BOA Orlando Preview
Welcome to the Orlando Preview! This is the largest show in Florida, except for State Championships, and most of the major programs in the state come out as a result. Additionally, for a variety of reasons including but not limited to the weather as well as the local theme parks, this show is a hotbed for out-of-state schools looking for a high-quality show to attend that they don’t usually go to, including in the past names such as #2 Broken Arrow (OK). So let’s dive into the schedule.
(All times ET)
7:45 AM – Countryside (FL)
8:00 AM – Olympia (FL)
8:15 AM – Newberry (FL)*
8:30 AM – Oakleaf (FL)**
8:45 AM – Tocoi Creek (FL)
9:00 AM – Washington (OK)
9:15 AM – BREAK
9:45 AM – Cambridge (GA)
10:00 AM – University (FL)**
10:15 AM – Cary (NC)
10:30 AM – Palm Harbor University (FL)
10:45 AM – PK Yonge (FL)*
11:00 AM – Ponte Vedra (FL)*
11:15 AM – Gainesville (FL)*
11:30 AM – Seminole (FL)**
11:45 AM – BREAK
12:30 PM – James Bowie (TX)
12:45 PM – Windermere (FL)**
1:00 PM – Dorman (SC)
1:15 PM – West Harrison (MS)
1:30 PM – Oviedo (FL)*
1:45 PM – Wando (SC)
2:00 PM – Sebastian River (FL)**
2:15 PM – Stoneman Douglas (FL)**
2:30 PM – BREAK
3:00 PM – Tarpon Springs (FL)**
3:15 PM – North Cobb (GA)
3:30 PM – Buchholz (FL)
3:45 PM – G. Holmes Braddock (FL)
4:00 PM – Cass (GA)
4:15 PM – Timber Creek (FL)**
* - Returning from Last Year
** - Returning Finalist
In the 1st block, we have returning finalist Oakleaf (FL) and our first out-of-state group, Washington (OK). The name that I’d like to highlight, however, is Newberry (FL), one of the state's strongest “small” bands, having previously won Class A in Orlando. Last year, Newberry came within .15 points of repeating that feat, and they’ll undoubtedly have something to say about reclaiming that title.
Moving on to the next block, Cary (NC) is coming down, looking for a spot in the night show, along with Ponte Vedra (FL), who was the first out at the 2021 Regional. Gainesville (FL) will be looking to reclaim a finalist spot after dropping out last year, and PK Yonge (FL) will be looking to defend their Class A Championship against Newberry. That said, most eyes on this block will be on former Grand National Finalist Seminole (FL) and last year’s Bronze Medalist University (FL). Some uncertainty swirls around University and their fellow Central Florida bands due to losing a week or more of rehearsal due to the lingering effects of Hurricane Ian. However, seeing these programs in a position to perform at a major show this soon after the storm is heartening.
Following the lunch break is the biggest name that hasn’t appeared at this regional before, in James Bowie (TX). The last time they made a trip to a Southeast regional was in 2011, when they performed at the Georgia Dome for the former Atlanta Super Regional. At that competition, they placed 2nd, and they’re certainly looking to match that this year. One program with something to say about that will be #22 Wando (SC). #22 Wando is perenially one of the region’s strongest programs and one that comes about every other year to this show. On top of that, Windermere (FL), a top 5 program for last year, will be on immediately after James Bowie, and following them will be Dorman (SC), who is performing at a BOA competition for the first time since 2019. Finally, Stoneman Douglas (FL) will perform last in this block, and they’re looking to continue their recovery from the rough COVID years.
First on in the final block is the anticipated champions, #9 Tarpon Springs (FL). The last time #9 Tarpon Springs did not win at a show that was not Grand Nationals or a regional attended by #2 Broken Arrow was the 2007 BOA Atlanta Super Regional (for context, there are students in these bands that were not born when this regional happened). They were among the affected bands by the hurricane, losing out on a week of rehearsal; however, at one point, the storm was forecast to make landfall within miles of the area. Timber Creek (FL) is last year’s Silver Medalist, and they’re looking to hold on to that with much stiffer competition this year.
This is the strongest competition in the state since 2019, and many eyes will be on Camping World Stadium to see how things shake out. Sidenote, if you’re going to be at either of this weekend’s BOA Shows or the Duncanville Marching Invitational, GEM will have representatives at all three shows, so come say hi!
Matthew Carstensen is currently GEM’s Managing Editor. He has been involved in the Pageantry Arts for over a decade, as a performer at the highest level, an instructor, and a fan. You can find him on Twitter at @SatNightLites. He currently lives in Florida with his partner and their two dogs.