2024 BOA Grand National Championships (Nov. 14-16)

[Tubalord11]

26 minutes ago, clarinetistkai05 said:

I AM HAPPY! Is Argyle the first AA for Texas or am I mistaken? I am just so used to seeing AAAs and AAAAs 😭.

I do believe so yes. Ik Whitesboro went once but they were class A so I do believe they will be the first AA band from tx, super exciting 

[clarinetistkai05]

15 minutes ago, Tubalord11 said:

I do believe so yes. Ik Whitesboro went once but they were class A so I do believe they will be the first AA band from tx, super exciting 

happy for them! I genuinely cannot wait to see them on box5! also, how do boa classifications work? I’ve seen some 6As end up as 3As in boa and 5As as 2A (Argyle & Grapevine), is there a way they calculate?

[Tubalord11]

41 minutes ago, clarinetistkai05 said:

happy for them! I genuinely cannot wait to see them on box5! also, how do boa classifications work? I’ve seen some 6As end up as 3As in boa and 5As as 2A (Argyle & Grapevine), is there a way they calculate?

Its based off size of grades 10-12 

[Tubalord11]

Do note that we don’t know about Tarpon Springs yet. They normally come on even years so if they come, Argyle would be fighting for 2nd/3rd, bc no AA band is close to TS at the moment 

[clarinetistkai05]

10 minutes ago, Tubalord11 said:

Do note that we don’t know about Tarpon Springs yet. They normally come on even years so if they come, Argyle would be fighting for 2nd/3rd, bc no AA band is close to TS at the moment 

OH YEAH! I am hoping Argyle pulls through if TS doesn’t show up.

[BigTrombone]

Well, if their calendar holds true, Vista Ridge will be returning to Grand Nationals this fall.

EDIT: Never mind.

[Dave609]

On 3/1/2024 at 10:00 AM, Tubalord11 said:

Do note that we don’t know about Tarpon Springs yet. They normally come on even years so if they come, Argyle would be fighting for 2nd/3rd, bc no AA band is close to TS at the moment 

I really hope Tarpon Springs does go because I would really love to see 2 of the best AA schools in BOA to go up against each other. Would really be something no one would want to miss

[tubapop]

17 minutes ago, Dave609 said:

I really hope Tarpon Springs does go because I would really love to see 2 of the best AA schools in BOA to go up against each other. Would really be something no one would want to miss

I hope to go to GN with Bridgeland and would love to see Tarpon Springs live... They're probably my favorite all around group. So incredibly creative

[Sideswiperr]

Just curious, how exactly do BOA judges calculate scores, and get a score of for example 16.50? I know they have a sheet that is out of 100 points for each box, and adds up to a total of 200 points, but I really just would like to know how it gets down to that 16.50.

[Tubalord11]

2 hours ago, Sideswiperr said:

Just curious, how exactly do BOA judges calculate scores, and get a score of for example 16.50? I know they have a sheet that is out of 100 points for each box, and adds up to a total of 200 points, but I really just would like to know how it gets down to that 16.50.

I’ll do my best to describe the process. So, there are 7 judges total, individual music/marching, ensemble music/marching, 2 music GE and 1 visual GE. Each judge gives each band a score out of 20, an example being that the visual GE judge gave band A a 17.25. Then, for music as a whole, they take the music individual/ensemble judges, and average the score out of 20, that’s the groups overall music score. The same process happens for visual, take the two same judges, and averages the score out of 20. For GE, the average is out of 60. They take the 2 music GE judges, both giving scores out of 20, add the two together, that’s a bands total music GE score, then they add this visual score, and it will be some number between 0-60, as each GE judge can give a max of 20 points, so a total ge score could be 55.8. Getting a 16.5 like you mentioned is just either a score given me a judge in their specific category they are judging, or can be a total music/visual caption average score. And the final score is of course your average music score+average visual score+GE score, which will be any number between 0-100, such as an 88.75. Hope this helps!

