Avon Marching Black & Gold - 2010 Grand National Finals

"Iconoclash"

[@turdsmcgillicuddy5118]

No props, no gimmicks, just raw and pure music, battery, marching, guard and drill with a killer concept. Amazing.

[@willleech6969]

Had the honor of being a part of the Avon Marching Black and Gold 2009-2013, and I watch this about once a week and cry every time. This was such a hard thing to pull together, and it really did take until the very end to pull off. And I played trumpet, so I got to play the single coolest trumpet feature in high school marching band history (in my opinion of course).

[@stanross9708]

Will You were a stud mane- ladale

[@willleech6969]

@@stanross9708 so were you! So many memories with ya man! Miss you! Gotta get back together with Sean, Dre, and Robert.

[@erwinschliemann7482]

People will often joke with BoA's top bands "oh I didn't realize I was watching DCI," but the brass feature at 2:45 legitimately sounds like a DCI brass line, it's so crisp and full.

[@stanross9708]

Dlüph Scheißemlok it wasn’t clean until about 2-3 weeks out

[@zachzuber32]

@@stanross9708 as to be expected in a high school group

[@ethanortiz885]

look up hebron high school and enjoy that but for like half the show

[@willleech6969]

Still gives me goosebumps to this day, and to see Harloff and Webb double high five makes it that much sweeter.

[@pumpkin462]

I heard people often joke at how 8:19 is the loudest hit they’ve ever heard at BOA finals, probably right tbh

[@keyowilson5695]

From 7:25 to 8:18, we are talking one of the greatest moments in high school marching band period. You have two separate ensembles playing two different musical selections, while spread out 100 yards. To pull this off with a high school band requires an advanced level of maturity.

[@matthewriggen4334]

I was in the group at that time and can provide some insight. What made this mostly possible (beyond the quality of our training) was the fact that the two ensembles always faced two different directions. The lyrical group is facing backfield while the the group playing the more rhythmic selection was facing front--then notice us switch. It was relatively easy to ignore the other band--completely block them out--and focus in on our backfield conductor. Of course that 40 seconds of material was drilled into us over a 3-month period. At that point anything is easy.

[@willleech6969]

I think the harder part was once one half passed the 50 yard line they started meshing with the other side, only to bring it all together for the hit. So there was a good chance you played half and half if you were close hahaha

[@TheJokerMedia801]

I still get emotional every time I watch this tuba just off the 50 at 8:30. That was so powerful. Twas me

[@macwinlin]

That Adagio For Strings power hit starting at 8:19 makes me tear up. Just beautiful. Barber would be proud.

[@blobbler8940]

I didn't even notice that was Adagio, what a catch! It really adds to the GE.

[@uvn6210]

I’m only just now finding this show and holy moly it’s difficult. People running to sets while playing. Crazy loud playing. I hope this show won that year because this is an unreal performance!

[@keyowilson5695]

This was the show that gave Avon the 3-peat championship.

[@billthorn1604]

Finals music performance score: 19.8 - highest ever

[@andrewhxrris]

This was such a cool show!

[@KlldbyCuriosity]

I kind of wish they did Adagio for Strings *just* as the ballad because they did so well

[@XxCaPtAiNTaC0xX]

Bro, this show is sooo fucking good lol

[@johnnychikko3800]

I’m a Texas Bands fan but this is arguably Avon’s best overall show (last decade-2012 pretty good too) prior to the pageantry age! Visual, Dynamic and that Brass demand execution! 2023 fails in comparison.

[@paysonfox88]

Tarpon Springs is like the arch villain to Avon... Both bands have won national championships, but the Florida band is like "let's spend $3,000 per kid on props"

[@michaelross5536]

Well, Avon is the only band of the two with championships (3 to be exact). Tarpon Springs only has one championship lol

[@christophertaylor8761]

Tarpon also is in an area with wealthy supporters and parents who have undying respect and support for it. Wish my high schools band had their skill level and level of parent support.

[@blsharpley]

The dynasty

[@l15t3nr]

Shout out battery Sopranos

[@chadfochesato4169]

Do they seriously have 9 tenor/quad players? Not complaining, just wondering what's up with it

[@Blackcomic23]

Avon has always had a very large battery. Drumline is a thing the school takes a lot of pride in.

[@phoenixrising342]

Blackcomic23 yeah the high school has always taken pride in it (I’m in the Avon marching band 😅)

[@WeabooMilk]

I think it's the size was somewhat standard. Though there's usually 5-6 quads and 6-7 basses. That year we only had 5 basses. I played bass 1.

[@l15t3nr]

Yes, we had the "Sopranos" and "Tenors".

[@chadfochesato4169]

@@phoenixrising342 I was a percussionist myself, and being from Michigan the biggest drumline I've seen in any high school is Petoskey (always/usually around a 30 member section)

[@skagward594]

Are you going to post Avon's 2018 show?

[@CDAWGS123]

Josh Beard they did but FloMarching copyrighted the Finals run

[@skagward594]

@@CDAWGS123 not to be creepy, but I think I followed you or I think I did on Instagram. Didn't you graduate in 2016 or 2017? I definitely know you were in the pit for Avon

[@CDAWGS123]

Josh Beard graduated in 2016.

[@skagward594]

@@CDAWGS123 2015 you guys should have won honestly. I don't care what anyone says haha. I saw that show in person and the it was so clean and full of energy. Broken arrow honestly bored me, but that's not how judging workes obviously.

[@CDAWGS123]

Josh Beard yeah we definitely got screwed that year. But oh well, BOA just doesn’t like Avon for some reason