2021 BOA San Antonio Super Regional (Nov. 5 & 6)

[Rubisco]

I'll be traveling the next couple of days, so I just wanted to drop in and wish all the bands the best of luck at this contest. Don't be nervous. You'll do great. Keep your eyes on the drum major, because the Alamodome is rather echoey. And take heart: there's not a single person in those stands who wants to see you fail. Maybe you're afraid of the judges and what they'll think, but I know these people pretty well, and they're some of your biggest advocates. Everybody wants to see your best performance. So, go out there and have a great show!

[BandFan59]

I've been struggling a lot with my final predictions here. I submitted a prediction on the Predictions page here awhile ago but my rankings have definitely changed since then, so I'm going to give it another shot with some thoughts. Be warned, this is a pretty long post.

1. Vandegrift (General Effect)

I'm still rolling with Vandegrift right now as my pick to win, but I'm not as confident as I was before. A lot of us here thought they would be an easy pick to win given how relatively dominant they've been this season, especially with their showing at the TMC, but being beaten by Vista Ridge in both prelims and finals at area may be cause for concern, even given UIL's rather wonky judging at the area level. Regardless, I think their show is still phenomenal and performed fantastically, with great musical selections (the ballad is one of my favorites of the season) that go well with the theme of the show.

2. Claudia Taylor Johnson (Visual)

This might be a surprise, but I really am high on CTJ this year. I've said it before that they have my favorite production of the season, and after getting to look at their performance at area I think they'll surprise a lot of people here. The show is fairly different from their first appearance at BOA Austin and now has better use of the vocalist and different music parts and drill sets that help emphasize the opposites theme more. They have what I think is probably the most visually demanding show of any band, and they perform it VERY well. I think they have a shot at winning here.

3. The Woodlands

I have a hard time debating between the Woodlands and Vista Ridge. I'm not the biggest fan of the cabaret theme of the Woodlands' show, but I can't deny that they perform it incredibly well. The guard is the best in Texas and the visual book, while not the toughest, is very clean. Their tenor sax and trombone soloists are FANTASTIC, and while the ending seems a bit almost anti-climactic, it does add a good level of demand to the show. The only thing I'm concerned about is they haven't really had any true competition with some of the other top dogs, so I don't really know how they stack up.

4. Vista Ridge

Talk about making a comeback! Vista Ridge seems to have mastered the late season cleaning that epitomized the Woodlands in the past. Beating Vandegrift at area in both prelims and finals is no easy feat. The show has been drastically cleaned up visually, and they're now back in the conversation for a top half finish here, with a possibility of getting a medal. I wasn't the biggest fan of the Katy Perry elements in the past, but I'm come around on them now that I understand the theme of the show better. Their brass is so strong and are a big part of why I'm such a big fan of them now.

5. Hebron (Music)

Honestly I'm still thinking this could be a bit low for Hebron. For me they're an easy pick for the music caption. They have an absurd music book that they perform excellently, as they always do. Everything about them from their woodwind features (especially those saxophones in the ballad!) to the trumpets' articulation and powerful low brass screams amazing. I don't think there's a better music performing band in the country. The only thing I think might hold them back is their visual. It's a little bit muddled at times, and the new ending is a little bit dirty right now. Still, they could easily finish higher, and I have them as my pick to win UIL State right now.

6. Ronald Reagan

Another great band that I might be under-ranking right now. Reagan's not slowed down a bit since Morrison left, and their show this year is another brilliant production that shows why props aren't necessary to create a stunning show. Visually they're just as good as they've always been and are a good shout to win visual here. For me though the show is just a bit safe and too similar to Secret World (which isn't a bad thing, considering how good that show was). It's going to do great here and at Grand Nats, but I don't see them as a contender to win it all anymore, especially after falling behind musically at area.

7. Cedar Park

They've really bounced back this year after spending a couple years out of San Antonio finals. A fourth straight state championship is amazing, and their show this year is the strongest they've had in a good while. The show is excellently executed and does a good job integrating the history of their program. A good contender for the top half.

