airons0678 Posted November 19, 2005 Posted November 19, 2005 IN APPRECIATION OF 30 YEARS OF POSITIVELY LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES... Bands of America Grand National Championships November 9-12, 2005 RCA Dome Indianapolis, IN I was literally ejected from the pressurized dome, when I went through one of the doors held open by one of the event staff. Away I fluttered, back into the eager mix. The only question I (and many others) had was, "Where does the line start?" Semi-finals was a twisting thread of emotion of both agony and ecstasy. One after another one after another. Good schools each competed... and most "lived and died by the dome." At this point in the game, most bands spend all they have. Being a "Bands of America Grand National Finalist" this year was tougher, in fact, much, much tougher. (Anyone could have been excellent. Excellence had to be exceeded.) And so bands fell, great bands, bands I wished to see one more time, like: Castle, Seminole, and especially Broken Arrow. But after semis, there was this great sense that the job had been done. All the bands had outdone themselves! It almost did not matter WHO made finals, WHO did not make finals, WHO was the band to beat in finals. The nation's finest would be showcased, and that was enough for me to forget the "win/lose" factor...and enjoy the "win/win" factor. Because all these kids who dared to dream, or broke their nose, or lost their home...were HERE...here to be the best they could be, and were therefore (truly) "our winners in life." Let that sink in a bit. Are you ready? And now, ladies and gentlemen, our nation's finest, our BANDS OF AMERICA... ***FINALS PERFORMANCES*** EXHIBITION: Adair County High School (Class A Champions) Columbia, KY Repertoire: "Evolutions" including "Mvt. I Rhythm," "Mvt. II Melody," "Mvt. III Dynamics" and "Mvt. IV Medea" Comments: Cubic "L" shaped props assumed an arc form stretching from 10-yard line to 10-yard line. A swift baritone solo that slows sets the mood for this show, along with the "Medea" string of notes from one of the mallet players. Yeah, low brass, your section rules, and I am fond of that confidence. Again, the low brass is featured in a triangle, and provides primary back up and support. The total sound from this group is rich. A lunge and arm extension outwards by the wind players is an added bonus to the flute solo. Rolling notes upwards in an enraged way were the trumpets, this after the soothing ballad concludes. A few sax players hustle to their spot as the final segment of this show kicks into high gear. Yes! One of the near completed pictures of a sketch is generated by one of the members behind a 2-L-frame prop occurred just at the right time. Wow! This was an assured, super show. My Score: N/A My Placement: N/A Actual Placement: N/A Ronald Reagan High School (Class AAA Champions) San Antonio, TX Repertoire: "You Never Know" featuring "Profanation" by L. Bernstein, "Symphonic Metamorphosis" by P. Hindemith and original music by Aaron Guidry Comments: Half pyramid props colored purple are solid on the front sideline, and cloth on the back sideline. This utterly amazing group has been talked about so much, and it is no wonder why. The "warm-up" these kids do is a show in itself. As if doing ballroom dance moves, the wind players spin themselves with arms outstretched very elegantly. Trumpets did not seem to tie up with the mellophones during one of the melodies in the beginning. Yeah, rifle toss, that was sublime. What is great, too, is that now the saxophones are burning up the air with music. Now a total force to reckon with is not just certain sections, but everyone...and then just one clarinetist, followed by an "anything you can do I can do better" saxophonist. Ha haaaaa! The ridiculously great solos are followed by the ridiculous sample (quote), "Do the chickens have large talons?" A two-step dance done in a circular way works. As the auxiliary express themselves in the most beautiful of ways in light purple with sleeves that roll out to orange and yellow ribbons, the woodwinds play and are moving around in place just as expressively. The zapping synth sound to help end the ballad is too good. The ending of this show is almost beyond belief controlled. This show is one for the ages. My Score: 95.00 My Placement: 3rd Actual Placement: 2nd Plymouth-Canton Educational Park Canton, MI Repertoire: "Performing Inside Out" featuring the music of Steve Reich, Michael Nyman, Christopher Rouse and Frank Ticheli including "Mvt. I Control," "Mvt. II Breath," "Mvt. III Tension," "Mvt. IV Chaos," "Mvt. V Release" and "Mvt. VI Structure" Comments: Giant ramps that lead to