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Posted

2006 Bands of America Regional Championships presented by Yamaha

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona

October 14, 2006

 

The rain was gone, for the most part. I shook from skin to bone as I made my way to my car to start it up and turn on the heat to let my blood thaw and run as it once did when I was in the dome where arm and hand were sore from write and wrote. Chill and shrill was HERE. "Let us in!" yelled one of the band fans. No more have I seen more those who are out want more in. And then the doors opened. And then the seats taken. And then the time passing. A trombonist respectfully played the National Anthem, and in grand BOA tradition we were prepped--prepped to cheer EVERYONE on. (I even got a back rub out of it, and from all people a lady who happened to be a MASSAGE THERAPIST who had a freshman baritone daughter in the fine Onate band. Oh, and regarding Onate: hello Onate backers! I sat with these friendly, classy people during finals. Some of them were very curious about where I would post this REVIEW...so I gave them the low down.) When it was time to start the show, I had pen in hand and mind on band. Let us see some glorious things!

 

FINALS PERFORMANCES

 

Coronado High School

Henderson, NV

Repertoire: "Attraction: The Music of Scheherazade" including "I. The Story of the Prince Kalendar," "II. The Story of the Prince and the Princess" and "III. The Festival at Baghdad"

Comments: The field was filled with vertical lines. On the rear 50 are what appear to be bottles from the desert. (Perhaps genies were inside?) A few of the wind players holding golden flags (along with their instruments) display total integration between wind players and auxiliary. The dark, solemn notes of the low brass boomed outwards. All right! Technique in marching, member to member, was magnificent. They were on target when it counted with most forms. A sloppy attack seemed to slow them down a bit, but not too much. The flutes, in a circular form, point their instruments towards the center, rendering a flash of nickel. Mmmm. The sweet sound of the woodwinds resonates. The interaction between some of the wind players, and the guard dressed in red (with faces covered with red fabric, as is tradition in parts of the Middle East and Africa) was, yes, romantic. A bunch of notes thrown out, followed by a horn flash, and an arm extension, was pretty exact. There were a few things--sight and sound--that were tweaked wrong. The symmetrical form at the end of their show was still, and still. Their music was luscious. I was left with just a tad bit of incompleteness. The razzle dazzle was missing. They simply put on a clean, safe performance.

My Score: 62.00

Actual Score: 69.60

My Placement: 10th

Actual Placement: 10th

 

Onate High School

Las Cruces, NM

Repertoire: "Propelled by Wind" featuring the music from La Nouba including "Once Upon a Time," "Porte," "Distorted," "Reve Rouge," "Urban" and "La Nouba"

Comments: On the back left 20 yard line were the wind players covered with a multi-colored fabric. The auxiliary at the ends of the fabric held it in place. Five mechanical windmills were placed in the right rear corner of the field. A whirlwind of movement is captured as soon as the fabric is lifted. Supreme musical control was evident. I like the right arm then left arm flash near the end of the first movement. Outwards stretching of the instruments in circular pods is a sight to behold as the pit and a gal on flute go at it. Awesome rifle catch, auxiliary, and I do not have to mention to the woodwinds that they nailed their work proper. A drunken style march towards the backfield was funny, yet perfect. This group fit the mood they made to the max. Soon, the windmills are positioned so members can integrate their drill within and without. The music is heartfelt, and they force you to see what they are up to. So far, this show is key; this show is on the mark. A shakin' dance is done to vocals, and the crowd goes wild. Sweet singing by a male and female vocal duet melds right with what was blown or what is hit. This show was a wonder. Fabulous.

