2019 BOA Grand National Championships

[Rubisco]

William Mason’s show is a Cartwright show through and through. What Lies Beneath. I’m not sure if there’s any relation to the Zemeckis film of the same name, but I’m going to guess probably not. Bright, tropical-colored, spotted boxes line the back corner of side 2, with slides coming out of them like tongues. The print on the boxes sort of reminds me of L.D. Bell’s guard dresses from 2007, while the print on the platforms reminds me of Broken Arrow’s 2006 show, Aqua. On the spectrum of odd Cartwright productions, this is one of the more left-leaning, abstruse ones, sort of like 2014’s FaceMe. The music is predominantly by Paul Hindemith. The opener features some very interesting arranging of both Hindemith’s Turandot from the Symphonic Metamorphoses and Mathis der Mahler. In fact, it’s this arranging that I appreciate most about the show. It opens very slowly and carefully, subverting our expectations of how marching band openers usually develop, and allowing for the oddness of the Hindemith arrangements to sink in. Like most Cartwright shows, it develops visually in grand gestures – long, flowing forms that take up the entire field, submerged in seas of flags. Something unexpected: a fairly accomplished rifle line. That’s nice to see. From start to finish, the show is pretty fresh and engaging, but when I watched a prelims video of this show earlier, I was hoping for a performance that was a little bit more polished, as I don’t think this one nearly reaches the heights of Mason’s 2016 production, World Out of Balance. In the finals performance, there were some issues with phasing as well. But if you recall just a couple years ago, when they did that show with the Percy Granger music, this one is definitely a step in the right direction.
 

[Rubisco]

First of all, congrats to The Woodlands on their 10th straight appearance in National Finals, which is the Texas record. For about 20 years now, you guys have been a National Finalist-quality group, which maybe no other group out of Texas can claim, and maybe only groups like Carmel, Avon, and Marian Catholic can claim. This year’s show, On the Town, was so utterly delightful and high-camp, easily my favorite out of Texas this year, besides maybe Vandegrift. (You have to go back to 2005 to find a TWHS show this fun.) Few groups so consistently try to do new things, and this year’s show in particular felt like a reinvention, so much so that I can’t imagine TWHS going back to business as usual next year. There’s something to be said about performing a show that the kids really connect with, and it showed both on the field level and up in the stands. The show is just so full of character, from the music to the visual. The choreography is better than it has ever been. The drill is more intricate and much more demanding than it has been the past couple years, but the achievement is still very high. The music is in constant motion, and is dense with syncopated figures, but is accomplished with gusto. The guard is better than it has ever been. (Did you see that rifle work off of the bench?) The romantic bit in the ballad was just adorable, when that David Hogg look-alike puts his arm around that star-crossed guard girl. Maybe TWHS made a little bit of a mistake by not having a show with bigger moments. Besides the big hit of the ballad, they don’t seem to fill the field much, and the wall of sound they constructed so effortlessly in 2013 is mostly absent in this show. Maybe it doesn’t reach the design heights of the 2006, 2007, and 2013 masterpieces, but it’s so fresh, so contemporary, and very much a step in the right direction. Looking forward to next year!

[gmtb617]

William Mason’s show name gives me PTSD from my freshman year.

[gmtb617]

Disclaimer: Mason is wonderful. First time watching them was magical.

[Fwguard17]

Anyone know the source music for Ayalas show is?

[Hard Core Band Fan]

Anyone know the source music for Ayalas show is?

 

Key Poulan did the arranging. Don't know the source material.

[LostChoirGuy]

William Mason’s show is a Cartwright show through and through. What Lies Beneath. I’m not sure if there’s any relation to the Zemeckis film of the same name, but I’m going to guess probably not. Bright, tropical-colored, spotted boxes line the back corner of side 2, with slides coming out of them like tongues. The print on the boxes sort of reminds me of L.D. Bell’s guard dresses from 2007, while the print on the platforms reminds me of Broken Arrow’s 2006 show, Aqua. On the spectrum of odd Cartwright productions, this is one of the more left-leaning, abstruse ones, sort of like 2014’s FaceMe. The music is predominantly by Paul Hindemith. The opener features some very interesting arranging of both Hindemith’s Turandot from the Symphonic Metamorphoses and Mathis der Mahler. In fact, it’s this arranging that I appreciate most about the show. It opens very slowly and carefully, subverting our expectations of how marching band openers usually develop, and allowing for the oddness of the Hindemith arrangements to sink in. Like most Cartwright shows, it develops visually in grand gestures – long, flowing forms that take up the entire field, submerged in seas of flags. Something unexpected: a fairly accomplished rifle line. That’s nice to see. From start to finish, the show is pretty fresh and engaging, but when I watched a prelims video of this show earlier, I was hoping for a performance that was a little bit more polished, as I don’t think this one nearly reaches the heights of Mason’s 2016 production, World Out of Balance. In the finals performance, there were some issues with phasing as well. But if you recall just a couple years ago, when they did that show with the Percy Granger music, this one is definitely a step in the right direction.

