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

[Vidal28]

  On 10/31/2021 at 7:27 AM, Rubisco said:

Just watched Hebron's UIL Area finals performance. I think it's a fine show with some really great musical moments. A little slow and old-fashioned at the start, but it gets more effective as the show progresses. They smartly save their best and most entertaining movements for last. I guess my biggest gripe would be that the set pieces don't add much to the show. Since the set pieces are fountain pens, I would have expected them to write out the drill, something like that, from time to time, but I'm not seeing much functionality.

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The set drill starting point that Hebron typically employs might give the vibes of an old-fashioned approach, but it definitely is a show that’ll grab the spectators attention with that Monstrous and heavy opening hit, for how much Hebron stuffs into their shows with their music programming it really flows well, I think personally quite a bit more than some other groups. The ballad is fantastic, the pace of the closer is blazing, especially with how much they’re moving throughout it, it honestly felt as if I was watching at 1.25x speed with how brisk it felt they were playing their material, it’s so impressive for me personally. I see them as a no-brainer for the music caption in SA at least. I personally don’t see how one judge in both prelims and finals of Area C had flower mound over them in that category but UIL judging is always an enigma as well😦

[slowbrass]

  On 10/31/2021 at 7:27 AM, Rubisco said:

Just watched Hebron's UIL Area finals performance. I think it's a fine show with some really great musical moments. A little slow and old-fashioned at the start, but it gets more effective as the show progresses. They smartly save their best and most entertaining movements for last. I guess my biggest gripe would be that the set pieces don't add much to the show. Since the set pieces are fountain pens, I would have expected them to write out the drill, something like that, from time to time, but I'm not seeing much functionality.

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I’m glad you said that about the props in particular, Hebron’s set pieces have always left something to be desired. I almost think the show would be better off without all the pens cluttering the field, especially since the drill doesn’t seem to really care whether a student is standing right behind one or not. I’m hoping that Hebron’s new CG head/show designer can help them grow in that aspect. It is a marching band /show/ after all.

[BandFan59]

I think Hebron is much improved visually, but I still don't know if it will be strong enough to win here. There was some noticeable visual dirt at the end of their new closer, but I really liked the additions they made to it. I have them penciled in for the music caption here, but I see them finishing anywhere from 3rd to 5th here. I see them being a much bigger contender at UIL State.

[natertater21000]

The level of cleaning they are accomplishing is truly impressive. I like the show more every single time I see it.

[cjm715]

  On 10/31/2021 at 5:12 PM, natertater21000 said:

The level of cleaning they are accomplishing is truly impressive. I like the show more every single time I see it.

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I’m thinking top 2 at state for these guys!

[lost]

If there’s anyone in Texas that knows how to clean a show the best, it’s Vista Ridge.

[LeanderMomma]

  On 10/31/2021 at 5:26 AM, cjm715 said:

And let’s not ignore coppell over keller!!!

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Absolutely!  Coppell has a phenomenal product this year and they are performing the heck out of it!!

[A Testing Trumpet]

I haven't been following this season as closely as others in the past, but judging how Coppell beat Blue Springs and Keller already this year, I think there is higher probability of them making finals than not. 

Rouse is a wildcard, but I'm less sure on them making it then other bands. Early season results boded very well for them with them in the top 3 at Austin (!), but that was September. Since then they most recently came 2nd to Cedar Park and even 6th at the TMC. 

Cedar Ridge is having a great year. The finish over Leander at Austin, and two points over Pearland bodes well for them.

With that being said, for finalists this year:

"Locks"

• Vandegrift
• Claudia Taylor Johnson
• Ronald Reagan
• The Woodlands
• Hebron

Mid Tier, should make finals

• Vista Ridge
• Cedar Ridge
• Leander
• Marcus

Finalist Bubble, Upper

• Coppell
• Cedar Park

Finalist Bubble

• Round Rock
• Rouse
• Pearland
• Keller
• Seven Lakes
• James Bowie

I could go deeper into it, but I don't think it will be quite as crazy as other recent years to break into finals. (With Flower Mound, L.D. Bell, other bubble bands, and no out of state bands like Avon in 2017)

Grand Nationals this year on the other hand looks to be more close, though. 

[whenthebandbeginstoplay]

  On 11/1/2021 at 12:40 AM, A Testing Trumpet said:

I haven't been following this season as closely as others in the past, but judging how Coppell beat Blue Springs and Keller already this year, I think there is higher probability of them making finals than not. 

