11BandMan11

Lets be real y'all, Bridgeland will do just fine at BOA GN. Although they are described by some as young, that doesn't mean they will not perform and execute as they have shown they can under great pressure situations like Grand Nats is. One thing that I don't think people are taking into consideration with the conversation of Bridgeland and all Cy Fair ISD schools is the difference in schedule for the start of school. This past year, 2023-2024, Cy Fair ISD had their first day of school on August 28th, and many programs in the district took advantage of that time opportunity to work on, develop, and achieve their shows with a strong running start. This upcoming fall, they have a proposed start date on their district website of the 14th of August, which would eliminate nearly two weeks of potential band camp-esque rehearsal times for school in the district. Going on and checking district websites other districts in the surrounding area have had the 14th as a start date and make it work, most notably is their neighbors in KatyISD, but I am curious if losing 2 weeks of band camp will have any impact on their show and performance.

Since I'm a band nerd, fan of the activity, aged out and out of the loop in some areas, I reached out to friends who are in the profession to see if they could provide some information. They did. This situation is not something that would provide for appropriate discourse or publicity for the other directors still on staff there, the activity, the school, but most importantly, for those students within the program. Those students are unfortunately now a part by association. I'll say this and not reply or post more about this situation. The students are very fortunate to have other outstanding, supportive directors on staff, and I sincerely hope that those kids continue to have nothing but positive experiences, success, and are able to swiftly move past this situation and not look back.

So definitely not going to be something like Cypress Mountain cause....well...Texas #nomountainsjusthills 🤣

Hoping to see the same number of groups enroll into this contest as we saw when it was hosted at the Katy ISD stadium. The past couple years the Katy contest has had over 30 groups enroll and perform throughout prelims. The Katy location on the far west side of Houston was easier to justify for some of those groups to travel to with it being an easy straight shot to get there. I do wonder if the San Antonio and surrounding area groups who would travel to the Katy Contest will elect to pass in lieu of a different contest that isn't such a haul to the south side of Houston. Does anyone have any insight or information on why it was moved to Clear Creek ISD and to the south side of Houston? From going to the other regionals throughout the years in Austin, Dallas, etc. it seemed to me like the Katy location was a pretty solid spot for a contest with the dual stadium lots next to each other, size of the parking lots for trucks/busses, seating capacity, the acoustics (always fun to debate what's the best stadium), the box location, etc.

Question to throw out to the fun 2024 contest discussion. How are all the school districts dealing with the new UIL heat indexes, specifically the WBGT (Wet Bulb Globe Temperature)? I'm really wondering how schools across the state are going to be dealing with the new temperature guideline indexes that UIL is pushing out to school districts. The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature was especially BRUTAL on schools in the greater Houston area due to the wonderful humidity fun they all get to deal with. I know speaking with some friends over there, there were schools all across Houston that literally lost multiple full weeks of outdoor rehearsal time due to being told you can't go outside, it's over 92. So I'm very curious how districts and schools are going to be addressing and dealing with that interesting thing for the new upcoming year.

Feels pretty darn good as a guess looking at the schools. It'll be interesting to see what happens during the 'off' season with the different program's developments throughout the concert season & summer. I'm wondering how some of the school numbers will play out with what was posted with the enrollment numbers at campuses. I know Katy ISD has a new HS opening up (heard a rumor they'll be 4A to start and not 5A?) that will be pulling students from both Paetow & Katy. The other thing I'm wondering about is how schools across the state are going to be dealing with the new temperature guideline indexes that UIL is pushing out to school districts. The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature is BRUTAL on schools in the greater Houston area due to the humidity fun. I know there were schools all across Houston that literally lost full weeks of rehearsal time due to being told you can't go outside, so I'm very curious how districts and schools are going to be addressing and dealing with that. Really no way to make a solid guess on anything beyond the top 5ish until we see and hear schools posting their hype clips and things during the next summer band camps. Lol 🤣

I'm guessing it's going to be at 2280 based upon the number of schools that are usually in the 6A classification. Based upon the enrollment numbers submitted by schools to UIL if it were 2280 there would be 245 schools in 6A. With the UIL regs there is a minimum 220 and a maximum of 250 schools for the 6A classification. Curious to see where they put the number and how it all shakes out in the end. We gotta wait and see!

