Band_dad_of_2

I was literally thinking this last night. I've seen more snark this season than any previous season. It's disappointing and you're 100% spot on...this is not the place for it. I'm not a Marcus parent but I've said it before on this board...the Marcus parents set the standard (for me and my wife) for supporting other bands when I got started with my oldest many years ago and had no idea what was going on. We were in the stands during a contest back in 2011 or 2012 and the group of Marcus parents gave every...single...band a standing ovation no matter the size of the band or quality of the performance. Why? Because they know this is about each kid who has devoted hundreds of hours to learning a show and it didn't matter if they finished 1st or 31st...they deserved recognition for their effort and hard work. This is band, folks....lighten up!

First off...congrats on your kid's band going to State! I've been to State twice with our kids and I can echo what MikeKyu said...GO! You never know if you'll get to do it again and it's a blast. I don't know which school you're with but one bit of advice, temper you expectations as a parent. It will make the experience much more enjoyable. When we went to state, I knew our band wasn't going to win...it was virtually impossible for them to win but when they made finals? pfffft...THAT was my personal victory. Your band made it to State...the rest is gravy!! If they make finals...even better! Just being in finals means that you're band is one of the top 10 in 5A....just consider that for a second. Even if they don't, just look at the journey that got them to San Antonio. Go...have fun...but also enjoy the individual victories and support every other band, too, because we all know how hard each of these kids have worked to make it there.

100%…this has happened to every band. I still question “how?” on a few results several years later. But you’re right…you don’t stop.

Based on the results from the Birdville contest, I'm revising my prediction slightly. Still going with Heritage and Summit advancing but the battle is for those two final spots with some really deserving bands missing out. I don't think Richland is a lock any more. Azle's result at Birdville was really impressive and they're goooood. And Aledo being right there with Azle and winning the music caption bodes well for them. Richland needs to work on their closer this week but that show is high energy and impressive. If you pin me down now, these are the schools fighting it out for the last two spots. Azle Aledo Richland Burleson Centennial My concern about Azle is that performance time...being the first band to perform can be tough. Best of luck to all!!

Curious about your Area F finals predictions…top 10 and who advances. Azle finishing 2nd is impressive…what was your question about their placement?

Oh, I'm aware. I remember when Frisco was a drive to the country and had one tiny high school. Now....not so much. And it's part of why the power shift happened like I was discussing in my earlier post. These suburbs grew like crazy and those areas have resources and a large talent pool.

Prosper is such a great example. A few years ago, barely anyone had heard of them and then....BOOM! 2017 was just a massive breakout year for them and I was so happy to see that happen.

I have to disagree...and, trust me, I'm not a dad at one of these powerhouse programs. I've been through really nice highs and some bone-crushing lows and rebuilds with this band. I don't know which bands your referencing but take a look at a few programs. LD Bell for instance. They have had success for decades...in 2007, they won Grand Nats, they've won State, they're always in contention at every competition. In 2016, they finished 16th at BOA San Antonio and in 2017, they finished 15th! It...was...stunning to those who have watched band for years. I have no idea what happened those years but obviously they had to rebuild something...now they're back and are awesome just like they were before. Marcus had been State champs for years until Hebron, FloMo and others came along. Marcus is still fantastic but they're not the automatic champs they used to be. And to their credit, Marcus and Bell didn't just sit back and say "Welp...that's it. We're done...we'll just have to be happy with 4th or 5th or just making finals." They retooled and make the other bands beat them...sometime they win, sometimes they don't. Haltom's another example. Haltom doesn't have nearly the resources that other schools have and 10-15 years ago, they weren't the program they currently are. Now, they are mentioned as a lock virtually every year. Their success has been building, though, for years and they're set to be contenders for the foreseeable future. My point is, please don't mistake success/hard work for bias. There's a reason Keller, FloMo, Marcus and Hebron are where they are...these schools haven't always been juggernauts. They have a system and program size that allows them to pick from the top players...many schools (like ours) don't have that. Is that fair? Well...yeah. This success didn't happen overnight. It was started many years ago and takes dedication from not only the kids, but the staff from the head director down to the techs. But it's not just that...these bands work hard at the middle school level to drum up excitement and talent for when these kids advance to HS. That kind of support system is absolutely vital to the success of these top bands. I know that sometimes it feels like David vs Goliath but, in this scenario, Goliath wins every time. But many times, the parents take these things harder than the kids. We desperately want success for our kids but band isn't just about success and failure. All the best!

