TWHSParent

SFA had a really good show. They are in the running for finals.

Good run by Bowie. The kids kept tripping on the tarp in front, and one girl fell.

Cinco had a nice show. Enjoyed it.

Del Rio was great!

I missed Oak Ridge. Grrr. There was a line at the ticket counter. I let a few Oak Ridge people ahead of me. So I made it for Clear Brook. Very nice show. Certainly in the discussion for finals. Klein Oak is really pushing themselves. I think their show can be really good with more work, but isn't quite there yet. Enjoyed it though. Weather wise I haven't seen this much blue sky for weeks. Already hot...

Agreed. In the four years our band member has been part of this program they've not had a show this far along this early in the season. Still things to add and clean of course, but to my eyes and ears they are in mid to late October form (from recent history) at the end of September. I think this will become the new normal or you fall too far behind to catch up.

That is a good question, and I don't know the answer. I would guess that Joni Perez (or Kyle Witty, or both) has a really good ear for them, and she works with Wayne Downey to make it so. I think I remember reading you were at the exhibition last Friday, so you've heard this year's ballad too, which is also pretty awesome.

I burned up my knees sitting in the stands last year (I didn't think about them as much as face/arms - oops), so I've already checked to be sure the sunscreen is available and ready...

And now it is 40% chance during the day, and still 20% at night. High is now 89F, with that good 'ole "real feel" of about 98F. I'll take the bright side: at least it isn't a real feel of 110F or higher as it was during the summer. It will be a sunscreen day!

On the latest schedule, it looks like Klein Forest has dropped. Now only 30 bands attending. They were going to go on at 1:15. Lunch break is extended 15 minutes with Pearland now going on at 12:45 instead of 12:30.

As of today, there is a 50% chance of rain during the day, and 20% chance at night. 87F for the high.

From what I hear through my band kid, they are very happy and excited to have the opportunity to perform at the contest Saturday night. Again, thank you to everyone that supported our band!

Ha! So true!

These are exactly the stories that matter most. Thank you for sharing this one!

For us, think a show more like 2016's On the Waterfront, but we are ~2-3 weeks ahead of where we were that year at this point (in my opinion). That show really came together late, whereas this one is coming along well from the get-go. We also have the added benefit of no hurricane this year vs last, which has done nothing but help. A little rain here and there hasn't been a problem comparatively.

Based on what I saw of them last year at Grand Nationals, and expecting that they would improve on that, I very much expect Prosper to make finals. I even listed them to finish 4th in my submitted prediction for this contest. Maybe a little high, but then again, maybe not.

I'll be a complete homer with my predictions.... The Woodlands Vandegrift Reagan Bowie Seven Lakes Cy-Fair Churchill SFA Pearland Oak Ridge

And as of today, it is supposed to be clear in the morning, 40% chance of rain in the afternoon, and cloudy in the evening, but only about 10% chance of rain. If this holds, then we have a really good shot at a full contest. I submitted the contest but haven't seen or heard anything about the prediction going up.

Ahh, the weather. At last check there is a 60% chance of rain on Saturday here. Still several days out, so it could change.

Will be very interested in your impressions.

I think this is going to be an excellent contest this year. Vandegrift and Bowie looked very good at Austin, Churchill will likely be a finalist (bottom 5 in my opinion, but a finalist). Any thoughts on Reagan? They are performing Tuesday night at the NEISD festival - is anyone going? I've read thoughts from the Friendswood contest. SFA did well, as did Pearland and Oak Ridge. Clear Brook was not in the top 4. It is tough to be critical of your rooting interest band, but what I saw Friday night from TWHS was quite good. Probably the best sound we've put out since before 2015 (stronger high brass/mellophone sound this year throughout the show than we've had in recent years, so a more balanced sound with the low brass), and visually clean for this time of year (we are usually very visually dirty early on). I was sitting almost to our press box, and the sound projection to my seat was full and powerful. Still things to do of course, as they've only just put an ending on the field, and it showed. I will be interested to see what is added this week to make it stronger.

It really has been that one-sided in the friction between football and band, where the band is expected to sacrifice their work for the football team (and it is only the football team - no other athletic group has this sway). I think the pushback from the local and extended community at least opened some eyes a little. The key now is to keep that pressure on for all our programs. What our kids do is just as important to them and us as football is to their groups.

Absolutely. There's a Robert Heinlein quote that I learned when I was young - you live and learn, or you don't live long. This applies to policies just as much as people. While I don't think it should be a state of anarchy, there must be room for all the activities and students to achieve, experience, and learn.

That's good. I've really enjoyed your shows the last 3 years that I've seen them. I'm looking forward to seeing you guys this coming Saturday!

Thank you for the perspective. My response (to the policy, not you personally) is: so what? My child joined band to perform band activities, not football activities. The administration forcing it the way you mentioned deserves to be called out and publicized and "king" football ultimately needs to be put in its place. The "king" appellation needs to meet its