2019 BOA Austin

[zoomer]

I missed John Horn, how were they

[BlueCircle]

  On 9/28/2019 at 6:41 PM, zoomer said:

I missed John Horn, how were they

Probably on the outside of finals. They have a really confident sound but need more refinement. Show design is also lacking for BOA imo.

[BlueCircle]

Vandy - I love the rich royal blue of the props and uniforms and how it contrasts with the white. Mozart is basically Vandy’s brand and I think it’s cool how they embrace that for a Nats show. Fantastic musical and visual cleanliness. Wow trumpets. I love this arrangement so urgent and powerful. They use plumes in such an expressive way. The ballad is awesome, gorgeous drill. So clean. Wow!

[TWHSParent]

That was the best of the day so far in my mind. Great job Vandegrift!

[FaultLineBlues]

Wow! Vandy is probably my #1 so far! That ballad is so good, and they play those runs with an absurd amount of clarity for this early in the season. Awesome stuff. Cedar Ridge is currently my #2, I might be a little biased as an alumni but I really really enjoyed their performance, and I think a concept as simple as chess is really great to see executed well.

[TWHSParent]

My finalists through the 3rd block are Vandy, Cedar Ridge, Vista Ridge, Leander, Hendrickson, Rouse, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Lake Travis, and Cypress Woods. One more block to go.

[SATXBandDad]

Bravo Vandegrift!!

[BlueCircle]

Vandy was seriously so good. It absolutely amazes me how clean they are through and through. If they had a guard that contributed to the visual aspect of the show more, they would be unstoppable.

[Band2013]

My Top 4

 

Vandegrift making a shot for the eagle... they are outstanding this early in the season, making classical music as their signature.

 

Leander ready to fight and prove they won't be forgotten anytime soon...and toxic by Britney, dang! This is one of my favorite's this season.

 

Vista Ridge the reigning state champion just came out of nowhere, they will be a force later this season. They have made a lasting impression with their show design's always on point!

 

Cedar Ridge....they are like a Marcus with more diverse music selection. They use technical skill to make finals.This Band could one day win, I think they are waiting for the right moment to strike.

[justabandkid94]

  On 9/28/2019 at 7:21 PM, BlueCircle said:

 

Vandy was seriously so good. It absolutely amazes me how clean they are through and through. If they had a guard that contributed to the visual aspect of the show more, they would be unstoppable.

Just checked HornRank. BOA San Antonio 2017 - their last “BOA show” - they were second in visual GE only to CTJ by .15. I see this conversation get brought up every year but am not convinced it’s a real issue. Can anyone with extensive knowledge of the judging handbook comment on if having a dance team actually inhibits Vandegrift? Purely curious, not an attack

[BandFan95]

Vandy was stunning

[BlueCircle]

  On 9/28/2019 at 7:33 PM, justabandkid94 said:

Just checked HornRank. BOA San Antonio 2017 - their last “BOA show” they were second in visual GE only to CTJ by .15. I see this conversation get brought up every year but am not convinced it’s a real issue. Can anyone with extensive knowledge of the judging handbook comment on if having a dance team actually inhibits Vandegrift? Purely curious, not an attack

I don’t have extensive knowledge of the rules but personally I prefer the way that a color guard, with predominantly flags and weapons, compliments the music. Also GE is more music heavy so that’s where Vandy shines. It very well couldn’t be an issue at all. Vandy’s music usually outperforms their visual in performance caption and GE. So I think a more accomplished guard could benefit them. I know this isn’t the answer your looking for but it’s my take on it I guess.

[Band2013]

I wouldn't necessarily say that it hurts them. However, if you look back bands with dance teams usually have lower GE. It depends on if that dance team does flags or rifle's. Vandegrift is one of the best bands that has a dance team, so its hard to pin point another example.

[TWHSParent]

  On 9/28/2019 at 7:33 PM, justabandkid94 said:

Just checked HornRank. BOA San Antonio 2017 - their last “BOA show” - they were second in visual GE only to CTJ by .15. I see this conversation get brought up every year but am not convinced it’s a real issue. Can anyone with extensive knowledge of the judging handbook comment on if having a dance team actually inhibits Vandegrift? Purely curious, not an attack

 

I don't think it does. It comes down to how you design a show that best presents the strengths and minimizes the weaknesses. Visual GE is not just color guard - it is the entire visual presentation and how it meshes with the show and causes people to watch.

[Nny14]

  On 9/28/2019 at 7:33 PM, justabandkid94 said:

Just checked HornRank. BOA San Antonio 2017 - their last “BOA show” - they were second in visual GE only to CTJ by .15. I see this conversation get brought up every year but am not convinced it’s a real issue. Can anyone with extensive knowledge of the judging handbook comment on if having a dance team actually inhibits Vandegrift? Purely curious, not an attack

It probably effects their Visual Caption (Individual) more than anything. There's more recently been a rule where more complex guardwork is rewarded in that category. But the complaints that it hurts their GE are pretty baseless opinions that more reflect the persons want for a colorguard. The Woodlands won visual GE in 2013 with a guard that was far, far below the level of Avon and Carmel technically. It was how they were used and the rest of the show's visual elements.

[justabandkid94]

  On 9/28/2019 at 7:45 PM, Nny14 said:

It probably effects their Visual Caption (Individual) more than anything. There's more recently been a rule where more complex guardwork is rewarded in that category. But the complaints that it hurts their GE are pretty baseless opinions that more reflect the persons want for a colorguard. The Woodlands won visual GE in 2013 with a guard that was far, far below the level of Avon and Carmel technically. It was how they were used and the rest of the show's visual elements.

Thank you. Didn’t quite understand how guard performance gets factored into visual performance. This helps!

[lost]

When I said you guys should pay attention to Lake Travis over at the St Louis topic I meant it

[TWHSParent]

As usual, I really like James Bowie's show. Strong finalist in my view.

[BlueCircle]

James Bowie - ethereal pre-show. Love the atmospheric sounds. Great weapon line. I actually like the vocalist...it adds more life to the almost primitive soundscape. Great exposed high brass feature there at the end! I really liked that, definitely see them easily in finals.

[Band2013]

As the day goes on the more I feel like we will be seeing a constant finalist find themselves out of finals. This contest is insane!

[BlueCircle]

I am very excited to see if Westwood lives up to the hype.

[BandFan95]

  On 9/28/2019 at 8:08 PM, BlueCircle said:

I am very excited to see if Westwood lives up to the hype.

I’m their number one cheerleader. Y’all can hate me when it’s all said and done

[TWHSParent]

Well, that was another unexpectedly strong show from New Braunfels. That was a very interesting show, and I liked it.

[gregorydf01]

So, has anyone kept count of how many "Strong Finalists" so far"?   Going to be interesting to see who get's a spot, so many good bands!

[TWHSParent]

  On 9/28/2019 at 8:28 PM, gregorydf01 said:

So, has anyone kept count of how many "Strong Finalists" so far"?   Going to be interesting to see who get's a spot, so many good bands!

 

My opinion:

Vandegrift, Cedar Ridge, Vista Ridge, Leander, and James Bowie are safely in finals so far. The other 5 spots are up for grabs. CTJ will probably grab one, though.