2022 BOA San Antonio (Nov. 4 & 5)

[Origin]

I’m always impressed by the way Keller plays, but that was some great marching just then. I think learning the full show earlier helped. 

[Rubisco]

I like all of the loose associations in this Keller show, and the somewhat disjointed, imaginative set. It really does a good job of portraying the surreal aspect of dreams. The bicycle is of course the visual highlight. It was very, very cute.

[Nny14]

I have to be honest I didn't think much of Kellers show earlier in the season but I loved it tonight! Such an amazing ballad and the props were great on multicam.

[BandFan59]

That bicycle set is going to be one of the highlights of this entire super regional. Keller has always been fantastic musically and this year's no different. Love the energy of the sax soloist, he was really getting into it. Such a fun show from them!

[Rubisco]

Oh, also, the Pride of Cincinnati levers! So cool how they can float up into the air like that.

[Origin]

I just love Coppell’s show, even more than last year. I had them top half after prelims. There’s not a single section in the band that’s less than stellar and that giant guard is so so so good! The ballad could have more oomph but I also appreciate the dynamic contrast. The closer music selection has grown on me exponentially now that I’ve heard the full thing.

[BandFan59]

Lovely performance from Coppell! That opening hit is so powerful. There are some moments in the opener that can be pretty difficult with the timing across sections, but I thought they did a good job navigating it. The ballad is definitely the highlight of the show for me, can't get enough of that sax soloist. You can tell they love performing the Beethoven in Havana closer, and it's got some technical passages that every section handles well in their features. Great show!

[Rubisco]

Coppell's aesthetic is everything for me. The typewriter, the girl slaving away in her pajamas trying to figure out what to write, the words on the set pieces and on the uniforms, the various locales that get pulled out at the end, the fans that the guard whips out, and then the choreography -- like the groovy little shoulder isolations at the end. Beethoven in Havana, indeed! I loved it! And the guard has improved a lot over last year. I can't wait to see what they bring to WGI this season. And of course the band sounded great.

[Band2021]

The colors of Cedar Ridge are perfect! The acting is so intense every performer believes in the show that's what makes it so good!

[FaultLineBlues]

Lost my voice cheering for Cedar Ridge

[Origin]

“Commitment to character”. That’s what I get from Cedar Ridge. It’s so cool to see everyone bought in like that! They’ve really figured out how to design aground the strengths of the band. Shoutout to that epic rifle solo toss in the closer. 

[BandFan59]

It's hard for me to believe this Cedar Ridge show is in the bottom half. You can see on the multi-cam just how bought in every performer is into the show, and it absolutely sells it. Their brass is just a massive wall of sound coming at you, and that jam out session at the front is just awesome. Oh and they also have an absolutely fantastic percussion program, but that's nothing new for them.

[BandMom75]

I really enjoyed Coppell’s show. Loved the ballad and visual woth the heart. 

[Tubalord11]

Just now, BandFan59 said:

It's hard for me to believe this Cedar Ridge show is in the bottom half. You can see on the multi-cam just how bought in every performer is into the show, and it absolutely sells it. Their brass is just a massive wall of sound coming at you, and that jam out session at the front is just awesome. Oh and they also have an absolutely fantastic percussion program, but that's nothing new for them.

If they don't move into top half tonight, I think they will be the first out! Best of the night for sure! What a stellar performance! Everyone is just killing it so far! 

[Rubisco]

Just now, Origin said:

“Commitment to character”. That’s what I get from Cedar Ridge. It’s so cool to see everyone bought in like that! They’ve really figured out how to design aground the strengths of the band. Shoutout to that epic rifle solo toss in the closer. 

That rifle toss was amazing!

Somewhere in Austin, there's a good Christian woman clutching her cross and hyperventilating, but I can't get enough of this Cedar Ridge show. Commitment to character, indeed! I love when the flute soloist in the opener stops playing, and then she kinda crouches down like some sort of creature herself. 😄

[BandMom75]

Those spinning unicorns from Pearland made me dizzy! Loved how they made use of the entire field. 

[Dallas Hobbs]

All the bands here sound sooo good! Everyone has such great dynamic contrast!

Also I finally got good internet connection 😩 should’ve just connected to the Alamodome’s Wi-Fi from the get-go. Now I can update my live predictions 

[lost]

Was Pearland #8?

Some dirt in the closer but the music was very very very clean, very clear pronunciations. 

[Origin]

I think Pearland has definitely earned the “consistent finalist” title. It is even more impressive considering their staff changes before this season. I have my qualms with Cartwright shows, but I actually really enjoy this show. I love the cuteness of the props juxtaposed against the big Texas band sound. Maybe a tiny bit rough around the edges compared to what we’ve seen so far, but this show is meaty! 

[BandFan59]

Great to see Pearland continue growing even with their staff changes! Flight of the Pegasus is such a great tune that they played wonderfully, with some hard runs that they pulled off very well. They showed off a softer side in the ballad which was very nice with the woodwind duet, and then the closer was just constant movement! It's not quite as clean as some of the other bands that have gone but they no doubt earned their spot in finals.

[BandMom75]

22 hours ago, BandFan59 said:

Man, that is a tough show from CTJ. The production's not as high profile as some of their past ones, but the difficulty is still off the charts. There is still some visual dirt because of it, but I give them a pass just because of the sheer demand. Musically they were just as brilliant as ever, with some excellent sounds from the brass and a great ending too. Very close between them, Vandegrift, and Reagan for the best show of the night so far.

 

14 minutes ago, Tubalord11 said:

If they don't move into top half tonight, I think they will be the first out! Best of the night for sure! What a stellar performance! Everyone is just killing it so far! 

I thought Cedar Ridge was one of the best a few weeks ago, but the other bands have really stepped up and improved on their shows. Great performance from CR! Not sure if they will break into the top half, but we shall see. 

[VinoGirl]

So here is a question…is SASR more competitive than Grand Nats? Is that so Texas arrogant?? But might it be true? 

[Rubisco]

Aren't those pegasus set pieces just the cutest things?! Pearland's show is a Wes Cartwright show through and through. Some will have mixed feelings about that. I, for one, am extremely excited to see what he does with this program in the upcoming years. I think the raw talent is there for Pearland to become the next big thing!

[Niceone]

7 minutes ago, VinoGirl said:

So here is a question…is SASR more competitive than Grand Nats? Is that so Texas arrogant?? But might it be true? 

SASR has almost always been harder then nats

[lost]

9 minutes ago, VinoGirl said:

So here is a question…is SASR more competitive than Grand Nats? Is that so Texas arrogant?? But might it be true? 

2017-Somewhat even
2018 - SA more competitive 

2019 - GN more competitive 

2021 - GN more competitive

2022 - SA more competitive

It seems to fluctuate, and I may get yelled at.