a platform sit on every major yard line on the field (10, 20, 30, etcetera.) Grey walls seem to connect in the backfield, but passageways are in there. A girl in the guard is immersed in a white fabric that has the letter "T" on it. (She looks like she is inside of a giant sock.) A wood block keeps the rapid marchers in synch with each other. The drum major is sitting on her podium on her side, like a queen. The white tarp where most of the work was performed was folded over once, revealing the word, "Breath," and then folded over again to reveal cool, pastel colors. A triumphant trumpet one plays very beautiful, now. Uh! My goodness. The total, balanced sound from this talent rings for some while. Trumpets, low brass, way to slap me with that aggressive, chalkboard screech of sound. The tarp is folded for the last time. Green placemats with symbols are dragged, and chaos ensues. After chaos brings order, with nice contemplative lines of sound. That final, many-angled trumpet rotation was okay, really. Intense brass, on demand woodwinds, intense brass. Great, great production. My Score: 87.00 My Placement: 10th Actual Placement: 9th Lawrence Central High School Indianapolis, IN Repertoire: "Shadows and Light" including "Mvt. I Silhouettes," "Mvt. II Refraction" and "Mvt. III Speed of Light" Comments: Crystal like shards on platforms can be seen, and ramps appear to be the only way to access the platforms. In order, the wind players go face first on the ground, as if to do a push up. A tarp in the middle of the field is where the wind players "awake" first, pushing themselves up and rocking back to get the legs in the air. The clarinets, and a barely humming brass sound is just an honor to listen to. Rifles tossed are caught with finesse and passion, as are the sabres. The woodwinds up front seem to be struggling, whether it be with holding air in or holding time in, I don't know. A slowing piano roll upwards prepares this band for a grand march forwards with intriguing body movement. Get me thy wine glass so that I may toast them! A trumpet solo ends with a loving dance with a partner. A soaring synth, then band rendition of "All By My Side" is done. After an outstretching on-the-turf visual move that has "complexity" written all over it, we jump into action with simple melodies made tougher. The tender flute solo with the harpsichord accompaniment is glorious. I lurched forward in my seat as this group drew me in near the end of their awesome adventure. My Score: 95.90 My Placement: 1st Actual Placement: 5th Marian Catholic High School Chicago Heights, IL Repertoire: "Impressions in Black Granite" featuring music from Elliot Goldenthal's "Vietnam Oratorio" Comments: A broken up triangular memorial prop has wind players in black in between, along with a black and purple guard. The "Something's awry in Denmark" calls by the brass are near perfect, and so is everything else this band engages. The black pants and white pants marching display superior technique. Legs lock straight and toes are way up. The outstretched arms with hands open and fingers spread out by the wind players is eerie. The chant by those outstretching both arms to the side is even more eerie. You could hear a pin drop after the extraordinary yet unbelievably great sound of theirs is allowed to resonate with the senses and then, yes, fabulously...they proceed. The auxiliary operate their flags with tremendous intelligence. Only a few flaws remain in this show, but these are so unimportant...so miniscule. My lord, their sound can get monstrous. The woodwinds backfield allows you to catch your breath with delicate piano or pianissimo notes. You go through a lot with this band. This journey was not an easy one, but it was a thoughtful one. This was not marching band...this was something else. This band gets an "A" in my book. My Score: 91.90 My Placement: 7th Actual Placement: 6th Centerville High School Centerville, OH Repertoire: "BLUESprint" including "Blue Light Red Light (Someone's There)" by Harry Connick Jr., and Ramsey McLean, "Second Draft" by Andrew Markworth, "Blue" by Joni Mitchell and "Sprint" by Andrew Markworth Comments: Snapping fingers amidst easygoing saxophone players make you want to snap your fingers with them. In pods that go berserk with sound you see spinning flags tossed and caught in the best way. Clarinets, be extra careful not to let the squeaks slip out. The jazz running by the woodwinds was superb. Intervals and form control, saxes...focus. Ah yes, oh mighty, gentle piano sound by synth. A pitch black, dark flute sound is created, and soon the rest of the band makes the size of the ballad "extra large." (And hey, do