[Marching Tech Jobs]

17 hours ago, Clef Hanger said:

Does anyone know of any marching bands in the Houston area who could use a tech in the summer? I am looking for something to do this summer and definitely would like to get some experience on the educational side since I am a music ed major currently.

Might have better luck reaching out to schools directly. Check out district pages and email some directors. 

[2019 BOA San Antonio]

Now it's not only the fact that they have too many bands signed up that's a factor in making that sort of decision, but its also the difficulty in differentiating between these programs because they are just so close to each-other. It'll be nearly impossible to judge this competition.

Definitely. I even get confused at contests like Austin (however, I am very far from being a BOA judge). This contest needs to be reformatted to resemble a Grand Nats of the South, so to speak.

[2019 BOA Austin]

Super late to this thread- but woah. I was shocked by the results. Great stuff. Super proud of Rouse and CR.

[I wonder what BOA was thinking about]

I believe it has a lot to do with the attitude most people in California have towards extracurricular activities- here, it's a little odd when all you do is go to school. Most Californian teenagers I know are very much focused on where they're going after HS. Academics are very important. I'm fairly involved in Boy Scouts, so I make trips around the country to work for groups who need it. Californian Scouts (whom I just visited in San Francisco) are the ones who have struck me the most out of any group I've ever worked with. For a significant portion of these young men (and now women!), they are not there to have fun. They are there to add to the resume. On top of that, there's not a whole lot of them. Scouting in general is very small there.

 

Rambling about a completely different activity aside, I know it's all very anecdotal. That's just personally what I believe.

[2019 BOA Austin]

I'll definitely be at Austin!! I haven't been as active on the forums this season but don't think I'm not into band anymore- I still very much am.

[#TeamTexas - Grand Nats Gathering]

This is awesome! I cannot partake in the drinks, but I plan to make it up to Grand Nats this year. Let’s go #TeamTexas!

[BOA Houston 2019]

This is a MUCH different BOA Houston than it was when I attended as a band kid in the early to mid 2010s.

 

I was thinking this exact thing the other day. This event and skill tier has completely shifted in the last four years.

[Texas Bands Contest Schedule 2019]

We should definitely do that. And at other BOAs as well. I still like my idea of setting up a TXBands canopy somewhere at local events so we can mix and mingle. Of course the important TXB folks will be busy in the press box (eating chicken and hobnobbing with the judges and MFA staff), but the TXB followers can have a good time. I wonder if they would let us bring a grill?

 

Super late to this thread buuuutttt I love this idea!! Someone keep me in the loop!

[BOA McAllen 2019]

I'm not too sure about how strong Churchill is, especially for taking first place. I believe they will rank highly, but I have some doubts regarding a first place spot. That's just me though. I haven't seen anything from them, so if anything is out there feel free to PM it to me.

[2019 BOA Grand National Championships]

Wow. That's insane. Who in the world would think that fine arts aren't important? Here in Texas at least one year of fine arts is required to graduate. It teaches students so much in life. This is one of the many reasons why I would never live in California. Ugh. I feel bad for all of the band kids wishing they could have a better opportunity for education and competition over there. They apparently are all about the traditional sports and the money over there. No offense to your home, by the way, or your alma mater. 

 

Well, I think a big contributing factor to the prominence of marching band (in the areas where it's big) has to do with HS football. If you look at places where marching band has big programs or high participation, Friday Night Lights are very popular. I don't know about the FNL scene in California, but I believe that proves my point.

 

Take this as you will: it's herbaflerb's hot take of the day.

[SA Finalist Shows Elimination Game]

The Wanderer +1
Lost and Found -1

 

All Hallows Eve 10
One Love 8
En Pointe 8
Twist of Fate 6
Uncharted Waters 13
The 4th Dimension 14
On the Waterfront 16
Leonardo's Dream 21
In the Garden of Cosmic Speculation 7
Just Another Brick 5
Sense of Direction 4
Steadfast Tin Soldier 4
Proddigy 12
Us and Them 11
Testament 9
Symphony of Silence 16
Sculpt 18
The Forest Thru the Trees 15
The Wanderer 10
Change is the Only Constant 7
Synapse 11
Polarity 8
Tremendous Sea of Love 8
Lost and Found 14
Endeavor 14
Loop 17
Pop 17 

[SA Finalist Shows Elimination Game]

I think we are giving this too much thought.

