All Blog Posts (185)

Welcome back to Saturday's USSBA National Championships!

The sun is shining, the grass is green, and we'll be getting started in about a half hour! Continue

Added by Ben Regalado on November 7, 2009 at 9:28am — No Comments

Feel free to comment on the night

... and see you in the morning for Group 4 & 5! Continue

Added by Ben Regalado on November 6, 2009 at 9:09pm — No Comments

Group 2 Scores

21st - 87.088 - Winslow Township 20th - 87.275 - Liberty Christian Academy 19th - 88.750 - Hammoton 18th - 88.850 - Collingswood 17th - 89.050 - Denran 16th - 89.225 - Belleville 15th - 90.913 - Pitman 14th - 91.475 - Brick Township 13th - 91.538 - Madison County 12th - 92.113 - Stamford 11th - 93.138 - Susquehannock 10th - 93.363 - Landstown 9th - 93.538 - Biglerville (Color Guard caption winner) 8th - 93.963 - King George 7th - 94.050 - Monsignor Farrell 6th - 95.175 - Shawnee (… Continue

Added by Ben Regalado on November 6, 2009 at 9:08pm — No Comments

Cirque de Brick (Brick Township)

The last band of the night brought us La Nouba, the Cirque de Soleil. Overall, it was a nice presentation to end the night, especially from the guard soloists. Memo to tomorrow night's fans and performers: whatever the temperature is on Weather.com, lower it 10 degrees and add wind. Continue

Added by Ben Regalado on November 6, 2009 at 8:26pm — No Comments

Out of Time (Biglerville)

Some band directors look at what they get and wish it was different ... maybe bigger. So they struggle with what they have. Biglerville isn't big, but it acts big, and it's a credit to their director that he takes what he has and makes it work. I particularly liked the effect the guard brought to Hymnsong by Phillip Blss, not to mention the Blue Shades. If they don't field a winter guard, they should! Wow! Nice drill design, execution, and guard work, not to mention great sound. Definately a Big… Continue

Added by Ben Regalado on November 6, 2009 at 8:10pm — No Comments

You Think Band is a Game?! (Hammonton)

How many band directors have shouted this from a tower? Well, I bet the kids loved it when their director introduced this show, "The Marching Emulator", which really was a Mario emulator. How many band can say that playing a video game helped them understand the show concept? I liked the use of the movable while tubes to create and recreate the field. Bet there were a lot of envious students out there. Continue

Added by Ben Regalado on November 6, 2009 at 7:57pm — No Comments

Dreams. Sweet! (Landstown)

Some bands ... well ... snooze. But today, not so much. And this band, not at all, despite the seven beds on the field. I will say the dreams were not peaceful, but they sure where fun. And it's always nice to dream of band, and in color too boot! Continue

Added by Ben Regalado on November 6, 2009 at 7:42pm — No Comments

News Flash! (Shawnee)

Newspapers are a static media - print, and done. Not here. They are in motion with the WWII themes, then some cartoons (Charlie Brown), then the travel section took us to Hawaii. Sports? Yup. Crosswords? Yup. Phillies win World Series? Way to be, uh, homers! And the best part of this show? No ink stains! Continue

Added by Ben Regalado on November 6, 2009 at 7:28pm — No Comments

The Gods Must Be Smiling (Shepherd Hill Regional)

Nordic Gods may not be pleased that this band opened with a hymn as arranged by (once again) David Holsinger, but other Gods should be smiling! It is one of my favorites of his, however, and this band did well with it. The guard spiked up the hair for this warm performance of a chilly theme. As the night goes on, the bands are coming out more inspired by the lights. Continue

Added by Ben Regalado on November 6, 2009 at 7:13pm — No Comments

What's in the Water Up There? (Susquehanna Township)