My Score: 69.80

Actual Score: 77.00

My Placement: 6th

Actual Placement: 6th

 

Corona del Sol High School

Tempe, AZ

Repertoire: "Strange Humors" including "Strange Humors" by John Mackey, "Concerto for Orchestra, Mvt. II Giuco della coppie" and "Concertino for Four Percussion and Wind Ensemble" by David Gillingham

Comments: The saxophones and mellophones encircled the blob that was the rest of the wind players. The drumline was scattered to the left, and the auxiliary assumed various poses near the front sideline. The leg bends by the saxes were okay. (Not exact, but okay.) Way to kick it into first gear with that sound, band. An upper body swivel to the rear of the field worked. There were just a few notes that went to pieces, and one trumpet kept blowing through a moment of breath. A tenor sax and alto sax duet was featured as two forms cleanly moved away from them, who were in the center of the field, so that they could be in the spotlight. (Great staging.) The auxiliary were masters with those noodle props and, yes, even got the spectators to laugh some. (way to INVOLVE!) Holy sustained notes, CdS! Nice work. Ack! Things get a tad bit nasty with some sound, following the rifle gals getting lost within the blockish forms. The flutes zipped up that "V" form quite well. Use all the counts, now. We rush, rush, rush to the end with whiplash music and an awful tough drill move that can only be compared to what the Santa Clara Vanguard did a few times during their show in 1999--a split block folding move "of death." They let go of some safe to catch some cool. Can you say, "Impressive"?

My Score: 64.30

Actual Score: 70.30

My Placement: 8th

Actual Placement: 9th

 

Casa Grande Union High School

Casa Grande, AZ

Repertoire: "In Diversus Motus" including "I. Niagra Falls," "II. Sonata for Trumpet by Eric Ewazen," "III. Colchester Fantasty, Mvt. IV" and "IV. Niagra Falls"

Comments: A roundish diamond form inside a roundish diamond form was seen, with the winds in blue, gold, and black. In the middle of these diamonds was the guard, wildly waving their flags. (I liked how the silks matched their outfits.) This group takes no time at all to get revved up. During a jazz run by the clarinets, one clarinet falls terribly, splitting the instrument. Whoa! This brave player re-assembles the clarinet and recovers just...in...time. One set of sabre tosses, and then another, are caught. Beautiful. I think their sound was wavering a bit in the slow part of their show. (Trumpets, does that ring a bell?) The inwards bending and outwards bending arc that barely touches each other--so fine. I saw some weapons glitches, but they were few and far between. Hmmm, this show was shorter than I thought it was. They ended what they had with a punch, but I craved more. This is not the evening to go half way, what with all the competitiveness here?

My Score: 63.90

Actual Score: 72.25

My Placement: 9th

Actual Placement: 7th

 

Victoria Memorial High School

Victoria, TX

Repertoire: "New World Dances" featuring the music of Martin Ellerby including "I. Earth Dance," "II. Moon Dance" and "III. Sun Dance"

Comments: When the wind players face the rear, I see black. It was not 'till they faced front that I saw a touch of cream. In the center of the field was a dancer with a white wooden frame. A gentle piano sound was generated, while the wind players made their bold remark which just got bolder. Line meshes and rotates were, uh, acceptable. This show has some spark. Those orange-and-purple flags passing through that rhombus form was more tacky than subtle. Clean those diagonals up (or at least sweep them under a rug, ha ha!) I adored that amped sax solo...so Nymanesque! Wow. That ballad was a keeper. Good, good rifle catch in succession, guard. No! Do not move at a halt! (I don't care HOW bad the form is going to be because you did not make it in time.) Okay folks, let's get this show done. The sound they have is glorious, no doubt. This was a ready, steady, go type of show. What they lacked is some flair, visually, no doubt. I know they will do it in time. If only the rest of their show was as good as that ballad. Wow, the ballad by itself--my thumbs way, way up.

