Most Epic Marching Band Moments

[NETexasBandFan]

Title says it all, what do you guys think are some of the most epic moments from various marching shows? I would love to make a poll out of it with enough suggestions too!

[Nny14]

Flower Mounds closer in 2015. I forgot the name of the music but it is earth shatteringly cool and builds up perfectly to the singing box. Avon's intro this year definitely qualifies. Totally biased but Round Rocks opening hit in 2013 is also a really epic moment.

[Band band band 212]

Claudia Taylor Johnson 2014 opener ( heart eyes for years)

[akinez]

Reagan's Ballad from 2015 is by far one of the most beautiful and serene ballads I have heard

[MadisonBandMan1]

Hebron's '15 ballad and '17 ballad. Easily the two best ballads in high school marching band history.

[principalagent]

CTJ's pre-show this year is my favorite pre-show of all time. My first year in band was in the mid-late 2000s when the trend began (thanks Bell!), so I've seen the concept grow and develop first-hand, and CTJ's usage of "Above the Treetops" is simply fantastic for the mood it sets. 

[LeanderMomma]

The "saxy" Hebron saxophone solo in 2015.

 

[TWHSParent]

The "saxy" Hebron saxophone solo in 2015.

 

 

I've said it before, but their Semi-Finals performance at Grand Nationals in 2015 was the single best thing I've ever seen in marching band. Everything lined up for that, and the crowd was so responsive. No other show that I've seen live (granted limited exposure) even comes close, including last night (and those were great too!). That they set the record score ever in BOA with that performance speaks for itself, and I feel honored to have been there to see it.

[zururoua]

So many...

 

Avon and Flomo this year had some of the best loud impact moments and I can't wait to see how they compete at Nats. I'm also looking out for Castle's Fly to Paradise hit, Homestead's ballad, Union's Bluecoats closer, Broken Arrow's closer, and all the other amazing groups from around the country that we'll be talking about after nats is over.

 

Flomo 2016 had some of the most ethereal and amazing chords I've ever heard out of a high school music book, at such a high level too.

 

Reagan's 2015 ballad was amazing.

 

Woodlands 2013 opening hit was POWERFUL.

 

Hebron's jazz ballads are stunning. Shows the true musicality coming out of DFW. 2015 and 2017 especially had really really special stuff happening in those ballads.

 

CTJ just seems to have the best "say hello" moments. 2013 preshow, 2014 opening hit, 2015 opening drill, 2017 preshow and hit. 2016 was great too but didn't have the early show WOW factor that they do so well. Their closer last year was definitely one of the coolest and most "epic" things out of Texas last season, but had nothing on their show this year.

[Kiddo2.0]

The woodlands ballad this year was one of my all-time favorites along with Keller’s. And Hennys closer hit had me screaming the lyrics to Pink Floyd!

[takigan]

So are we talking epic like "Macho/brassissimo/Metal AF" power chords?   Or just sections of shows that were really really AWESOME?  

Going with the latter...but it includes the former--

Musically:
1. LD Bell '10 [Honor: We Will Remember] - 'New World' Clarinet solo in closer.
2. Leander '15 [Choral Works] - Entire Opener
3. Reagan '02 [The Journey Within] - The "drop"

Honorable Mentions:

LD Bell '00 [King of Kings] - Suicide closer.
Reagan '03 [beyond Perimeters] - Every moment of this show.
Richland '05 [inside Out] - Sleep ballad.
LD Bell '06 [The Remaining] - First big impact during the opener.
Duncanville '08 [The Journey]- Big arrival moment in the Barber. Been done plenty of times. Avon even did it in '09, but Duncanville did it better. 
Marcus '09 [A Midsummer Night's Dream] - English Horn solo.
The Woodlands '09 [Amen] - Drum Circle breakdown in Strange Humors (Taa, Taa, Taa...Ta-ki-ta-ki-ta-ki-taa).
The Woodlands '11 [uninvited] - The sections where Uninvited plays in tandem with Beethoven 7.
Broken Arrow '12 [surrender to Hope] - Opening hit.  Probably the only real memorable part of this show :/.
CTJ '14 [Chameleon] - Fly to Paradise opening hit.
Reagan '15 [Every(One)] - Vocal solo in the ballad
Hebron '15 - Pre-show oboe solo, jazz ballad Sax solo.