8. Marcus

Probably the most consistent band of the past fifteen to twenty years. They have another beautiful production this year, and while they aren't the loudest band, they make up for it with beautiful and rich sounds. I haven't gotten a chance to see their closer, but if it's anything like their ballad, they will be just fine here and in Indianapolis.

9. Cedar Ridge

Although they look a bit smaller than they were in the past, you wouldn't know it based off their sounds. These guys are LOUD. It's not easy being able to top Reagan musically, and while Medea's Dance of Vengeance is getting to be a bit overplayed, they're still performing it beautifully. Another great band that should be solidly in finals.

10. Leander

I really like their production this year. It's on a smaller scale than some of their past ones, but it's really fun and entertaining to watch. The introduction with the brass gets stuck in my head quite often and even with the smaller guard, they still look brilliant visually. I don't know how else to explain it, but it's just fun to watch these guys.

11. Coppell

It's about time they get back into finals. They haven't been in since 2013, and I think this year has the strongest show they've had since then. While they've always been great musically, they haven't been able to find the right match visually, but I think this year they've hit the mark with a theme that works great, a visual book that matches, and a guard that has become one of the best in the state. Shuttlesworth is going to do great things with Coppell.

12. Rouse

One of the big breakout bands of the season! A silver medal at 5A state is an incredible feat, and to follow it up with San Antonio finals would be huge. For a relatively small band compared to their peers here Rouse is incredibly loud and plays with great full sounds. I could see them finishing higher given how well they placed at Waco and state.

13. Keller

A lot of people have been down on them this year after falling a bit behind some other bands, but I don't see any reason why they should be counted out of San Antonio finals. They have a fairly demanding show, yes, but they perform it very well, especially musically, and since 2015 they've made finals at every event they've attended. I'd sooner put them in than leave them out here.

14. James Bowie

I don't know if there's a band in the country that has been able to weather director changes as well as Bowie. Despite the turnover they've always managed to consistently remain one of the best bands in the Austin area, which is probably the most competitive metropolitan areas in the country for high school marching band. A great showing at Waco is a good sign for them here.

First Out: Round Rock

Bubble: Westlake, Cypress Woods, Pearland, Timber Creek, more bands that I'm definitely forgetting

There's so many other bands that deserve to be praised. All the students performing out there should relish the opportunity of performing in the Alamodome. If you leave everything you have on the field, no one can ask any more from you. Go for it!

[Infrequent poster]

  On 11/3/2021 at 9:50 PM, lost said:

I don’t really see the point of this comment. Sure a lot of groups that could make finals every year don’t. Not really a reason to go out of your way to call one specific group out.

I definitely don’t think it’s a reach that Prosper could make finals, their show is very friendly to the BOA sheets as we’ve seen in St.Louis. With some cleaning from the feedback at both area and St Louis they genuinely have a strong opportunity to clean into finals this year. If they were at SA would this be enough? Who knows. It would all be up to their prelims performance. I do think they’d genuinely have a chance similar to Bowie or Kellers to get into finals though.

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I will say it's dangerous to bet against Bowie in the late season. They have consistently turned rocky early-seasons into SA finalist appearances. The only recent exception I can think of was in 2018, but I believe they also had a head director change that year. Keller and Bowie also tend to stay within a few places of each other so I would have to imagine Keller would be a big barrier for bands looking to break into finals. 

[CTJBandPops]

  On 11/3/2021 at 9:50 PM, lost said:

I don’t really see the point of this comment. Sure a lot of groups that could make finals every year don’t. Not really a reason to go out of your way to call one specific group out.

I definitely don’t think it’s a reach that Prosper could make finals, their show is very friendly to the BOA sheets as we’ve seen in St.Louis. With some cleaning from the feedback at both area and St Louis they genuinely have a strong opportunity to clean into finals this year. If they were at SA would this be enough? Who knows. It would all be up to their prelims performance. I do think they’d genuinely have a chance similar to Bowie or Kellers to get into finals though.