 

I was getting Bell 2007 vibes from the visual, too.

[Nny14]

Homesteads ballad is a personal favorite <3

[BlueCircle]

Union’s show has quickly become one of my favorites! I’m so happy that they made finals and the guard was lights out!!!

[northtexasbandfan]

My wife only commented 4 times how much she loves Round Rock’s uniforms.

[Aardvark in NB]

So does anyone here speak French?  I'm curious what Round Rock's voiceovers are actually saying

[SATXBandDad]

So does anyone here speak French? I'm curious what Round Rock's voiceovers are actually saying

Sorry, I only speak Texas.

[Rubisco]

You know, I never really got why people were so down on Round Rock this season. But in those people’s defense, I didn’t get a chance to see Round Rock at Austin, because they didn’t make finals. So, I guess it’s not like it was totally unreasonable to think Round Rock might not have such a great year. But they turned it around, giving a pretty classic Texas National Finalist performance. Big, brassy, sonorous ensemble sound coupled with an accomplished, though maybe not spectacular visual program. From moment to moment, the show is interesting and exciting. It’s about mimes, or something like that. I don’t know. You know, at the end of the day, when I watch these shows, I care a little less about themes than I do about general excitement, intrigue, and performance. And watching Round Rock at San Antonio and here at Nationals, I felt like they checked all the boxes. I love how the guard just totally embodies their characters. No, I don’t think this production reaches the heights of their great, 2013 show, but when you’ve had your ups and downs over the years and you put out a show like this, it’s really something to be proud of. I think the people at Round Rock continue to show us how resilient they are year after year, and that’s something to commend. So congrats guys on turning your season around, yet again! A wonderful and exciting performance!

[principalagent]

CTJ tonight is Northeast ISD’s first top half appearance since *2005*. Let’s hope CTJ brings it home!

[BandFan59]

My God CTJ...

[Flippy1234]

Love love love CTJs show!!! Did they have some electronics issues at the end though??

[LHSax]

I can’t tell who’s having more fun...the woodlands or CTJ!!! These definitely go into the category of “shows I wish I could go back in time and march in”!! Major props to the choreographer for CTJ, all the movement is just a ton of fun and never stops. That will be a tough one for Avon to follow.

[BlueCircle]

Holy crap CTJ..........I....don’t even know what to say. That show peaked at the perfect time. That performance screams championship to me but maybe not in a year that is as stacked as this year...I’ve just never seen a performance that good not medal...or win

[Rubisco]

Coming into the season, we thought CTJ would be one of the ones to beat. They’ve been so consistently great in Texas that it was hard to not have them at the top of the pack going into Nationals. Despite maybe underplacing (but not underperforming!) a little bit this season, there’s absolutely nothing to be upset about. The show this year, The Circle of Life, is a fine sequel to their amazing 2017 production, and at times it makes nods to that show, as when they quote music from it in the opener. In true CTJ style, the show is scorchingly difficult, both musically and visually, but the execution is outstanding. Also, in true CTJ style, the show is consistently inventive, and buoyant, and eclectic, and crowd-pleasing. One thing that CTJ does consistently well is taking us on a truly diverse emotional journey. They allow themselves to be sad and happy and funny and serious, sometimes within the span of a few minutes. Their shows are always so full of life and character, and this production is no different. With The Circle of Life, they continue to push the boundaries of the sort of movement that a high school band can achieve. It’s not the cleanest show we’ve gotten from them, but it’s way more than enough. The musicianship from the soloists was just totally astounding. Totally delightful. When the show is over, you just want rise to your feet and throw babies onto the field.

[lost]

Avon parents are loud!

[Rubisco]

Stunningly good performance from Avon just now. Way higher energy than the previous rounds. That's going to be a hard one to top. I'd post longer thoughts, but I feel like I've gushed about Avon enough already.

[LHSax]

Even as a Texas homer I have no clue how vandy wrestled visual from Avon. I just don’t understand how a guard can be that good. Like...I don’t understand the physics of it.

 

That said, I could see them as low as 5th in music, considering what these Texas bands have been laying down.

 

Either way, the bar is set. Let’s see what the next Texas 3 have to say about it.

[allyarcher]

If y'all got any unlisted Youtube links of the finals performances, send em here! FloSports just took down all the finals and semis performances which was where I was relying on so do ya girl a favor.

[betelgeuse33]

If y'all got any unlisted Youtube links of the finals performances, send em here! FloSports just took down all the finals and semis performances which was where I was relying on so do ya girl a favor.

Were you watching on dan's channel because he had the full library and now I can't even find his channel?

[jmj]

OMG Leander!!!! I am hoarse from yelling at my TV about how good that was!