2019 BOA Grand National Championships

[lost]

Each program has its strengths and that’s all I focus on as I watch shows live. I don’t think we should bicker over our kids marching around on a field, it’s supoosed to be a fun and educational experience. We shouldn’t argue on some forum about whether someone’s being criticized enough or anything of the sort. We should leave the critiquing to the judges and instead build each other up. There should be no need to defend and put down other programs in the process because we should all be building each other up at the end of the day no matter whether a band placed 8th, 1st or even 43rd we should learn to celebrate them for their efforts instead of putting them down because at the end of the day it’s not placements that matter so much, it’s the growth you experienced.

[AvonDad]

Its a little off the original topic, but the way this has morphed.... Something I've learned these past few years is that every kid on the field deserves to see a standing ovation.  Each one of them has put in multiple hours of practice, memorization, perfecting technique, be it in the hot sun, rain, snow and yes, hurricane remnants.  It doesn't matter if the show wasn't your thing or if you wanted to jump around like your favorite team scored a touchdown.  These kids are out learning life lessons on how to get along with each other, work toward a common goal, see the highs and lows of their band mates, work through adversities....all to be the best they can with the show they have been given.  So next time you see the horns down and the drum major turns around, get up on your feet and give these kids a hand. They deserve it.    I now return back to your original scheduled postings.....

[Samuel Culper]

AvonDad - I was at the UIL 6A State contest last fall and, as is my practice, stood to applaud every band that performed. And I found myself getting really irritated at everyone around me who seemed to be sitting on their hands. It was so annoying.

 

I agree with you wholeheartedly. It's such a great activity and I will applaud any kid who dedicates themself to it.

[BlackJesus]

AvonDad - I was at the UIL 6A State contest last fall and, as is my practice, stood to applaud every band that performed. And I found myself getting really irritated at everyone around me who seemed to be sitting on their hands. It was so annoying.

 

I agree with you wholeheartedly. It's such a great activity and I will applaud any kid who dedicates themself to it.

I can understand if someone doesn't wanna stand, but I've always seen it as really rude to not clap at all

[CTJBandPops]

I can understand if someone doesn't wanna stand, but I've always seen it as really rude to not clap at all

I agree - the kids are giving it everything they have with a program that was provided to them - they deserve to be applauded for what they have worked to put on the field - show them some love

[Bandwoww]

One topic that always comes up is the fact that some of the best bands don’t always bring their best shows to Nats. I think we saw this in 2017 with Fractured Moments. It was an awesome show but it tried too hard to one-up Leonardo’s Dream. I think it pushed the students past a point where they could put out a super clean and refined show. I think something similar happened with CTJ this past year. 2017 was arguably their most successful season yet but 2018 was a show where the students visibly struggled for most of the season. The end product was still phenomenal but didn’t capture the magic of the previous year. I guess what I am trying to get across is that it is kind of impossible for directors/designers to recreate the magic after “winning big”.

 

So going into Nats, none of the Texas attendees “won big” last year. Hebron was the closest by placing third in San Antonio. I would absolutely love for a Texas band to win Nats but their biggest competition is Carmel, who seems to be able to recreate enough magic each year to stay on top.

 

Obviously we have seen VERY little from these bands so everything will probably change.

 

Hebron is my favorite to take the eagle from Texas. IMO they are one of the most consistent bands. All they really need is a more engaging visual design and story to create an undeniable package. Unpopular opinion: I think their best show overall is Uncharted Waters because it combined a simple yet well executed and tangible visual theme with impeccable music and drill. Still, any of their shows from the past 4 years are pretty awe inspiring.

 

CTJ could easily bring a show that is capable of taking the eagle, but struggled with consistency issues as of late. 9th at Nats in 2016 was a shockingly low placement for a band that has won San Antonio in 2014 and 2017 and has placed in the top 5 every year since 2011. 2018 felt similar to 2017 in a way that was a little stale. The sequel idea scares me a little because recreating such a magical show is really risky. Also creating a show inspired by a movie releasing in the same year either sounds totally awesome or a grab at a concept that isn’t as original as it should be.

 

Leander has definitely pushed the activity with their theatrical shows and out-there and modern music and visual choices. Radioactive just might be the show that cements Leander’s identity while also pushing the band to new heights.

 

In the end, I’m just excited to witness some amazing artistic performances by every band. Can marching season come faster please?

[LeanderMomma]

Here’s what I would like to see happen at San Antonio this fall. (I know this is the GN thread, but hear me out). Top Five in alphabetical order: CTJ, Hebron, Leander, TWHS and Vandy. Of course I have my personal preference on who takes the top two spots, but my point is that if these five bands take the top five spots in San Antonio, HOW COOL WILL GRAND NATS BE?! Yes, I am yelling.

[lost]

I had an odd dream. I dreamt the announcements of Grand Nationals placements, these are goofy as it was a dream but here they are the ones I remember at least

1.Leander, 2.Carmel 3.Marian Catholic 4.CTJ 5.Adair County 6.Plymouth-Canton 7.Lawrence Township 8.Avon 9.The Woodlands I can’t really remember the rest but I remember that Leander won the colorguard caption which doesn’t actually exist

[Guest]

I had an odd dream. I dreamt the announcements of Grand Nationals placements, these are goofy as it was a dream but here they are the ones I remember at least

1.Leander, 2.Carmel 3.Marian Catholic 4.CTJ 5.Adair County 6.Plymouth-Canton 7.Lawrence Township 8.Avon 9.The Woodlands I can’t really remember the rest but I remember that Leander won the colorguard caption which doesn’t actually exist

I would love to see PCEP back in finals.