My Score: 65.00

Actual Score: 70.55

My Placement: 7th

Actual Placement: 8th

 

William S. Hart High School

Newhall, CA

Repertoire: "Voyage of the Seven Seas" including "I. Setting Sail/The Kraken," "II. Song of the Sirens" and "III. The Cyclops"

Comments: A diamond tarp depicting a compass rose digested some of the 40, and about 5 yards on either side. Look at those heavy duty backdrops with an ocean grid and islands of myth. The sound of seagulls, the sea, and ringing could be heard as the woodwinds prepared. Ah yes. This band could play with the best of them. Now, I was a little higher up in the stands for finals, so I hope my ears were not deceiving me in that this group seemed more subdued. Much of their drill work was on the mark. I like that utmost controlled one-leg stand, clarinets. Suh-weet. I see the guard has a field day with silks. (Are there any other tools in your kit besides silks?) Flutes, when you are put on the spot you do not crack. Great! The percussion feature started with tenor sticks crossed. I like the fade-in-and-out "aaah!" synth sound. A spiral form expands, and so does the fluid, flashy, flooring sounds. Give these kids a hand for taking control. A rectangle form up front and in your face morphs a tad from ends to in, the center line unmoved. This was a stellar show.

My Score: 74.90

Actual Score: 80.65

My Placement: 2nd

Actual Placement: 2nd

 

Jenks High School

Jenks, OK

Repertoire: "Exuberance" including "Noisy Wheels of Joy," "J'ai ete au bal" and "New Century Dawn"

Comments: Sketches of curves were on stage. With delicate hands, the instruments rise. Some notes seemed out of whack. (Intentional? Yeah, I think so.) A mellophone soloist does a goofy leg lift, and later a playful clarinet solo is a match. Wow, trumpets exposed! Okay, that's the way to do it. Aaand uh! Sabres go bouncing off. Musically, not a bad end to Part 1. A tuba solo gets a hand from a baritone, and then comes in a mello expert. Ha! That unique sound stuck with me tonight. The woodwinds shook like an upright snake, with notes of note. This group, thus far, went nuts (and I mean this with sincerest admiration). I was very impressed, flutes--your soli rocked. This band shrinks the volume to nada, and then comes back with the warmest sound. The rest of their show was almost picture perfect. Hey, how about that high note when the trumpets attack? Wowzers! This band gets my kudos, big time.

My Score: 73.30

Actual Score: 79.00

My Placement: 3rd

Actual Placement: 4th

 

Ayala High School

Chino Hills, CA

Repertoire: "Fear" featuring the music of John Meehan, Caleb Rothe and Ike Jackson including "I. Claustrophobia," "II. Aquaphobia," "III. Metallophobia" and "IV. Kinetophobia"

Comments: A claustrophobic move jump starts their show of fear. I like that guard moment when that guy is lifted and goes falling backwards, and then he gets stuck in a spinning form while his body language depicts fright. The low brass takes turns giving their input. A slight trumpet flaw, buuut, I don't have much of a chance to think about it, ha ha! Woodwinds stretched along side A, keep the spacing even and make sure your step-offs are exact. Okay, the lunging, creeping move combined with chunky sound consumed me. The percussionists were good, almost too good. The mechanical drum hits were so good and so fast and so ripe. Ha ha, yay for metal pole playing, and the choreography sells. Auxiliary, you have improved ten-fold. (Thank you!) Sabres were handled with care; rifles were airborne with "click"! This meaty show gripped you and then some. I was squeezed, all right. The lasering, zapping, humming, soaring sounds--it's all good. You are in for a ride when you see this band take the field. Good for them.

My Score: 76.50

Actual Score: 83.10

My Placement: 1st

Actual Placement: 1st

 

Air Academy High School

United States Air Force Academy, CO

Repertoire: "Area 51" featuring the music of Mark Higginbotham including "Beyond," "Area 51," "Mystic Rhythms," "Northern Lights" and "Warp"

Comments: Good tactic, synths. What we have here is a show before the show. The woodwinds, like clockwork, get moving. Their sound is as one, and repeats with passion. Mellophones, facing the left end zone, then facing front to us--marvelous. The spacey sounds engulf you. After this we soon get into a contra bass clarinet and bassoon gig. These kids can dance, let me tell you. Oh yeah, that in-your-face sound with everyone visually "with it" is sick. Sick, sick, sick. (Actually, I used the word "sick" because some kid behind me gasped it when the band did this.) Also, way to get back into "military" mode. It's like flipping a switch for these guys. I saw one person out of step, and then fixed it. (Nice work.) COME OOON! Yes! The forms went this way that way, all ways. Their dizzying flash--breathtaking. They tied up all loose ends by hitting the crowd one more time, up close and personal. Nothing personal, just business, right? Whatever. They bowled me and the rest of us down. Strike!

