2019 BOA San Antonio

[Nny14]

Haha I feel like I hear this every year about Carmel and every year its the same result. It may not be everyone's cup of tea but lets not act like they'll be easy to beat.

[TWHSParent]

Watch them at Indy Super - that will be a strong indication of where they are and where the judges see their show.

[josephbandfan]

I personally like their show. Some parts may be a bit boring but their show kind of sucks me in. Would really like to see what it looks like right now.

[LeanderMomma]

Carmel will be top 3 no doubt. Probably will win. They seem untouchable to me anymore.

[LostChoirGuy]

Honestly I kind of hate their show. That might be a bit harsh, but I just really don't like it. Doesn't mean they aren't still getting those "nuances" that Carmel is famous for that will likely lead to success, but I don't enjoy watching a show like that very much. I know it is just because of bias of preference and there is a good reason I am not a judge.

 

I find a show like Reagan's so much more exciting and enjoyable where the whole performance seems centered around the fact that it's a marching band (an incredibly talented one, yes, but still a marching band) and not an acting troupe or Broadway show put on a football field.

 

This coming from someone who frequently performs in plays and musical theatre.

 

I will say that color guard is on another level up there and it is written so well into their design compared to texas groups. They didnt seem to lose a beat without Rosie Queen.

[Samuel Culper]

  On 10/11/2019 at 3:43 AM, LostChoirGuy said:

Honestly I kind of hate their show. That might be a bit harsh, but I just really don't like it. Doesn't mean they aren't still getting those "nuances" that Carmel is famous for that will likely lead to success, but I don't enjoy watching a show like that very much. I know it is just because of bias of preference and there is a good reason I am not a judge.

 

I find a show like Reagan's so much more exciting and enjoyable where the whole performance seems centered around the fact that it's a marching band (an incredibly talented one, yes, but still a marching band) and not an acting troupe or Broadway show put on a football field.

 

This coming from someone who frequently performs in plays and musical theatre.

 

I will say that color guard is on another level up there and it is written so well into their design compared to texas groups. They didnt seem to lose a beat without Rosie Queen.

I'm pretty much right there with you.

 

I'll summarize by saying that I hope a Texas band doesn't have to do a show like Carmel's to win the Eagle. Because, if so, that means BOA judges have become too invested in one style.

[CTJBandPops]

  On 10/11/2019 at 3:53 AM, Samuel Culper said:

I'm pretty much right there with you.

 

I'll summarize by saying that I hope a Texas band doesn't have to do a show like Carmel's to win the Eagle. Because, if so, that means BOA judges have become too invested in one style.

I agree - I think that the Texas flavor will come through in November - I hope the judges reward it - with this many Texas 6A schools in attendance I think there is a chance that #teamtexas can pull them down a notch or two 

[BandGuy2]

How do you guys view prosper going into this competition? I have a friend in the band and they said they only performed 3/5th of their show at BOA Dallas and they’re adding 2 more. I really hope they shock people with those last 2 movements because I’m hoping for the best transition possible for them with new directors I think?

[Majellan]

  On 10/10/2019 at 7:53 PM, SATXBandDad said:

Don’t count out CTJ just yet.

I’d never count out CTJ, I realized I was starting to bog down when I started listing schools that are in the hunt and have great shows this year, there are many.. Last year was kind of meh for me, probably because of all the rain and less practice time as a result. The only two shows I can say I loved last year were Vista Ridge and Reagan.

 

This year is an entirely different story. I was astounded with the potential of the top 5 bands at Dallas this year and after watching shows of central Texas bands the innovation is off the hook this year. I have been partial to Leander’s show for non DFW bands this year until I saw a video of Reagan’s Houston show which was just spot on. I haven’t seen CTJ’s show yet for this year, but I’m sure they’ll be great. Personally, I think CTJ is great, they get pummeled a lot in comments because they raise

[SATXBandDad]

  On 10/11/2019 at 12:47 PM, Majellan said:

I’d never count out CTJ, I realized I was starting to bog down when I started listing schools that are in the hunt and have great shows this year, there are many.. Last year was kind of meh for me, probably because of all the rain and less practice time as a result. The only two shows I can say I loved last year were Vista Ridge and Reagan.

 

This year is an entirely different story. I was astounded with the potential of the top 5 bands at Dallas this year and after watching shows of central Texas bands the innovation is off the hook this year. I have been partial to Leander’s show for non DFW bands this year until I saw a video of Reagan’s Houston show which was just spot on. I haven’t seen CTJ’s show yet for this year, but I’m sure they’ll be great. Personally, I think CTJ is great, they get pummeled a lot in comments because they raise

Oh no worries. I wasn’t offended. CTJ has made some awesome changes/additions and I believe their next step is building a nest for the Eagle! I kid of course but they are going to be a strong contender. Their music is powerful and their show is so fun! Makes me wish I was young again so I could march a CTJ show just once.

[LeanderMomma]

  On 10/11/2019 at 3:56 PM, SATXBandDad said:

Oh no worries. I wasn’t offended. CTJ has made some awesome changes/additions and I believe their next step is building a nest for the Eagle! I kid of course but they are going to be a strong contender. Their music is powerful and their show is so fun! Makes me wish I was young again so I could march a CTJ show just once.

