2021 BOA Grand Nationals (Nov. 11-13)

[An Inspirational Pinecone]

  On 11/3/2021 at 12:29 AM, AlphaOmega said:

Texas bands going:

Marcus, CTJ, Reagan, Vista Ridge, FloMo, Woodlands, Round Rock. That's seven. And all of them are probably going to make finals. 

Non Texas bands who have historically made finals in recent years:

Homestead, Dobyns-Bennett, William Mason, Avon, Carmel, Blue Springs, Broken Arrow, Marian Catholic (though not since 2017 if I remember correctly), O'Fallon Township, Wando, Castle.

Now let's get this on one list...

Marcus

Homestead

CTJ

Dobyns-Bennett

Reagan

William Mason

FloMo

Avon

Woodlands

Carmel

Round Rock

Blue Springs

Vista Ridge

Broken Arrow

Marian Catholic

O’Fallon Township

Wando

Castle

So that's eighteen bands who all have the capability to make finals. Seven of them are from Texas. If we took the seven Texas bands out, the eleven remaining bands who are strong enough to make finals will all make it, including one other band.

In 2019, six Texas bands went, and all six made finals. There’s a chance that will happen again. I kind of feel bad for the other bands who’d make finals if the Texas bands didn’t go. I want to feel proud, but at the same time it's getting absurd. This will probably be the craziest Grand Nats we've ever had. Good luck, y'all. 

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I thought people complained because there weren't enough long distance bands traveling to GN. Imagine if every Texas band + Tarpon, BA, DB, BS, and Wando went one year. Only regular faces you'd see from the area in finals are Avon and Carmel, maybe William Mason.

[Rubisco]

While I'm not yet convinced any group will top Broken Arrow in the overall Eagle hunt, I do think the music caption is up for grabs, based on Broken Arrow's OBA finals performance video. Not the best quality sounds I've heard from them. Cold maybe?

[jmartin1056]

  On 11/3/2021 at 2:30 AM, Rubisco said:

While I'm not yet convinced any group will top Broken Arrow in the overall Eagle hunt, I do think the music caption is up for grabs, based on Broken Arrow's OBA finals performance video. Not the best quality sounds I've heard from them. Cold maybe?

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It’s Oklahoma at the end of October lol. Just look up their finals performance from OBA in 2014 and compare it to their run at Grand Nats. Or even compare their OBA performance to St. Louis 2 weeks ago. Im sure they will be fine in an indoor stadium

[bk_bobb]

The finals will be very stacked.   

Dobyns-Bennett show is breathtaking.  
I see them medaling or winning a caption…. 

Too bad Tarpon or Vandy aren’t coming this year.   

[principalagent]

Dobyns-Bennett won’t win a caption or medal in this field, but the show itself is extremely special and I think it’ll give them the wheels to get into finals—perhaps with comfort.

[WILKINSON]

  On 11/3/2021 at 2:46 AM, bk_bobb said:

The finals will be very stacked.   

Dobyns-Bennett show is breathtaking.  
I see them medaling or winning a caption…. 

Too bad Tarpon or Vandy aren’t coming this year.   

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I really do like Dobyns-Bennett too, and while I don’t see them medaling or winning any caption here, I could see them finishing higher than most think. They have a beautiful show. It’s just gonna be very tough winning music when you have Carmel, Broken Arrrow, Flower Mound, amongst others.

[Tubalord11]

At this point, I feel like who makes finals is simply gonna be on how their semifinals run is. There are just to many amazing bands going.

[PLC137]

I submit this terminology for your consideration or debate:

National Champion - winner of the BOA GN

Undisputed National Champion - winner of both BOA GN and SA SR

 

[avgbandfan5]

  On 11/4/2021 at 3:25 AM, PLC137 said:

I submit this terminology for your consideration or debate:

National Champion - winner of the BOA GN

Undisputed National Champion - winner of both BOA GN and SA SR

 

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Add:

Undisputed Undisputed National Champion - winner of BOA GN, SA SR, UIL 6A SMBC

[LostChoirGuy]

  On 11/4/2021 at 3:30 AM, avgbandfan5 said:

Add:

Undisputed Undisputed National Champion - winner of BOA GN, SA SR, UIL 6A SMBC

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Has this ever happened?