Rouse is a wildcard, but I'm less sure on them making it then other bands. Early season results boded very well for them with them in the top 3 at Austin (!), but that was September. Since then they most recently came 2nd to Cedar Park and even 6th at the TMC. 

Cedar Ridge is having a great year. The finish over Leander at Austin, and two points over Pearland bodes well for them.

With that being said, for finalists this year:

"Locks"

• Vandegrift
• Claudia Taylor Johnson
• Ronald Reagan
• The Woodlands
• Hebron

Mid Tier, should make finals

• Vista Ridge
• Cedar Ridge
• Leander
• Marcus

Finalist Bubble, Upper

• Coppell
• Cedar Park

Finalist Bubble

• Round Rock
• Rouse
• Pearland
• Keller
• Seven Lakes
• James Bowie

I could go deeper into it, but I don't think it will be quite as crazy as other recent years to break into finals. (With Flower Mound, L.D. Bell, other bubble bands, and no out of state bands like Avon in 2017)

Grand Nationals this year on the other hand looks to be more close, though. 

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If Cedar Park is in the upper bubble then so is Rouse and James Bowie.

Round Rock is also absolutely not on the same level as bands like Seven Lakes or even Pearland. Round Rock is not in the bubble this year I don’t think.

[A Testing Trumpet]

If you're talking about adjudication panels or UIL, I didn't really take those into account. 

But if you're talking about previous contests, Cedar Park has consistently overtaken Rouse since the Austin Regional. Most recently with the Waco regional with a caption sweep over them and a two point lead just one week before SA, and also at the TMC in early October. 

Bowie placed 9th/10th at Austin, and placed two points below Rouse at the TMC finals. At Waco they came in 3rd behind Rouse as well, with CP about three points ahead. They still have potential to make SA finals for sure, but I think both Rouse and Cedar Park have shown they have a better chance. 

It's a Grand Nationals year for Round Rock. They will want to be safely in finals here if they want to make finals at GN, and knowing how they tend to peak later in their season, I believe they have a good chance to be in finals compared to other recent years they were not. 

[BandFan59]

Honestly, Cedar Park is a near lock for me. They've consistently placed above Leander and Cedar Ridge this year. I even have them finishing in the top half around 6-7. They have a fantastic show and are back to their excellent standards after a few years out of San Antonio finals. Tough competition to get top 7 here but I think they have what it takes.

[LeanderMomma]

  On 11/1/2021 at 12:40 AM, A Testing Trumpet said:

Finalist Bubble, Upper

• Coppell
• Cedar Park

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I think there is zero chance Cedar Park doesn’t make finals here. Fight me. 🤪

[nse212alejandrosalas]

Ummmm…sooo are we not gonna talk about westwood going to state??😂
 

[TRBbaritone]

  On 11/1/2021 at 3:13 AM, nse212alejandrosalas said:

Ummmm…sooo are we not gonna talk about westwood going to state??😂
 

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Westwood is in the bottom half of SA finals for me. They really fought for that last qualifying spot yesterday and I expect them to keep fighting for the remainder of the season. 

[nse212alejandrosalas]

  On 11/1/2021 at 3:31 AM, TRBbaritone said:

Westwood is in the bottom half of SA finals for me. They really fought for that last qualifying spot yesterday and I expect them to keep fighting for the remainder of the season. 

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I so darn agree with that! This band is not the same from past years.

[contrabassclarinet]

  On 11/1/2021 at 12:40 AM, A Testing Trumpet said:

Finalist Bubble

• Round Rock
• Rouse
• Pearland
• Keller
• Seven Lakes
• James Bowie

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I wouldn't count out Cypress Woods. While admittedly area competition and early season results aren't the most reliable, they've had a great season, and their victories over 7L and Pearland this year should be noted. It's a slim chance, but still a chance.

[A Testing Trumpet]

  On 11/1/2021 at 3:08 AM, LeanderMomma said:

I think there is zero chance Cedar Park doesn’t make finals here. Fight me. 🤪

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It's certainly hard to imagine them not making it, I'll give you that. Especially when they just won a reasonably competitive BOA regional yesterday with a caption sweep. I simply err closer to the side of caution when calling any band a 100% lock for SA finals, since it all depends on what goes down on that field, at that time, in that dome. That's partially why I say "Locks" in quotations. 