 

Right?  How fun would it be to march a CTJ, Leander, Broken Arrow or Tarpon Springs show just once?!  Those are my four favorites in the "fun band" category. 

 

I have several categories for my favorite bands, btw.   

[CTJBandPops]

  On 10/11/2019 at 5:16 PM, LeanderMomma said:

Right?  How fun would it be to march a CTJ, Leander, Broken Arrow or Tarpon Springs show just once?!  Those are my four favorites in the "fun band" category. 

 

I have several categories for my favorite bands, btw.   

that could be a separate discussion stream 

[11BandMan11]

It would be band heaven to see have a block with CTJ, Leander, Broken Arrow, Tarpon Springs, Carmel, Avon, Flowermound, Vandegrift, and Hebron

[Nny14]

  On 10/11/2019 at 6:17 PM, 11BandMan11 said:

It would be band heaven to see have a block with CTJ, Leander, Broken Arrow, Tarpon Springs, Carmel, Avon, Flowermound, Vandegrift, and Hebron

I'd rather see Reagan than Tarpon Springs. No offense.

[Band2013]

With the level these bands are performing we will see new faces in finals. Carmel is technically strong and that is their greatest strength. Avon and Broken Arrow mainly rely on GE, which I personally prefer when it comes to BOA contest.

[Rubisco]

  On 10/10/2019 at 9:54 PM, WILKINSON said:

https://youtu.be/kkkuTv4P97E

 

Not sure if anyone has posted this on here already, but here’s this (before it gets taken down.) This is what Carmel has been up to these past few weeks. They sound incredible as per usual. How do you all think they fare against #TeamTexas as of right now?

 

This is my first time seeing Carmel's show this year. I'm very, very impressed. Visual program is completely fantastic, yet again. Just exquisitely beautiful drill by Gaines, yet again. I haven't seen anything out of Texas with as high of a score ceiling visually, and I've seen all the groups going to Nationals. Compared to Carmel's past three National championship shows, I could see this rivaling the 2017 program, but it's still a bit too early to tell. If they clean this show up, which they usually do a good job doing, my gut says the Eagle will stay in Indiana. Avon seems to be in top form as well. I hope I'm wrong about all of this! If a Texas groups wins, I'm thinking it'll be on the strength of the music captions, which I guess isn't that much of a surprise.

[justabandkid94]

That drill in the ballad is absolutely sublime

[principalagent]

The woodwinds in the ballad just add a ton to the show.

 

I really wish they had a darker brass sound though. And the horn soloist just isn’t as strong as I would want them to be. But a relatively weak clarinet soloist didn’t hold them back in 2013 so they’ll be fine.

[LeanderMomma]

They’re Carmel. They’ll win. They have the best of the best of the best instructing them and writing drill for them, year after year. And I believe that their “elite status” most likely won’t be diminished by a few well playing Texas bands. Just my thoughts. Take them for the two cents they’re worth.

[CTJBandPops]

  On 10/12/2019 at 2:55 AM, LeanderMomma said:

They’re Carmel. They’ll win. They have the best of the best of the best instructing them and writing drill for them, year after year. And I believe that their “elite status” most likely won’t be diminished by a few well playing Texas bands. Just my thoughts. Take them for the two cents they’re worth.

I refuse to believe that - they may not win - but the Texas Bands will shake things up in Indy this year - Carmel may win - they will not sweep and the Texas bands will make them work for it

 

just my thoughts

[LeanderMomma]

I hope you’re right. I WANT to be wrong this time!

[Warehouse314]

  On 10/12/2019 at 1:17 AM, principalagent said:

The woodwinds in the ballad just add a ton to the show.

 

I really wish they had a darker brass sound though. And the horn soloist just isn’t as strong as I would want them to be. But a relatively weak clarinet soloist didn’t hold them back in 2013 so they’ll be fine.

Are you referring to Carmel's 2013 show... or did you mean 2012,when they won their 2nd eagle? If it's their 2012 show, I would really disagree that the soloist was "relatively weak". In fact, it was one of the strong points of that show... in my opinion.

 

If you're talking about their 2013 show then I would agree.

 

And if you're talking about a completely different Band... my apologies. Still trying to catch up on my sleep after a rough week...

[principalagent]

Definitely meant their silver medal show in 2013. I think their clarinet soloist actually took away from an otherwise strong ballad.

 

Their flute soloists have only ever been amazing. No qualms about any of them over the years.

[SATXBandDad]

  On 10/12/2019 at 2:55 AM, LeanderMomma said:

 

They’re Carmel. They’ll win. They have the best of the best of the best instructing them and writing drill for them, year after year. And I believe that their “elite status” most likely won’t be diminished by a few well playing Texas bands. Just my thoughts. Take them for the two cents they’re worth.

In my opinion, they need to rotate Grand Nats out of Carmel’s backyard. Bring it to SA every other year, every 2 years, or something. BOA should showcase the best band state in the US!!

[TWHSParent]

Maybe they win, and maybe they don't. I remember when everyone thought Avon would come here and win going away. As the saying goes DON'T PANIC!