Argyle - These kids are athletes. I've never seen a small band do this much movement on the field and still produce such a great sound. The drum break is a treat: the double-helix drill reminiscent of Spring 93, the crazy mallet run from Westfield 03, and the Fight Club tag from Cavies 02. All at over 200 bpm.
China Springs - It's been a long time since a military-style marching band made 3A state finals, but this group certainly deserved to be there. This isn't your father's military band, though: a little corps-style marching, some mallet percussion, 7/8 stutter step, and a block rotation. All achieved with laser-precise execution that is synonymous with this style.
CTJ - I just love this show. I love the Coldplay interspersed throughout. I love all the Barber music. I love the crazy Darryl Pemberton drill design. I love that massive School for Scandal hit. And even though they were probably the smallest band in 5A finals, I love that they still produced the one of the biggest sounds. Probably my favorite show of 2012.
Bowie - They blew me away at state. There's so much going on musically in this show, and all of it is amazing. Aside from the Planets, you get Mussorgsky, you get Prokofiev, you get Debussy... and that's just skimming the surface. And that Jupiter hit at the end? Goosebumps. Even from the Grand Nationals finals stream, their volume nearly blew out my headphones.
Kennesaw Mountain (GA) - This one really took me by surprise, because I've never really liked Kennesaw's shows. But in my opinion, this dark carnival theme was a home run. I love the way that the band warms up to Sarah Brightman's haunting "Deliver Me", and then the Dead Can Dance "Carnival Is Over" epilogue brings that mood back full-circle.