Last week on another circuit the top bands in the group roughly the size of these came from the area around Harrisburg, PA. Well, here is another one. And what a nice and engaging performance! Truth be told, they come on the field resembling the Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps, and they must study them so as not to abandon the visual legacy they have been handed (whether or not by choice of the current director). A flying wedge, and good body positioning. Nice job! Continue

Added by Ben Regalado on November 6, 2009 at 7:09pm — No Comments

Unstained Glass (Monsignor Farrell)

One has come to expect the church based schools give a church based message. This band did a great job with the challenging music of Holsinger, and made the show "pop" from a visual standpoint. One thing I like is a band that doesn't over reach it's abilities, or its traditions. Continue

Added by Ben Regalado on November 6, 2009 at 7:05pm — No Comments

Classics (Timber Creek)

Classics require power and grace. Timber Creek had both in their show. Power in the playing. Grace in the maneuvering. Lately bands lean on props that are supposed to enhance, not cover up, visual performance. No need for that here. Props to Timber Creek for no props! Continue

Added by Ben Regalado on November 6, 2009 at 6:30pm — No Comments

March. Play. Go Home. (Madison County)

Not sure what the theme was, but let's say there wasn't one. Did it matter? No. This band came up from Georgia to march, play, do a bit of twirling, and then get ready to go home. But they will do so with power. Very confident brass line, just putting out the sound to fill the stadium. Nice job, southern friends! Ya'll come back now, ya' hear? Continue

Added by Ben Regalado on November 6, 2009 at 6:27pm — No Comments

Elemental, My Dear (Pitman)

The first periodic table that had to be memorized was easy: Earth, Air, Water, Fire. That was the theme of Pitman, but it wasn't easy. The band performed with the confidence urged on by their staff, and I was particularly impressed by the percussion, which was on Fire. Which means no one gets fired! Continue

Added by Ben Regalado on November 6, 2009 at 6:24pm — No Comments

Roaming Gnome

Will catch up shortly. Continue

Added by Ben Regalado on November 6, 2009 at 6:20pm — No Comments

Utter Chaos - and That's a Good Thing! (Susquehannock)

Props on the props, and nice use fo sound effects. I liked it, but was anticipating a bit more chaos from the boxes. However, the way the band came down front, in organized chaos, was - well - cool! This was a great way to finish the first half of Group 2. Second have resumes shortly! Continue

Added by Ben Regalado on November 6, 2009 at 5:42pm — No Comments

Take a Chance on This Band (King George)

Specifically, a John Barnes Chance. The show had a Japanese flavor, even though one of Chance's pieces was Variations on a Korean Folk Song. The band was well staged, appearing bigger than they are. Nice color guard work was evident, too. Continue

Added by Ben Regalado on November 6, 2009 at 5:29pm — No Comments

From a Wing to a Prayer (Annapolis Area Christian)

Living in the Annapolis area I have had the chance to see this band several times. Only once performing on a Sunday, they came here instead of the other circuit. Always focused on their message, but never forgetting that performance matters, I am pleased to see how this show has been perfected this season, especially the guard and visuals (which really benefit from the stadium lights). Maybe it's just my altitude, but I also like their attitude. Continue

Added by Ben Regalado on November 6, 2009 at 5:13pm — No Comments

No Fear (Stamford)

Making their first Nationals appearance with a trip down from Connecticut, Stamford presented "Aviophobia" (Fear of Flying). I don't think this band should be worried - it's poised to take off in USSBA competitions, and the nice percussion work will bring them happy landings. Continue

Added by Ben Regalado on November 6, 2009 at 4:59pm — No Comments

Falling in Love Again (Morris Knolls)

While the lights have been on, the sparkle of being under them is starting to come out. In case you missed the big banner, and the heart-strings (which was the title of the show), this band tugged at you. But they did so in all seriousness. Watching the big screens, you can see the result of strong training - this band maintained superior form and body control. And, hey, any band that does "August Rush" gets me by the heartstrings! Continue

Added by Ben Regalado on November 6, 2009 at 4:30pm — No Comments

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