  On 11/1/2021 at 5:11 AM, contrabassclarinet said:

I wouldn't count out Cypress Woods. While admittedly area competition and early season results aren't the most reliable, they've had a great season, and their victories over 7L and Pearland this year should be noted. It's a slim chance, but still a chance.

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I agree with you. There's just so many bands out there that they kinda mesh together to me now (especially in the Houston area) that I tend to forget about some in the middle to deeper bubble. But for sure, I'd love to see Cypress Woods in Finals next weekend. 

[Rubisco]

I'm sure seeing the bands via high cam at BOA San Antonio will change some minds, especially as we move from the outdoors to the indoors, but as of right now, my opinions for the top haven't changed from what they were around October 1st. I usually stick with my first impressions, so I guess that isn't unusual. I could still be spectacularly wrong!

The things I like about the very top groups, I still like about the top groups. The things that gave me a little bit of pause are still giving me pause, although maybe a little bit less now, as the performances have improved. Overall, super impressive stuff, given the myriad challenges of this season. To keep the discussion going:

Vandegrift, I mean, whoever did their set design this year deserves a raise. We've seen letters on the field before, but these ones quite literally pop out of the ground. The white letters create such a great contrast with the beautiful red trench coats from the dance team, who move superbly well. That opening piano solo, that sense of yearning, followed by the arpeggiated triplet figure in the front ensemble, to that punchy opening statement from the full band. What a marvelous moment! When Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet Overture starts up, my interest dwindles a tiny bit, but I think that's just because I've heard that piece so many times before. There's something old-timey about it. (Well, it was written in the 1800s, so there's that.) But if that piece is too old-fashioned for you, then you won't mind the ballad, which is Christina Perri's "Jar of Hearts". Another big musical moment for Vandegrift. One criticism I will make: when you have the band spread out across the field so often like this, and there's so much going on at once, it can be a little difficult to know where to look. Also, it makes everything look like a BIG visual moment, when maybe you'd be better served by a smaller visual moment. It also makes the drill harder to clean. But overall, a very elegant and engaging show this year.

Somebody on a different thread mentioned mise-en-scène, which is a term from theatre/film criticism that refers to the arrangement of all the elements on a stage or within the frame of a movie. I found it an inspired use of the term, and I'm going to borrow it to refer to what I love most about The Woodlands' show this year. Even just ignoring the movement from the "actors", the total elements on the field strike such an appealing balance, like a plate served up by a master chef. Consider the "proscenium arch" decorated with "lights" and those stages with the yellow and pink "spotlights" against the silver curtain backdrops-- just totally gorgeous set pieces, and the drill fits so nicely within all of it. Clarity, clarity, clarity. It's true that this band's cheerier, character-driven style is no longer as fresh as it was in 2019, but this more slowed-down version allows the big moments to really linger, like that electrifying interpretation of Cabaret's Maybe This Time. Such a brilliant arrangement of that piece, as well as the clever Cell Block Tango/Roxanne mash-up. The guard won't have any near-equals at this contest, and is performing like a top-half WGI World Class Finalist. The show falters a bit in terms of the variety of emotions it elicits and drill demand (at least until the final movement). The ending also feels very... frantic, afterthought-ish, tacked-on... but might not be that way anymore.

Reagan has really carved out a niche for themselves these past few years. You've gotta respect a group that doesn't use the fancy set pieces that the other groups use and still manages to put out a fantastic, engaging product. Much of that credit goes to Aaron Guidry, whose musical arrangements are just so cool, so interesting (and so ballsy) every single time. I'll say it again, Reagan's 2005 music arrangement is my favorite of the entire marching arts. So many risks taken, and to great effect. Obviously, this is an arranger that loves that 80s sound, so Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" fits in perfectly. Their drill this year has really great clarity again. The kids look a lot better than they did in that very first video I saw. Spacing, alignment, the guard, all of it. I love the opening with that tree trunk and the mixture of guard and band kids up in the "leaves." Lots of rather ramose drill sets this year in Reagan's show, probably to reflect the branching paths. As I've said before, I wasn't a big fan of the excessively symmetrical drill design of their previous years' shows, but they've seemed to really improve that, which they didn't have any incentive to do given their high visual scores, but it's nice to see anyway. While I find this show well-rounded, I do wish the designers had struck a slightly different tone or look for the show. Some moments, like the big hit of the ballad, seem a bit borrowed from 2019's program. And overall I don't feel like this show would be that out-of-place if it were performed in the early 2000s. But hey, for some people, that's a great thing. The golden age of Reagan!

