b_radon

SHARK WORLD!!!

Too cute

can we end this conversation already - this is a yearly thing. unless someone has $500K in their pocket that wants to ensure that the "Best in Texas" goes to G Nats let's just let it go.
In 2019 we heard... but if Reagan went... but they didn't - and Vandy brought home the Eagle. how do you think the Vandy program felt to heard - but if Reagan went...
Hebron had a phenomenal show and they took gold in BOA-SA and State - their season is over and they will now prepare for their trip to Pasadena and the Tournament of Roses parade in January. I know they will have a great time. but let's start supporting the 7 programs that ARE going to Indy and move on.
 

CTJ has 6 drum majors. They rotate in and out of the show. 

The whole dance off of BOA needs to change respectfully. It is a marching competition and I've noticed many bands never march more than a minute or so of the entire show compared to the dancing portions.

Gang
 for many of you that where in Indy in 2019 with the Texas 6 pack recall, we had a gathering on Friday night to get together to watch the Flo-Marching steam of the Prelims announcements and hear that all 6 Texas Bands had advanced to Semi-Finals. We had some great alumni parents from a lot of Texas Programs and even our honorary Avon Texas band. We had the TxBands folks, Horn rank, some of the MFA/BOA staff, some band directors and even Eric Martin, then CEO of MFA/BOA came to speak with us prior to heading back to participate in the announcements. 
At that time the Westin had vacated a Shula's steak house and we were able to get a meeting room in that space and food/drinks at a reasonable cost, I have spoken to all of the Marriott hotels in Downtown and the cost of a room and the A/V connections have a cost requirement of more than $100 per head. so I had been working on some other options.
As you know, Eric Martin stepped down last year as CEO of MFA/BOA during Covid. My wife and I have been invited to his retirement party at Lucas Oil on Friday night prior to the announcements for semi-finals.  I have met Eric a few times during his trips to San Antonio and am grateful for his time to speak to our group at grand nats and feel the need to attend this event.
sadly, we will not be having a Friday night event at Indy this year. I apologize as I truly enjoyed getting to meet the people behind the TXBands screen names and share our passion for marching band even after our kids are no longer in the programs.
If you are in the stadium - look for our Texas Flag (5' X 8') that will hang from the suite every time a Texas band enters the field for finals - and don't forget to sing "deep in the heart of Texas" with us as they enter the field in Finals.
Safe Travels to all  
 
 

Hello, everyone! 
If you're a student (or parent) going to Nats for the first time, I have some advice for you. I've been three times, once as a spectator and twice as a performer. 
Performers should bring the following:
Everything you need to perform
Toiletries (oral care, hair care, contact lens stuff, those kinds of things)
A thicker jacket (not a winter coat), beanie, maybe gloves, thick socks, sweat pants to wear over your rehearsal gear (it's gon' be cold)
A duffle bag or backpack to take to the Indiana Convention Center
Everything you need to rehearse, if your band's gonna do that
$50-100 in cash, or put money on their debit card, if your wallet allows. They're gonna wanna buy stuff at Lucas Oil! 
I recommend wearing leggings (guys too) under their uniform, and put thick socks over them. Please convince your band directors to allow this. I can't stress that enough. The walk from the ICC to Lucas Oil in uniform is not pleasant. 
Extra food - your metabolism will be through the roof, and you'll always be hungry. If your room has a microwave, bring some popcorn and fall asleep watching a movie! 
Phone, charger, and portable charger. 
Hand warmers
DEODORANT
Shower stuff other than shampoo. If you're gonna shower, you only need to wash your hair at most.
Things performers don't need to bring:
School stuff. You won't have time or wifi most likely. 
Pajamas - sleep in what you're wearing tomorrow
Video game systems - yes, kids will do this and stay up way too late playing games. Please don't do this. 
A winter coat - again, it takes up too much space. My first time going as a performer I looked like I was from Antarctica. The next trip I brought a thick hoodie and that was fine. If your student has a letterman, that's perfect! 
Other stuff:
Make sure either you or your kid buys the official Grand Nats patch and the official Grand Nats t-shirt. The patch is great for their letterman, and they'll wear that t-shirt until you put it on a quilt.
Don't let school get in the way. This trip is a time to put all your energy towards band. Worry about school when you get back. 
Like I said, this is a trip where you focus everything on band. Your rehearsals and performances will be a lot better because the kids aren't worrying about other things. 
Parents, make sure you have things ready to take care of the kids: medicine, extra snacks, first aid, etc. 
Boys, you smell. It's in your DNA. Even if you don't have time to wash your hair every day, you need to get in the shower at least once a day and soak. 
Ladies, unless you smell, which most of you don't, you could go the whole trip without a shower. 
You will average at 6 hours of sleep a night - parents included. When your band directors say to sleep, GO TO BED. 
It's the end of the season, and I'm sure you'll all be sick and tired of each other. Try to enjoy it, and don't talk bad about other people like you usually do during the season.
Students, this will be the best weekend of your life, as long as you put your focus on band and perform your absolute best. 
The only thing you should be drinking is water. You too, parents. 
Last thing: enjoy it. 
If I forgot anything, feel free to add! Have a good trip, everyone!

Saw a comment on another forum where regarding the “Texas Loud” stereotype, they said “if I want my face blown off, I’ll just watch DCI” if a high school ensemble can handle it, absolutely let them go as full out as possible👀 I’m always here for it🔥🔥🔥

with the kind of drill ctj does they would probably kill the children if they did any more stuff in that show
 
this is texas we dont know what marching and playing means  
 
cant wait to see vista today lets go vista gang 💪💪💪💪

LD Bell and Westfield, too! Marcus  and Flower Mound both need to add a Grand Nats win to their belts in order to join them, and The Woodlands needs to win a SMBC Finals. Vandegrift has not yet won a SMBC finals in the highest classification group, but in order to have a win at all three, they just need to pull at San Antonio SR.
 
Edit: It would also be incorrect for me not to mention CTJ with winning last year's SMBC Finals and 2 San Antonio SR wins.

I have the sheets.
Heres a link: 
 
https://authenticity50.com/products/authenticity-50-exclusive-white-sheets

Panel 1 is definitely the stronger panel. The first block on Friday alone has 5 likely finalists with Reagan, Blue Springs, Vista Ridge, Broken Arrow, and Flower Mound all performing very close to each other, with a bubble band in Rosemount in betwen them. Then you have Marcus, William Mason, Round Rock, Dobyns-Bennett, Homestead, Castle, Brownsburg, and Marian Catholic also in Panel 1. Going to be tough to get into the top 11 from that panel.

Panel 2 strongest block is the last block on Thursday Night with Lawrence Township, Avon, Carmel, O'Fallon, Wando, and CTJ to finish the night. - Panel 1 has 5 of the 7 Texas programs in it. should one heck of a weekend for band.

Just for convenience sake, I updated the first post in this GN thread to include the schedule for this event. That way everyone can conveniently find it by going back to the beginning of this GN thread anytime they need it. I will update it as needed.