you want fries with that?) Wonderful. A bowing to center circle soon lets a trombone player let loose with a warped, amped sound. Killer playing. Now a sax duet follows suit. Protractor-like props are fit over the body of the guard members one by one as rifles are tossed, and, ooooof course, rifles are caught. This show was a wonder. Thank you for the prime time entertainment. Centerville never fails to impress. The last string of trumpet notes seem sketchy. Nevertheless, they are true champs. My Score: 86.80 My Placement: 11th Actual Placement: 10th Owasso High School Owasso, OK Repertoire: "Fowl Play" Comments: The bird tweeting comes before music and marching expertise that lifts you up with them. Some vertical lines struggled to stay vertical. Woodwinds at a halt play some challenging stuff, and the guard executes moves as if it were a walk in the park, even though it is not. The classical french horn section of the show is quite magical, though not entirely in tune (it seemed). (Talk about having some guts to pull a thing like that.) Aye! Go gently trumpets. Go gently. The face towards side B end zone move had alright sounds. The bouncy pit sounds, and the woodwind dancers made you want to get up and dance with them. Sssh! And that is that. A swarm of bees brass sound gets brought back into focus eventually by the flutes and company. The cute "fowl" effects, along with true power through music makes this band survive. I like the second to last power chord, but they were halted with nowhere to go, it seemed. The show does not end, thankfully. Yeah, it goes on, and quite well. That gorgeous DNA form facing diagonally lowers with a single knee bend. This group got airborne a long time ago, and kept it that way. They were great, just great. My Score: 84.00 My Placement: 12th Actual Placement: 12th Carmel High School Carmel, IN Repertoire: "Suspended Symbols" by Richard Saucedo Comments: Within the pyramid tent skeletons, where cymbals are attached to the poles, are the guard who lay (on a tarp) in cross manner with arms out. Those woodwind licks are ones to watch out for. So much goes on in this show. (If you blink, you miss it.) Some of the flag work is "more than one." Wow! A guard gal that flips around like a gymnast comes out of nowhere. The morbid sax lines lead to at ease melodies. The auxiliary dressed in what looks like skydiving suits (without the parachute, of course!) seem to be the stars of the show. A double-ribbon double-helix form converges to one vertical line, yeah! Ha! What showmanship. One trumpet player tosses a mute to his comrade, and soon this muted section is off! I am in awe of the seemingly uncontrollable, wild on-both-knees musicians. This band sparks a fire that grows and grows and does not know when to quit. The winged form with tremendous sound from it gets this performance near the end in a grand way. The auxiliary sits in a "peace symbol" formation (again, reflecting the "symbol/cymbal" theme), as the pit rings so sweet, so sweet. This is such a rewarding show. Top job, my friends. My Score: 95.70 My Placement: 2nd Actual Placement: 1st Center Grove High School Greenwood, IN Repertoire: "Conspiracy Theory" including excerpts from Sing Sing: "J. Edgar Hoover," "Goop," "Nightmare" and "The Hands of Fate Parts 1 and 2" Comments: Like wavy hair, the wind players assume their first formation. The "I hope this presentation..." quote that introduces "your FBI" sets off the ringing of a phone and sirens. The "your FBI" quote is repeated over and over again, giving a sense of urgency, as the marching drums build and build their sound. Along with the alarming sirens are the alarming rifle tosses caught with laser like exactity and was, yeah, was GREAT. The legs go flying out and then become bent inward by lower winds closer to the front. A sax mesh at close intervals is made. I am really enjoying what I am hearing and seeing. The World Guard guard is nothing short of stupendous. Is that a hole I see in the tuba section? Can we close it up? Expert handle on the minimalism, gang. Repeating notes over and over again is not as easy as it may seem. I am gawking at how the phrase, "Keep it a secret," is used with the sampler. The national anthem is briefly played via an electric guitar, and as the wind players come forward in a structured, block-like form, they give a salute. Heh heh. This band is sensitive to America, so nothing too hot is there to be concerned about. This band does a one-two punch with their sound, and knocks the wind out of you. Papers from the file cabinet props are thrown about, some really flying. My Score: 89.10 My Placement: 8th Actual Placement: 11th L.D. Bell High