My Score: 73.00

Actual Score: 78.30

My Placement: 4th

Actual Placement: 5th

 

Pomona High School

Arvada, CO

Repertoire: "Scale and Beyond..." featuring music by Richard Saucedo and Ray Ulibarri

Comments: Great three-dimensional pose, wind players, kneeling at different heights with arms outstretched. They played happy music and thrived. A diamond form dissolves in segments. You can't go wrong with a random jazzy woodwind segment, can you? Ooh, this band smoked! Catch those rifles the same, rifles. There are many spacing issues in that flute/clarinet snaking form. I think this band had their show down, but could have done more to help us make sense of it. Here is one of the few shows I would actually suggest narration (or some sort of device) to help us go beyond "black vs. white" and "one may be more heavy/less heavy than the other." You see? I am all for shows that are symbolic and cerebral, but try to make it mean something more than simply "it is," you know? I know "it is." The music and marching could not be more pleasant. This group knows how to play the game. However, I was expecting more from this group that used to take BOA Regionals and Grand Nationals by storm, and this just did not happen today. Sorry. Do not get me wrong--their show was just fine. It was nice to see them back in the swing of the BOA scene.

My Score: 72.70

Actual Score: 80.05

My Placement: 5th

Actual Placement: 3rd

 

END OF FINALS PERFORMANCES

 

EXHIBITION - Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, AZ

Repertoire: "Shout It Out Load: The Music of KISS" including "Shout it Out Loud," "Detroit Rock City," "Beth" and "Rock 'N Roll All Night"

Comments: A monstrous, brassy sound propelled. Did these kids get their sugar high, or what? Most of the drill was up front where it belonged. Obviously, loudness was desired. A double file of trumpets pass a flautist on the fifty. I like how much of where they marched and how they marched was crisp. The baritone soloist was outstanding. Ha ha! The 7-member cymbal section surrounds one of their own and create a sort of sparkling stage. Yeah, it's hard to go wrong with KISS music when you want to get the crowd on your side. Party on! The blue cadet tops and black pants did not fit the mood of this group. Look at this bunch of wild and crazy kids. There we go, now. Some head bops! "I want to rock and roll all night...and party ev-er-y day!" Bravo, NAU. The drum major had her face painted, in Kiss and NAU fashion, of course. This band showed us why they were king of their dome.

My Score: N/A

Actual Score: N/A

My Placement: N/A

Actual Placement: N/A

 

 

Post-Show Thoughts: I felt that most of the bands in finals either had a weak preliminary performance and a strong finals performance or a strong preliminary performance and a weak finals performance. Ayala had the best performance of the night, I felt. Air Academy seemed to be pumped up for their act, which caused me to think that they may be the first Class AA band in a while to make some noise in the west. (I would not have been surprised had Air Academy snuck in to the top three.) I did not think Coronado was finalist caliber...but after seeing their fiery Scheherazade production, I doubted myself (which, in this case, of course, was a good thing). The rest of the bands did not hugely stand out, but I think in terms of quality this year's regional beat last year's, despite the fact there was no Etiwanda or Upland or Union.

