TXMarchingMadness87654

Well, I for one love all the discussion on this thread. Keep it coming! We've just got a few days left and this won't be an "Upcoming Contest" anymore and the thread will fade away... I really enjoyed the newest vid of CR and remove my earlier comments about the messy-ness. I can't wait to see the TX bands do their THANG in Atlanta and I wish every single band participating the very best. Safe travels and knock 'em out, y'all! (PS. Go, Haltom!!!)

That's a shame. Haltom advanced to state in 2014 w their show, Dragon Ritual. It's all over youtube. You should check it out. I'm not surprised that you haven't heard of them. Despite their successes in the past, they are often relegated to "step child" status on discussion boards...another shame. Anyway, their show this year is lovely. Hope you enjoy it. ☺

I have said I'm biased. My kids have graduated. I'm technically an alumni parent at this point. I'm not trying to "make" anyone believe they're going to win or that they're the best ever. I am just excited for them and am expressing my excitement. As someone who lived and breathed it for seven consecutive years, I fully understand those feelings of believing the band was robbed or feeling disappointed bcse a contest didn't have the outcome I was expecting. I've also been hovering around these forums all this time and this is the most talked about that I've seen Haltom ever. If my comments are tending toward basking in that glow, please pardon me. I'm not used to seeing people excited about them. And since I don't have a student in tbe show this year and my fave show has been Dragon Ritual from 2014 where Haltom finished the year tied for 11th in state, I think my being this excited is quite a statement. *shrugs* I guess maybe I'm of the thought that it's ok to rave about a band you love regardless of the outcome? Esp when that band doesn't usually get a lot of praise. PS I loved that Keller show last year, too.

Since I'm typing this from my phone and am not at home...I would have to search my youtube history on my tv, but we watched a vid of a show performed this month. When I say very messy, I should clarify...again typing on my phone is not my strong suit. lol What I mean is not missed notes, per se, just kind of all over the place. It wasn't pleasant on my ears. My hubs said it seemed the pit was too loud, which can happen or can just be picked up via the video recording. idk it just wasn't what I was expecting based on people saying they are a shoe-in to place above Haltom. Obvs, there is cleaning up done over time and I wish them the best. I just feel Haltom might surprise everyone. They were so clean and on-point this past Wednesday. I was in awe. Their music is very difficult and they play it beautifully. They are visually in motion. You don't know where to look...every place on the field has something going on. I think my favorite is the woodwinds' feature...flutes, then clarinets, then saxes. It's lovely. I'm fully invested every time I watch them.

Haltom is not a "loud just to be loud" kind of band. They ride the waves of their music like the State TMEA orchestra band that they are. Their show is both beautifully balanced and visually stunning. Those chairs add depth and they use them throughout. Their colorguard is continually improving and just add evem more to their show. And I watched CR and felt their music was very messy. Tarpon's show feels like a "loud just to be loud" kinda show. idk I'm biased but I honestly feel that Haltom has a medal-worthy show. But they have been burned at BOAs in the past, so...it's just tough to say. I hope they go out to Atlanta and blow everyone away w their tremendous, polished, beautiful show and surprise everyone. Knock their socks off, Haltom!!

Unless he changes his mind...according to current band parents, the band director couldn't come up w a name he liked. One band parent suggested to me that "ConCHAIRto" would be cute. lol But there very well will be no name. I agree that the show is spectacular, though. I love it!! They have added a few new things, including a small group laying chairs down and "sitting" in them and moving around as the soloists play and the band removing their shakos and setting them atop the chairs near the end of the show. It creates quite an effect. They gave what to me was their best performance yet on Wednesday night at the Bandfest. Even w Richland's pit practicing and kind of filtering over during the quiet parts, it was jaw-dropping.

Thank you! I'm just curious as to when our traveling band kiddos will be performing. It seems like there won't be a live feed for Atlanta? Was I reading that right? BUMMER. Oh well, they've called for the alumni parents to volunteer at the Area F competition at the BISD stadium that Saturday anyway...the life of a band parent is never done. Gotta help out, when the current band parents are running off to Atlanta!

I have never actually seen one of their shows before. It wasn't really my cup o' tea, but it's kinda hard to gauge from the angle. I always like watching shows from up high high high in the stands. lol They sound good to me, though, albeit, there were times where I felt like Chandler Bing...do they have to be SO LOUD? haha My age is showing. I'd also love to know how these bands get so many colorguard! When my child started at Haltom, their #'s had dropped a lot. They've managed to build them back up to a decent amount - thanks to a fantastic colorguard director - but still...while 32 sounds like a lot to me, I see these other bands that just have...astounding #'s. It's difficult to compete at the GE level when colorguard is outnumber 2 or almost 3 to 1! Can I also say I've never been a big fan of using pop hits or rock hits in the show? My age is showing again, I guess. It's just not my dealio. Anyway, I wish Tarpon Springs the best at Atlanta. (*whispers* but I hope Haltom wins hehe)

My memory's not what it used to be...when do they usually get the schedule up for these contests? (Yes, I'm anxiously awaiting...lol)

Mysteriously...Mansfield's PRELIM scores are not included... the prelim placements are in the finals schedule (which puts Mansfield 5th overall before finals). They performed last in prelims. Wonder how their scores were left off. odd lol Here