School Hurst, TX Repertoire: "Ascension: Light of Gold" combining DiLorenzo's "A Little Russian Circus," Higdon's "Blue Cathedral" and "Concerto for Orchestra," Newman's "Angels in America" and Whitacre's "Lux Aurumque (Light of Gold)" including original material from arrangers Donald Hill and Jim Casella Comments: A clarinet and flute solo set this stage, a stage filled with bullet train sight, sound, and FORCE. The toes down technique on the slow forward slide works like a champ. Egads, yes! Now that angled triangle form seems a bit out of line with some lines. The head tilt in opposite directions by a vertical pair of wind players is radically fine. Those four lines that rotated to be vertical, and then attached in their own special ways to make a hump form were not perfect, but extremely difficult to accomplish. (Nice work!) Rifle tosses as some of the guard face backfield and some of the guard face frontfield is sensationally good. These girls are in the right frame of mind. The feet are white, but show dirt twice. One almost-straight vertical form heading to the side had feet here and there and everywhere. (The feet need to be cleaned GOOD.) I am in love with that sound, band, as most of you are on both knees. The overall look? I will not get into that. So much good stuff. This group echoes their greatness towards the far right corner of the field, and what bounces back is awesome. The kids really performed the heck out of this ambitious show. My Score: 88.60 My Placement: 9th Actual Placement: 3rd Avon High School Avon, IN Repertoire: "Equus" by Eric Whitacre Comments: Hooded guard in cream sit Indian style on the fabric of their flags. Wind players: a maniac swivel move to the ground on both knees, followed by leg kicks upwards as the body is on the ground with the horns grounded. Clarinets meet us with that lively melody that is a constant melody. What with the clarinet that does not seem to be amplified at the right place and at the right time? (You would think that would be fixed by now. Oh well.) The trombone section gets in a cluster and point their 'bones all different ways with a winding down "wwwah" sound. An electronic ray of sound that spirals downwards is swell. The wind players open their stage by taking themselves to the edges of the field. The drumline is power squared, no, power cubed. Watch, as the bass drummers do a daring pass-through through the snare drummers. This show really revs up near the end, as a triangle form seems to rotate forever and ever. The end of this show is a master stroke, with the elliptical forms that were featured in the beginning BACK, and a ripple of movement on both sides of the curves from the front to the back, and the spotlight on an auxiliary girl. This show must be one of the most demanding shows out there. My Score: 94.50 My Placement: 4th Actual Placement: 4th Richland High School North Richland Hills, TX Repertoire: "Inside Out" including "Aloft" by Jack Stamp, "Bells for Stokowski" by Michael Daugherty, "Incantation" by Jutras Benoit, "Sleep" by Eric Whitacre, and "Inside Out" by Mark Higginbotham Comments: The radiant uniforms are regal, with a sparkling silver (almost mirror-like) sash, and flaps and buttons on the chest that define. The trumpets go at it; hard hitting notes flying everywhere, as I am caught off guard left and right. The trailing up middle horn sounds that pause briefly at certain times is hard to beat. "Anger" called out by the recorded narrator leads to angry notes by the wind players. The snake charmer sax dude on the podium has his support behind him doing a shuffle type move. Now is the time the band shines the most, when they face the back stands. They play indescribably magnificently. "What dreams maaay cooome," starts a tune sang by two female vocal pros. Oh my...that just made my night. Remember that moment forever, all. I am now tapping my feet to jolly music that is in my face. After the sax man returns, hand clapping commences, and the sax man stands with pride. Smells like...victory. The clappers at the microphone may be clapping, but we are clapping harder. This is IT. Your run here was unforgettable, guys. My Score: 93.00 My Placement: 5th Actual Placement: 7th Tarpon Springs High School (Class AA Champions) Tarpon Springs, FL Repertoire: "Pathways" featuring original music from Frank Sullivan and Kevin Ford including "Mvt. I Exploration," "Mvt. II Service," "Mvt. III Courage," "Mvt. IV Sacrifice," "Mvt. V Greed" and "Mvt. VI Innovation" Comments: JFK, MLK, and special music stay adrift in the air. In the top left corner of the field, wind players are on their knees in an arrow form. Soon, the crew is on their feet and