Oh...hey. I just noticed BC will be at BISD this weekend. That will be a fun competition.

I actually have seen the contenders I mentioned above and I'll see Aledo this weekend. Aledo needs to bring their A game if they're going to win it...the three I mentioned are strong. Really strong. And I have no idea why I said BOA DFW was 2 weeks ago...I was just talking about it with my sister Sunday. Cranial flatulence? ?

Aledo is the favorite?

That was 2 years ago...BOA DFW was 2 weeks ago and Aledo made finals, Centennial didn't. Under two weeks to improve and clean up but that result sticks out in my mind.

This is going to be a GREAT contest. Here's my prediction...Heritage or Summit take 1st (they're both great). Richland will take 3rd (or 1st or 2nd...who knows!!!). Heritage/Summit/Richland The fight will be for the final spot. Aledo HS Burleson Centennial Mansfield Legacy HS Azle HS Midlothian HS Granbury HS

Congratulations! Best of luck to the Grapevine band!

Aledo 1st in Area F? I'd tap the brakes on that one. It's Heritage or Summit...maybe Richland.

The McKinney Invitational provided some clarity. Heritage and Summit were amazing and Richland was right there with them, especially in prelims, but fell a little in finals. The Birdville contest will be really interesting because several Area F bands (Joshua, Cleburn, Creekview, Brewer, Midlothian, Aledo, Burleson Centennial, Azle and Burleson HS will all be there. Smart since that's where Area will be held a week later. I'm going to go out on a limb and say, right now, these would be my top 4 (if only 4 make it out of Area)...if it's 5, I'll add one later. Colleyville Heritage Burleson Centennial Mansfield Summit Richland

Ayup....100%

From Danpod waaaay back in 2012...effect (BOA) vs execution (UIL).

BOA looks at music and marching but places a big emphasis in the overall show…it’s classified as general effect. The “acting”, the props, the flags are a major part of the judging. UIL is purely marching and music. Judges don’t evaluate the show itself. It’s only how well you march and play the music as a band and individually.

In no particular order, this is my finals prediction. Colleyville Herritage Burleson Centennial Mansfield Summit Richland Birdville Mansfield Legacy Azle Midlothian Aledo Granbury

"heavy favorite"? With all due respect, they'll be in the finals but there are too many really good bands to say they're the heavy favorites. Agreed, though, this will be a great contest.

Finals prediction based on nothing but reputation/guessing because of a lost marching season Duncanville Mansfield Summit Colleyville Heritage Richland Frisco Heritage Summit Liberty Highland Park Two other schools (just not sure)

Here's the schedule https://departments.mckinneyisd.net/finearts/mckinney-marching-invitational-october-9-2021/ Schedule as follows: SCHOOL PERFORMS @ Anna 10:30 AM Melissa 10:45 AM Heritage 11:15 AM Summit 11:30 AM The Colony 11:45 AM Wylie East 12:00 PM Lebanon Trail 1:15 PM Duncanville 1:30 PM Colleyville Heritage 1:45 PM Liberty 2:00 PM Richland 2:15 PM Lewisville 2:30 PM Plano Senior 3:00 PM Highland Park 3:15 PM Sherman 3:30 PM Wylie 3:45 PM Rockwall 4:00 PM McKinney North* 4:15 PM McKinney HS* 6:45 PM McKinney Boyd* 9:45 PM *exhibition

From the looks of the lineup, this will be a good teaser for Area F Colleyville Heritage, Richland and Mansfield Summit will all be watching each other closely.

I'm becoming more and more concerned that it won't happen. If it does, it will be interesting to see whether or not fans are allowed...I don't know if that would include the band or not. The game itself is not the only hurdle...some of the difficulty is getting kids to the games. Buses are tight spaces and would be a perfect breeding ground for the virus.