PSHSMom

One of my employees’ kids go to school there!

All six Texas programs made it in!!!

Depends, minimum 30, max 46

Hi All,
 
Finally have a minute to post just some random thoughts on the weekend.   I followed on my phone, but find it 
hard to post with my phone and my fat fingers and old eyes, LOL.  
 
We attended pretty much all day Saturday for the Prelims.   After LD Bell played my kids scoped out the best seats
and we sat there all day.   We were pretty much up as high as you could go, close to the 50, where all the
band directors/band parents ran up to watch their show and then ran back down when they were done.    We didn't 
attend finals as after  9 hours, although my husband tags along, it really isn't his cup of tea, and I also felt
that maybe with all the people attending, I would rather someone who really had kids in the finals could be there.
Also, with 4 of us, it saved us the cost of the tickets : )
 
So just some Random thoughts about the day.
 
1.  The Alamodome needs cup holders.  Really hard to get up and clap after every band when
I have to constantly put the drink down, and pick it back up so people could get in and out of the rows. 
 
2.   My kids really loved the Keller show as well as James Bowie.  I think the kid doing the back flips did it for them, LOL.
 
3.  The kids really liked the part of the Avon show where the kids thru there instruments in the air.    But they (or we all) hoped
they didn't practice that move on the cement parking lots during rehearsals.   Actually, as a parent, I just though, OMG,
do they know how much those things cost!  I think they needed a disclaimer that no instruments were harmed during
performance!   (But it was really cool!!)
 
4.  The Avon band parents around us were so nice!    Very complimentary of all the bands.    So many made the trip!   
 
Anyway, I think so much has been said already about all the talent out there on the field over the weekend.  I am sorry I didn't get to see all the bands, like CTJ or Leander, but I saw pretty many of them.   All of those kids from top to bottom are class acts and should be very proud of all they accomplished.  
 
And if anyone has a link to the Plano East performance that I promise not to distribute or share, I would love to see it again. You can PM me    Not that I think anyone has an illegal recording or anything.   (I did see quite a few people recording during prelims and was surprised no one stopped them).  
 
That's all for now! 

It's been not quite a week and over 2300 miles later, our San Antonio adventure has ended.  I have been a reader of TXBands for a few years, but decided to actually "join" this year after getting the details that we were heading to Texas.  I needed to brush up on all the bands down there as I knew it was going to a great competition, but didn't realize how good.  I knew of a few bands after seeing them at LOS for GN and from "that" video site.  I already had a favorite show from there, Reagan's Beyond Perimeters.  I had no idea what UIL was, "8 Hr rule" or "non state year".  Its been quite a learning experience. Thanks for the encouragement from a private message to share my thoughts on the forums.  
 
Our days in SA have created memories to last a lifetime.  We were welcomed warmly everywhere we went. As my wife and I got to experience the Riverwalk. We had band parents from all over stop and greet us and chat for a few minutes.  For me, the band nerd, I found it very interesting to pass road signs like Round Rock and Leander, places I knew from band names, then see show shirts with all the great Texas bands everywhere.  Not just a couple here and there as I have seen at GN, but they were everywhere.   
 
Our kiddo had a blast. After some touring in Dallas and practice at Birdville, Flower Mound treated them very well with dinner and some fun times.  Friendships were made.  We recieved an odd text from our kiddo on friday morning that they beat Flower Mound!?!? followed by "...in tug of war".  After practicing at the Alamo Stadium they actually got to go to Prelims and just sit and watch some of the competition on Friday.  With our normal schedule, they don't get to do that and see other bands.  CTJ blew them away and they knew they had to bring their "A" game, which they did they next day.  The competition was fierce as there were so many great bands bringing their best and I don't think you can get much closer from 2-6 place than how it ended up.... We can ignore last years GN, but we now hold the record for the highest score for 2nd place.   I'm not sure if anyone ever predicted the placements for that night.  I remember seeing a post about someone getting a chicken and letting them pick the prediction and it would do just as good.  I also liked the prediction... 1st - Texas band or one from Indiana. 2nd - Texas band or one from Indiana...... I did read where there was a concern about our kids since they didn't medal after the long trip.  When I asked our kiddo that same question, the respsonse was... WE BROKE 95, I'm GOOD!
 
