gregorydf01

I was in Band in High School, College and the US Air Force (Band was not my full time job in the Air Force, just in Basic Training and on the side). I have two children, one a band alumni and the other still in band in High School. (Can you figure out my High School from the Profile Pic and even harder, the year? Hint the uniforms were new that year.) So would that make me an Alumni, a Parent and a Alumni Parent?

Thanks! Unfortunately VR will not be going to Grand Nat's this year but Texas will have great representation from the 6 Texas Bands that will be going! We will be at BOA San Antonio and I hope one year soon VR will make VR's first trip to Grand Nat's (not a prediction or insider information for next year, just a hope)!

Thanks for your response and explanation of what was intended. Please note that I showed your post to a couple of folks first prior to responding and both took it the same way I did as sounding like a backhanded slight at VR so I am very glad you responded and cleared up your intent. (Vista Ridge they have a lot on their shoulders being the state champion, and people expect them to repeat that success, which can be a heavy burden. They Need to focus on improving this year's show and leave last years behind them. ) Also thanks for the advise and I will now take it as intended. FYI: trust me, the Director's and Kids are not looking back but are very focused on this year

One of the great moments (of many with this day) for me was to see Johnson HS Buda in it's first year and first completion ever to come out with a well rounded show, prop's, guard and balanced band and perform very well. Great job and congratulations to the students, parents and staff that did all of this in year #1!

They will be hard to beat! Some other really good bands attending and they will still have to show up and perform.

Are you trying to say that Vista Ridge did not do well and that being State Champs means that for this contest not coming in 1st was not good enough and they have to focus more this year? I don't think you get it. It's not about placement results it's about doing your best and working to get better each time. Last year Vista got 77.5 in Prelim's and 82.5 in finals at this competition. This year in Austin they got a 82.25 in prelims and 83.35 in finals They improved in Finals over prelims both years and came in 4th both years and have better scores year over year. I am extremely proud of them and what they have done, they are focused and working hard and doing great!

So, has anyone kept count of how many "Strong Finalists" so far"? Going to be interesting to see who get's a spot, so many good bands!

What's your thought's on umbrella's in the stands for shade (only between performances) and umbrella etiquette in general at Marching contest? (#bringyourownshade)

I am hoping to see this one on the Predictions Page but not yet added. Getting close and is going to be lot's of good bands this year (25 to 26)! If you want to see it on the Predictions Page please put in a good word!

Your too fast Samuel, caught me before I could edit....

Need 11 spots in FInals: 3 RRISD, 5 LISD, CTJ, Bowie and Hendrickson. Too many good bands and not enough spots for all

I agree but I can't be more specific than below as they are all too close: 1st through 4th) CTJ / Vista / Vandi / Leander (may be in any order) 5th) Cedar Park 6th through 10th) RR / Rouse / Hendrickson / Bowie / Cedar Ridge (may be in any order)

From the Live Blog: AAAA - Music - McNeil AAAA - Visual - Winston Churchill AAAA - GE - John B Alexander 1st - John B Alexander 2nd - Winston Churchill 3rd - McNeil AAA - Music - Roma AAA - Visual - Roma AAA - GE - Roma 1st - Roma 2nd - Birdville 3rd - Mission AA - Music - Rio Grande City AA - Visual - Pioneer AA - GE - Pioneer 1st - Pioneer 2nd - Sharyland 3rd - Hidalgo A - Music - Santa Rosa A - Visual - Santa Rosa A - GE - Santa Rosa 1st - Santa Rosa Finalists (random order): Del Rio Winston Churchill Birdville John B Alexander Sharyland Roma Mission McNeil Pioneer United

Storm rolling through with big winds and rain just as McNeil Performs They did great with all of it going down. Must have been gusts of 40MPH.... Small cell so may be over within 10 min. Just bad timing for McNeil

United is my favorite of the day so far. Love the show, emotion and performance!

Sound and Video skipping for me on McAllen but not the other two locations. I am using the App on ROKU.

I would guess a RRISD band, it's a shared stadium as a home field for several of the RRISD schools so when they go to practice at the "Home" field they can do so at K.R. Stadium. (Like Leander at Bible and VR at Gupton).

Agreed, so many of them are adding elements and working to check all the boxes. Sure makes it fun!

For me both music and GE were not on par with what we have seen from Camel in years past, but it's still early. At this point it looks like they are leaving the door open for some other bands to step in this year (some Texas Bands!!!).

Yes, was a fun show! Good show title too for the first contest of the season "Tis the Season" !!!

Band Nerds are and have always been the best kind of nerds!

Congrats for Leonardo's Dream! One of my all time favorite shows!

Let's get UT Austin!

Polarity +1 On the Waterfront -1 Leonardo's Dream -1 On the Waterfront 9 Leonardo's Dream 31 Polarity 6

Polarity +1 Leonardo’s Dream -2 On the Waterfront 22 Leonardo's Dream 31 Polarity 10