TWHSParent

That is correct - since it is an away game, the Jr. High is not able to support. At least that is the message that was given.

That is essentially what I say in my draft letter I posted last night (although I intentionally don't say anything about the football team - I focus on the strengths of the band). I also just saw another letter from the booster president that she made available for us.

Exactly. Her boss told her the news. She told us. We can take further action, she can't. She handled it correctly and is not actively part of any further activities the parents choose to do. That whole "insubordination" thing: Not applicable here.

I do want to state for the record that Mrs. Perez came into the meeting, gave some updates, and ended with this news. She then deferred to the Booster President to run the remainder of the meeting. She answered specific questions that were directed at her (such as availability of McCullough), but she did not participate in the follow up discussion in any other way.

If it ends up this way we just have to deal - go out and win prelims! It actually looks like we'll have all the drill on the field for that contest, which is unusual for us. Choreography will still be a work in process. As was mentioned earlier, our sound is really good so far too - quite a bit better than recent years at this stage. I've not said much about our progress, but I'm ticked enough tonight to spill some beans...

That is an interesting option to consider.

Certainly no discount, and certainly no reduction in band fees either...

That was discussed, and no, the feeder jr high (McCullough) can't support an away game. TWHS doesn't have a JV band, so that isn't an option either.

So at the band booster meeting tonight, we were informed that the band will not be allowed to perform in finals, and MUST "Support the football team". Apparently it was handed down today. It was suggested at the meeting that the band parents politely ask the Conroe ISD administration to reconsider that decision. I'm working on my letter... As a parent of a member of The Woodlands High School Marching Band, it was with great disappointment that we were given the news that our students would have the opportunity to showcase their hard work ripped away from them on October 6th. Our children spend just as many hours preparing their performance as any other athletic organization, and they deserve the opportunity to showcase their work in the environment most suited to marching band, which is a competitive marching band contest. The Woodlands High School Marching Band program is not merely one of the best in Texas, but is one of the best in the entire United States. This program has won the Bands of America National Championship, and is both a UIL and BOA finalist on a regular and consistent basis. In order to maintain the high level of performance and to improve, critical review and feedback is paramount. This feedback is obtained by performing the program at competitive events. Making and performing at the finals of any event is a growth opportunity for all the band members, and eliminating that opportunity does a disservice to their personal growth and education. The band students are in band for a music education experience. They deserve every opportunity to further that education and experience for their benefit and growth. Therefore, I request that the decision to force The Woodlands High School Marching Band to forego the opportunity to perform in the finals of not just a contest, but a contest at our local stadium where more of the community and parents are able to attend and support, be reconsidered and that the band be allowed to perform at the Conroe BOA contest finals. Thoughts? How can I make it better?

Drop Belton HS TX.

Whether I think CTJ would finish 5th or not if I was to make a prediction (which I'm not), the 4 programs listed ahead in that prediction are certainly capable of causing that order of finish, so I can see the thought behind it. Would it be a surprise? Yes. Shocking? No. It Is Texas after all (and early season to boot).

Also, if something like this was to be worked out, there must be a better distribution of the smaller schools. Right now Texas is super strong in AAA and AAAA, but relatively woeful in AA and A. Maybe most of those on this board aren't too concerned with those classes, as only Tarpon and Marian compete at the absolute highest level, but Texas can't compete with North Hardin or Grain Valley, or with Adair or Norton. So in order to be considered a national level event, there has to be a much larger national presence across all classes. Doable? Yes. But does that mean San Antonio loses its current identity as the Texas Championship as adding the out of state bands means we hit a cap and start losing the Texas bands? At the top level, San Antonio is now equal to Grand Nationals, but it does not match Grand Nationals across the full spectrum of the competitive marching arts, and falls very short in the smaller school categories.

Shhh! You aren't supposed to say that out loud - last year was plenty bad enough...

Hmmm. How do you address that San Antonio is the absolute definition of a Super Regional? We get what, 1 out of state band per year to attend? There is nothing "national" about that attendee list. How would that be addressed?

I think that politicians think that words are cheap, and therefore expend them with reckless abandon. They do not believe they are obligated to stand by their words, and mainly use them as a distraction from what is really going on. Or am I too cynical?

