Grand Nationals 2018???

[Rubisco]

I haven't seen ANYTHING since prelims at SA. I'll watch the top half of GN finals tonight. Based on the last performances I saw of the groups at GN, I would predict Carmel for the championship. Pure elegance, once again. But, things have probably changed since then... or maybe not. Tarpon Springs might actually be in first going into finals; we don't know, since they're in a different class. I think Tarpon's show this year is among their very best, but, like all of their shows, I'm kept at a distance by the content. Tarpon's shows always seem a bit adolescent to me. Like, they're designed by a very talented teenage boy. I think it's great for the kids, because they get to perform shows that they connect with, but as a grown-up spectator, it's a little less appealing. Love Blue Springs. Not a huge of Broken Arrow's show, for reasons I've already discussed. But, it wouldn't be surprising to see them surge back in finals. A lot of people like the show more than I do!

 

Oh, and congrats to Prosper! Not at all surprising!

 

But Marian Catholic... uh, yeah. There's a surprise. I would have expected them to miss finals for the first time on a year that a lot of TX groups attended. But nope. It's on a "weak" year.

[Rubisco]

If Carmel gets their third Eagle in a row tonight, and fifth Eagle (!) overall, I'll be pretty tempted to call them the most successful band in marching arts history. (I am already tempted to call them that, in fact.) Sure, Marian has more wins and more finals placements, but Carmel has been in finals since the 90s and is succeeding wondrously in a MUCH more competitive era. Most of Marian's wins were in the 80s and 90s, back when GN was more of a Midwest championship. Actually, I'd probably have Avon up there, too. Top three every year since 2007, until maybe this year. Plus three wins a row '08-10.

[Hard Core Band Fan]

There is a huge difference in the quality of GN finals bands this year, especially in the bottom half. It is very likely that not one of the bottom six would make finals in San Antonio.

[LKendrick]

I wasn’t there, but that seems by FAR the best run they had all year, they really left it out there. That opening fanfare was fantastic on Flo. Prosper did Team Texas proud this year. Congrats again!!!

[LeanderMomma]

Wow. Prosper BROUGHT it tonight!

[Bandwoww]

Prosper brought that Texas sound!!! And looked so good! I could genuinely feel the emotions in their playing! So good!

[Rudedog34]

Hey TEXAS...

 

WEAREPROSPER!!

[JustBelieve]

Weareprosper!!!!!! Absolutely amazing

[bandboyo2018]

To all the people who doubted prosper from the start of this year, I hope y'all have a change of heart. They absolutely left it all on the field and were the best they have ever been. I would never doubt prosper again.

[principalagent]

BLUE SPRINGS!!!!!!

 

PLEASE COME BACK TO TEXAS STAT!!

[LostChoirGuy]

Prosper will have some tough challenges still ahead with the only school in the district splitting soon while they are still growing at such a huge rate, but this season brings great hope for the future of their program (and probably the new school, too).

 

I hadnt seen blue springs until just now and I LOVED it! Now that is a vocalist who felt liked they belonged on the field.

[josephbandfan]

Blue Springs' show didn't really do it for me earlier in the season but they just completely won me over. 

[justabandkid94]

Have been really out of the loop from a national standpoint this year. 

 

Seeing lots of talk about Blue Springs vs. Carmel. Is Tarpon in the hunt too? Remember seeing a pretty impressive early video but don't know much otherwise. 

[JustBelieve]

  On 11/11/2018 at 2:35 AM, bandboyo2018 said:

 

To all the people who doubted prosper from the start of this year, I hope y'all have a change of heart. They absolutely left it all on the field and were the best they have ever been. I would never doubt prosper again.

And they have had a none stop week also.lack of sleep some being sick. Those kids truly gave their absolute all.. No matter the doubt from so many.. They showed what one texas band can bring.. The truly are royalty this year!!! In my book the won!!! Just from watching every night since August at practice.

[makebeats]

blue springs is ridiculous. I would not be shocked to see them top tarpon springs or even carmel tonight

[LiciaMommycott]

I’ve only been watching Marching band for 4 years so I’m no judge of things but I’m not liking all the digital screens Tarpon had. I think it totally distracts from the band and is way too over the top. I hope another band wins. Blue Springs and Avon were awesome. I missed Prosper because we were on a college tour.

[GeekyBandMom]

Blue Springs is even better in person. Peels your face off in the right places and makes you swoon in the others. Really, those kids nail it in every way. I will not be surprised to see them very high placed tonight.

[Samuel Culper]

I've never seen a band with digital screens on the field and don't want to.

[JustBelieve]

Congrats to all the bands!! Been fun being here this last few days. Thanks.

[Rubisco]

Yeah, I know, my standards are extremely high, but honestly I wasn't a huge fan of the top 6 this year. Carmel's show is a slow-burn at first, but the ballad to the end is amazing, and leaves a very good impression. I just wish it had more ENERGY. Tarpon Springs had a great performance, and brought some much needed energy to the contest, but I don't care for the show. Too much stuff on the field. (I don't even want to know how much it cost!) Broken Arrow had an excellent, all-around performance, but the show is an update to something I've seen 100 times before. Loved Blue Springs, but the music performance -- and actually, despite the visual caption win in semis, the visual performance -- left a bit to be desired for me. I did get some nice Eagle-chills from the ballad. Great singer! Avon's show was pleasant, and very cute, but it very much lacked the polish I'm used to seeing from them. They should be looking outside of the top 3 this year for the first time since 2006. Guard was absolutely fantastic, though! Wando was a pleasant surprise. I really, really enjoyed this show, despite the incessant narration. I might have them above Avon, actually, but I don't think that'll happen. The multi-cam shots revealed a bit of a struggle at the field level.

 

So, who'll win? Honestly, I don't know, and I don't really care. I'd go with Carmel, but I don't feel strongly about it. I just wasn't WOWED this year.

 

And you know what, despite my expectation that I was going to like the shows at Nationals better than the ones at San Antonio, I'm left thinking San Antonio was stronger at the top. And obviously stronger at the bottom. So, go Texas, I guess!

[Rubisco]

Ahhh. So happy for Propser! Getting their National Finalist medals. That's a great feeling, I bet.

[FaultLineBlues]

Wow, another Carmel sweep.

[justabandkid94]

Yawn

[principalagent]

Carmel's margin though 

[ChristopherRoden]

  On 11/11/2018 at 5:18 AM, justabandkid94 said:

 

Yawn

Same, when is Grand Nats going to be shifted to TX?!