2019 BOA Austin

[DeepEllum]

Well then I take back my statement if the pit was placed wrong. Props to them. I tend to like clean drill sets and not some of the jumbled non-form sets but major kudos to them for being able to adapt so quickly

[bingogooberman]

major props to them for performing as well as they did given the prop placement mishap- those visual scores will certainly take a hit but that could have easily been a disaster but it wasnt.

[TWHSParent]

CTJ is definitely not having a better run. They placed their Side 1 pit completely incorrectly.

 

However, as a result, I'm witnessing probably one of the most impressive things I've seen in 12 years in the activity. They're literally fixing drill on the fly to adapt to the misplaced pit. There's no doubt that they are a well-taught, well-equipped, and simply intelligent band to be able to do this so easily and make it look like nothing happened (after early bobbles).

 

Fantastic job, CTJ.

 

Yep. I think it goes to the approach, which is not based on precision, but based on the outline of the forms. A band that uses a more precision based approach (say Vandegrift and most other bands out there) would have been in big trouble.

[abtwitch]

Lots of Westwood kids in tears tonight. I couldn’t be more proud of this band.

Me too, their performance was absolutely stunning and I enjoyed it standing with fellow alumni. I don’t think I’ll ever forget September 28th, 2019.

[Rubisco]

I admire the risks that CTJ takes, because pretty much no other group takes such extreme ones. But, overall, I find the show this year overstuffed. There’s so much going on at once that I don’t know where to look half the time. It doesn’t help that the drill right now isn’t very readable. There are some great moments in the show. I just hope CTJ can get it clean enough by Nationals to challenge for the top.

[Band2013]

For a marching band to adapt due to an error is insane. DCI level experience, CTJ is really not playing!

[BandFan95]

Me too, their performance was absolutely stunning and I enjoyed it standing with fellow alumni. I don’t think I’ll ever forget September 28th, 2019.

Indeed. Word got out too. Lots of alums showed up. Saw class of 15,17,18 and 19 shirts.

[TWHSParent]

I just don't see anything that beats Vandy today. It may not be close.

[bingogooberman]

what a step forward for vandegrift! can't wait to see how well this does at nationals

[Rubisco]

So happy Vandegrift is taking this to Nats. Maybe even better than their 2017 production. All-around outstanding show. Clearly the best so far.

[Band2013]

Vandegrift is stunning....they have to be first no way they are not. However, crazier things have happened!

[PLC137]

If Vandegrift wins, they're the best... But I would like to see them do a different theme show one of these years. At least the last five years it has been familiar classical and operatic music. Not as daring as they could be. The daring part, to be fair, is the difficulty of the music.

 

CTJ's show was very entertaining. A little odd how it leaked at the end of Just Can't Wait to be King. People thought it was over and had to be told to sit down. Glad they made the trip here.

[DeepEllum]

Vandy was really clean but after watching all of the bands, these are my predictions.

 

Vista Ridge

Vandegrift

CTJ

Leander

Cedar Park

Rouse

Cedar Ridge

Lake Travis

Westwood

James Bowie

 

It’s extremely close between the top 2. Vandegrift could easily win based off their cleanliness but something feels special about Vista for me today.

[principalagent]

I'm assuming Leander and Vandy are 1 and 2, probably opposite order.

[bingogooberman]

my best guess @ placements-

 

1. Vandegrift- all captions

2. Leander

3. Vista Ridge

4. CTJ (this one's tough. i don't think they should be punished too harshly for the prop issue but I don't see how you could have them above the 3 I have ahead of them. I guess we'll see- their performance was undoubtedly inspiring and it was a fantastic musical run all things considered)

5. Cedar Park

6. Cedar Ridge

7. Westwood

8. Lake Travis

9. James Bowie

10. Rouse

 

incredible showings by all our first time finalists!

[TWHSParent]

I think Leander loses too much with their ballad right now. The intensity drop off from the 2nd movement was too steep for me. Otherwise great show.

 

But hey, I'm wrong more times than not. And I really didn't watch the finals with a very critical eye, I was just enjoying the shows.

[PLC137]

My guess.

 

1. Vandegrift

2. Leander

3. Vista Ridge

4. Claudia

5. Cedar Ridge

6. Lake Travis

7. Bowie

8. Cedar Park

9. Westwood

10. Rouse

 

So a betting man would see what I wrote and pick something different.

[Rubisco]

Overall, I’d say LISD reigned supreme tonight. My top three are the LISD schools. I think Vandegrift was too all-around excellent tonight to be topped, but stranger things have happened.

 

It’s a shame that CTJ had a prop issue. Probably, I would have enjoyed the show more if they didn’t have to deal with it. That said, as a judge, you have to judge what’s there before you. You can’t be wondering, “oh, is that prop in the right place?”, especially if you’re not entirely sure where it’s supposed to be in the first place. I mean, yes, recovery is awesome to reward, but within reason.

[DeepEllum]

Man, I thought Rouse was really solid musically, am I placing them too high? Idk, they’re my upset pick right now.

[PLC137]

 

Man, I thought Rouse was really solid musically, am I placing them too high? Idk, they’re my upset pick right now.

I put them a bit lower only because the final movement was a but annoying with the whistles. Rest was great to me.

 

I also downgraded anyone using shotgun mics (whole ensemble amplification). Not against the rules but a crutch. A big band shouldn't need it.

[Rubisco]

All that said, I didn’t think CTJ was clean enough to win this contest last year, and they won on Effect, so we’ll see! I’m wrong a lot more these days than I’d like to admit.

[Band2013]

Rouse was great but not sure if they will pass bowie or CR

[TWHSParent]

All that said, I didn’t think CTJ was clean enough to win this contest last year, and they won on Effect, so we’ll see! I’m wrong a lot more these days than I’d like to admit.

 

Apparently as you get older your tastes start to run contrary to the youth crowd...

[Rubisco]

Definitely I’m older, but I don’t think I’ve gone full-on UIL judge. I still very much appreciate the fresh and the weird and the outlandish. I just also like shows that are clean. You have to have a good balance.

[DeepEllum]

With how unpredictable this contest has proven, it wouldn’t surprise me if CTJ was first by over a point or if they didn’t medal. It’s just that unpredictable.