Claudia Taylor Johnson caused such a splash on these forums when that first video dropped. It's not hard to see why. Their show this year makes every other show look like child's play. They're flying around the field, like with jet-packs or something. Are they wearing jet-packs? I wouldn't doubt it. The kids at CTJ are absolutely unbelievable performers, and I love that their staff trusts them enough to give them such intense, simultaneous (!) responsibilities. But I'd be lying if I didn't sort of expect this level of demand from CTJ. They were my first place band going into this season, because the level of demand from their COVID show last year was much closer to the demand of one of their normal shows compared to the other bands in UIL Finals. So, I just knew that CTJ would probably be challenging themselves this year in a way that was simply impossible for the other groups to do and not look foolish. And CTJ delivered, for sure! The show is called Opposites Attract, so we get a lot of opposing music, opposing moods, dueling pianos, dueling banjos, etc. They do a really good job this year communicating their theme, which is something they might have struggled with a little more in 2018, for example. (The ships and the sailors and the clams and the AMERICA!) CTJ's great strength in the effect caption, besides the incredible performances, is the sheer variety of the music they play. Eclecticism is their thing, maybe to a fault at times, when it borders on kitchen-sink. There is some significant dirt in this show, both musically and visually, and there's one part in the show where the momentum seems to halt, but again, you have to acknowledge the significant challenges this show imposes on the performers.

I've touched on Hebron's show a little bit already. Just absolutely tremendous musicianship. Pretty much every year I'm reminded of their 2017 show, which literally brought tears to my eyes. How often does that happen for me? Just about never. Too much of a perfectionist. But that year, I was so blown away by the playing. Such warmth, such technique, such phrasing, such control, even when playing above the tessitura of a piece. And the irony is that I wasn't jumping up and down about Hebron's 2017 show at BOA Dallas that year. It took seeing it at San Antonio for me to go, "Wow!" with tears in my eyes. Could that be what happens this year? Well, I won't be seeing any of the shows in-person, so there's that, but I'm hopeful that I'll get to hear the same level of execution and emotion through my computer speakers. (Don't fail me, Box5!) Visually, as I mentioned, Hebron's show has some set pieces that are just sort of... there. They get moved around a little bit, and change a little during the ballad, but I'm not sure they're really even necessary for this show. Yeah, the title of the show is Penstriped, so I guess the pens make sense from that perspective. But I really feel like if you're going to have something like that on the field, you have to make sure it actually elevates the program.

[shaggy]

  On 11/1/2021 at 12:40 AM, A Testing Trumpet said:

I haven't been following this season as closely as others in the past, but judging how Coppell beat Blue Springs and Keller already this year, I think there is higher probability of them making finals than not. 

Rouse is a wildcard, but I'm less sure on them making it then other bands. Early season results boded very well for them with them in the top 3 at Austin (!), but that was September. Since then they most recently came 2nd to Cedar Park and even 6th at the TMC. 

Cedar Ridge is having a great year. The finish over Leander at Austin, and two points over Pearland bodes well for them.

With that being said, for finalists this year:

"Locks"

• Vandegrift
• Claudia Taylor Johnson
• Ronald Reagan
• The Woodlands
• Hebron

Mid Tier, should make finals

• Vista Ridge
• Cedar Ridge
• Leander
• Marcus

Finalist Bubble, Upper

• Coppell
• Cedar Park

Finalist Bubble

• Round Rock
• Rouse
• Pearland
• Keller
• Seven Lakes
• James Bowie

I could go deeper into it, but I don't think it will be quite as crazy as other recent years to break into finals. (With Flower Mound, L.D. Bell, other bubble bands, and no out of state bands like Avon in 2017)

Grand Nationals this year on the other hand looks to be more close, though. 

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This looks pretty close to what I'd expect but I would change the bubble just a little bit. Gotta give more credit to rouse for hanging with the big names all season, and round rock for beating Reagan in music this weekend. Cedar Park is also probably a lock. Vista Ridge deserves to be a lock. I know it was UIL but they beat Vandegrift, I think that puts them above cedar ridge and company. 

