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MikeKyu

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Everything posted by MikeKyu

  1. What a gesture and what a great story. Good job kid. https://news.google.com/articles/CBMib2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFsLmNvbS9lZHVjYXRpb25sYWIvMjAyNC8wMS9hbGFiYW1hLXN0dWRlbnQtZ2l2ZXMtYmFjay10by1oaWdoLXNjaG9vbC1iYW5kLXRocm91Z2gtbWFrZS1hLXdpc2guaHRtbNIBfmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFsLmNvbS9lZHVjYXRpb25sYWIvMjAyNC8wMS9hbGFiYW1hLXN0dWRlbnQtZ2l2ZXMtYmFjay10by1oaWdoLXNjaG9vbC1iYW5kLXRocm91Z2gtbWFrZS1hLXdpc2guaHRtbD9vdXRwdXRUeXBlPWFtcA?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen
  2. Don't allow it to be depressing. Make it motivating. A long, long, long time ago when I was in high school I chose to be the best in my region. My school at the time was not know to produce musicians but as a small 2A school we were on the upswing. Lots of practice and a few years later I chose to compete in my state's open class and I was the top rated trumpeter in the state, class not considered. This allowed me to have full ride scholarship opportunities at my in-state school of choice, full scholarship offers from many school around the North East US, and I landed a conducting apprenticeship in high school with one of the top conductors the US has ever produced. Don't worry about class of your band......focus on your talent, be tenacious, be fearless, be meticulous, and go get it.
  3. Metallica released a challenge to college and high school bands earlier this year. They weren't let down. Auburn University, Dobbyns Bennett were the biggest winners with their massive shows. Check it out if you weren't aware. Drive eyes to something new and different in the space which will encourage sponsors to put on more contests like this. The more eyes they get, the more enticing it is to repeat. Through this link you can watch all of the sumbissions or just watch the winners. https://www.metallicamarchingband.com/
  4. The Onmi is about 2 blocks away. The staff there is fantastic. It's very clean and It's a little more pricey but after a day seated in stadium seats it's completely worth it for me.
  5. Looks like I am going to be at Grand Nationals 2024. Cedar Park and Leander are attending means this old man spends time in Indy.
  6. Thanks! I was given a lot of grief over this post but I deeply believed it. Watching shows progress over the course of a season and guessing how they will progress is a hobby of mine. Seeing the CP show the first weekend I knew that they were going to peak right at the end. Watching the Rouse show I felt like they peaked and rode that peak much earlier in the season. Yes, both shows were incredible. I loved watching them progress over the season. Requiem is a gorgeous show, massive GE moments, well performed, and beautifully presented. I would rate Requiem in the top 5 shows in 5A over the last 5 years. BOA wise it is probably the best BOA show by a 5A band. But when it comes to UIL there are elements that I saw in Cedar Park's show from the first contest I felt that they had the higher absolute top end score due to the difficulty and demand of their show. Wakeland was another beautiful show but technically far behind Rouse and Cedar Park. Leander's show was incredible. From 2014-2019 Leander had my favorite high brass section in the state. It is a shame that the sick hit Leander right before finals. Yes, we are fortunate to see not only so close of a contest but highly varying and creative shows here in Texas.
  7. I just finished rewatching all of the finals. I am not criticizing any students or performers in my below post. I am not criticizing any school, any district, or any participant on the field tonight. Avon was flawless. I can see why they won. Carmel: They are solid. This is what they do year after year. A show I'm not really affected by performed flawlessly. They run a medium hard book, a hard marching book, a great guard. It's all good but design-wise, not my flagon of bourbon. Hebron: It hurts, but they were rightly placed. If you put Avon's visuals next to Hebron's you can see the work Texas as a whole needs to do. Individually, and ensemble-wise just an incredible sound. They are probably the king of musical virtuosity in the BOA environment at this point. TWHS: Visually stunning immaculate guard work as usual but let down by the music's impact on GE. I have felt this all year hoping for an end of season renaissance.
  8. Avon, what a season! I have been obsessed with Pictures at an Exhibition since 1986. I have seen it played live in 4 different countries, 12 venues, and now in a Grand Nationals Championship performance. Well earned Avon. What a show!!
  9. Wow! You aren't even competing here and you are the sorest loser (for a semis result) that I have seen. I Have been involved in the activity since the late 80s.
  10. mmmm...salty....better get some water. Texas is not pushing the activity GE-wise. We, as a state are behind in visual and overall GE with most shows for current tastes of those who judge. Musically Texas is pushing the envelope but people seem to prefer loud and standing to moving and playing.
  11. I hate to see technical issues but: I know that I am in the minority here but I believe that electronics failures should hurt a band's score. What's so special about electronics that it becomes the effect generator that has absolutely no downside to incorporating into a show?
  12. Very similar to Leander ISD. Loads of fund raising year round. High yearly dues. The marching program consumes about 75% of the yearly budget when the band is not traveling out of state in the spring.
  13. You can say that about every Round Rock show since 2017. They are really refining the process to peak at Grand Nationals
  14. I am actually pretty shocked that the LISD schools aren't buying nationals trips in bulk. I am sure the buying power of say 3 schools buying accommodations together, buying rehearsal spaces together, and buying transport together would be a considerable savings. I know that adds a layer of difficulty with coordination but I believe it could be worth thousands of dollars for each organization. I'm not saying make the bands all stay together in the same place, or travel together but just the buying power would be immense.
  15. I think Pearland and CTJ have stamped their pass. Bowie is very borderline at this point. Anyone play 3D chess?
  16. They have a tough road considering they drew #1 in semifinals. I would love to see the show 2 more times.
  17. Finals Qualifiers:: 9:30 - Holliday 9:15 - Whiteboro 9:00 - Mineola 8:45 - C.H. Yeoh 8:30 - Atlanta 8:15 - Winnsboro 8:00 - Howe 7:45 - Crane 7:30 - Clifton 7:15 - Red Water Congrats to each school! Have an amazing run tonight
  18. What is this?? The Allen High School version of a 3A band??!! Mega...oh, it's Houston Cougars... I get it now.
  19. Mineola This is visually a cool looking show at preshow and set up. Holy opening statement Batman!! What an ensemble sound!! The single guard member who lit the torch and flute solo was a cool effect that was well performed. Wonderful solos and percussion feature. Gheez Mineola.....great performance.
  20. YOakum Another I didn't get to watch but what great sound!
  21. Industrial I missed the show but listened to it. Nice low brass and front ensemble anchoring the band. Battery was precise. Sorry I didn't get to see the show.
  22. Troy This is a great concept!! Opener: Low brass and front ensemble really ripping through turn 1. Good balance in the ensemble Trombone solo: well played and the guard were well in sync. Great shapes during the trio Super marching on that grinder!! The band is so nicely balanced coming out of the sousaphone feature. I love using the glissandos on t-bone to simulate the cars passing. Such a fun show, especially for a gearhead like me.
  23. Crane The flags on the introduction were excellent I am loving the bounce in the 2nd movement Great solo by the clarinet. The kites running by the band along the curve were a great effect. Thank you for not over micing the trumpet and forcing the band to play around him. Lovely solo and what can now be considered an effect....an unmic'd brass soloist Battery is rocking heading into the closer and playing with real gusto!! Good show Crane!!
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