LeanderMomma

Yes I believe he decided to take his Senior year off from band.

We definitely aren't everyone's "cup of tea" if you will. That probably includes some of the judges.

Absolutely NOTHING lacked. They were brilliant. Truly. It's just that 15 other bands were infinitesimally better in prelims. Any other day, Vista could have been one of those bands, and 2 other brilliant bands would have been barely out of finals.

You totally read my mind because I had that exact same thought when I wrote that to The Woodlands Dad earlier. Thank you for giving me the details and the invite. I may very well take you up on it!! BTW, I go to church with Braeden's family (trombone player) if you know him.

This one made me very emotional! Could be because I'm completely exhausted from the amazing weekend and also have a sore throat, but I don't think that's the primary reason. I think this particular competition just had a special feel to it from the first moment last spring when we heard the news that Avon was coming down. It's just been building all season long, culminating in one massive 48 hour long state of euphoria and excitement, and "special" doesn't even begin to describe it. I also think the forums here have helped to build that enthusiasm. And it has created a real feeling of family and community as well. I hope everyone at BOA experienced some of that this weekend. And I hope Avon goes home feeling like they left a piece of their hearts in Texas because they definitely took a piece of ours with them when they left. BOA SA will never be quite the same again.

Our school is "just barely" big enough to be considered 6A by UIL standards, but not quite big enough to be considered 4A by BOA standards.

The "saxy" Hebron saxophone solo in 2015.

I hear you on the exhaustion. We got back to our home in Cedar Park at 2:30 am and I've spent the day trying to recover. I remember this time last year when we were also preparing for 6A state and then the trip to Indy immediately following state announcements. Crazy time, but oh so special. Prayers for safety for The Woodlands band community!! I wish we could attend the big send off performance!

I met a TON of good folks this weekend and only a small few fell into the latter category.

I think we should figure out a way to regularly send our top 3 to 6 bands to GN. Sort of like state!

By the way, I did not meet ONE single Avon parent in the latter category this weekend. Very gracious people indeed!!

So, in my limited 5 years of band (and post-band) parenthood, I've discovered that there are two distinct types of band parents in the stands at competitions, games and marching festivals. Correct me if I'm wrong. First, you have the humble, gracious, fun loving, courteous parents who support everyone. They show love to all of the bands and to the parents around them. They love talking about their own kids, but they also love hearing about yours. They are patient with others in the massively crowded stands, they cheer very loudly for every band, they don't rush off the moment their child's band has finished performing, and they truly love the whole experience. They become like instant family to you, regardless of how much better or worse their band might be than yours. Then there are the parents that look down their nose at anyone not affiliated with their program. They act disgusted if you talk too gleefully about other bands. Sigh heavily if you cheer too loudly. Glare if you dare need to get up and walk by them in tight spaces. Speak haughtily of their programs accomplishments and certainly don't cheer for ANY other band. Suddenly become extremely animated when their child's band takes the field. They leave the facility immediately upon completion of their show. They truly have not one iota of graciousness in them for any other program and they don't mind if everyone knows it. In fact, they hope you feel honored to have simply been in their presence. I have met both types of parents in these past 5 years, and I am truly remarkably impressed by the first and thoroughly disgusted by the second. Lord, help me to always be one of those parents in the former category. Amen.

Cedar Park *never* has an off year. They're clever like that. Keller was ON POINT this year!!

Any other time y'all would have made finals with Vista's show this year. This competition was insanely difficult on an entirely new level. No words...

The scores were so tight at the bottom. It was crazy. I know the kids are disappointed but WOW...WHAT A LEVEL OF BRILLIANCE! This year the high level of competition was just outstanding in San Antonio. No shame!!

Wow, what a contest. So much greatness in one location! I've just never seen anything like it in my entire life. And evidently neither has Dan Potter. I felt so humbled by his words last night. I know he was very moved by the level of competition this year, as were so many of us. I wish the Band kids could truly appreciate what they accomplished this weekend. I know the Leander kids were very disappointed with their placement, but I hope they will come to realize that 14th place in a level of competition that we saw this weekend is truly nothing to be ashamed of. I was so proud and happy for Hendrickson and Cedar Ridge, and so pumped to see Vandegrift medal for the first time at BOA SA!! Hebron was insane, as were Avon and CTJ. Just the overall level of band brilliance in the Alamodome this year moved me to tears many times this weekend. It was an experience that won't be forgotten by most of us anytime soon. And having Avon there amongst us just compounded the overall level of greatness even more so. It was just a mind blowing weekend and I hope the finalists bands, and those phenomenal bands that there weren't room for in finals, will fully appreciate what they accomplished this year regardless of placement. It was simply the best. But y'all...when Avon threw in "the Yellow Rose of Texas" into their usual warm up piece...that SLAYED me!!!!

CTJ most definitely takes some getting used to. I felt EXACTLY the same way the first time I saw them in San Antonio. Now I completely adore them. I hope Avon goes home and burns down Lucas Oil stadium!!!!

Hahahaha that's good!

We Leander peeps were so disappointed not to hear Vista's name announced! I think in any other competition this yeat we would have!!

Anyone else quickly reaching the "I'm so exhausted I can barely think, much less judge bands" stage? I sure respect these guys for being able to appropriately rate these bands after 2 L-O-N-G days of competition. They're all running together for me now! How do they do it?

I am so happy for Cedar Ridge and Hendrickson for making finals!!!!!

I totally do. They were special today and I predicted today after prelims that they would take a top 3 spot!

Or top 3!!!!!!!

Oh my word. No words for Vandy. They totally just set the bar!!!!!

Something about that whole train show just rocks my world!!