2023 BOA Grand National Championships (Nov. 9-11)

[itsstephenyo]

2 hours ago, Tubalord11 said:

What are y’all’s thoughts on Hebron winning? I’m personally pulling for them but any Team Texas that gets the dub will make me happy regardless 

Seems like it's a race right now between TWHS, Carmel, Hebron, and the ever present Avon, too. 

As always, Hebron's "weak" point is their visual package. They're usually just a tad dirtier visually than their competitors. I'm glad they're not going to BOA SA. I believe a weekend cleaning drill is gonna be better spent for them than trying to 3peat at SA. If they can get clean, they'll be hard to beat. 

[LeanderMomma]

7 hours ago, itsstephenyo said:

Bumping this up.

Anyone that has made the Indy trip from TX, are there any sightseeing things/noteable restaurants in Indianapolis that y'all would recommend? I'll be up there starting Friday but will be semi-babysitting my niece and nephew so I don't wanna make them sit through 12 hrs of prelims... Any recommendations? 

I enjoy eating at the Yard House very much when I’m in Indy and it’s a short walk from the stadium. 

[homerchap]

9 hours ago, itsstephenyo said:

Seems like it's a race right now between TWHS, Carmel, Hebron, and the ever present Avon, too. 

As always, Hebron's "weak" point is their visual package. They're usually just a tad dirtier visually than their competitors. I'm glad they're not going to BOA SA. I believe a weekend cleaning drill is gonna be better spent for them than trying to 3peat at SA. If they can get clean, they'll be hard to beat. 

Remember you only get 8 hours a week of practice so not going to BOA doesn't mean more practice time, it actually might mean less because you get an hour on extra practice on performance days.

[itsstephenyo]

5 hours ago, homerchap said:

Remember you only get 8 hours a week of practice so not going to BOA doesn't mean more practice time, it actually might mean less because you get an hour on extra practice on performance days.

True, still that's cleaning time instead of warmup/etc 

[josephbandfan]

I've updated the original post with the current prelims schedule

[beffjezos]

After seeing the Woodlands full show recently at one of their exhibitions, I think they have a strong chance of getting into the top 3 and very good shot at the eagle. Their show design and music book this year is too good. So many details in the show to look at and their guard is nearly perfect. Just need to clean up a tiny tiny amount of dirt musically but I think they have a higher ceiling than the other bands just based on the show design. Thinking they could take GE/Vis… because we already know where the music caption is going to. 

[lost]

Dripping Springs is looking in their best shape since 2017. Really interested to see how they progress.

[josephbandfan]

With BOA prosper finished, we’ve now seen all of team Texas compete at a boa regional. What are we thinking? 

[peshbandkid]

We'll see all 7 bands advance to the semifinals, and I think all will either be in finals or all top 16

 

Based on the results from yesterday and the 7th, I would have Hebron, TWHS, Pearland, and Round Rock as safe finalists. CTJ and Keller both had surprising finishes at Katy and Prosper respectively, but I think they'll clean enough over the next few weeks to get in. Dripping Springs and James Bowie should also both get in, but if they don't, it will be by a close margin

[Bandmomlover]

On 10/9/2023 at 3:43 PM, itsstephenyo said:

Bumping this up.

Anyone that has made the Indy trip from TX, are there any sightseeing things/noteable restaurants in Indianapolis that y'all would recommend? I'll be up there starting Friday but will be semi-babysitting my niece and nephew so I don't wanna make them sit through 12 hrs of prelims... Any recommendations? 

 

[Bandmomlover]

Just now, Bandmomlover said:

 

I think Indianapolis‘s most iconic restaurants are Saint Elmo‘s and Harry and Izzo‘s. They are known for their super spicy shrimp cocktails sauce. They are steak restaurants but they have a good burgers and I believe pizzas too. For kids, the Sugar Factory is fun. They have rainbow sliders and very expensive large alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks filled with candy and dry ice. It’s hard to beat the Yard House as well or Weber Grill. Shapiro’s is a great deli.
The zoo is near Lucas oil and actually very nice. Not sure what the weather will be in November, but you can rent paddle boats up and down the canal. Very walkable city and Monument Circle is something to check out for sure as well as local museums. Have a great trip!