 

im also adding a breakdown of one of last years Boa comps from Hornrank so you can physically see how the scores work: https://www.hornrank.com/2023/09/austin-prelims-sept-23-2023.html?m=1 

[Sideswiperr]

6 minutes ago, Tubalord11 said:

I’ll do my best to describe the process. So, there are 7 judges total, individual music/marching, ensemble music/marching, 2 music GE and 1 visual GE. Each judge gives each band a score out of 20, an example being that the visual GE judge gave band A a 17.25. Then, for music as a whole, they take the music individual/ensemble judges, and average the score out of 20, that’s the groups overall music score. The same process happens for visual, take the two same judges, and averages the score out of 20. For GE, the average is out of 60. They take the 2 music GE judges, both giving scores out of 20, add the two together, that’s a bands total music GE score, then they add this visual score, and it will be some number between 0-60, as each GE judge can give a max of 20 points, so a total ge score could be 55.8. Getting a 16.5 like you mentioned is just either a score given me a judge in their specific category they are judging, or can be a total music/visual caption average score. And the final score is of course your average music score+average visual score+GE score, which will be any number between 0-100, such as an 88.75. Hope this helps!

 

im also adding a breakdown of one of last years Boa comps from Hornrank so you can physically see how the scores work: https://www.hornrank.com/2023/09/austin-prelims-sept-23-2023.html?m=1 

That sounds much simpler than I previously thought, I appreciate the explanation. Perhaps that’s why I’m not in the press box.

[crunchycookie3]

It looks like Prosper has removed this from their calendar, but I’m not convinced that they won’t be going. We’ll see!

Side note: It’s crazy cool to see groups like Friendswood, Argyle, and Bridgeland try their hand at Grand Nats. In the last 10 seasons, we’ve seen a slew of 12 first-time TX nats finalists:

Round Rock (‘13), Cedar Ridge (‘13), Flower Mound (‘14), Hebron (‘15), Keller (‘15), Cedar Park (‘16), Prosper (‘18), Vandegrift (‘19), Vista Ridge (‘21), Southlake Carroll (‘22), Hendrickson (‘22), Pearland (‘23)

The culture here in TX is crazy good, especially considering that many of these groups are relatively fresh on the scene. Looking ahead, I anticipate this list to grow by a name or two this season. I wonder who will follow after that!

[nightlife]

21 hours ago, crunchycookie3 said:

It looks like Prosper has removed this from their calendar, but I’m not convinced that they won’t be going. We’ll see!

Side note: It’s crazy cool to see groups like Friendswood, Argyle, and Bridgeland try their hand at Grand Nats. In the last 10 seasons, we’ve seen a slew of 12 first-time TX nats finalists:

Round Rock (‘13), Cedar Ridge (‘13), Flower Mound (‘14), Hebron (‘15), Keller (‘15), Cedar Park (‘16), Prosper (‘18), Vandegrift (‘19), Vista Ridge (‘21), Southlake Carroll (‘22), Hendrickson (‘22), Pearland (‘23)

The culture here in TX is crazy good, especially considering that many of these groups are relatively fresh on the scene. Looking ahead, I anticipate this list to grow by a name or two this season. I wonder who will follow after that!

I agree, I’m leaning more towards >1 new Texas finalist this year. Directly comparing Friendswood to some of last year’s finalists has me pretty confident in them, furthermore Argyle did beat fwood soooo

[LeanderMomma]

On 4/17/2024 at 12:33 PM, crunchycookie3 said:

looks like Prosper has removed this from their calendar, but I’m not convinced that they won’t be going. We’ll see!

I see it still on their calendar. 🤗

[Tubalord11]