Visually: 

1. LD Bell '10 [Honor: We Will Remember] - GN tag ending with the flag and field drum.
2. LD Bell '06 [The Remaining] - The "Sea of Death" in the epilogue in their Nats ending (where the full field silk kills off the Remaining, and the lone guard girl emerges from the silk and is dancing around on the silk as the show closes).
3. Tarpon Springs '10 [Paranormal] - RISE! 

Honorable Mentions:

LD Bell '00 [King of Kings] - Suicide closer (it looked as cool as it sounded)
Reagan '02 [The Journey Within] - Plumes.  Yeah.
LD Bell '07 [TranSENDents] - Frozen in Time.  Where the whole band is frozen in place and Ophelia moves around between them.  I need to watch Pan's Labyrinth (still haven't seen it)
Brazoswood '07 [Rain] - Visual utilization of the props to form "rain" or "lightning bolts" using the band drill.
LD Bell '08 [The Quest] - Reverse Double-Time Snaking Follow-the-Leader Company Front Blind Pass-Through Closer Drill.
 

[inmysights31]

Honestly, the Verdi theme and the end of CP's show in 2014 made me cry it was so good... and I never cry.

 

CP in 15...I have just blown away with the entire show. What else do I have to say.

 

Leander 2015 was a favorite for me. From the props to the drill to the music and the choir just OMG.

 

Centennial-Frisco 2015 was wow. That trumpet feature and ending were spectacular!

[Band_dad_of_2]

 

Woodlands 2013 opening hit was POWERFUL.

 

This was my thought, too....that wall of sound that hit you. 

 

This was my "holy-cow-Texas-marching-bands-are-so-much-better-than-other-states!!" moment.

[Xenon]

 

This thread is a lot different than the preview lead me to believe.

[LeanderMomma]

 

This thread is a lot different than the preview lead me to believe.

Hahahaha!!!!!!

[takigan]

That would probably have to be the Cedar Ridge mom at BOA Conroe--what was it, 2013? It's one thing to be "that parent" who makes sure every last person within earshot knows which baby it was on that field that came out of her body, and to continuously drive that point home during every "crowd response" moment during the show....But the parent that goes the extra mile is the one that starts asking the names of other parents' kids from other schools so she can go ape**** for them as well  .

[snares]

Gotta throw Marcus out there, specifically 2012 and 2010, might as well just throw in the entire 2000s while I’m at it. Vandegrift’s show this year and 2013 are among my favorites as well. I’ll second Woodlands 2013 opener, and the closer. I also LOVED their use of props in the 2014 show. Flower Mound 2013 and 2016, Bell 2003, Reagan 2005 and 2006, of course Avon 2008, Hebron 2010, 2013 and this year.

I’d also like to add my favorite DCI shows just to be different, SCV ‘99, Cadets ‘03, Phantom ‘08, ‘10, ‘11, and basically any time Crown steps on the field.

[LeanderMomma]

Oh my goodness, y'all. I just ran across one of the most amazing marching band sax solos I've ever seen. I wasn't even looking for anything band related at the time. I guess God just wanted me to see this one cuz WOW. And this boy also played the tuba. THIS is why kids need band!

 

[MadisonBandMan1]

Totally unrelated but wanted to invite everyone to madison/lake travis game. Our band WILL be performing a halftime show for the crowd. Hope to see you there!

[LeanderMomma]

Totally unrelated but wanted to invite everyone to madison/lake travis game. Our band WILL be performing a halftime show for the crowd. Hope to see you there!

I'm so sorry that y'all have to play Lake Travis!

[MadisonBandMan1]

I know it's OK though.