My take aways.... 
- I'd would do this again in a minute.  Being a band nerd, its was exciting to see all these great bands together in one place.  The amount of work, time, committment each and everyone of these kids have done over the season in their programs is incredible and each one deserves their own standing ovation. 
 
- Cheering for you own band as they take they field DOES happen outside of Indiana.  We began to wonder after previous competitions where other band parents were much more reserved.  I guess we are just a little loud so our kiddos can hear us on the field.
 
- I was glad about our musical "Tip of the Hat" to our fellow Texas bands.  I don't recall Avon ever changing their warm up before, and especially having the kids to wave a thank you to the crowd at finals performance was an experience for us as well.    
 
- I still miss stuff when watching the performance and I have an idea what is supposed to happen.  I keep missing the horn toss!  There was a massive trumpet toss across the gym floor in our WGI winds routine last year that made you gasp, so yep, they practice that wherever.  
 
- We got to talk to people about the meaning behind our show and how its a testament over how the program has been built over the years.  Our kiddos even signed their names on bricks outside their band room.
 
- We left with beef jerky, fudge, peanut brittle and discovered Beaver Nuggets!
 
- One complaint... Lucas Oil has escalators.
 
- watching practice from the shade in 90 degree weather is more fun for the parents, than from the stands in 30 degree weather the past weekend.
 
- discovered the Dan Podcast.
 
- Leander, Plugerville, Round Rock, Keller, Vista Ridge, Hendrickson, The Woodlands, Flower Mound are some that I remember we talked with personally. Texas left a positive impression with us and friends were made all around.  We would hope to somehow return the hospitality someday.  
 
- ....and we got to see history in the making with that OUTSTANDING performance from CTJ! Hallelujah!  
 
Thank you again for your amazing welcome and now on to Grand Nats Y'All!
 
*****************************
Edit: They posted a brief story behind our show this year.  I heard its a speech given to the kids each season and the meaning behind the bricks.

Evidently I can now officially "Like" stuff again. Phew...it was tough having my enthusiasm curb checked like that.

Hi All,
 
Finally have a minute to post just some random thoughts on the weekend.   I followed on my phone, but find it 
hard to post with my phone and my fat fingers and old eyes, LOL.  
 
We attended pretty much all day Saturday for the Prelims.   After LD Bell played my kids scoped out the best seats
and we sat there all day.   We were pretty much up as high as you could go, close to the 50, where all the
band directors/band parents ran up to watch their show and then ran back down when they were done.    We didn't 
attend finals as after  9 hours, although my husband tags along, it really isn't his cup of tea, and I also felt
that maybe with all the people attending, I would rather someone who really had kids in the finals could be there.
Also, with 4 of us, it saved us the cost of the tickets : )
 
So just some Random thoughts about the day.
 
1.  The Alamodome needs cup holders.  Really hard to get up and clap after every band when
I have to constantly put the drink down, and pick it back up so people could get in and out of the rows. 
 
2.   My kids really loved the Keller show as well as James Bowie.  I think the kid doing the back flips did it for them, LOL.
 
3.  The kids really liked the part of the Avon show where the kids thru there instruments in the air.    But they (or we all) hoped
they didn't practice that move on the cement parking lots during rehearsals.   Actually, as a parent, I just though, OMG,
do they know how much those things cost!  I think they needed a disclaimer that no instruments were harmed during
performance!   (But it was really cool!!)
 
