Hard Core Band Fan

Morale boosters are fine, but are not going to prepare you for a real competition. Getting a 95 at Westlake isn't going to prepare you for San Antonio or the Grand Nationals. To feel good for a day or two and then getting stomped a couple of weeks later isn't really all that helpful. I want the best for these kids. Iron sharpens iron. Taking the lesser path has had a long term effect on this program and I don't like seeing it repeated. They work hard and should reap more than minimal benefits from it.

No one, and yours? This is a valid assessment. I think these kids are being shortchanged. With a program that is struggling year after year to barely make it in most finals, the leadership seems to take the same path. It's been the same way since my kids went through the program there.

Well, they are not going to any other competition until BOA San Antonio. UIL is the only other event for them. Being a big fish in a very small pond at Westlake is not a program-building strategy.

Just have to mention the absence of Round Rock at this competition. This is right in their backyard and they choose to go to Westlake instead. If anyone needs more competition and to be pushed and made better, it's them. Can't understand the logic behind this. Huge opportunity missed again.

If anyone is interested: Austin Prelims Analysis Austin Finals Analysis

Thank you. Never did think you meant any harm.

I know very few of you would ever do this since you are so knowledgeable and wise, omnipotent really, but maybe this person didn't mean it the way you took it. Instead of immediately attacking someone and criticizing and assuming, maybe you could have asked for clarification. Not a popular thing these days giving people grace and allowing for your possible misinterpretation. How about just not worrying about it in the first place. If you disagree, PM them and have a discussion. Not as fun as having you and your friends in the forum pile on to the unfortunate person, but maybe a better course to take. Maybe your attacks are just as offensive to others. No, you'd never consider that. Obviously.

And you are subject to criticism as well for your comments. Where you are wrong is where you tell me what to do. You don't have the right to do that without subjecting yourself to criticism. Sounds like you need to get over yourself and heed your own advice. I just like to for people to be able to air their opinions whether they are popular, or not. I didn't say I agreed with her, but I don't have to, to be okay with what she said. I know my opinions are not popular here which is why I rarely post anymore. There was a time when people could be honest and open here, years ago. Differing opinions are not welcome here any more and when someone breaks with the ranks, they pay the price for it.

Okay, then she does not have the right to express her opinion, her way. Got it.

It's her opinion. Is she not entitled to express it?

I was impressed with them last time. Not quite there then, but I can see them progressing there. The problem is that there are so many that are already at the finals level. You have to pass a lot of bands to reach the finals.

I was able to view video of Round Rock's performance and from the perspective of an untrained eye and ear, I can see why you would say what you did. This show was flat. Very flat. But it is early season and I see a lot of potential in this show. So many elements are apparently missing from this show and it was obviously not ready for competition, which this event was not. I wouldn't expect BOA Austin to be much different, either. For them, it is still very early with much to do, learn, and add. Again, I can see potential and the parts of this show that we have seen so far can really be impressive if they reach that potential. It's up to them to do the work. For the Round Rock students out there - you have a lot of work to do, but it is definitely doable. Work like it matters!

Just curious what you are basing this on?

Or maybe it is something none us have considered. It's their decision and I'm okay with it. I'm not disappointed or anything. I will still see them anyway and there are plenty of great bands to see in San Antonio. I am way more concerned that everyone's season can end immediately with one Covid mandate.

Sorry, you'd lose that bet. I spoke to the head director this week. You shouldn't make assumptions about situations you know nothing about.

I remember years ago finding a Tarpon Springs after-school rehearsal calendar with 20 hours per week for the month before Grand Nationals.

Yes, all in one day! Every large stadium in Austin was in use during the prelims during the day and the finalists performed in the evening at UT's Memorial Stadium. Of course, there were only 5 finalists per class. Still, it was a long day. You pretty much had to pick which class you wanted to watch in the prelims. I mainly went to Burger stadium to watch the 5A groups. There were no 6A's back then and many of the top bands today didn't exist at that time and their schools weren't built yet. Some of the big names in those days - Westfield, De Soto, Crockett, Duncanville, Klein, Spring, Permian, MacArthur, Cooper, and Churchill just to name a few.

This used to happen every year decades ago. Every class, prelims and finals, and all on one Saturday in Austin (most years).

Thinking this could be a good opportunity for Pearland.

Looks promising. A lot of fine bands.

Wow, so these are attending the Grand Nationals? CTJ Vista Ridge Pearland Round Rock Wills Point Jack C Hays James Bowie Reagan Marcus Flower Mound

Flower Mound is going this year as well?

No, I am a band fan. Just going by 50+ years of marching band experience.

Still, it matters what they have to put on the field next year, not what anyone had this year. Round Rock has been 4 times before and made the finals each time even in years that they didn't make the finals in San Antonio. I wouldn't leave them out of the list of likely finalists. Statistics are nerd play and I enjoy that as well, but experience with what it takes to make the finals in Indy is a huge factor. Neither Vista Ridge or Pearland have that at this point. Of course, I am not saying that they don't have a chance or a good chance. What they have next year will determine that.

I wouldn't leave Round Rock out of the likely finalists.