*Insert popcorn eating gif here* Lol 🤣

I genuinely don't know how any Band Directors and staff members would be able to survive if the hours were increased, even marginally. Back when I was a student for our end of the year banquet I added up the number of hours our Directors worked to tell everyone how dedicated and amazing our staff was blah blah blah, and now looking back on it, its CRAZY how much Band Directors work for how little they are paid. I don't have the speech file anymore still but if I recall correctly, from Band Camp through our football season ending, end of last week of July which went into August and our football team was a one and done in the playoffs that year, it was OVER 1,000 HOURS CUMULATIVE THROUGH TO THE START OF NOVEMBER! Just over 3 months, and over 1,000 hours of school days, rehearsals, contests, etc.

Sorry for the longer post and response.... If what I've heard from former students about Cartwright & instructional practices that were occurring - good riddance. On another note - It's always interesting how there are a ton of other EXTREMELY successful "old school" band directors who did not and still do not resort to or utilize some of the methods that we all know are not just wrong for kids, but if we're really honest with ourselves, not just borderline, downright abusive. There's a very big difference between holding students accountable / having high expectations and communicating that appropriately to CHILDREN at the high school age, and verbally accosting / screaming / threatening / etc. CHILDREN for the sake of 'the art'. Accountability is good, high expectations are good, when POSITIVELY reinforced by staff and students alike. Also, I really dislike how in the band community we have turned "old school" into a massive diss - we would literally have NONE of the funding, facilities, voices at the decision making table, etc. if it weren't for all of the amazing and positive "old school" band directors across Texas and the country. While we're at it, lets get REAL for second. Marching Band - It's not that deep. It's CHILDREN running around a football field wearing crazy costumes, throwing things in air, etc. to be a part of something bigger than themselves and a part of a band and guard family where everyone is accepted and appreciated. Sometimes we can forget that when we all get heated in recaps, have bad reps or rehearsals, whatever; at the end of the day, its just marching band. #LetsAllBeGoodPeople

No 100% yet - once the snapshot numbers were released by UIL from all the campuses thats when the real fun began of guessing where everybody lands, they'll be releasing the reclassification alignment in the future which will put every program in their difference conferences

Not covered by the district - the costs are covered by the students/families/fundraising efforts across the ensembles, if the district covered anything it would maybe be a meal or two for the students on the trip, but even that would surprise me. Since BOA Contests are not the sacred three letters, U.I.L, most school districts view and describe BOA contests as "optional" and an extra supplemental performance opportunity that is a choice to attend, therefore won't be covered by the district. From an administrators perspective or school board perspective, I can see how it could quickly spiral out of hand and cause issues if a district were willing to shell out massive funds for a contest performance opportunity for one organization (band), and not provide any funding or support for another organization (wgi dayton travel, basketball tournament, football skills & sac camps, etc.)

^ This. Rewatching the finals performances for the top 3, all the visual scores make sense, but Hebron being dogged in Music GE? Hebron's music book is so ridiculous it is talked about LONG before, during, and after each of their performances, is that not the definition of MUSIC General Effect? Directly from BOA, "It is the position of Bands of America that music is the more important aspect of the performance, with marching as the presentation and visual enhancement of the program. Similarly, more emphasis has been placed on the effectiveness of the general effect judges than on fine-line perfection of the performance judges." If it were within a tenth, I guess it would be a different conversation since a tenth in judging is considered 'judges preference' and everyone has different preferences, but nearly a full point? That much of a point difference in judging terms means that there were clear deficiencies in performance and one performance was obviously better than another. It is very interesting how arguably the most challenging high school marching music book in history with the highest (or tied with the highest?) music score in BOA history is in the judges eyes, not generally effective.

Starts belting out in song..... "THERE GOES MY HERO!!!" ❤️

So....who got them sheets and why are they not posted yet? 🤣