[LeanderMomma]

I had an odd dream. I dreamt the announcements of Grand Nationals placements, these are goofy as it was a dream but here they are the ones I remember at least

1.Leander, 2.Carmel 3.Marian Catholic 4.CTJ 5.Adair County 6.Plymouth-Canton 7.Lawrence Township 8.Avon 9.The Woodlands I can’t really remember the rest but I remember that Leander won the colorguard caption which doesn’t actually exist

Doesn’t seem goofy to me!

[DrumCorpsGeek]

I had an odd dream. I dreamt the announcements of Grand Nationals placements, these are goofy as it was a dream but here they are the ones I remember at least

1.Leander, 2.Carmel 3.Marian Catholic 4.CTJ 5.Adair County 6.Plymouth-Canton 7.Lawrence Township 8.Avon 9.The Woodlands I can’t really remember the rest but I remember that Leander won the colorguard caption which doesn’t actually exist

Sounds like a dream I would have HAHA

[gmtb617]

I can’t really remember the rest but I remember that Leander won the colorguard caption which doesn’t actually exist

I love that so much

[LeanderMomma]

I love that so much

SAME!

 

If only BOA would bring back the colorguard and percussion awards!!

[Majellan]

Not too long ago the favorite target was Marcus, then flower mound and ctj now. Even though I live in dfw ctj is one of my favorite bands. Somehow in a state full of great bands they stand out, but the comment Avon dad made about every band kid working hard is true. I admit I don’t stand for every band because that I’m a music snob, but I still respect everyone and clap. Having been in a not so great band from east Texas many moons ago I know what it’s like to hear critiques instead of applause. However, I didn’t expect people to give us a standing ovation for just being there, that’s insulting. That being said we still started working on August just like everyone else. So congrats to ctj for getting criticized, sometimes that’s the ultimate compliment:)....And props to Jarrett Lipman for being a good sport with us novices on here!

[Danpod]

I'm ready for this season to start.  I may just do a bit where I hand out tortillas this November.

[justabandkid94]

how did I miss this hot mess??

[LeanderMomma]

how did I miss this hot mess??

We’re all hot messes here.

[MadisonBandMan1]

You know I'm still left wondering why there are so few programs signed up for this contest and how there are more signed up for San Antonio.

[LeanderMomma]

You know I'm still left wondering why there are so few programs signed up for this contest and how there are more signed up for San Antonio.

Call me biased but I think a big reason is because so many Texas powerhouses are going.

[MadisonBandMan1]

Call me biased but I think a big reason is because so many Texas powerhouses are going. ‍♀

That could be a part of it but I would think that would only affect really the big hitter programs at the top, but a lot of the big hitter programs that aren't going have a legitimate reason to not go. The more likely reason may be the cost in my opinion.

[LeanderMomma]

That could be a part of it but I would think that would only affect really the big hitter programs at the top, but a lot of the big hitter programs that aren't going have a legitimate reason to not go. The more likely reason may be the cost in my opinion.

I don’t think it’s cost. It’s no more expensive this year than any other year, and bands are even more savvy now in their fundraising efforts than ever before. The Indiana heavy hitters will most likely always go to GN, but the real question is what about the other usual attendees? When Texas stays home, there are a lot more opportunities to make finals for the other heavy hitters. With the success Texas has begun having in the last five years or so, and with so many of the successful Texas bands attending this year in particular, I believe that many other very successful non Texas bands have decided it’s not worth going this year. In fact, if you look at the Indianapolis Super Regional, you will see a lot of bands attending that one as opposed to GN this fall. I just find it peculiar is all. And quite frankly, a real bummer.

[Samuel Culper]

I don’t think it’s cost. It’s no more expensive this year than any other year, and bands are even more savvy now in their fundraising efforts than ever before. The Indiana heavy hitters will most likely always go to GN, but the real question is what about the other usual attendees? When Texas stays home, there are a lot more opportunities to make finals for the other heavy hitters. With the success Texas has begun having in the last five years or so, and with so many of the successful Texas bands attending this year in particular, I believe that many other very successful non Texas bands have decided it’s not worth going this year. In fact, if you look at the Indianapolis Super Regional, you will see a lot of bands attending that one as opposed to GN this fall. I just find it peculiar is all. And quite frankly, a real bummer.

Imagine the ****storm that would ensue if you had posted that on the old MFA forums.

[LeanderMomma]

Imagine the ****storm that would ensue if you had posted that on the old MFA forums.

How funny because I was thinking about that exact thing when I wrote it!

[Majellan]

I don’t think it’s cost. It’s no more expensive this year than any other year, and bands are even more savvy now in their fundraising efforts than ever before. The Indiana heavy hitters will most likely always go to GN, but the real question is what about the other usual attendees? When Texas stays home, there are a lot more opportunities to make finals for the other heavy hitters. With the success Texas has begun having in the last five years or so, and with so many of the successful Texas bands attending this year in particular, I believe that many other very successful non Texas bands have decided it’s not worth going this year. In fact, if you look at the Indianapolis Super Regional, you will see a lot of bands attending that one as opposed to GN this fall. I just find it peculiar is all. And quite frankly, a real bummer.

Thats why I really respect bands like Avon, Vista Murriwta and Westlake from Utah. They know what they’re headed into but they come to give their best shot. That is a good indication of how things would be if they ever moved the gnc to Texas. It would end up being a second State UIL contest in most years. It’s amazing how they argue up there about how good the Texas bands really are. When the heavy hitters show up however, many of them stay home. They need to have more of the spirit that Westfield, Churchill and Spring had in the 80’s and 90’s. They were outsiders then But sure enough they usually got into the top 5, Westfield was number 2 a couple of times even before Spring won it all in ‘93.

[principalagent]

If cost isn't the issue, then why don't the Texas Heavy Hitters go to Grand nats every year? Not trying to be a jerk here.

UIL.