tennelle

Gonna go WAY back for this one, back to 1980. My band program had been terrible for years, so bad that I don't think they had even competed at UIL marching contest for several years. In 1977, my freshman year, a new director was hired and he immediately began a long reclamation project. That first year, we made a 4 at marching contest and a 3 at concert contest; I remember just wanting to bury my head in my hands and slink away when that announcement was made. The next year, we made a 3 in marching and a 2 in concert. My junior year, we made a 2 in marching and a 1 in concert. Finally, after years of hard work and sweat, we made a 1 at marching contest my senior year! We had come from the absolute dregs to a sweepstakes band in only four years, and the program continued it's excellence for many years after I graduated. To this day I get chills remembering when the announcer said "Marshall: First Division".

Yeah, they are always right there but, with the exception of 2013 (BOA Grand National finalist), they just haven't been able to break through consistently. I know they have had a bit of turmoil, but hopefully they can keep pushing. They have a great staff and a very supportive administration.

Cedar Ridge had an outstanding singer in 2012 - 2014.

In no particular order: Reagan Bowie Cedar Ridge Round Rock Hendrickson

Announcer just said they will start tomorrow morning at 7:15 am with James Bowie.

Couldn't agree more about Cedar Ridge. I expect next year's show to be awesome.

As for Cedar Ridge... I was sitting mid-level on the 30-yard line and could not hear the vocalist at all in a couple of spots. That one part where it is pretty much just her and light percussion, she was just not loud enough for me to hear. And there was a lot of reverb, too. In my opinion, a lot of the nuance of that show was lost in the cavernous Alamodome. Of course, that doesn't affect the marching at all.

I think many are discounting Cedar Ridge too much. Their show is absolutely fascinating and very different from anything else out there right now. To truly appreciate the visual aspect you have to be sitting very high in the stands which, hopefully, the judges will be. I think they may surprise.

This will be my first time at a state marching contest. Will the crowd be so large that I should purchase tickets now, or can I wait and get them at the stadium?