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the point of the comment is that people post based on what they have seen - we cannot see every band and all we can see is that Prosper finished 3rd at HEB - relax - it is apparent that you are fond of this program - it was not intended to be a knock on the program - but BOA San Antonio is one of the most competitive shows in the country. and rivals Grand Nats - so just relax and scroll on. something I had to learn myself - it gets easier with time

[BandmomCrew]

@BandFan59 could you explain your reasons why Round Rock is the first out?

i think they have an amazing show that is highly competitive. 

[LeanderMomma]

  On 11/3/2021 at 10:06 PM, principalagent said:

I remember seeing Prosper in 2019 in San Antonio prelims and seriously expecting to see them again later that evening. Not sure this would have been their year, but I’m also pretty sure their time isn’t far away.

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Agree 100%. They’re so close. I loved their show at St. Louis!

[Hard Core Band Fan]

  On 11/3/2021 at 11:07 PM, BandFan59 said:

 

First Out: Round Rock

Bubble: Westlake, Cypress Woods, Pearland, Timber Creek, more bands that I'm definitely forgetting

There's so many other bands that deserve to be praised. All the students performing out there should relish the opportunity of performing in the Alamodome. If you leave everything you have on the field, no one can ask any more from you. Go for it!

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I wouldn't be so quick to have Round Rock out of the finals. There is a lot in their program that the judges are likely to appreciate and reward. There is a lot in their musical program that I think will provide the points to have them in the finals if they have a good run in prelims. They have always been late bloomers and have surprised us for many years. Remember, the music judges had them above Reagan just this past weekend. And that was without their electronics working properly. 

[lost]

  On 11/4/2021 at 1:02 AM, banddad84 said:

the point of the comment is that people post based on what they have seen - we cannot see every band and all we can see is that Prosper finished 3rd at HEB - relax - it is apparent that you are fond of this program - it was not intended to be a knock on the program - but BOA San Antonio is one of the most competitive shows in the country. and rivals Grand Nats - so just relax and scroll on. something I had to learn myself - it gets easier with time

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I’m no more fond of Prosper than I am of other bands, I’m just saying I think they’d have a shot at finals. 

Your point is still confusing, and this addition makes it much harder to understand. There’s a lot more to see other than their 3rd finish at HEB, which isn’t even a low or even close to low finish. To their detriment you can see their state miss, to their benefit you can see their St Louis finish. 
 

If your point was “San Antonio is competitive” we all know that. That’s why I’m not saying Prosper would be 10000% in finals in fact they’d only have an outside shot in my opinion, I’m not sure what you’re characterizing my comments as.

If you really want to take your own advice then you should’ve relaxed and scrolled on instead of making weirdly passive aggressive comments against the Prosper program.

[lost]

  On 11/3/2021 at 11:14 PM, Infrequent poster said:

I will say it's dangerous to bet against Bowie in the late season. They have consistently turned rocky early-seasons into SA finalist appearances. The only recent exception I can think of was in 2018, but I believe they also had a head director change that year. Keller and Bowie also tend to stay within a few places of each other so I would have to imagine Keller would be a big barrier for bands looking to break into finals. 

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Oh no sorry my intention was definitely not to doubt James Bowie. I think they’re definitely one of the more probable finalists, which is why I mentioned them.

[BandFan59]

I'll be honest, I haven't had the chance to see Round Rock since BOA Austin. I gave the edge to Bowie based off how close they were to Rouse at Waco. I've heard good things about Round Rock though, and beating Reagan in all music scores at area is a good sign for them here and at UIL State. The last couple spots were the hardest for me to be able to pick since the bubble is very tight for those spots and there's several bands that could fill them.

[HeyBandTX]

Those final four finalist spots are always tough to predict.  May the odds be ever in your favor!

[shaggy]

I don't see Leander being rouse, cedar park, or cedar ridge. I love their show and I really wish they won 5A state and did better at BOA Austin, but the way they've been judged so far, I have them in the bubble around the bowie, round rock, coppell area.

[CTJBandPops]

District Covid Mandate dead and gone - time to get ready for the next couple of days in the Alamo Dome - safe travels for all coming into town - let's do this

[cjm715]

Anyone know if full retreat is happening?