"Locks"

• Vandegrift
• Claudia Taylor Johnson
• Ronald Reagan
• The Woodlands
• Hebron
• Vista Ridge

Mid Tier, should make finals

• Cedar Ridge
• Leander
• Cedar Park

Finalist Bubble, Upper

• Coppell
• Marcus
• Round Rock
• Rouse
• James Bowie

Finalist Bubble

• Pearland
• Keller
• Seven Lakes

 

[cjm715]

  On 11/1/2021 at 6:43 AM, shaggy said:

This looks pretty close to what I'd expect but I would change the bubble just a little bit. Gotta give more credit to rouse for hanging with the big names all season, and round rock for beating Reagan in music this weekend. Cedar Park is also probably a lock. Vista Ridge deserves to be a lock. I know it was UIL but they beat Vandegrift, I think that puts them above cedar ridge and company. 

"Locks"

• Vandegrift
• Claudia Taylor Johnson
• Ronald Reagan
• The Woodlands
• Hebron
• Vista Ridge

Mid Tier, should make finals

• Cedar Ridge
• Leander
• Cedar Park

Finalist Bubble, Upper

• Coppell
• Marcus
• Round Rock
• Rouse
• James Bowie

Finalist Bubble

• Pearland
• Keller
• Seven Lakes

 

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Why is marcus not a lock? 

[Band2021]

We are finally at the crossroads 😁 I have my tickets so now I will make my predictions.  

In Random Order! as really like everyone I am a little shook right now by recent events! Also, a few notes on some groups as I am sure many will question some placements. 

1-4 
Vandegrift
Claudia Taylor Johnson
Ronald Reagan
The Woodlands

5-8 
Hebron
Vista Ridge (I have vista here because I believe their show does appeal to UIL rather than BOA. I could see them of course medaling but much work needs to done to drive up GE. They are super clean and that's why they won Area all of us here know UIL always favors clean cut over general effect. We will see if Vista can bring it home but for now I am only looking at the big picture.) 
Cedar Park - WILL MAKE FINALS!!!! 
Cedar Ridge
Marcus

9-12
Leander
Coppell
Rouse - This group has momentum on their side also could see them higher but for now will play it safe . 
Keller

13-14

Round Rock - You can never count out RR - they are the group that made me fall in love with marching band! However, there is something missing this year. Seeing them at area did impress me they are playing strong and look fine but there is a lack of energy in their show design.  Show design and musical selection are incredibly important to the success of a marching band. My old band director always said that it is the job of the directors to design a show that students can believe in and focus on making that show a stand out. I hope for the best and it would make me happy to see them in finals at Nationals! 
James Bowie
Pearland
Seven Lakes

[Marchingbandperson]

  On 11/1/2021 at 3:04 PM, Band2021 said:

 

13-14

Round Rock - You can never count out RR - they are the group that made me fall in love with marching band! However, there is something missing this year. Seeing them at area did impress me they are playing strong and look fine but their is a lack of energy in their show design.  Show design and musical selection are incredibly important to the success of a marching band. My old band director always said that it is the job of the directors to design a show that students can believe in and focus on making that show a stand out. I hope for the best and it would make me happy to see them in finals at Nationals! 
James Bowie
Pearland
Seven Lakes

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I would say pearland and sl have a greater chance at making it over either Bowie or rr, and I would also say westlake is with this group considering BOA Austin/Katy and also the recent result at area (being very close to Vandegrift) 

[shaggy]

  On 11/1/2021 at 4:04 PM, Marchingbandperson said:

I would say pearland and sl have a greater chance at making it over either Bowie or rr, and I would also say westlake is with this group considering BOA Austin/Katy and also the recent result at area (being very close to Vandegrift) 

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Round Rock just beat Reagan in music at Area. 

[bandparent94]

  On 11/1/2021 at 4:46 PM, shaggy said:

Round Rock just beat Reagan in music at Area. 

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Round Rock is moving up and may surprise some people. The music Saturday night was very strong.

[packwick]

  On 11/1/2021 at 6:43 AM, Rubisco said:

Somebody on a different thread mentioned mise-en-scène, which is a term from theatre/film criticism that refers to the arrangement of all the elements on a stage or within the frame of a movie. I found it an inspired use of the term, and I'm going to borrow it

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hahaha. you're welcome, hon. i'm glad i could contribute to your essay. but maybe write about more than just the same 5 bands over and over? i'll drop that into the suggestion box.

still pretty much the only person on any marching forum that comments in an interesting, informed, or useful way.