4.  The Avon band parents around us were so nice!    Very complimentary of all the bands.    So many made the trip!   
 
Anyway, I think so much has been said already about all the talent out there on the field over the weekend.  I am sorry I didn't get to see all the bands, like CTJ or Leander, but I saw pretty many of them.   All of those kids from top to bottom are class acts and should be very proud of all they accomplished.  
 
And if anyone has a link to the Plano East performance that I promise not to distribute or share, I would love to see it again. You can PM me    Not that I think anyone has an illegal recording or anything.   (I did see quite a few people recording during prelims and was surprised no one stopped them).  
 
That's all for now! 

Does anyone have any insight why the schedule isn't out yet? Less than two weeks away! I know some bands know their time but I don't have any insider info anymore!

Got into San Antonio this afternoon. Did the Riverwalk for dinner. Looking at the schedule for tomorrow... gotta love it when your teenagers say we have to get up at 5:45 am so we can get ready, eat breakfast and get there in time to see LD Bell at 7:30 am.

Got into San Antonio this afternoon. Did the Riverwalk for dinner. Looking at the schedule for tomorrow... gotta love it when your teenagers say we have to get up at 5:45 am so we can get ready, eat breakfast and get there in time to see LD Bell at 7:30 am.

I like leaving early for the trip down but we have to drop the dog off so we will leave after rush hour. I will have my phone to watch the FloMarching live feed.
Thankful for unlimited data!
 
I guess I will have to visit Buc-ees someday, never been to one!

I haven't seen Lake Ridge but I agree with your predictions based on what I have heard.
 
I liked Prospers show but Wakelands last movement with Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral sold it to me.

I haven't seen Lake Ridge but I agree with your predictions based on what I have heard.
 
I liked Prospers show but Wakelands last movement with Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral sold it to me.

Booked the hotel room for the weekend   I will have to see if I can get my kids up and ready to be there
for the first block of bands on Saturday!    

Sorry.. Region 24 is in area B. The bands would be Prosper, Wakeland, Centennial, Liberty, Heritage, etc... so the Frisco school. All schools received a 1 rating. And they all should get extra credit... the wind was brutal!

I think they definitely deserve what they make.  And with the other activities that are year round
(UIL Solo and Ensemble, concert band, other trips, etc)  I think they deserve more, LOL than a football coach  

I was thinking the same thing, we need the schedule! Last time we went we left at 4 am.Saturday but need to know if we need to take Friday off.

It was one of the fun show's I've seen in awhile.  I am still smiling about it!    Maybe you can find it on Youtube, or maybe quile78 can get you a link to one (I know many of the shows are not available anymore for privacy/copyright reasons).     

I am going to see if my son at college station can join us too (he would be the PESH graduate). I have to get approval from from work but hopefully its not an issue. Then I have to figure out if I can take my son out of school (HS Freshman) for a day!

Who wants a "Every time you march out of step, a kitten dies shirt"?

Loved that bells show!  Plano natives unite!

I wouldn't discount Plano East this year. Last year, they had a visual designer crap out on them mid-season after only designing 1/4 of the show. A new guy came in mid-September and helped them advance to state. My sources tell me that new visual designer took over their guard program this year—which has been a rough spot in the band program for the last few years. I wouldn't be surprised if they had a strong showing this year.

Great, thank you!   

I have to chime in about the quality of the live stream too.   The sound was terrible, but since I had to mirror from my phone (couldn't log in thru either of my TV's for some reason) I thought it might have been that. Was also disappointed with the camera work.   I know they like to zoom in on kids from time to time, but you really lose the effect of the show when you don't show what is happening on the other parts of the fields.    I started to get irritated when Reagan was on and the kept going back to the singer and I really just wanted to see what was happening on the field! 
 
And sound wise, none of the bands sounded good and I know that the dome "rings" with music when those bands are playing!   It was all so muffled.

It so hard to tell watching the streamimg video how the bands sound and even if they march clean since they keep zooming in on individual performers. So I just appreciate the Plano East mention