[BandFan59]

  On 11/5/2021 at 12:14 AM, cjm715 said:

Anyone know if full retreat is happening?

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Given that Indianapolis and St. Louis did not have full retreat, we will probably not see that here. 6A State will probably have a full retreat though.

[LostChoirGuy]

I think its about time for me to make my tier lists for this contest.  I can't really hold off any longer!

Panel 1:

Finals Locks

Claudia Taylor Johnson

The Woodlands

Hebron

Good Chance to Make Finals

Rouse

Round Rock

Cedar Ridge

Leander

James Bowie

Coppell

Keller

Outside Chance at Finals

Westlake

Timber Creek

Oak Ridge

College Park

Cypress Woods

Panel 2:

Finals Locks

Cedar Park

Vandegrift

Vista Ridge

Marcus

Ronald Reagan

Good Chance to Make Finals

Westwood

Pearland

Outside Chance at Finals

Seven Lakes

Wylie

Klein Oak

Waxahachie

 

Other Teams that I am excited to watch because they are really good and could come in with a top 25 finish

Weiss

Hendrickson

Lake Travis

Johnson

Keller Central

Winston Churchill

Hays

James E Taylor

John B Alexander

Dawson

Friendswood

Wylie East

This is not at all an exhaustive list.  So many great bands that can surprise me here!

[Vidal28]

I can CTJ winning this, potentially with some decent cushioning as well. It’s looking for both this contest and looking forward to grand nats, they’re a little bit underrated coming in. They’ve gone and won this contest before, they’ve been there, and they’re most importantly right in their own backyard, they’ll be very loose, comfortable and ready to perform their behemoth of a show and make a statement, at least in my approximation that’s what they can potentially do this weekend, a win is definitely in the cards.

[An Inspirational Pinecone]

Really worried about TWHS after tonight. Not a fan of the ballad changes, also not a fan of how they sounded but I'll blame that on the cold. I don't think I've ever enjoyed something this much just to see it get completely changed before San Antonio before. 

[Origin]

  On 11/5/2021 at 3:59 AM, Vidal28 said:

I can CTJ winning this, potentially with some decent cushioning as well. It’s looking for both this contest and looking forward to grand nats, they’re a little bit underrated coming in. They’ve gone and won this contest before, they’ve been there, and they’re most importantly right in their own backyard, they’ll be very loose, comfortable and ready to perform their behemoth of a show and make a statement, at least in my approximation that’s what they can potentially do this weekend, a win is definitely in the cards.

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I Agree. I’m lowkey rooting for them. I’d love to see TWHS and Hebron return to a medal position as well. 

[TWHSPercDad]

  On 11/5/2021 at 4:04 AM, An Inspirational Pinecone said:

Really worried about TWHS after tonight. Not a fan of the ballad changes, also not a fan of how they sounded but I'll blame that on the cold. I don't think I've ever enjoyed something this much just to see it get completely changed before San Antonio before. 

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Rest well, my Young Pinecone. I think TWHS is going to be just fine. Weather was an issue, but some of the soloists were affected by a wayward synthesizer.  This was rectified after tonight’s show and should be sounding great tomorrow night. 

Regarding Maybe This Time, I can understand your concerns. Jack Clark on tenor sax is doing an absolutely AMAZING job!  FROM MY PERSPECTIVE though, I think the edits (adding to the melodic color palette [i.e. French Horns] and tightening-up one phrase), are working.  Even though you may have just seen the changes at Area, they have actually been incorporating the updated sets/music for more than a couple of weeks.  We are all very excited about tomorrow night’s performance! I hope you are too!!!

 

 

 

[Aardvark in NB]

How long before events does Box5 normally go live?

[Bandaid101010]

Looks like the high cam is up now

 

[Aardvark in NB]

There it is, yep, just didn't want to miss the first band

[Origin]

Waller is the first band I’ve gotten to see today(via BOX5). I loved their music!

[Origin]

Clean and energetic performance from Lake Travis!! This band is so under appreciated!