TWHSParent

And yet they didn't win a single music judge? It would be great if their show is that engaging and well-performed. Even if we don't (or even if we do) outscore them, it will be a treat to see them 5 times during that week in November.

When they showed us the inspiration, it made me want to be able to plan a trip to the UK...

Interesting that money comes up - I think it is over-rated. I say that by looking at the school my wife attended and did marching band in - Adair County, KY. Trust me, that is absolutely not a wealthy school district - it is a small, rural, low population county in southern Kentucky that has been an absolute first rate program for at least as long as I've paid attention to marching band (roughly 1982). For them it is about the program and making the best of what is available. What money can get you is flash. Substance comes from the program and buy-in from the students. 35+ years of being one of the best 3 or so small bands in the country speaks for itself, and it isn't tied to money.

I figure since they made it public at the football game tonight, I can post it. The Woodlands - In the Garden of Cosmic Speculation

Our kids missed their regularly scheduled practices during the week school was out, but UIL allowed schools to have athletic and band practices at the discretion of local school administration (this info is all at http://www.uiltexas.org/athletics/hurricane-harvey for those curious). Our administration allowed practices, so they were back with sectionals on Thursday and Friday while school was out, and did a summer-band like day on Saturday to make up the drill time. So in essence our kids didn't miss any time, but did have about a week between drill sessions, so their cadence was messed up a bit.

I can remember marching practices and outdoor contests 30 years ago when I was in marching band in the midwest - just as AvonDad describes. October/November is the antithesis of the Texas heat - shivering on the field, struggling to stay in tune, and for we small bands, shivering in big group huddles in the open-back, metal stands with the windchill somewhere in the teens or lower while the contest finishes and awards are handed out. Memories.... I'm also guessing that's why I now see some contests hand out small band awards earlier, just so they don't have to stick around to the end in that type of weather.

Absolutely a Texas band can win - Hebron beat both Avon and Broken Arrow in GN semi-finals in 2015, and that was a major and well deserved accomplishment (I saw all 3 shows in-person and completely agreed with those placements). There are multiple programs in Texas that are talented and capable enough to win this contest. Avon is as well of course - they are outstanding.

As far as the venue goes - Woodforest Stadium is fine so the contest should go off as expected. TWHS had a rehearsal there yesterday and everything was good.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. These situations bring out the worst, but also, and most importantly, the best in people. The amount of support we've received and given is astounding! Our kids have been working hard (as all bands are), and with the way they finished strong last year, all of those that are back this year expect to improve their performance, and improve on GN 2015. This year's show has the potential to be very musically and visually outstanding when all the elements come together. I'm very much looking forward to seeing where they are next month - I've only seen/heard bits and pieces so far. A (poor) hint on concept - I'm a physical science nerd, and the show concept is one that I find intriguing in that light. And when the title comes out, it references a real place that I didn't know existed and now I would like to try to visit one day.

TWHS Band is very quiet about their status, program, show information, etc., and they request parents and boosters to be careful about what we post publicly. What I can say is that Conroe ISD reopened this week (full week), and the band has been back on their regularly scheduled practices. UIL has made accommodations for the area schools affected by Harvey, and these are being used per their guidelines. I can't really speculate much on any lasting effects, but in general, The Woodlands area was not as affected by the flooding as the immediate Houston area - partially due to being at the extreme southern part of the piney woods vs. the coastal plain area where Houston is located. Not to say there wasn't flooding, because there was, but it wasn't as widespread as what was covered in the news in other areas of the metro region.