 

I love how protective we get of our favorites, as we should, but at the end of the day, it’s just a (mostly) friendly competition.

A little late to the thread, but I agree. It’s just a game. Doesn’t retroactively change BOA scores. Also +1000 The Wanderer -10000 everyone else

[Flip folders]

My school uses flip folders for our songs in the stands and when playing for our drill team. It's far too much music to memorize in addition to our show. The flip folder you mentioned is the same one I used to use. It's pretty good. Best of luck.

[2019 BOA Austin]

 

Updated as of May 15, 2019

 

Belton H.S., TX*

Byron P. Steele II H.S., TX

Cedar Park H.S., TX*

Cedar Ridge H.S., TX*

Claudia Taylor Johnson H.S., TX*

Cypress Woods H.S., TX

Del Rio H.S., TX

Jack C. Hays H.S., TX*

James Bowie H.S., TX*

John Horn H.S., TX

Johnson H.S., TX

Lake Travis H.S., TX*

Leander H.S., TX*

Lubbock-Cooper H.S., TX*

New Braunfels H.S., TX

Pflugerville H.S., TX*

Robert E. Hendrickson H.S., TX*

Round Rock H.S., TX*

Rouse H.S., TX*

Shadow Creek H.S., TX

The Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, TX

Vandegrift H.S., TX*

Veterans Memorial H.S., TX*

Vista Ridge H.S., TX*

Wagner H.S., TX

Westwood H.S., TX*

 

Absolutely fantastic lineup. Move over, ACL. I know what fall music event I'm attending this year.

[2019 BOA Austin]

Well I'm quivering in anticipation so I might as well dive right in. Here's my predictions and my rationales.

 

1) CTJ

 

Love em or hate em, they are the epitome of consistency. They put out incredibly difficult and well excecuted programs every year since their rise to prominence in 2011. Furthermore, they have won the past two BOA Austin competitions, and I can't see them just throwing that out the window this year.

 

2) Vandegrift

 

Vandegrift is a powerhouse program that always comes flying out of the gates early in the year. I am always blown away by how clean their show is so early in the season. Can't see them not medaling.

 

3) Leander

 

After seeing their music selections on their instagram page, I am PUMPED to say the least. Leander seems to really be pulling out all of the stops for their grand nats trip this year, and I cannot wait to see the product on the field at Austin. Maybe a little bias here, but they have a very strong chance at medaling.

 

4) Vista Ridge

 

Vista Ridge has risen to BOA greatness faster than any other band that I have seen in my 3 years of marching. They have an incredibly driven set of students and an awesome show concept that I can really see going far. Only reason that they aren't higher for me is because last year their show seemed to develop more and more throughout the season, but I could easily see that changing after the incredible showing that they have last year. These Leander ISD schools are on something.

 

5) Cedar Park

 

I feel like last year's showing from Cedar Park was nothing but a little blemish on the grand slate of Cedar Park greatness. Ever since 2015 I have been addicted to Cedar Park. Their shows are fun, entertaining, and often have a juvenile element that you can't help but admire. Also, being a huge Greek mythology nerd, their show being based around the aftermath of Icarus' fall just puts the icing on the cake. Excited for sure.

 

6) Cedar Ridge

 

Full transparency; I am a student here, so me placing them here may show a lot of bias, but hear me out. We have had a head director change, and he has some very cool ideas and is taking a great amount of initiative to not only transition smoothly, but to improve all of the systems that we already have in place. The students have experienced a lot of growth musically over this past semester, and we have an incredible set of students in leadership. I can really see this Cedar Ridge band going further than we ever have, but hey, im extremely biased so we'll just have to see.

 

7) James Bowie

 

James Bowie knows how to put together shows that really make you think, and I believe that this will help them place highly in the next season. Despite their constant director changes, the students really seem to know what they need to do to maintain an excellent standard. Bowie's long reign at the peak of the BOA scene, I believe, will keep them comfortably in finals.

 

8) Hendrickson

 

Hendrickson just might go down in history as the school with the most crowd favorite shows in history. Their shows are always engaging, exciting, and almost always leave a positive impression on the listener. I really can't see them missing finals. Awesome program.

 

9) Round Rock

 

Round Rock always puts on a show for the crowd. Despite the downward trend that they seem to be experiencing at the moment, I do believe that they will remain a finalist level program for sure. I do believe that they will place in the bottom half, although I really would like to see them return to the legendary status that Round Rock used to have.

