What's that joker quote from The Dark Knight? "it's all.... part...... of the plan"

[justabandkid94]

I can die happy the day Broken Arrow decides to attend San Antonio

[CTJBandPops]

while some see no value in the HornRank national rankings - they remain a highlight of my season - for those that may never make it to GNats, they mean alot

 

this weeks results that impact the top 10 as I see it - welcome your thoughts

 

 #2           FlowerMound                  1^stover Hebron                 PEMI - Non-BOA              

 #3           CTJohnson                     1^stat Midland                    BOA Regional     - 90.20

 #4           Hebron                            2^nd to FloMo                     PEMI - Non-BOA

 #7           Vandegrift                        2^ndi n TMC to RR             TMC - Non-BOA –88.23

 #9           Reagan                           1^st over Vgrift                    TMC - Non-BOA – 88.63

 

San Antonio will be a huge show this year (yes we say that every year)

[JC18]

Speaking of HornRank (love the name being a horn player myself, btw), are the podcasts coming back? I listened to the GNats one last year and the two this year and was sad to see them not be updated

[IndyTarHeel]

  On 10/1/2017 at 5:46 PM, JeremiahW said:

The judges' responsibility is to rank the best bands at Grand Nats. It's our responsibility to rank the best bands in the nation. Unfortunately, because many of the best bands in the nation don't attend Grand Nats, those two aren't identical.

 

As someone who saw every single band in the rankings in person at least twice last season (I think Christopher Drake is the only other person in the world who can say that), there are three bands who would have beaten Carmel at Grand Nats. And the numbers management that produced would have likely given Avon the higher score as well.

 

That is pure supposition. There is no support for that statement. You have no idea how the band would have performed under pressure at that event. Each show is different, each competition is different; a great band may have a great run at prelims and then turn around and not perform as well in finals. So, to say that three bands that didn't attend Grand Nationals would have beaten Carmel or Avon (I believe last season was a tie and should have remained that way), is speculation only.

[Drum major]

  On 10/16/2017 at 6:49 PM, IndyTarHeel said:

That is pure supposition. There is no support for that statement. You have no idea how the band would have performed under pressure at that event. Each show is different, each competition is different; a great band may have a great run at prelims and then turn around and not perform as well in finals. So, to say that three bands that didn't attend Grand Nationals would have beaten Carmel or Avon (I believe last season was a tie and should have remained that way), is speculation only.

 

Couldn’t agree more.  When Round Rock went to Grand Nats the first time and received  4^th place– some  negative comments that came out  “IF “so and so band” was there – they would have beat them.    SMH….All you can say is  …. YOU WILL NEVER KNOW, NOW WILL YOU?   All the “what if’s” were just “Charlie Brown” wha wha wha wha - doesn’t make a hill of beans if you band doesn’t go. .  The chips fall where they fall and nothing should be taken away from a band that does well for whatever reason – it may be their best run ever. Many bands peak at Nationals - espcially Texas Bands.  To a major degree,Judging is subjective – if they like you… they like you

[Rubisco]

  On 10/16/2017 at 6:49 PM, IndyTarHeel said:

That is pure supposition. There is no support for that statement. You have no idea how the band would have performed under pressure at that event. Each show is different, each competition is different; a great band may have a great run at prelims and then turn around and not perform as well in finals. So, to say that three bands that didn't attend Grand Nationals would have beaten Carmel or Avon (I believe last season was a tie and should have remained that way), is speculation only.

Obviously you’re responding to a particular part of Jeremiah’s post, but to address the broader issue of HornRank vs. Nationals:

 

I would agree with what you’ve said if the HornRank rankings were meant to be Grand Nationals predictions, but that’s not exactly what they are, despite considerable overlap. If Grand Nationals is the Oscars of the band world, then HornRank is more like the critics’ Sight and Sound poll that the British Film Institute does every year. It’s feasible that the group that comes out on top in one might not come out on top in the other. The opinions of the people polled for HornRank may not even match the placements of the groups that went to Nationals. Certainly, if I were polled last year, I would have had Avon ahead of Carmel, despite the fact that Carmel was named the National Champion. So, while a Grand Nationals prediction based on HornRank would be speculative, I would prefer to view HornRank as its own thing.

[IndyTarHeel]

  On 10/16/2017 at 10:51 PM, Rubisco said:

Obviously you’re responding to a particular part of Jeremiah’s post, but to address the broader issue of HornRank vs. Nationals:

 

I would agree with what you’ve said if the HornRank rankings were meant to be Grand Nationals predictions, but that’s not exactly what they are, despite considerable overlap. If Grand Nationals is the Oscars of the band world, then HornRank is more like the critics’ Sight and Sound poll that the British Film Institute does every year. It’s feasible that the group that comes out on top in one might not come out on top in the other. The opinions of the people polled for HornRank may not even match the placements of the groups that went to Nationals. Certainly, if I were polled last year, I would have had Avon ahead of Carmel, despite the fact that Carmel was named the National Champion. So, while a Grand Nationals prediction based on HornRank would be speculative, I would prefer to view HornRank as its own thing.

 

Polls are great for fans to gobble up and use to prop up whatever activity they cheer for. I have no issue with that. I have an issue for anyone to make statements that can not be proven or statements based purely on opinion. For example, I consider Jordan the greatest to ever play the game. I base my opinion on his accomplishments along with personal observation of his play. Well, individuals who are my senior can argue for Bill Russell, Oscar Robinson, Kareem, Bird, etc. Individuals younger than me can argue LBJ is the greatest. It is all subjective with some facts thrown in to make it look better. But, there really isn't any way to make that call. Same goes for the Bulls would be Golden State or Mayweather is greater than Ali. Just no way to prove the point. HornRank is nice but stating one band is better than another when there is zero head to head match is available is a reach. Too many variables.

[Rubisco]

  On 10/17/2017 at 7:12 PM, IndyTarHeel said:

Just no way to prove the point. HornRank is nice but stating one band is better than another when there is zero head to head match is available is a reach. Too many variables.

Eh. I don’t think it’s possible to “prove” anything in band. At the end of the day, HornRank is just a collection of opinions. Grand Nationals Championship placements are also simply the result of a collection of opinions. And I don’t think people need to have the judges make up their opinions for them. Last year I certainly didn’t need judges to determine that I thought Broken Arrow was better than Avon and Carmel. The people at HornRank apparently felt the same.

[beowulf]

CTJ just won their 2nd BOA title, has won every contest by huge margins, has swept every caption. Became the first and only BOA band in the country to break 90 so far this season. 

 

Hornrank dropped them two spots.