[packwick]

lol okay so is Wes doing the music of all the TX champions that won in a yr ending in 3 this yr, all the Houston ones? Lol, now im just waiting for Water Night or something.

B-burg was solid, music still needs a lot of work tho. i think i thought they were musically weaker last yr at Nat finals too but they still ended up near the top of the bottom half, so u can take my opinion w/ a grain of salt. better in vis than music, guard was fab too. not the most inspired Wes program for them this yr, pipe dream, so here are some pipes, lol. id have them just outside of Nat finals right now, but we'll see!!

[Hard Core Band Fan]

I'm adding Brownsburg to my list of strong contenders for finals. Quite an impressive performance in prelims at the Indianapolis super regional. Still a lot of dirt to clean up, but the gems are stacking up already.

[packwick]

lovely show from Mason, thank goodness the cloaks didn't end up black like in earlier performances, woulda been ugly lol. very colorful and eyepopping but they're smart to remove the cloaks halfway through, was startin to overload my senses lol.

a liiittle slow for me in spots, but overall solid again. ill admit i like Pearland's Wes show more. bigger and more frequent impact moments. buuut Mason's does have a sort of elegance to it.

[Rubisco]

49 minutes ago, packwick said:

lol okay so is Wes doing the music of all the TX champions that won in a yr ending in 3 this yr, all the Houston ones? Lol, now im just waiting for Water Night or something.

B-burg was solid, music still needs a lot of work tho. i think i thought they were musically weaker last yr at Nat finals too but they still ended up near the top of the bottom half, so u can take my opinion w/ a grain of salt. better in vis than music, guard was fab too. not the most inspired Wes program for them this yr, pipe dream, so here are some pipes, lol. id have them just outside of Nat finals right now, but we'll see!!

I would love to hear Water Night again, but you know it would never be as excellent as Westfield's version! (Yes, I am majorly biased, I know. 😄)

My frank opinion is that these Wes shows have a little bit of a diminishing appeal the more of them you've seen over the years. There are just so many similarities that I frequently find myself thinking, "Oh, that's just like that show from 2013! Oh, that's just like that show from last year!" I just want more imagination. I know Wes is capable of it. He's produced some truly creative, epochal programs in past. Reinvention can be a good thing!

[Hard Core Band Fan]

9 minutes ago, Rubisco said:

I would love to hear Water Night again, but you know it would never be as excellent as Westfield's version! (Yes, I am majorly biased, I know. 😄)

My frank opinion is that these Wes shows have a little bit of a diminishing appeal the more of them you've seen over the years. There are just so many similarities that I frequently find myself thinking, "Oh, that's just like that show from 2013! Oh, that's just like that show from last year!" I just want more imagination. I know Wes is capable of it. He's produced some truly creative, epochal programs in past. Reinvention can be a good thing!

I agree, but they are still mostly solid shows and typically performed by strong, solid groups. But you are right, I would like to see some really new and different shows from him. Mainly because they would be really good and further highlight the talents of the performers. 

[packwick]

29 minutes ago, Rubisco said:

I would love to hear Water Night again, but you know it would never be as excellent as Westfield's version! (Yes, I am majorly biased, I know. 😄)

My frank opinion is that these Wes shows have a little bit of a diminishing appeal the more of them you've seen over the years. There are just so many similarities that I frequently find myself thinking, "Oh, that's just like that show from 2013! Oh, that's just like that show from last year!" I just want more imagination. I know Wes is capable of it. He's produced some truly creative, epochal programs in past. Reinvention can be a good thing!

yeaaaah i hear ya, but u know im of the judging hive mind, the borg, or BOArg as i call it lol. Wes' shows still check a lotta boxes.

i was soooo so very fortunate to see that westfield show live several times in 03. goooosebumps galore, u knew they had something special. my instructors were gushing too, like Steve Bond my private lessons guy at the time, now head director at Tompkins, during the lessons he'd be like, omg, did u see Westfield, did u hear the double tonguing bassoonists and trumpets and yada yada lol. like, um, yeah, and it's arousing a lot of insecurities!!!

but u know you always work harder when u have such stellar programs like spring and westfield just a little down i45, even if the honor band process was always frustrating lol. we actually had a sash or something from the Spring 93 uniform taped to the top inside of our truck as a good luck charm. probably acquired illegitimately lol, just like in 04 when Brett was pissed at us bc someone acquired a rose plume from Lawrence Central and Randy Greenwell was calling him LOL. good times.

