I had the unique ability to see Ayala this year for the first time at San Antonio. I must say in all honesty that they looked nervous. Beautiful show, that could have been a little bit cleaner in parts. The mistake with the placement of the ladders was a little distracting and unfortunate, (the drill was compromised during the ballad as a result) However, considering the lack of ability to practice a week prior to San Antonio, I think they pulled off a great show. Congratualtions for making it in the top 20. It was nice seeing some California faces.
This weekend was the first time I was able to see a Texas marching band competition. WOW!!! I cant even think of the words to describe how amazing these bands are. I would love to see Logan go up against the likes of Westfield, L.D. Bell and Stephen F. Austin. I think that they are all on a par together.
I got to sit next to the world famous Allen Irons, which was awesome to compare notes against. Of the 14 finalists we each predicted 12 correctly (which is amazing). But predicting final outcomes I only predicted 3 out of 14 correctly.
I can not believe the caliber at which Texas marching bands are competing. It was like watching drum corps with woodwinds.
My favorites for this weekend (San Antonio)
Westfield-
I thought that this show was very artistic. I thought starting before the announcer thing that Cadets did this summer was really cool. Amazing dark sound from low brass. Colorguard was a little dirty due to the complexity of their work, but achieved at a high level. It will be interesting when Winterguard rolls around, as I think that many of the colorgurads are in contention for the open class title in WGI, including Westfield. The bassoon feature (8?) on top of the stages was absolutely word class. And in the closer, the Concert French horn feature was phenomenal. They had one of the most unique sounds of the evening.
Predicted Placement: 2nd
Actual Placement: 1st
L.D. Bell
I thought their uniforms looked traditional, but had a great effect against the turf. Amazing music, I think they played Medea (sp?) Colorguard had really bright uniforms, with flags to match and spun well. L.D. Bell had a much better performance in Finals, (despite the lower placement). Bell had great drill, intervals were amazing. I predicted for Bell to win finals, but I was very happy with the results.
Predicted Placement: 1st
Actual Placement: 2nd
Stephen F. Austin
What a sound that comes from this band. I was a little distracted due to their lack of Colorguard, but the "Angels" dance team was great. I thought that they had a little bit more traditional drill and overall feel to their show than most of the bands that night.
Predicted placement: 4th
Actual Placement: 3rd
Ronald Reagan
I think that reagan had the best show concept of the night. they were able to take some of the traditional (sometimes overplayed) classical songs and make them amazing. I was never bored during Reagan's show. After prelims I had them predicted to be 1st (actual after prelims was 3rd), but due to feedback during a part of their show, I was very distracted. Very unfortunate that things like this happen at big shows. I loved the magic plume trick. (their plumes change color from black to bright pink, and back to black) I think that Reagan had some of the best solo performers of the night. I also thought that Reagan had some of the most innovative drill of the night. Reagan's colorguard was a little dirty in moments, but Great overall.
Predicted placement: 3rd
Actual Placement: 4th
Winston Churchill
I was amazed by the amount of flare they had. It was almost like a Texas version of RBV. No, they didn't have holographic gauntlets, but they sure had gas masks, and exploding barrels of toxic waste. Great GE and Music. The colorguard was much better in finals, although they had more individual errors in Finals. I was very impressed by they way they spun on-top of the barrels. Very clean flag line. Great drumline and even better brass line. One of the more entertaining shows of the night, that kept your attention.
Predicted placement: 6th
Actual Placement: 5th
The Woodlands
Another great show. I felt a little distracted by the prop people that carry around those 3D cubes the whole show. I thought that times there was too much going on at once. But I thought that their colorguard was one of the best of the night. I think that they will be a major contender for the Open Class title(WGI). From the moment the show started I was captivated by the tone of the music they were playing. Great solos!!! Some of the most innovative and well performed drill designs.
predicted Placement: 5th
Actual Placement: 6th
Cedar Park
What and amazing brass line. With a show called "Claustrophobia,” this band had the most memorable music of the night. The 8 piece all brass ensemble that plays in the ballad was absolutely amazing. The tone that came from them was unreal. The colorguard was dirty in spots, but good overall.
Predicted Placement: 11th
Actual Placement: 9th
Richland
Again, a very classy group. I love the uniforms of both the guard and band. I thought that the Colorguard had a slightly better performance in prelims, but I still think that they were one of the better guards of the night by far. I think that they too have an excellent shot at the open class title(WGI) The band was a little more quiet than some of its competitor, but they had amazing balance with virtually no “Stick-out’s.” Congratulations to Jed and Bill, amazing brass. By far one of my favorite shows of the night.
Predicted placement: 12th (tie w/Cy Falls)
Actual placement: 13th
Cypress Falls
Really cool show concept about electricity or something. Great visual effects created by the elastic that the band manipulated. I thought that the colorguard girls that got rolled out by the giant reel (supposed to look like and extension cord I think) was phenomenal. I applaud the bravery of those girls that held on and were rolled on to the field. I think this is one of the coolest effects I have ever seen. Great dance by the band in the techno/drumbreak section.
Predicted placement: 12th( tie w/ Richland)
Actual placement: 12th
Overall my eyes were opened to a completely new world of marching band. I had no idea how good these High Schools actually were. I was not surprised at all by the results and was very happy by the victory of Westfield. I thought that they were one of the most classy groups of the evening and deserved the title. I know that Allen has a ton of notes that will probably be a ton more informative. Overall a great weekend of band and colorguard.