 

10) uhHHHhHhH

 

Rather than put in a definitive tenth place prediction, I'm going to just give some great programs that I could see sneaking in.

 

i) Rouse

 

If I had to pick a tenth place prediction, this would be it. Rouse experienced a breakout year last year, and I would really like to see them rise to the level of their Leander ISD brothers. 

 

ii) Westwood

 

Westwood has some very talented musicians in their program, and I could see that taking them far this next season if their show utilizes them in the correct way.

 

iii) Lake Travis

 

Lake Travis had an awesome year, and I believe that they have the drive and motivation to push them into finals.

 

iiii) John Horn

 

John Horn came out of NOWHERE at state and surprised us with a powerful sound and awesome excecution. 22nd at 6A state is no small feat, and I believe that this could transition into the BOA world.

 

Sorry for being a little long winded. Hope you enjoy my meaningless predictions haha.

 

Hey there fellow Cedar Ridge student!

 

Solid list, but I just wanted to point something out you mentioned. LISD bands are onto something: having very strong middle school programs. You don't get that good when you don't get exceptionally good at the fundamentals of music early on. High schools can only do so much.

[2019 BOA Austin]

Let's face it.  I suck at predictions anyway. 

 

We all suck lol. There's just about nothing thus far, other than show names and basic concepts.

[2019 BOA Austin]

Those are always fun, eh? 

 

I'm thinking...

 

1)  CTJ

2)  Leander  

3)  Vista Ridge

4)  Vandegrift

5)  Round Rock

6)  Cedar Park

7)  James Bowie

8)  Cedar Ridge

9)  Hendrickson 

10)  Rouse

 

Let's be honest...the top 3 could be any combination of my top 7!  And CR or Hendrickson could sneak in as well.  Or ROUSE EVEN! I love this contest.  

 

Round Rock that high? No offense to them, but they haven't been doing too hot these last few seasons.

[2019 BOA Austin]

Since I know everyone wants to hear my excellent predictions six months out:

 

1. Claudia Taylor Johnson H.S., TX

2. Vista Ridge H.S., TX
3. Vandegrift H.S., TX
4. Leander H.S., TX 
5. Cedar Ridge H.S., TX
6. Cedar Park H.S., TX
7. Lake Travis H.S., TX
8. James Bowie H.S., TX
9. Round Rock H.S., TX
10. Hendrickson H.S., TX

[2019 5A State]

Rouse is definitely going to be in the conversation for a medal, as well as Dripping Springs (who I thought should have won in 2017). Not to mention Lebanon Trail and Wakeland. With Cedar Park in the mix, I don't really see any band that is clearly 1st. That doesn't even include Houston-area schools. This sounds like a pretty heated finals competition!

 

I love Rouse!! They're a really good band and I always enjoy their shows. Hoping they do just as well as they did last season.

[2019 5A State]

Any thoughts on friendswood??

 

I know I'm a little late to this thread, but I agree with  everyone else. They're going to do just fine.

[2019 BOA San Antonio]

To be fair, their show very much resembled Boston Crusaders. Most of that staff also worked for them. If someone just gave me a show originally intended for a drum corps but toned down a bit I don't know how I'd feel.

 

On the other hand, that was an incredible show. We'll see.

[2019 BOA San Antonio]

If I've said it once, I'll say it again: V I S T A R I D G E

 

On a more serious note, I cannot wait to see what they're up to this season. I was at the Capital yesterday and their drumline happened to perform for us. I don't really like drumlines most of the time, but it was really awesome.

[Texas Marching Classic 2019]

Personally, I think the best route would have been to do both. The prelims score should have counted in finals due to the circumstances. Then the weather robbed them of their finals run, so an exhibition would be the best thing next to a judged finals run.

 

Oh well. It happened in October and there's not a whole lot a few forum users can do about it. Created some good discussion though.

[2019 VISTA RIDGE MARCHING FESTIVAL]

I really enjoyed their show this past year and I think their results at BOA San Antonio really surprised everyone. I'm excited to see how they continue to improve this year!

 

Them going to SA at all surprised me quite a bit. They really came out of left field (or side 1 lol) there.

[2019 VISTA RIDGE MARCHING FESTIVAL]

I'm glad to see Hutto go to more events. Round Rock is right down the street from them, so I know a ton of their members. I'm super excited to see how they evolve over the next few years.