 

My Results:

 

10. 62.00 Coronado H.S., NV

9. 63.90 Casa Grande Union H.S., AZ

8. 64.30 Corona del Sol H.S., AZ

7. 65.00 Victoria Memorial H.S., TX

6. 69.80 Onate H.S., NM

5. 72.70 Pomona H.S., CO

4. 73.00 Air Academy H.S., CO

3. 73.30 Jenks H.S., OK

2. 74.90 William S. Hart H.S., CA

1. 76.50 Ayala H.S., CA

 

Actual Results

 

10. 69.60 Coronado H.S., NV

9. 70.30 Corona del Sol H.S., AZ

8. 70.55 Victoria Memorial H.S., TX

7. 72.25 Casa Grande Union H.S., AZ

6. 77.00 Onate H.S., NM

5. 78.30 Air Academy H.S., CO

4. 79.00 Jenks H.S., OK

3. 80.05 Pomona H.S., CO

2. 80.65 William S. Hart H.S., CA

1. 83.10 Ayala H.S., CA

 

Outstanding Music Performance - Ayala H.S., CA

Outstanding Visual Performance - Ayala H.S., CA

Outstanding General Effect - Ayala H.S., CA

 

Post-Show Thoughts (Continued): I don't think anyone was surprised that Ayala won it all--they were good. I like how Hart went up one spot from prelims to finals. I really, really think Hart should have taken the Outstanding Music Performance award in prelims, but...c'est la vie. (They proved themselves enough in finals.) I will now take the time to give a quick "welcome back" to Alan Perkins, the former director of El Toro High School and the current director of Victoria Memorial High School. Though Victoria Memorial has a lot of work to do to get the level I think their boss wants them to be at, I think they showed great promise for the future with that ballad, oh that ballad. Some notable improvements: Jenks! (Where did THEY come from? Last year 8th, this year 4th? I applaud your efforts.) Also, what's with Casa Grande Union? (A band that was not a finalist last year, and this year a finalist AND a new Arizona powerhouse, outdoing the feared Corona del Sol. Way to turn heads!) I thought this show was a success. A big hand should be given to the event staff, who went above and beyond in kindness, patience, and knowledge. I see that Brent Wilson, Chief Financial Officer, was here, and--I think--Natalie Mince, Event Manager, was here, too. But don't let the fancy titles fool you! Brent and Natalie went to great lengths to make sure all went well, interacting with directors, students, parents, and fans alike. Chuck Henson and Dan Potter were not announcing this show (they were probably in Houston, TX and St. Petersburg, FL), so we got a generic announcer who was not bad...but I wish was just a tad bit more CONSISTENT. (For example, he announced Air Academy as "Air Academy" in prelims and as "United States Air Force Academy" in finals...and he announced William S. Hart as "William J. Hart" during the prelims participation awards.) Nevertheless, for being near perfect, the speaker was decent...and at least he had true enthusiasm when he yelled for the bands to "break ranks." Yes, I had a lot of fun out here, besides the fact I paid too much for my rental car, and besides the fact I had to find a different motel to stay at because of stupid www.hotels.com, and besides the fact I almost froze to death because my room key card would not work when I got back from the show and there was no one to help me because the front desk was closed! But I shall save those stories for another time, another place. At least I survived, right? I think the hot dogs I had for lunch and dinner were more of a threat to me than anything else. (Stadiums need to stop serving stadium food for once!) Okay, I am dragging this out waaay too long. And what's with all the capitalization and parentheses? (I need to CUT THIS OUT.) Okay, I'm done...for reals, now...good-bye!

 

Next up: The 2006 Bands of America Regional Championships in Towson, Maryland.

 

Alan Irons

Fountain Valley High School Marching Band 1993-1996

Pacific Crest of Diamond Bar 1997

Nashua Spartans 1998-1999

UCSB Class of 2002

Posted

A review about an Arizona regional on the Txbands forums??? OUTRAGEOUS!!!

 

:P Just kidding, of course. Always a pleasure to read your reviews. It makes me feel like I was sitting in the stands. Excellent work.

Posted
  itsstephenyo said:
A review about an Arizona regional on the Txbands forums??? OUTRAGEOUS!!!

 

:P Just kidding, of course. Always a pleasure to read your reviews. It makes me feel like I was sitting in the stands. Excellent work.

Well, in all fairness, there WAS one Texas band there (Victoria Memorial). :P

 

Thanks for the compliment!

 

-Alan

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