throw down some brief sounds...strong sounds, crescendo sounds, call it what you want...but GREAT sounds. After a lurching leg and arm movement to the side, woodwinds continue to toy with my mind. They execute marvelously, and seem...untouchable. The overbearing narration keeps the band down, but not in the way you think. "Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live courage" is a quote made when signs are held up. The narration about Rosa Parks was very moving, especially in light of her death not too long ago. Electronic trance sounds soon make their entrance. Whoa, saxophones! That's the ticket! The guard on triangular stands toss their rifles, do a little dance...and no, not make a little love (KC and the Sunshine Band thinkers!)...catch their rifles! Oh, AND get down tonight. Muted trumpets fade out. The quick vocal two-chant segment (female) is a sugary touch. The wind players are then led down the tarp path towards the "INNOVATION" backdrop. Fitting, isn't it? My Score: 92.00 My Placement: 6th Actual Placement: 8th ***END OF FINALS PERFORMANCES*** Post-Finals Thoughts: This was the best high school marching band competition I had EVER seen. EVER. In fact, it is difficult to convey my emotions regarding it. The experience was...euphoric. If I could shake hands with and say "thank you" to every performer who performed, I would. It was an occurrence to remember forever, and I will. My Scores and Placements: 1. 95.90 Lawrence Central H.S., IN 2. 95.70 Carmel H.S., IN 3. 95.00 Ronald Reagan H.S., TX 4. 94.50 Avon H.S., IN 5. 93.00 Richland H.S., TX 6. 92.00 Tarpon Springs H.S., FL 7. 91.90 Marian Catholic H.S., IL 8. 89.10 Center Grove H.S., IN 9. 88.60 L.D. Bell H.S., TX 10. 87.00 Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, MI 11. 86.80 Centerville H.S., OH 12. 84.00 Owasso H.S., OK Actual Placements: 1. Carmel H.S., IN 2. Ronald Reagan H.S., TX 3. L.D. Bell H.S., TX 4. Avon H.S., IN 5. Lawrence Central H.S., IN 6. Marian Catholic H.S., IL 7. Richland H.S., TX 8. Tarpon Springs H.S., FL 9. Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, MI 10. Centerville H.S., OH 11. Center Grove H.S., IN 12. Owasso H.S., OK Outstanding Music - Ronald Reagan H.S., TX Outstanding Visual - Avon H.S., IN Outstanding General Effect - Carmel H.S., IN Post-Finals Thoughts (Ctd.): "Identity" seemed to be the theme of the year. Whether it be knowing or not knowing the truth (Center Grove), looking at the stages of life (Richland), or simply wearing new uniforms (Carmel), I was challenged by each and every program. Carmel won with a homonym--symbols/cymbals--and they did not take the subject matter lightly, but rather sank their teeth into it with full intent. Carmel did not only play up the symbolism/cymbalism, but they seemed to play up the state of things in our selves, our nation, our world. You can read all you want into the peace formation made at the end of their show by the guard and the pit crew holding apart their pointer finger and middle finger, but you cannot deny that they PULLED IT OFF, AND PULLED IT OFF VERY, VERY WELL. After seeing Carmel's encore performance for their parents, the fans, and the Indy schools that showed their support, there was no doubt that the judges "got it right." Carmel WAS the best, and no one, and I mean NO ONE could take that away from them. (Sorry Reagan, but it looks like the honor of being one of the greatest bands to never win a Grand National Championships has just been passed from Carmel...to you. But that is by far no honor to be ashamed of!) Ronald Reagan was 2nd place, runner-up, the "bridesmaid," whatever you wished to call them...but do not call them simple or boring. Reagan was a true crowd favorite, and it would be unfair of me not to write that a lot of people loved them, and probably a lot more people wanted them to win. Alas, it was not meant to be for the San Antonio superpower. (Congratulations, nevertheless, to Reagan on their spectacular win in Class AAA!). As for the rest of the bands: you made the whole show worth it. What a remarkable presentation by all! Interesting to note is 6 out of the top 7 bands were from either Indiana or Texas. All in all, it has truly been an exciting and successful Bands of America season. Next year, the "positively life-changing experiences" will continue. Alan Irons Fountain Valley High School Marching Band 1993-1996 Pacific Crest of Diamond Bar 1997 Nashua Spartans 1998-1999 UCSB Class of 2002 Quote
mbui Posted November 19, 2005 Posted November 19, 2005 You 2005 reviews were wonderful as always. Hope to see you at BOA San Antonio or Grand Nationals. Quote
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