BandFan59

It'll be interesting to watch how Vandegrift performs now with Lipman in as the new head director. He's about as good of a choice as anyone could hope for to step into a program with the pedigree of Vandegrift, so I've no doubt they're going to continue to stay on top.

Absolutely agree. When I used the phrase "old school" I mainly refer to those directors that have a tendency to get verbally aggressive, threatening, and downright nasty towards their students without any of the positive reinforcement, all for the sake of trying to create a successful band program. I know there are plenty of older band directors out there that have not resorted to this type of culture under their direction and I applaud them for helping to set the standards that high school marching band is at today. As someone who marched for a director that was very much similar to Cartwright in their teaching practices, I absolutely do not think that is necessary or acceptable to run a successful band program and I'm glad that nowadays we are seeing less and less of that mindset in the marching band world.

This appears to be true and would be a massive shift in the marching band world considering how essential Cartwright has been to Broken Arrow's rise over the past few decades. That said, if what I've heard about the culture and instruction at Broken Arrow under him are true then I'm not surprised that they've decided to move on from him, especially in this day and age where that "old-school" teaching mindset really isn't acceptable anymore.

None of those Texas bands will be at Grand Nationals next year. Hebron goes on a four year rotation while the Woodlands, Round Rock, and CTJ are on two year rotations. Marcus' next trip is in 2025, and it's highly unlikely that Keller and Dripping Springs will go two years in a row. Should be interesting to see which Texas bands attend as the contingent tends to be lighter on even numbered years.

I think they'll almost certainly make their first trip within the next two years at least. They've long been rumored to want to attend and their St. Louis trips were specifically meant to build up to a Grand Nationals trip. Their Midwest Clinic invitation pushed things back a bit but they'll be in Indianapolis sooner than later.

Hebron's placed third with the music caption at all three of their Grand Nationals appearances. Certainly impressive and a feat worth applauding! While I thoroughly enjoyed their show this year, I do feel that 2021 and 2022 were probably stronger productions, albeit not by much. Congratulations to all the bands!

Final Results: 1. Avon H.S., IN 97.475 2. Carmel H.S., IN 97.275 3. Hebron H.S., TX 95.700 4. Blue Springs H.S., MO 95.075 5. The Woodlands H.S., TX 95.025 6. William Mason H.S., OH 94.350 7. Pearland H.S., TX 91.800 8. Round Rock H.S., TX 90.625 9. Bentonville H.S., AR 90.450 10. Keller H.S., TX 90.200 11. Brownsburg H.S., IN 89.350 12. Fishers H.S., IN 88.900 Outstanding Music Performance: Hebron H.S., TX Outstanding Visual Performance: Avon H.S., IN Outstanding General Effect: Avon H.S., IN Al Castronovo Esprit de Corps Award: William Mason H.S., OH 2025 Tournament of Roses Parade Invitation: The Woodlands H.S., TX

Jarrett Lipman, their longtime head director, left the school after last year. Though schools like Vandegrift and the Woodlands have been able to weather head director changes very well, the first few years after a change are always difficult, especially for a school moving on from someone as influential as Lipman has been.

Massive congratulations to Vandegrift on their first BOA San Antonio championship and setting a new record score! Even with Mike Howard moving up to a district-wide position they haven't lost a step these past two years and I'm sure everyone is ready for them to return to Grand Nationals and see if they can potentially win a second national title.

Wow, very impressed by LD Bell breaking into the top half!

Congratulations to all the finalist bands! I haven't been keeping up as much this year as I would have liked but it's exciting to see two new finalists in Bridgeland and Cy-Fair! That said I feel for the students over at CTJ being the first ones out. It's certainly a punch to the guts for a program of their pedigree and history, even in a transitional year, but I've no doubt they'll come back strong at San Antonio and Grand Nationals.

If anyone in the DFW area is interested in seeing some of the top bands perform live before state, Coppell is hosting a Show of Shows at their stadium on Saturday, October 28th at 5:30 PM as a send off for state. Hebron, Coppell, Keller, and Flower Mound will all perform and admission is free, though they're also taking donations for homeless shelters. None of these four will be at BOA San Antonio, so if you're not able to attend the state marching contest this will be one of the only opportunities to see them live before the end of the season.

Prelims Results: Class A: 1. Whitesboro H.S., TX Outstanding Music Performance: Whitesboro H.S., TX Outstanding Visual Performance: Whitesboro H.S., TX Outstanding General Effect: Whitesboro H.S., TX Class AA: 1. Lovejoy H.S., TX 2. Grapevine H.S., TX 3. Walnut Grove H.S., TX Outstanding Music Performance: Lovejoy H.S., TX Outstanding Visual Performance: Grapevine H.S., TX Outstanding General Effect: Lovejoy H.S., TX Class AAA: 1. Wakeland H.S., TX 2. Rock Hill H.S., TX 3. Azle H.S., TX Outstanding Music Performance: Wakeland H.S., TX Outstanding Visual Performance: Wakeland H.S., TX Outstanding General Effect: Wakeland H.S., TX Class AAAA: 1. L.D. Bell H.S., TX 2. Prosper H.S., TX 3. Keller Central H.S., TX Outstanding Music Performance: (3-way tie!) Prosper H.S., TX, Timber Creek H.S., TX, & L.D. Bell H.S., TX Outstanding Visual Performance: L.D. Bell H.S., TX Outstanding General Effect: L.D. Bell H.S., TX Finalists: Keller Central H.S., TX Waxahachie H.S., TX Azle H.S., TX Rock Hill H.S., TX Forney H.S., TX L.D. Bell H.S., TX Keller H.S., TX Wakeland H.S., TX Prosper H.S., TX Southlake Carroll H.S., TX Timber Creek H.S., TX McKinney North H.S., TX

Have not been able to keep up with marching band very much this season, but wow seeing CTJ in sixth is a real shock. I'm sure they're still adjusting in the post-Lipman era but I very much hope to see them bounce back and finish this season strong, I have always been a big fan of that program.

Final Results: 1. Rouse H.S., TX 85.15 2. Vandegrift H.S., TX 85.00 3. Vista Ridge H.S., TX 83.50 4. Cedar Park H.S., TX 83.15 5. Cedar Ridge H.S., TX 82.00 6. Lake Travis H.S., TX 80.25 7. Round Rock H.S., TX 79.20 8. Westwood H.S., TX 78.50 9. Leander H.S., TX 78.10 10. Westlake H.S., TX 78.05 11. Dripping Springs H.S., TX 76.05 12. James Bowie H.S., TX 75.55 Outstanding Music Performance: Vista Ridge H.S., TX Outstanding Visual Performance: (tie) Vandegrift H.S., TX & Rouse H.S., TX Outstanding General Effect: Rouse H.S., TX