Once inside the experience was defined by:
Disco Music
Disco Dancing
Fashion
Drugs
Sex
Absolute Decadence
How many of these things also define the Hendrickson show?
Extremely limited access? Not really, it's not demonstrated on the field in a memorable way that defines the show.
Disco Music? Yes, the melodies are there but the relentlessly driving groove of a dance club is never the strength of any marching band. It's a problematic design choice.
Disco Dancing? Not at a level that defines the show.
Fashion? Sort of, but not really. The Guard fashion looks like 1967 to 1972. Studio 54 opened ten years later, in 1977, and fashion had changed considerably. It would probably be helpful if they looked less like flamboyant extras from The Mod Squad and more like the cast of Saturday Night Fever or even The Village People.
Drugs? Definitely not.
Sex? No, not even a little.
Decadence? It's in the name of the show but that's as far as it goes and for a high school marching band, that is as it should be
Henny made finals at SA in 16', 17'& 18'. 3 years, not 2 and was lumped with the few bands that were screwed over by BOA in 15'.
As a 1980 high school graduate, the fashion is correct. We went from bell bottoms or short shorts, tight knit shirts and platform shoes (not on the marching field, thank god!) To puffy sleeves and parachute pants almost over night in the early eighties. The short life of Studio 54 influenced both fashion and Music of that time.
The title is "Music" of a Decadent People. Not the Decadence of the people.
I'm not sure if I agree totally with everything you have said, but I do think it's time for Henny to find another show designer. I don't feel the current designer is as invested in the program as before.
A lot of members graduated in 2019 and I consider Henny to be a fairly young band this year and with the new director change, I'm sure is influencing the show somewhat. But to see the judges placements; I'm not totally convinced that it is the program, the show or the bands performance that reflects the results.