While it's fair to say they might not carry as much spark as usual, it could be linked to the very recent loss of one of their band students. It was just a couple of weeks ago right after the football game, and as we all can imagine, it would make things very heartbreaking and difficult. I admired their resolve to play on after such a tragedy. My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Broken Arrow band family, esp the student's family. I cannot imagine.

hmm...it's tough! I agree with your other post that Tarpon Springs is going to be really hard to beat...but we'll see! I imagine the Texas bands will do quite well. It's another contest that Haltom's never been to, which is always fun. Now that I'm a retired band mom (and a recruited theater mom), I can say I don't miss the traveling part of the contests, but I do love the excitement of being AT the contests. I wish I could predict these, but I'm woefully biased. haha I can't wait to see what the bands bring and will be getting that live broadcast dealio to watch them. Also, we're going to part of the BISD festival on Saturday (ugh the heat will be back then) and I can't wait to see how the bands do there.

YES! This was all over my facebook. What a weekend for BISD bands! Also, one of the things I thought was very cool about BAI...Richland and Haltom ate dinner together and just hung out, waiting for finals. When the contest was over, Haltom was asked to give an encore performance - which, to the parent telling the story, seemed odd because the stands were fairly empty at that point. Then, lo and behold, Richland showed back up and filled the stands, cheering Haltom on. When Haltom was finished, they collectively shouted, "Thank you, Richland!" and Richland band shouted back, "We love you, Haltom!" and just...that's what it's all about. Good kids all around and I'm proud of them all. BISD has such amazing fine arts programs. I'm thankful my kids have gotten to be a part of it. So...congrats to Birdville Mighty Hawk band. We are proud of you!

Final results: 12) 65.50 Whitesboro 11) 68.15 Cabot 10) 68.60 Bentonville West 09) 68.75 Collinsville 08) 69.45 Byron Nelson 07) 73.15 Colleyville Heritage 06) 74.00 Moore 05) 75.70 Edmond Memorial 04) 77.00 Coweta 03) 79.05 Kickapoo 02) 79.10 Richland 01) 79.80 Haltom (!!!) Music caption: Tie - Haltom & Kickapoo Visual caption: Haltom General Effect: Haltom WAY TO GO, PRIDE OF HALTOM!!! I am seriously proud of y'all! And check out BISD taking home #1 & #2! YAS! Love it! What a fun contest to watch (even if it was live feed vs live lol) Haltom blew me away. All the bands gave their all. It was awesome!

Finals schedule: 7:00p - Bentonville West HS, AR 7:15p - Whitesboro HS, TX 7:30p - Collinsville HS, OK 7:45p - Byron Nelson HS, TX 8:00p - Cabot HS, AR 8:15p - Colleyville Heritage HS, TX 8:30p - Haltom HS, TX 8:45p - Coweta HS, OK 9:00p - Richland HS, TX 9:15p - Edmond Memorial HS, OK 9:30p - Kickapoo HS, MO 9:45p - Moore HS, OK 10:00p - Broken Arrow Exhibition Performance http://www.brokenarrowpride.com/?page_id=5086

Some prelim results: Class A: Whitesboro swept the class with best music, visual, and general effect. Class AA: Coweta swept the class with best music, visual, and general effect 1st place: Coweta 2nd place: Collinsville Class AAA: Best music and visual: Richland; Best general effect: Kickapoo 1st place: Kickapoo 2nd place: Richland 3rd place: Edmond Memorial Class AAAA: Haltom swept the class with best music, visual, and general effect 1st place: Haltom (!!!!) 2nd place: Moore 3rd place: Byron Nelson WAY TO GO, HALTOM!!!! So proud of you all. *tears in eyes* Now, it's time to gear up for finals. I don't have the finals schedule, yet. Congrats to all bands!!

Thank you for clarifying. It was the "least competitive by quite a stretch" part that came off awkward and left a bad taste in my mouth. I feel the competitiveness of the competitions remains to be seen this early in the season - you never know which bands will bring more than expected and blow the tops off the audience and judges. I like seeing Texas bands branching out into competitions that are out-of-state. They get to go to places they've never been before and they get to see bands they've never seen. I'm looking forward to what the rest of marching season has in store.

Yeah, I'm not sure what your intent was with this comment - intent is often difficult to ascertain via text - but it reads extremely snarky and a bit obnoxious, esp to the bands that are attending this contest. Maybe you should make a thread to talk about Union's contest instead, where you can discuss its "competitiveness." Remember, when you're commenting about something...impact > intent.

Schedule: http://www.brokenarrowpride.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/BAI17.Prelims-Schedule.pdf Super excited for Haltom!! Good luck and safe travels for all!!

I wish we could've been at this contest. I remember playing Highland Park WAYYY back in the day when I was at Irving Mac. I would have loved to have seen their show. Congrats to Highland Park, too!!

Haltom 1st place w/ a 90.85 score! Congrats, Pride!

Sending prayers - absolutely devastating. I cannot imagine.

We gave in at the end of the 2nd block - wanted to stay and see everyone, but thumping heartbeat and dizziness from the heat won the day. ugh Why is it so hot at the end of October again? Oh, yeah.....TEXAS

Going to get to watch this whole competition tomorrow, since my kids are all done with band. I cannot wait! So exciting! Good luck to all the bands and a special good luck to the Pride of Haltom! Get it!

That's GREAT news! Congrats to the three Plano schools! So exciting!!