Your last point is very true, and I've tried to be careful with my opinions since I've made very obvious which band I'm with. Haven't always succeeded. Heck, I'll give my opinion of our shows, but since I have a little bit of inside info, I really have to be extra cautious about what I say in a public forum. I love marching band, and even as a non-expert I can still tell the difference between a band that scores 75 and a band that scores 80. Where it gets tough is where all these bands put out such wonderful shows that the differences are so small, and a 2 point difference can be 10 placements. The 2013 show was terrific. I unfortunately never saw it live (I didn't live here at that time). My favorite show that I saw live was Hebron's 2015 show "360". Their Grand Nationals Semi-finals performance was the best thing I've ever seen live in high school marching band.

Just giving examples is the wrong way to go. The key to physics (and math) is to learn how to scope out the problem - what are your boundary conditions, what are your data points, what are you trying to achieve - then utilize the tools you have to solve the problem. It is really a way of thinking and approaching problems. Once that becomes second nature, things often will start to click for you. E&M was interesting. I also enjoyed optics and nuclear physics. Quantum mechanics was fascinating, but ultimately wasn't where I went - I tend to stick more to classical mechanics in my job (as you do). In fact, most of what I do is what I mentioned above - understanding a problem, figure out what the solution looks like, and working with the tools and resources available to bridge the gaps. So I actually use more of the problem solving that I learned than actual physics (but I certainly do use some). It is interesting your point on STEM and band. If I think back to my years, I would tend to agree with you. For me I loved band, and I loved science - one was a balance to the other and helped keep burnout at bay. My high school band was tiny (I think we put something like 35-40 people including guard on the field), and we were an occasional threat to win our class (usually A but sometimes AA) at a contest. We didn't have a terribly strong program - for instance I was trumpet section leader for 4 years as there were no upper class players ahead of me. It has been interesting interacting with the band here these 4 years and contrasting that to my experience. I hope this program continues to inspire people - it is gratifying to hear about inspiration, which ultimately matters far more in life.

Sucks that you had such a negative experience. I loved Physics in high school and college. I had some very tough classes of course, and in graduate school I had classes where the professor designed the exams so the class average would be in the 30 or 40% range. They would be curved as the intent was to obtain that score. My high school physics class was great - I remember designing bridges with straws for maximum load bearing, designing an egg drop container to be dropped off the roof of the school and keep the egg unbroken, we had to design a paper airplane that could stay in the air a long time, and one that could be thrown from one end of the gymnasium to the other. I remember most of it came pretty easily to me, and I didn't get stressed over the class, which is important. Of course, I was in high school back when dirt was young, and my kids think dinosaurs were still around...

I have a degree in Physics with a math minor, so yeah, I like math a little.

My wife would also object, as she has to stay with the band. I would get the evil eye if I did that without her...

You order them through http://www.musicforall.org/what-we-do/boa-marching-championships/vip-experience I decided to slum in section 313, row 1.

Yep. And it is also dubious to make any judgements about sound from these too. Mobile phone microphones aren't really intended for recording the full breadth of tones that a band produces. Heck, even higher end cameras don't have the audio recording chops to be of real use either.

Thank you. Best of luck to you as well - I'll certainly be keeping an eye on how you are progressing over the season. Texas 6A is fiendishly difficult to compete in, and I don't think there will be any let-down after last year set such a high bar. BOA scores may be a little lower due to UIL focus (maybe), but the depth and outstanding shows will do nothing but grow.

I think we are going to have a stronger music GE program this year. Execution is the question, as we have a large freshman class, but we did lose some, ummm, personality challenges. The new class has come in and they've worked hard with a very good attitude. I've had the opportunity to see and hear the first 3 parts of our show during practice, and there is significant potential (and some realized potential too). The show is also more accessible to the general audience I think, as I know many people were confused by last year's show.

Yes, but it isn't on the band calendar. We'll perform in finals if we make it. I checked 2015, and it had the football game on the band calendar the evening of the Conroe contest. As I recall, McCullough covers for us about once a year, and this year that would be the needed help. No other major conflicts with UIL or San Antonio.