Review: Bands of America Grand National Championships (Part 1 of 2)
6th Place – 92.75
Having spent the past few years perfecting the art of the preshow the Pride of Broken Arrow did not disappoint this year. The guard entered the field underneath a floating, spinning black tarp while the opening melody from Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite echoed through the stadium. Clad in new uniforms that have sadly ditched the bicolor pant leg, the band presented an avian-themed show grounded in melody. The Firebird theme permeated the music in various forms including a superb soprano saxophone solo. The winds played well through a feature while the brass danced, paired off with guard members. The clean sound and prominent melodies of the show were reminiscent of the band’s 2006 championship show. Having spent the past two years in a slightly darker, chaotic musical space it was nice to see Broken Arrow reveal a lighter side again.
James Bowie High School, Texas – “The Mystic”
10th Place – 89.65
James Bowie brought a tale of witchcraft and mystery to life. Concert French horns opened the show before being joined by a woodwind choir, then finally the entire band. The guard, clad in royal purple robes with deep, Druid-like hoods enhanced the dark mood of the show. In a clever turn the band formed a monster, complete with horns and claws. The ferocious creature was vanquished by a brave guard member who climbed into the belly of the beast. The visual program on the whole didn’t appear quite as challenging as other finalists and allowed my mind to wander in places. The dissolve of the block into a concert arc to close the show was, however, very nice, accented with large red silks from the guard.
Center Grove High School, Indiana – “Music Box Macabre”
9th Place – 90.40
Failing to resist the urge to populate the field with props, Center Grove framed their 2009 production with black backdrops, each with a raised box for a guard member to dance on. Front and center was a large music box that opened at the show’s beginning to reveal a slowly spinning ballerina. Danny Elfmans Ice Dance from Edward Scissorhands wafted through the air as the ballerina begain to dance and the band began to move. Utilizing music from Saint-Saens, Verdi and Cirque du Soleil composer Rene Dupere, Center Grove created a moody atmosphere worthy of the show’s title. The guard featured well with their weapon work and the drumline made good use of their time in the spotlight during a short drum break mid-show. The performance closed on a soft note as the band returned to their original set, lying down on the field and playing towards the sky.
LD Bell High School, Texas – “A Prayer For Light”
2nd Place – 92.95
Outstanding General Effect (tie with Avon)
LD Bell projected pure grace from the moment they entered the field. The guard, in diaphonous goldenrod gowns, complimented the band in their new, crisp white uniforms. From the opening arcs to the closing quartets of marchers the band made a complex visual program look effortless. The music showcased the bands firm control on the material, moving from quiet, reflective moments to brassier, bold themes. The combination of white and yellows on the field allowed little room for error but the band appeared not to need any wiggle room to begin with. The show had me hooked from the first notes and didn’t let go until the closing cutoff. The performance poise of this group is not to be taken for granted. I’ve enjoyed Bell’s direction for the past two years in presenting well-performed, accesible music after the much darker themes the group explored in 2006 and 2007. By the time guard members were hoisted “into the pure white light” at the shows conclusion I was already itching to hear this show again.
Marian Catholic High School, Illinois – “The Nightingale: A Parable of Guilded Cages”
3rd Place – 92.95
Outstanding Visual (tie with Avon)
After the recent front page article in the Chicago Tribune I wasn’t expecting that much from this perennial finalist. I couldn’t have been more short-sighted. The program reminded me of their 1997 championship-nabbing show “Portraits of the Orient” and though I have to admit being disappointed that there were no glowing lanterns this time around there wasn’t much else to be disappointed with. “The Nightingale” was a different kind of show than most this year, focusing more on a firm control of the music and a softer, gentler musicality. It’s wise to remember that this type of playing can be more difficult than bolder, louder music and Marian deserves a lot of credit for pulling this off. Year after year I’m impressed with the silks and other visuals associated with the guard and this show was no different. Whomever makes those decisions must share my color aesthetics because in fifteen years I can’t remember a single disappointment on that front. There’s a reason Marian is known for their last-minute rise and race to the finish and this year couldn’t have been a stronger reminder.
Carmel High School, Indiana – “Virtue-osity”
5th Place – 94.45
Carmel brought a bolder, brassier show than recent years along with its usual bag of visual tricks. A cello soloist accompanied the band for the first movement and the brass took over from there, playing a difficult book with remarkable poise for high school musicians. Carmel rarely fails to bring a new visual innovation or a twist on an old one and this years drill was no different. I do find the band running or long-stepping far more often than their competitors. It’s a laudable feat for sure but borders on distracting at times. At least no one on the field has any excuse for being out of shape. The coordination of rifle tosses with the music worked really well for this show, even with a few prominent drops. I’ll be anxious to see if Carmel maintains this louder image for next season.
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