[packwick]

luv luv looove how Daniel Wiles choreographs for guard, they're always like running around the field but he manages to stuff those phrases w/ spinning and tossing and dance. guard moves real well, band does too, opener mvmnt is so cool and energetic, look at them rolling around, Jesus! love the costuming.

looove how the frames just kinda pop up outta nowhere too, at first i thought something happened and they were missing. kinda cool how they materialize.

def better perf than before, still needs some significant cleaning, difficulty galore ppl. flow of the show is a little strange but it'll grow on me. closer stuff more like the aggressively dazzling Avon i know, at least from the content side.

[packwick]

ok center grove guard i see u improving each year. keep. it. up!!! activity is richer when y'all are killing it!!

[Hard Core Band Fan]

4 minutes ago, packwick said:

luv luv looove how Daniel Wiles choreographs for guard, they're always like running around the field but he manages to stuff those phrases w/ spinning and tossing and dance. guard moves real well, band does too, opener mvmnt is so cool and energetic, look at them rolling around, Jesus! love the costuming.

looove how the frames just kinda pop up outta nowhere too, at first i thought something happened and they were missing. kinda cool how they materialize.

def better perf than before, still needs some significant cleaning, difficulty galore ppl. flow of the show is a little strange but it'll grow on me. closer stuff more like the aggressively dazzling Avon i know, at least from the content side.

To be honest, I wasn't wowed by the show overall. The guard, yes, but not the show in its entirety. I do think it will score well, though. I'm maybe seeing room for one or more Texas bands to surpass them. There have been a few shake-ups this year and hopefully this will be one of them.

[TacosNSalsa]

I think Carmel, Woodlands, Avon, Hebron, Pearland, Mason, CTJ, and Round Rock will be the top 8. After that, I see a toss-up that could include many (or all) of our Texas bands.

[packwick]

10 minutes ago, Hard Core Band Fan said:

To be honest, I wasn't wowed by the show overall. The guard, yes, but not the show in its entirety. I do think it will score well, though. I'm maybe seeing room for one or more Texas bands to surpass them. There have been a few shake-ups this year and hopefully this will be one of them.

not my fave from them either but betting against Avon is a hard bet to take lol. top 3 at Nats since what, 2007??? that's approachin' 20 years!!! crazy impressive!!

[TWHSParent]

1 minute ago, packwick said:

not my fave from them either but betting against Avon is a hard bet to take lol. top 3 at Nats since what, 2007??? that's approachin' 20 years!!! crazy impressive!!

Absolutely, however all streaks do end. Is this the year? I think it is the most possible this year than it has been for at least 10 years. I like the show, but it is missing a spark the ones I would rank higher have. I don't see an Eagle for them this year based off this performance, but they will be right there at the top. I think 4th right now.

 

Good bet? Probably not -they'll adjust the show over the next few weeks so by Grand Nationals it will be awesome.

[Origin]

Carmel rifles showing why they are the defending WGI champs. That was pretty amazing. When did Carmel become such a music powerhouse? I swear they didn’t sound this good pre-covid. 

[packwick]

Carmel is always so darn artful lol. overall id say it's the cleanest perf ive seen today, shout-out of course to the guard, only guard in the country that approaches tw's top to bottom depth and clarity of technique imo. way to go Eryn Boone for keeping what Rosie built alive and well!!!

def more of a brain tickler, there are other shows more viscerally exciting and that im sure a general audience will like more, but for what the show is aiming for it's great. guess my main criticism would be communication of theme. besides the plague masks what about the show says prophecy? it feels like you could call it any other number of names. just call it great drill + great music lol.

oh yeah and that blue fabric they pull out was friggin' gorgeous!!