Hard Core Band Fan

Well, this my opinion based on 3 decades of watching how things work here. I know you can't allow anyone to have a different opinion from you, which is a shame. I've seen politics play out in several states over the last 50 years. Of course, I am not you.

I think the results tonight will be disappointing for Texas folks. I'm expecting a tie for Avon and Carmel for 1st - not because I think the results will actually be this, but this is the 50th year celebration and this is an Indiana-based organization's competition and their two darling programs are in the mix. I just don't see a Texas victory being possible or likely.

No, this is normal for Box5.

They don't care. They already have your money and a contract for next year.

They don't ever seem to have any carry-over from one year to the next, and they are always behind everyone else even later in the season. It would take a 2013 miracle for them to make finals this year. So far, they've only made finals in Austin, and in the bottom half. Big changes are needed for this program to ever be competitive again. Failure starts at the top.

Seemed like Round Rock still didn't have their complete show. I liked what they did have, but appeared to be missing the ending.

Kind of hard to read, but this show is using music from Hovanhess, Persichetti, Alan Parsons, and Bernstein.

Ugh, I am so tired of that piece. I've seen groups perform that back to back and one final had 5 groups with that music throughout the classes. I "hope" everyone got this out of their systems.

Really enjoyed both of The Woodlands' guards this weekend. Quite a step down in performance watching Invictus after the The Woodlands' SW show.

I did a little more research and found that it was due to a controversy over content in the 2025 show. Bottom line, I think they are tired of winning and it has no value to them. If it's not worth the effort to choose different content to be able to compete, then they just don't want it.

Anyone know why Avon's SW guard wasn't at Indianapolis?

They wouldn't, but being a 20 to 30-minute bus ride away from this competition and getting to compete at it every year can help to raise the level of your band, if that is what you would like to do. You still have to do the work, of course, but having this opportunity every year can indeed help you to achieve this level. Neither Avon nor Carmel started at this level and had to claw their way to the top.

Definitely the most simplistic marching of all the bands in the finals.

Yes, reducing the mic'd content for the soloists is intentional. They did this for San Antonio as well. I complained about it, but the sound engineers' opinions override that of the customer. Kind of defeats the purpose of amplifying the soloists to reduce their sound level, imo. But I'm not an expert, just a customer.

Maybe a penalty?

Texas bands don't have to attend to make it, I guess?

That gives them about an hour, which is a long time for a band kid! My daughter was a guard girl and she could eat, do her makeup, do her hair, get her equipment ready, and warm up in a hour!

Yep, been there. We made major competition trips three years in a row like that. I worked two jobs to be able to afford it, but it was worth it. We just have a narrow window for our kids to do this, that's if they are fortunate enough to have those opportunities.

Exactly why I don't attend the events anymore and stream instead. After 50+ years attending competitions, I just can't take the rudeness and inconsideration. Live performances are better, but isn't worth it anymore.

Agreed. If you're going to play a piece that was part of one of the most exciting DCI shows of all time, you had better kill it. You are going to be measured against that performance. Having a huge lull at the end will be noticed. They did many things well, but the ending left us wanting.

Instead of policing the internet, maybe they should better use their time and effort to provide a better product. Their Roku player now just quits whenever there is the slightest break in your internet connection. No spinning circle, just an error message and the player just stops. Thanks Box5TV!

A playoff system isn't practical nationwide. It's barely practical in Texas. I think the terminology is fine as it is.

Their intention is for it to be a national championship. Many factors prevent the best every year from attending, but this is a close as we can get. I understand your point, but being strongly opinioned doesn't make you correct.

So what would you call a competition at the end of the season comprised of bands across the nation?

Jealous!