[principalagent]

LD Bell is the only band to have done all those things, but not in the same year.

[crunchycookie3]

  On 11/4/2021 at 2:02 PM, principalagent said:

LD Bell is the only band to have done all those things, but not in the same year.

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LD Bell and Westfield, too! Marcus  and Flower Mound both need to add a Grand Nats win to their belts in order to join them, and The Woodlands needs to win a SMBC Finals. Vandegrift has not yet won a SMBC finals in the highest classification group, but in order to have a win at all three, they just need to pull at San Antonio SR.

 

Edit: It would also be incorrect for me not to mention CTJ with winning last year's SMBC Finals and 2 San Antonio SR wins.

[Tubalord11]

Well everyone, I happy to announce that I will be going to this fantastic contest. This is my senior year in band and this is really gonna put a cherry(which sadly I do agree with Dan suck) on my marching season!  My band doesn’t do BOA sadly, but I got to go to my first BOA contest and dfw and it was amazing, but this is just something else, and I’m beyond excited!

[principalagent]

  On 11/4/2021 at 2:10 PM, crunchycookie3 said:

LD Bell and Westfield, too! Marcus  and Flower Mound both need to add a Grand Nats win to their belts in order to join them, and The Woodlands needs to win a SMBC Finals. Vandegrift has not yet won a SMBC finals in the highest classification group, but in order to have a win at all three, they just need to pull at San Antonio SR.

 

Edit: It would also be incorrect for me not to mention CTJ with winning last year's SMBC Finals and 2 San Antonio SR wins.

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Oh yes! I forgot that Westfield won the very first San Antonio Super Regional. Barely there, but there!

[LostChoirGuy]

When did LD Bell win state?  Was it 2004, before Marcus started their reign?

[Tubalord11]

  On 11/4/2021 at 5:50 PM, LostChoirGuy said:

When did LD Bell win state?  Was it 2004, before Marcus started their reign?

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Yes In 2004 and 2000 

[slowbrass]

  On 11/4/2021 at 3:30 AM, avgbandfan5 said:

Add:

Undisputed Undisputed National Champion - winner of BOA GN, SA SR, UIL 6A SMBC

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If current trends hold, Hebron should have a shot at this in 2023

[slowbrass]

  On 11/4/2021 at 7:09 PM, Asaiah said:

Wait, are we expecting 6A SMBC to be on odd years going forward?

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Good question. I guess they may do the 6a contest three years in a row just to get back on schedule.

[PLC137]

  On 11/4/2021 at 3:30 AM, avgbandfan5 said:

Add:

Undisputed Undisputed National Champion - winner of BOA GN, SA SR, UIL 6A SMBC

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Based on comments, I'll amend the idea:

National Champion - GN winner

Undisputed National Champion - GN winner and undefeated in SRs

Grand Slam - GN, SR, at least one regional or other major competition, and State Champion  - all in singleyear

Super Slam - A Grand Slam plus undefeated in all competitions in a single year

Tiger Slam - Holding all four titles at the same time (GN, SR, R, and State) but spread over two years - named after Tiger Woods, who did this in golf but never had a Grand Slam

Career Slam - a Grand Slam but spread over multiple year

[MikeKyu]

This is a slippery slope that I vote we do not go down. 

Why? Is it just too difficult to achieve these? No. Does it only favor the bands that travel and fund raise? No. Does it create a power creep that bands will not be able to compete with? No.

My answer incredibly simple. 

People are lazy typers. Terribly lazy. I do not want to need to remember what each of the acronyms of these titles is. It's bad enough that we have BOA SA SR, UIL SMBC, BOA GN, etc... Stop introducing acronyms to the Nerd Hall!
 
 

[PLC137]

And just when I was about to build out a whole matrix of titles, acronyms, title holders, and naming conventions.