American Fork H.S., UT
Anderson County H.S., KY
Archbishop Alter H.S., OH
Argyle H.S., TX
Avon H.S., IN
Avon H.S., OH
Bartlett H.S., TN
Batesville H.S., IN
Bellbrook H.S., OH
Ben Davis H.S., IN
Bob Jones H.S., AL
Bourbon County H.S., KY
Boyle County H.S., KY
Bridgeland H.S., TX
Broken Arrow H.S., OK
Brownsburg H.S., IN
Cambridge H.S., GA
Camdenton H.S., MO
Campbell County H.S., KY
Carlisle H.S., OH
Carmel H.S., IN
Cary H.S., NC
Cass H.S., GA
Castle H.S., IN
Catawba Ridge H.S., SC
Cedar Park H.S., TX
Center Grove H.S., IN
Centerville H.S., OH
Central Crossing H.S., OH
Cheney H.S., WA
Christian Academy of Louisville, KY
Clinton-Massie H.S., OH
Clover H.S., SC
Colerain H.S., OH
Columbus H.S., IN
Deer Creek H.S., OK
DeSoto Central H.S., MS
DeWitt H.S., MI
Dixie Heights H.S., KY
Dobyns-Bennett H.S., TN
East Clinton H.S., OH
Finneytown H.S., OH
Fishers H.S., IN
Floyd Central H.S., IN
Franklin H.S., TN
Friendswood H.S., TX
Garrard County H.S., KY
Goshen H.S., IN
Greendale H.S., WI
Greenfield Central H.S., IN
Green Level H.S., NC
Hamilton H.S., OH
Hardin Valley Academy, TN
Hollister H.S., MO
Homestead H.S., IN
Huron Valley Marching Band, MI
Jenison H.S., MI
Jenks H.S., OK
John Hardin H.S., KY
Kalida H.S., OH
Kickapoo H.S., MO
Lakota East H.S., OH
Lawrence Township, IN
Leander H.S., TX
Lebanon H.S., OH
Lincoln-Way Community H.S., IL
Marian Catholic H.S., IL
Marion Local H.S., OH
Meade County H.S., KY
Miamisburg H.S., OH
Milford H.S., OH
Monrovia H.S., IN
Mustang H.S., OK
Newberry H.S., FL
Nicholas County H.S., KY
Nixa H.S., MO
Noblesville H.S., IN
Norton H.S., OH
Norwin H.S., PA
Norwood H.S., OH
O’Fallon Township H.S., IL
Owen County H.S., KY
Panther Creek H.S., NC
Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, MI
Prosper H.S., TX
Pulaski County H.S., KY
Reeths-Puffer H.S., MI
Rockford H.S., MI
Rosemount H.S., MN
Shawe Memorial H.S., IN
Simon Kenton H.S., KY
South Dearborn H.S., IN
South Jones H.S., MS
South Oldham H.S., KY
South Point H.S., OH
Springboro H.S., OH
Stoneman Douglas H.S., FL
Summit H.S., TN
Tarpon Springs H.S., FL
Tippecanoe H.S., OH
Union H.S., OK
Walled Lake H.S., MI
Walter E. Stebbins H.S., OH
Warren Local H.S., OH
West Carrollton H.S., OH
Westlake H.S., UT
William Mason H.S., OH
Worthington Kilbourne H.S., OH

Current as of June 11, 2024

[packwick]

avon, bridgeland, broken arrow, brownsburg, carmel, cedar park, dobyns bennett, fishers, leander, tarpon springs, william mason...

aaaaand american fork/mustang/o'fallon/prosper/union. not really up to date on the strongest bubbles tbh. would love to see friendswood in the mix. brownsburg and fishers maybe more at risk than i think, musically were pretty rough last yr (watching nats live), but then they still made finals, so... think design and vis will keep them there.

[Tubalord11]

37 minutes ago, packwick said:

avon, bridgeland, broken arrow, brownsburg, carmel, cedar park, dobyns bennett, fishers, leander, tarpon springs, william mason...

aaaaand american fork/mustang/o'fallon/prosper/union. not really up to date on the strongest bubbles tbh. would love to see friendswood in the mix. brownsburg and fishers maybe more at risk than i think, musically were pretty rough last yr (watching nats live), but then they still made finals, so... think design and vis will keep them there.

Yeah it’s gonna be insane, arguably the most deep GN’s with 2016. It will probably be the best semis, and there will be tons of heartbreaks. Wish I could go but ig box5 will have to do 

[LeanderMomma]

2 hours ago, Tubalord11 said:

Yeah it’s gonna be insane, arguably the most deep GN’s with 2016. It will probably be the best semis, and there will be tons of heartbreaks. Wish I could go but ig box5 will have to do 

It is indeed going to be absolutely insane. So glad I’m going!!

[Tubalord11]

1 hour ago, LeanderMomma said:

It is indeed going to be absolutely insane. So glad I’m going!!

Beyond jealous but super happy for you!! I have nothing planned for that weekend so I might be able to go for semis/finals, just depends on school, work, life, ect 😂

[TWHSParent]

I am likely to attend this year. Living 1.5 hours away from Indianapolis has this benefit at least!

[Hard Core Band Fan]

48 minutes ago, TWHSParent said:

I am likely to attend this year. Living 1.5 hours away from Indianapolis has this benefit at least!

Jealous! 

[LeanderMomma]

13 hours ago, TWHSParent said:

I am likely to attend this year. Living 1.5 hours away from Indianapolis has this benefit at least!

See you there!

[Houston213]

I think it's safe to say that Carmel, Avon, Tarpon Springs, William Mason, Broken Arrow, and Dobyns Bennett are locks for finals. That's half taken right there.

