Band Rookie

So, I decided to crunch some numbers for the upcoming Grand Nationals in Indianapolis. I am not saying this is an exact science but I’m only using numbers from BOA Regionals and Super Regionals finals to derive my predictions. I do realize that the scores may vary depending upon the competitions but feel I needed a basis for my predictions. The numbers from BOA competitions this year look at follows (Band in finals and their best score per all BOA finals competitions in 2016): Band Best Avon H.S., IN 94.15 Carmel H.S., IN 93.75 Tarpon Springs H.S., FL 91.75 Leander H.S., TX 90.85 Wando H.S., SC 90.6 Claudia Taylor Johnson H.S., TX 89.7 Homestead H.S., IN 89.45 Marian Catholic H.S., IL 89.35 Owasso H.S., OK 89 Dobyns-Bennett H.S., TN 88.95 Bellevue West H.S., NE 88.4 Ronald Reagan H.S., TX 88.25 Union H.S., OK 88.2 Cedar Park H.S., TX 87.65 O'Fallon Township H.S., IL 87.35 Castle H.S., IN 87.3 Centerville H.S., OH 87.3 North Hardin H.S., KY 86.85 Vista Murrieta H.S., CA 86.8 William Mason H.S., OH 86.55 Center Grove H.S., IN 86.2 Lawrence Township, IN 85.5 Ayala H.S., CA 85.25 Franklin H.S., TN 84.55 James Bowie H.S.. TX 82.45 James F. Byrnes H.S., SC 81.4 Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, MI 80.9 Ben Davis H.S., IN 80.7 Clovis West H.S., CA 80.55 Rockford H.S., MI 80.2 Panther Creek H.S., NC 79.9 Fort Mill H.S., SC 79.75 Nation Ford H.S., SC 77.7 So, just crunching numbers, the above 33 bands are my semi-finalists plus your smaller class champions if they do not make the cut. My predictions for finals this year are as follows: Top 8 Avon, IN; Carmel, IN; Tarpon Springs, FL; Leander H.S., TX; Wando H.S., SC; Claudia Taylor Johnson H.S., TX; Homestead H.S., IN; Marian Catholic H.S., IL Next 4 Owasso H.S., OK; Dobyns-Bennett H.S., TN; Ronald Reagan H.S., TX; Union H.S., OK On The Bubble Bellevue West H.S., NE; Cedar Park H.S., TX; O'Fallon Township H.S., IL; Castle H.S., IN Please weigh in and provide your predictions!

Best of luck to all Illinois bands at the BOA St Louis Super Regional this weekend!!!

Congrats to all the bands!!! Way to go O'Fallon on your repeat as Grand Champion!!!

Any friendly predictions for this weekend's upcoming U of I contest?

I attended this past weekend and was pleasantly surprised by a number of band programs who all seem to have stepped up their game considerably this year. I was also impressed with the maturity of the shows this early in the season. There are a number of bands from the Metro East that will do very well in the upcoming BOA competitions, none, however, more so than the O'Fallon Marching Panthers! Their show "The Missing Piece" is absolutely spectacular! While they only performed their opener and ballad, the show was definitely the pinnacle of a great day of marching band performances. I would not be at all surprised if they make Grand National Finals this year for the first time in their history!

Congratulations to O'Fallon!!! Prospect has owned this competition for over 30 years (hats off to Prospect as that is an incredible accomplishment)...

Not sure if the weather is going to cooperate but would love to see what everybody is predicting for this weekend's contest...

A wise man once said don't put too much stock into prelim scores, finals is where reality shakes out... In BOA competitions, of course, Illinois competitions are another story...;-)

Congrats to Marian Catholic (3rd and Outstanding Music) and O'Fallon Township (7th)!!! Way to represent Illinois!!!

Echo kudos to all Illinois bands and continued success...

Best of luck to Marian Catholic and O'Fallon Township in Finals!!!

O'Fallon beat Franklin and Castle at BOA Clarksville so I'm putting them in, in front of these two and giving Castle the nod to make it in lieu of Franklin...

Gotta love that support for O'Fallon...

Best of luck to all of the Illinois bands competing this weekend!

I think we all are getting too personal and snippy, myself included. Suggest we talk about how we can promote Southern Illinois bands and get them to the contests they need to establish some name recognition amongst the elite in the state and throughout BOA.