 

All that said, if someone wins both San Antonio and GN, I'm calling them the undisputed champions.  

[Vidal28]

  On 11/5/2021 at 8:46 PM, PLC137 said:

And just when I was about to build out a whole matrix of titles, acronyms, title holders, and naming conventions.

 

All that said, if someone wins both San Antonio and GN, I'm calling them the undisputed champions.  

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Unfortunately the timing hasn’t been right for the SA champion to also take their shot at the Eagle since 2013, really sucks how that’s shaped out😂 even though Vandy did win last Grand Nats, woooo!! let’s see what the champion can do please!?

[Tubalord11]

Hey guys just wondering do y’all know if they will be doing a full retreat for this contest. Ik they didn’t at the regionals and I think the supers but they did at state so just wondering 

[AlphaOmega]

  On 11/6/2021 at 1:09 PM, Tubalord11 said:

Hey guys just wondering do y’all know if they will be doing a full retreat for this contest. Ik they didn’t at the regionals and I think the supers but they did at state so just wondering 

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They haven't done them at the Super Regionals, so I'm not sure they'll be doing them this time around. I really wish they would, but I understand why they aren't. 

[AlphaOmega]

Hello, everyone! 

If you're a student (or parent) going to Nats for the first time, I have some advice for you. I've been three times, once as a spectator and twice as a performer. 

Performers should bring the following:

Everything you need to perform

Toiletries (oral care, hair care, contact lens stuff, those kinds of things)

A thicker jacket (not a winter coat), beanie, maybe gloves, thick socks, sweat pants to wear over your rehearsal gear (it's gon' be cold)

A duffle bag or backpack to take to the Indiana Convention Center

Everything you need to rehearse, if your band's gonna do that

$50-100 in cash, or put money on their debit card, if your wallet allows. They're gonna wanna buy stuff at Lucas Oil! 

I recommend wearing leggings (guys too) under their uniform, and put thick socks over them. Please convince your band directors to allow this. I can't stress that enough. The walk from the ICC to Lucas Oil in uniform is not pleasant. 

Extra food - your metabolism will be through the roof, and you'll always be hungry. If your room has a microwave, bring some popcorn and fall asleep watching a movie! 

Phone, charger, and portable charger. 

Hand warmers

DEODORANT

Shower stuff other than shampoo. If you're gonna shower, you only need to wash your hair at most.

Things performers don't need to bring:

School stuff. You won't have time or wifi most likely. 

Pajamas - sleep in what you're wearing tomorrow

Video game systems - yes, kids will do this and stay up way too late playing games. Please don't do this. 

A winter coat - again, it takes up too much space. My first time going as a performer I looked like I was from Antarctica. The next trip I brought a thick hoodie and that was fine. If your student has a letterman, that's perfect! 

Other stuff:

Make sure either you or your kid buys the official Grand Nats patch and the official Grand Nats t-shirt. The patch is great for their letterman, and they'll wear that t-shirt until you put it on a quilt.

Don't let school get in the way. This trip is a time to put all your energy towards band. Worry about school when you get back. 

Like I said, this is a trip where you focus everything on band. Your rehearsals and performances will be a lot better because the kids aren't worrying about other things. 

Parents, make sure you have things ready to take care of the kids: medicine, extra snacks, first aid, etc. 

Boys, you smell. It's in your DNA. Even if you don't have time to wash your hair every day, you need to get in the shower at least once a day and soak. 

Ladies, unless you smell, which most of you don't, you could go the whole trip without a shower. 

You will average at 6 hours of sleep a night - parents included. When your band directors say to sleep, GO TO BED. 

It's the end of the season, and I'm sure you'll all be sick and tired of each other. Try to enjoy it, and don't talk bad about other people like you usually do during the season.

Students, this will be the best weekend of your life, as long as you put your focus on band and perform your absolute best. 

The only thing you should be drinking is water. You too, parents. 

Last thing: enjoy it. 

If I forgot anything, feel free to add! Have a good trip, everyone!