As for Texas, all eyes are gonna be on Bridgeland, Cedar Park, and Leander for finals. As a matter of fact, if you took their BOA SA scores last year and compared them to the scores of the GN finalists, all three would have made a GN finalist spot and knocked out Keller, Brownsburg, and Fishers. (This info is useless for this year's competition but is interesting to know). 

The next three is tricky because there are so many bubble bands and previous GN finalists in this mix. We are looking at Prosper, Brownsburg, Fishers, Union, Homestead, Castle, Mustang, American Fork and O'Fallon Township. Just based on previous rankings it would be safe to say the next 3 could possibly be Prosper, Brownsburg, and Fishers with Castle being right there behind them. 

So the Finalists would look something like this: (listed somewhat alphabetically)

1-6: Avon, Broken Arrow, Carmel, Dobyns Bennett, Tarpon Springs, and William Mason

7-9: Bridgeland, Cedar Park, and Leander

10-12: Brownsburg, Fishers, and Prosper 

----

13: Castle 

All we can do right now is look at is previous placements which is a very inaccurate way to approach things since many of these bands are changing and we are starting to see once-mediocre bands become top dogs and legendary bands getting passed up by others. We will start to get a better idea as the season begins. 

[Tubalord11]

8 hours ago, Houston213 said:

I think it's safe to say that Carmel, Avon, Tarpon Springs, William Mason, Broken Arrow, and Dobyns Bennett are locks for finals. That's half taken right there.

As for Texas, all eyes are gonna be on Bridgeland, Cedar Park, and Leander for finals. As a matter of fact, if you took their BOA SA scores last year and compared them to the scores of the GN finalists, all three would have made a GN finalist spot and knocked out Keller, Brownsburg, and Fishers. (This info is useless for this year's competition but is interesting to know). 

The next three is tricky because there are so many bubble bands and previous GN finalists in this mix. We are looking at Prosper, Brownsburg, Fishers, Union, Homestead, Castle, Mustang, American Fork and O'Fallon Township. Just based on previous rankings it would be safe to say the next 3 could possibly be Prosper, Brownsburg, and Fishers with Castle being right there behind them. 

So the Finalists would look something like this: (listed somewhat alphabetically)

1-6: Avon, Broken Arrow, Carmel, Dobyns Bennett, Tarpon Springs, and William Mason

7-9: Bridgeland, Cedar Park, and Leander

10-12: Brownsburg, Fishers, and Prosper 

----

13: Castle 

All we can do right now is look at is previous placements which is a very inaccurate way to approach things since many of these bands are changing and we are starting to see once-mediocre bands become top dogs and legendary bands getting passed up by others. We will start to get a better idea as the season begins. 

Love this breakdown! I really do believe CP and POSSIBLY Leander has the chance to break into the top 5. DB imo is on the same level of CP, and if Leander gets back to pre Covid level, which they very well could with this seasons show,I could see them up in the top half as well. It’s possible for Bridgeland but still too early to tell. 

[BandFan2025]

10 hours ago, Houston213 said:

I think it's safe to say that Carmel, Avon, Tarpon Springs, William Mason, Broken Arrow, and Dobyns Bennett are locks for finals. That's half taken right there.

As for Texas, all eyes are gonna be on Bridgeland, Cedar Park, and Leander for finals. As a matter of fact, if you took their BOA SA scores last year and compared them to the scores of the GN finalists, all three would have made a GN finalist spot and knocked out Keller, Brownsburg, and Fishers. (This info is useless for this year's competition but is interesting to know). 

The next three is tricky because there are so many bubble bands and previous GN finalists in this mix. We are looking at Prosper, Brownsburg, Fishers, Union, Homestead, Castle, Mustang, American Fork and O'Fallon Township. Just based on previous rankings it would be safe to say the next 3 could possibly be Prosper, Brownsburg, and Fishers with Castle being right there behind them. 

So the Finalists would look something like this: (listed somewhat alphabetically)

1-6: Avon, Broken Arrow, Carmel, Dobyns Bennett, Tarpon Springs, and William Mason

7-9: Bridgeland, Cedar Park, and Leander

10-12: Brownsburg, Fishers, and Prosper 

----

13: Castle 

All we can do right now is look at is previous placements which is a very inaccurate way to approach things since many of these bands are changing and we are starting to see once-mediocre bands become top dogs and legendary bands getting passed up by others. We will start to get a better idea as the season begins. 

Tarpon Avon Carmel and William mason are the top 4 I think cp and bridgeland will push BA for 5th.